eSpot™ Blog

Outside the lines: The Birthplace of the BEST creations

Sun, 15 Aug 2010 02:34:00 GMT

I am experimenting between this fine line between crazy and genius. There is this funny place of allowing myself to draw outside the lines and play and create and magically, something beautiful may emerge. In that exact same place, there lies the strong likelihood that what I draw will be messy, unknown, abnormal and open to lots of criticism.

So what do I create? Do I buy one of those children's colouring books and practice drawing inside the lines? Or do I take a piece of blank canvass and look around me, bringing to my canvass, the items that will allow me to create something new, something to be excited about?

What are you doing in your life or business that offers the slightest reaction of "that's crazy" or "that's genius"? If you are working towards this direction, bravo. If no one is saying anything, here's the message - "CREATE something you can stand behind, something that means something to you, something so big that it can withstand all the putdowns and criticisms and still remain standing."

No one consciously chooses to live averagely, deep down. No one wants to buy "boring".

Create something fabulous - now, where is that blank canvass? I am drawing outside the lines. Who's in?

The Gift of Not Talking

Tue, 18 May 2010 16:05:00 GMT

I lost my voice completely today. Not even a croak...I notice that I can't even giggle or sigh with any audible sounds. I'm actually kind of enjoying it! It's funny losing my voice because I notice my ears have totally cranked into high gear

.

I am hearing everything. Not just the noise around me or what words are being spoken, but I'm hearing what is wanted. I hear my daughter needing encouragement, I hear my house needing my focus, I hear myself missing connection with myself. It's amazing what you hear when you're not focused on talking.

I'm convinced that people who talk a lot don't know themselves too well. It's a very sneaky way of avoiding what we need to see in ourselves and facing the sometimes scary truth of what we want in our lives.

So my challenge to you is this. Stop talking and turn up your hearing. Hey - even pretend you've lost your voice and give yourself permission to not engage in conversation and take an observer position in your life. Even if it's just for an hour but try at least a day. I'm curious what you'll discover.

Season Detoxification: what can I eat?

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 18:22:00 GMT

To eat or not to eat... so keep in mind that its best you eat every few hours and drinks lots of water! So here it is the two weeks of detoxification! Thank you Dr. Michelle Peris for hosting our detox seminar and putting this great shopping list together for us.

What can I eat?

Fresh Vegetables
Fresh Fruit
Grains: brown rice, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice pasta
All legumes
Nuts and seeds in raw form
Free range animal product, wild deep water fish
Oils: Flax and olive
Herbs
Sea salt
Spreads: tahini paste, nut butters, apple butters bean dips
Sauces: pesto, mustard with no additives
Sweeteners: stevia, black strap molasses, pure maple syrup
Beverages: Filtered water 8-9 glasses a day, 100% pure fruit or vegetable juices, herbal teas, green tea and rice milk.

What can I NOT eat?

Vegetables: tomatoes, corn, mushrooms, peppers, potatoes and frozen or jarred veggies
Fruits: Bananas, citrus, dried fruits, exotic fruits
Grains: all gluten containing grains: whole wheat, spelt, rye, barley
Soy beans and soy products
Peanuts and pistachios or salted/flavoured nuts
Red meats, canned meats, smoked meats
Dairy
Eggs
Regular table salt, refined oils, margarine, shortening
Refined sugars: brown and white, sweetener replacements
Caffeinated beverages, alcohol, diary, soy milk, all fruit drinks high in refined sugars, all vegetable drinks high in salt

Here's a short shopping list: Fresh veggies and fruits, olive oil, sea salt, rice crackers and rice cakes, hummus, avocado, apple butter, almond butter, brown rice pasta, gluten free grains, free range chicken, raw almonds and walnuts, brown rice protein powder, sweet potato, beans

When the Whole World is Watching

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:17:00 GMT

It's way easier to live when you think no one is watching. Anonymity is safe. Kind of like - if the tree falls in the forest and nobody saw it go down, did it really fall? Screwing up without anyone knowing is safer but the fact is, the screw-up still happened.

