Read, Cook, and Roll Around

Why I Love Being a Dad
By Chris Holland

Before I became a Dad, I researched, read, listened and asked questions on the best ways to raise a healthy and well balanced child. In almost all of my research there was an underlying theme; Engage, Communicate and Relate

Engage the mind – encourage them to think, this world is a wonderful place and the best way to engage your child is to read. Take the time to rediscover the stories you remembered as a child yourself and if you don’t have any memories, now is the time to create them.

I discover as I read stories to my daughter, that we share a moment together and as I watch her grew daily so does are relationship. I decided to shut of the TV and explore the endless wonderment of the human mind and let me tell you, there are a lot of fun surprises in store when you try this. From the crazy and wonderful mind of the Munch Man to the rhythmic dance of Sandra Boynton I have read more books with my daughter than I did in college.

For me, I was never invited into the Kitchen until late into my teens, and then it was more about survival than exploration. Today my little girl and I routinely create meals, bake bread and make cookies. I’m not an expert in the kitchen but by letting go the fear of the unknown and having a co-pilot to discovery, my daughter and I enjoy our time in the Kitchen, she understands were food comes from and the process of how it is made and I get to see what it is like to taste sugar for the first time.

I realized very quickly when my daughter was brought into my life that she is way smaller than I am. I watched other parents and remembered what it was like to be small. The one thing I remembered was this world was not built for children, bank tellers sat in towers, chairs were always to big, the underneath of the table was my first view of dinner and when the adults gathered around me to talk, I felt like ant amongst giants.

With my daughter I make sure when I’m talking to her that I make eye contact, this means getting down on my knee to her level to show respect for her current height. I also discovered that while your down there you can play, goof, laugh or just plain roll around.

The other day my little girl came to me with a secret. As I got down to her level she cupped my ear and whispered – I love you Daddy, you are my best friend, Thank You.

And that is why I love being a dad.

Grounded Gives to the Kids

For immediate release: February 19, 2009

Contact: Sasha Kitch of Grounded at 250-352-1712

Grounded Gives to the Kids - local businesses lend a helping hand

Sasha Kitch of Grounded organic coffee house is taking an inspirational step toward helping kids in the Kootenays. On Thursday March 5th, Sasha will donate her entire proceeds for the day to Kootenay Kids Society. From the 6:30am opening until the 6pm closing, ALL proceeds from that day’s sales will be given to the society’s Family Place Life After Birth parent support program, a unique program that helps to give little people a big start.

With all the uncertainty and volatility of today’s economy, there is a tendency for people to be less generous when it comes to community donations, Sasha Kitch and the staff of Grounded want to change that by being an example in Nelson of business giving back to the community.

"When Sasha approached me with this idea, I was thrilled and humbled by her generosity,” says Stephanie Fischer, Executive Director of Kootenay Kids “At the Family Place we see daily how the economic uncertainties impact families and children, In 2008, BC had the highest child poverty rate in Canada for the fifth year, an estimated 181,000 children, or 22%. Our Life After Birth program offers an engaged and supportive environment for families of all walks of life and with our food cupboard program we can address immediate needs of some low income families and children”.

Sasha and husband James are no strangers to the services that the Family Place offers. The Life After Birth program is not only a benefit to parents that are just starting out, it is an excellent service for the children, Sasha explains.

“When I gave birth to my first son, the Family Place was there for me. They helped me to adjust to the new life that a child brings and taught me how to maximize the enjoyment out the experience,” says Sasha, “It was very clear to me that during these tough economic times that giving back to those who need a helping hand should be a priority.”

Giving back to the community is part of the philosophy of Grounded Organic Coffee House. They regularly give a portion of their tips to charity in hopes that it will inspire other people and businesses to become even more involved in community organizations and associations towards building a healthy and supportive environment for all.

It already is working, according to Sasha. When other businesses heard about this plan they too understood the importance of giving back to the community, and have generously donated gifts and prizes for a special draw. Mountain Baby, the Kootenay Coop, Pixie Candy, McLaughlin’s, Kootenay Coffee and Mountain Waters Spa have all come forward in support of the Grounded campaign for Life After Birth.

Everyone is invited to also help by coming down to Grounded at 616 Vernon St. in Nelson BC on Thursday March 5th from 6:30am to 6pm and buy a coffee, latte, or one of the many delicious offerings that are available. For more information about this event or to get involved, contact Sasha Kitch of Grounded at 250-352-1712.

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A new look on an old way

Communicate and Educate, two, if not the most, important factors in running a successful business. Some of the greatest concepts and cleverest ideas can fall prey to not paying attention to these important words.

When running your business you have something to offer and there are people that would be interested in this. You have to find the most effective ways to communicate what it is you have to the people you want to reach. But wait, what about this education thing? Any time you reach your target audience they are going to want to know a couple of things, like, why you? This is where you pour on the education.

