Posted by: kstewart in Untagged on
Aug 24, 2008
Addition of Edmonton Satellite and Second Calgary Offices Signals Start of Rapid Expansion Plans
Calgary, AB, July 23, 2008 - Fairway Divorce Solutions, Ltd., a leading alternative divorce solutions firm, today announced the opening of its first two additional franchises. One has opened in Edmonton and a second in Calgary, rolling into action a strategic plan to aggressively expand its operations throughout Canada and the United States. The Fairway flagship office opened its doors in 2006.
"We are extremely pleased to grow our successful Fairway Divorce Solutions® franchise beginning right here in Alberta. The new Edmonton satellite and second Calgary offices are the first of many to be opened throughout Canada and eventually the United States." said Karen Stewart, President and CEO, Fairway Divorce Solutions. "We have responded quickly to heightened demand. Since our inception, it became apparent clients valued our revolutionary new system for divorce, which uses a practical, step-by-step process to dramatically reduce time, reduce costs, the emotional pain of traditional divorce and, most importantly, to protect the children."
Posted by: kstewart in Untagged on
Jul 9, 2008
As soon as my book was fresh off the press, my media book tour kicked off. For five weeks starting May 17 until June 26, I visited five major cities across Canada to talk about Clean Break: How to Divorce with Dignity and Move on with Your Life. The media tour landed me in studios in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, and Toronto. I also had radio interviews with media from Kitchener/Wingham (Ontario), St. John (New Brunswick), and Minneapolis (Minnesota, U.S.).
I must say, it was an exciting whirlwind of flight itineraries, interviews and packed schedules back to back-all the while juggling priorities at Fairway Divorce Solutions® as we start to launch franchises. Yes, it's a busy yet exhilarating time as both the book and the business begin new chapters. (FYI: The second Calgary location has officially opened! Please visit www.FairwayDivorce.com for more information.)
I appeared on talk shows for both radio and TV, including Breakfast Television, CTV Noon News, Global TV Morning News, Shaw TV, Business News Network (BNN), CHCH-TV, Big Brain Radio Show, The Gary Doyle Show and The Tom Young Afternoon News Show.
Needless to say-WOW!!
Posted by: kstewart in Untagged on
May 16, 2008
My book Clean Break: How to Divorce with Dignity and Move on with Your Life is, at last, hot of the press and I am thrilled to finally be able to share it with you and so many others. Knowing that Clean Break has the power to change the way divorce happens makes it worth the three years of sleepless nights and the endless hours of rewrites upon rewrites.
Of course, there is a certain amount of pride that goes with seeing my thoughts, story and ideas in print, but the real gift will come when this book makes a difference in the lives of divorcing families. It was through my difficult journey that I was able to write this book, create The Fairway ProcessTM and build Fairway Divorce Solutions ®. You might say it's like making lemons out of lemonade.
Question: How can I minimize costs associated with divorce?
Karen: Let's face it: Divorce is costly enough without the extortionate lawyers' fees. During a divorce, people lose, on average, three-fourths of their personal net worth. So to answer your question about how to minimize costs associated with divorce, here is my advice:
Be smart. Be pragmatic. And be greedy. Keeping your family's assets in the family is hardly a crime. The long and bitter battles engendered by the traditional system of divorce destroy wealth in three ways:
- There are the hard costs associated with divorce: legal fees, property valuations, third-party assessments, and so on.
- The devaluation of assets as they remain tied up until a final resolution is reached is a cost for which many people fail to account for, yet it can be one of the most significant.
- The value of assets may diminish through neglect as the responsible party's attention is consumed by the legal chaos surrounding the divorce.
Posted by: kstewart in FAQs on
Feb 24, 2008
Your divorce expert - Karen Stewart
Question: Why is it that just when we finally get everything we dreamed of, our marriage fails?
Karen: For more than 17 years, I have been helping people manage their finances; in the last 4 years specifically, I have been helping divorcing couples manage their finances and children. Within these combined years (two decades in fact), people have continuously come to me saying: "Wow, we just finished building our dream home and we have everything we have worked so hard to achieve. Now our marriage is over."
Why? Why? Why? It seems that perhaps the glue that holds couples together is no longer sticking. How many times how you heard "empty nest syndrome"? This typically occurs in homes where a child(ren) move out and the parents suddenly realize how lonely they feel. There they are-mom and dad-living under the same roof with nothing in common.
