Photo by Kathy Lea Moyou

The last gifts of the season are delivered- this year deliveries ranged from Texas, to New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina.

At home the Christmas cookies are baked, the big day dinner preparations are on track- just the Swedish ham and a couple loaves of walnut bread need to be picked up.
I am grateful for an excellent year filled with good health, an abundance of love, support and goodness.
It has been ten years since I started the tradition of creating my holiday cards using twelve days of Christmas as my inspiration. This year the photos of my sons are festive and fun, with a touch of naughtiness.
See the first ten days at janethelm.com/12days.
'Tis the season of giving. Giving thanks. Giving presents. Giving back.
Enjoy the season.
Janet

Tartan Mania is Here!

Page from December issue ELLE DECOR

Tartan is everywhere and I couldn’t be happier as we introduce made-to-order tartan blankets!

As most of you know, I have longed loved the design for not only the history and traditional style, but the symbolism, and how it instantly warms up whatever space it’s used. It's easy to see how our made-to-order designs for companies, associations and families are truly meaningful ways to give and recognize.

The perfect mix of fashion, lifestyle and meaning, the global phenomena of tartan is here to stay!
Janet

Delight in the Canadian Spirit

With the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games fast approaching my home city Vancouver, I am excited about the winter fresh spirit spreading throughout the nation and beyond! I am thrilled my customers local and abroad are excited about all things Canadian. Of interest are ideas from eco-friendly gifts for the holiday season, to must dos, secret treasure spots, local wine and food, to experiences for visiting family, guests and clients arriving in February. I am happy to be their guide, yours too, just ask away as I love sharing my city's secret hot spots, must dos while here, artisan finds, to out of the way galleries.
Another idea getting a lot of interest is our BC tartan scarves- perfect for the ever popular sport of Olympic pin collecting.
The Official Tourism Media Site for the 2010 Winter Games www.destination.2010.ca shares the idea that gives back to the community.
http://tiny.cc/YAuSX

Delight in the Spirit
Janet

Volunteering

My Mom and Dad

On Sunday I spent the day at the Vancouver SunRun Leader Volunteer Orientation day.

It was an early start and I knew it would be a long day, since I had to renew my CPR training. Honestly, I wasn’t that enthused, believing my Sunday would be enjoyed much more with my husband and kids hanging out.

Then, I got there. Hundreds of other volunteers, old faces and new, all smiling, enthused, sipping coffee and lots of lycra, I was reminded why I volunteer. No, not for the t-shirt, as many would believe. It makes me feel good that I am contributing to my community, making a difference.

I learned about volunteerism and the benefits it has on my life and others by my dad, Elmer Helm. Last week he was awarded the Good Neighbours Awards presented by the Association of Neighbourhood Houses, where he worked for 37 years. Although retired for 20 years and 83, he still sits on the board! The Awards offer an opportunity for staff, volunteers and clients to come together to celebrate and honour those who have made significant and long lasting contributions to our Neighbourhood Houses and communities in which they work and live.

The highlight of the evening for me was when, after he received a standing ovation, he sat down and my mom, his wife of 59 years, leaned over and kissed him, as tears came to her and his eyes, together they smiled.

I am grateful my dad is being recognized while he is alive as often we hear how a person impacted our lives only at their funeral. When I shared this with my dad, he laughed, agreed, and mentioned how each time he hands out the Elmer Helm scholarship (instead of a gold watch upon his retiring, he requested a scholarship be created) the recipients usually comment, "Oh you are alive, I thought you were dead!"

Volunteering is easy and can be done easily and without the huge time commitments as many may think. Volunteer by sharing your knowledge, share your successes and challenges with young entrepreneurs, pick up the candy wrapper off the street and put in the garbage, smile while driving- you will be amazed how volunteering a smile spreads happiness to others.

