art seemingly the righteous ‘also ran’. Whilst you were achieving your BSW in the big neutral tundra, did you realize that your path would wind its way into Saskatchewan-province, CR-entity entrepreneurship, and, in 20/20-retrosight, who most inspired you, at the time, to attempt that trail?

A: Ahh Canada…a most peaceful place. The best place in the world for a ‘punk-haired, i-savvy, Conflict-Resolution-co. chick’ to establish! I worked on my BSW with a toddler at my knee, a baby on my hip and an ex-husband at a distance. My only thought, while I was in the first three years, was getting a good, stable government job that would let my children and me survive – and pay off the student loans I was amassing.  I [subsequently] learned about Saskatchewan Justice Mediation Training Courses, in my fourth year.

Q: When you swung open your permutations-of-resolutions Diva doors, what were the actual market conditions for Conflict Resolution firms in Canada at that nanosecond, and how have they shifted, in your opinion, as a result of the worldwide, economic en-masse-bungie?

A: There was always a need for Conflict Resolution [here]. When I started my business, I focused on very individualized and diverse services. I did do mediation, but I also provided counselling. I [additionally] performed adoption home studies, facilitated seminars about divorce and separation, and engaged in advocacy services. Over the years, opportunity and experience allowed me to become an expert witness for the Court of Queen’s Bench in issues pertaining to the custody and access of children in divorce – a great supplement to the conflict resolution training and consulting! In the meantime, as the business grew, I needed to keep those student loans paid, a roof over our heads and food on the table—[therefore] part-time jobs included supervising the kids that delivered the town’s free newspaper, and church secretary.

In the fat times it [was about] improving [the] company, learning to be better [and] having greater understanding, improved collaborations, increased effectiveness, profitability and sustainability.  After providing individual services for about five years, these ideas connected for me in [the] book [that I wrote].

In [the] lean times, the difference is often in the delivery. E.g., [client-]organizations always need [Conflict Resolution] training–[but] at times [their] budget is bigger, at times it’s smaller. The trick is finding the most effective delivery system, providing immediately usable information that can be easily replicated, and making sure that the [client] is receiving what they need. [I believe] Conflict Resolution Firms that are worth their salt–[that have] the expertise necessary to save companies money, and the follow-through that allows positive change--are unlikely to feel the full pinch of recessionary periods.

Q: Who was the most daunting dragon you e’er duelled ‘n defeated during the course of your Conflict Resolution-entity ownership, and what resultantly, did you glean from the win?

A: The most daunting dragon I’ve come up against was [when] I was hired as an advocate for approximately 20 sets of parents who were unhappy with a teacher’s behaviour. Consequently, I learned that sometimes a bit of a fight is necessary--but even when fighting, we have to keep in mind that what we feel like doing, and the actions that are best to take, are often two different things…what comes around goes around.  And most importantly, [I learned] I have the ability to decide how much power someone can have (or can not have) over me, and how much I will allow them to affect my life. As do we all.

Q: Your website seems verily a cool collaboration of the ‘best of’ techie processes for peace n’ resolutions practitioners. Which innovation is the most ingenious, in your opinion, o’ all the offerings, and what 21^st century gadget or process would you like to upload in 2009, for the continuing i-convenience of your clients?

A: There are big website plans in the works for 2009. We are working towards more integrated marketing efforts, and to monetizing and standardizing the website. In an ongoing effort to innovate in a rather traditional market/industry, we are also looking into solutions like podcasts and Twitter. As part of that process, I’ve had an office application custom-developed, to better service clients and run the office more efficiently.

Q: How easy is it to be Eco- in, specifically, Saskatchewan--and what equation of additions and/or subtractions have you solved in your personal existence or practice, such as to positively influence negative global trends?

A: We are a green company.  We limit our use of paper wherever possible, and recycle [it] when that’s not possible.  So much of being eco-friendly is really about personal responsibility—[I believe] we all need to reduce our individual footprints. Travel is always an issue-–I cringe at the idea of one person in a vehicle, however, the vast rural space that we have to manage makes travel alone very often a necessity. No SUV’s or Hummers are allowed, though!

Q: What was your opinion of our 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections, and which political or social icon, of any country, inspires, intrigues, or irks you?

A: I thought it was all incredibly interesting. What I noticed the most was the contrast between the response to the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections and the 2008 Canadian Election. Oh…you didn’t realize we’d had an election? Exactly! I hope Obama does well and creates good. How your country acts and reacts is pretty important in a big-picture Conflict-Management kind of way.

I’ve always been both inspired and intrigued by Pamela Wallin. She’s intelligent, goal-focused, idealistic and ethical.  Like me, she is from Saskatchewan, a social worker, [and has] a degree from the University of Regina. Unlike me, she’s also a senator, a journalist, and a diplomat [and] appeared on Saskatchewan’s most well-known sitcom, “Corner Gas.”

Q: When your wind-up-widget work-week has squeaked n’ slowly succumbed like ombre into the tiers of Friday twilight’s blues, blue-plums, and greys, what fab fare n’ bevs should Austin Powers ‘F.B.’-like “get in [your] belly”, and what singers n’ songs should serenade or quake you from the retreads of an mp3/ipodian wave-stage?

A: You’ll usually find me drinking some kind of herbal tea…berry or peppermint, but I like coffee with Irish cream, tequila, and drinks with whipped cream on top. Life’s short. Eat dessert first. Cheesecake, please – followed by whatever various thing that piques my interest as a real meal.

At the end of that work week I might be cleaning my house, reading a book or playing my Wii.  I’ve been listening to more classical, instrumental and other language music…great for reading by. I’ve recently been turned on to Above and Beyond and like them very much!