Jones Needs Support for Make-A-Wish Foundation

Stephen Jones will rappel from the roof of the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in just over two weeks with the hopes of helping children with severe medical difficulties realize their dreams.

Jones, the CEO of 4Deep Inwater Imaging of Halifax, needs people’s help in raising at least the $1,500 minimum to allow him to proceed with the Make-A-Wish Rope for Hope 2016 on June 18.

The proceeds go to Make-A-Wish, which helps to grant the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions.

“I can think of no better cause and it is the very least that I can do in my capacity,” said Jones in an email. He added that children whose wishes come true find the experience helps them to “feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle their medical condition and for many it marks a turning point in their fight against illness.”

Jones is past the halfway point in his fundraising and asking people to help support the project. You can donate money here.

Michelle Simms to Join BDC

After 14 years, Michelle Simms is moving on from the Genesis Centre at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Simms, the Vice-President of Programs and Operations at the innovation and commercialization centre, has accepted a position as Senior Partner, Consulting and Business Development, at the St. John’s office of BDC.

“We will miss her, but realize that exciting opportunities and challenges await her in her new role,” said Genesis Centre CEO Greg Hood in an email to the Genesis network. “By hiring Michelle, the BDC is making an excellent investment, not only in their organization, but in the overall future development of Newfoundland’s business community.”

Copps Wins BDC Mentorship Award

Mary Jane Copps, founder of The Phone Lady, was awarded the 2016 BDC Mentorship Award, a national competition to recognize entrepreneurs who help younger peers. Copps has been an entrepreneur for 29 years and generously donates her time to mentees.

Her efforts to support young entrepreneurs in Atlantic Canada, as well as the work of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development in Halifax, were both recognized this week at Futurpreneur Canada’s 2016 Action Entrepreneurship Summit.

CEED was also the recipient of the RBC Community Partner Award.

Copps, who has been mentoring entrepreneurs for the past six years, says it takes tremendous courage to be an entrepreneur and it's vital that both support and knowledge are easily available.

Based in Halifax, The Phone Lady is a service that helps to educate entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, corporations and government departments to improve telephone interactions.