Inspiring Journeys in Entrepreneurship
PAGE A14 • MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, November 11, 2015
ty clothes shop in town,
she made plans to open
one. So in 2009 shortly
after the birth of twins
she opened ‘The Bebe &
Bump,’ which is a maternity store with a unique
difference: she manufactures the clothes. She
takes apart the customer’s
favourite clothes and redesigns them into maternity
wear. The fabric is good
quality so it stretches as
the belly grows.
Entrepreneurs (L-R) Amy Duzan, Emmy Barr & Breann Cole were guest speakers at the She says non-pregnant
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan “Sweet Success” presentation. They told their people will also have her
stories of the struggles and joy of realizing a dream, and doing what they love.
redesign their regular
jeans to avoid having the
Three inspiring Moose Jaw business women told
inspiring stories about their journey as an entrepre- “muffin top” look. Jeans are the most popular, and
neur to become a business owner. The three were people from all over will send her their jeans, she
guest speakers at the Women Entrepreneurs of Sas- redesigns them with the panel and ships them back.
“The stats probably weren’t with me, but Women
katchewan ‘Sweet Success’ presentation.
Emmy Barr, who is known as the Queen of Caramel, Entrepreneurs helped me with some startup costs,”
has overcome a lot of obstacles in life, and is now says Cole. “I didn’t know how to fund it all and
doing something she absolutely loves. The happy wasn’t sure what I was doing. I just knew it was
and outgoing 21 year-old makes caramel treats, with something no one else was doing, and I could also
the help of her great-grandmother’s secret recipe, take my kids to work with me.” She admits her ideals in the beginning have been adjusted. “I thought I
which are popular with everyone.
Barr has a genetic condition called Williams Syn- would be swimming in money, but it’s not like that.
drome, which can come with developmental issues, At times it’s really a struggle. Some weeks I work
learning disabilities and medical problems. With the for free,” said Cole.
help of her family and friends she sells the caramel Having high energy and determination is needed as
treats at craft sales, showers & special events. Her she shares her time between operating a business,
friend helps with the caramels, her brother designed attending classes, being a single mom, and taking on
extra sewing jobs for her mom’s company.
her business card and she has a Facebook page.
“It’s a huge blessing that I have a job I love. I really Although the struggles have seemed insurmountable
like the special events,” says Barr. She likes to go at times, Cole said loving what you do can make a
to the sales and adds; “It makes me happy to make difference. “I love going to work every day, and that
caramel.” She took second place in the “Just Watch has carried me along some very hard days.”
Me” video contest in February 2015, which was It was a roller coaster ride for Amy Duzan, and
open to those who self-identify with a disability or whether or not she would finally realize her dream
of opening Elite Hairstyling & Aesthetics Training
ongoing health condition.
Barr’s mother, Penny, told of the barriers to educa- Centre.
tion and their plans for future years for Emmy. There “I like making people feel good about themselves,”
were collaborative meetings with different people to said Duzan, who has 11 years of experience in hairdetermine a suitable path, but Emmy found making styling and aesthetics.
“Persistence prevails when all else fails” could recaramel the most interesting.
When Breann Cole couldn’t find any materni- fer to Duzan, and her determination to realize her
dream. She designed the curriculum and waited for
approval. If it wasn’t approved, all her work was for
nothing. But the curriculum was approved, so she
moved forward to find a building, get approval for
it, find students and get ready for a September 2013
opening date. Then another roadblock challenged
her when the building where she had her supplies
of treatment
stored went up in flames two days before opening.
But Duzan went ahead with what little she had,
teaching the small class of students.
FOR APPOINTMENTS
“My goal was always to give the best education my
CALL 306-630-2622
AFTER
BEFORE
students can have,” said Duzan. “It has taken a lot
of hard work but the business has grown beyond our
expectations.”
Her advice when someone gets discouraged with the
by Pat Hall for Moose Jaw Express
process of entrepreneurship: “Be inspired and just
keep going - a new day, a new dream.”
The three women gave thanks to the Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan and their partners, for the
financial and business support to help them along
the road to success. Women Entrepreneurs partners
with Community Futures Saskatchewan and the
Clarence Campeau Development Fund. Representatives were on hand to showcase the three women,
and to encourage others to take advantage of the resources of their companies when stepping into the
world of entrepreneurship.
The ‘Queen of Caramel’ Emmy Barr and her mom, Penny,
talk about overcoming the challenges and the ultimate success of the popular caramel treats.
Amy Duzan, owner of Elite Hairstyling & Aesthetics Training Centre, tells how perseverance and hard work helped
her realize her dream.
Face & Neck
6 weeks
Gifts galore from ceiling to floor.
15 minutes of fun is
a lifetime of
memories.
Photos make the
perfect Christmas
Gift!
Step into Costume,
step into the past
step into Past
Times
26 Main St. N. Moose Jaw • 306-692-9955
www.pasttimesphoto.com
Breanne Cole of The Bebe & Bump, shows one of her redesigned maternity jeans, and talked about her business challenges but also about the rewards of “loving what you do.”
If your health, your
weight, or just good
eating knowledge is your
interest? Come Listen to
Kathy Smart Talk!
Saturday Nov. 14/2015
1 to 5 pm
Providence Place Rose Room
LAST CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS - LIMITED SEATS LEFT!
Tickets: $65 (limit # sold)
Door Prize: 1/2 hour private consultation with Kathy
Deb Mayson 306 630 6125 • Diane Therrien 306 630 9878
Hair Expressions 306 694 4788
Great gift ideas
for Christmas
Stop in today
306-692-3443
302 4th Ave SW