Joelle Goddard-Cooling began her specialty retail career working for Elaine and Bernard Scrivener. Beyond the retail sales and marketing experience that the Scriveners offered Joelle, was a sense of community – a respect and a responsibility to give back.
Throughout the 14 years that she has owned her own successful retail operation, she has maintained the Scriveners’ philosophy.
In-store fundraisers and larger fashion shows have always been a part of the marketing plan at Joelle’s. Fashion Shows for Breast Cancer Support Services, and more recently for the Juravinski Cancer Centres, have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. Smaller events are always planned to support various charities throughout the year. Donating to silent auctions and sponsoring other organizations events are also important to Joelle. She is also a big supporter of education – placing co- op students in the store, speaking to career classes and supporting school fundraisers.
While the time dedicated to running a retail operation that is open seven days a week does not allow Joelle to do as much volunteer work as she would like to, she feels that donations and connecting people and businesses together are effective ways to help. Growing ones own business allows one to be able to contribute even more. Neil Young recently pointed this out in his acceptance speech for the Humanitarian Award he won at the JUNO Awards. He encouraged musicians to make their music first and then, “if you’re lucky and you have an opportunity, it’s a good thing to do, to go ahead and try to do something yourself.”
Joelle is an active part of the Burlington Downtown Business Association’s advertising and promotion committee. Nelson Youth Centres, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, Carpenter Hospice, Lakeside Festival of Lights, Easter Seals, Halton Learning Foundation, Halton Food for Thought, Burlington Art Centre, The Performing Arts Centre and numerous other organizations have been contributed to. Currently, Joelle is excited about their involvement with the Cinderella and Prince Charming Project and her upcoming fashion show for the proposed CIBC Breast Assessment Centre at Juravinski Hospital.
“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it”. Words to live by from Albert Einstein!
Joelle thanks the Rotary Clubs for the honour of this recognition!
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