Congratulations Vicki Bridge, RMFT, PCC, a recent graduate of UBC’s Sauder School of Business as a Family Enterprise Advisor.
Her new qualification further enhances her unique position to provide family owned businesses with the specialised expertise — they need and deserve — in strategic planning, succession planning, leadership development, conflict resolution and governance.
In Canada, family-owned businesses generate close to 60 per cent of GDP, employ 6 million workers, provide 55 per cent of all charitable donations and even create 70 per cent of all new jobs in North America. Yet, 70 per cent of these family businesses will fail before being passed down to the second generation and 90 per cent will not survive succession into the third generation. Although challenging, managing the relationship between business and family is vital for family harmony and business success in every generation — and embracing the challenge is worth it. When properly identified, aligned and harnessed family forces act together to offer a competitive advantage over corporations. Good news — especially in a tough economy. Reach Vicki at 250-661-3348 or through www.vickibridge.ca.
The cellar doors are open for the season at Muse Winery. The new spring line features Ortega, Pinot Gris, Fume Blanc and Viognier, plus an Alsatian style Gewurztraminer and a new Chardonnay/Semillon blend.
Owners Peter and Jane Ellmann have lots on the go starting with a tasting session, Saturday, April 30, noon to 4 p.m. (complimentary to Wine Club members); Doug Stuart is bringing his Stonestreet Catering team back to the al fresco Bistro Muse on May 5; and Peninsula Players will present open air theatre again this year. Call for details: 250-656-2552. Muse Winery is at 11195 Chalet Road, in North Saanich.
Stuart is a busy guy. He recently opened a second Stonetreet Café & Catering location, this one in Saanichton at 205-7860 Wallace Drive, next to Coast Capital.
Manager Sherril Gazarek, Stuart’s sister, says the new café offers the popular menu items that have been a success in Sidney: baked goods, breakfast items, soups, salads, sandwiches and pizza daily at lunchtime, and espressos, among a variety of beverages. Both Stonestreet locations offer full catering services for home, office, and special events. Call Sherril at 250-652-1124.
Sidney’s Sweet Talk and Lace is in a new, expanded space, right next door to its former Beacon Avenue location. Shop owner Marie Rosko has hired Hazel Mowat, formerly a lingerie supervisor and bra specialist at the Bay, to manage the shop. With a new, larger, more contemporary and beautifully merchandised assortment of items, the shop now has something for all the girls — from teens to nonagenarians — including the popular Calvin Klein brand. And they still carry all the favourites that customers love. Located right next to Smashin’ Fashin at 2420 Beacon Avenue. Call 250-656-1002.
Congratulations to The Butchart Gardens, named first Garden of the Year at this year’s Garden Tourism Conference held in Toronto in March.
The newly established Garden Tourism Awards are presented to organizations and individuals who have distinguished themselves in the development and promotion of the garden experience as a tourism attraction. Michel Gauthier, chair of the Ontario Garden Tourism Coalition, closed the conference saying, “Given the enormous number of Canadian and American travellers — almost 27 million, as quoted in the latest TAMS report — who include visiting Canadian gardens among the top 10 things they want to do while on a holiday, it’s high time that Canada’s many and varied garden experiences are recognized as a tourism product.”
This year’s Peninsula Chamber Annual Golf Classic is set for Tuesday, July 12, at Cordova Bay Golf Club. There’ll be golf carts for all players, a buffet dinner, and lots of chances to win cool golf stuff, including golf trips. Watch the chamber website for details: www.peninsulachamber.ca. Register before June 3 for a 25 per cent price break.
Eileen Leddy is executive director of the Saanich Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Send your information to her at eleddy@peninsulachamber.ca, subject line Buzz.
