Member Profiles

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Henson Shaving

We’re Henson Shaving. Our goal is to provide shavers with one razor for their lifetime. We build our razors with the materials, methods, and care to make them last so you can pass them down to the next generation. 

What are Henson razors made of? 

All our razors are plastic free. Instead, we use aerospace-grade aluminum for our AL13 and bare titanium for our Ti22. These materials are the same ones used in aerospace development, so you’ll feel the difference once you make the switch. 

Why does a shave with a Henson feel different? 

It comes down to blade support. A combination of the geometry design and the precision of the manufacturing allows us to minimize blade flex and chatter. It’s that blade movement that causes a lot of nicks, cuts, and irritation by other razors. 

Who are Henson razors made for? 

Anyone who wants a smooth, clean shave is welcome to pick up a Henson razor. Our products are built for everyone, regardless of gender or skin type. Whether you shave daily, weekly, or whenever you feel like it—you can depend on a Henson to get the result you want. 

Do you sell only to consumers? 

We also partner with hotels around the world, businesses in the hospitality industry, and companies looking for an extra special gift for their employees. 

Where are Henson razors made? 

We’re proud to say all our razors are designed, manufactured, and packaged in Canada. Once a design is approved, it’s brought to life in an aerospace machine shop in Cambridge. 

What about the blades? 

You can pair a Henson razor with any standard double-edged blade. A pack of 5 RK Stainless double-edge blades are included with every razor purchase, and a 100-pack is available for about $12. We recommend changing the blade every three to five shaves. 

All our blades are 100% recyclable and are manufactured and packaged in India. Once you use up your first five, you can purchase more blades from us or any other retailer. They typically cost about $0.12 each. 

How long do Henson razors last? 

If cared for properly, our razors can be handed down to the next generation. 

Do you offer a trial period? 

Our AL13 razor comes with a 100-day money-back guarantee. All products qualify for a lifetime warranty in the case of manufacturer defects. 

How will a Henson razor change how I shave? 

Even though our razors are made with the same materials that go into space, using them isn’t rocket science! When it comes to shaving technique, the main differences our customers have noted are that it’s easier to get the angles they need with a Henson and they don’t need to apply as much pressure compared to their old razors. So, even if you’ve got to shave at the last minute before an event, you can still get a safe, clean cut with a Henson. 

Each product comes with detailed care and assembly instructions to help you get the most out of it. Once you become acquainted with your Henson, no hair will be able to get in the way of your perfect shave. 

What countries do you sell to? 

We ship to almost every region of the world. In 2021, we sent orders out to 120 countries. International retailers also sell our products in their stores, so if you try our razor, love it, and tell your friends, they can buy one, too. 

Where can I find more information? 

To learn more about how to up your shaving game, check out hensonshaving.com. If you’d like to receive more info about how our products are made, along with tips on shaving, sign up for our email list. 

Wellbeing Waterloo

Wellbeing WR is a community collaborative working across sectors to improve the wellbeing of Waterloo Region community members. We believe we are able to impact wellbeing together in a way that we are unable to alone, and envision a community where everyone thrives and no one is left behind. We work to connect communities, reduce inequities, and measure wellbeing in a meaningful way.

One of our current projects is a 2022 Community Wellbeing Mini-Survey that will reveal the reality of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected mental health and inequities in Waterloo Region. We recognize that recruitment and retention of employees is closely tied to wellbeing and mental health, and by sending this survey to local employees, we can better understand what workers in Waterloo Region need to achieve a happy work-life balance.

This mini-survey is confidential and voluntary, takes only 20 minutes to complete, and provides an opportunity to enter a draw to win a variety of great local prizes such as a St. Jacobs Stay-cation including a 1-night stay at the Courtyard by Marriott, 2 theatre tickets to St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, and a Woolwich Gift Basket! Take the survey and share it with your colleagues at: wellbeingwr.ca/minisurvey.

This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the University of Waterloo Research Ethics Board (REB #44744).

IRIS

IRIS in Uptown Waterloo is part of a vision care brand with 160 locations across Canada. At IRIS, we understand that each person has unique factors that influence how they use their vision, and choosing the right solution requires more than a prescription. A quick look inside our location confirms we recognize the importance of satisfying our clients’ unique fashion styles and lifestyles.

IRIS also understands the importance of attracting and retaining great employees, and that vision benefits can help.

So, great news, KW Chamber members are entitled to our Advantage Program. That means members, their employees and households are entitled to great value every day at our Waterloo location. Below, we’ve provided answers to some frequently asked questions about the program and other aspects of our business to give you a clear view of what we offer.

How can I sign up for the program?

It’s easy. Use access code GKWCC to fill out this simple form. Once your registration is submitted, you’ll receive an email with a link to your personalized offers.

Share this newsletter with your entire team.

What is the Advantage Program?

The Advantage Program was initiated 12 years ago to allow IRIS to connect with and offer unique benefits to core members of the community: education, healthcare, first responders and small/local businesses. We wanted to help make the decision to purchase quality eyewear easier.

Advantage members are entitled to $150 off every pair of prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. The value of the lenses must be $250 minimum for the pair to qualify. Also included are offers toward replacement lenses, contact lenses and non-prescription sunglasses.

The offers can be combined with Chamber benefits and any other extended health benefits based on the individual or spouse’s coverage and can be used as often as required.

Who can be a member? Is there a fee?

Anyone from the Chamber, whether you’re a part of a small, medium or large business—or a solopreneur —are welcome to join the Advantage Program. There are no fees to sign up or to be a member.

What does “high quality” mean to us?

Performance, durability, craftsmanship. Ultimately, it’s eyewear and vision correction solutions that make you feel your most comfortable, confident self. It’s products that meet your needs, activities, lifestyle and budget.

How do we ensure we provide you with quality vision solutions? We choose to work with companies who produce lenses and frames that we can stand behind with our exceptional warranties. We offer a range of products, including the most current lens technologies, to meet every patient’s needs. Our eye care professionals have the extensive product knowledge and will recommend what is best for your vision and lifestyle.

We engage our patients in the process of finding the right lenses and frames. By using a personalized patient iProfile that includes your prescription, eye health, activities, work and play, and day-to-day environments, we can recommend real vision solutions for your very real life. We offer precise Topology facial scanning to identify the best fit and style of frame to help in the selection. That same scan, exclusive to IRIS in Canada, can be used to produce a custom-designed frame!

Is there any warranty?

Our objective is to make you and your eyes happy. If you don’t totally love your new frames, you can exchange them for another pair within 60 days, free of charge.

Our best-in-industry, No Matter What warranty is included with every pair of glasses. IRIS will replace your frame and fully coated prescription lenses should they break or be scratched, for any reason, within one year of the original purchase.

It gets even better! Click on this link for more details.

Do I need to book an eye exam with an IRIS optometrist to use the Advantage Program?

We welcome all members from the Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, their employees, and their employees’ household members. Bring your current prescription (not older than 24 months) or book an exam with one of our optometrists.

How can I learn more about IRIS?

For more details about the Advantage Program or for information about services and appointments, you can connect with us using the method that works for you.

If you’re interested in keeping up with IRIS news or learning some eyecare tips, check out our blog.

MetCredit

How MetCredit Helps Businesses Maintain Reliable Cash Flow

The single biggest cause of bad debt write-offs is failure to collect receivables soon after they become overdue. During unpredictable times, collecting becomes harder and the risk of non-payment increases. For business leaders and Accounts Receivable managers who struggle to collect overdue accounts, working with MetCredit brings relief and a renewed ability to focus on innovating and creating new revenue.

MetCredit is a collection agency specialized in the quick and ethical recovery of overdue receivables. Using its unique Solution-Oriented Recovery™ with proprietary AI algorithms and predictive intelligence, MetCredit is known for industry-leading performance in Ontario and throughout Canada, helping businesses maintain reliable cash flow while safeguarding their reputation and customer relationships.

Established in 1973, MetCredit works with businesses of all sizes, from mom-and-pop shops to Canada’s banking, retail and telecommunications giants. MetCredit reports unpaid debt and payments received to Transunion, Equifax and Dun & Bradstreet, as well as regional and industry-specific credit bureaus across Canada, with consequences for any who do not live up to their commitments. The result is faster payments to clients.

Clients can upload files for collection 24/7 and view their account status in a single place using MetCredit’s unique online collection assistant. The agency works on a no-collection, no-fee basis, covering all upfront costs and disbursements and deducting commissions only when a debt is recovered.

MetCredit is licensed and bonded to collect commercial and consumer debt in all Canadian provinces and territories — and offers a special discounted rate for Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce members.

