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37 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday September 15, 2000 M a n n in g J e w e l l e r s GOLDSMITH & DIAMOND MERCHANT ------------------------- · Finest Quality · Reliable Service for 20 Years 125 CROSS AVE. · TRAFALGAR VILLAGE · 844-2668 To reach this section call 845-3824 B usiness Fax:337-5567 Separation kit author sp eak s from exp erien ce T h e p a in o f g o in g th r o u g h h is o w n m a r r ia g e s e p a r a tio n p r o m p te d N ic h o la s G o d fr e y to h e lp o th e r s d e a lin g w ith th e s a m e s itu a tio n By Nancy Alexander SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER s a financial consultant for Merrill Lynch, Nicholas Godfrey is confident in his ability to make the best invest ment decisions for his clients. It wasn't until recently, however, after going through a painful separation, that Godfrey real ized he could offer his clients something more than financial advice. Godfrey has taken what he has learned throughout his own marital separation journey and created a "Separation Kit" which he hopes will help others get through the process more smoothly. The kit deals with everything from financial and estate planning to re-entering the dating world. It includes a variety of brochures on sep aration and divorce seminars, parent support groups and even a "divorce checklist" which deals step-by-step with the question of how to protect yourself if you're considering divorce. The idea for the kit was hatched quite by chance when he happened to tell a family lawyer about a very helpful course he was taking called Separated Anonymous. The lawyer was impressed and asked if Godfrey could get him some brochures to hand out to clients. Godfrey went one step further and created his unique Separation Kit which became an instant y hit with lawyers and family and marriage coun selors. "When I got asked for the brochures, it start A ed me thinking about all the things I'd found helpful during my own struggle," he said. "I realized that I had accumulated a lot of knowl edge about the separation process that I could pass on to others." In a letter accompanying the kit, Godfrey sug gests that people avail themselves of three dis tinct teams to help them weather the separation process. The first is a legal/financial team (lawyer, accountant) which will represent you and educate you about property division, finan cial responsibilities and tax issues. The second includes your family doctor, counselors or sup port groups who deal with the emotional issues and help you adjust to the changes in your per sonal life. The third team involves a financial consultant, someone with expertise in dealing with the financial issues and strategies surround ing separation and divorce who can handle prob lems and enable you to turn your attention to the other important issues in your life. Godfrey says he hopes his kit will enable peo ple to get through the separation process more quickly and comfortably by not having to start from square one to find information. "Basically, we're trying to prevent people from having to re-invent the wheel each time," he adds. "Unfortunately, there is a great need out there for this type of thing right now. Boomers seem to be doing the same thing to divorce sta tistics that they did to housing and everything else--driving up the numbers." Anyone wishing further information or a copy of the kit can call 337-5449. ^ L Photo by Peter C. McCusker After going through a painful separation, financial consultant Nicholas Godfrey thought it would be helpful for others going through the same experience, to have a kit to guide them through the many issues surround ing separation...so he wrote one. Bridges to Connect for Success Better Business; i s L o c a l I T f ir m b u y s U .S . o p e r a tio n Willow Grove Pennsylvania. Delta is a systems integration firm serving central and northern New Jersey. Rob Peters, president of ASECO, said the purchase would help the company expand its U.S. operations and complement its current business. Ridges to Better A F o ru m fo r H a lto n 's N e w E n tre p re n e u rs Thursday October 5, 2000 Noon - 4:30pm · A ccess to mentors · Networking opportunity · Keynote Speaker · Lunch Reception · Round table discussion on business issues C o s t: $ 5 0 .0 0 ASECO Integrated Systems of Oakville, has acquired Delta Control Systems Inc. of New Jersey. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed. ASECO offers engineering and information technology advice to manufacturing firms in Canada and the U.S. with American offices in Image consultant hosting Caribbean cruise workshops Shannon Smith, president of Premiere Image International Inc. and BOB'S Cruises are offering executives and cus tomer-focused professionals a workshop at sea sailing the east ern Caribbean on Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, the ms Norwegian Sky, departing March 18th, 2001. Smith said this opportunity for business people to polish their presentation style and per sonal image will provide them with another strategic weapon in their arsenal of communica tion and negotiation skills. Smith, who writers a column for The Oakville Beaver, will conduct three onboard seminars addressing topics including Maximizing First Impressions, Communications Essentials, and Business and Social Etiquette. These will be supple mented by a session designed to address the specific roles that gender differences play in pre sentation and communication. Space is limited, so early action is recommended.This cruise is offered exclusively through BOB'S cruises. For more information about the symposium and cruise, call 416-338-2077. Halton Region Business Development Centre 1151 Bronte Road Oakville, Ontario To register or for more information call: (905) 825-6300 Information available on our website www.haltonbusiness.com Sears helping UNICEF celebrate 45th anniversary In conjunction with the 45th anniversary of Canada's ``Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund): Sears Portrait Studio will have UNICEF collection boxes on counters at all locations throughout Canada to accept donations. In addition, Sears Portrait Studio will give away a free 10 x 13 portrait of any child or adult dressed in a Halloween costume with any portrait purchase from SepL 15th-Oct. 31st. See www.sears-portrait.com for details. Consumers may also enter a contest for a chance to win one of three cash and portrait prizes by sharing their thoughts on how or why they plan to include "Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF' in their Halloween activities this year. Essay entries, ( 50 words or less), may be submitted online at www.sears-portrait.com, or mailed to `Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF Contest, Sears Portrait Studio, 1706 Washington Ave., St. Louis, MO 63103. USA Prizes include a First Place prize of $500 cash and a family portrait package valued at $200; a Second ~"300cashai Place prize of $ ) cash and a portrait package valued at $KX>, and a Third Place s prize of $100 cash and a portrait package valued at $50. BOG Business Developm ent Bankof Canada Banque de tfcvetoppement du Canada Ministry of Economic Development and Trade