WithIt to host Toronto market event featuring designer Kimberley Seldon

Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 6, 2012

TORONTO — WithIt Canada will host a reception featuring designer and television personality Kimberley Seldon on Sunday, Jan. 15, during the Canadian Home Furnishings Market.

Kimberley Seldon

The event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the International Centre Hall 5A showroom of sponsor Palliser Furniture. The market runs Jan. 14-17.

WithIt Canada is part of the WithIt, the U.S.-based women's leadership development organization. The host for the Toronto reception will be WithIt President Julia Rosien, the first Canadian to lead the organization since it was founded in 1997. Rosien is a social media consultant and president of Socialnorth.com.

Seldon will discuss her newest book, "The Business of Design," an extension of a business education and mentoring service for professional interior designers she launched in 2006.

"Despite advances, many women in the home and furnishings industries still occupy seats outside the boardroom," Rosien said in a statement. "Kimberley is an industry leader who has spent her career aspiring to inspire and gives other women a place to plug into for advice, leadership and encouragement."

In addition to running Toronto-based Kimberley Seldon Design Group, Seldon has been design editor of Chatelaine and editor-in-chief of Dabble Magazine. She frequently appears on "CityLine" and other Canadian TV shows.

"More than a decade ago, I hired a professional business coach who mentored me through a rebuild of my design practice," she said. "Although I felt empowered around the creative aspects of interior design, I knew I was missing some fundamental skills required for running a business. I started Business of Design as an opportunity to share what I've learned over the years with other practicing design professionals."

In September, WithIt launched an international chapter covering Canada, Mexico, Asia and South America. Donna Bartlett, president of the Burlington, Ontario-based ViewIt Technologies, was named regional vice president of the new group.

Rosien said the guest list for the Toronto event will be capped at 150. There is no charge, but guests must be registered TCHFM attendees and must obtain tickets for the event online at http://withit-seldon.eventbrite.com/.