Visit MetCredit.com or call their team at 1-888-797-7727.

CarefreeIT

Although CarefreeIT focuses on businesses in the insurance industry, we want all Chamber members to take their IT security seriously. As Waterloo Region’s go-to technology solutions provider, we have answers to common cybersecurity questions and useful tips for all aspects of your business IT.

Myth 1: An online survey that appears to come from a reputable company is safe.

Not necessarily. Hackers often copy the templates of legitimate surveys published by big brands, hoping you’ll complete them and hand over your personal information in the process.
You can spot fake surveys by looking for spelling and grammar errors, as well as suspicious URLs and email domains. If the survey asks for sensitive information, such as your SIN, account credentials, credit card, or banking information, it’s probably a scam.

Myth 2: Malware isn’t a problem for me because I have a firewall.

Malware (malicious software) attacks are growing in number and variety every single day. Did you know that a malware strain known as the Dark Watchman was just spotted in December? Only 8.5 kb in size, it hides in a ZIP file and spreads through emails. The Dark Watchman poses a serious risk to Chamber members who do business abroad—and your regular virus checker most likely won’t catch it.
Basic firewalls are not enough to protect businesses from these ever-evolving threats. Whether you make $100,000 a year as a small business or over $1 million a month as a large corporation, you should consider yourself a target. SMBs (small and medium-sized businesses) are at heightened risk since they are less likely to have the resources to invest in a solid security infrastructure, nor will they have the funds to recover after falling victim to an attack.

Myth 3: My company uses Macs. We don’t have to worry about cyberthreats.

Phishing, weak passwords, and data breaches can all damage your business’s security and reputation no matter what operating system you use. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on an iPhone or a Microsoft Surface—your devices, credentials, and financials can be accessed and compromised by hackers.

How can CarefreeIT protect my business?

Since 1998, CarefreeIT has been providing technology solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across Southwestern Ontario. With insurance industry expertise, state-of-the art security tools, and friendly, knowledgeable experts on our team, we take a comprehensive approach to IT care by working to quash threats and prevent system downtime before they interrupt your business operations.

In 2018, we were also the first and only managed services provider in Waterloo Region to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity solution—including 24/7 network monitoring—that is specifically tailored to the needs and budgets of SMBs.

Where can I learn more about business cybersecurity?

We have a few great options for you:

  • Read Playing Defense: Protecting Your Business from Cyber Threats in a Post Pandemic World, authored by CarefreeIT’s cybersecurity experts, John Balch and Aman Guliani. Click here to request your free copy.
  • Start fighting cybercrime with knowledge and action by signing up for our Cybersecurity Tip of the Week.”
  • Education is the best defense against today’s cyberthreats, and untrained employees pose the greatest risk to your business. Visit our website to register for six months of free end-user cybersecurity awareness training.

For more information on keeping your company protected, please contact us at 519-883-7815, or email us at info@carefreeit.ca

Sarnowski Debt and Bankruptcy Law

Sarnowski Debt Law will help you eliminate your debt, while protecting your assets, especially if Bankruptcy Trustees are knocking at your door.

If the pandemic has had devastating financial effects on your business, rest assured that you are not alone. But did you know that you have legal options to eliminate debt, besides Bankruptcy? If you are carrying heavy debts, or Bankruptcy Trustees are knocking at your door, please keep reading.

If you have debt problems, you have legal problems. You need a Lawyer to help preserve your assets, and not a Bankruptcy Trustee who will take them all.

Did you know that the Canadian Federal Government has programs designed to eliminate both consumer and corporate debt to keep Canadians and their businesses afloat? No? Don’t worry. You are not alone there, either. These are Legal options available to all Canadians, options that a Trustee in Bankruptcy cannot offer.

But we can. Keep reading to learn how we help you.

Q: Why should I contact a Debt Lawyer before speaking with a Bankruptcy Trustee?

A: Bankruptcy Trustees do not work for you. They cannot offer lawyer-client confidentiality and are not allowed to strategize with you to protect your assets.

Q: Why can a Bankruptcy Trustee not strategize with me?

A: Bankruptcy Trustees are mandated by law to represent the creditors. They work for the Creditors, not you. Their job is to seize as many of your assets as possible for the Creditors, and then they are paid a percentage tariff on the amount they collect for the Creditors. The more they take, the more they make.

Q: So what is the difference when I speak to a Debt Lawyer?

A: A Debt Lawyer can strategize with you to qualify for the government programs that will legally forgive your debt and preserve your assets. But above all, a Debt Lawyer works for you, not the creditors.

Q: What’s the difference between a Debt Lawyer and other debt services?

A: Debt assistance/counselling programs (e.g., credit counsellors, debt consolidators, etc.) are unqualified, unregistered, uncertified, uneducated, and unregulated. Even worse, they cannot provide you with lawyer-client confidentiality. Quite often, dealing with these agencies will result in simply borrowing more or, even worse, being referred to a Bankruptcy Trustee to solve your debt problems. By contrast, Debt Lawyers are lawyers who are strictly regulated by the Law Society of Ontario, guaranteeing that their practice is Legal, Ethical and Practical.

Q: I, unfortunately, have debt problems. What should I do first?

When you or your business is carrying unnecessary debt, talk to Sarnowski Debt Law first. We help you and your business qualify for federal government programs that are designed to forgive debt, avoid bankruptcy while preserving your assets, and keep you and your business afloat.

Simply contact us, at no-cost, no-obligation, to find out if you qualify.

Find out more at sarnowskidebtlaw.ca OR saynototrustees.ca.

Or you can contact us directly by phone at 1-647-500-debt (3328), or email us at info@sarnowskidebtlaw.ca

Contact us before speaking with a Bankruptcy Trustee to find out if you qualify for debt forgiveness, with a confidential, no-cost, no-obligation answer.

H2R Business Solutions

H2R Supports the People Who Support You

Do you need help with hiring? Writing up policies? Disciplining employees? Or maybe you want a go-to person (or people) available for your staff to call with human resources questions? You know—someone who wears the HR hat every day so you can actually hang yours up more often and focus on your business.

My name is Jill Zappitelli, and I’m the founder and president of H2R Business Solutions. In May, I received a K-W Oktoberfest Rogers Women of the Year Award for the Entrepreneur category, which was an amazing way to mark H2R’s fifth year of business!

Our goal in working with you is to help you attract, retain, and develop great people while mitigating the risk associated with employing them. You’ve got questions, and I’ve got not only the answers but also an incredible team of HR experts who can make your life easier. Here are some common questions we hear at H2R:

I’m too small to need an HR person on staff, but I have HR questions. Can you help?

Yes, we can. Having an HR consultant in your corner doesn’t mean you have to have a full-time HR professional on staff. For example, we offer on-demand services, where you just call when you need us. Should you need more as you grow, we’ll grow with you. It’s as simple as that.

“Our partnership started with the basic HR and training policies, but the H2R team was able to adapt to [our] changing needs. You were always there to support Encircle and made us feel like your number 1 customer.”–Encircle

We have a payroll company already, plus I have business friends I talk to about HR concerns. Isn’t that enough?

Friendships are so important, especially during a pandemic! However, as certified HR professionals, it’s our legal responsibility to stay on top of legislation as it changes. I imagine you must feel exhausted with how quickly science has changed these past two years? Legislation that affects your company’s employees can change that fast, too.

H2R helps you with payroll, recruitment, termination, harassment policy creation, vacation policy implementation, and so much more. You don’t have to hire different companies to monitor all of that: just one. H2R.

“In the last fast-growing years, the H2R team has been an invaluable asset to BESSEY as our HR Consultants. They have provided us with a diversity of HR services, including: support and guidance with recruitment and hiring, daily operational support, payroll, respectful workplace investigations and general and specific advice and support on a wide range of topics.”–BESSEY

My company has an HR professional, but we could use support for a specific project. Can you help with that?

We’d be delighted to support your HR staff member. Maybe you’re looking to overhaul your employee policies or recruit a high-ranking executive, but your human resources staff member is busy taking care of the people who already take care of your business. Let us support you for this one project

“The Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club conducted an executive search and job posting to succeed their position of Chief Operating Officer. […] From the beginning, H2R drove the process from a structure and organizational perspective. This allowed the committee to focus on the core competencies for the position and really work through analyzing the merits of the candidates while H2R handled the logistics. Jill was instrumental in providing perspective to details every step of the way.”–Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club

Filing disability claims are frustrating enough for my employees. Do you offer services to help make this easier for everyone?

Yes! We’ve recently partnered with AEC Safety Solutions to create a new joint division: Alliance Disability Solutions.

