The Way of the Future! ~ Why is it critical to promote your Business and create exposure!

The Way of the Future! ~ Why is it critical to promote your Business and create exposure! ~ “Tips”, “Experiences”, “Advice” …

"Great Exposure"
Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce

Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor shares with our readers … “Website exposure is critical as that is the way of the future to shop online. I don’t venture out anywhere unless I know where I am going and what I am after because I don’t want to waste time and the internet provides that luxury. 

I often have heard new businesses say that they don’t have a website yet….that is one of the first things you should do because while you are building the rest, people are surfing and can find you. As well, a great graphic artist and printer are your best friends as they create your branding when you are not present. 

I have wonderful business cards and brochures that give great info into what I do and how I do it. Business is very competitive and I look through the eyes of ‘why do they want to buy this’? I am a critical shopper and make my product line to attract a critical shopper – competition is HUGE!

“Tips”, “Experiences”, “Advice” …

Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce shares with us … “In addition to much listed above, I will repeat that ‘knowing what brains to pick’ is a real critical piece along with knowing where your strong points lie and what components of business you need to hire out for (generally, that would be the website and graphics, in my view).

I do believe that people need to keep revisiting the question “what is it that I really really really want”. That is a very tough one and the answer can vary from time to time. I ask myself that question constantly because it is very easy to be caught up in hype about your business and suggestion to do something that may not be timely or appropriate and it is easy to become swayed. It is very complimentary to hear such things but at the end of the day, it may not be what is in your best interest. 

Always really examine what it is you want and stick with that. I really do listen to my gut and it has never steered me wrong.

Not all business means having to pay a mortgage ….sometimes it can be a happy retirement project, a satisfying flexible career while being a stay-at-home parent etc. etc. 

Find out what you want to do and why – it’s a tougher question than you realize. Every year, I check in with myself to see ‘what worked and what didn’t last year’. In January of each year, I start the planning line for the upcoming season and stick with that plan because nothing good is gained when you are flying around at the last minute trying to get into events that should have been dealt with earlier. 

A word of warning is this….if an event is looking for vendors ‘at the eleventh hour’ then that is your clue to stay away from it because anything worthwhile attending is booked up early!

Stay tuned for more “SCOOP” … “Why am I not Peacefully Retired???? (An anecdotal account of a so-called-not-so-part-time-unplanned-business!). If in the meantime you would like to check our Ms Barrette’s website, I’m sure she’d love your visit … www.crazybitch.ca.

Diversity! ~ In education and Life! ~ The Next Generation Leahy

Diversity! ~ In education and Life!

SHARING KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCES ~ GIVING BACK

Our interview continues with The Next Generation Leahy …

"Sharing Knowledge"
"Having Fun"
The Next Generation Leahy with
Ontario Festivals Visited

The children do enjoy “Skype” and other Social Media outlets. We were able to ask the kids if they felt, given all their talent, if they ever shared some of their experiences with other children from around their community, Region, Nation, World. The children told us they love “family gatherings”. The parents believe that most people need and will get attention in life, positive or negative. They hope that the positive attention their children receive will allow them to share with others, who in turn, will learn to experience life a positive.

As parents, both Doug and Jennifer believe it is their responsibility to help the children build confidence and share the happiness and joy with others. They realize that it is their job to provide the tools and opportunities for their children. Some School Boards today have been de-emphasizing the arts and music programs and the Leahy Family feels this is very detrimental.

Diversity! ~ In education and Life!

"Festival Nomad" Gary McWilliams ~ Ontario Festivals Visited
Doug Leahy ~ The Next Generation Leahy
"Sharing Knowledge ~ Having Fun"

Jennifer feels schools today need diversity! Children should be allowed to express themselves, through arts, music, theatre and more. She tells us that a lot of emphasis is on sports and “competition”, and “financial gain” through “winning sports competitions”. It is true we hear some people believe “as long as you participated, had fun, that’s all that matters”. Yet, we all know there are those in society who say “win at any cost”. Jennifer said that some children are encouraged to “knock someone down and beat them at the game”. The Leahy family loves sports, they couldn’t live without sports, and it is a large component of their lives, not to misinterpret what they are sharing with us. They feel you should not “put all your eggs in one basket”.

Stay tuned for great insights and more “INSIDE SCOOP” with The Next Generation Leahy ~ Music affects culture! In the meantime, we welcome you to follow Doug Leahy and The Next Generation Leahy at http://www.dougleahy.com/home.html. Their 2015 Tour Schedule is available as they journey across North America.

“Volunteers are the Key to Success”! Lombardy Agricultural Society ~ 10 year old Anthony!

