OV Boss Babes

Originally from India, Aneeta Jacob knew that she wanted to study abroad and study social services in Canada, coming to Canada in 2018 and landed on Algonquin College Pembroke Campus' Social Services Worker Program after reading that it was one of the top colleges to attend in Canada, relocating to the Ottawa Valley and graduating from the SSW program in 2020.

Aneeta was one of Algonquin College Pembroke's first international student graduates and she reflects back on her time at school and in the Ottawa Valley fondly, reflecting on the skillsets she developed from her professors, the friendships she made and the community that embraced and welcomed her the minute she landed.

Aneeta is now enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta and is eager to share her story for how she wants to become a driving force for change in rural health care and is eager to make a difference in social services and in the health care field.

Stacy Taylor's entry into entrepreneurship was an interesting one that just happened to come at the right time with a once-in-a-lifetime contest opportunity that she didn't want to miss out on.

This former government worker turned business owner took a chance on herself and her business and left it all to go all in.... and was successful in winning the City of Pembroke's Win this Space contest in downtown Pembroke, securing her first location, courtesy of Sleepwell Property Management.

Stacy shares her personal journey of leaving her records management job and going all in with her canning and home cooked meals business, expanding and growing her team after a short period of time, becoming involved in the community and taking on the role as Board Chair of the PBIA Board - and all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship!

This month on our Babe Beyond the Brand Series, we are diving into the fascinating world of adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), which is a neurodevelopmental condition that seems to be affecting more and more adults, many in which are women.

Having ADHD affects how you pay attention, your sense of self control, simple forgetfulness, among other traits. And women specifically with adhd tend to not be diagnosed until later in life and end up with diagnoses of depression or anxiety for years before ADHD is ever part of the conversation.

But in 2024, we have more access to information than we’ve ever had. And People are more willing to share their experiences with ADHD, which is helping lessen the stigma around mental health. Traditional ADHD therapy often involves assignments to complete between sessions - leading to disappointment when it doesn’t get done (because HELLO, ADHD!)

I sit down with Jenna Free, certified ADHD therapist who sheds light on the often-overlooked world of ADHD, providing valuable insights and guidance for anyone navigating this complex condition.

OVBB is pleased to welcome Lindsey Gibeau, headshot and personal brand photographer!

✨STAND OUT.
✨GET SEEN.✨
✨BUILD AN ABUNDANT BRAND.✨

Capturing the essence of luxury, style, sought-after brand photographer Lindsey Gibeau takes a seat and shares what it takes for entrepreneurs to create a visual brand that stands out while appearing confident, captivating and professional, connecting with their audience in a bolder way. 👑🥂

In this exclusive Spotify and YouTube episode, Lindsey spills industry secrets and the lessons, tricks and knowledge she has learned in her years of experience as a brand photographer, including:

📸 How she elevates women and their presence online through a unique storytelling digital aspect by constantly showing up with confidence and ease

💁🏽‍♀️ Why it is important for a brand to show their face and who the individual or individuals are behind a business

🤳🏼 How entrepreneurs can effectively use their photos from their digital portfolio beyond using them on their website in the "about me" section or on an introduction social media post

👯‍♀️ How Lindsey collaborates with other women in similar and different industries, including other photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and personal stylists to help their clients take their photography session to the next level

Erin Grace always loved animals and was initially torn between becoming a registered veterinary technician or a veterinarian but didn't want to go to spend all her time in school, so thus she chose to become an RVT, finding her passion specifically with horses.

After moving to Smiths Falls and offering horse riding lessons, along with assisting friends with therapeutic care for their horses, Erin then became a certified Equine Massage Therapist, opening Equine Grace Therapy, providing therapeutic services to help improve the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of horses.

This is an industry that relies heavily on reputation, word of mouth and education, as Erin continually demonstrates to her clients that it is more than just a "feel good" massage that she offers but an investment in their horse's well being, working on their fitness, injury prevention, lessening anxiety, etc.

