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j0438811 Last week I started talking about finding your voice online. As mentioned, I was on a search for nuggets of wisdom that would point me toward this, and I wasn’t having much luck. I’ve also noticed that more and more, who we present ourselves as online, is having increasingly dramatic consequences in our daily lives (Click here and here for examples.)

Why should this matter to you?

As professionals we need to know who we are. Discovering our voice is critical to success in the workplace. As a young pro, it’s part of the stage that I’m at, but I have a feeling that these questions arise throughout our careers. Equipping ourselves with the tools to assess these situations is another important element of our work life.

Rather than simply talk about this, I’ve decided to use myself as a guinea pig. I’m going on a journey–a journey of self-discovery that I hope will help you to find out who you are as well.

So let’s begin…

As John Donne said, “No man is an island.” I’ve enlisted some experts to help me take this trip into my psyche. The first is Murray Comber of Life Concepts, Leadership, Team & Career Development.

Murray is a Corporate Soft Skills Trainer and Career & Work Consultant from Eastern Ontario. Since 2001, he has worked with high level government officials, and leaders everywhere from big business to non-profits, to help them to understand themselves and the people they work with.

Using both temperment and type assessments, he assists individuals in determining their personal career paths, strengthening their leadership competencies, building teams, and encouraging peak performance. He’s been kind enough to agree to help me out next.

I’ll be taking a variety of tests to assess what makes me tick. This could be a bumpy ride! Stay tuned, and make sure to check out Murray’s site while we wait for the test results.

In the meantime, my colleague Nate Riggs (another expert you’ll be hearing more from soon in the Engine Room) from Huber + Co. Interactive in Columbus, Ohio, sent me this link to find out my Myers-Briggs Personality Type. I’ve posted the results on our Facebook Fan Page. Try it out, and let me know your type!

Holiday Entertaining 101 – Part 2

November 20, 2009 Fridays with Kerry

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To continue what I stared last week ~ Holiday Entertaining 101

Whether you are throwing a big bash or small intimate dinner party, the keys to success are: ORGANIZATION, PLANNING & PRESENTATION. Keeping that in mind, the planning process shouldn’t stress you out, and doesn’t need to come with an expensive price tag. Having fun and enjoying the whole process from start to finish is just as important, otherwise, why bother!

WHAT – Pick a theme (Christmas Cocktail Party, Dinner Party, Skating Party etc.)
WHEN – Choose date and time of party.
WHERE – Is the party inside, outside, at your home, hall etc? Provide address and directions if necessary.
WHO – Guest list! Who do you want to invite to your party? TIP: it’s a good idea to call ahead and speak with the key people on your list just to make sure that they can attend. Once you have their commitment you can seal the date and time, then get invites out (I covered invitations in this post).
HOW – What can you afford to spend? Budget, yes, I know it’s hard, but try to stick to it.

HELPFUL HINTS (I tried to keep it to 10, no such luck, sorry!)

Lists, you can never have enough of them. Guest lists, Menu Lists, Drink Lists, shopping lists. (I just love crossing items off my list–it makes me feel like I have actually accomplished something!)
Always pick recipes that are tried, tested & true. Not a good idea to use your holiday guests as guinea pigs. Confidence in your menu choices is a must!
Shop early – this will allow you to take advantage of supermarket sales and spread the cost out over time.
Set a gorgeous table or buffet and include a unique centerpiece. You don’t have to limit yourself to flowers, see what treasures you have around the house (what about the pine cones that have fallen on your front lawn, or a glass vase filled with simple shinny red Christmas balls).
Candles and lots of them. Candlelight is the kindest light of all ~ warm, cozy and inviting.
Plan to have a variety of nonalcoholic drinks on hand. Always buy more than you think you’ll need.
Lots of Ice, you can never have too much, and buy the day of the party.
Your porch or garage makes an awesome fridge.
Make sure that your bar is set up before guests arrive, music play list has been selected and music is playing when your first guests arrive.
Hosts are dressed & ready prior to guests arriving! Give yourself enough time to get ready ~ have a cocktail to ease those pre-party jitters, relax and have a fabulous time, as I’m sure everyone else will!

Next week, setting up the Perfect Bar…

In the meantime, get started with this easy party recipe.