Emphasis on the word Solutions.

We specialize in cost-effective, full-cycle claims management to return your employees safely, quickly, and effectively to productive and meaningful work. Experienced claims specialists can ensure compliance with WSIB/WCB, help with health & safety audits, assist with your non-occupational short-term and long-term disability programs, and much, much more.

Do you offer…?

We probably do. Why don’t you just call me or drop me an email?
(519) 500-7570 or Jill@YourH2R.com.
You can also check our services on our website www.YourH2R.com.

From our families to yours…..Happy Holidays!

Jeff Alpaugh Custom

Jeff Alpaugh Custom

The company: Jeff Alpaugh Custom (JAC) is custom clothing, through and through. Every shirt, jacket and trouser is one of a kind, designed from the ground up with your life/style in mind, and crafted to your exact size and shape. Each client works with our team of enthusiastic, experienced clothiers, collaborating on the choice of fabric, features, and fit requirements to bring their inspiration to life. Whether you have a complete vision to execute, prefer to lean entirely on our guidance, or anywhere in between, your wardrobe will be elevated.

The Story: When I was nineteen years old, I needed a suit for job interviews. Not knowing any different, I ended up with a suit five times too big – and a pile of rejections. To my shame, I was unable to get a job without my mother’s help. At the time, I didn’t know why.

It took the manager of a suit shop telling me exactly what was wrong with my suit to make me realize the power of properly fitting attire. He put me in a well-fitted three-piece, and staring back out of the mirror at me was someone entirely different. I saw someone job-worthy, someone confident, I thought I saw James Bond! It inspired me to dress sharp in order to stand out – not to fit in with the crowd.

My goal with JAC is to share that transformative moment with others. We want to provide clothing that is striking, that is powerful, that makes you look and feel your best, that makes you a force of nature in any room you enter.

After graduating from Laurier, I joined the Canadian Armed Forces as an Infantry Officer and served for 10 years. In 2016, My wife and I started our company out of our condo in Fredericton. We became well known for our “Dangerous Dress Shirts” after our appearance on CBCs Dragons’ Den. In 2020 we opened our second store right here in Uptown Waterloo (120 King St South – across from the LCBO) 3 weeks before the pandemic – perfect timing 😉

We are offering all Waterloo Chamber members 15% off until Dec 24th. If shopping online use code WC15.

Think about it. Be About it.

 

 

 

Simplify Supply Chain Solutions

Refrigerated Shipping for Final-Mile & Home Delivery

You may know that Simplify Logistics offers reasonably-priced, same-day, and next-day courier services. But you may not know the following about us:

We also offer full delivery services, including refrigerated service for final-mile shipping.
We grow with you. We offer less-than-truckload (LTL) delivery services to help you move smaller batches of product quickly and swiftly.

Take a quick look at these FAQs about some of our full delivery services.

What Goods Can You Transport?

We ship almost anything: produce, groceries, flowers, pet food, alcohol, meal kits…a quick call to our head office will let you know if we ship your product. The number is 226-979-6044.

Do You Offer Refrigerated Transportation?

Yes! We have you covered with our refrigerated cargo van service for final-mile shipping. A few examples:

From the farm to the food terminal or grocery store
From the dairy plant to the retailer
From the manufacturer to the consumer’s door, e.g., for a food prep company

What Sizes of Vehicles Do Have?

Our vehicles range in size from cargo vans to 26’ trucks, so we can transport loads of almost any size. If your cargo doesn’t fit on our cargo van, that’s okay! We can fit it on our 26’, less-than-truckload (LTL) truck.

Do You Also Ship Dry Palletized Loads?

Absolutely. We offer middle-mile and final-shipping of dry palletized loads in our 26’ truck.

Do You Offer Warehousing?

Also yes. Our professional and friendly staff will take care of your products at our Kingston warehousing facilities until they’re ready to ship. Why incur the costs of managing your own warehouse when you can hire experts to take care of these responsibilities for you?
In addition, we offer third-party logistics, so we’re more than happy to coordinate your shipping needs for you along your entire supply chain.

Do You Offer Special Pricing Options?

Of course. For customers who use our full array of delivery services—shipping, warehousing, and third-party logistics—we have special packages that will help you save money and give you peace of mind knowing that your shipping needs are being taken care of by experts.

Who Do I Contact?

To find out more, call our head office at 226-979-6044 or email Armend at aosmani@simplifyscs.com. We’d be happy to talk to you about your shipping needs and explain how we can take one more worry off your mind so you can focus on your business and what you do best.

Golfplay

Golf is trending – Get your team together and tee up some fun!

The pandemic has popularized a lot of unexpected activities. Remember when everyone was having Zoom parties and baking bread? The game of golf has also seen a huge surge in popularity, as it’s provided with a fun, safe option for people to reconnect in person while still following Covid-19 protocols. While baking bread may not have sustained its popularity, golf has continued to enjoy a huge surge of interest, sparking many to try the game for the first time.

Golf has long been important networking and business tool, as it’s a proven way to strengthen existing business relationships or make new ones (i.e. networking in charity events like the Chamber tournament!). For that reason, it’s a competitive advantage to have your team comfortable with golf, and Golfplay is a great way to introduce some of the non-golfers on your team to the game and have a lot of fun at the same time. Golfplay is an upscale, golf entertainment venue in Kitchener, using the world’s best indoor golf simulator technology to provide an entertaining and incredibly realistic virtual experience – and there’s never anyone asking to play through! There are many different playing formats suited to both beginners and avid golfers, and Golfplay’s team is focused on ensuring that everyone has a great experience. For newcomers to the sport, it’s an easy, low-pressure introduction without all of the rules and etiquette of the outdoor game.

Golfplay’s simulator technology is impressive to say the least. Automatic ball teeing means there’s no need to bend over to tee up or to chase & pick up balls, and the swing platform actually lifts and tilts to provide realistic downhill or sidehill lies based on where your ball actually is on the virtual course. The simulated chipping and putting are very accurate and a lot of fun, with golfers having the option to just do the putting if that’s all they want to try! With 180+ courses to choose from, including challenging favourites such as Pebble Beach or PGA National, there are also many less-challenging courses, including a virtual one where golfers are hitting off cliffs and driving down canyons. Think of it as “bumper golf” for novices. With so many advanced features, it’s easy to see how their simulators have been ranked #1 in the world by Golf Digest for the last 5 years in a row.

Golfplay’s spacious interior with 9 simulator bays has a modern, contemporary feel that is well suited for hosting groups and parties. Even with current Covid-19 capacity restrictions, they can still safely host groups of up to 50 people, making it the perfect venue to host group events such as:

● Team-Building Events and Skills Clinics
● Customer Appreciation Tournaments
● Holiday Parties
● Retirement Parties
● Fundraising Tournaments

During your round, Golfplay’s in-house kitchen serves up many options from their chef-crafted menu including their famous stone-oven pizzas. Their full-service bar has 12 beers on tap including some local favourites, as well as a large selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options. There are several group food packages to choose from with gluten-free and vegan dishes available as well.

From interactive group fun and good music to excellent food and beverage options, the Golfplay experience can’t be beaten! When you’re planning your next activity, whether it be a holiday party or team-building event, choose Golfplay!

For more information, contact Steve at steve.harris@golfplay.ca or visit www.golfplay.ca.

Golfplay looks forward to welcoming your group soon!

Simplify

Simplify

“You Do What You Do. I Love to Ship Things.”

The pandemic has caused many businesses to pivot to stay afloat, and that includes business owners delivering purchases on their own to their customers who can’t or won’t come to their store. Kitchener-based transportation company Simplify Supply Chain Solutions has delivered over 2.1 million packages in 2021 so far, and can help small and medium-sized business owners weather this storm.

That’s why owner Jennifer Seberras will be the first to tell you she can take care of your shipping needs-affordably.

“I love to ship things,” she says. “It makes more sense for small and medium-sized business owners to focus on what they do-and love to do-and I can focus on shipping.”

Delivering to Your Customers Yourself? Stop and Let Simplify Help

Small business owners have taken to running their own delivery in part to save money.

If that’s you, though, take a step back for a moment. The kilometres you’re collecting on your vehicle will cause more wear and tear, increasing your maintenance costs. Add to that gas expenses, proper package storage, and possible extra insurance costs for your vehicle.

Business owners also habitually pay themselves last, which makes self-delivery so attractive.

But if you’re spending even three hours a week driving around town to deliver to your customers, that’s three hours you’re not spending on your business, whether marketing, searching for new collaboration opportunities, or just giving yourself a break.

