Meet Lynn Petruskavich, Founder of thoughtspots.ca , February's Powerful Woman of the Month

Tell us about the things that are most important to you in your work/life roles.

Balance is definitely the most important thing…it drives every decision and helps me live by my personal motto of “choosing happiness”!  There is a delicate line between being an entrepreneur and a mother/wife/friend…and wanting to excel in all of these roles.  Staying focused on my priorities – family first, business second – helps me to feel at ease about the direction of my life.  The passion that I can bring to the table through Thought Spots is an extension of me and when I’m in alignment with my goal of empowering girls and women to be their best (by using Thought Spots as a supporting life tool) then I know that wherever things may lead, it is will be meant to be.  Sometimes you simply have to surrender to the unknown and proceed with a belief that if you have created something meaningful then it will in due course find its path.

Tell us about a particularly memorable accomplishment.

While it would be obvious to say that the entire creative process of building a life tool to support women is most memorable, it is in fact much simpler than that.  It is when I hear about a mother connecting with her teenage daughter as a result of using Thought Spots after months of poor communication that I feel the greatest sense of pride. Or when a mom tells me about their child who’s confidence is growing when they react with pure joy to their “Superhero”  Thought Spot.  It is the stories of women who are having challenging days that happen to read a Thought Spot message that sparks them into a whole new way of looking at things – a mental shift.  So, it is in fact the individual “wins” that each message impacts a child or woman that gives me the greatest sense of accomplishment.  And this impact multiples every time a new product review site features Thought Spots and raves that they really “work”.

How do you express yourself in your work/life?

My enjoyment and zest for life with my family and friends has always been a defining feature of my personality.   Through the creation of Thought Spots, the product itself has become a tangible expression of my values and beliefs that I hope can impact many people in a positive, beneficial way.

How do you re-energize and ‘take care’ of yourself?

Staying physically well has always been the best way for me to take care of myself.  Majoring in Kinesiology and spending 10 years in the Health & Wellness industry has taught me that I must live day to day with a commitment to exercise, healthy eating and simply taking time to unwind with friends and family.  Without these elements, I can not live to realize my greatest potential.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

My inspiration comes from my desire to motivate and inspire other people to think and communicate in ways that challenge them to be their best.  It’s that simple.

Tips for other Women

I have learned a lot about myself and what I want through out my journey over the last year in developing Thought Spots – and it will continue to be an ongoing process.  Some things we can predict and others we simply can not know until we get there.  I recognize that passion for anything is a good starting point but it can’t end there.  Passion is fueled by emotion and business is often fueled by many other factors.  There has to be an ongoing commitment to constantly re-evaluate what feels right and hold it up to your values to determine if you are living the life you want.  I think that if you see every step as a learning opportunity and follow a wise woman’s motto that “when you know better you do better” then you will constantly be willing to grow and evolve as a person – and isn’t that what life is all about!

Lynn's Bio:

Lynn Petruskavich graduated from McMaster University with a Kinesiology Degree.  She spent over 10 years with the YMCA of Greater Toronto in a variety of roles - which included being the Program Manager for the 10000+ member Mississauga YMCA facility before moving into a corporate position in Marketing and Communications.  She took a hiatus from working life after the birth of her second daughter so that she could spend the early years devoting her attention to raising two healthy, happy daughters.  In 2007 she came up with a concept for creating a life tool that would help women live with more intention…a simple concept that would build self esteem and remind women to stay focused on their goals.  In 2008, Thought Spots came to life with the help of many great thinkers – and she created a product line of attractive, affordable mirror decals that stick with static cling – which are used by women to motivate, inspire, teach, praise and share!   Visit www.thoughtspots.ca to read more.is all about!

 www.thoughtspots.ca

Meet Dunya Marijan, November's Powerful Woman of the Month

Tell us about the things that are most important to you in your work/life roles.