 “Volunteers are the Key to Success”! Lombardy Agricultural Society ~ 10 year old Anthony!

Over the past couple of years, Ontario Visited has been working with the Lombardy Agricultural Society. Jackie Bencic has been wonderful in sharing her news about all the wonderful and exciting activities and events the Agricultural Society hosts.

During that time, we talked about “Volunteers” and the “Importance of Volunteers”. I was surprised to learn about Jackie’s own young son, Anthony. I could go on and on about the stories and amazing accomplishments young Anthony has accomplished already so early in life.

This amazing young man, Anthony is now a contributor to our Ontario Fairs Visited website. We welcome you to read Anthony’s contribution about some of his experiences with the Lombardy Agricultural Society at our Ontario Fairs Visited website, LINK.

In Brockville on June 24, 2014 at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, Anthony received a Junior Volunteer Service Award! It turns out this award was presented on his 10^th birthday! Proud “Momma” and Anthony’s photograph shows just how proud they both are … and should be!

Steve Clark, MPP Leeds Grenville & Anthony (Anthony receiving a Junior Volunteer Service Award)

“One proud momma & her boy” Jackie Bencic and Anthony (it was actually his 10th birthday that day!)

Without “Volunteers”, Festivals, Events, Fairs, Shows, and Communities across Ontario would not be the success they are today. “Volunteers are the Key to Success”! Anthony is a “Key to Success”!

If you are ever at the Fairgrounds, and run into Anthony, be sure to congratulate him … Anthony is a wonderful example of the “Key to Success” for our future! We are proud to know that Anthony, and other Youth and our Young Children of today, with the encouragement of their parents, families and friends, can continue to be a vital part of our society, community and our successful future!

PS: The Lombardy Agricultural Society is having a Logo Contest.

In 2016, the Lombardy Agricultural Society will be celebrating its 150th year. To commemorate this milestone, we will be having a logo design contest to update the look of our society logo.

This contest is now open to the public, with all submissions due by November 20th, 2015 where all submissions will be brought before the board of directors for anonymous judging.

The winner of the logo design contest will be notified and announced at the Lombardy Agricultural Society General Meeting in January 2016. The selected winning logo will be used in all materials relating to the Lombardy Agricultural Society from that date forward.

“149th Lombardy Fair – July 30 to August 3, 2015”

At the Fair enjoy Produce, Home Craft, and Handcraft displays. Take in the Agricultural Showcase. For the western horse enthusiast there is New Ranch Competitions and Extreme Cowboy Races (Sat. and Sun.). Kids’ Day (Sun.) features games and activities. Simply charming is the Junior Fair Ambassador Contest Show (Fri.), Baby Show (Sun.),

For lots of excitement, take in the Demolition Derby (Friday evening), the Antique and Farm Stock Tractor Pull with a Lawn and Garden Tractor Pull on Saturday, and the 4×4 Truck Pull on Sunday. A Horse and Pony Pulls on Monday rounds out the four day fair.

Like it a little quieter? Sit and enjoy yourself in our tree-shaded park complete with picnic tables. Every afternoon there is on- going entertainment of a wide variety on the park stage.

You can check out their website at http://www.lombardyfair.ca/.

Don't forget to stop and say "Hello and Congratulations to Anthony"!

“The Importance of a Great Website” … Engaging the Audience!

“The Importance of a Great Website” … Engaging the Audience!

Our “THE INSIDE SCOOP” interview with Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce continues. We hope you enjoy this series of “THE INSIDE SCOOP”.

 “The Importance of a Great Website” … Engaging the Audience!

Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce website is very informative, easy to navigate, fun! Cyndee is creative including fun categories such as “Crazy Rumors” section and informative sections. During the interview, we asked Cyndee is she could share with our readers some of these Key Components and discuss how she feels they assist engaging her audience and enhancing your promotional efforts.

Ms. Barrette states … “I have always felt that as a society, we have gotten so serious and we just don’t laugh enough!  Whenever someone learns of my business name, the usual response is a laugh and that is exactly why I went into the literal translation of the word Bitch and Ginger because our Poster Girl of product! 

I try to give my audience a full experience of good, solid quality food and the name had to be something to capture their attention otherwise, there would be no reason for them to pick up the jar. I want them to walk away healthy & happy.

The website needs to be changed often to maintain the interest to return and I have the sense to know that web design is not my forte but creativity is, so I have an excellent webmaster who knows the direction of what I want and completes it. 

Engaging the Audience!
Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce 

I am proud to say that my son first put the website together and I have since gone on to employ someone now that he has entered fatherhood and become a little busy to handle the task. You need to seek out good solid people to take on the website as that is speaking for you when you are not there. 