There are many ways to maximize your abilities to communicate and educate. Along with many forms of advertising, publicity, marketing and promotions also equally important is Networking. Some people cringe at the thought of having to go to some event to hang out and meet strangers while making chit chat, this is sometimes based on fear, similar to public speaking.

Networking should never be feared, for if you are proud of yourself and the business you represent this is an opportunity to communicate and in the process educate and learn.

Throughout your community there are many Networking groups and opportunities. These can be formal organizations and events to user groups and clubs. Find out what type of group gets your interest and get involved

Fusion Marketing - Distinction over competition

“The key to successful guerrilla marketing is in embracing not the concept of competition, but the beauty and advantage of co-operation. “ Marketing Monthly, Guerrillas in our Midst

Marketing can be seen as a toolbox that contains all of the equipment needed to communicate about and advance your business. Sales strategies, advertising, promotions and guerrilla tactics are just a few of the valuable tools available. One of the most effective, rewarding, underutilized, and inexpensive methods of marketing is to partner your marketing efforts with the efforts of others.

Fusion Marketing is working in a collaborative way with other businesses for mutual profitability. Recently, a baby store joined forces with a spa, restaurant, framing shop, art store and furniture boutique to promote their new line of products.

Comfort & Joy hosted Celebrate Nelson, a contest that rewarded customers in a fun and exciting way. By partnering with suppliers and local businesses, Comfort & Joy was able to give away prizes to many customers, while featuring great products and services. Sharing the promotional campaign increased awareness and excitement in the local community. Furthermore, Silverfern Framing and Kootenai Moon contributed to the ambience by donating decorations, which featured products from their stores. The result was a successful fusion campaign that raised top of mind awareness for all that participated, at no additional expense.

The more people that you share your marketing efforts with, the greater your reach. Why have the staff of just one store talking about a promotion, when you can have many people spreading the news. And if they are happy and excited about what they are doing, the better! Fusion is most effective when it’s fun.

Juggernaut’s mission is to enable businesses to accomplish their marketing goals by obtaining professional assistance and learning unique strategies that work for them, in the process. For more information, contact us at medianow@telus.net

Juggernaut Marketing Communications, 809 Baker, Nelson, BC Tel: 505-5016

JUGGERNAUT MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS

Juggernaut Marketing Communications is located in Nelson, British Columbia, specializing in affordable marketing consultation for local and international businesses. Primary services include innovative marketing solutions, media coordination, training, special events planning, and HR/communication systems overview.

This company is the passion of Chris Holland, a Communications Specialist with a diverse work history and grounded understanding of the needs of businesses. With a degree in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Chris launched his career by creating a one person traveling promotional show for the opening of Science World. Moving into the raucous world of hospitality promotions, Chris spent the next decade pioneering new ways to promote, market and advertise using guerrilla tactics, fusion campaigns and hosting the grandest events on the most impoverished of budgets. The adventure continued as Chris spent the next six years in the corporate world developing sales strategies, resource/account management, professional training development, human resource consultation and advertising/marketing analysis.

Now residing in the Kootenays, Chris Holland brings his knowledge and experience to a new plateau with Juggernaut Marketing and Communications. The motivation behind this company is Chris’ passion to accomplish goals. “It is extremely exhilarating to have an idea or a dream and make it become a reality,” says Holland. “The key ingredient to the process is to be open minded and have fun.”

Juggernaut’s mission is to enable businesses to accomplish their marketing goals by obtaining professional assistance and learning unique strategies that work for them, in the process. Juggernaut aims to wow clients with outstanding customer service and ultimate client satisfaction.

Juggernaut Profile: Chris Holland

With over 20 years of hands on experience in Marketing, Sales, Promotions and HR, Chris Holland has had the opportunity to learn from the best and develop a number of marketing methodologies that give entrepreneurs the opportunity to manage their business needs with ease.

Big business have multiple levels of help and systems to ensure everything runs smoothly, Chris Holland has created programs which will give individuals the opportunity to manage and run their businesses efficiently and effectively.

Chris Holland is also an at home entrepreneur that has created a Marketing and Communications company that gives entrepreneurs and individuals the tools and methods needed to run a successful business, while maintaining their ideal lifestyle.

Residing in the Kootenays with his family, Chris provides a very fun and friendly style of no nonsense business training. Most entrepreneurs have an emotional attachment to their business, this passion is something to be celebrated and highlighted. Chris finds inspiration in many aspects of business and feels that any obstacle is an opportunity to grow.

What is a Juggernaut?

Juggernaut: A force, an idea, or a system of beliefs that overcomes opposition — especially if it does so ruthlessly — is called a “juggernaut.”


Juggernaut. Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2005. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Juggernaut (accessed: January 12, 2007).