Muskoka Outstanding BusinessWomen’s Awards 2009 9
(16 or more employees)
Nominees
product plus other items such
the public to think about
as candles and souvenirs, was
their financial planning
opened very informally in the
needs.
1980s and has gradually
She cites her father, who
expanded ever since. In
heads up the family business,
2001, the marsh diversified
as her role model and mentor.
and Muskoka Lakes Winery
“He’s the most inspiring
was founded, thanks to Hoga-
person I’ve ever met,” she
rth’s dedication. Muskoka’s
says. “I go to him for guid-
only winery, it has won
ance and mentoring. Some-
Congratulations to all the nominees
awards, earned a place on the
times he gives me a push,
shelves of the LCBO, and
and sometimes praise.”
grown enough to employ a
Giving her time to other
35 Manitoba Street
full-time winemaker.
causes, she organized an
Bracebridge, Ontario
Hogarth grew up in Toron-
annual community event for
WENDY HOGARTH to but spent much of her
TAIVI LYNN TAYLER three years called the Barn
P1L 1R9
Co-owner, Johnston’s youth on a farm in Colling-
President, Diamond Tree Ball, which supported Talk is
Cranberry Marsh and wood. She married Murray
Group of Companies Free Theatre and the Canadi-
Muskoka Lakes Winery Johnston in 1981 and they
Phone 705-645-0027
Muskoka cottager Taivi an Lung Association. She has
As co-owner of Johnston’s gradually took over the farm
Lynn Tayler has spent 19 of also held public seminars for
Fax 705-646-0327
Cranberry Marsh and Musko- from his parents, who’d orig-
her 31 years in the family financial and tax planning www.thecreativecook.ca
ka Lakes Winery in Bala, inally purchased it in 1951.
financial planning business. for several years. Also a
Wendy Hogarth helps man- In addition to her life on a
Since 2006 she had been speaker with an Ontario
age 10 dedicated staff plus cranberry farm, she was a
overseeing the operations of schoolteacher’s network
about 50 seasonal workers. teacher for 20 years and is a
the Diamond Tree Group of called Words on Work, she is
And that’s on top of keeping writer, having authored chil-
Retirement Co-housing Residences in Muskoka
Companies and now serves invited to talk to students at
track of sons Northrop, 17, dren’s stories and sold arti-
as president. local schools about potential
Slater, 15, Rogan, 12, and cles to such publications as
Tayler co-ordinates the career paths.
Quinn, 10. the Globe and Mail.
marketing strategies of the Happily married for eight
But there’s also the store to “I’m very, very committed
Diamond Tree Group of years to Ryan Tayler, who
run, the winery to operate, the to the idea of being a lifelong
Companies through radio, also works in the family
wagon and helicopter tours to learner, and to be honourable
print, direct mail and semi- firm, she is a mother to a 16-
arrange, the educational and true and committed in
nars. Using her own voice month-old son. When she
materials to keep up-to-date, that process,” says Hogarth,
for the Money Concepts isn’t golfing or travelling,
and the visitors to host. who has a degree in business
Congratulations to the Winners and Nominees!
campaigns heard on local Tayler enjoys family time at
The farm has become a fix- and recreation from the Uni-
radio stations, she is well- their Fairy Lake cottage in
126 Kimberley Ave., Bracebridge
ture of Muskoka tourism. The versity of Waterloo. “I never
known in the area for getting Huntsville.
Phone: 705-645-0007 Toll Free: 877-833-0007
on-site store, which stocks stop learning better ways of
Email: info@solterraco-housing.com Web: www.solterraco-housing.com
every imaginable cranberry being who I am.”
appreciation from the Cana- insurance companies and get-
dian Cancer Society. ting a bigger share of the dis- ~ BALA, MUSKOKA ~
In part to make up for loss asters,” she says.
of cigarette sales, the store In the last year, VanGerven
Congratulations to all the
found a niche in home health formulated a production
care products and supplies,
outstanding Muskoka women!
process – a system of stan-
says Luvison, stocking a full dardized procedures for man-
OPEN YEAR ROUND FOR TOURS & TASTINGS
range and dedicating two aging each disaster recovery
staff members to that depart- project – that has made the 705-762-3203
ment. company more productive www.muskokalakeswinery.com www.cranberry.ca
It also provides a monthly and efficient.
educational clinic on com- “When I get hold of some-
mon health issues, and even thing, I won’t let it go until it
offers regular screenings for works,” she says.
high blood pressure, choles- VanGerven started her
HELEN LUVISON terol and diabetes. It also SUSAN VANGERVEN career in marketing before
Co-owner, Huntsville’s hosts Brown Bag Clinics in Controller, TCR Disaster moving to hospitality. She
Hometown IDA Drugstore which seniors can have Restoration Specialists of then took several college
Pharmacist Helen Luvison experts check through the Muskoka courses in accounting and
has been the co-owner of the medications they have. As controller of TCR Dis- human resources before join-
Huntsville’s Hometown IDA Luvison, whose family aster Restoration Specialists ing the TCR team.
Drugstore since 1987. Since moved to Huntsville when in Bracebridge, Susan When she’s not at TCR,
then she’s spearheaded sever- she was 10, earned her VanGerven oversees the she does volunteer work for
al innovations. Hometown, B.Sc.Phm at the University of company’s finances and is Gravenhurst Minor Hockey,
for instance, introduced the Toronto. Her interest in sci- the “go to” person in the working as treasurer, and was
first in-store blood pressure ence and her love of working company’s office. She man- involved in the Gravenhurst
machine to Huntsville. The with people led her to that ages three employees directly Skating Club in various posi-
store also ceased selling career path. as well as five office staff and tions for 12 years. In 2008
tobacco products in 1990, “One of the things I think is 14 crew members indirectly. she served as treasurer for
before legislation was passed underestimated is the power TCR has grown consider- the Gravenhurst Special
banning pharmacies from of presence – being there ably in the five years since Olympics.
doing so. every day, doing your job, VanGerven joined the com- “The sky’s the limit,” she
“We took a chance,” Luvi- nothing amazing. People pany and president Mark says. “If it’s doable, it will be
son recalls of the move that come in for a lot more than Augustine credits her with done. There always is a solu-
The best of success to all nominees!
meant a loss in revenue. medicine; they need to talk helping to grow and organize tion; you just have to keep
That landed the company a and socialize. We try to treat the business. being creative until you get
Hazel, Patty, Jenny, Yvonne, Mandy,
story on a local paper’s front them like family. It’s about “We are working for more to it.”
page and a certificate of just being there for people.”
Vicki & Nanette
368 Manitoba St. • 646-0325
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