“When you look at the time and cost to handle delivery yourself,” says Jennifer, “it costs you the same whether you do it or we do it.”

To sum everything up, delivering by yourself is not saving you money: it’s costing you business.

Guaranteed Delivery Dates

The pandemic has made it hard for consumers who are used to guaranteed everything to deal with guaranteed nothing. Moreover, it’s turned the intriguing and fulfilling puzzle of running a business into a 10,000-piece, 3D jigsaw puzzle of a black hole, with any piece dropping onto the floor, ready to be sucked up for eternity by the vacuum cleaner.

Simplify solves a section of that jigsaw puzzle for you by guaranteeing delivery dates. Your customer will know when they’re receiving their order, and what customer doesn’t enjoy that peace of mind?

What Can Simplify Deliver?

Almost everything. Except pipeline. They can’t deliver pipeline. But here’s a sample list of what they can deliver:

  • Books
  • Documents
  • Prepared meals
  • Medical equipment
  • Groceries (either from a storage facility to the store or from the store to the customer)

The Delivery Details

Simplify offers same day, next day, and express courier service within Waterloo Region and all along the 401 corridor, into Quebec. They can also stop at multiple locations, deliver mail parcels, and arrange just-in-time delivery. For customers with more to ship, Simplify can also arrange for less-than-truckload delivery.

All your deliveries are also trackable.

Whether Within Waterloo Region or to Quebec, Simplify Can Deliver

“You’re an expert in your field, and when you spend time delivering things, it takes time away from building your company,” Jennifer says.

Whether you only want to deliver in Waterloo Region, or if you want to cover more territory. Simplify Supply Chain Solutions can handle it. Get your quote today so you can start saving time and money tomorrow.

Because in the end, your business can’t run without you, but Simplify will run for you.

Hunt's Logistics

Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Warehousing and Transportation Needs

Hunt’s Logistics – a new member of the KW Chamber of Commerce – has a decade-long history in Cambridge, and an even longer history building its roots and reputation across North America. This family-owned company has been transporting, warehousing, handling and redistributing customer products for over 30 years, and growth is only accelerating.

The Cambridge terminal, conveniently located just off the 401 and on a CN-serviced rail spur, handles freight from all over Canada and the United States by rail or road. With a 100,000 sq. ft. secured warehouse facility, a 3 acre fenced lay-down yard combined with its ability to handle eight rail cars and up to 30 truck-loads daily, allows for optimum trans-loading, consolidation, and cross-docking services for the construction and manufacturing industries.

This unique mix of rail access, warehousing, ample lay-down yard, and local and long haul distribution delivers a competitive advantage for their clients. Complementing all of this is a local fleet that serves the Greater Toronto Area. The multiple services offered can be wrapped up in cost-efficient packages tailored specifically to your business.

With more than three decades of experience in transportation, total project management, warehousing, logistics, and supply chain management, the team and facilities at Hunt’s Logistics offer customers unique and complete solutions Since 1989, they have continuously invested in innovative technology, above standard safety practices, and a robust maintenance program. Through the strength of their team, their reputation is bolstered by experience, knowledge, and dependability.

For more information and to assess how Hunt’s Logistics can serve your business, contact:

Darlene Hillyard, CFO, at 709-687-1040 or contact via email at darleneh@huntstransport.com.

H2R Business Solutions

HR Hot Topics from H2R Business Solutions

As a small- to medium-sized employer, you have a lot on your plate. Some things are optional, like making sure your backup coffee machine works, and others are legally required so you are compliant in the Province of Ontario. Jill Zappitelli, President of H2R Business Solutions Inc., has a few questions for you.

Did you know that you must have these policies in place?

  • A harassment, sexual harassment, violence & domestic violence policy
  • A policy on AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act)
  • A Health & Safety Policy statement

In addition, if you are aware of a harassment situation, you must have it investigated.

Did you know that you must provide training in these areas?

  • The policies mentioned above: you must provide in-house training on an annual basis.
  • Health & safety: you and your employees must complete online training.
  • For many employment topics, you must post a series of employment posters in your workplace.

Did you know that laws regarding time off have changed?

  • You must provide a minimum of 2 weeks of vacation to employees who have been with you up to 5 years.
  • You must increase vacation time to 3 weeks for employees who have been with you longer than 5 years.
  • You must now provide sick days, family responsibility days, and bereavement days to your employees.

Did you know there’s help so you don’t get overwhelmed by these laws?

H2R Business Solutions has a proven track record providing HR leadership and the implementation of best practices in human resource management. Jill and her team of eight senior HR consultants and generalists have earned a reputation in Waterloo Region for developing proven and successful policies, programs and processes to improve the performance and efficiency of employees within organizations. They know that employees are your number one priority!

With extensive knowledge of HR practices, H2R Business Solutions consultants have proven abilities in everything from hiring to retiring. They can help with the following:

  • HR policies
  • Compliance training
  • HR advice
  • HR audit
  • Harassment investigations
  • Employee handbooks
  • Employment contracts
  • Terminations
  • Employee surveys
  • Team building
  • Wellness programs
  • Employee conflict situations
  • Health & safety and more!

H2R services clients across most industries, including professional services, tech, construction, real estate, manufacturing, health care, transportation, retail, recycling and more!

What are my service options?

It’s H2R’s goal to provide you with the HR services and coverage you need so your company remains compliant with the law and so your employees enjoy working at your company.

Outsource Your Full HR Department

H2R becomes your HR manager. Subscribe to a monthly service based on a price per employee, per month and they’ll handle your Human Resources needs for your entire company. This means you’re fully outsourcing your HR department. Focus on what you do best, and H2R will handle the rest.

Compliments from a client whose growing company still didn’t need a full-time HR specialist: “Hiring H2R to fill the need on a part-time basis was a great decision. Our staff really appreciated our commitment to their well-being and immediately embraced H2R. We couldn’t have made a better strategic decision.”

Call When You Need Help

H2R offers on-demand service when you need it. They’re just a phone call away and can provide immediate support based on your needs, situation and schedule.

Compliments from a client: “Jill helped us evaluate our entire HR operations and ramp them up to where they needed to be for a company our size. H2R’s on-demand services is a great fit for our business.”

Have an H2R Consultant On-Site

Hire H2R on a part-time basis to work on-site. Their HR specialists can work at your company for a ½ day to four days per week. They’re completely flexible to your needs!

Compliments from a client who has an H2R consultant on-site one day a week: “They handle it all! H2R is a great addition to our team and we highly recommend their services.”

What does the full picture look like? Here’s one client’s description: “We are truly impressed with creation, partnership and execution of the individual pieces. Now, when I need some assistance, I just pick up the phone or request a meeting. We are a much better organization as a result of H2R’s solid work. We have been very impressed with the level of knowledge, expertise and attention to detail, especially in the complex world of compliance and HR which H2R thrives. I would strongly recommend Jill and H2R to any organization needing outsourced HR or ongoing HR support.”

Where do you start? With a phone call to 519-954-7222 or an email to Admin@yourH2R.com. Ask whatever you’d like to know, from hiring to retiring. H2R is here to help. You can also visit their website to learn more.

VCT Group

vct group: green energy for your business is possible

Greening your business today is no longer about looking trendy. It’s about reducing your energy costs, helping the environment, and attracting potential employees who want to work for businesses they can believe in. VCT Group has been a local player in the solar industry for over ten years. Solar power installations? Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations? Innovative, green solutions to your energy problems? They can help.

No Stranger to Innovation

A unique building stands In David Johnston Research & Technology Park at the University of Waterloo: the evolv1 project, Canada’s first certified zero-carbon building. In partnership with the Cora Group, Sustainable Waterloo Region, and Melloul Blamey, VCT Group consulted on and constructed the rooftop solar installation and solar carports on the site. The carports were not only designed to produce clean, green energy while protecting vehicles from the elements, but they also have integrated EV charging stations built into the structure.

Planners estimated how much energy the facility would consume in a year and then aimed to produce 105% of that figure. The goal for the site is to generate 850,000 kWh in one year from the solar panels on the roof and carports. Since going live just before the new year, the installation is on track to reach the target despite below average sun hours this spring.

“It’s been great to be part of such a high-profile project,” says Brian Unrau, president of the company. “We actively monitor all of our projects, but we have been updating the tally on the white board almost daily for the evolv1 project.”

Expertise at the Flick of a Switch

Since its start, VCT Group has installed more than 40,000 solar panels across more than 200 projects. In addition, they have also created and operate a renewable energy co-operative, CED Co-op, that provides opportunities for anyone in Ontario to make RRSP-eligible investments in solar projects. Together with CED Co-op, VCT Group owns and operates a portfolio of solar projects that can power about 1,000 homes and reduces carbon emissions by about 2,000 tonnes every year.

