"After winning a Silver Lining Entrepreneur Award for excellence in business and inspirational leadership, Katherine was chosen as one of ten winners flown on an all expenses paid VIP trip to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.
Katherine was amongst other amazing business owners from all over North America including:
Angie Draskovic, Zoe Alliance
Ben & Tom Kimball, Kimball Production
Bob Wiele, One Smart World
Chris Taylor, Goose Educational Media
Diane Craig, Corporate Class, Inc.
Jeff Golfman, Pulse Furniture
Jody Steinhauer, The BARGAINS Group
Keith Bruinsma, Yellowhead Waterjet
Rachel Mielke, Hillberg & Berk
For more information about this exciting trip, Carissa Reiniger or her incredible company, Silver Lining Limited, visit their website."
Before the trip, I was interviewed by Catering Magazine, and here’s what I had to say about winning this award:
"I am thrilled to be of the ten selected finalists for the Silver Lining Award and look very forward to connecting with fellow entrepreneurs from across North America. One of the most valuable parts of the submission process was writing the application and reflecting on the past 25 years of business ownership. Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come! What I won’t forget, however, is that every day in business is a new day, and I always try to approach it with a fresh attitude and a “can do” spirit. I’m thankful that I can create my own future with the power of positive thinking. Along with this amazing group of business owners, I hope to be an inspiration and mentor to those just starting out in business… and to those who might need support and encouragement along the way. I am inspired and proud to be a recipient of this prestigious award.”
So, I’ve traveled on business for over 30 years, and I have to say, this weekend absolutely took the rum cake! Our first dinner was at Carmine’s (I’ve enjoyed their gargantuan plates of heartwarming meatballs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with penne both in New York and Chicago- and now the Bahamas!), so when Carissa, president of the Silver Lining, said- let’s share some plates- I’ll order for the table, we were all in! Talk about immediate bonding! Conversation (and meatballs!) flew around the table as our group got to know each other. We left satiated. Next stop was the AURA nightclub… complete with dancers (and viewers or were they voyeurs?!), plenty of not so quiet disco music, complimentary chilled champagne and group dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Some of the younger folks partied until 5 (so I hear)! I knew right then we were going to have some fun together, and did we ever. Over the next three days, we swam with the playful dolphins, lounged by the beachside pool cabana sipping sweet pineapple rum drinks, walked the sandy beaches late at night (there were even some brave souls who swam the ocean at midnight- birthday suit and all! (or nothing?!) and on our last day together made a video or our thoughts on being an entrepreneur.
My favorite evening was at DUNE restaurant..at One & Only Ocean Club. The resort was host to the recent James Bond movie, Casino Royale. The service never crossed my mind it was so perfect, and the food was truly one of life’s best ever dinners. Remember, I’m in the food business, so I remember pretty much every meal I’ve ever eaten, who I was with, what everyone else ordered, and have analyzed (and appreciated!) each ingredient on each plate. At DUNE, I ordered a generous bowl of coconut chicken soup- reminding me of soups I’ve savored in Thailand when visiting my brother and his wife..followed by a totally lean and perfectly grilled veal chop with Madeira sauce studded with blue cheese, topped off with a classic crème brulee and berry dessert.. absolutely divine. Even the decaf double espresso was memorable..and of course the wine! Thanks to the precedent set on our first night at Carmine’s, we continued the ritual of sharing throughout the weekend, dipping our forks and spoons into each other’s plates and bowls. Thanks for sharing!!
Enough about food, now the people. Okay, it’s hard to know where to start. Everyone I met was special, one of a kind, sparkle in the eye and vibrant person.., alive, full of energy and ideas, and powerful. That’s the word, powerful. I came away having found my own power again, the power to dream big, to believe in success, to celebrate what we’ve done and what we want to do, and to commit. Carissa has built a wonderful business- the Silver Lining.., and we are all beneficiaries! I recall a special conversation along the way with every winner. Every one listened, heard and supported each other. Each winner has a big vision for their life and their business- hand in hand.. and we have already set up networks to work together, to support each other and to participate fully in being a team of entrepreneurs.
Carissa, Nicole, Ben and Monica… you made it all happen with such grace and ease (not to mention your INCREDIBLE POSTIVE ENERGY) . I know there was so much thought and effort put forth to make this trip happen-so congratulations on the first ever Silver Lining Getaway- it was a great success!
Keith, your quiet and determined approach both to the weekend and your work is so you-you are one of the most authentic people I met on t his trip -all by the age of 25!! We enjoyed our chat in the limo with you en route to the airport, and know you will be very successful in your new business venture, and probably many more…thanks for sharing.
Jody, your ability to manage a family, business, travel and your focus on bringing value to your clients is amazing…you surely must have many happy customers, and we found friends in common from Michigan!
Angie, I’m so glad we had a chance to talk on the balcony overlooking the night lights, and to share our respective ideas about business, 15 year old sons and what we love about life in general! Thank you for making the world a better place by what you do.
Diane, you are as beautiful as your photo on your web site, and your personality is equally beautiful. I can see how others learn from your grace, charm and undeniable strength and determination.
Bob, it was such a pleasure spending time with you and Mandy (especially splashing around in the pool) and hearing about your 30+ years as a successful business owner! We look forward to participating in the 4D-1 Profile process…and thanks for including spouses- that’s very generous of you!
Chris, I’m so glad we sat next to you and your fiancé our first night! You have depth and creativity, and I’m totally looking forward to more conversation. I love the mission for your business, and I can’t wait to be part of your client list.
Rachel, you radiate talent when you wear your jewelry, talk about it and try it on others. Your heart and soul go into your creative endeavors, and I’m so lucky to be the proud owner of one of your beautiful necklaces. Thanks, Rachel…and Damian!! Congratulations on your Bahamas engagement to Zlatan!!
Tom, you are my long lost brother, we are both Aquarians (only 3 days apart- born in the same year!) , and married to South Africans. Meeting you was totally grand, and were lucky to have another chance to spend time at the airport on our way home. Keep those stories coming!
Jeff, we missed you- but enjoyed meeting Jessica! Loved your brochure of your work…and hope to meet at a future event.
xoxoxo,
Katherine
Talk about feeling like a winner! Last week my husband Damian and I traveled to the Bahamas ..to the amazing Atlantis resort on Paradise Island. I was totally thrilled to be part of this special group of winners who were being honored (and wined and dined, then wined and dined some more!) by our hosts at the Silver Lining, and our corporate sponsors: Rogers, Citi, Staples, HP and Intuit.
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