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Karyn Climans: My name is Karyn Climans and I am the owner/creator of Tail Wags Helmet Covers . My husband Jeff and I have 2 wonderful sons: Josh is 21 years old and Daniel is 19. We have 2 dogs: a German Sheppard named Lucaya and a Golden Retriever puppy (11 months old) named Harley. My favourite colours are green (it represents nature) and tangerine orange (it’s a sunny colour).

GSB: What compelled you to start this business? How long have you been at it and where is it located? How many employees do you have?

KC: Following a serious ski accident in which my ski helmet saved my life, I wanted to create a product that would make it FUN for kids and adults to wear their safety helmets. I started my business in the basement of my Toronto home just over 6 years ago. Today, Tail Wags employs several part time seamstresses, a bookkeeper, graphic artist and photographer. In addition, as required, I hire high school students on an hourly basis to help tag and package the helmet covers.

GSB: How has the response been?

KC: If you told me 6 years ago that Tail Wags would grow into a company selling products internationally, I would never have believed you! The remarkable growth of my company is something of which I am very proud.

GSB: Why is being identified as a Canadian company important to you?

KC: Being involved in the design and creation of my helmet covers, every step of the way, is important to me. My brand is built on quality, so monitoring the production process closely is a priority. Finally, made in Canada products lead to more jobs for Canadians and, in this economy, that’s essential.

GSB: What advice would you give to a budding Canadian entrepreneur?

KC: Being an entrepreneur is a 24/7 job but the rewards are worth it. Although the first 3 to 5 years are the toughest, if you’ve got a good idea and you are passionate about what you’re doing, stick to it! Your hard work will pay off.

GSB: Is there something you can tell us about that we might be surprised to know about you?

KC: I never dreamed of being an entrepreneur because I always assumed I’d work for someone else as a teacher or lawyer, however, now, I can’t imagine working for anyone else. I love the freedom and challenge of running my own business!

Thanks for sharing some of your fascinating entrepreneurial experience, Karyn! Here's how to enter to win the Tail Wags Helmet Cover of your choice:

• "Like" the Tail Wags facebook page 
• Tell Buy Canadian First on our Facebook page  what design you like the best. (Check them all out at www.tail-wags.com!).

Remembrance Day is almost here again, so Strong & Free, a company founded by Denise Dow, a passionate patriot and a member of our Buy Canadian First  family, is holding a contest!

Strong & Free started as an emblem, designed for patriotic Canadians, that can be proudly displayed on your home, person or vehicle. Denise designed and manufactured the prototype and now all sorts of products come under the Strong & Free  banner and can be found at a variety of stores, including Canadian Tire.

The connection between Strong & Free and Canada's War Veterans is a strong one. I'll let Denise tell you in her own words. "When I was in high school I visited my cousins in the U.S. and saw the American eagle everywhere I went.  I believe that Canada is the greatest country in the world and I want to show everyone that I am proud to be a STRONG & FREE Canadian... that's why I designed this Maple leaf emblem with these powerful words from our national anthem.

This past summer, I participated in a Veterans' motorcycle parade, in the Strong & Free RV, five years after creating the Strong & Free plaque for patriotic Canadians. Just before the parade started, I had several members of the CAV (Canadian Army Veterans), including their leader, Trapper, ask me to put a Strong & Free Decal on their bikes. They told me how much it meant to them that Strong & Free encourages Canadians to be proud of their country - the country that they have so bravely fought for. The best way for us to show our appreciation to these men and women who keep us Strong & Free is to teach our children to celebrate Canada every day as well as those who keep us Strong & Free."

"On July 11, 2011, Reader's Digest reported that 47% of Canadians do not know our anthem! The Colour Me Canadian/Colore-moi Canadien colouring book, teaches children about Canada, our map, our money, our anthem, provinces and territories and is available as a soft cover book, online as an e-book and as a Blackberry app  world wide for $1.99. Free sample pages,  with our anthem and basics about Canada, are available to everyone on our website."

Kelly Ripa with a copy of Colour Me Canadian that she bought for her children! 

Now, you know that I love smart phone apps, colouring and Canada, so to me, this contest has it all! This really is a great colouring book for kids, with cute characters and lots of important information. As a matter of fact, I learned a few things from it myself! Thanks, Denise!

To participate in the contest, all you have to do is download one of the free Colour Me Canadian sample pages and give it to a child who is in any grade up to Grade 5. Next, have them colour the page and post it to the Strong & Free Facebook page. (It's chock full of Canadian celebs!). We will pick our favourite 3 entries. The first prize winner wins the entire colouring book and a "Canada is Cool" mini hockey stick . The second prize winner gets the colouring book plus a Strong & Free magnet and the third prize winner will receive the colouring book and a Strong & Free decal! Contest ends on Remembrance Day, November 11th at 11 AM. Winners will be announced later that day. Good luck and have fun!

What page will you colour first?

:: images courtesy of Strong & Free. 

Buy Canadian First member, Arlene Christmas, is Dozay, a native artist based in Western New Brunswick. Leaving the Tobique Reserve where she grew up, Dozay became a graduate of the Fine Arts program of NSCAD. Now, her distinct Canadian made artwork is displayed in galleries and exhibits across Canada and the United States and is available for sale on her website.

Arlene Christmas - Dozay

Dozay's paintings are full of colour and meaning. One of the features of her website that I really appreciate is that Dozay has included full interpretations of each of her works. She explains the native stories that have inspired her, which, in my opinion, adds to each painting's worth immensely. A visit to her site is like taking a gorgeously illustrated workshop on First Nation mythology!

Dozay has developed a distinct air brushing style that incorporates traditional First Nation symbolism, culture and heritage. Her understanding of and love for the spiritual elements that inform each of her creations is evident in all that she does.

You can find out more about what makes Dozay so unique at the Lieutenant-Governor's House Gallery in Fredericton, N.B.  this August 25, for the "Kluskap in Wolostoq" exhibit. Can't wait? Take a moment to enjoy this CTV video about Dozay Christmas, right now !

Do you appreciate Canadian art?Who is your favourite Canadian artist?

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian First member, Dozay's Native Art Gallery.

It's hard to believe that the Canadian made  ROYALE  kittens are over forty years old! They look as cute and soft as ever! As a matter of fact, when I mentioned to my husband how old the kittens are, he, too, commented on how soft they still look! Royale has done a good job of branding there! And get this: somehow they have made their tissue softer than ever! I think that the new commercial for Royale is adorable. It's called Kitten Tale.

ROYALE is the only Canadian consumer household paper brand that markets a full line of products including bathroom tissue, facial tissue, paper towels, and napkins under one familiar, trusted name. All Royale products are proudly made in Canada by Irving Tissue, which is part of the Irving Group, a company which employs thousands of Canadians and is committed to producing quality tissue products through responsible forest management. Royale's products carry the Sustainable Forestry Initiative logo which is a highly sought after certification only given to companies practicing sustainable forestry. Way to go! 

Royale Bathroom Tissue is dye and fragrance free, biodegradable, safe for your septic system and plumbing-friendly! So, don't hesitate to bring it to the cottage! And if your skin is sensitive, you'll be happy to know that Royale is certified hypoallergenic. And what about those gorgeous box designs!? Have a look at the winners of the tissue box design competition for 2011. 

  The Kittens on Facebook!

The kittens are setting a fine example by lending their paws to the cause of fighting women's cancers. Be sure to LIKE their page and $1.00 will be donated! Tell your friends, too and they can raise money as well, with a simple click. 

Have you clicked yet? 

:: images courtesy of Buy Canadian first member, Royale .