‘There are downs’: Top exec shares raw advice for women in business

Kathryn Chayka, a Timmins native named one of Canada’s most powerful women, shared leadership lessons at a sold-out Chamber luncheon.

The Timmins Chamber of Commerce celebrated International Women’s Day on Wednesday with a ‘Women in Business’ luncheon. The guest speaker was a Timmins native who was named one of Canada’s most powerful women last year for her restaurant leadership. Kathryn Chayka, born and raised in Timmins, leads JKC Restaurants – which operates in more 75 locations in Canada and across the globe.

“So as somebody that was raised in Timmins and somebody that’s seen a lot of success in business, as we’ve heard from her today, you know, really what it means to go into business,” said chamber president Melanie Dufresne.

“And how natural it was because she was brought up with entrepreneurship, how you have to take calculated risks investing in your in your people, in your workforce, the importance of that.”

Chayka said success is a result of how one shows up. The example she gave was one of her most notable business achievements – turning around the struggling Wendy’s restaurants in Quebec. She said the strategy to her was clear – eliminate friction from the people closest to the customer to deliver a better experience and if they win – the business wins.

Chayka said her title and bio sound like she’s made it in life, but there are still many challenges she deals with every single day.

“You don’t just move up and keep going up, you know, there’s downs,” said Chayka.

“(If) there weren’t downs, the ups wouldn’t be as exciting and so I think that’s a really important message for women,”

Chayka suggested women find what they enjoy doing – ‘something that feels good’ – and explore where that takes them.

Janna Burk, a business advisor with Link North, a program in Timmins offered through Timmins Economic Development Corporation said she welcomes women to seek guidance and assistance.

“We actually fund certain business sectors like the manufacturing, the industrial,” she said.

“Anyone that’s going maybe looking to do some, innovative project within the agri-foods agri-tourism sector, we like to fund and provide support for those businesses that are looking to either commercialize or scale their operations or even develop a new product or technology.”

The Women in Business luncheon was a sold-out event, including many women who hold leadership roles throughout the city.