Accountability is my biggest passion, and I believe strongly in ensuring a continuation of the great service we provide.  We are making a difference with our service, and I owe it to our customers to continue with that, no matter what obstacles we have to overcome.  By believing that I must continue and that there must be a way, I am able to find a workable solution.  I have learnt that this belief in our product, our service, gives me the strength to keep improving what we do, which ultimately enhances the quality of life for many individuals.  I focus on ensuring we are skilled and are continuing to provide great services, rather than worrying about racking up the numbers.  Stay on course with your beliefs and what you stand for as a provider, and you will find that success will follow.

Tell us about a particularly memorable accomplishment.

As a company, we have been focused from day one on facilitating improvement and change in our clients rather than simply managing behaviour or maintaining a situation.  However in recent years we have really championed moving towards an Applied Behavioural Analysis and evidence-based approach.  As a result of this growth that we have gone through, customers are recognizing the difference in service quality from wm+a.  Many providers simply give a generic service, but with wm+a customers are experiencing an effective, efficient and most of all reliable service, with reassurance that their crisis will be stabilized and knowledge that the support services they are receiving are from those with the best possible skill set.

In order to achieve this, we really harnessed and strengthened our relationships with the clinical community to ensure that all interventions are evidence-based and clinically focused.  This has underpinned our ability to provide a service that truly does make a difference.  We have further supported this philosophy by establishing a network of relationships that have helped to facilitate change - including strong connections with educational establishments, and not only educating our associates, but bringing them on board with the view that our services are only effective if they are evidence-based and the principles behind them are understood.

How do you express yourself in your work/life?

I am certainly passionate about wm+a, and I think that shows.  The way I successfully connect with other people is to always have the door open.  I am always available to offer advice, guidance and experience; but equally always open to suggestions.  I think everyone should always feel there is openness to communication and that their voices and ideas will be not only heard, but acted upon.   

How do you re-energize and ‘take care’ of yourself?

I know it’s a cliché, but my job is my passion.  I really don’t have much time and I admire people who find a balance.  Please find time for yourself!! 

I feel strongly that everything is about the outcome and what I put in, I get out.  And I personally gain strength from all the relationships that I put effort into – both personal and professional.

Since having children of my own however, and wanting to spend time with them, the biggest challenge I faced was realizing my own capacity - realizing I can’t do it all. I am not the best at everything and letting others do it for me took some time.  I still struggle with that sometimes now.  I have gradually learnt to trust the people around me to deliver – and this has actually enabled me, and given me more room to grow. 

Where do you get your inspiration? 

My inspiration comes every day from encountering both individuals with autism or other developmental exceptionalities, and their families.  Seeing that the support services we provide are making a huge difference to their lives is what has always driven me to continue providing a service that I know is valued in the community.  Becoming a mother myself has only served to strengthen my determination to ensure that the services provided by wm+a really do help individuals to make progress.

Tips for other Women

The best advice I can give other women in business is to always maintain an objective perspective in challenging situations and not allow emotions to dictate a course of action.  I learnt the hard way when some years ago, in the course of a community relationship going sour, I failed to maintain an objective, detached position.  Instead I allowed myself to feel personally hurt and reacted with emotionally-based decisions.  In fact, as is often the case, there were various perspectives to be taken into account, and with so many different people being involved the initial information was presented to me inaccurately.  This incident taught me a memorable lesson: personalizing or feeling hurt – even if you are right and the other person is wrong – will absolutely fail to get you anywhere.  In my field especially, but also in business in general, decisions are not always just and fair. 

 In light of that, I now practice the 24 hour rule whenever possible.  Receive the information, write your response if you need to, but don’t ‘click send’ until you’ve had 24 hours to mull it over.  In that time, new information can surface and you have a chance to ensure that your response is measured, accurate and productive.  Not only is this rational approach significant when making effective business decisions, but others’ perception of you is ultimately very important – and being seen as strong and logical in a difficult situation, especially as a woman, is an unquestionable strength.