Posted by: kstewart in Seasonal on
Jan 22, 2008
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it can be particularly difficult for those going through divorce or just recently divorced. Likely, our friends that are in relationships are busy ordering flowers, making dinner reservations and planning that special day to share with their spouse or significant other. February 14 is coming and while we may want to pretend it does not exist - all the reminders in the malls, stores, ads on TV and news print - smack us right in the face. As you know, I enjoy redefining how we see things by altering our perspectives to find hope and excitement with new beginnings, especially when it comes to divorce. So bring it on -- Valentine's Day.
Posted by: kstewart in Franchise News on
Jan 15, 2008
Fairway Divorce Solutions Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Cameron Herold,
former chief operating officer of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, to the newly established position of Executive Vice President of Corporate Development.
As a veteran entrepreneur, Herold will lend his expertise to drive business growth and franchising opportunities for Fairway Divorce Solutions throughout Canada and the United States. Herold will focus on Fairway's long-term business strategy and will ensure Fairway maintains its position as a leading-edge alternative divorce solutions provider.
"On behalf of the executive team, I am pleased to welcome Cameron to the role of executive vice-president of corporate development," said Karen Stewart, Founder and CEO of Fairway Divorce Solutions. "Cameron brings more than 21 years of key experience in branding, business development, franchising, and strategic alliances and will be a great addition to the executive team. His proven track record will help execute Fairway's expansion initiatives and growth opportunities moving into 2008 and beyond."
Posted by: kstewart in Seasonal on
Dec 13, 2007
The festive holidays are here and it can be a merry one, even for those of you going through a divorce. These are the times to step away from your turbulent path and embrace the festivities with those you love-your children, your family, your friends and, most of all, yourself.
Below you will find simple steps to ensure that you survive the holidays with grace, delight and peace.
- With Family
Keep children top of mind. If you have them, make it a happy, joyous occasion with a big smile on your face. They have likely been through enough, just like you, but build this time just for them.
- Begin New Traditions
Rather than participating in traditions that took place prior to your divorce, come up with new ideas! Enjoy turkey and all the trimmings with family and friends; or perhaps take the children on a road trip or mini-holiday; volunteer at a local homeless shelter; or craft a creative gift treasure hunt in your house or backyard. Whatever you decide, bring forth anticipation and excitement for your children.
It is important that you keep your mind and time occupied because, out of the blue, you could be overwhelmed with emotion-it is Christmas after all-and anyone in pain finds it a difficult time.
b. Perform a Family Play - One year, the kids and I did a family play that I found on the Internet and we went around all Christmas day to friends' homes and brought cheer and performed our 15 minute play. We had fun and our friends and family loved it. And guess what? I did not have time to wallow in my pain. It turned out to be a great day for all of us.
Posted by: kstewart in FAQs on
Nov 23, 2007
Not long ago, I was speaking to a group of people about Fairway's new divorce paradigm. Although they were unanimously excited by the idea and enthusiastically vocal that it is long overdue, they had difficulty even imagining a softer, less painful, less damaging approach to divorce. Even in these progressive times, the idea of "divorce" still packs a heck of a negative punch.
I understand first-hand because of the hard lessons learned from my own divorce through the traditional system. Though it was difficult to endure at the time, the experience of my divorce has given me a new life purpose: to help others avoid the pitfalls that shell-shocked me into a numbing inability to cope during the ordeal and prevented me from moving practically and proactively toward a solution.
P. Bradley Hunter is absolutely correct in stating that court-driven divorces are "vicious, uncivil and nasty." However, there are not only two divorce methods available to divorcing couples in Canada, there are six. As Mr. Hunter mentioned, there is the collaborative law method and the court system method; in addition are four other methods, including negotiation, mediation, do-it-yourself and arbitration.
On a more significant note, I have to disagree with Mr. Hunter's statement that "collaborative law is efficient and effective". While collaborative law is a step in the right direction, the process still involves lawyers from beginning to end. I believe lawyers only need to be present in finalizing a divorce, not planning or negotiating a divorce. Is it not the matrimonial lawyers who create chaos rather than find resolve? Collaborative law may be effective in very specific cases, but keep in mind that these cases are not the norm. In fact, many couples going through a divorce are usually good people in a bad situation looking to find a way to move through it with their bank accounts and integrity in tack.
As an alternative divorce solution provider and financial advisor, I can state unequivocally that a "civil" divorce is possible with a lawyer only present at the end. Alternative divorce solutions like the one I offer are innovative in reducing costs, reducing time, reducing stress and, most importantly, sparing the children. Civilizing divorce can only come from change-beginning with offering solutions that are outside the practice of law.
