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Okay folks, I promise I will not bug you too much on IndieNorth with news about the Lounge of Commerce, but this is really too big a deal for everybody for me not to say something.
I asked everyone to fill out this survey the other day, to get a feel for the things we most need to work on in order to improve our small businesses.
So far, the response to the survey has been fabulous, and I really appreciate the time everyone is taking to help me out.
So…here’s the thing.
So far, 85 flippin’ percent of you have cited Facebook Apps, Quizzes and Games as one of the top 3 reasons you don’t think your business is going as well as it should.
Here’s the challenge, and I know you can do it.
Go to your facebook page. Right Now. Turn off all your useless gaming apps. Then, go join the “Remove Your Apps” Group and spread the word.
I’m not saying get rid of Facebook. Facebook is an invaluable tool for keeping in touch with friends and family, not to mention for business networking. It just breaks my heart to see something so silly and unproductive as a fake farm, town, cafe or flippin’ mafia get in the way of your success. Not to mention the utterly asinine “What Early Century Piece of Furniture Are You” quizzes that just make me twitch whenever I see that someone has wasted 6 minutes of their precious life filling it out.
Join me for a month. I never ad apps, and believe it or not, I rarely get bored.
Okay…I have absolutely amazing news for you GTAers down there…in case you haven’t discovered it yet, Portobello East is the Toronto-born sister of Portobello West…a phenomenal market which was created to provide a low-cost venue for local
artists and designers to show and sell their goods in Vancouver and Calgary.
Portobello East is a monthly market open the last Sunday of the month from March to December, with a two day season opener in March and a two day Holiday show in December. It takes place at The Burroughes Building at 639-647 Queen Street West…I don’t need to tell you what an awesome part of the city this is! Another awesome bonus? Admission to the public is free! How many Holiday shows can say that?
Now…I have a bit of exiting news. Portobello East has a limited number of spaces available for their two day Holiday show. This is just such an great opportunity, and I know there are a lot of you out there who would be an fantastic fit for this venue, so get over to the Portobello East website and have a look for yourself!
You can read more about becoming an exhibitor by downloading a pdf from here.
Listen…this is a seriously amazing opportunity. Go check it out, and then make sure you come back and tell us all about it!

I am so exited to tell you folks about Nature’s Harmony…a gorgeous off the grid bed and breakfast just a little north of Mattawa ON. Jen and Tzach are your hosts on this grand adventure, and their own story is as fascinating as their lovely home.

Nestled within 485 acres of undisturbed forested land, visitors to Nature’s Harmony have an infinite selection of things to do and see when they come. Trails wind their way through the forests for hiking, skiing or snowshoeing, larger (but somewhat rough) roads lead down to Bang’s Bay and the Ottawa River beyond for canoeing and kayaking, and the stunning log home is just a lovely place to relax and enjoy a quality of quiet that a city dweller could never imagine.

Nature’s Harmony is entirely off the grid. The are dependant only on themselves for their water, hydro and heat:
Our water source is drawn from a spring-fed well; there is a septic system and our heating is provided by two woodstoves. There is also a propane furnace that is programmed to come on if the temperature drops below a certain level. Our energy is provided by eight 120-watt solar panels and a 1000-watt wind turbine, mounted on a 65-foot tower. The solar and wind energy pass through separate charge controllers which then charge a 24-volt battery system. The energy then passes through an inverter which converts the energy from DC (battery voltage) into 110 watts AC (home power). If the energy demand exceeds the supply from the sun and/or wind, a propane generator automatically kicks in to charge the batteries.
Awesome, isn’t it?
So, whether you find yourself dreaming of a life off grid, and you want to see how Jen and Tzach have made it work, or you’re just looking for a grand adventure, go visit Nature’s Harmony and discover for yourself one of the most comfortable Bed and Breakfasts, and some of the most gorgeous wilderness I’ve ever seen!


Okay gals…are you ready for the most awesome adventure ever? You have to trek on over to Wild Women Expeditions and check out some of the guided trips they have to offer!
For nearly 20 years, women have come to Wild Women Expeditions for fun, adventure and relaxation. Formed out of a spirit of adventure and deep respect for Canada’s wilderness, Wild Women Expeditions attracts women from around the world. Our relaxed atmosphere reflects our trust in the women in our groups and in the natural environment. Most years, you can adventure with us on Canada’s east and west coasts, the Rockies, Manitoba and Northern Ontario from June to October.
We supply the equipment, delicious food, friendly, experienced guides and an amazing group of women as we travel through the spectacular coastlines, lakes, rivers, and trails of Canada.

Talk about a seriously fun time! They offer hiking, paddling, cycling and fly fishing adventures, as well as special retreats, awesome adventures for young girls and lesbian/bi specific trips.
Worried that you’re not in good enough shape to go wayfaring with the wild women? Check this out:
Many of our trips attract, and can successfully accommodate, women of varying abilities or women seeking different challenge levels. This is accomplished by offering a lot of choices WITHIN the adventure itself. For example, on a Multi-sport adventure such as we have in Newfoundland and New Brunswick, often a particular day hike will have an easier or more strenuous option and we break into two separate groups after lunch. For other trips, because of the nature of group travel we have geared ( and this is clear from the trip description) whether the trip is geared towards beginners, novices, intermediate or those with a high level of ability seeking a physical challenge. Having said that, I feel the need to reiterate that on WWE trips we aren’t out to prove anything, the atmosphere is supportive not competitive, offering choices within an adventure is a part of our unique style… AND lets face it women: while men tend to overestimate their skill level, women tend to underestimate.

So no excuses! Head on over to Wild Woman Expeditions and start planning a true life changing adventure!