3/25/2024

Business Sisters Centre: New Revenue Streams Await!

~ 1 1/2 minutes reading time
Collage of various meetings held at the Business Sisters Centre in Alexandria.

🌟Business Innovation & Creativity Hub: Our Space, Your Success

Just like in regular business, running a social enterprise isn’t just about heart; it’s about smart business strategies. At Business Sisters, we’re bridging the gap between mission and sustainability. As a mentor organization dedicated to rural women business owners, we’re thrilled to announce our latest venture: Business Sisters Centre Space Rentals.

🏢 Your Space, Your Vision: Starting this April, our open-concept space is available for women business owners who want to test a new concept or carve out time to plan for big changes in their business.  Whether you’re planning a staff meeting, a client focus group, or a creative workshop, our Centre is your canvas. Choose from boardroom, u-shape, classroom, or theater-style setups—accommodating gatherings of 6 to 30 people.

🌿 Exclusive Access for Business Sisters: This opportunity is exclusively for registered Business Sisters members. Plus, a friendly Business Sister representative will be on hand during your event, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

♿ The Business Sisters Centre is conveniently located at 213 Main Street North in Alexandria. We have ground floor access and a wheelchair accessible washroom.

💡 Rates and Availability:

  • Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4 PM to 9 PM
  • Weekends: Select Saturdays and Sundays, 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Pricing: Rates start at $35 per hour (plus HST), tailored to your setup and AV needs.
  • Perks: Complimentary Wi-Fi—because connectivity fuels creativity.

🔍 Inaugural Workshop: The very first workshop that will take place with this new program will be on Saturday, May 11. It is a Mala workshop, run by St-Andrews-West-based wellness entrepreneur, Jessica Palmquist of Turquoise Compass Wellness. Check out the description and reserve your spot now!

📩 Ready to create a new revenue stream for your business and help out Business Sisters? Let’s chat about renting our space. Your success story begins here! 🚀

🌟Business Innovation & Creativity Hub: Our Space, Your Success

Just like in regular business, running a social enterprise isn’t just about heart; it’s about smart business strategies. At Business Sisters, we’re bridging the gap between mission and sustainability. As a mentor organization dedicated to rural women business owners, we’re thrilled to announce our latest venture: Business Sisters Centre Space Rentals.

🏢 Your Space, Your Vision: Starting this April, our open-concept space is available for women business owners who want to test a new concept or carve out time to plan for big changes in their business.  Whether you’re planning a staff meeting, a client focus group, or a creative workshop, our Centre is your canvas. Choose from boardroom, u-shape, classroom, or theater-style setups—accommodating gatherings of 6 to 30 people.

🌿 Exclusive Access for Business Sisters: This opportunity is exclusively for registered Business Sisters members. Plus, a friendly Business Sister representative will be on hand during your event, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

♿ The Business Sisters Centre is conveniently located at 213 Main Street North in Alexandria. We have ground floor access and a wheelchair accessible washroom.

💡 Rates and Availability:

  • Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4 PM to 9 PM
  • Weekends: Select Saturdays and Sundays, 8 AM to 5 PM
  • Pricing: Rates start at $35 per hour (plus HST), tailored to your setup and AV needs.
  • Perks: Complimentary Wi-Fi—because connectivity fuels creativity.

🔍 Inaugural Workshop: The very first workshop that will take place with this new program will be on Saturday, May 11. It is a Mala workshop, run by St-Andrews-West-based wellness entrepreneur, Jessica Palmquist of Turquoise Compass Wellness. Check out the description and reserve your spot now!

