As part three of our four-part series on young entrepreneurs, we take a look at three pairs of women who manage to balance owning a business and a family life.


While some women choose to be a stay-at-home mom, others put their career first. But, a few ambitious women choose to have both, and then some. Three successful Winnipeg businesses—Candie & Dolls, Tiber River Naturals and Room For Style—are prime examples of these super multitaskers. And their owners will tell you that when you have a strong support system, a great friend as a partner, and a passion for your business, you can have it all.

Fashion, Friends and Family
You could say they bonded over Blahniks, came together through Chanel—it was passion for fashion that drew Candice Versace and Dolly Woo, owners of the über-chic boutique Candie & Dolls, into a friendship that blossomed into a business partnership.

“I had always hated trying to buy suits in the city and Dolly was into finding dresses. We would always say ‘wouldn’t it be great if Winnipeg had this or that?’ and then talk about opening a store that would carry those items. Finally one day we just said ‘okay, lets do it,’” says Versace.

The friends decided to enroll in business classes at the Women’s Enterprise Centre while perfecting their business plan. Armed with the idea of an upscale, modern store targeted at the downtown business woman, the pair shopped their business plan to numerous banks. But, many were reluctant to invest in the retail venture.

“We were rejected so many times but we decided we were going full force. Even when a door was shut we just didn’t stop,” says Versace.

Financing finally came through and Versace and Woo began to build their dream store in the Exchange District. Since opening its doors in 2004 Candie & Dolls has built a reputation as the best place to buy a tailored suit in Winnipeg, and THE place to find an original dress. This is in part to the entrepreneurs’ distinct style.

“Candice is into constructed, tailored outfits, while I’m into more relaxed clothes and sundresses,” explains Woo. “For the store we find a balance. It’s never one person’s style over the other.”

While different perspectives may create obstacles in some work environments, the two friends work through it with open communication, “like in a marriage,” jokes Woo.
“If we disagree we keep the lines of communication open so we can see each other’s point of view,” adds Versace. “Our friendship is important and it comes first.”

While at the shop, business takes over, so the pair ensures they take time outside the shop in order to nurture their friendship. Deliberately stepping out of the shop is also important for the two women’s family lives. With three kids, ages seven, five and 11 months, Woo is a veteran working woman with the ability to switch gears between business owner and mom.

“When you walk into the store you have to leave mommy at the door and be all business,” she states. “On the way home I’ve trained myself to mentally take time and leave the business behind. You can’t take that home with you.”

Versace, who has a two-year-old and a new baby born in June, adds that being able to switch between home and business is made possible because of a great support system. Both women state that there would be no balance without their families.

“From the moment we opened I knew this is what I wanted to do,” says Woo. “So leaving the store or closing never crossed my mind when I decided to have kids. Your role just changes a bit.”

Continuing to move ahead without reservation is leading the women to the next level of their business—online shopping. This expansion will be an extension of the store’s business mandate of high quality fashions from Canadian designers—a mantra the women have followed from the start.

“You have to stay true to why you opened in the first place and stand together as partners,” states Woo. “So many things can happen and come your way, so you just have to keep going full force.”

A Natural Fit
Being a business owner allows you to live life on your own terms. It was this desirable aspect that lead Adriana De Luca to open Tiber River Naturals in 2000.
“I had my daughter in ’99 but I didn’t want to go back to work after maternity leave,” she says. “My grandma had taught me how to make soap, so I started selling it at home parties.”

Soon the demand for her unique handmade soap became so great that De Luca opened a store on Stafford St. For three years she developed and expanded her product lines. She also expanded her family with the birth of her son in 2002. But, being the sole researcher, developer and main store employee became too much for the young mom and Tiber River closed its doors in 2004.

While her store was open, De Luca had started to supply products to other stores. One of those retailers was Michelle Lalonde’s store in Osborne Village. After Tiber River closed, the two acquaintances began to talk business.

“The product was so amazing and I couldn’t believe the response from the customers,” explains Lalonde. All of Tiber River’s products are made with the most natural, quality ingredients, including fresh fruits, vegetables and essential oils, making the lines—which included products for men and babies as well—truly unique.
“After years of working in sales and marketing I knew that a great product or service was the key to any successful business. So I approached Adriana about partnering. She would create the products and I would be responsible for the sales and marketing. It was a match made in heaven,” says Lalonde.

