March 31, 2007    Cover Photo: William Hart
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Every STRONG & FREE Canadian can make a difference!‏

From:	Denise Dow (denisedow@hotmail.com)
Sent:	December 29, 2009 7:03:04 PM
To:

 By Paula White - KV Style Cover Story March 31, 2007
 

Denise Dow loves her country.

And she’s not afraid to show it.

Denise believes many other Canadians are patriotic and want to show their pride as well, which is why the Quispamsis resident created an emblem that can be mounted on homes, businesses and cottages. Made of high-impact plastic, it consists of three maple leafs over a banner that states, “Strong & Free”.

  “I wanted something that Canadians would identify with, and ‘Strong & Free’ is a core part of our anthem and represents how Canadians feel about their country,” said Denise, a 48-year-old project executive and mother of teenage children.

  The creation of a Canadian emblem is a long-time dream come true for Denise. As a teenager, when she used to visit her cousins in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, she noticed that many homes proudly featured the American eagle emblem. She often thought how nice it would be if Canadians had something similar for their own homes.

  “Canadians have every right to be proud of their country, as we support human rights and do our best to be good world citizens,” she said.

  Last fall, Denise decided it was time to turn her dream into a reality. After coming up with a design (she did so by tracing maple leaves from her own backyard), she pitched her idea to Canadian Tire. To her delight, the company’s outdoor décor buyer agreed to place it on national trial in 455 stores across Canada. The Rothesay store already has some on the shelf in the seasonal department and is collaborating with other Atlantic stores to do the same.

  Denise said the feedback from many consumers about Strong & Free has been very positive, with comments such as, “It’s about time Canada has something like this.” Some, however, were more hesitant, wondering whether Canadians were as patriotic as Americans.

  “I feel strongly that Canadians are very patriotic. We are modest but we are also proud,” Denise said. “My intention is to create a virtual wave from the East Coast to the West Coast, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean – a wave of Strong & Free – to arrive in time for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.”

  The emblem is approx 16 inches wide and comes in several colours and finishes. Denise pointed out that the black finish is such that it can be painted to match the colours of one’s home. The emblems are low-maintenance and can be hung over the garage, by the front entrance, on mailboxes or on RVs, camper trailers or cottages.

  The emblems, which also come in a French version, are being manufactured by Paul LeBlanc of Plastech, a company in Notre Dame, near Moncton. Denise was overcome with emotion when Mr. LeBlanc sent her first shipment of samples.

  “I opened the box and tears came to my eyes,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that Strong & Free was actually being manufactured for real. I was overwhelmed. At that point I felt like I had made my dream come true.”

  Denise says she is not an artist, but as a child, she always enjoyed tracing and woodburning. She also “comes from a family of do-it-yourselfers.” Before pitching her idea to Canadian Tire, for example, she wanted to have a prototype made to show executives along with her design. When she discovered it would be too time-consuming, not to mention costly, she decided to make her own. She carved one out of wood in her sister’s workshop over her Christmas holidays.

  “Both my mother and my father are very creative that way,” Denise said. “In fact, I think we enjoy the thrill of solving challenges like that – finding ways to create things we need.”

  Even though getting her company – Strong & Free Emblem Inc. – up and running and marketing her product has been a very time-consuming venture for Denise, it is, in fact, only a sideline. She already works full-time as a project executive for IBM. She has been working in the computer industry since 1976, well before computers were part of mainstream living.

  Denise has received overwhelming support and encouragement for her venture from family, friends and business contacts. Her family has been especially supportive, even helping with the business. Her daughter for example, put stickers on the back of the emblems and her son has been distributing promotional cards. Denise also wanted to thank fellow KVer Philip Tetreault of City & District Web Development, who designed and hosts the Strong & Free website.

  “I’ve always been very fortunate and have many great people in my circle. I have a good life and I try to live every day to its fullest,” Denise said. “At this point in my life, I am planning for retirement and I also want to give back. I am doing this for my children and for the benefit of other Canadians. The message I have for the next generation of young Canadians is this – even a computer geek like me can make a lifelong dream come true in something that’s totally out of my field. You can do anything; you just need to believe in yourself. No other country compares to Canada when it comes to opportunity and standard of living, so be proud to be Strong & Free.”

  In addition to her emblems, Denise plans to produce other Strong & Free items as well, including jacket patches, bumper magnets and stickers and lapel pins. All have been ordered through Key Industries in Saint John. For more information about the product, visit www.strongandfreeemblem.com.

Paula, thank you for your  encouragement, your wonderful article and allowing me to use it for my website !       Denise
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