The three main principals of VCT Group bring varied industry expertise, which has set the company up for success:

  • Prior to co-founding VCT Group in 2008, Dale Brubacher-Cressman spent 17 years in engineering and management roles at BlackBerry, starting as employee #5 and helping build the company from start-up to world-renowned corporation.
  • Jerry Enns, the second co-founder, was a 15-year veteran of senior management in government and community services, where he focused on energy efficiency in the Ontario launch of the R-2000 Efficient Housing Program.
  • Brian Unrau joined the partnership shortly after the company was founded. He took over as president in 2016. His background included studies in architecture as well as business administration and accounting, working in lending and management for Kindred Credit Union.

This combined range of knowledge and experience helped the company adapt and reshape itself through the many changes in the industry. Moreover, it underpins VCT Group’s partnerships with their customers, who trust them to build reliable solar installations that achieve annual energy generation targets.

What Is Your Goal?

For many businesses, environmental improvements need to equate to financial savings. If you have a building with more than 15,000 sq ft of roof space or a large parking lot, chances are VCT Group can produce solar power for your site cheaper than you can “rent” it from the grid. In this “buy vs. rent” scenario, buying is investing in your own generating capacity while renting is continuing to pay the utility—month after month, year after year.

If employee recruitment and retention form part of your goal for solar power, VCT Group can install kiosks in your lobby that display your company’s impact on helping the environment. Every day your employees come in to work, they’ll see how their choosing to work at your company is helping the environment. Installing EV charging stations can also make your organization more attractive to potential and current employees and customers.

Customer-Centred Focus

“When I get to work with other businesses and learn about what affects their success and how I can help their business get ahead, I really enjoy that aspect of things,” says Brian. “I enjoy focusing on building relationships with our customers, because that’s what VCT Group is about.”

Join the businesses who are already examining how reducing their environmental footprint can also reduce costs and improve employee recruiting and retention.

“More and more companies are approaching us to help them demonstrate their values of sustainability in concrete and visible ways to their customers and stakeholders,” says Brian.

What about you? All it takes is an email to info@vctgroup.com or a phone call to 1-888-536-0491 to start the conversation. To see some of their past projects, visit vctgroup.com.

Able-One Systems

able-one systems: Your strategic it partner, allowing you to focus on your core business

For over 30 years, Able-One Systems has been helping businesses of all shapes and sizes focus on their core business as their trusted and strategic information technology partner. From a beginning of primarily serving businesses in their technology procurement, implementation and repair needs, they have evolved into a much more holistic and strategic IT partner. Able-One takes care of all information technology requirements which includes infrastructure solutions, managed and cloud services, and cyber security – what Mark Ciprietti, President of Able-One, says is “in today’s technology landscape is a top priority for all of our clients, small or large.” However, ensuring your business is protected from cyber security threats is not all that Able-One is about.

Housed in the heart of the region’s Innovation District, in the old Woelfle Shoe plant at 127 Victoria Street South, this 40 person operation takes care of all things IT. ‘Cloud and Managed Services’, ‘Digital Transformation’, ‘Security’, and ‘Optimized Infrastructure’ are all headings on their web site, and to the layman these might be confusing – but are bread and butter to those at Able-One. Simply put, their prime motivator is to help companies do what they do best and not have to worry about technology issues. As Mark Kula, Chief Financial Officer of Able-One said, “Our clients have customers to serve and employees to take care of. We have an established team of experts that assist our clients in designing, implementing, and managing optimized IT environments so they can focus on their core business.”

Companies with 10 to 250 users are typically the ones that would benefit from Able One’s Managed Services. What they offer their clients is a fully outsourced IT department, including a Virtual CIO – or Chief Information Officer. For some firms to hire a full time IT manager it could cost up to $100K, and those hires would not necessarily be available 24/7. Able-One is. And they do this on a predictable per user basis, providing you access to skills and tools that are out of reach of the average SMB. Many of their employees have a broad range of technical skills while others specialize deeply in a few core competencies. Clients of Able-One can then draw on this wide and deep skill base for all of their technology needs. And never be left waiting – 24/7/365.

Some of the services that Able-One provides its clients are implementing, integrating, and optimizing technology into current infrastructure environments, back-up and disaster recovery of business applications, and monitoring and management of IT networks. Essentially, they do all the tech stuff so you do not have to. Their work, however, is not reactionary but proactive in monitoring for alerts, applying patches and updates before issues occur, and ensuring their work is seamless and transparent to their clients.

In addition, Able-One is always staying ahead of the technology curve through their ‘Solutions Division’, which helps companies reach their potential via artificial intelligence, data analytics, process digitization, and other innovative solutions and disruptive technologies.

In the community, they believe in reaching out to causes that support the direct needs of their team members. If an individual or family member from Able-One is in need of local services, the company steps up. Their annual golf tournament, BBQ fundraisers or other initiatives they support local charities and thereby their community. Through these initiatives they’ve helped organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Waterloo Region, KidsAbility, Thyroid Cancer Canada, and many more. They believe that giving back makes a company and their team stronger.

If you need to focus on your core business to achieve the goals and growth you strive for, why not allow a team of experts design, implement, and manage your optimized IT environment? Contact Able-One today at (519) 570-9100 ext. 7332, or via email at mark.ciprietti@ableone.com. They are happy to help!

Miller Thomson LLP

Miller Thomson: The ‘Local’ Firm with National Reach

Miller Thomson LLP, founded in Toronto in 1957, is a national law firm with twelve offices and over 550 lawyers from Vancouver to Montréal. They pride themselves on being mid-market by Toronto standards and their innovative and client-focused service model, creating pods of area experts with national reach. This allows the firm to offer a wide range of legal services tailored to local needs, and trade on those areas of expertise from office to office.

For example, in Kitchener/Waterloo, the areas of expertise are issues related to high tech and insurance – which makes sense, considering the concentration of those types of businesses locally. But if a local business was involved in an agribusiness deal in Saskatchewan, for example, local Miller Thomson lawyers could draw on the resources of the Saskatoon or Regina offices. Clients can come into the local Miller Thomson offices in the Accelerator Centre on Hagey Boulevard, and be in contact, via video, with their specialized representative in any of the other 11 Miller Thomson offices nation-wide. “We are, I believe, probably the only national firm that has presence at the breadth and the depth that we do in the smaller markets,” says Office Managing Partner, Steve Lubczuk. So integrated are the offices that when a client calls the local office and asks for their lawyer – who may be in Guelph or Edmonton, they are patched through as if he or she were just down the hall.

Miller Thomson lawyers also work within national practice groups providing comprehensive coverage in the areas of business law, tax, litigation and dispute resolution, labour and regulatory law and real estate. With these groups, or silos, if an area of expertise is not available locally then it can be sourced from within the group. Also, if your legal matter involves two or more of these areas of expertise, you have those groups and their collective wisdom to draw upon. This saves not only time, but in the long run money as well. Another benefit is that if your budget is limited you can deal with junior litigators and still have access to the expertise of more senior lawyers.

Part of their success, and growth, has come from lawyers from smaller local firms moving to Miller Thomson and bringing with them their clients. This benefits not only the new lawyers joining by giving them the resources of a national platform, but also their clients who now have access to the firm’s  broad expertise. Lubczuk, himself, joined the firm ten years ago, having practiced in a two-person firm for the previous 25 years. Smaller, local firms, knowing that former independent or small office lawyers are part of the larger Miller Thomson organization, often call upon Steve and his associates for advice and expertise on matters that the smaller firms might not have access to. By joining Miller Thomson, they gain instant access to this wealth of information and connection.

Miller Thomson and its employees are deeply involved in the local community – both as direct sponsors of events and charitable contributors. They are involved in Communitech, not only because of their close proximity to it and the financial benefit of dealing with them, but also “because it is the future, and it helps, on another level, that you attract younger lawyers that are interested in that particular area of law,” says Lubczuk. In addition, the firm supports St Mary’s and Grand River Hospital Foundations, Kidsability, KW Habilitation, among others. Miller Thomson has also contributed to specific causes such as the Canadian Red Cross disaster relief efforts following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and Hockey Sticks for Humboldt. They have been recognized for the quality of their lawyers – five lawyers honoured recently in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and nine KW lawyers honoured in the Best Lawyers in Canada directory. They have been nominated many times for the KW Record Readers’ Choice Award and won often.

If you’re a business needing help in any capacity with corporate law, contact the local firm with national reach, Miller Thomson. They can be reached at (519) 579-3660, toll free at (866) 658-0091 or via email at waterloo@millerthomson.com.

