It had been quite a while since Doris and I took time to hike, so we jumped at the chance when Suha Jethalal of Bullfrog Power invited us join them for a hike on the Bruce Trail. This would give us a chance to spend some quality time together with Mother Nature, giving back while getting a bit of exercise and a mental health antidote in the process.



The trek began with a bus ride to Thirty Mile Creek (Grimsby). After applying insect repellant (in hind-sight, more was needed) our Bruce Trail leaders led us on a ~2km hike. We traversed the forest coming across the Mountainview Conservation Area, a passive natural area located in the Town of Lincoln, where we planted approximately 150 trees on behalf of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. When all of the trees were transplanted we enjoyed a lovely lunch in the forest with pleasant conversation among others in the group. After refueling our bodies we hiked back to the bus for the trip home - windows open, a breeze in our face, mindlessly scratching at the numerous black fly bites.



If you're interested in exploring the Trail yourself… here's a link to get you started. http://brucetrail.org/ (bring plenty of bug juice!)

Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative

With a new year comes a time to reflect. Did I meet my business goals from last year? What do I want to accomplish in the next twelve months? How will I get there?

Use the following seven steps to assist you in creating your written guide to follow throughout the year.

1. Write down your vision.

Revisit your business plan. What is your dream? Has your dream changed? Clarify your thoughts and write your vision in one or two sentences. This is the first tangible step to making your dreams a reality. Simply put – If you don't know where you're going - how will you ever know when you arrive?

2. Define your core business.

What's your mission? What will you do to achieve the dream? Write it down and refine it until you're left with one succinct sentence. Use this mission as the basis for your Unique Selling Proposition.

3. Set ambitious goals.

Using your vision and mission as the foundation, set your goals. Be ambitious. By setting and achieving ambitious goals, we reveal our capacities, realize our potential, and take one step closer to living the life of our dreams. Start with long term goals and then break them down into annual, quarterly and monthly goals. Focus on these smaller manageable goals and you'll accomplish your ambitious goal.

4. Develop a strategy.

Review last year's operating information. What needs to be done to achieve your goals this year? How can you best use your resources? What else do you need?

5. Plan.

What specific actions or tasks will you help carry out your strategy (or strategies)? What will it cost? Do you need to cut costs? What sales do you need to have to cover the costs? How will you generate new sales? Do you need new staff? Using your quarterly and monthly goals as a guide, create a sequence of actions and corresponding time frame.

6. Implement your plan.

This is key. Break down your monthly plan by the week and add the specific action steps to your weekly calendar. Make sure you schedule the time to do what's necessary. And when planning the following week – bring forward anything that didn't get finished. Don't be afraid to use external support to accomplish your goals. Remember – no one ever makes it alone. Reach out if you don't have the necessary resources needed to implement your plan.

7. Revisit and revise.

Create procedures that will allow you to revise your operating information on a monthly basis. Make note of what's working and what isn't. It's okay to modify your strategy and plan based on your information as long as they support what you set out to do.


2010 is poised to be a great year for growing your small/medium business. Stay focused. As you achieve your goals be sure to take time to celebrate every success, big and small. With each celebration your confidence and commitment will grow making it easier to reach your ambitious goals.


Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative

Mystique Creative is proud to introduce and welcome our latest staff member, graphic designer Rene Tan, to the company and our clients. Rene graduated from Ontario College of Art and Design.

Rene brings a fresh and energetic approach to his work and has already contributed to a variety of brand development projects that include logo design, corporate collateral (stationary, business cards etc), print advertisements and online newsletters.

Rene adds significantly to Mystique's creative abilities, both in online and offline design.


Rene Tan

Position: Graphic Designer
Born: Manila
Education: Ontario College of Art and Design
Likes: basketball, tennis, video games, art, design, photography, film
Dislikes: comic sans, movie musicals (yet I'm currently a fan of the show Glee) and when bread gets stuck to the roof of my mouth
Inspirations: Lewis Nicholson (my college professor), Milton Glaser, Stefan Sagmeister, Paul Rand, Demetri Martin


Please stop in and get acquainted with Rene or send him a note at rene@mystique.ca.

Paul Bies

President,
Mystique Creative

In an effort to help create a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations — Mystique Creative is proud to announce that since July '08 our office now uses Bullfrog Power. Bullfrog Power is a leading provider of 100% green electricity. All of Bullfrog’s power comes from clean, renewable sources like wind power and low-impact water power that displace polluting and carbon-intensive sources like coal.

Making the choice for clean, green power is a breeze. Find out more about bullfrogpowering your home or business today!

http://www.bullfrogpower.com

Paul Bies
President,
Mystique Creative

It's been a while. Yeah, I know, I know - too long. I've come to terms with the fact that unless I schedule time to write that it won't get done. And starting today, I'm committing to writing a brief message on a weekly basis. Anyway…

First off - I'm sad to report that Shawn has returned to the Soo. Shawn came to Toronto with the intent of gaining a few years of big city experience to take back home to Sault Ste. Marie. We consider ourselves lucky that he stayed with Mystique for 8 years and in that time produced a lot of good design. We wish him continued success.

I'm pleased and excited at the addition of three new designers to the Mystique Creative family: Alyssya Polsinelli, Renee Richards, and Vincent Hiemstra.

Many of you may already know Alyssya as she's been on our payroll for a quarter now. We hired Alyssya after a successful internship with us.


Alyssya Polsinelli
Position: Graphic designer
Born: Toronto
Education: Durham College
Likes: Dancing, Baseball, Music and Traveling
Dislikes: People leaving garbage in my car and when my desktop is messy.
Inspirations: My mom


Renee Richards
Position: Graphic designer
Born: In Toronto but lived in North Carolina most of my life
Education: Appalachian State University
Likes: Seeing anything I've never seen before, innovative designs, traveling
Dislikes: Puppies with clothing, lemon meringue pie, movies with subtitles
Inspirations : Stephan Sagmeister, John Saunders, Lance Wyman, Sean Ohlenkamp

Renee has just moved back to Toronto and is looking to make her mark in the TO design community. Look for her blog tomorrow.


Vincent Hiemstra
Position: Graphic Design Intern
Born: Zeist, the Netherlands
Education: Graphics College Utrecht
Likes: Reading, Traveling, Online Gaming
Dislikes: Ketchup Flavored Chips, A line at the movies, Traffic
Inspirations: Chris Metzen, Jack Vergel


Please stop in and get acquainted with the new design staff here at Mystique Creative.
Paul Bies
President,
Mystique Creative