Dunya's Bio:

Dunya Marijan has been in the social services field for more than 15 years.  Graduating from McMaster University with a BA in Sociology, she went on to complete extensive training in Applied Behaviour Analysis before becoming an Instructor Therapist providing private ABA therapy.  Dunya then worked in residential and day programs with the Ministry of Community and Social Services, and in 1996 was asked to join their Board of Directors, updating the educational curriculum to incorporate elements of ABA into day programming.  In 1999 Dunya co-founded wm+a to provide individualized services to the high needs community, especially those with autism.  wm+a has since achieved more than a million hours of support, and has become firmly established as one of the leaders in the field of evidence-based service provision.  In late 2005 Dunya assumed sole ownership, and as wm+a's services have diversified, two sister companies have been launched to expand the portfolio of service provision.  AlphaBee was established in 2007 to provide both home and centre-based IBI services, and 2008 saw Dunya spearheading a third company, Interim, providing support services for children, youth, adults and seniors.  Today Dunya is CEO for all three companies.

 www.wmanda.com

www.alphabee.com

www.interimss.com

 www.wmanda.com

www.alphabee.com

www.interimss.com

Meet Dr. Jenna Davis, October's Powerful Woman of the Month

Tell us about the things that are most important to you in your work/life roles.

First of all my family, which includes my husband D’Arcy and my two wonderful children, Emily (5) and Gavin (3) are what make everyday worth living and their love and support allow me to be the woman I am!  I am very lucky to have a supportive, understanding, and helpful husband who even took 8 months parental leave with our youngest…an experience I would recommend to anyone who is able to make that work!  His continued support of our family and my work allow me to be the best chiropractor I can be without feeling as much guilt as I normally would not being with my kids all the time (yes, it’s true, I don’t think it’s possible to never feel some guilt but it keeps it manageable).  I find my kids are great at keeping me in check and also reminding me to follow the K.I.S.S. principle in work and life.  They teach me life lessons every day and remind me to recognize the brilliance and wonder in the little things in the world.  Their excitement over a double rainbow, finding a worm in the garden or watching a hummingbird drink nectar from a flower allow you to stop and pause and simply be in the moment!  It is incredibly important for me to be present in my everyday life and enjoy and treasure each moment.  As a busy family wellness chiropractor/acupuncturist, mother, wife, friend, I find it is critical to constantly strive for the work/life balance.  Although I’m not always able to be in balance, as most moms out there can understand, I try to recognize the issue quickly and make the shift necessary to reestablish or at least start my journey back towards being in balance. 

I am very passionate about my work and helping spread the wellness message.  I find my work incredibly fulfilling and I love the challenges that come with it.  Continually educating myself so I can care for my patients to the best of my ability is very important to me.  I care for my patients and their referrals as I would want my family to be cared for and am invested in their health and wellness.  I am in the moment with every single patient and, even if their treatment does not take very long, they know and feel cared for and listened to and know they are getting incredible care.  I love helping couples increase their fertility, supporting them through their journey, allowing pregnant women enjoy their pregnancies and educating both the expectant dads and moms on the transition from pregnancy to parenthood.  The trust parents put in my hands when they have the foresight and understanding to have their newborns and children assessed and cared for is something I take very seriously and am very honoured each and every time.  Finally, helping my patients be as healthy and well and enjoy their quality of life to the fullest is what fulfills me personally and professionally and feeds my passion daily!

Tell us about a particularly memorable accomplishment.

I have been very blessed in my life!  I have had incredible experiences and accomplishments in both my work and personal life.  I am constantly in awe of the “miracles” I see at work and how amazing our body and spirit is.  Some regular “miracles” I see as a chiropractor are a new fertility patient have her first child after 8 years of trying, aiding a breech baby turn naturally so a C-section is not needed, eliminating migraines and headaches after years of suffering, a patient no longer having carpal tunnel syndrome or constipation and allergy sufferers no longer having to rely on daily allergy medication!

