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Business Spotlight – JB Music Therapy, Music To Our Ears

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Not all of us are musicians, or will ever be, but we all have some deep-rooted love for music. The preferences we choose throughout our life tend to stay with us, and in turn, make us unique. The same way your choice of clothing is your own unique form of self-expression, our music preferences play a significant role in how we view ourselves. With that being said, have you ever considered how music makes you feel, or what role it can play for your mental well being? Listen to the beautiful “Serenade for Strings in E Major, Op. 22, B. 52: II.” composed by Antonín Dvořák and tell me you feel nothing.

 

Jennifer Buchanan

Jennifer Buchanan

Jennifer Buchanan, a bright light in the ecosystem of innovative entrepreneurs in Alberta, served her first client in September of 1991.

Her business, JB Music Therapy, 29 years in business, continues to connect music therapists to all walks of life, their youngest client being 2 months old to their oldest of 106 years of age. 

Their core value is built on the foundation of connection, whether that be connecting to music, families or simply peer to peer. Over the years, Jennifer has built a team of educated professionals in the field of psychology, mental health and music therapy, to which are all members of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. Jennifer speaks on moving to Alberta:    

“Alberta seemed ready for something different to reach the needs of the people, with some luck on my side because music therapy was new, it really started taking off…I quickly transitioned from a private practice, to somebody that wanted to create more jobs for other music therapists. Today we are a team of 23” 

 

JB Music Therapy offers a wide array of services. Jennifer and her team have strived to offer multiple group programs for all walks of life, to name a few, those with disabilities, care homes, children with learning difficulties and corporate wellness in the workplace. Prior to COVID-19, they were actively visiting over 170 locations a week for in person group and individual sessions. Of course with the cancellation of every group event across the country, Jennifer and her team wanted to ensure they could still offer music therapy to those who could benefit, establishing online resources that can be utilized from home. Jennifer speaks on how pivoting during a pandemic has helped her discover a new avenue to offer support:

“We will now forever offer virtual music therapy so we can continue to reach those most vulnerable, so people can get the support they need… we are running national groups now, we have connected with national organisations to offer our programs online, that is something we are very excited about and never considered outside of a conference or seminar setting”

 

Award Winning

Jennifer has played a considerable role for music therapy in Canada, serving as president of the Canadian Association of Music Therapy for 5 years, a professional public speaker, multiple nominations by the Calgary Chamber of Commerce for her work in the community and an author of two award winning books, “Wellness Incorporated” and “Tune In”. For new entrepreneurs looking to start a business the right way, or those hoping to attain a higher understanding of music therapy, these books are worth checking out.

 

The Norma Sharpe Award is the most prestigious award in music therapy in Canada. It is awarded to those who have made historical and outstanding contributions to the field of music therapy. Jennifer is one of the few people in Canada to ever receive this award.

 

“I hope I have been able to raise the profile of music therapy in some way over my lifetime, and to help create jobs in this field…frankly it was a real honor to receive this award. Norma Sharpe being the founder of music therapy in Canada, I never considered that I would receive this lifetime achievement”

 

If you would like to learn more about the tremendous work being done by the team at JB Music Therapy, and the programs they currently have available, visit their website here, or social media links below.

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For more stories, visit Todayville Calgary

Automotive

Nissan, Honda scrap $60B merger talks amid growing tensions

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Nissan is reportedly abandoning merger talks with Honda, scrapping a $60 billion deal that would have created the world’s third-largest automaker. The collapse raises questions about Nissan’s turnaround strategy as it faces challenges from electric vehicle competitors and potential U.S. tariffs.

Key Details:

  • Nissan shares dropped over 4% following the news, while Honda’s stock surged more than 8%, signaling investor relief.
  • Honda reportedly proposed making Nissan a subsidiary, a move Nissan rejected as it was initially framed as a merger of equals.
  • Nissan is struggling with financial challenges and the transition to EVs, still reeling from the 2018 scandal involving former chairman Carlos Ghosn.

