Leigh Meadows,  a UK immigrant who came to Canada in 1995 wowed the CBC Dragons with her concept of a cost-effective advertising platform using recyclable cardboard hangers won second place.

The Smart Hanger is  functionally superior and aesthetically more pleasing than wire or plastic hangers.  It  is completely recyclable through major city’s blue bin recycling program, whereas plastic and other paperboard hangers do not meet recycling standards, and along with more than 90% of wire hangers about 300 million a year end up in landfills across Canada.

It’s really cute that the sample Leigh Meadows handed to the Dragons bear the CBC Dragons Den advertising. The Dragons were visibly impressed with the her powerful concept to the extent that they struggled over the decision as to who should win the greenvention grand prize of $100,000.  The Smart Hangers have a big potential to send the “Save the earth” message because of its very practical application.

Related Articles:
1.  The Smart Hanger – A Canadian Invention
2. The CBC Dragons Den Greenvention Special Episode

On Monday night, June 7, 2010, CBC Dragon’s Den announced the three finalists for the Greenvention contest.   Nursery Natural Baby Wipes of Maple Ridge ranked 3rd from amongst a total of over 500 candidates from all across Canada for her product’s impact to the environment.  This alone is quite an achievement.

A few months ago, we featured Andrea Gregg-Aylott as a budding entrepreneur, so we are naturally excited about her extraordinary accomplishment in being awarded the third finalist for the Greenvention contest.  This is simply a great validation from the Dragons for her contribution to the betterment of our environment.

The Baby Wipe all natural product is a greenvention of Andrea-Gregg-Aylott, a graduate of the Douglas College Self Employment Program, where Andrea honed her business skills.

For more information about Andrea Gregg-Aylott and her company Nursery Natural Baby Wipes, see the following articles:
1. Nursery Natural Baby Wipes
2.  Maple Ridge Mompreneur launches Nursery Natural Baby Wipes
3. CBC Dragon Dens Greenvention Special Episode

During GEW Canada 2009, CYBF engaged hundreds of organizations to champion and celebrate youth entrepreneurship that reached millions of Canadians through grass roots and national GEW initiatives. For this contribution, CYBF was nominated the “Country of the Year Award”.  The announcement was made at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where CYBF represented Canada. CYBF competed against more than 100 countries, including the United Kingdom, Russia and the United States of America for the “Country of the Year” award.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national charity dedicated to growing our nation’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. CYBF looks at character not collateral, when providing youth, age 18-34, with pre-launch coaching, business resources, start-up financing and mentoring, to help them launch and sustain a successful entrepreneurial business.

Founded in 1996, to date, CYBF has invested in more than 3,500 young entrepreneurs in communities across Canada. These businesses have generated over $92 million in tax and export revenues, and have created more than 16,900 new jobs.  Through its national network of community partners, CYBF was able to deliver its program coast to coast with more than 3,100 volunteers across Canada.

For Gemma Chater, a Canadian Registered Holistic Nutritionist, the statistics on diabetics gets more personal as Gemma Chater lost two of her grandmothers to Type II diabetes.  This has sparked her keen interest in this subject to the extent that Gemma Chater is making the fight against diabetes her career and business.  

Today, Gemma Chater, owner of Bodhi-Mind-Spirit Nutritional Consulting Services is leading nutritional workshops to educate Canadians on diet and nutrition as a way to fight against diabetes.  Gemma Chater graduated from Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.  She also received training from the University of Victoria in leadership coaching for people with chronic illnesses and Type II diabetes.

She has had a lifelong interest in the connection of the body, mind and spirit.  Health and health issues have always fascinated her.  She believes that through knowledge and the power of spirit a person can overcome great odds.  Her workshops are set in beautiful settings in British Columbia, Canada,offering guests an opportunity to learn, cook and explore in a community environment. Her workshop retreats are specifically designed to help individuals learn life-changing behaviors and skills so they can understand and effectively manage your condition.

After her third baby was born, Andrea Gregg, a Maple Ridge mompreneur decided to take control of her own future by starting a home-based business that would allow her flex time and more quality time for her children. Combining her experience in sales management and motherhood, Andrea launched a new product line branded “Nursery Naturals” with gentle, green product solutions for babies.

Nursery Natural Baby Wipes products contain all natural ingredients, with no fancy “hard to pronounce” chemical names and no preservatives. Natural ingredients used include tea tree oil and olive oil. Parents can have peace of mind when they buy Nursery Naturals fresh wipes knowing there are not any harmful chemicals that will touch their child’s skin. Most importantly, it is about supporting local businesses.

Alcohol free! Chlorine free! Chemical free! Biodegradable, disposable, reusable, compostable, made of plant fiber and non-bleached! and made in CANADA!

Note:  On June 7, 2010, Andrea Gregg-Aylott was awarded one of three finalists for the CBC Dragon Den’s Greenvention contest sponsored by Sunchips (from a total of over 500 candidates all across Canada).  See article.

As a mother of two daughters, Vicki Eklund of Maple Ridge, BC, she found myself being asked to purchase a blue belt for this outfit, a green belt for that one, just endless requests. Inevitably, they could never find the right one or one that wasn’t red with purple polka dots. This happened about 3 years ago, as a result, Vicki came up with the idea to provide children with the tools to produce their own uniquely designed waist belt to compliment any part of their wardrobe. Through trial and error, creativity and imagination, Belt It Out children’s activity kits was born.

Belt It Out Inc. has designed a new and unique children’s activity kit for children age 5 – 15 that enables them to create individual designs using basic craft supplies such as crayons, glue, glitter, stickers, gemstones, etc. This activity kit is prepared in a reusable double sided case with a handle. The children will create their belt on a strip of white styrene and once dry will then insert their creation into a clear “sleeve” to protect their designs and attach the buckle producing a uniquely designed waist belt fashion accessory.

These activity kits are designed to enable children to feel special, proud and unique. All supporting their overall confidence and self esteem as well as providing enjoyment and fun at a very affordable price. Belt It Out Inc. children’s activity kits can be purchased online at www.beltitout.ca

Vicki believes that every child is unique and special and every belt they design will reflect this. The activity kit empowers children to be creative and pro-active.

It is easy in today’s digital age to forget it was not too long ago that we all shot film or slides and had to go to a professional to get our prints made. A local Millardville Entrepreneur Robin Fry is determined to help those confused by the rapid changing of technology move forward in the digital age.

Our film, slides and photographs can fade due to a number of reasons including: High Temperature and humidity; Air pollution and dirt; Light exposure;Fungi or insects; Residual processing chemicals; Base and emulsion deterioration; Handling and usage and Incorrect storage

Not to worry, because there are several ways you can do to preserve these images. Proper storage in archive type folders is important because regular plastics have acid in them that will over time damage the images in them. Originals should not be hung on walls because they will fade and cannot be replaced.

For the technically inclined today’s scanners have improved to the point that they can do much of the image correction automatically. For those with neither the time nor inclination to do so themselves, companies like Digital Memory Lane are in the business to help you convert your old films and slides into digital images.

Robin Fry is a budding seniorpreneur who started his company Digital Memory Lane after he was laid off from his job due to the recent economic downturn. He graduated from the Douglas College Self Employment Program where he learned marketing and business skills to start and grow his business. An amateur photographer and ham radio operator, he loves to tinker with machines and his new venture allows him to turn his passion into a business venture.

He has the equipment to scan documents, photo negatives, photo prints and slides into digital images. He can also convert your VHS tapes to DVD’s. You can find out more about him by visiting www.digitalmemorylane.ca