And then there's Tiger. Big news, BIG screw-up. And the whole WORLD was watching. And you know what, we are still watching. I'm not condoning what Tiger did but I have to say....he lived BIG. He risked, he paid for it AND guess what? HE IS BACK.

My point is this - I'd much rather see someone learn a lesson and make a come back from a screw-up than painfully watch someone choosing to live a tiny, unhappy existence and rationalize that he likes his life.

Maybe the whole world's not watching you but look in the mirror. You need to watch yourself everyday.

Ladies Unforgettable Retreat: Experience, Share and Learn

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:29:00 GMT

Ladies you cannot afford to miss out on this ultimate girls getaway in Montebello, Quebec. Starting from $539 you will experience a fun filled weekend where women can come together to reclaim balance in their lives.

From a 'Little Black Dress Dinner Party" with live entertainment and a Friday night Pajama Party to unique seminars like The Diva's Guide to Social Media, Work Smarter Not Harder, Look Fabulous at Any Age and more!

Contact Judi Schulz

Travel Counsellor

T: 905.338.8693

E: judi.schulz@travelcounsellors.ca

W: www.travelcounsellors.ca/judi.schulz

Check out all details http://www.nadjaspajamaparty.com/Montebello%20April%202009.htm

unforgettable

RETREAT From $539*

Ultimate Girls Getaway

Montebello, Quebec April 23-25th, 2010

EXPERIENCE, SHARE & LEARN

Triple and Quad Rooms Also Available!

Weekend includes:

 Two Night’s Accommodation

 Friday Night Pajama Party - Mix & Mingle Gourmet Dinner

 Saturday Breakfast & Lunch

 Saturday Fun Seminars, Demonstrations & Learning Experiences

 Saturday Night "Little Black Dress Dinner Party" & Live Entertainment

 Sunday Coffee and Pastries  Sunday morning classes & activities

 Sunday Grand Farewell Brunch  Gifts & Prizes

Choose from Unique Seminars and Sessions:

 The Diva's Guide to Social Media

 Danserotek

 Work Smarter Not Harder

 Law of Attraction

 The Fine Art of Texas Hold'em

 Look Fabulous At Any Age

 ...and more!

Judi Schulz Travel Counsellor

T. 905 338-86 . judi.schulz@travelcounsellors.ca W. www.travelcounsellors.ca/judi.schulz

Where will your conversation take y

Grand Opening

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:04:00 GMT

It was a full house at our unconventional grand opening, in our unconventional space. Here at the e-Spot™ we do everything just a little differently.

" We welcome you with a warm smile, we fearlessly support you in growing your business, we provide a safe community to be just yourself, we roast our own original e-Spot™ coffee blend and we even have little Lucy as our mascot. So its no surprise that a unique spot like ours would open with a unique grand opening.

Just when we thought that rainy weather would put a damper on our day, the sun peaked through the grey skies and we released the entrepreneurial spirit.

Here's a little article from Sonny Jelinek Chair of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce

http://sonnyjelinek.posterous.com/grand-opening-of-the-unique-e-spot

Happy Holidays from your e-Spot™ community

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:51:00 GMT

Grace and Elaine want to wish you the very best for the holiday season. May you enjoy your families, friends and rejuvenate for a fresh start to 2010! Please note that we are closed for the holidays from Wednesday, December 23rd at noon and will welcome you to enjoy the e-Spot™ on Monday, January 4th 2010. All the best for the season.

Grace and Elaine

Video: 4 days until opening..check out the craziness

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:08:00 GMT

13 days to Xmas??? And you think you’re in a panic? it’s 4 days until the e-Spot™ is open - whoa! Xmas seems far, far away. Check out how things are looking…

As an entrepreneur, do you ever feel stuck or isolated?

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:43:00 GMT

In a survey conducted about 10 months ago, results show that the top three problems facing entrepreneurs in Halton were:

1. isolation,

2. lack of meeting space and

3. difficulty getting good referrals to get the best help for themselves and their businesses.

I personally know this to be true as a home-based entrepreneurial coach for the last 5 years.

