Program for 2022 - 2023
September 7 2022 - WBN Member Meeting - Back to the Future with Improv from YES Unlimited
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
YES Unlimited Improv Workshop
It’s been a time. How can we move past the challenges we’ve all experienced (and continue to experience) and focus on moving forward into the future again? One way is by building new pathways into connection and bonding through play and improv. You’ll experience the joy of spontaneous creation, through exercises that encourage presence, deep active listening, “thinking on your feet” and letting go of judgement as you open to new ideas. Improv is exercise for your brain, and a great way to share creativity, laughter, and hope. You will not need to perform or prepare for this event. Join us and say "Yes, And" to possibilities.
90-Minute Workshop
Improv is a team skill. And, the practices are active listening, developing creativity and curiosity, observing judgement, “thinking on your feet,” and embracing playfulness to support communication and collaboration. The experiential nature of improv increases engagement, provides a safe space to try something new, encourages innovation, and builds trust.
Improv training contribute to team bonding, supporting effective communication, such as developing confidence, opening to collaboration and creativity, building trust, all while laughing together.
Here are some of the key benefits of improv to support these goals:
• Power of saying “Yes And” to new ideas and experiences
• Importance of active listening to communication and presence
• Practice of finding your authentic voice through self-awareness
• Importance of handling conflict and embracing collaboration
• Value of developing creativity and curiosity to encourage new ideas
• Impact of removing judgment in order to access the creative brain
• Power of “thinking on your feet” and leading with confidence
• Effect of courage building on learning to be more open and accepting
• Significance of laughter and playfulness to help overcome fear
Here are your presenters:
Tracy Shea-Porter
CEO, Co-Founder and Presence Igniter
Tracy Shea-Porter is an entrepreneur, facilitator, improviser, speaker, and writer. She is the CEO and co-founder of Yes Unlimited, fostering effective communication through improv techniques. Recent clients include CAMH, CHANEL, Constellation Software/Perseus Group, Great Place to Work Canada, and the University of Toronto. Tracy spent years in the corporate world creating and implementing marketing communications programs for a diverse range of clients. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from the University of Toronto, and is a member of ACTRA. Tracy is also a mentor with the University of Toronto’s Backpack to Briefcase and Next Steps programs.
Ralph Macleod
Co-Founder and Pun Aficionado
Ralph MacLeod is a co-founder of The Social Capital Theatre, Bad Dog Theatre andYes Unlimited. He has worked as a professional actor, comedian and improv teacher for over 30 years. Ralph is widely regarded as one of the country's leading experts in the field of improvisation. He trains next generations of comedians and has brought improv techniques to dozens of businesses including Accenture, Constellation Software/Perseus Group, Spark44 Canada, and The University of Toronto.
LinkedIN:
Tracy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-shea-porter-78648613/
October 5 2022 - WBN Member Meeting - Grant Opportunities for Women in Business
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
Grant Opportunities for Women in Business
Current grant opportunities available for small businesses / females through Digital Main Street / Digital Service Squad, & acorn30 media services and brand optimization-esque.
Speakers:
JACIE CONDON-HOUGHTON – DIGITAL SERVICE SQUAD MEMBER
As a Digital Service Squad Member, Jacie helps deliver one-on-one assistance to main street small businesses. She also provides support in identifying technologies and tools that businesses need to be digitally ready.
HEATHER WATSON – CREATIVE DIRECTOR - Acorn 30
As a Creative Director of the company, Heather’s primary role is driving strategy for our marketing clients.
November 2 2022 - WBN Member Meeting - The Buyer's Journey
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
The Buyers Journey
Speaker:
Nancy Wiskell
Established in Peterborough, Ontario in 1979, and now under the leadership of Nancy Wiskel, Dan Joyce Clothing has become an iconic business in the women's clothing industry, providing simple, timeless wardrobes for women. Whether you are looking for a weekend outfit, one that will turn heads at the office, or an event, we've got you covered.
In May, 2022 a second location will be opening in Apsley, Ontario. The Apsley store will focus on more relaxed, casual styles; however, the attention to quality and unparalleled customer service will remain.
December 7 2022 - WBN Gala
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
January 4 2023 - WBN Member Meeting - Customer Personas & Your Small Business
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
Customer Personas and Your Small Business
- Understanding your customers and their personas can help you build empathy in your small business as an entrepreneur or as a business person in an organization. Deep knowledge of the customers who use your products or services can help keep your solutions grounded and relevant—and be true to addressing your customers’ needs and problems. Remember: we don’t sell things; we sell solutions.
- Knowing who your customers are can provide insight and better direction in making educated and risk-calculated decisions. All of our lives have changed over the past two years—this includes your customers and future customers.