Homer Watson Medical

an exciting, one-stop location at home watson and bleams

What once was the site of Budd Automotive at Homer Watson and Bleams will now begin to transform into a wondrous new series of buildings and facilities unlike anything seen in this part of Kitchener before. Over 200 thousand acres will see industrial and high tech manufacturing. Phase One of the project will lead the way up to 65 thousand square feet of medical and professional offices with ground floor commercial zoning on 3.8 acres.

Already over 50% leased, the ultra new Homer Watson Medical and Professional Centre will sparkle with one of the most complete compliments of medical services and professions in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. “We’re excited about this phase of the project. it will assemble everything you can conceivably think of in the medical sector.” Jason Tompkins, Leasing and Operations Manager for the project noted. “From family doctors and specialists to optometrists, ophthalmologists, dentists, orthodontists, audiologists, physiotherapists, psychologists, massage therapists, medical imaging, and more, this new facility will house them all in one location.”

Tompkins went on to note that the Homer Watson Medical and Professional Centre will also attract new doctors and specialists to K-W and the surrounding area. Tompkins pointed out. “I know what they’re looking for and can ensure their specific needs are designed into their space.”

Scheduled to be completed by the summer of 2018, the energy efficient building will contain a common area Board Room that can be individually booked for events and meetings. In addition to plenty of parking, it’s readily accesible to Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo via the 401 and the Conestoga Parkway.

For more information about the Homer Watson Medical and Professional Centre, contact Jason Tompkins, Leasing and Operations Manager, by calling 519-502-5809 or by e-mailing Jason@homerwatsonmedical.com OR Jody Ball, Co-President, by calling 519-212-1030 or e-mailing jody@homerwatsonmedical.com

Highview Residences

Highview Residences Exceptional Dementia Care Member Profile Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Kitchener Waterloo Ontario

a new approach to dementia care comes to the region!

Anyone who has a friend or relative with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia knows the challenges faced when memory steadily slips away. It’s a devastating disease that requires patience, special care, and above all, love to help the person affected have small, positive moments that add up to a good day.

Highview Residences prides itself in providing a different approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care that stresses more than just day-to-day care and assistance. “At Highview, our philosophy is focused completely on the resident,” Joey Birch, COO of Highview Residences noted. “Everything we do from the selection of our employees and our approach to care to the design of our building has a purpose that meets the needs of someone with dementia. Nothing is left to chance. We have carefully thought through every detail so that we can provide exceptional dementia care.”

The first thing you’ll notice is the building itself. It’s nothing like the usual care facilities. Instead, each House is designed with an “H” configuration inside which is comprised of two cottages with shared amenities at the centre core. Each cottage is home to 13 residents who have a private bedroom with a 3-piece bathroom including a walk-in shower. These cottages contain a common dining area, living room, and family room as well as the residents’ bedrooms. Outside, there is a beautifully landscaped, secure, walking garden where residents can safely enjoy the outdoors.

Highview Residences Exceptional Dementia Care Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Ontario Waterloo Kitchener

Franklin House

Inside, the welcoming, home-like atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff are evident from when you first step into the building. “Before a resident moves in, we learn as much as we can about their favourite meals, music, activities, and preferences so we can create a safe and welcoming environment” Birch stated. “They can enjoy the quiet solitude of their room, the company of others in our common areas, or a walk in the gardens. It’s a carefully designed model of care that comes from a place of honour, respect, and heartfelt warmth.”

In fact, employees are hired as much for their heart as for their experience and skills. It’s all part of the Highview Residences approach that uses dementia specific activation and Montessori methods (failure-free programming) with a focus on activities of daily living. Recognizing that no two residents are the same, activation is intentional in its design and helps bring back hardwired memories. From working with dementia-specific games and puzzles to crafts, music, and family dinners, Highview Residences’ approach to the care and safety of those with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is a breath of fresh air and a positive, compassionate experience.

The first house of the new Highview Residences in Kitchener Waterloo opens in October 2017. It is located at 20 Reichert Drive on 30-acres of land and conveniently located just off the 401. For more information about Highview Residences, go to highviewres.com or e-mail info@highviewres.com today.

IRIS Optometrists & Opticians

IRIS PROVIDES A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO YOUR OPTICAL NEEDS AND EXCLUSIVE OFFERS TO KW CHAMBER MEMBERS

Member Profiles Member Profile IRIS the Visual Group IRIS Optometry IRIS Advantage Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Benefits Advantages Rewards Back in 1990, when Dr. Francis Jean assembled a group of Optometrists under the IRIS brand, even he couldn’t predict how successful his quest to improve the vision health standards of Canadians would become. Today, over a quarter century later, more than 600 Optometrists, Opticians and Ophthalmologists at over 150 IRIS locations across the country are providing Canadian families with much more than optical prescriptions, new glasses and contact lenses.

“At IRIS, we take a total holistic approach to each and every one of our clients whether they’re a child, young professional, sports enthusiast, or a retiree,” notes Dr. Daryan Angle, Optometrist, owner of the IRIS location in UpTown Waterloo, and Executive Vice President of IRIS. “We start off by learning more about the client’s lifestyle; their profession, hobbies and activities. It’s the first step in better understanding their optical needs.”

Dr. Angle and his team of specialists gather a great deal of information to better understand the needs and wants of their clients. Then, they learn about their clients’ eyes by using advanced technology and the latest in eye care techniques. Testing can include everything from imaging the back of the eye to mapping the function of the optic nerve and checking eye pressure. They combine test data with lifestyle information to create an algorithm that is unique to each and every client.

Member Profiles Member Profile IRIS the Visual Group IRIS Optometry IRIS Advantage Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Benefits Advantages Rewards Based on all of this information the IRIS team provides their clients with a range of corrective options to choose from to not only improve their sight but to enhance their well being. IRIS works with Nikon, who is known worldwide for imaging products and microscope solutions, to offer a wide range of ophthalmic lenses that can be customized to their client’s needs. Once a lens and frame are selected, precise measurements are required to design personalized lenses that can help their clients see better. There are many elements to consider: face shape, placement and proportion of features, alignment and positioning of each eye to ensure that the glasses will fit and work effectively. For issues like dry eyes, which can impede optical performance, PRN (Physician Recommended Nutraceuticals) supplements can be worked into their overall eye care plan. IRIS also offers solutions to blue light exposure for adults and children, including an exclusive non prescription lends from TrueBlue.

“More and more, we are finding that clients have different optical needs for different activities and at different ages.” Dr. Angle reveals. “For example, during the day, their profession could involve hours of computer-based work where the blue light of LED screens takes its toll, causing eye strain and fatigue. At night or on the weekend, perhaps they’re active in a sport or activity that involves a whole different range of light, head position and visual concentration. To properly accommodate these specific needs, they will often obtain more than one type of eyewear.”

When it comes to fashion and that personal “look” a client is searching for, IRIS offers a wide range of top brand name eyewear. This incldues trendy Oakley and Michael Kors, elegant Vera Wang, Canadian designed Klick and FYSH, New York’s edgy Seraphin and many more. Contact lens options range from the convenience of daily disposals to specialty orthokeratology lenses that are worn at night for corrected vision during the day.

IRIS Optometrists and Opticians in UpTown Waterloo work with children at an early age to help prevent nearsightedness and encourage stable eye health through such methods as orthokeratology and blue light protection. They also assist seniors with visual impairments to enjoy a fuller lifestyle through such visual aids such as telescopes, illuminated maginifying glasses, and prisms. From advanced testing to custom fitting to individual optical solutions, everything is accomplished under one roof – all part of the IRIS advantage.

There are also special ADVANTAGE OFFERS for members of the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce. You are invited to experience all of the benefits IRIS offers along with exclusive savings on eyeglasses, sunglasses and more for your entire family.

Go to iris.ca/benefits to learn more. Register by selecting Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce from the drop down menu.

For an appointment or more information, you can contact IRIS by calling 519-725-3927, drop by to see them in UpTown Waterloo at #108-95 King Street South, or go to iris.ca.

Phillips Lytle LLP

U.S. LEGAL HANDS ACROSS THE BORDER

A NATURAL FIT WITH WATERLOO REGION START-UPS AND BUSINESSES

Before establishing a Kitchener office at the Communitech Hub, attorneys at the U.S. law firm of Phillips Lytle LLP were often asked the question “What do we need to know if we are contemplating expansion into the U.S.?” The firm has a long history of assisting Canadian start-ups and companies interested in doing business across the border. It was a natural progression for the firm to establish a presence in the Waterloo Region. Today, Phillips Lytle Special Counsel Jon P. Yormick and a team of over 20 U.S.-based attorneys rotate in and out of the Communitech office on a regular basis in accordance with client needs.