Sitting in my home office certainly has its perks but boy, there were some unbearable days where I had to pack my files and laptop and GET OUT as I could not stand the loneliness of being at home anymore. I also know that I frequented too many Starbucks stores to name (hence my slight, ok, major addiction to soy chai lattes) because I had no place to meet my clients. On top of it all, I have had my share of feeling lost and making poor choices when it came to outsourcing for help because I didn’t know where to go for a good referral.

Any of these feel familiar?

Well, that’s why I created the e-Spot™…. a much-needed community for entrepreneurs. I just knew that if I was surrounded by energetic, creative, entrepreneurial minds, had a flexible, fun yet professional space to work and have meetings in and could get the help I needed, all in one spot, I would grow as a person and by extension, so would my business.

As many of you have heard me talk about over the last few months, the e-Spot™ is a membership-based community for entrepreneurs for the Halton and Mississauga area, located at 353 Iroquois Shore Road in Oakville (just off Trafalgar, north of the QEW) on the 2nd floor. We are in the midst of designing this unique space that is unlike anything in the vicinity complete with gorgeous interior brick, an exposed, loft-style ceiling, an energy bar, and the most dynamic staff you’ll meet - this 3000 square feet space calls out “creative, cool and competent” and will WOW you and your clients.

Opening in December 2009, we are already gaining lots of interest from a HUGE entrepreneurial community. I am writing you today to invite you to come and find out all about this new community.

We are hosting a short information afternoon on Friday, November 13th from 1 – 2pm. I’d love to meet you and give you an overview of the opportunity so you can see for yourself whether this would be a good match for you and your business.

The meeting will be held at the location of one of our neighbours, The Little Gym (for whom we are very grateful for offering us space while our space in under construction!). It is located at 355 Iroquois Shore Road, Unit 2B, in Oakville. Please RSVP to our e-Spot™ Manager, Elaine Geroche at elaine@e-spot.ca or by calling 289-291-5304 by Wednesday, November 11th to secure a spot at this information event.

And please feel free to forward this to anyone you know who you think might be interested in coming. In the meantime, you can check out our blogsite at www.e-spot.ca

When is the Grand Opening?

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:45:00 GMT

This is the question I am getting the most these days - so when is your Grand Opening? It has been so exciting building the e-Spot™ AND like any new business, it has not come without its challenges. Mine happen to be on the construction side! Due to a multitude of hiccups (project management, inventory supply, building upgrades etc.), we will be delayed in opening. We are looking at mid December for opening the doors and a celebratory GRAND opening in the New Year!

As sad about the delay as I am, I will have you know that Elaine and I and our advisory team are having a blast pulling together a really FUN grand opening celebration week, which you will NO DOUBT hear about in the community in January. Here is the hint - BIG PRIZE, I mean the BEST EVER PRIZE you will want as an entrepreneur!! Haha! Really - you won’t be disappointed!

You just have to be able to be a little bold, step out of the box, and then you’ll be eligible to win!! Stay tuned to our blog here and get all the info.

Welcome Elaine Geroche - our new e-Spot™ Manager!

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:51:00 GMT

I can’t tell you how excited I am to introduce you to Elaine Geroche, our new e-Spot™ Manager. Elaine not only brings her welcoming smile and positivity to all our members and users of the e-Spot™, she also comes with fantastic experience as a past Starbucks store manager out West and in Ontario as well as a general management experience with College Pro Painters. Some cool things to know about Elaine…

- she loves to run

- she loves to write

- she loves to hold people at their highest potential - how’s that for the energy you want to be a part of when you come to the e-Spot™?

Elaine and I are working hard to get the e-Spot™ open for you all to enjoy in a few weeks. I am pumped to have her on board and we are up to our eyeballs in opening details - construction, marketing, operations, buying furniture, and more! And that includes building a team of part-time, on call member service staff. If you’re interested, stay tuned for the job posting and send her an email with your resume - elaine@e-spot.ca.

P.s.

Here’s a shot of Elaine and I at the Small Business Trade Show last week in Oakville’s Town Hall.

Welcome Elaine!