Easy & Elegant Holiday Hors D’oeuvres

Cranberry-Glazed Cocktail Meatballs

~ One of my old favorites from Food & Drink, Holiday 2004

Olive oil for brushing meatballs and baking tray

3/4 lb ground pork

1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley

2 cloves garlic, minced

One 1″ slice French bread, crusts removed, soaked in water and squeezed dry

1/2 tsp 5-spice powder

1 large egg, beaten

Salt & freshly ground pepper

Cranberry Glaze

1/2 tsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp chili paste (cut in half if not keen on spice)

1/4 tsp sesame oil

3/4 cup canned jellied cranberry sauce

4 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp honey

1 tsp oyster sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400 and brush a baking sheet with oil.

2. In bowl combine pork, parsley, garlic, soaked bread, 5-spice powder, egg and salt & pepper. Mash together with hands and mix well. With wet hands roll mixture into 24 balls, about 1″ each. Place balls on baking sheet and brush with oil. Bake meatballs 15 mins, flip them over. Turn on broiler and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes or until crispy and done.

3. Cranberry Glaze – heat olive oil in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for about 5 min or until softened but not browned. Whisk in chili paste, sesame oil, cranberry sauce, soy sauce, honey and oyster sauce. Simmer 2 – 3 min.

4. Remove meatballs from oven and transfer to a large bowl. Pour glaze over meatballs and toss to coat. Skewer balls on a cocktail pick or toothpick and place on a platter. Serve warm.

You can make the meatballs ahead of time and freeze, then all you have to do is make the glaze, heat meatballs and serve.

Happy Friday,
Kerry

Don’t Be “That Girl”

November 19, 2009 Uncategorized

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So many lessons in one little book! What are your unlikely sources of inspiration?

I seem to be on a journey of self-evaluation, not just at work but in life. In reality, work is part of life, and how you function in that sphere effects the others and vice versa. Yesterday I spoke about not being “that guy” online. You know, the one who goes to work all buttoned up, but at night rips the shirt off and let’s people take pictures? Ya, don’t be him. Please.

On the other hand though, I don’t want to just pin this on the gentlemen (and I think we all realize that situation isn’t gender specific). But for sake of theme, I’m going to pick on the ladies, and try to pinpoint another area that can, personally and professionally, be a dangerous slope to slide down.

Confidence

One of my favourite books of all time is The Paper Bag Princess, by Robert Munsch. For those of you who don’t know, it tells the story of a princess (Elizabeth) who was going to marry a prince (Ronald), until their castle got burnt down by a fire-breathing dragon, and life fell apart. Clothed only in a paper bag, this young lady has the pluck and determination to chase the dragon, and get her guy back.

After much searching, she finally tracks the dragon back to his cave, which is full of bones and smoke. Scary. She slams on the door despite threat of death. Then she challenges the dragon to a number of contests–she’s obviously a bright girl–in an attempt to tire him out enough to go rescue her beau. Once her task is accomplished, and she’s beaming with excitement over her victory, she runs in to get Ronald, and the first thing out of his mouth is, “Elizabeth, you are a mess.”

Not even a thank you.

Elizabeth is obviously disappointed, but then she looks at Ronald and says [I’m paraphrasing], “Ronald, your hair is clean, and your clothes are really neat, but YOU ARE A BUM.” Then she skips off into the sunset–alone, happy, free.

What does all this mean to you as a professional business person? Let me explain.

Lessons from a Paper Bag:

When life falls apart–or your business hits a rough patch–you have the choice in how to respond. Do you make like Ronald, and get swept away, passively accepting your fate? Or, like Elizabeth, do you pick yourself up, grab the nearest paper bag and get moving?

Bravery doesn’t have anything to do with size. Don’t let your circumstance dictate who you are. There is no dragon too big for you to outwit or overcome. It’s a choice to put yourself up to the challenge. When you do, and you come out the victor, your confidence in your abilities will go skyhigh. Try it.

Appearances are deceiving. This seems obvious, but how often are we impressed by someone’s title, clothes, car, status, even when they haven’t done anything to earn our respect? Having success in life does not equate with being a nice person. Ronald is a case in point.

Unequal relationships in life and business spell disaster. From the beginning of the story it’s obvious Ronald’s aloof and into himself, while Elizabeth would do anything for him. Are you that girl (or guy)? Do you bend over backwards for someone simply to impress? Are you a “yes man”? It’s not healthy.

Don’t measure yourself by someone else’s stick. One of the biggest pitfalls we all face professionally, especially in the beginning stages of our careers, is looking to others for acceptance. We want to impress people with our skills and abilities. We take criticism as failure. We depend on people to tell us what we’re worth rather than knowing who we are from the inside out. It’s so easy to do, but you need to stop. Don’t be “that girl.”