In this episode, Erin discusses:

🐴 The human-horse interaction and how we can gain their trust and develop a mutual partnership

🐴 The importance of horse business insurance and why it's crucial to protect your business, your horses and your clients

🐴 How she has structured Grace Equine Therapy to educate and encourage more people to consider horse therapy

✨💜 Ottawa Valley Fourth Annual Women's Collective 2024✨💜

This past International Women's Day, we welcomed four trailblazing boss babes: Jodie Primeau of Primeau Law, Kristin Leach of Hela Beauty and Medical, and Dr. Morgan Welburn of Renfrew Eye Clinic, where we will celebrated their personal empires and chatted intensely around three key themes:

✨Invest✨Inspire✨and Impact✨.

This year, our conversation focused on:

💰 How to invest for success - key fundamentals that every entrepreneur needs in order to become successful.

✍🏻🗣️ Addressing the complex challenges women in business are facing and areas that you yourself have faced over the years of breaking into specific industries

🫱🏼‍🫲🏻 The importance of key partnerships, catalyst organizations, making connections both in and outside of your field and the value they hold

👑🙌🏻 How these three boss babes are making an impact, through ongoing innovation, expansion, and growth

Many of us stumble into entrepreneurship by pure destiny. And often times, what we envision our business will look like typically changes once we do decide to go all in.

And that stands true for Jessica Yazdani, who initially had a dream of opening up a business in Merrickville but wound up purchasing a well known location in downtown Almonte. But her vision for carrying Canadian brands that values inclusivity, sustainability and quality was always a crucial component of her business values and when this opportunity presented itself to her, she was ready to go all in.

In this episode, Jess and I chat about:

🫶🏼 How Jess' love for the former store, Doree's Habit, led her to eventually purchasing the store from Brodie O'Connor (aka one half of the Blondie Apparel babes!)

👀 How she faced imposter syndrome after taking over the store and changing the name (and the surprising attachment of customers to the former name)

👗 Inclusive sizing, why fashion helps boost your confidence, and how Grace + Sparrow promotes body positivity

📲 We dive into the power of social media, the importance of an effective Instagram bio that stands out, and attracting more foot traffic

Located in Perth, ON, HLK Macarons is a micro-bakery born out of passion from baker and dessert enthusiast, Heather Kay, who specializes in making Italian macarons.

In this episode, Heather and I chat about:

🍥 How Heather started her micro-bakery and how she approached HLK Macarons with a business mindset

🍥 How Heather determined her price points by adding her mark up to calculated costs so that her customers are getting a quality product and she is making a solid profit

🍥 Tough hurdles Heather has experienced in the bakery business, from standing out on the socials, not worrying about her following count, and rude male counterparts
🍥 How Small Business Centre's Starter Company Plus Program helped Heather modify her business plan to help with her growth and success

Nala's Kitchen aims to provide delicious, authentic Indian cuisine, including rare South Indian delicacies, to the Ottawa Valley and surrounding areas throughout Ontario and Quebec. And with Divya Vivekanandan's expertise, traditional family recipes, and commitment to sustainability through local sourcing and eco-friendly practices, she ensures that you will enjoy a wholesome culinary experience through Nala's Kitchen !

In this episode...

✈️ Divya shares how at only 22, she immigrated to Canada and after relocating to the Ottawa Valley, knew she wanted to share her southern Indian cousine recipes

🥘 We talk about the challenges being a new cultural business, such as introducing foods to a rural community beyond traditional butter chicken and naan bread

💰We discuss Divya's pricing strategy - how she considered supply costs and preparation time to guarantee competitive yet profitable pricing

🫶🏼 We talk about rise of Indian cousine in the Ottawa Valley and why Divya thinks it has become so popular with locals

Growing up, Amy Robinson was immersed in her family-owned floral business, Keith's Flowers and Plants. Since early childhood, she accumulated a wealth of creativity and design expertise, finding her passion in the floral profession, but this wildflower realized that the 9-5 work-life just wasn't for her - and so, she opened Fleurish in the heart of Petawawa.

Although this passionate floral entrepreneur boasts that business is typically flowery and fun, as the saying goes, every rose has it thorn, and that means that in this episode, Amy enlightens us with the grits and grind behind the counter... and things get a pit prickly around here! 🌵😉

In this episode, Amy and I chat all about:

💐 Amy's connection to flowers and how they solidified that becoming a florist is iltimately what she wanted to do

🥀 The misrepresentation with online flower delivery companies and why it's a gamble when you order flowers online (and hurts our local florists!)