It is not the area to try to cut corners on.  A good graphic artist is worth their weight in gold. I come up with the ideas and their expertise implements it. I have never been disappointed with the results”. 

Stay tuned for more “SCOOP” … The Way of the Future! ~ Why is it critical to promote your Business and create exposure! If in the meantime you would like to check our Ms Barrette’s website, I’m sure she’d love your visit … www.crazybitch.ca.

LIFESTYLE ~ SECOND NATURE ~ TRAVELLING WITH A LARGE FAMILY ~ The Next Generation Leahy

Our interview continues with The Next Generation Leahy

"Keeping in Balance"
The Next Generation Leahy

For Doug, this lifestyle is second in nature.

We were talking with the family about how the Festival Nomad and I travel a lot and how the planning and co-ordination for just the two of us, is a challenge.

With a busy travel schedule, 7 kids and a trunk full of instruments, the family has learnt to “pack light”, keeping the musical instruments with them at all times. It is a huge challenge, but again, second nature for them. They do make “contingency plans”. I again shutter to think how many “bags” we travel with, I can’t imagine instruments and a large family.

The Next Generation Leahy
Ontario Festivals Visited ~ Interview

BALANCE IN LIFE ~

Doug and Jennifer were very adamant that “there should be a balance in life”. They are on a “journey of life ~ down a path”. They are fortunate to be taking that path together. As Jennifer sits holding the new baby in her arms, I asked her if having to look after the children was a challenge. She laughs and says the kids help keep “Mom calm”. Life is easier with the older children wanting to help out. Jennifer says that it is easier now having so many kids then it was at the beginning without the additional help of the now growing children. The kids are not stars, the parents are cautious to stay on a balanced, realistic lifestyle.

Stay tuned for great insights and more “INSIDE SCOOP” with The Next Generation Leahy ~ Diversity! ~ In education and Life! In the meantime, we welcome you to follow Doug Leahy and The Next Generation Leahy at http://www.dougleahy.com/home.html. Their 2015 Tour Schedule is available as they journey across North America.

“Importance of Engaging Youth” … “Team Players”

“Importance of Engaging Youth” … “Team Players”

Our “THE INSIDE SCOOP” interview with Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce continues. We hope you enjoy this series of “THE INSIDE SCOOP”.

 “Importance of Engaging Youth”

When I was speaking with Cyndee Barrette, we talked about the “Importance of Engaging our Youth” with participation at Festivals, Events and Shows in our communities. 

Cyndee shares with us some of her experiences with “Youth” and talks about what she feels are the importance of “Engaging Youth” in our communities and events.

Cyndee tells us … “This past year I had two opportunities to engage with youth…one was being invited to attend at Georgian College in Collingwood to be set up and available to speak to students who were considering going into the food business specifically…..it was an open day forum for them to ask questions, see what and how we did things.  It was very rewarding to see all that enthusiasm and feel you could be a mentor on that front. 

As a result of that day, I was approached by a staff member to supply her upcoming wedding with ‘favours’ in the form of my small sampler jars of sauce!  It opened up another product for me which continues to be very successful (see www.crazybitch.ca under Products). 

Further, I had opportunity to employ two young ladies at a Xmas Craft Show that my husband was unable to attend.  They were very courteous and thorough and it worked well for both them and me as I credited them with 15 hours of community service toward their compliment required in the high school system for graduation.  They did very well and got to hone their sales techniques and math skills.  That worked very well and I would definitely do that again if the need arises”.

Cyndee Barrette, Sole Proprietor Crazy Bitch BBQ Sauce
"Award Winner" ~ Community Success

“Team Players”

We go on with our interview with Ms. Barrette to elaborate on the benefits Youth can obtain, other than their regulated 40 hour community service for High School credits?

Ms. Barrette replies … “Social media plays a great role for all of us from a technological standpoint HOWEVER many adults and youth alike use that as their only form of communication and I feel we are cultivating a society of persons who are not able to function as team players.  Social media can be VERY unsociable! 

Youth can benefit by learning such communication and team building skills by doing this community service as it forces them to interact on a personal level, demands organizational and math skills not to mention giving them a taste of the sales aspect of career options.  There is much they can take away from this experience in addition to possibly ‘dazzling’ someone into summer employment!” 

 Stay tuned for more “SCOOP” … “The Importance of a Great Website” … Engaging the Audience!. If in the meantime you would like to check our Ms Barrette’s website, I’m sure she’d love your visit … www.crazybitch.ca.