I love the last page of this book, and I wish I could’ve found the image for you. It shows Elizabeth dancing off into the sunset–alone. That’s the kind of girl I want to be.

(Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be blogging about this theme because I think it’s really important. We all need to reevaluate from time to time. Start thinking about who you are, what you love doing, and where you’re going. I have some colleagues recruited to help. Stay tuned!)

Architecture and Design

November 9, 2009 Design

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I know we (or at least I) tend to limit how we think of certain things. For instance, being a graphic designer, I tend to think of “design” in terms of print, web and sometimes packaging. I also have a love of /for interior spaces and architectural design. Then I will come upon an interior space, a building or informational display and I am blown away by the inspired design and creativity displayed.

One of the things that I love about creative thinkers, is that they can look at something old or generic and visualize it as the basis for something new and different. That is exactly what Zecc Architecten of the Netherlands did with this abandoned watertower.

“The water tower, which dates from 1931, was converted into an unparalled twenty-first-century home spread over nine levels.” That architects converted a watertower into a family home is not as impressive as how beautiful and unique a home they have created. Check out more here.

Exterior View

Exterior View 2

Interior - Kitchen and Staircase

Interior - Bedroom and Staircase

Found at MOCO

The Mully Children’s Family Women of Hope Evening & Mixer

October 27, 2009 Public Relations

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We here at Engine have had the privilege of helping our friends at the Mully Children’s Family with some of the promotional elements for their 2009 North American Safari Tour. If you don’t know what the Mully Children’s Family (MCF) is, let us fill you in.

Charles Mulli, the founder of MCF, was abandonded by his family at six years of age and left to beg on the streets of Kenya. Through perseverance, passion and ingenuity, Charles became a self-made millionaire–overcoming obstacles of social class, race, and extreme poverty. Charles had seen his dreams become reality. But then fate intervened, and his life was changed forever.

In 1986, a group of street children stole Charles’ Mercedes during a business trip to Nairobi. His anger quickly turned to compassion as he realized that he was once one of them. He knew he had to do something.

Charles and his wife, Esther, gave up everything they’d accomplished–sold his homes, cars, and businesses–and used the money to open the Mully Children’s Family, a Christian humanitarian organization committed to transforming the lives of orphaned, abandoned and abused children in Kenya.

Since its opening in 1989, MCF has seen over 7,000 orphaned and abandonded children rehabilitated, educated, and rescued from AIDS, poverty, disease, and isolation.

Using his business savvy and experience, Charles has extended MCF’s work to include an agricultural program, medical centre, and environmental sustainability initiatives that provide income for the home and employ half of the surrounding community.

MCF also supports 40 projects around the world—offering guidance to other NGO’s and communities in the areas of child rescue and rehabilitation, sustainable development, agriculture, and HIV/AIDS education; and has helped shape Kenya’s policies and laws on children’s rights and protection.

As I write this, former stree youth, now under the care of the Mully Children’s Family are making their way across Canada on their North American Safari Tour. The two-month tour kicked off mid-October in Ontario, and is moving across the country through Winnipeg, Calgary, Grande Prairie, Kelowna and Vancouver until mid-December. The youth will perform at schools, churches and events across the country, presenting a dynamic show of traditional African singing, dancing, drumming, acrobatics, and karate demonstrations from their championship team.

A complete list of tour dates is available on the Mully Children’s Family Charitable Foundation (MCFCF) website: www.mcfcf.ca.

The MCF tour will arrive in the Quinte area the week of November 2-6th. These events are a must see!

On Tuesday, November 3, Engine Communications is partnering with MCF and local speaker, author and blogger, Sheila Wray Gregoire, to host the Women of Hope event.

This evening is geared toward local business women, but any woman of any age will walk away from this event feeling inspired. No more will the word, ‘Africa,’ conjure images of poverty and despair. As you hear Esther and Mueni Mulli share their visions for their contintent, country, and it’s women, your heart will break but your spirit is sure to soar.

Specificallly, the discussion will focus on the future of education and micro-business opportunities in Kenya and rural Africa, for its women. Testimonials from local women who have visited MCF will also be heard. This is a learning and networking opportunity for anyone interested in social justice, business, and international development.

