Spicer Facilitation

10/06/2026

Congratulations to all the CBDC organizations across the province for the support they provide our entrepreneurial community. I am grateful for the funding they provide my clients for hiring me for consultative services or entrepreneurial training. I have worked directly with over half of them providing services to clients in various regions. Looking forward to continuing our relationship. 💜

Be sure to check out their annual report to see the positive impact they are making in our communities and the lives of small business owners. NL Association of CBDCs

09/23/2026

Missed yesterday's Entrepreneur Coffee Break? Check out the recording. 💜

09/20/2026

Someone is happy Momma is home. 💙 After a week on the road, it takes a few days to unpack and shift gears to the reporting phase of my contracts. Ready to tackle the flip charts and notes I brought back with me.

09/19/2026

Experiencing the Ag Expo through the eyes of our grandson is very special. 💙 Congratulations to NL Federation of Agriculture on a new layout for this important community event. Be sure to drop by this weekend to support our local producers, researchers, and suppliers.

As I wandered through the market I was struck by how many people I know and how many organizations I have worked with including:
💚 Women in Agriculture NL
💚 NL Young Farmers
💚 NL Beekeeping Association
💚 Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador
💚 Agriculture In The Classroom NL
💚 Sheep Producers Association of NL
💚 Robbins Family Farm

I hope everyone has a fabulous expo!

09/17/2026

So long Happy Valley-Goose Bay! Thanks Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador for trusting me to facilitate important housing conversations.

09/15/2026

When you have to work on your birthday, waking up in a glamping dome is not a bad way to start the day! 🎈🎉🎂

Thank you to Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador for bringing me back to facilitate a discussion with your board and staff to develop your next 3-year strategic plan. It’s hard to believe it’s been three years since we developed your 2024-26 plan. I appreciate the candid discussion today and high engagement of everyone in attendance.

Home for 13 hours before flying to Goose Bay in the morning to join my clients at Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador. Looking forward to facilitating important housing discussions in the region.

Thank you to everyone who took time to message, text, and call today. I am grateful for all the love. ❤️

09/04/2026

Are you looking for a speaker for your next event? Check out my profile on eSpeakers!

Hire Carole Spicer at eSpeakers Marketplace. Carole’s mission is simple: to help others find strength in their stories, lead with intention, and build meaningful connections that last.

09/01/2026

Last week I had the honour of emceeing the Sowing Strength, Harvesting Leadership workshop with Women in Agriculture NL in Steady Brook, NL. As emcee, I generally do not participate in breakout groups or other activities as I am ensuring the event is running smoothly, on time, and responding to my client's needs. I do, however, listen to the keynote speakers. Wow, this year's speakers did not disappoint!

Opening keynote was delivered by Lyne Robichaud of Farm Credit Canada. She challenged us to take action within 48 hours of the conference; do not let our fear stop us. While I am still pondering the action I will take, another part of her message resonated with me. It is about authenticity. Lyne shared her experience when she took on a new role leading a team. She dressed as she thought she SHOULD, acted as she thought she SHOULD, and shared very little of her personal self with her team and colleagues. She was surprised and taken aback when feedback from her team was not what she expected. As she shared her feelings with her husband he challenged her to be herself.

When I worked in Ontario, I never shared personal information about myself with clients or participants at my events. Somehow it seem unprofessional and to be honest, there was an element of security involved. Did I want people to know exactly where I lived? In a recent conversation with a former colleague from when we both worked in the public service, somehow we knew the "code"; dress conservatively in muted colours, remain neutral, say little.

The closing keynote speaker was Tammy Priddle from the Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority. Tammy got Lyne's memo. She arrived proudly wearing a red blazer with kick-a** red shoes to match! She talked about completely shifing gears from healthcare to aviation. She shared how her background in healthcare helped her guide the airport through a global pandemic. She remained true to herself throughout the difficult times.