📩 Ready to create a new revenue stream for your business and help out Business Sisters? Let’s chat about renting our space. Your success story begins here! 🚀

Community Manager | Gestionnaire de la communauté
Community Manager | Gestionnaire de la communauté
Community Manager | Gestionnaire de la communauté
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Comments
what-do-women-need-from-a-business-conference-right-now
Ashley Lapierre
1790185040260
Hi Doreen and Business Sisters, What an amazing post! You have me, emotionally. It's amazing how much we put on our plate and how much we actually manage to balance. When I discuss with people what I do in the run of a week, they ask me how I do it. I always reply I take things minute by minute. I don't know how I do it, I just know it needs to get done and what's considered priority in that moment. I've learnt that this doesn't always serve us well. I've become overstimulated, exhausted and realizing that the little things that seemed so normal and easy to do, became forgotten and caused unneeded stress. One thing I got from this year is letting go. Letting go of what I cannot change, letting go of what no longer serves me and releasing it with grace. I know and I feel it to not be enough, which got me curious and resonating with your post. How even though I live so close, the thought of a quiet room to collect my thoughts from the last 7 years of not having a break, makes me teer up. I say this, to say thank you in advance for a relaxation room. Giving permission to reset. I am also very excited for the ask us anything discussions as no business is the same and answers are different depending on circumstances. I am really looking forward to your new format of the conference and look forward to meeting you all there!!
from-doreens-desk---confession-life-has-been-chaos-lately
Isabelle
1784128172423
Merci de soulever ce point important qui demeure ignoré, parfois consciemment par certains et inconsciemment par d'autres. Ces ''ping'' que je reçois lorsque je travaille (Chats, courriels,…) me grugent à moi aussi mon énergie. Au travail, je n'ai pas le choix que de les laisser actifs, sinon je reçois un appel me demandant si j'ai pris connaissance du courriel ou du message chat. Quand c'est la fête de quelqu'un, on peut avoir des dizaines de messages défiler et donc ''pinguer'' dans les premières heures de ma journée de travail. Le moment où ma concentration et mon énergie sont à leur meilleur. De plus, ces messages veulent aussi dire que je passe mon temps sur des tâches disparates et soudaines et peu de temps sur les choses qui sont importantes, qui font une réelle différence. Merci du partage. Je me sens moins unique dans mon ressenti.
from-theory-to-reality-my-immersion-with-business-sisters
Jacqueline
1778114095697
Thanks for the share Manel. Glad you enjoyed and learned from this experience. A wonderful first hand experience to share with your friends too. All the best in your future adventures.
mentorship-changes-everything-celebrating-our-partnership-with-the-scotiabank-women-initiative
Hélène Faubert
1764380823000
Having this mentorship available with Scotia Bank is an unbelievable opportunity and tool to help anyone in business. Truly blessed that Business Sisters has this connection and information to help business sisters.
radical-generosity-resetting-and-the-power-of-asking
Hélène Faubert
1764385083000
We have to learn that sharing what we learned in our businesses and the experience we acquired are things we can share without feeling that our business will be robbed by competition in the business world, competition is often good in the business world as it keeps us honest, accountable, and determined to do the best we can with the products or services we provide. Confidence goes a long way in knowing we give our best, share our failures and successes and always have an ear open to learn and maintain a voice to speak and be heard.
census-2025-results-are-in-learn-about-the-women-entrepreneurs-of-business-sisters
Donna MacDonald
1748636476525
That’s fantastic to hear! Data like this truly highlights the dedication, resilience, and diversity within the Business Sisters Entrepreneurs community. It’s inspiring to see how their hard work and innovation contribute to the broader business landscape.
hr-challenges-how-not-to-feel-like-a-bitch
Denise Sukkau
1723132740137
We are entering a time when women need to take our place, fill up our space and be who we are without apology. I have difficulty with this and thus I try to keep expanding, keep learning, keep letting go of those past experiences that have kept me small(er). Our culture and past societal 'norms' in a patriarchal time have diminished our voice in addition to other past traumas to women. In supporting each other we can rise together without guilt or shame for being a b*tch or any other shadow expression of our soul, to embrace our power that is within. (Please note I have recently come off of a feminine empowerment retreat called Rise Sister Rise.)
navigating-networking-real-talk-for-business-sisters
Moumie
1712533017881
Bonjour Doreen, J'aime cet article, c'est bien dit... !!😄 Je rajoute, tu es aussi pour ma part, dans ton rôle, de pouvoir encadrer les choses autant que tu peux car, gérer les êtres humains est une tâche énorme pour n'importe quelle occasion. Je viens d'apprendre aussi une chose intéressante, la philosophie de Ted Lasso, je ne connaissais pas cette série, je vais la regarder. Merci de partager cela. Donc, en un mot, tout ca est intéressant moi, je te trouve en tout cas authentique :)!! Bravo pour ton leadership👍
