MiB to host health and wellness event

BY ELYSE AMEND

elyse.amend@trancontinental.ca

After starting up in the West Island just over one year ago, the Moms in Business (MiB) networking organization has been making some big strides. Besides organizing monthly meetings and lunches that allow self-employed women to communicate and get their ideas out there, MiB recently formed a second chapter in Montreal, started up a brand-new website, and has been working to organize different events in the community.

The next event will be the Mind, Body and Spirit exhibit at the Dollard des Ormeaux Civic Centre on Dec. 2. “We have made it our business to provide other opportunities to people – and not only women – that are self-employed to market themselves within their trade,” said MiB founder and president Shari Reinhart, a Dollard resident herself. “This is our first annual health and wellness show, so we’re optimistic.”

The show will feature 45 to 50 exhibitors, including everything from yoga and kickboxing to dieticians and hypnotherapists. People attending the event will be able to talk to all of the exhibitors to find out more about what they do. “Our initiative isn’t just about professionals marketing themselves. We really intend to stir up the local community,” Reinhart said. “We want this show to be highly interactive.”

The first 300 visitors will receive an eco-friendly gift bag full of goodies, and there will also be giveaways and a raffle throughout the day. Proceeds from the event will benefit the West Island Women’s Shelter.

One of the best things about the show, Reinhart said, will be people connecting with business men and women right in their own community. “They have no idea what’s under their noses. Right here, right in their neighbourhood, are all these phenomenal people doing phenomenal things,” she said. “And they’re all here. Meet them!”

Reinhart and a friend founded MiB in October 2006 because she was fed up with having trouble getting business for her as a self-employed speech writer. “I was not getting any work. Why? Because people didn’t know I was doing this,” she said. Since then, MiB has been holding their monthly meeting to help women market themselves and get the word out. They have held events like ‘speed networking’ – similar to speed dating – and are always looking to broaden their base, Reinhart said.

To find out more about MiB, visit their website at www.mibconnections.com.

The Mind, Body and Spirit exhibit will take place on Dec. 2 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m at the Dollard Civic Centre, 12001 de Salaberry Blvd.