To those who took and continue to take the time to encourage, support, and volunteer their time with me, thank you.
Janet

The Value of Meaning

In a recent article in The Financial Section of The Vancouver Sun, Growth Guru, Rick Spence shares the story of Chip Conley, CEO and founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, a chain of popular hotels in the Silicon Valley area of California.
(My dad, an 83 year old entrepreneur at heart, cut out the article for me and suggested I give both of these guys a call.)

In the aftermath of the dot-com crash, Conley was looking for help with his business and found inspiration in an unexpected place. After re-reading Abraham Maslow’s text he’d studied at Stanford 20 years ago (Maslow is best known for inventing the hierarchy of needs), Conley changed his business and his life as he created a system for employees, customers and investors - his own pyramid for unmet needs in his workplace. (To read the entire October 6 article, click here.)

In a nutshell, Conley states that your staff works for the money, but they stay because your company supplies their need for recognition and because their work may bring meaning to their life.

Conley also suggests that your customers stay because you fulfill expectations, desires, and fulfill unrecognized needs; you create trust and confidence for your investors and you create a pride of ownership.

The article goes on to say that although the recession hit the Bay Area, Conley’s company is gaining market share due to its’ investors’ patience, employee involvement, and customer loyalty.

Chip Conley’s latest book, Peak: How Great Companies Get their Mojo from Maslow, should be a great read.

I am off to make a couple of phone calls.

Thanks Dad!
Janet

Celebrating Entrepreneurship!

I am thrilled to be a panelist at the upcoming Forum for Women Entrepreneur's Vancouver roundtable, November 16.

It will be a great opportunity to learn and share, discuss the tough questions with entrepreneurs and business influencers in a small group environment, then connect and network at the reception featuring local wine and fantastic food! As a member of FWE, I am constantly being inspired, motivated, and learning from the many women (and men) I meet at their events and through their programs. Visit the FWE site to learn more about them, this and their other upcoming excellent events.

The roundtable coincides with the Global Entrepreneurship Week, a world-wide movement that celebrates and promotes entrepreneurship in more than 100 countries, running November 16-22!

To entrepreneurs!

Janet

Good Design & Excellent Service- a winning combination

Janet's Signature Tartans profiled in Canadian House & Home's Style Files
Click here to order your own Tartan
See the article

With Janet Helm Tartan featured in the current issue of Canadian House & Home, attending the interior design trade show, IDSwest last Sunday seemed like a good idea. Not only was it fantastic visually, but what a grand place to do what I love to do- see who is providing an exceptional brand experience with their customer service from literally hundreds of vendors, artists, manufacturers, and designers. I knew this would be fun and informative to gather more information to share with you, and with my husband and I renovating our bathrooms, all 3 of them (did I say we? actually he is renovating our bathrooms) the idea was timely indeed.

To be inspired and hear more about my customer experiences, here is a list of my favorite booths and why good design and excellent customer service win every time.

Design House (their sister store is Marimekko in Yaletown)
Trade shows can be exhausting for vendors but this representative was not only friendly and attentive, but truly enthusiastic as she answered my technical inquiries about Chilewich flooring.

The Cross Decor and Design
For the cozy, quaintness of the booth design- it was like stepping into an apartment, complete with fresh floral bouquet in a vase in the sink! Peter was very friendly and shared my enthusiasm for their stunning bold fabrics and wallpapers.
(note to self- my 4 vintage iron deck chairs would look fabulous in the black and white print showcased... Stay focused Janet bathrooms remember, just bathrooms.)

My last stop was at Kermodi
- by fellow friend and entrepreneur Abby Eyolfson, with whom we collaborated on a holiday gift last year. Her contemporary garden designs are a breath of fresh air, and her passion for what she does is inspiring.

Okay, remember it was only an hour, and I know there was much more to see, but of the booths I did visit, these stood out as the people "working them" were truly enjoying their job, enthusiastically sharing their passions with knowledge, fun and creativity, offering help and ideas.

I am inspired. Thank you.
Janet