SFA is here to provide support, guidance, and resources to help you advance your career in the fashion industry.
What is the purpose of mentorship?
The purpose of a mentor is to help you excel in your career and become the best version of yourself, at any level of your career you may be at. This may involve helping you achieve your goals, introducing you to new ways of thinking, challenging your limiting assumptions, teaching you life lessons, and much more.
Our mentors are veterans in their fields, and are here to answer questions, guide, support, and encourage entrepreneurs to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and grow the career they are passionate about.
As a member of SFA you have access to a free 30 minute session with one mentor of your choosing to help answer questions, give direction, and lead you to the right direction.
To meet with any of our mentors please contact hello@saskfashion.com with your company name, short explanation of what you are hoping to learn or a list of questions, and the name of the mentor of your choosing.
MEET OUR MENTORS
Amanda Doucette
A tax lawyer, practicing at Stevenson Hood Thornton Beaubier LLP in Saskatoon. Amanda is a problem solver – here are some of the services she provides:
· She helps business owners structure their affairs to ensure compliance with relevant tax laws, and provides support for entrepreneurs looking to establish and implement a strategic plan for their business goals.
· She believes in collaboration! Amanda works with the full advisory team (i.e., accountant, financial advisor, insurance specialist and lawyer) to identify solutions.
· She acts on behalf of taxpayers in their communications with Canada Revenue Agency – right from audit through to the Tax Court of Canada.
· She provides consulting services to other advisors who are seeking advice on behalf of their clients. Tax can be complex, and sometimes there is value in having the opportunity to discuss and brainstorm the potential options for a client problem.
For a full list of Amanda’s educational qualifications, written work, and selected speaking engagements, please visit her firm website at https://www.shtb-law.com/lawyers/amanda-s-a-doucette-tep/, or connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-doucette-tep-83a9ab51/).
Check out Amanda’s blog for a weekly dose of all things “tax” – written in a way that it is accessible to all: https://taxchickca.wordpress.com/. Or if you prefer to learn by listening, check out her podcast, “The Tax Chick Podcast”, streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, Pocketcast, and Amazon Music.
Chelsea Senglow
Meet Chelsea, she loves numbers and can help create comprehensive financial plans customized your life and business.
This love of numbers, which has evolved over time, shows up for her now as a financial planning business owner and professional of twelve years. Add that to being a loving spouse to a great husband and a parent of three - their eldest daughter, and a set of twins - a boy and a girl.
All of these experiences have given Chelsea a deep appreciation for and understanding of, the value of time. More numbers, more to love.
It is this deep passion for numbers and our most valuable resource - time, that informs how she runs a team-based and collaborative financial planning practice. She helps create completely customized financial plans with input from an in-house team of specialists, and with the help of clients' trusted accountants and lawyers.
Chelsea has worked with individuals and families, employees, and business owners who are busy growing their personal empires and are looking for a partner in helping them secure peace of mind knowing all aspects of their financial lives are looked after.
It truly is all about the numbers.
To learn more visit https://advisor.investorsgroup.com/en/chelsea_senglow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-senglow-329a2680/
Nadine Johnson
A veteran in business operations management with a focus on business processes and employee development. Her ability to recruit and develop team members to deliver optimum service levels for clients includes creating and maintaining a healthy productive workplace resulting in employee satisfaction within corporate guidelines.
Nadine provided 40 years of public service in regulatory, investigative, and management roles developing alongside some of the most notable leaders in the Government of Saskatchewan.
Nadine is a trained mediator and communicator who demonstrates a positive attitude in the support and delivery of projects. She currently serves as a board member with the Government House Historical Society and Le Campagnole Italian Dance.
Mandy Pravda
Mandy Pravda's expertise falls within all things: public relations, promotions, growth marketing online, and business development.
President and Co-Founder of SFA and owner of MANE, an Online Reputation Management Company, her company assists entrepreneurs and businesses in building, managing, and promoting their online profiles and furthering their reach to consumers online. Building strategic partnerships and creating an online profile are more important than ever in this day in age, and it is never too late to start! Providing online reputation management, branding exploration and building, extensive media contacts, and 15 years of marketing experience, over 30+ clients under Mane Productions see results every day.
Get to know her at www.maneproductions.ca
Jacqueline Conway
Jacqueline Conway, Co-Founder of SFA, is a professional marketer, entrepreneur and brand teacher. Her company's TrendBlazer Studio and Conway Consulting serve clients worldwide in elite sales, marketing, and mindset training. Taking her extensive background in branding, entertainment marketing, and events she loves uncovering what makes entrepreneurs oh so special!
To learn more visit, www.trendblazer.studio or www.conway.consulting.
For weekly free training join her Facebook community, TrendBlazer Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/trendblazerinsiders
Lisa Marie Schwartz
Board Director with SFA and Owner of THE EDGE Professional Model & Actor Management Agency.
