Articles
Andrea's Diary
Andrea’s Diary came to be after I had harassed a newspaper editor enough times with enough submissions that he finally agreed to meet. He offered me 400 precious words in the form of a bi-weekly diary column. I could write about my business, my grandmother, single motherhood, granola – whatever I chose. For several years, I poured much time and effort into Andrea’s Diary. It was fun just trusting that the inspiration for the next article would come. I would ask for it and, sure enough, it would come.
Not only did those articles allow me a platform to share my perspective on issues that mattered to me, they helped me develop my writing and critical thinking skills.
See below for examples of the Montreal Gazette Andrea's Diary articles:
Andrea's Diary: The delicate balance of letting go
Andrea's Diary: Time to weigh the year that was
Andrea's Diary: Coming back to heaven
McGill Mentor Spotlight
For almost 15 years, I’d trudge on to the McGill University campus after a day at work or I’d skip an afternoon at the office and give a talk about starting a business and surviving the ordeal. Sometimes the subject was how to bootstrap a business or successfully turn the concept of ‘small is beautiful’ into ‘small is beautiful and profitable’. Whatever the teacher wanted to emphasize, I highlighted. Except if they wanted me to tout the virtues of the 30-page business plan. That’s where I drew the line.
Wherever they would have me, I would speak. At colleges, universities, elementary schools, community centres. From those talks, entrepreneurs would approach, asking for mentoring and the fun continues to this day.
See more information from a talk I did at McGill about granola, entrepreneurship and compassion here.
