Halifax.  My hometown.  The place I lived my life for 35 years.  You would think I know it like the back of my hand and have my finger on the pulse of all things decorating and staging related.  HA! 

Five years ago my family relocated to London, Ontario and I built my Decorating business there.  I assumed moving  home to Halifax and transferring my business would be a simple procedure.  I expected to find the same kinds of networking groups for women, small business owners and a community of CDECA (Canadian Decorating Association) members to touch base with and draw experience from.  There is definitely a different dynamic, here in Canada's Ocean Playground.  Our location leaves us at a disadvantage for a lot of suppliers and distributors and professional development for our trade through associations is few and far between.  Even in London I had to go to Toronto but that was not too much of a burden several times a year.  It allowed me to connect with fellow decorators, designers and stagers in my area and the seminars offered to CDECA members by suppliers were invaluable and helped build reliable relationships to the benefit of all involved.

I can't figure out if it is just a small, closed community or if the industry here on the east coast has just not experienced the growth of other areas.  I value the opportunity to get together and socialize with others in my trade and truly believe there is strength in numbers and enough work for everyone. 

I welcome the input of those of you who have been here while I have been away.  Any suggestions where to look for network opportunities? 

Thanks to anyone and everyone in advance!