Whether you’re a mother, a daughter, an entrepreneur or student, you’ll be inspired by the stories of women, just like you, doing great things to change the world. You’ll also have the chance to buy some unique Christmas gifts to support the Mully’s efforts in Kenya.

There is no cost for admission, but donations to the Mully Children’s Family will be accepted.

If you would like to attend this event, please RSVP to our Facebook event page, or email Bryna Jones [email protected] or Sheila Wray Gregoire [email protected]. You can also call Bryna at Engine Communications: 613-771-0090.

Guests are welcome to bring friends, and seats will be available at the door (just in case you’re not sure you can commit). No one will be left out of this special mixer.

The Finish Line!

October 23, 2009 Fridays with Kerry

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100 Mile eating can be really amazing with a little extra effort in the kitchen.

Well, here we are, day five of our 100 Mile Diet Challenge, and boy am I ever craving a hot cup of coffee on this cold damp morning! Five days of hot apple cider is getting a bit much, and quite frankly, I’m not to fond of the herbal tea that I bought – YUCK!

On the up side, I feel that I have eaten pretty well this week–all local and quite yummy! Last week I didn’t include a recipe so I thought that I better step up to the plate this week. This is a recipe that I prepared during the challenge, and shared with my colleagues at Engine.

Roasted Chicken with a Butter & White Wine Sauce

2 Chicken breasts ~ skin on (if you want flavor that’s where a lot of it comes from)
1 Small onion ~ quartered, then quartered again
4 Cloves of garlic peeled and cut in half
1 Portobello mushroom, sliced (Wellington Mushroom Farm)
1 slice of bacon chopped
1/2 tsp of dried French Thyme (Vicki’s Veggies)
1/4 cup of white wine (from one of our many local wineries in the County)
1/4 cup of homemade chicken stock
2 tbsp of butter (Stirling Creamery)

Happy eating!

Heat oven to 375, place chicken in baking dish or stoneware, put cut veggies, garlic and bacon around chicken, sprinkle everything with the thyme, mix wine and stock together and pour around chicken. Bake for about 40 min., put a tbsp of butter on each piece of chicken and broil for the last 5 – 10 min., the butter will melt over the chicken, helping it to brown and then mix with the wine and stock sauce. Once beautifully browned, remove from oven and serve with hot buttery wine sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Serve with a Chardonnay from Black Prince Winery where yesterday, we took part in a grape crushing challenge (which Shaun won), and a wine tasting. Thanks to the folks at Black Prince for their hospitality and fun!

Hint: if not taking part in the 100 Mile Diet Challenge, I would use sea salt and fresh black pepper to season the chicken as well. This is truly the hardest part for me, I am a salt freak and it REALLY does enhance flavor!

Enjoy!

A special thanks to the crew at Cogeco for a great week! Mike, Anne–you made us think local, get engaged and you helped us have fun doing it. We really appreciate all your hard work. Thanks to Chris at the Milford Bistro–you’ll be getting a visit from the whole team soon, but this time we’ll let you cook. We also appreciate the warmth and hospitality of Kerry and Rod at Black Prince Winery. We had so much fun with you! It’s been a great week. Hope you enjoyed it as well!

Grape-covered hands post-challenge at Black Prince Winery, Picton, Ontario.

The Engine Team (L-R Kerry, Kathy, Fillmore, Shaun and Kathy).

The Engine Team (L-R Kerry, Bryna, Fillmore, Shaun and Kathy).

Weekend Road Trip

October 19, 2009 Television

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Kerry on her road trip to the County

Well, we’re off. Day one of our 100 Mile Diet Challenge has officially begun! So far the most popular question of the day has been, “What did you have this morning instead of coffee?” Day one and everyone is already very concerned about how the lack of coffee is going to affect them. Me, I just had some water on my drive in, certainly not the same as a nice hot cup of coffee, but I think that I’ll survive! Kathy on the other hand, just said that her caffeine withdrawal headache as already started – oh no, poor Kathy!

I started my shopping this weekend, with one of my first stops in Wellington, Aman’s Abattoir. I was lucky enough to catch Ted Aman, the owner (shop’s closed on Saturdays unless he is kicking around and can let you in). He opened the shop and let me go through his freezer to make my picks. He highly recommended that I try the smoked pork chops– a local favorite. I also picked up a large steak, bacon and some all beef wieners (same ones that Budda Dog uses). No worries about this shop being 100% local, the farmers walk their livestock in the back door; he slaughters and butchers them, then freezes the meat. The pork chops are on my menu for tonight, I’ll get back to you tomorrow with the verdict.