On a personal level, watching my children grow into strong, independent, caring, well-adjusted people is incredibly satisfying.  A very special thing happened this year to my entire family when I was a gestational carrier (surrogate) for my sister and my brother-in-law.  I feel this was/is a wonderful accomplishment as I was blessed with two healthy, wonderful children and my sister was unable to carry children so with the help of Dr. Hannam Fertility Clinic and the unwavering support of my family, I carried and recently gave birth to my niece!  She is healthy and beautiful and is thriving.  My sister is breastfeeding (yes, it is possible to induce lactation even if you don’t carry the baby) but I am pumping so that any additional supplementation my niece needs is breastmilk!  I have also been able to ship extra frozen breastmilk out to Vancouver to help other babies who need it.  This wonderful accomplishment and experience also showed my kids how deep and strong unconditional love is and that being “different” is okay.  They know that each family may look a little different or may be a little unconventional in how it comes to be but that doesn’t mean they are any different then the rest of us.  Being a mother is amazing and being the one to allow my sister to experience that was/is an amazing honour and I was thrilled to do it!

How do you express yourself in your work/life?

I feel it is important to be my authentic self always and live the wellness lifestyle and know that is why my patients continue with care and also refer their friends and family!  My passion and caring comes across and I am truly a “cheerleader” for my patients and, even when they may be feeling down or frustrated, I have enough faith and belief in them for both of us.  You will often hear me laugh and cheer at work as I celebrate my patients’ success with them! 

As a woman, wife and mom, I remain “in the moment” and try to enjoy every experience and lock it in my memory forever because wow do they grow up quickly!  I experience things again for the first time with my kids, and always encourage them to explore and trust themselves and teach them about acceptance and healthy relationships by having a sound, strong, respectful and loving relationship with my husband and friends and ensure that they know they will always be unconditionally loved.

How do you re-energize and ‘take care’ of yourself?

I try to remember to take moments for myself to re-energize otherwise you are unable to help others.  I love exercising, doing weights, jogging, doing yoga and participating in most outdoor activities.  I find this is great “me” time when I clear my head and relax.  I love the time we get to spend at our cottage and have always said as we drive up, I can breathe deeper and feel stress melt away the closer we get!  Watching the sunlight sparkle on the lake and the kids happily play and just being a family without distraction is pure happiness to me!

Where do you get your inspiration? 

I get inspiration from all around me.  Maybe it’s the little girl who is playing “chiropractor” on her doll when I walk into my adjusting room, the parent describing how their autistic child who I’ve been treating said a new word, the perfect summer day or my kids giving me a “super” hug and telling me I’m the best mommy in the world and they want to stay with me forever.  Ultimately, I do get my inspiration from all aspects of my life, professionally and personally, and this is what allows me to be who I am today!

Tips for other Women

Discover (or rediscover) your authentic self and be true to you!
Respect yourself and know you deserve to be loved and respected by others (family, friends, co-workers, neighbours)
It’s okay if everything doesn’t get done every day…prioritize and don’t sweat the small stuff
It’s okay to ask for help
Do something for yourself everyday, even if it’s just sitting for 5 minutes to have a cup of tea or enjoying a shower on your own…I know you moms out there can appreciate this one!
Find what you are passionate about and ensure that is part of your life!
Breathe, relax, count to 10 before you react (especially after a trying day)
Finally, no matter what happened yesterday, start every day fresh, with a clean slate, knowing you ARE superwoman and today will be a great day!

Dr. Jenna Davis’s Bio:
Dr. Jenna Davis is a family chiropractor and acupuncturist specializing in pre– and postnatal care, pediatrics, headaches/migraines, women’s issues, fertility and wellness care for the entire family.  She has done extensive postgraduate work in these areas and continues to expand and grow her knowledge base and resource team to give the best care possible to her practice members. 

Dr. Davis is dedicated and driven to helping her practice members reach their ultimate wellness goal, whether that is to return to the sports and hobbies they love, to trying everything possible to create a family.  Educating on health and wellness issues in the community and giving back are incredibly important to Dr. Jenna and are a large part of her personal and professional life.  She is passionate about her work and will work with your healthcare and wellness team to ensure you receive the best care possible.  For more information on health or wellness issues or to set up a courtesy consultation, please e-mail Dr. Jenna at drjennadavis@gmail.com or call Alliance Healthcare at 905-845-2291

www.alliancehealthcare.ca