You are currently browsing the monthly archive for October 2009.
Join us on November 4th for the 20th anniversary of OWIT. At Soak we’re proud members of OWIT-Toronto working hard to foster international trade and the advancement of women in business. We’re also up for the Woman Exporter of the Year award… I’ll keep you posted on how that goes.
I realized that I should really post the thank-you (love) letter to Soak from our summer intern Andrea. This is particularly important as she returns to our office Monday to work during her reading week. She was a dream to have at the office, we enjoyed teaching her as much as she enjoyed learning. This is her, along with her first knit scarf! Below find the letter she left for us on her last day.
Being a summer intern, entails me only staying at Soak for the summer. I felt it was necessary to write you all a lovely send off message before I leave to go back to school so you will remember me (not like that will be hard, I am pretty awesome). Jacqueline, I will be using your printer to print out this letter, luckily, it isn’t a resignation letter, so I have one up on that other guy who used your printer to print something of this sort off.
Moving on….I tend to ramble on with these sorts of things. My friends always make fun of me for it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this ended up to be about a page long. Lucky for those of you who read it!
Working here this summer has been awesome. I’ve definitely learnt on a lot of stuff that I wouldn’t have in another workplace and I really appreciate being able have that opportunity. Also, I’m not complaining about how nice my hands smelt after doing some bottle washings.
Knowing that you have a great group of people behind you to help you out everyday is fantastic, and made me feel a whole lot less intimidated. I was able to break out of my shell and become a pretty different person. Lots of laughs, and stories contributed to this extra boost of confidence. I was able to get comfortable with everyone which makes coming into work everyday much easier. I’d like to thank each and every one of you for contributing to that.
Ailie: I wouldn’t want to share a stapler with anyone else. I wish both you and baby best wishes. Enjoy the big boy desk. It’s only brought me good times.
Chris: I’d still be a non-knitter if it wasn’t for you. Just thinking about that is unfortunate. I will be wearing that purple scarf everyday come wintertime. Thanks for helping me out with everything you did throughout this summer. You are hilarious. Just absolutely hilarious.
Jacqueline: 1. Thank you for my job. I am forever grateful. 2. Best boss ever yes? Yes. I’m most definitely not trying to kiss ass here. It’s most definitely true. Thank you for letting me into Soak to learn AND work at the same time. You are a fantastic person
Dafina: You’re super awesome, and great to work with! Have fun, and congrats again on being Canadian! 
So I would like to leave you with one last thing. The box area is both yours and my friend. Be kind to it, it really did no harm to you.
Have fun and don’t miss me too much. I know it will be hard. -AL
Yesterday I spoke at the Small Business Forum 2009, Dream Up, in Toronto. My session was entitled Selling to Big Business- Courting, seducing and building everlasting (and profitable) relationships). We had great fun talking business and networking. We gave out lots of mini-soaks too!
Among other interesting people, I had a chance to re-connect with W. Brett Wilson, from Dragons’ Den. He remembered Soak and the pitch (how fantastic!). We talked Soak, the Den, business etc. That’s another story though, post soon to follow.
Here is the link to the presentation. Please respect the fact that I created and own the content, images and reference to our Soak customers. Ask for permission if you want to use the content. I look forward to staying in touch with everyone I met yesterday. Congratulations to Enterprise Toronto for hosting such a spectacular event.
This is my idea of a perfect Sunday morning. Waking up early, while the city sleeps, to bake fresh scones.
Buttermilk Scones + coffee + flowers.
- 3 cups flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt (I generally use less)
- 2.5 tsp baking powder
- .5 tsp baking soda
- .75 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp heavy cream, for brushing
- + whatever you feel like adding for fun (today I made 1/3 plain- for Ted, 1/3 with dates, 1/3 with cheddar cheese).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Add butter and mix with your fingertips to a coarse meal. Add buttermilk and mix just until combined. Add cheese, dates or whatever else you feel like. Transfer dough to a floured board and roll into 3/4 inch thick slab. Sadly, I can’t be more specific because I roll the dough into different shapes – sometimes I don’t even roll it, depending on what shape scones I am making. Cut into wedges, circles, or whatever shape makes you happiest and place slightly separated on a greased baking sheet. Brush tops with cream. Bake for 18 minutes (18 minutes in my oven, yours may vary) or until lightly brown. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Today was Ailie (National Account Manager)’s baby shower, so I made loads of scones. Some for at home, some for the shower and some for the office tomorrow. There were also pink cupcakes,
and then there were none.
Dianne Buckner sheds light on entrepreneurship, in preparation for tonight’s episode of Dragons Den.
Remember to treat your friends with mini-soaks this halloween.
Soak worthy Dragons!
HIT TV SHOW Dragons’ Den FUELS THE ECONOMY
Dear Friends,
As a fellow Canadian and Soak fan (retailer, sales rep, distributor, customer, family, friend…) I wanted to let you know that I’ve been selected to present my business, Soak Wash Inc., on the next episode of Dragons’ Den, airing Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. in NFLD) on CBC Television.
We anticipate an increase in Canadian sales following our appearance in the Den. We trust that you know where to get more Soak, if you need it. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our office directly. We have updated the website to support increased traffic and strive to ensure all Canadian retailers are listed and easily found.
Founded in 2005, Soak is a revolutionary fine fiber wash created with a new and innovative chemical formulation and strong branding. Soak is available in five mild, yet deliciously modern fragrances plus Scentless- for your sensitive side. Soak continues to innovate with contemporary fragrances, limited edition scents and collaborations with internationally acclaimed designers and companies.
I am grateful for all the support I’ve received from my staff, customers and friends. We would like to thank Secrets from Your Sisters, the Toronto bra fitting boutiques for providing models, as well as Empreinte, the France-based lingerie manufacturer who collaborated with us by providing exceptional lingerie for both myself and the models.
I’d love to talk to you about my experience pitching on the show. Please feel free to contact me at 905-270-7625 to set up an interview or to sample Soak if you haven’t as of yet.
If you are interested in speaking to any of the Dragons or host Dianne Buckner, please feel free to contact Renée Mellow at Media Profile, (416) 504-8464, renee.mellow@mediaprofile.com.
“We know from last year’s fabulous ratings that Canadians are tuning in and looking to see success stories during these times, and this season promises to give viewers a taste of what it takes to get an idea off the ground,” said Kirstine Stewart, CBC Television’s general manager, English Services. “Viewers can’t get enough of the personalities in the Den, and everyone has a favourite.”
Thank you for your support. Have a great day and enjoy the show!
Jacqueline Sava
-30-
Support photography is available at www.cbc.ca/imagegallery. Soak Wash product information www.soakwash.com.
| For media information, please contact: | ||
| Renée Mellow
Media Profile, Toronto 416-504-8464 |
Rachel Thexton
Media Profile, Vancouver 604-609-6153 |
For Soak Wash Inc., please contact:
Jacqueline Sava
Soak Wash Inc., Mississauga
905-270-7625
Felissimo Ecolor catalog, via our Japanese distributor!
We are excited, we are nervous, we are energized. Well, I’m nervous and everyone else is excited and energized.
CBC, 8pm EST. Dragons’ Den. October 14, 2009
Watch, cheer, tell your friends!