🌹 We talk about the unspoken floral holiday hustle and stressed out seasons, and how Any and her team persevere and get by during those crazy busy times without burning out

🌺 How negative Google and Facebook reviews can REALLY hurt our local businesses (and Amy sheds some petals on one particular customer experience story)

Dr. Isabelle Gagnon is a highly skilled and experienced chiropractor based in the Pontiac. With a passion for helping others and a commitment to providing personalized care, Dr. Gagnon has built a reputation for delivering exceptional chiropractic services to her patients.

But being a chiropractor and business owner hasn't been an easy road, as Dr. Gagnon reflects back to the beginning of her business and at the importance of offering chiropractic care to patients at her two locations in the Pontiac.

In this episode, Dr. Gagnon talks about:

✨ Why she chose to become a chiropractor, how she unintentionally became an entrepreneur, and the challenges surrounding being the only chiropractor in the Pontiac for the last 20 years

✨ Dr. Gagnon is honest about what her first year of business was like, building her client base and educating her community on this evidence-based practice

✨ We chat about the importance of building lasting relationships and creating a strong community presence

✨We discuss personal and patient boundaries, highlighting how accessible we all are in 2024

Julie Savory started out in business as a hairstylist and busy salon owner for 12 years, until one day when she was at the Calabogie Dam when they opened the flood gates, causing two deaths. Julie's doctor strongly advised her to switch careers in order to recover from her injuries effectively. She was stunned and heartbroken, as she had absolutely loved hairstyling and had such a strong client base.

Julie then faced financial challenges while starting her new business, Red Brick Emporium, but she persevered by focusing on improving her credit and taking control of her financial situation.

This downtown Perth biz owner has quite the success story, despite all of the curveballs thrown her way, and we dive into all areas of business, including:

😵 The first time someone stole from Red Brick Emporium, how Julie faced that situation, and if this customer decided to show her face in Julie's store again

🫶🏼 Coping with "failure," embracing change and accepting help

📑✏️ The importance of having a business plan and how Small Business Centre's Starter Company Plus grant helped contribute to inventory purchases!

In 1997, Cheryl Jordan combined her skill for crafting and her passion for decorative painting and established her successful business, The Country Cupboard, on Petawawa Blvd.

Inspired by the home-style business shops she had seen in her hometown in Nova Scotia, Cheryl found the perfect location for her business in a charming yellow cottage. Over time, The Country Cupboard has evolved from creating décor pieces to offering a variety of products sourced from local Canadian suppliers. Today, the boutique cottage is filled with a wide range of treasures including seasonal décor, homewares, giftware, and accessories.

But what did business look like when Cheryl first started out and how did she make the seamless transition to becoming a home decor and gift store?

In this episode....

⭐️ Listeners find out how Cheryl has managed to keep The Country Cupboard in business for 27+ years, learning the ropes of various marketing and advertising strategies, outsourcing and asking for help, and what "trending" items have worked and which ones she still has hidden away in storage

⭐️ We discover when Cheryl started doing Facebook lives, how she became comfortable behind the camera and why they are integral to the success of her biz

⭐️ Cheryl discusses the significance of the military community and how Country Cupboard provides support for military spouses in particular

⭐️ We get raw and real as Cheryl and I chat about business hardships and struggles in today’s economy, as well as in her industry

Heather Jobe, the Community Development Coordinator for the Renfrew County OSPCA and Humane Society meets hundreds of animals every month, and to Heather - these animals that are in need become more than just pets. They truly become family!

In this episode, we get to learn all about Heather Jobe, her role at the Renfrew County OSPCA and why it's so much more than being around the sweetest fur animals all day, while also learning about the OSPCA's annual Cupcake Day, a fundraising initiative that helps to change lives for the better and supports the most vulnerable animals in our community!🐾🧁

In this episode:

🫶🏼 Heather shares how her role includes community engagement, volunteer coordination, hosting fundraising initiatives and events, and building more community awareness

🐾 We chat about animal adoption, fostering, and all the animals that have wandered into the Renfrew County OSPCA (and Heather’s own experience with a BEAR!) 🐻

🧁 We get to learn all about Heather’s favourite day: the OSPCA's annual Cupcake Day and how YOU can donate, get involved, and how cupcakes help pets in need!

Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation is a non profit organization funded by the Government of Ontario that offers free business counselling, financial loans for start-ups and businesses looking to expand, strategic planning on local projects and community economic development in our rural community.

