The owner of ActiveLife Physiotherapy and Wellness is the winner of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE) 2015 Hebron Community Impact Award. The award, presented Thursday in St. John’s, recognizes an entrepreneur whose business has a significant impact on the local community economically and/or socially.
When the physiotherapist opened her business in Deer Lake three years ago, she wanted to add to the well-being of the community. While her clinic and its health expertise would do that, she had more in mind.
“That is one of the reasons I wanted to own my own business; it gives me the flexibility to be able to bring different wellness programs to the community,” she said.
Short has moulded her business to promote physical activity and wellness, including free programming for people in the community. Short leads “neurofit” classes for people who experience pain, stiffness and loss of muscle tone or weakness associated with neurological conditions, a 50-plus exercise program, “mama fit” for pre- and postnatal mothers, and “developing fit” for caregivers and their children.
The Deer Lake native says she gained so much from volunteers throughout her upbringing in Deer Lake — whether it was in school, church or playing basketball — so she humbly says she is just returning the favour.
Receiving the award means a lot to her.
“It is pretty close to my heart,” she said of contributing to the community. “That’s how I became who I am.”
Twitter: @WS_CoryHurley
Other NLOWE winners
• Newfoundland and Labrador Credit Union Start-Up Award: Andrea Irene Rowe, Airo Landscape Design
• Scotiabank Innovation Award: Sarah Bennett, Summer Services LTD (UC Baby and A New Beginning Massage Therapy)
• Visionary Award: Katie Hayes, Bonavista Social Club
• Export Award: Cindy Roma and Sydney Ryan, Telelink
• RBC Royal Bank Entrepreneurial Excellence Award: Dallas Mercer, DMC Consulting
• Corporation of the Year Award: Emera Newfoundland and Labrador