As an agent for over 25 years representing and promoting models and actors within Saskatchewan, Nationally, and Internationally she has first-hand knowledge to help you move forward to creating a career in this industry.
If these are key questions you find you're asking yourself...
What are agents looking for?
What should I submit?
What photos should I consider having?
What questions should I be asking?
What training do I need?
What will this cost me?
What should I know before considering this industry?
... Lisa Marie can help you!
It's important to be valued in the industry and Edge's continued goal is to have all models and actors valued through every opportunity that comes their way.
Be professional, look professional, and thrive moving forward.
www.edgeagency.com
Harvey Viteychuk
Leading Manufacturing in Saskatchewan and a Board Director with SFA! As with many budding start-ups, Fashions by "MEE" started in a basement with a couple of home sewing machines and an idea. Since that time 33 years ago Fashions by "MEE" developed into a completely vertical manufacturing plant with inhouse screenprinting, embroidery, rhinestone templating, applique creation, sublimation, design, and pattern making, cutting, and sewing. Over the years as they grew Harvey had an opportunity to work in each one of these areas and therefore have a great understanding of the manufacturing process. Over the years they have added new technologies in order to stay viable as a domestic manufacturer for the MEE Sports brand.
Some of the areas that Harvey can contribute as a mentor are:
Starting an apparel business
Apparel production process
Domestic versus offshore production
Fabric and notion sourcing
Garment costing
Product development
MEE Sports is also open to collaboration of manufacturing your line right here in Saskatchewan.
Find out more! www.meesports.com
Melissa Squire
SFA Board Director and a self taught fashion designer whose socially conscious attitude, eco-friendly initiatives, and who's community oriented business practices are infectious. Her designs have been showcased on runways locally and internationally. They feature unique pieces from rockabilly dresses and baby clothes to steampunk vests adorned with recycled tires and studs. She also does couture and custom designs and works with a diverse arrangement of clients, helping them to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin.
Melissa has hosted interns of all ages and experience levels over the past decade. Being a mentor, offering her experience and advice for up and coming designers and industry newcomers is a natural progression for her. She has presented sustainable practices in both fashion and events.
Founder of Alchemy Collective, established in 2010, Melissa built a movement for the community, eco friendly initiatives, a push for local support, an incubator for the arts, a demand for change in a society that needs it, an evolution of the mind, body, and soul.
Some of the areas that Melissa can contribute as a mentor are:
Building a community
Sourcing fabrics
Dressing models
Custom work
Sustainable design
See all her creations and creativity. Find out more at www.melissasquire.com
Rea Harbus
Owner of Amaranth Designs which was established in Regina in 2000. They started out as a custom fashion design and alterations company. Amaranth Designs offers modern timeless pieces that fit the needs of every lifestyle. Rea designs garments for today’s elegant, confident, and sophisticated woman. The collections are designed with the busy woman in mind. Each of the pieces transitions from work to play and from day to evening.
What you will discover about Amaranth Designs is that they use only the highest quality fabrics. They pay attention to every little detail. They create those ‘must have’ pieces that fit your individual style, and they also create fashionable pieces that will last through multiple seasons.
Some of the areas that Rea can contribute as a mentor are:
Starting a Brick & Mortar
Sourcing fabrics
Dressing models
Custom work
Find out more at www.amaranthdesigns.ca
Celene Dupuis
SFA Board Director and owner of Revamp Salon Company in Saskatchewan, Canada, is an award-winning stylist, and Redken International Artist who is proud to be a mentor and educator in the hair industry on an international level.
Opening Revamp Salon Company in 2014 was her opportunity to create an environment where she could mentor the industry and teach them how to provide amazing guest experiences, give back to their communities and help others see their true beauty. Leading by example, was recognized for her community contribution with the Saskatoon chief of police award for community service and The Saskatchewan waste reduction council's waste minimization award 2014.
Her drive to keep evolving led her to be a facilitator, notably at Redken Symposium, Las Vegas multiple years and Exchange Facilitating 2018 Redken Exchange, New York City. Helping inspire students as far away as Dubai remains one of her career highlights.
Her advice and knowledge are sought after as a Business Mentor at High Performance Salon Academy helping 10,000+ stylists globally earn, learn, and live best through education and coaching. Celene has been published in magazines worldwide including Canadian Hair Dresser, Flare, and HairDressers Journal London. THEKIT, and continues to be the official Color Ambassador for Redken Canada.
All of that being said, we all know that all of the accolades in the world don't really tell you who a person really is. And Celene is about realness and honesty.
Get to know her more, join her mentorship programs by visiting https://www.celenedupuis.com
WE DEVELOP, SUPPORT, AND PROMOTE SASKATCHEWAN BASED FASHION DESIGNERS AND CREATIVES.
WE ARE THE FIRST FASHION ASSOCIATION IN CANADA AND WE SEE A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU, AND HELPING YOU PAVE THE WAY TO YOUR GOALS.