This organization has been fostering economic growth in Renfrew County since 1986 and have helped numerous entrepreneurs level up their business through various financial investment resources.

In this episode, I meet with Executive Director Cyndy Phillips and Community Development Officer Kelley Lemenchick, where we:

💕 Discover how RCCFDC offers community economic development services, financing opportunities, business coaching and more!

🤍 Learn how RCCFDC fosters economic growth and community development, taking the concerns our biz owners are facing and implement action where they can

🫱🏼‍🫲🏻Find out how RCCFDC has partnered with Algonquin College Pembroke to help business graduates develop or expand their businesses

Sarah Trafford and Kim McPherson are a dynamic "Pink Panther" duo offering medical aesthetics services at Uplifted Medical, where they are all about empowering women ti regain their self confidence and self love! This medical beauty spa includes cosmetic injections, radiofrequency microneedling, skin peels and medical-grade skin care products.

These babes wanted to bring high-quality medical aesthetics services to the Smiths Falls area, at reasonable prices, while also providing fun education around radiant skin, rejuvenating therapies, and the importance of self-care.

In this episode....

👩🏼‍⚕️ We find out what led these two licensed medical professionals to transition from their previous scopes of practice to enter the field of medical aesthetics

💉 These babes debunk common medical beauty stigmas, normalize getting medical injectable's and discuss why it's becoming more mainstream!

🧖‍♀️ We talk about the importance of skin health and how skincare regimens have positioned the skincare category in a new light

😍 There is something new on the medical beauty list of services and it's called the ORGASM shot - and its putting women’s sexual pleasure FIRST!

Michelle Jozwiak, the owner behind "The Wizard of Pawz" in Renfrew, was at a crossroads in her career, formerly working as a hairstylist and working with adults withdisabilities. But it was during the end of the pandemic when she caught the attention of dog owners when they admired her own dog's well groomed coat and couldn't believe she wasn't a groomer herself. It was then that Michelle knew what she was meant to do and immediately completed her dog grooming certification.

In this episode....

🐾 Michelle emphasizes the importance of ensuring animals feel safe and comfortable while in her care. She believes that by prioritizing the well-being of animals, she can provide a positive experience for both pets and their owners

🤭 Michelle also doesn't hold back, as she shares some juicy confessions of a dog groomer

🫱🏼‍🫲🏻 We learn how Enterprise Renfrew County’s Starter Company Plus Program encouraged Michelle to partner with Rick’s Pet Store in Renfrew (and where she is now!)

🩷 Tune in to find out how this babe is helping to make a PAWsitive difference in her community 🫶🏼

Marie-Anik Gagné was inspired to provide caregiver support after her husband's long-term illness and ultimate passing in 2016. She recognized the importance of advanced care planning and having sensitive conversations around death. This experience led her to pursue a career in helping individuals and their families navigate the end-of-life journey with compassion and comfort, eventually receiving her death doula certification and started offering her end-of-life doula services.

Marie-Anik shares her journey towards becoming an end-of-life doula and discusses her role in this profession, focusing on why long-term planning is a necessary and important conversation to have with those that are anticipating to soon pass.

In this episode....

🤍 We learn what a death doula (or end-of-life doula) is and how it differentiates from someone that provides hospice care

🕊️ We hear how Marie-Anik approaches the topic of death with individuals and their families, and how she supports everyone through this difficult time

🤍 We chat about the importance of advance care planning and how Marie-Anik involves loved ones in the end-of-life process

🕊️ We dive into my favourite topic of setting BOUNDARIES, from healthy personal boundaries, to availability boundaries and when it’s time to say goodbye after the “job” is done

The journey to becoming a dairy farmer is a unique and rewarding experience. It involves a combination of passion, hard work, and dedication to the care of animals and the production of high-quality dairy products.

Although Eline van der Veen didn't grow up on a dairy farm, she did have a background in agriculture and was able to gain some hands-on experience, learning various aspects of the industry by working on a handful of farms when she was younger, never thinking this was something she was going to pursue until she met her husband.

After finding their dream farmland, choosing which type of cows they wanted to raise, receiving funding to purchase farm equipment, and eventually, starting their family and then, unintentionally began her flower arrangement business, Eline's story is one of inspiration, passion, resilience and success!

In this episode....