Both of these speakers challenged me to think about how I present myself. Building on my last post about the interconnected community we have in Newfoundland and Labrador, some of my old ways simply do not work. When I was first asked about where I lived, I gave my community only (Ontario thinking). I was asked what street (in Ontario I only ever gave major cross streets). The response was, "Oh! You must be the new beige house just built!" So much for security! 😉 I remember seeing my clients (gov colleagues) in the grocery store or at my daughters' schools when I was dressed casually. My Ontario reaction was they must think I am so unprofessional.

Thankfully, our NL community accepts me as a I am. It helps me be real and build relationships with those I serve. So if you see me proudly wearing my Leafs gear or dancing to Billy Idol in a hospitality suite (right Rick?), it does not make me less of a facilitator, emcee, or keynote speaker. It makes me authentic. 💜 Thank you Lyne and Tammy for your inspiring stories.

08/30/2026

📍Newfoundland and Labrador is large in geography, yet small in community. 🏘️

Over a 10-day period I travelled the island portion of our province for both pleasure and work. I was reminded of how connected we really are.

✨ August 19-21, 2026: Gander and Eastport Peninsula

My aunts and I went to see Come From Away. What a fantastic show. On the way to Gander, we detoured into Appleton to see the piece of the World Trade Centre on display at their Peace Park on the waterfront. We also visited the International Lounge at Gander International Airport. While there, I stopped to chat with Troy Turner, Reporter with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador, and Reg Wright, President & CEO of the Airport Authority. I did some work with Reg and his board a few years ago and Troy used to live in Pasadena. It was great to reconnect and chat about mutual connections.

My client Winterset in Summer Literary Festival has twice brought me to Eastport, however both times was in March. I vowed to go back in the summer. We had a wonderful time exploring over 14 communities! If you make it to Salvage, be sure to check out Salvaje Brewing Co. They have turned an old fish plant into a wonderful place to stop for a bite to eat and grab your beverage of choice.

✨ August 23-25, 2026: Cormack and Steady Brook

Sunday began with helping the ladies of Women in Agriculture NL set up for their Sowing Strength, Harvesting Leadership workshop the next day. I met/reconnected with Kelly Daynard, Executive Director of Farm & Food Care Ontario (We are positive we have met in a previous setting however not sure where!).

That evening we travelled to The Rumor Mill in Cormack for an event with NL Federation of Agriculture. NLFA was my first client when I started my business over eight years ago. One of my contracts was travelling the province to engage farmers in allowing Living Labs to be established on their farms. It was very rewarding to hear students present their project results. Congratulations to Melvin and Diana Rideout for working with researchers in the community. The next time you are in Cormack, be sure to drop in for the Brisket Poutine at the Rumor Mill!

Monday, I was emcee for an absolutely fabulous day. The speakers were incredible, the food - majority sourced locally - was delicious, and the connections were amazing. On Tuesday, WIA-NL held its first official AGM and elections. As a member, I am proud we adopted a set of bylaws, and voted in a full slate for our Board of Directors. Congratulations to all!

✨August 26-28, 2026: St. John’s

I was honoured to be asked back by International Education NL to facilitate their next 3-year strategic plan. We first met several years ago when we worked together for their first plan. During a break, I was chatting with the vice chair about people we may both know on the West Coast. We were both shocked and pleased to discover we are related! Her father is my second cousin thru my maternal grandfather. 🥰

While joining former colleagues for supper at a local restaurant, the first person I saw while waiting was a cousin from Burin! She was in for a medical appointment.

It was a whirlwind 10 days. I connected with over 100 family, friends, and clients. The lines between them are blurred and even obliterated. So many clients have become friends, and on this trip, one is a newly discovered cousin. I am happy to be home for a couple of weeks with my boys ❤️ 🐈‍⬛ 🐈 before the next road trip. Up next, I will be working with repeat clients Egg Farmers of Newfoundland and Labrador and Municipalities Newfoundland & Labrador in Grand Falls-Windsor and Happy Valley-Goose Bay respectively. 💜 I wonder who I will see on this trip? 🤔