Diving Deeper:

Merger talks between Nissan and Honda have collapsed, according to sources, after months of negotiations to form an auto giant capable of competing with Chinese EV makers like BYD. The proposed deal, valued at over $60 billion, would have created the world’s third-largest automaker. However, differences in strategy and control ultimately derailed the discussions.

Reports indicate that Honda, Japan’s second-largest automaker, wanted Nissan to become a subsidiary rather than an equal merger partner. Nissan balked at the idea, leading to the collapse of negotiations. Honda’s market valuation of approximately $51.9 billion dwarfs Nissan’s, which may have fueled concerns about control. The failure of talks sent Nissan’s stock tumbling more than 4% in Tokyo, while Honda’s shares rose over 8%, reflecting investor confidence in Honda’s independent strategy.

Nissan, already in the midst of a turnaround plan involving 9,000 job cuts and a 20% reduction in global capacity, now faces mounting pressure to restructure on its own. Analysts warn that the failed merger raises uncertainty about Nissan’s ability to compete in an industry rapidly shifting toward EVs. “Investors may get concerned about Nissan’s future [and] turnaround,” Morningstar analyst Vincent Sun said.

Complicating matters further, Nissan faces heightened risks from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump’s trade policies. Potential tariffs on vehicles manufactured in Mexico could hit Nissan harder than competitors like Honda and Toyota. The stalled deal also impacts Nissan’s existing alliance with Renault, which had expressed openness to the merger. Renault holds a 36% stake in Nissan, including 18.7% through a French trust.

While both Nissan and Honda have stated they will finalize a direction by mid-February, the collapse of this deal signals deep divisions in Japan’s auto industry. With Nissan’s financial struggles and the growing dominance of Chinese EV makers, the company must now navigate an increasingly challenging market without external support.

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Business

USPS suspends inbound packages from China, Hong Kong

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The U.S. Postal Service has suspended the acceptance of inbound packages from China and Hong Kong, citing security and policy concerns. The move comes as President Donald Trump enforces new tariffs to curb the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States.

Key Details:

  • The suspension affects international parcels but does not impact letters or flat mail from China and Hong Kong.
  • Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 1st, imposing a 10% tariff on imports linked to China’s synthetic opioid supply chain.
  • In response, China has announced retaliatory tariffs and launched an anti-monopoly investigation into U.S. tech firms.

Diving Deeper:

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced the immediate suspension of inbound package acceptance from China and Hong Kong, a move aligned with President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to crack down on illicit drug trafficking. While the suspension blocks parcels from entering the country, it does not impact letters or flat mail, according to the USPS statement.

The decision comes as Trump signed an executive order on Feb. 1st, imposing a 10% tariff targeting Chinese chemical companies accused of fueling the fentanyl crisis in America. The order alleges that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has subsidized firms exporting fentanyl precursors, which are frequently used to manufacture synthetic opioids that have contributed to tens of thousands of American deaths.

“These companies exploit international trade loopholes, using fraudulent invoices, deceptive packaging, and re-shippers to evade detection,” Trump stated. The administration argues that these tactics enable the smuggling of lethal drugs into the U.S. under the guise of legitimate commerce.

China has responded swiftly to the escalating trade measures, announcing countertariffs on key U.S. exports, including coal, liquefied natural gas, crude oil, and agricultural equipment. Additionally, the Chinese government has initiated an anti-monopoly probe into Alphabet Inc.’s Google while adding U.S. companies PVH Corp. and Illumina to its “unreliable entities list.” Beijing has also imposed export restrictions on rare earth metals essential to high-tech industries.

The USPS suspension, combined with the new tariffs, signals a renewed push by Trump to hold China accountable for its role in the opioid crisis while reinforcing his America First trade agenda. With tensions mounting between the two global powers, further economic retaliation from Beijing remains a possibility.

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