G8 MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2013 THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR l THE SPEC.COM MICHELE STEEVES, EDITOR MSTEEVES@THESPEC.COM 905-526-3272 STYLE Happy at home Style tips offer versatility for entrepreneurs LISA HANNAM Think working at home is all PJs and yoga pants? Think again. With client meetings, updates on Skype and daily deliveries, style is important for the self-employed woman. Here are strategies for three women who run businesses from their homes. n Amanda Kinnard has run Inspire Marketing, a marketing and communications company, for the last eight years. “I have to look professional,” says Kinnard. “I have UPS coming to the door.” Her wardrobe for consulting with clients such as the Hamilton Port Authority, restaurant La Piazza Allegra or Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Ofﬁce, mixes traditional business pieces with jeans or a denim skirt, and boots and scarves. Strategy: Business separates, rather than a suit, are best for longevity, comfort and versatility. Pieces in a stretch blend worn with patterned ﬂats will give her the comfort she needs for the home ofﬁce, a client’s boardroom and walking her three children to school. A printed top adds interest and shows off her creative side. n Jodi Posavad has run Grassroots HR Consulting from her home for ﬁve years. The human resources consultant helps such companies as Gypsum Technologies and Hess Millwork. She will often wear leggings or sweats from her morning workout. She jokingly describes her classic style as boring but here’s the kicker: she will change her outﬁt three to four times a day to suit her clients’ work culture. Her challenge is ﬁnding suits she likes. “Everything is skinny. Business clothes aren’t very appealing.” Strategy: A bright patterned dress won’t be boring. It can work with her wardrobe staples and be worn with a blazer and heels. “When I’m meeting with multiple clients in a day I want to be able to wear something that is appropri- ate for all of them, and that’s why this dress is great,” says Posavad. “It can blend into many environments.” n Karen Hewko confesses she wore pajamas to pick up her two young sons from daycare a few weeks ago. “It was one of those days where they were too comfortable and I didn’t want to take them off,” says Hewko, a partner with Bump, Baby and Toddler Expo at the Careport Centre next month. She also blogs for thatmomblog.com, is a baby sign language coach and does pregnancy belly castings in plaster. When she meets with clients at her home and elsewhere she wants to be comfortable and casual. “I’m just starting to rebuild my wardrobe,” she says referring to a 60-pound weight loss. Strategy: Dress up denim with a top in a bright colour and a blazer rather than a casual jacket. “I love it. It’s really fun. It’s not something I would have picked for myself.” Photos by Barry Gray and Kaz Novak, The Hamilton Spectator / Amanda Kinnard’s makeup by Janet Granados, DamnItNanetMUA@gmail.com / Hair by Lisa Brandow, McKinnon Hair Design, 905-544-6601 / Jodi Posavad’s and Karen Hewko’s makeup by Lee-Anne Wilson, behindtheimage.ca / Hair by Kate Montani of Pure NV Salon & Spa, 905-388-0100 Right, Amanda Kinnard wears polyester, viscose and elastane blazer, $150, with polyester top, $60, viscose, polyester, polyamide and elastane pant, $80, from Mexx, Lime Ridge Mall. Schutz flats are from Solee Shoes, 230 Locke St. S., $176. Jodi Posavad wears DEPT viscose dress, $129, Brave bracelets, $60, GlamJulz crystal bracelet and earrings, $26, Michael Michael Kors pump, $138, from Joelle’s, 457 Brant St., Burlington. Centre, Karen Hewko wears cotton jacket, $100, with DKNY jeans, $90, polyester top, $60, flats, $30, synthetic bag, $50, bracelets, $22 for two, watch, $25, and ring, $15, from Addition Elle, Lime Ridge Mall. REPORTING... ON THE BALL. , thespec•com MARCH 2013 MARCH13 31-- 21, 2013 Have you got an idea to help make kids in Hamilton happier or healthier? The Hamilton Spectator’s SpecKids Unlimited is offering a grant of up to $25,000 to a person or organization with an outstanding project to improve the lives of children in our community. Applying is simple. Here’s how it works: visit www.speckids.ca and complete the steps. The deadline for applications - which can include written submissions, photos, drawings or video - is March 28th. Spec readers will decide the ﬁnal winner. The challenge is on! Who will meet it?? Choose from restaurants, jewellery, clothing, air conditioners, recreation, home improvement and much, much more! C M Y A $25,000 grant is waiting for the right idea. R0011918106 www.speckids.ca Apply by March 28th. Heather Greaves, Self-Care Mentor Body Therapies Yoga Training *participants must call to reserve a spot Tuesday, March 12 7:30 to 9 pm R0011947980 Bid online on hundreds of items featured with reserves at 50% of the retail value! For advertisers wanting to participate please contact your Hamilton Spectator sales representative today at 905-526-3438. An Interactive Introduction to Restorative Yoga The simplest idea can change a child’s life forever. Wellwood Juravinski House 501 Sanatorium Road, Hamilton Free parking! All Wellwood programs are free. 905-667-8870 www.wellwood.on.ca R0011956646 IT'S COMING...