So the two women began to toss around the idea of reopening a storefront. They finally settled on the idea and moved quickly to open a space on Academy Road. The doors opened in June 2005 and the nail and body bar was added to the airy space two months later. Since then both women have tried to keep pace with the overwhelming success of the store, while managing their families.

“Every day is a struggle in patience,” adds De Luca. “I work mostly at home, so I try to get up before the kids to get some things done. Otherwise I incorporate the kids in what we do. We bring them into the store, we are very family-oriented.”

“Kids need to fit into your life. There needs to be flexibility between home life and work,” says Lalonde.

But, she adds, when you can’t bend any further, you have to rely on great staff.
“It’s hard to step back and remove yourself when you’ve worked so hard and built the store from the ground up. But you can’t do it all yourself.”

This also allows the two women to focus on their strengths and main roles in the business.

“My role is marketing, but it’s hard to do that when you’re answering the phone at the store,” says Lalonde. “You need to set some limits for yourself.”

It’s one thing to say that, but it’s quite another to follow through. Both women admit to never really being “off the clock.” While De Luca sees a shiitake mushroom and starts dreaming of potential products, Lalonde will be handing out business cards while standing in line at Costco.

This has helped the two turn their partnership into a friendship, which at times is hard to nurture through all the suds and soap.

“We need to celebrate our friendship more. We always seem to be about business,” laughs Lalonde.

Finding time for cocktails or tea may be a little harder now, since Lalonde just gave birth to another baby girl in mid-October, plus major business expansions are on the horizon. The two entrepreneurs are looking to expand into another store next year, as well as create partnerships with companies such as Lululemon, that target a similar lifestyle and demographic as Tiber River. They’re also looking into franchising, adds De Luca, and wholesale opportunities.

“It’s difficult to pick what’s our next best opportunity,” she says. “Everything has been a huge learning experience but your business grows from it. There’s always a positive, and you’ve just got to put your blinders on and go.”

Style By Fire
Successful business owners will tell you that if you love the product so will your customers. This theory has proven true for Room For Style, which has been open for 11 years and set the standard for fine furnishings in Winnipeg.

“I don’t want something in the store if I can’t see it in my house,” says Dawn-Marie Brunel, co-owner of the chic Corydon Ave. boutique. “I’m genuinely passionate about the product. I have a vision for it and can paint a picture for the customer. And that excitement spills over to them.”

Both Dawn-Marie and her sister/business partner, Jodi-Rae, have a home designing gene that has developed over the years.

“I’ve had a subscription to Canadian House & Home since I was 14,” says Jodi-Rae.
“Our mom was always remodeling our house when our dad was out of town,” adds Dawn-Marie. “Plus, we’ve always sewn and painted. It’s kind of in our blood.”

So the two sisters decided to put that natural talent to work. Dawn-Marie, living in Toronto at the time, was inspired by the unique, high-quality furniture boutiques she shopped in. Jodi-Rae was moving back to the city from Vancouver so the sisters decided it was perfect timing to introduce Winnipeg to “their version of Pottery Barn.”
“We wanted to give the city something in-between a big box store and a really expensive boutique,” states Dawn-Marie.

With no retail experience, the women went to buying shows with a lot of excitement, but some apprehension as well.

“At first we were apprehensive about buying, but customers would say ‘I love your style.’ That gave us encouragement and we started to buy without that caution. We just bought what we loved,” says Dawn-Marie.

The end result of that confidence helped shape Room For Style’s niche of unique, high-quality, Canadian-made furniture. The store also found a following because of the two entrepreneurs’ presence and aura at the shop.

“It’s important when you have a small business to be in the store,” says Jodi-Rae. “People appreciate seeing the owner’s face.”

Since the store has opened, the “face” of the store has changed a bit as Jodi-Rae is trying to balance a three-year-old and a 10-month-old as well. Dawn-Marie, who usually took care of the buying and bookkeeping from Toronto, has stepped into Jodi-Rae’s customer service role so she can be with her young family more.

“It’s hard to find a balance,” she admits. “When you’re self-employed you can’t take a year off with each child, you have to be at the store.”

“You have to be adaptable,” adds Dawn-Marie. “But, you must also stay true to your niche as the family and business evolves. Plus, if you are passionate about what you’re really into, it will help you through all the ups and downs.”