"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" rT PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 30, 2001 - § Truly a rags to riches story Hard work has made Scugog's own Paula Lishman a Canadian success tale By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star When Paula Lishman learned she had been selected as one of the top 100 women business women in Canada for the second consecutive year, the Blackstock entrepre- neur admitted she felt quite flattered. It was all hard work with a focus to succeed that got to where she is today. Her's is truly a "rags to riches" story. "We went from welfare in 1971 to being ranked as one of 100 top women business owners," she says, adding that her busi- ness primarily employs women. "lI want to assure other women that they can do it, too. And, it isn't me alone that succeeded. It's every- one behind me that has made me successful." According to a survey conducted jointly by PROFIT, the magazine for Canadian entrepreneurs, and Chatelaine, the maga- zine that for 70 years has provided leading edge information on issues most relevant to women, Mrs. Lishman was ranked 41, the same as last year. Businesses were ranked on gross revenues for the most recent complete fis- cal year. In the survey, which can be found in its entirety in the October issue of PROFIT and the November issue of Chatelaine, Paula Lishman International revenue is listed at $8,928,000. Mrs. Lishman, who founded Paula Lishman International years ago, is known throughout the world for her versatile knit- ted fur garments. In the mid-1960s, when Mrs. Lishman was 17, she resorted to making her own clothes because find- ing fashionable clothing to fit her slim 6'3" frame was impossible. She began making clothes with leather and ended up with many scrap pieces. She'd cut these pieces into thin strips and knit with them. When this method was a success she decided to try it with fur. By cutting from the backs of the tanned pelts with a razor blade in a circular pattern, then twisting the strips, she invented a fur yarn that, when knit or woven, creat- ed a double-faced fur fab- ric exceptional in look and comfort. Out of this invention her Blackstock-based compa- ny was incorporated in . 1979. Since then it's grown from three employees to a whopping 165 local arti- sans. Her cottage industry employs 45 staff while 120 other employees knit, cut or assemble a range of fur garments in their home. Mrs. Lishman has served many positions in the fur industry. For many years she was the first vice- president of the Fur Council of Canada. A step up the ladder came about on Oct. 2 of this year when she was elected to serve as president of the council. As well, Mrs. Lishman was presented with the Maurice Memorial Award {pees Township 5 of Scugog SCUGOG ARENA 2" ICE PAD Fundraising Campaign Meeting November 1, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Scugog Community Centre 1655 Reach Street Individuals interested in assisting in the campaigning are invited to attend. For more information please contact 905-985-7346 ext. 115. in 2000 for her outstanding contribution to the fur trade. She was the first woman presented with the award in its 50-year history. "That was nice to get acknowledged before my peers," she says. It was also the first time her husband, Bill, had attended a Fur Fair too. "It was nice he was there to witness me receiv- ing this award," she added. Paula Lishman International creations include hair scrunchies, jackets, camisoles, blan- kets, capes, shrugs, full- length coats, fun hats and range anywhere from $25 to $10,000. Stores carrying these exquisite fashions can be found around the world. In Port Perry, at the rear of the Plum Loco store on Queen St, you can find one-of-a-kind prototypes, samples and returns at a very good price. The business is also starting to sell fur yarn. Mrs. Lishman is offering create-your-own tube shawls at Port Perry's Veni Vidi gallery on Nov. 28 and Dec. 8. To accent your wardrobe, a variety of furs in over 125 colours are available. "Paula Lishman dresses the world in fur" is the title of her web site at www _knitfurs.com. "I really love working with this natural, authentic product. It doesn't pollute the environment like syn- thetics do and is one of our country's abundant natural resources," she says. "I want to share it with the world." No] 10) 8121801000) 8 | DENA OF 1X OFS (ny cl ha Leh 399 Queen St., Port Perry gtonemooy 25 3 4 Care gent? Open 6:30am to 6:00pm & Available 15 months to 4 years. Limited Openings in other ages. 2 1/2 yrs. - 12 yrs. Openings now available in Nursery School & 6 hr. a day program Call Karen for more info 905-985-0800 PORT PERRY NSA RE (Ta RRS Ta LEEW ANE WER Wl [of ola g [=] * Dr. J. Cottrell » Dr. J. Hardy * Dr. L. Gideon ¢ Dr. C. Banfield * Dr. L. Poranganel ¢ Dr. H. Dewar © Dr. J. Zeisler * Dr. T. King (Orthodontist) ® Dr. T. Mcintyre (Periodontist) ---- Today's Smile... ---- A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory. Dental Care For The Entire Family to Evening & Saturday C Appointments Available Please Call 905-985-8451 Visit our website: www.iluvmydentist.com PACTS NONI a IS ((=T= ol alo] a ol =d=1 a, be KER For the second consecutive year, Paula Lishman has been named among Canada's top entrepre- neurs. She's ranked No. 41. 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