🐮 Eline takes us behind the scenes of her journey to starting a dairy farm, from purchasing jersey cows, to finding the perfect farmland, and everything in between

👋🏼 We hear how Eline stepped out of her comfort to immerse herself into a new community and connect with other like-minded dairy farmers

💐 Eline shares how she she unintentionally started creating local floral arrangements and how it quickly became successful

👏🏼 We talk about how women are inspiring tomorrow’s female agricultural leaders and how this industry is becoming more progressive

The Pie Bar is a small batch bakery located in Westport that provides modern baked goods using traditional techniques and unique flavours, tailored each season incorporating fresh, local produce. Products among the fan favourites include: Sourdough, Fruit and Custard Pies, Croissants, Cruffins and extra large cookies!

Stacy Blair, a former Structural Engineer, discovered the world of baking during her maternity leave, and, after shortly returning back to work, realized that she was being pulled in a different direction and was ready for a major career change. Stacy had fallen in love with baking, started a blog 27th and Olive filled with her favourite recipes, quickly gaining a huge following, and both her blog and biz soon gained the attention of Narcity, Edible Ottawa, and even Martha Stewart! 🤯🤩

In this episode Stacy shares with us:

🥧 Her thought process as she navigated with the decision to leave her government job and invest fully in the Pie Bar

🤔 How she recognized the significance of marketing and advertising on the socials to carve out her own space in a bustling market (and utilizing OWN photography skills!)

📉 How did Small Business Centre's Starter Company Plus program helped Stacy redefine her business model and strategy

✌🏼 What this boss babe all has in store for 2024, including business growth and possibly a name change!

Dr. Rachel Worth-Cappell is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, a fertility, birth and postpartum doula and business owner of Sacred Grove Naturopathic, based out of the Natural Health Centre in Madawaska Valley.

Originally from Ohio, she relocated to Canada, graduating from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine and relocated to the Ottawa Valley, immediately finding solace on the Ottawa River, connecting wholistic treatments that join time in nature alongside herbal medicine, acupuncture, diet and lifestyle therapy, and naturopathic counselling.

Her practice focuses on those living with mental illness and struggling with hormonal concerns, such as fatigue, menstrual cycle changes, menopause/perimenopause and sexual health.

In this episode, Dr. Worth-Cappell shares knowledge surrounding holistic healing practices, including:

💊 How she views healthcare as a shared responsibility between the healthcare system and the individual, with a perspective that acknowledges that both the healthcare system and the individual have important roles to play in promoting and maintaining good health

🩷 The signs and symptoms of peri-menopause, the benefits of tracking and understanding our menstrual cycles, and underlying causes to recurrent miscarriages

💰Strategies for overcoming financial barriers that current and future patients may face when exploring alternative medicine

🤛🏼✌🏼 Dr. Worth-Cappell explains how we can become our own health advocate and take back our control and optimize our health for better outcomes

The hairstyling queen whose jaw-dropping story is ONE FOR THE BOOKS 📚 🤩😮‍💨 - this is the episode you ✨DIDN'T KNOW YOU NEEDED!"

Elyna Tremblay of Modern Mane Hair spent years working her way up to becoming one of the most sought-after hairstylists in the Ottawa Valley. Along the way, she experienced the highs and lows of both the hair industry and motherhood, becoming a single mom at a young age, setting healthy boundaries for herself, finding love, getting married and welcoming 3 more babies into her family!

In this episode, Elyna gets RAW and REAL as she shares some heavy truths, sharing her journey;

👉🏼 Navigating motherhood as a young mom, becoming a twin mom, and how this busy mother of 5 does it all

👉🏼 On how she sets healthy boundaries in business (an ongoing work-in-progress)

👉🏼 Dealing with hair industry comparisons, imposter syndrome, "cheating clients" and building a successful hair empire

Micheline Dumont always seemed to have a creativitve and artistic flair, realizing early on when she was picking paint colours and stencilling walls with her mom. But never did she think that this would be the start of her interior decorating career.

Micheline decided to pursue Interior Decorating at Algonquin College, graduating with honours, and launched her own business, Micheline Dumont Designs. She works closely with her clients to understand their preferences, needs, and budget, and then creates a plan to transform their spaces into functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchens, bathroomss, family rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and kids’ spaces.

