What does it mean to have a teenage business?

Well, if you’ve been in biz over ten years, you already know. If you haven’t, it’s this: you’re probably pretty good at what you do if you’ve lasted this long. You’ve seen a lot. And you’ve got a lot figured out. 

So what about when your business enters it’s twenties?​

I mean, what was I expecting from a place called The Orange Cat Cafe?

An orange cat, of course.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the sense of fun I felt as I entered this rural Maine eatery .
​
The Orange Cat Cafe is on our route to Ontario from New Brunswick - we take a short cut through Maine and come back into Canada somewhere in Quebec. (it’s a long but beautiful drive)

​You could not surprise me as a kid.
​Or so I thought.

I was TERRIBLE.

I searched every nook and cranny for hidden Christmas presents leading up to the big day. 

I opened and re-wrapped gifts under the tree. 

​I. Could. Not. Help. Myself.

​Last week, we packed up our sweet cape cod house, cleaned it from top to bottom and recycled a ton of stuff. 

But we were still left with a mountain of garbage, including three old, crappy garbage cans. 

What was the hardest part of leaving the house we've been in for 17 years? Was it leaving all the memories behind? Deep cleaning it from top to bottom? Packing a kazillion boxes?

​Nope. 

I was a newbie at Banfield-Seguin Advertising & Design in Ottawa back in the late 80’s when I met Bill.

I had heard so many epic stories about Bill and his antics before I got to know him.

​Working with him every day was a hoot. I have never met anyone with more spirit and sense of adventure. He could figure anything out. He had an idea for every prank - no matter how complicated - and a costume for every event. Bill was legendary.

My favourite Bill story took place in 1988. ​

It's been a very busy couple of weeks since I joined a welcome team for a Syrian refugee family that just arrived in Canada.

​The experience has been really great - for me, anyway - I'm not sure if our new Syrian friends have figured out these crazy, super friendly Canadians are only trying to help! (Can you be too welcoming? Not in Canada!)

The welcome team model is unique to Saint John and from what I hear, it's a model that more towns and cities should consider in their own effort to welcome new Canadians.