meet-the-business-sisters-results-of-the-first-ever-census-of-our-community
Lexine
1710194161296
Huh - ma première réaction - 41% ont plus de 6 employés. Il serait intéressant de voir combien sont des sous-contractants VS part-time VS full-time, et les liens aux revenus bruts?
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Learn from failure
Earlier
How Being a Mom was the #1 Mistake I made in my Business
When I started my business 23 years ago it was because my VP Marketing job didn’t allow me the flexibility to be a mom to my toddler. I purposefully created a family-oriented culture in our small marketing firm. The problem was, I also acted as a mom towards my employees.
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Two people in front of a backdrop that reads "Rachel's Kids"
Earlier
6 Years ago TODAY…
The above photo from 2015 shows my dear friend Betty Healey and I at the Rachel’s Kids 11th Annual Garden Party at the Ramada in Cornwall. I remember the day so well because that’s when I told Betty of my plans to significantly cut back in my company, letting go of a big part of my team, closing the physical office and going virtual in our operation.
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Three people
Earlier
Sister Showcase
We'd like to take the time to thank some of the amazing women who have worked hard and been pillars in the rural community.
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The owners of Greenfield Hospitality Services, Doreen Ashton Wagner and Heinz Wagner, posing in the reception area, on the occasion of the company's 10th anniversary in 2008.
Earlier
A Mom to my Business Family
How leading with love in business taught me hard lessons—and how to balance compassion with boundaries for clients and employees alike.
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Child walking across stones
Earlier
Multi-Level Marketing (MLM): Stepping Stone to Business?
From old-fashioned Tupperware parties to online Facebook groups, MLM never seems to fade. Candles, kitchen utensils, cleaning products, dietary supplements, cosmetics, essential oils… I won’t go on. Almost everyone has experience with MLM, whether as a customer or as a sales representative.
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Field of red flowers
Earlier
Small-Town Jealousy or Genuine Concern?
Sometimes radical career change and entrepreneurship draw concerns and negative feedback from others. Are those comments really concern, or are they “tall poppy syndrome” in disguise?
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Doreen Ashton Wagner in front of a flag
Earlier
Self-Care for Women in Business: It’s Not Selfish—It’s Survival
I know it’s not easy. I can be an emotional eater. Through these Covid months, I find myself bingeing late at night when my mind is too active to want to sleep. Plus, despite having space to roam in the country to remain active, I struggle with motivation.
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Person making notes
Earlier
Five Strategies for Business Self-Care
In an earlier post, we discussed how essential personal self-care is to our entrepreneurial resilience. What about business self-care? Let’s show our businesses some TLC too!
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Purple flower growing amongst bricks
Earlier
What makes women entrepreneurs resilient?
A bit of background here before I tell you why I’m asking this question. I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1998. After we sold our family business in 2016 I went searching for my next gig. I wasn’t ready for retirement. Frankly I was afraid I’d be bored and I was afraid to tap into retirement savings too soon.
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Group of women making a toast on a patio
Earlier
Business Sisters is For WOMEN
Why have an organization dedicated to women business owners, entrepreneurs, farmers, artists and artisans? Glad you asked.
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Amanda Hailey from the Glengarry Market
Earlier
For Rural Business Owners
Business Sisters celebrates women business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere. Though you’ll notice we focus more on ventures in rural areas and small-towns. There are very personal and self-serving reasons for that decision, I will admit.
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Woman in plaid
Earlier
Business Sisters is About Real Life
We’ve talked about how Business Sisters is dedicated to women entrepreneurs and why we focus on those in rural areas. Our third pillar is keeping it real.
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Doreen with two people outside of The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria, ON
Earlier
What makes us different?
Business Sisters exists to support women business owners in rural eastern Ontario. This makes us “networking group” with events, both live and online. Other groups exist that do that; what makes us different?
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Earlier
Testing in English
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Women Entrepreneurs
Connecting businesswomen in rural Eastern Ontario
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