On Sunday I took a beautiful fall drive with my neighbor Tammy, we toured the County and made many stops, listed below were my favorite stops!

The Marshmallow Room Bakery – Bloomfield

The smell when you first walk through the door was reminiscent of walking into Grandma’s house right after she just finished her Christmas baking. This place is a must, they purchase their ingredients from sustainable sources and they try to source as much local, pesticide free, raw product as possible. They preserve as much local produce as they can and sell a line of in house made jams, chutneys and jellies. Tomorrow at our potluck we will be sampling their grainy beer mustard and 4 day shallot confiture with the all beef wieners from Aman’s ~ I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.

Vicki’s Veggies – Milford

This was like a little piece of heaven. We pulled up to a farmhouse with chickens mulling about, there was a small storefront and veggie stand close to the road. We walked into the store, the lights came on and we were in awe at how lovely it was, the smell of fresh veggies and herbs permeated the air–all I can say is GOOSEBUMPS! You’ll have to check it out for yourself, make sure you bring cash. The roadside stand is open daily during daylight hours.

Pat’s Jam’s – Milford

Jams are $4 to $7, in this quaint little jam cupboard store. I picked up a few, which we will also be sampling this week, we’ll keep you posted.

Creasy’s Apple Dabble Farm – Waupoos, 3091 County Road #8

Goosebumps once again! I opened the fridge door to get some apple cider and was hit with the strongest, freshest, most beautiful aroma of fresh apples that I have ever smelled. There I was, just standing there with the fridge door open, breathing in, breathing out, it was just intoxicating.

Black River Cheese Company – Milford

This was our last stop, and not a new one for me. I have made many a purchase at Black River Cheese, and yesterday was no exception. Again, we will sample a few of their cheeses tomorrow at our potluck – can hardly wait, is it Tuesday yet?

What an awesome road trip, I look forward to many more in the hunt for local food!

Cheers,

Kerry

Friday’s with Kerry (on Monday): A Day at the Country Fair

October 12, 2009 Fridays with Kerry

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This Friday’s with Kerry is specially delivered to you on a Monday because it’s the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend! Hope you have a great holiday.

Last weekend was the Annual Ameliasburgh Fair which basically takes place in my backyard–only a 5 minute walk down the road. We started off Sunday morning with breakfast in the old Tea Room/Museum–yummy and so much food!! They call it the “around the table,” as you get a little bit of everything.

We were joined by our good friends and neighbours. Their adorable 18 month old son joined us, and he was more interested in the dog sitting rather impatiently outside the door, or the horses and chickens that you could hear in the distance, than his breakfast. Go figure!

After we enjoyed our breakfast, chatting lazily amongst ourselves and the many locals whom we knew, we headed out to see what this small town fair had to offer. Now, keep in mind, this certainly isn’t the kind of fair where you have to worry about losing your lunch on the tilt-a-whirl, but the kind of fair where you will see the most beautiful vegetables, flowers, canning, baked goods, art and photography–all grown, produced, taken or created by your very own neighbours and friends. Right, now I remember what a true fair is all about!

They have categories for everything and everyone, young and old. How did we forget about these time honoured traditions? Tammy, my neighbour and good friend, entered two zucchinis that she grew in her very first vegetable garden, and won 2nd prize. She was thrilled and we were so proud of her! She came to realize this summer that the rewards you reap from planting your own garden are so much more than just the tasty harvest, but the overall feeling of pride and accomplishment. She also entered some pictures that she had taken in the photography category, winning a ribbon or two in that category as well. Congrats to you Tammy!

Tammy's prize-winning zucchinis

Walking home from the fair I felt nothing short of inspired, I want to do the same next year, I want to be a part of that time honoured tradition and get involved; maybe even help out with the organization of the event? We have already started to discuss the shared garden that we will work together next spring. ‘Go big or go home’ is the theme I think.

With every year that passes, the gardens will grow, as will the kids and the traditions ~ hopefully the fair won’t grow too big, we’re not interested in the tilt-a-whirl, just some old fashioned fun!

Don't these look amazing?!
Skewered Fall Vegetables

Kissed with lime butter then caramelized on the grill, colourful vegetables brighten up any plate.

Servings: 4 ~ looks like Tammy will have enough Zucchini to feed 40 not just 4!