THE NEW YORK CONNECTION TO COMMUNITECH HUB

In 2016, utilizing its New York City office, Phillips Lytle set up a “launch pad” that connected the Waterloo Region tech community with the NYC tech community. The office provided immediate access to the U.S. market and put Canadian companies in front of the U.S. companies, start-ups, and venture capitalists. Jim Moss, CEO of Plasticity Labs noted “With Phillips Lytle and the help of Communitech, we’re able to reach hundreds of new customers in the U.S. who are looking to build innovative and engaged teams with happiness at the core of their strategic plans.”

PROVIDING A WIDE RANGE OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN THE U.S. MARKET

Phillips Lytle works with its Canadian clients in the Waterloo Region and their Canadian lawyers on wide-ranging cross-border issues from tax implications, corporate formation, labour and employment, intellectual property, and data privacy and security to business immigration, customs, international trade, export controls and sanctions, aerospace and defence, government procurement and contracting, franchising, foreign direct investment, and venture capital. In the area of export controls and sanctions, the firm provides guidance to its clients to prevent them from unwittingly breaking U.S. laws. The attorneys also work with companies to ensure they are in compliance with NAFTA, the Buy American Act, as well as U.S. antidumping lawns. Backed by extensive legal experience in general manufacturing, the food industry, telecommunications, renewable energy, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), they look forward to expanding their client base in the Waterloo Region.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT AND AWARDS

Phillips Lytle’s local involvement includes membership in the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, speaking engagements at the Waterloo Region Law Association regarding U.S. Customs, and ongoing involvement with Communitech. The firm also makes yearly charitable contributions to area nonprofits such as the House of Friendship and Kitchener Waterloo Out of the Cold.

In 2016, Phillips Lytle was recognized by the BTI Consulting Group for Law Firms with the Most Clientopia® Relationships. BTI defines Clientopia® as the “ideal state of a client relationship”. “The Phillips Lytle Way” communicates the firm’s focus on superior client service at the center of its culture and business strategy. Some of the firm’s other recent recognition includes Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – ranked for Environmental Law; Business Litigation; and Mergers & Acquisitions. Corporate Counsel magazine recognized Phillips Lytle as a Go-To Law Firm for its legal work on behalf of six FORTUNE 500 U.S. companies. The Best Lawyers in America® 2017 by U.S. News & World Report, lists five lawyers as “Lawyer of the Year” in their legal disciplines. 2017 U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms,” ranked Phillips Lytle as a National First-Tier firm for its Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants practice. Phillips Lytle is among the top 15% of all national law firms for Commercial Litigation as named in the BTI Litigation Outlook 2017.

For more information on how your busienss or clients can benefit from Phillips Lytle’s vast legal experience in the U.S. market, contact Jon P. Yormick, Special Counsel, Buffalo, Canada, Rochester, at (716) 847-7006 or email jyormick@phillipslytle.com.

Grappleworks

 

BERESKIN & PARR DOTS THE “I” IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Since 2003, the Bereskin & Parr office here in the Region of Waterloo has established itself as the area’s largest Intellectual Property (IP) firm. In fact, they are the only IP specialty firm in the Region. Strictly speaking, that’s all they do.

Proudly protecting clients’ IP assets for more than 50 years, their stellar reputation extends throughout Bereskin & Parr’s four offices which include Waterloo, Toronto, Mississauga, and Montreal. With more than 70 lawyers and patent/trademark agents, the firm is considered to be among the best IP firms in Canada, with dedicated expertise in trademarks, patents and litigation.

Here in the Region, partners Tim Sinnott and Jason Hynes are much more than lawyers. Sinnott has his Bachelor and Masters in Physics while Hynes has his Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering.  While Sinnott works on patents and trademarks, Hynes focuses mainly on patents, from prosecution through to litigation. Their involvement in the community includes Sinnott’s long-time membership in the Christian Legal Fellowship as an executive on the board of directors, and Hynes’s role as Chair of the Trade and IP Policy Committee for the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada.

The other four lawyers in the firm are James Hinton, a mechanical engineer and trustee with the Waterloo Law Association, Maria Wei, an electrical engineer, David Morrison, a chemical and biomedical engineer, and Elizabeth Afolabi, a trademark specialist. This hybrid combination of legal and technical expertise provides a unique understanding and insight into their clients’ business that sets Bereskin & Parr apart from other firms in the Region. The team also routinely draw on other technical experts from the firm’s other offices.

From ideas and inventions to product launches, Bereskin & Parr’s clients range from large corporations and manufacturers to local start-ups in the ever growing high tech sector. With an eye to the future, a Bereskin & Parr lawyer is onsite once a week at Communitech as part of the ProSquad, a group of professionals who are on hand to answer questions and provide direction to start-ups and SMEs.

For those businesses interested in learning more about the many facets of intellectual property law, Bereskin and Parr will be conducting a breakfast seminar for businesses in the Region on Wednesday April 19 at Whistle Bear Golf Club. Topics will range from software patents to trademarks, identifying IP needs, and tools that are available for businesses to better understand and protect their IP.

For more information, contact Bereskin & Parr by calling 519-783-3210 (Toll-free  1-888-364-7311)
OR e-mail events@bereskinparr.com

Save Local Now

Member Benefit Save Local Now Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Kitchener Waterloo Blog

An idea scribbled on a cocktail napkin; that is the humble beginning of Save Local Now (SLN). Born in the  quaint village of Chagrin Falls, OH, SLN understands the value of connecting communities and building local economies. While serving as President of his local merchant’s association, Keith Latore (SLN’s Founder) identified the challenges small businesses face when it comes to digital marketing, and then set out to build the solution. “A light bulb went off,” Latore said. “The traditional stuff had been done—They exist and are successful. The digital space is where businesses need the most help, and they need it to be easy, fast and cost-effective.” That’s Save Local Now in a nutshell; they level the digital playing field by empowering local businesses to better connect with local consumers through an easy to use, mobile friendly, integrated digital platform.

What distinguishes Save Local Now from other platforms is its simplicity. Most small businesses do not have the time, resources, or knowledge to effectively digitally market themselves, so SLN’s platform allows them to manage it all from one place. The platform helps small businesses expand their customer base without the cost, complexity and time commitment of coordinating content across multiple platforms. With SLN, users can log-in, update their business information and create unlimited content in just a few minutes, then push what they create to the most popular social media platforms in one click. SLN offers content creation, social media sharing, email marketing, and complimentary SEO (Search Engine Optimization) at no cost to Chamber Members. Orlando Lopez, a Save Local Now user, explains “I have tried other email marketing systems and find that SLNs is the simplest of all. It doesn’t matter what business you are in. You can create online promotions and email marketing campaigns as well gauge your results”. SLN provides easy to understand analytics that shows every business what’s working, and what’s not, all in real-time.

SLN’s team of experts will also work hand-in-hand with any business, offering personal assistance and training to get the most out of a business’s digital marketing efforts. “I am not a techy person and find it most amazing that I can actually speak with a real human being,” Lopez adds. “Other services must be contacted by email or access their “HELP” system, but don’t allow a user to speak with anyone to answer any specific questions. I am very satisfied with the personalized assistance I have received.”

In this day and age, managing a small business’ digital footprint is vitally important, both to better connect with existing customers and attract new ones. Another SLN user, Darla, commented “Save Local Now has really increased my visibility online. I spend 5, maybe 10 minutes every other day updating information and I’m noticing that I’m always on the first page of Google”.

Since 2012, Save Local Now has grown to work with over 80,000 businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Watch this video to see how Save Local Now can help your business grow.

Ready to start using the platform?

Contact the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce to claim your business and get started!

Learn more about SLN here!

Gascho Automotive

If it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in almost anything, then what does 90 years in the business of auto sales and service make you? Pretty darn knowledgable, we’d say!

Gascho Automotive is a 3rd generation family business that has been a landmark in downtown Kitchener for 90 years, starting way back in 1923 (first as The Brunswick Garage, then Gascho Motors in 1926). Back then the city’s population was 28,000 and there were very few cars on the roads. There were no traffic lights and parking restrictions were non-existent.

Founder Emanuel Gascho actually had to teach many of his early customers how to drive the cars that he sold them, so from the very start, sales AND service were what made Gascho Automotive a thriving business in the region.

Flash forward 90 years to a new light rail transit being built and a population of over 235,000. Dave Gascho is now the third generation of the Gascho family to run the business, having purchased it from his father Carl and uncle Roy in 1991.

