Join us for a celebration of women’s achievements and empowerment at the Neustadt Community Centre and Arena. This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with inspiring women
- Networking Opportunities: Engage with a diverse group of women entrepreneurs, exchange ideas, and establish meaningful connections that can propel your business forward.
- Panel Discussions: Hear from key leaders and successful entrepreneurs as they share their personal journeys, challenges overcome, and the strategies that led them to success. Gain valuable insights to apply to your own entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Celebrating Achievements: Recognize and applaud the achievements of women in business, creating a supportive community that encourages growth and collaboration.
- Community Building: Connect with like-minded individuals in the Wellington and Saugeen Area, building a strong network of women supporting each other in their professional journeys.
Our Keynote:
Alicia Gibbons – The Space Between with Alicia – Facilitator, speaker, and entrepreneur, Alicia Gibbons is the owner and creator of The Space Between with Alicia. She is an Emotional Intelligence and Mindset Educator focusing on workshops and programs for both corporate services and youth. Her mission is to equip as many people as possible with strong foundational tools built upon confidence, clarity, and creativity. Alicia’s programs and workshops inspire growth both individually and professionally and support people to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Alicia has 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, giving her the ability to discuss the highs and lows that business can bring in an authentic, humorous, and down-to-earth manner. She believes in the concept of failing forward and that within our own challenges, there is always a hidden lesson and an opportunity for personal growth. Her passion and purpose within her work is evident from the moment you meet her. The Space Between with Alicia is found in the heart of the quaint village of Paisley where Alicia and her husband raise their three daughters.
Our Panelists:
Ruth Linnen – Certified Professional Counselling Centre – She is a Registered Psychotherapist with a specialty in trauma consultation, assessment, treatment, and training. She has additional training in Critical Incident Stress Management (Advanced), ASIST, Violence Threat Risk Assessment (VTRA, Level II), CBT, DBT, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. She is also a Certified EMDR Therapist. In her private practice, she provides crisis intervention to community-based agencies that have experienced a critical incident. She also provides individual and group trauma treatment, as well as Family, Couple, and Individual therapy. Ruth was a primary mental health clinician with CMHA for 19 years providing assessment, treatment, training, and consultation in various areas of mental health including mood disorders, psychosis, and trauma. Her role at CMHA also included program development, training of colleagues in trauma, the provision of psychotherapy groups, and clinical supervision of students. Ruth provides training workshops and program development to various community partners including Child/Adult mental health, CISM Peer Teams, Community Living, Child Welfare, First Nation Communities, and Safeguards. She is a clinical supervisor for those requiring supervision hours for registration with CRPO and other professionals working in the private and public sectors who work with adults, adolescents, and families. Her current work includes the development of a trauma manual for use by clients and practitioners together.
Maneesha Sharma – Ms Beauty Maneesha moved to Canada in 2004 and made the Town of Minto her home in November 2011. The route from 2004 to 2011 wasn’t easy. With the experience of the Salon and Spa from back home, and without any experience or qualifications from Canada she couldn’t start her business. She had to go to college to get hairstylist certification and learn to do on-the-job training to get certified. Once she moved to Harriston, she found the Town was lacking the required facilities for aestheticians and residents were going to nearby cities to get required treatments for them from head to toe. She and her husband Akash opened Ms Beauty in December 2013, and with the help of the Town of Minto, they were able to serve and achieve the status & trust of their clients. With over 25 years of experience, Ms Beauty prioritizes patient safety and satisfaction. Maneesha is highly trained and experienced in using laser machines to achieve optimal results. She works with clients to create a customized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and concerns.
Nancy Dalgard – The Post and Beam, The Tees Tap House As a lifelong entrepreneur, she has owned numerous businesses across various industries. The majority of her career has been dedicated to the construction industry, where she worked as a sheet metal mechanic. In the early stages of her construction career, she established a bookkeeping business with a focus on serving small business owners in the trades. Simultaneously, successfully launched and managed her HVAC company for over a decade. These ventures provided a solid foundation for her transition into a full-time real estate entrepreneurship. In 2019, Teeswater caught her attention when, together with her husband Dave, she discovered an old mill, ultimately making the purchase. The couple embarked on an extensive renovation project, transforming the building into what is now known as The Post and Beam. This property stands as her most cherished asset in her real estate portfolio. The renovation took eight months to complete, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Teeswater. Since then, she has restored two downtown buildings, housing her pub, The Tees Tap House, her construction business, a new chiropractor, and an upcoming business. Another project is currently in the works, with details to be revealed soon. Her commitment to and love for the community is evident, and she eagerly anticipates more individuals investing in the local area.
Melanie Needham – The Personal Empowerment Studio Originally from Whitby, Ontario, she has made this area her home for over a decade now. Residing in Southgate with her husband Andrew, along with their two boys Oliver and Emmett, and a menagerie of furry friends, she has created a warm and loving household. Her journey into yoga began a few years ago during challenging times when she turned to the practice to cope with anxiety and overcome obstacles. Through consistent dedication, she discovered a newfound sense of inner peace and tranquility that had eluded her in the past. Recently achieving a 200-hour yoga certification and obtaining a certificate in Kids Yoga and Meditation, she takes pride in her accomplishments. Her aspiration is to share the transformative power of yoga with the community. Eager to open up a space that fosters a safe and inviting atmosphere for everyone, she looks forward to imparting the benefits of this incredible practice.
Heather Stark – Willow Home In 2018, she decided to pursue her love for repurposing furniture and home décor by opening a retail store and offering custom furniture painting services as well. All furniture painting was done in their home during this period due to a lack of space. During the height of the pandemic, she purchased a larger downtown building in order to expand their retail lines and have the room to paint smaller items on-site, as well as to offer workshops. At this time, they rebranded and converted their old location into a paint spray booth for larger items such as bedroom and dining room suites. Willow Home carries well-known Canadian companies such as Fusion Mineral Paint and Supplies and Scented Market’s line of candles and accessories, as well as worldwide-known French La Rochere Bee Glassware. They offer monthly workshops in Spring and Fall and custom paint everything from coffee and end tables to 14-piece dining room sets. They plan on expanding into cupboard door and drawer painting this year as there seems to be a demand for this service.
Performance:
Lisa McEwen – Songwriter A Nashville-Published Songwriter and Recording Artist who has written extensively throughout her career for numerous projects, including Major and Indie Artists, and Theme songs for various charities, podcasts, & YouTube channels. Lisa’s songs have earned her many credits including a Song of the Year nomination at the ICMA’s.
Original Song – Because I’m a Woman! Written from the heart and soul.