4 cobs of corn, husked
3 zucchini
1 each sweet green, orange and red pepper
1 tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
Coriander lime Butter:
2 tbsp (25 mL) butter, melted
1 tbsp (15 mL) minced fresh coriander
1 tbsp (15 mL) lime juice
1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper

In saucepan of boiling water, cook corn until tender but firm, about 5 minutes; drain and let cool. Cut into 1-inch pieces. Meanwhile, cut zucchini into 3/4-inch thick rounds. Seed, core and cut green, orange and red peppers into 2-inch squares. Alternately thread vegetables onto metal or soaked wooden skewers. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.)

Brush skewers with oil. Place on greased grill over medium-high heat; close lid and grill, turning often, for 10 minutes.

Coriander Lime Butter: Meanwhile, whisk together butter, coriander, lime juice, salt and pepper; brush over skewers. Grill until vegetables are tender and lightly grill marked, about 2 minutes.

Source ~ Canadian Living Magazine: September 2006; Get Grilling: Summer 2007

Mentors Week: Sarah Puts Her Thinking Hat On

October 9, 2009 Design

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Sarah Rozema-Seaton, Creative Director

Ahh the phrase, “Who inspires you…” There are so many people that I find strength and inspiration from. A lecturer that taught me, design friends with their wacky creativity, and the mommy I know with the strength of a thousand elephants.

I better focus on the work aspect.

There are so many people in the design industry that I find inspiration in. One of the biggest mentors would be David Braun. He was a lecturer from college, and was the person that helped me as a creative professional to get past what I thought I knew, and to do it again to be better. “Do it again, do it in green.”

When I was a greenhorn in the industry, I didn’t always agree with this, but he helped me to push the boundaries and look at things in different ways and become better at my job. Over 10 years later, I am still working in the industry.

This lecturer with his piles of papers (poor trees) had so much to offer. He also introduced me to an author, Edward De Bono. If you are a book geek like me, DeBono has written some fabulous books for creative professionals on lateral thinking. One of his best books is “The 6 Thinking Hats.” It is a book that introduces the power of parallel thinking, by breaking thinking down into hats. Worth a read for anyone in a creative industry or business in general.

Below are the 6 Thinking Hats:

Neutrality (White) – considering purely what information is available; what are the facts?

Feeling (Red) – instinctive gut reaction or statements of emotional feeling (but not any justification)

Negative judgement (Black) – logic applied to identifying flaws or barriers; seeking mismatch

Positive Judgement (Yellow) – logic applied to identifying benefits; seeking harmony

Creative thinking (Green) – statements of provocation and investigation; seeing where a thought goes

Process control (Blue) – thinking about thinking

Mentors Week: How Kerry Got Her Start

October 8, 2009 Marketing

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Kerry Patrick, Marketing Associate

This is an easy one for me. My mentor would most definitely have to be Cassandra Bonn. I kind of fell into this industry and was quite fortunate when Cassandra took me on as her protégé in her home office of The Market Place. When I initially started working for Cassandra, it was only a few days a week, with the intension of taking care of the routine office duties that were becoming too cumbersome for her to manage with a growing business. As it turned out, I was able to offer more than just that.

I was flying as a full time flight attendant at the time, and raising three young boys–very busy to say the least. With her expanding business, Cassandra took on a partner, Rene Dick, an exceptional and very talented creative designer, to offer a full service marketing and advertising company, now known as Engine Communications. Rene was also instrumental at bringing out my creative side and making me feel like I could do just about anything! They now required someone full time, so I made the difficult decision to give up my job flying and work full time at Engine–a decision that I have never regretted.

Cassandra is brilliant at what she does, with her key talents in marketing and advertising. She is truly remarkable at forging solid client relationships, and she can sell just about anything to someone who has everything! Ideas flow from Cassandra like water from a fountain, her mind is always going and she loves a challenge. She is always more than willing to help out and when asked to share some creative inspiration, she does just that, with ease and enthusiasm. Cassandra no longer owns Engine (she sold it to our current Big Cheese, Shaun Levy, whom you heard from on Tuesday), but she is still very much part of my life, as a colleague, a mentor and a friend.

I really love what I do and I look forward to a future in this industry, where I will continue to learn and grow with each passing day. Thank you Cassandra, for all that you have taught me, I value your time and knowledge, cheers to you for helping me find my new niche in life–for now!

On the Road

Holiday Entertaining 101 – Part 2

Don’t Be “That Girl”

Architecture and Design

The Finish Line!

Roasted Chicken with a Butter & White Wine Sauce