Generation after generation, decade after decade, the Gascho’s attributed their success to personalized service, repeat customers, and teachings from their father on the basics of community, honesty, integrity and relationships. Dave continues his grandfather’s tradition today, to which his many long time customers serve as a testament.

Today, Gascho provides both pre-owned and new automotive sales (yes, you can indeed buy a new car, almost any make, at Gascho), regular and specialty service, and leasing. Dave works hard to ensure he is able to find his customers exactly the vehicle they want, and to make the loan and leasing process as easy as possible.

2016 not only marks a momentous 90 years in business, but also sees Gascho Automotive moving out of the downtown core to 353 Manitou Dr. in Kitchener, taking on a larger space, with easier access.

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Dave says, “It will still be Gascho Automotive, but we will be in a much bigger space within the Great Canadian Holidays and Coaches building and our car sales will be along Manitou Drive. It gives us more space for inventory, more bays for servicing customers and a newer facility which our technicians love. We have a loyal client base that will know where to find us, and we are confident we will find new clients at the new spot.”

To celebrate 90 years in business and to celebrate their great customers, Gascho Automotive is hosting an open house and customer appreciation party on Thursday, Sept 15, from 4 – 7pm. This free event is open to everyone, so come down and meet Dave and his team, tour the new facility, and enjoy some free food and enter to win some great prizes.

Visit Gascho Automotive’s website for more information, or call Dave anytime to talk about a new or pre-owned vehicle, or to book a service appointment. His helpful and friendly staff will be sure to take good care of you.

echosims

PROFITABLE MARKETING: IT SHOULDN’T BE REVOLUTIONARY, RIGHT?

It seems obvious: don’t invest in marketing that costs you more than the profit it generates, but the reality is that most businesses cannot accurately gauge the effectiveness of their marketing tactics. Usually because they haven’t needed to, they don’t know how or they’re just too busy taking care of business.Unfortunately, the lack of tracking leaves you open to a high probability of wasted dollars and a lot of “crossing your fingers” as you hope for more sales. These days that’s all unnecessary. There are many modern tools available for accurate tracking of leads & sales, you just have to demand it from your marketing/ad agency.

Peter Wagner of Hogg Mechanical, a local HVAC company, has experienced this firsthand with 400% growth over the last 4 years. “I moved almost my entire marketing budget to digital after echosims proved how cost effectively they could generate quality leads, and the results have gotten better every year.”

echosims is a local digital marketing company that builds sales-focused websites and online marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C customers with a huge emphasis on performance tracking and optimization.

Take Adwords for example, those ads on the Google search results page. They are great for most businesses because you’re advertising to people searching for what you offer and only paying if they click on your ad.

“But clicks don’t mean sales” says Jeff Horst of echosims“and sales are what really matters.” Yet most Adwords sales pitches still focus on the number of clicks and cost per click with no attention to the number of leads or sales those clicks generate.

For the Hogg campaign, instead of cheap clicks, echosims focused on what the hottest buyers were searching for (often the more expensive clicks) then made sure that they did a really great job of turning those clicks into leads. They even tested buying cheap clicks to prove how unprofitable they were.

According to Jeff, “It’s all about how well you convert those clicks into leads. You’ve just paid for them so you definitely don’t want to send them to your home page or an information page that isn’t compelling.”

“That’s the not-so-secret sauce to our success. Whether it’s an Adwords, display ad, Facebook or other social media ad campaign, we start with a well-crafted, highly targeted sales page with compelling copy. Then we test it, track its performance and constantly refine it to improve profitability.”

“We’ve actually taken over existing Adwords accounts that weren’t doing so great and seen a dramatic improvement in profitability using this strategy.”

The end result is more consistently, profitable campaigns and a lot less crossing your fingers. Both of which are good for business.

echosims was founded just over five years ago by Jeff Horst and Matt Martin, two local boys with Mennonite heritage and a strong passion for helping local businesses flourish. They have been successful at growing a talented team that, like them, is very big on transparency, realistic expectations and having fun with their clients.

“You don’t have to go to Toronto anymore to get great marketing,” says Jeff, “there’s plenty of great companies right here in town.” And it sounds like he’s right.

If you’d like to learn more about echosims and their work, grab a coffee with Jeff, he might even let you sneak a peak at Hogg’s campaign. You can reach him at 519-505-4769 or jeff@echosims.com

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Grand River Raceway

GRAND RIVER RACEWAY – A BUSINESS OPEN HOUSE THAT REALLY GOES THE DISTANCE

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GRRhohp2015_1wWhen it comes to a business open house, no one can set the pace quite like Grand River Raceway.

Where else can you put a harness race horse through its paces as you travel around the track in the company of a professional driver? Twelve sales reps actually did just that as a team building event and now you can try it out for yourself. It’s just one of the many extraordinary things that the staff at the award-winning Grand River Raceway has arranged for its clients. From digging a 15-foot hole for a weekend workshop to preparing 450 bagged lunches for a conference, they really do go the distance to ensure your corporate event, conference, meeting, or party is a huge success.

You can see for yourself on Wednesday, May 18th between 3pm to 7pm when Grand River Raceway’s Meetings & Events Services opens its doors to businesses who are looking for a unique and inspirational venue to host their next meeting, big extravaganza or team building event.

Once you’ve pre-registered online from your office, you’re off to the races and a business open house like nothing you’ve ever experienced. On arrival, check-in at the Guest Care Counter to begin your tour of the facility. Each of Grand River Raceway’s newly renovated rooms will showcase different samples from the catering menus.

Then, between 4pm and 7pm, head down to the track in your closed-toe shoes for your race horse ride. Whether you win, place, or show, everyone receives $10 to play the slots as well as exclusive offers and a chance to win prizes.

Grand River Raceway is located in gorgeous Elora — just far enough to get your head out of the office and into the game. Make sure you get on the card by getting your RSVP in by May 13.

You can do this online at http://grandriverraceway.com/business-open-house/

OR by calling Jenna or Emily at (519) 846-5455 ext. 288

OR by e-mailing bookings@grandriverraceway.com

Gowling WLG

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GOWLING WLG – THE LOCAL LAW FIRM WITH GLOBAL REACH

Thirty years ago, Gowlings was a respected local law firm in the Region of Waterloo, with legal roots in the area dating back to 1887. Today, it’s the largest private law firm in the region and the first Canadian co-led international law firm. As a result of its combination with the United Kingdom’s Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co (WLG) in February of this year, Gowling WLG is now in 10 countries, with offices in London, Paris, Monaco, Brussels, Dubai, Munich, Moscow, Singapore, Beijing, Guangzho, and of course, across Canada.

A DIVERSE CLIENTELE

Here in its own backyard, Gowling WLG credits its success to its diverse clientele, which primarily comprises privately owned owner/operator companies. The legal firm represents and has built lasting relationships with many of these companies through all stages of their business growth. In fact, Gowling WLG works with businesses of all size – from tech startups to established corporate entities.

FULL SERVICE WITH DEEP EXPERTISE

With a staff of 115, including 43 lawyers, Gowling WLG‘s office in Waterloo Region services clients across Southwestern Ontario and beyond. Consisting of specialists in all areas of law, the firm’s legal team offers a full range of services, with a  strong focus on advocacy (employment & labour, commercial litigation, municipal), intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights), and corporate (commercial, M&A, real estate, banking, insurance, private wealth).

ACCESS TO A GLOBAL MARKET

Gowling WLG‘s clients benefit from the firm’s access to a national, and now global, platform. Recently, a client who was looking to build their business wished to make a connection with a company in Germany. By networking with Gowling WLG‘s offices in Europe, the firm was able to arrange the connection. It’s these types of opportunities that add even more value to the firm’s client relationships. This is especially important with increasing cross-border activity around the world and a heightened desire among businesses to reach a global market. Gowling WLG‘s international platform also positions the firm to advise companies outside the country on a range of matters with respect to setting up business in Waterloo Region.

ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY

Outside of the office, Gowling WLG‘s team members volunteer with non-profit organizations, hospital boards, and arts, cultural and educational organizations – as well as with the local chamber of commerce. The firm’s active involvement in the Waterloo Region community is all part of its belief in giving back.

TOP-TIER EXPERTISE

Gowling WLG lawyers are regularly recognized by Canada’s leading legal publications and rankings organizations for their depth of experience and expertise. In 2016, Lexpert magazine named 17 lawyers in the firm’s Waterloo Region office among the top legal practitioners in Canada across 31 practice areas, including two lawyers who were named regional “Lawyers of the Year.”