- Interactive workshop
Speakers:
Hillary Manion
Entrepreneurship Officer
Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development
Madeleine Hurrell
Economic Development Matters in Peterborough & the Kawarthas
PKED is the lead regional economic development agency for the Peterborough & the Kawarthas region.
Established in 1998, PKED is a not-for-profit organization funded to deliver economic development and tourism services through a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough. PKED is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of up to 13 local business leaders.
Our Services
We have a team of dynamic professionals who provide a variety of confidential, complimentary support services for companies or individuals interested in visiting, locating, growing or starting a business in the Peterborough region.
February 1 2023 - WBN Member Meeting - A New Canadian Entrepreneur Experience
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
A Newcomer Entrepreneur Experience
Services and programs that are available at the New Canadians Centre Peterbough
Speakers:
Yvonne Lai
Director of Community Development
Yvonne has been working at the New Canadians Centre since 2009. She moved to Canada from Singapore in 1998 to attend university. She graduated with a BA (Honours) in Psychology and English from Trent University, and with an MA and PhD in Psychology from York University. Her graduate work was based on assessing immigrant needs in small urban communities and patterns of community engagement.
She feels very fortunate to be able to work with such a dedicated team in a great community and looks forward to engaging with individuals and community partners to further the mission of the NCC and Peterborough Immigration Partnership.
In 2017, Yvonne was a recipient of the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce's ‘4 Under 40’ award. The ‘4 Under 40’ awards are designed to recognize four individuals in our community who are under the age of 40 and who are making their mark in the Peterborough area.
New Canadian's Centre
Our Mandate
Founded in 1979, The New Canadians Centre Peterborough (NCC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees and other newcomers in the Peterborough and Northumberland regions.
March 1 2023 - WBN Tradeshow
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
April 5 2023 - WBN Member Meeting - Get Your Brave On!
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
Get Your Brave On! Powerful Strategies to Fully Show Up, Boldly Speak Out, and Get Noticed
What would you do if you were even braver?
Put yourself out there in a bigger way?
Ask for what you know you deserve?
Stand up for yourself, and learn to say no?
Or maybe you would start that thing you’ve been putting off for way too long…
In talking with hundreds of leaders and staff through our work at The Brave Institute, it turns out whether you’re an Executive Director, a business owner, or a frontline employee their first day on the job, everyone always has an answer. Because the truth is, we all want to be braver. And the good news is, brave can be taught.
/BRĀV/: Your willingness to get into action before you feel ready... because you are choosing to feel ready enough.
Now, more than ever, you need to step into what it means to be brave - for yourself, and your business.
In this empowering & event, we’ll explore the 5 big Bravery Killers that may be holding you back, and how to bust through them. You’ll gain tools to get you out of your comfort zone and into your B.R.A.V.E. Zone. And you’ll discover strategies to help you increase your visibility, get into action, and achieve what you never thought possible - both professionally and personally.
When you learn to bring all of who you are to all of what you do, you feel more fulfilled, more alive, and get noticed in a whole new way.
Speaker:
Carol Schulte
The BRĀV Institute provides experiential development programs to equip women with the mindset, skills, and tools to become braver leaders and achieve their greatest potential.
Here’s why you can trust Carol to deliver...
An authority on brave leadership and founder of The BRĀV Institute, Carol Schulte has been educating, empowering, and entertaining audiences internationally for almost a decade. She is committed to getting you out of your comfort zone and into your BRĀV Zone - where you’re not afraid to show up, speak out, and get into action long before you feel ready.
She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance, an MA in Communication, two postgraduate certificates in coaching and mentoring, and has worked with Fortune 500 companies, international associations, and thousands of leaders to get their brave on. Whether it be asking for a raise or promotion, nailing a presentation, or climbing Africa’s highest peak, her clients attribute her insights and inspiration to them achieving what they never thought possible.
Carol is a published author, has been featured in numerous magazines and podcasts, and is a returning guest expert on Rogers TV. Having lived and worked in 16 countries including Ashrams in India and vans in New Zealand, rocked dreadlocks in Thailand and shaved her head for breast cancer, she certainly walks her talk and brings a global perspective to all she does. When she’s not traveling or speaking on stage, you can find her volunteering as a bereavement facilitator, training for her next triathlon, or practicing her serious carpool karaoke game.
Instagram: @carolschulte_
May 3 2023 - WBN AGM and Member Meeting - Fashion Show
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
Fashion Show featuring WBN member businesses.
June 7 2023 - WBN June Summer Social
LOCATION:
Holiday Inn, George Street, Peterborough, ON
Past Events