In this episode, we not only learn about Micheline's speciality in interior decorating trends and how to make a room more welcoming but....

🤍 We explore the differences between an interior designer and an interior decorator, with a focus on Micheline's design skills

🩵 We learn how Micheline works with her clients to incorporate their personal style and preferences into the design, project budgets, and more!

💛 Micheline gives tips on affordable home styling, shares her favorite home decor stores, and suggests ways to make a room more welcoming

🩶 Micheline shares the most challenging aspects of her job and areas she is still improving in that many of us can relate to

Liz Cobb has always had a passion for forest management and didn't think twice about taking Algonquin College's Forestry Technician program, graduating in the 80's.

Liz has over 34 years of experience working in forest management, joining Natural Resources Canada as a Forest Operations Manager. Taking the Forestry Technician program prepared Liz for a career in nature, as she learned how to protect herself against wildlife, wear suitable warm clothing, learning how to collaboratively work with others, and the ultimate lesson of survival in the wilderness.

In this episode......

🌲 Liz discusses how the Forestry Technician Program equipped her with essential life skills, safety knowledge in nature, and even social skills in the workplace.

🌲 Liz explains the vital role that forests play in mitigating climate change and suggests changes we can make to help.

🌲 We dive into the evolution of women's representation in the forestry industry

🌲 Liz reminds our listeners to find our supportive networks, helpful mentors, and to surround ourselves with positive influences that will help us succeed

Donna Saal and her husband Paul were unsatisfied with the quality of care in the facilities where they initially worked as physiotherapists in Niagara Falls and Sudbury.

They decided to open their own clinic, Physio in the Valley, in her hometown of Pembroke in 2001. Their goal was to combine the best of traditional physical therapy with osteopathic manual therapy, focusing on patient-centered care.

Donna utilizes her skills in manual therapy, exercise prescription, and years of experience in outpatient physiotherapy to meet the individual needs of each client. She also emphasizes early intervention and education for post-partum women and newborns to prevent long-term dysfunction and injury.

In this episode, we chat about:

🤰🏼 Why Donna has always prioritized providing early intervention for postpartum women and newborns in her specialized care, and the importance of rest, recovery, and healing after giving birth

🩷 How in the 80's and 90's, it was not common to have discussions about prenatal, postpartum, and menopausal topics. We learn how Donna took the initiative to publicly educate her patients during a time it was not common to talk about

🚫💰 Donna gets real about the financial challenges she experienced with banks when she first started her business, and why she had to fight to receive a business loan

🦵🏼We chat about all areas of physio, including pelvic therapy, pain management, newborn physiotherapy and so much more!

Jackie Rhind is a Canadian female founder of Ovry, an innovative, sustainable and low-cost pregnancy and ovulation test strip brand that is revolutionizing the pregnancy test industry.

Ovry’s business model sounds simple enough - sell pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, and male fertility tests at a more affordable price than the popular name brands, performing the same function the same as the other name brand tests that are just as accurate, but far less expensive than the leading brands. But although it seemed getting this business venture off the ground, Jackie and her business partner Christina got the go-around from retailer buyers when pitching their products to feature Ovry in retail drug stores.

In this inspiring episode, hear firsthand as Jackie shares her determination to create a brand that empowers women, the challenges she faced, and the impact her brand has on women's health.

Claudia Kerckhoff-Van Wijk has been immersed in the Ottawa Valley whitewater rivers since a young age and has inspired thousands of people to try whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting.

Claudia is also one of the proud co-owners of OWL Rafting in Beachburg, Trip Advisor's recommended #1 rafting resort in the Ottawa Valley and Destination Canada's Canadian Signature Experiences. Claudia is a long time athlete, as she was the Canadian women’s whitewater kayaking champion from 1974 to 1985, Gold Medalist at the 1976 Pan Americans, and the Bronze Medallist at the 1982 World Championships.

In this episode, in partnership with Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation, Claudia and I chatted about:

🚣🏼‍♀️ How she and her father came to be the very first to kayak the Rocher Fondu whitewater rapids, and how OWL Rafting came to be

💰 How investing in financial aspects your business can be scary and nerve wracking, but leveraging funding avenues like RCCFDC can be helpful investment opportunities to allow you to grow and expand your business (and how RCCFDC helped contribute to the growth of OWL Rafting)

🙌🏻 Claudia reveals her greatest accomplishment in both paddling and in business

🚣🏼‍♀️ Community over competition, as Claudia shares how instrumental key community partners have helped contribute to the success of OWL Rafting, through acknowledging other OV whitewater rafting resorts like Wilderness Tours, Madawaska Coffee, and more!

