Featured Stories

• COUPLES’ MASSAGE OR A SHAVE? by Maggie Pagratis

   

  Boy times have changed! Twenty years ago, says Ida Fabbro, men and women had their hair cut on either side of the room—even at a unisex salon. Now, as owner and beauty connoisseur, she has gone all out. She spared no expense five years ago when creating Centropolis’ Spa Orazio; two floors of lavish extravaganza, tasteful heaven for the pleasure of self and others—with a grand piano smack in the middle—a tribute to partner, Robert Ricci, son of original founder, Orazio Ricci.

   

  Women bring their spouses, says Fabbro, for a pedicure or a massage. A room specially designed to accommodate couples, with a simple curtain to separate the event. “Open or closed curtain?” your favourite massage therapist may ask. “Male or female hands to soothe the sore muscles?”

  
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• INVESTING DO-IT-YOURSELF — YES YOU CAN! by Chris Scoularinas

  

   

  I recently asked 20 people I know, all in their early to mid-thirties, the following simple open-ended question: How has the current recession and stock market crash affected your RRSP and/or other investments?

   

  One person gave me a specific percentage of how much he was down this year. Three said they were probably down on the year but were not worried about it. Five people said they just keep their money in a savings account because they don’t understand finance and are afraid of anything other than cash or GICs. Ten others said they haven’t really checked and were meaning to get around to calling their financial advisor about it. And one even said, to my absolute horror, “What stock market crash?”

  
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• MOSTLY FOR MEN—THEN

  The Board of Trade, founded 200 years ago as a voice to represent the business community, then almost entirely comprised of men and createdfor men, is now headed by president and CEO, Ms. Isabelle Hudon, who has a word or two of refreshing wisdom for members of the business community—and, of course, of the human race.

  
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• THE QUEEN WHO RUNS MONROI

  Interview with Ms. Brana Giancristofaro

   

  
  

  Maggie: While reading about your business,  I discovered that MonRoi executed the world's first International Women's Chess Grand Prix....

   

  Brana:  I really love that we provided the opportunity for women in chess to be heard. Before MonRoi, they didn't have their own Grand Prix, particularly not an international one. We provide an opportunity to put them in the spotlight.

  
  Maggie: Who came up with the name MonRoi?

  
  Brana: I basically came up with the name. I was inspired by Quebec City history and culture. In French MonRoi means 'my king.' The king represents the prize which a chess player wishes to win. Both for chess and checkmate, both came from 'Char,' the Persian word for 'king.' But why not MaReine? Because the only female chess piece is the Queen, and at the same time, the most powerful chess piece. She can move in all directions across the board. Only in the 8th century did the queen appear on the chessboard when chess was brought to Europe from Asia. It was likely due to influence of female rulers in Europe.
  
  Maggie: When did you start the business?

   

  
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• GODS OF BUSINESS SENSE

   

  Former theologian and pastor, Ralph Loewen, takes on the business world, turning Itergy into a Gold Certified Microsoft Company, and winning the coveted top spot in the Profit Magazine awards.

  
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