Allana Robinson is a parenting coach of Uncommon Sense Parenting, business owner, mom of two, the host of the Mudroom Podcast, and has been featured on CTV, Global News, Today's Parent. Allana has been specializeing in helping frustrated parents understand why their child is misbehaving and how to fix it without yelling, sticker charts, or counting to 3 since 2015.

Alanna goal is to empower parents with the knowledge and skills they need to raise happy and well behaved children. Through personalized coaching sessions, she works closely with parents to develop effective parenting strategies, improve communication, and create a positive environment for families, while understanding their children's needs.

In this episode, this parenting expert is here to help you raise your little ones without yelling, shaming or time outs, while also:

✨ Sharing the real reasons why your child is misbehaving and how to implement effective strategies that actually work

✨ Talking about sensory overload, how much is too much screen time, implementing structured routines, and the importance of independent play

✨ Sharing how we can empower our children to understand kids that may be on the spectrum or neurodivergent

✨ Chatting about mom/parent burnout, mom guilt, and how to prioritize your own “me time” and setting boundaries for yourself

Michelle and Logan McLennon's journey began with a shared love for food and a dream to bring authentic Caribbean flavors to their community.

Logan, a talented chef from Jamaica, had a deep appreciation for the vibrant and diverse Caribbean cuisine, along with a natural talent for blending spices and creating unique flavor combinations that tantalized the taste buds. With a background in advertising and marketing,
Michelle, his partner, was ready to join Logan in launching Mackie's Golden Meals and helped get things going.

As word spread about Mackie's Golden Meals, the couple quickly opened their food trailer and soon, people from neighboring towns were making the journey to experience the flavors of the islands.

In this episode, we chat about:

🏝️ Logan's journey to immigrate to Canada, where he, along with his mother and siblings, reunited with his father, and how they adapted to a new country and navigated a completely different way of life

🧆 Introducing a new and different type of Caribbean-with-a-North-American-twist cousine to our community's accustomed rural tastebuds and how the response immediately took off

✨ The process of acquiring a food trailer and initiating operations, to managing finances and adhering to regulations, and even incorporating a catering aspect to the business

👏🏼 How Logan and Michelle are making a huge impact with a small footprint in the Ottawa Valley and championing for diversity

Meet Angie Hoysted, the boss babe butcher and co-owner of Valley Custom Cutting, who is shattering gender stereotypes in the meat industry and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty.

A construction project manager by trade and former interior designer, Angie joined the team at Valley Custom Cutting once the butcher shop was constructed, and immediately took control of all the financial, administration, and legal aspects of the business, along with processing and handling of the meat.

Together, Angie and her husband Dan have built a thriving butcher shop that has become a local favourite in Smiths Falls - and was the very first of its kind in the region!

In this episode, we chat about:

🥩 Why Angie changed careers completely and went into business with her husband (along with the reactions from people when she tells them she's a butcher!)

🤔 We dive into why there is a demand for butchers and the unfortunate reality as to why it is a dying trade

🤯 We talk about why meat seems to taste better and fresher from a butcher shop vs grocery store meat

🙌🏻 Angie divulges the real truths of what goes on behind the scenes of being a female butcher and running this type of business

30% of Algonquin College Pembroke's student population has a military connection, and one of those current students is Shauna Holland, a military veteran who spent ten years in the Canadian Armed Forces. Shauna's last major position was at Garrison Petawawa and she is currently enrolled in the Business Fundamentals Program.

In this episode, Shauna shares what her transition has been like leaving the military and embarking on a new path as a civilian returning as a student at Algonquin College, speaking very highly of the campus and how welcoming it's been for her as a military veteran and spouse.

She also speaks to the various resources and supports that are now available through Algonquin College Pembroke Campus to the military community, including a transition course for military members, success strategies for military spouses, and even AC's annual Canadian Armed Forces Day event!

In the spring 2025, Shauna will be adding author to her resume, as she plans to release a book titled "Permission to Recover" which focuses on her transition out of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Being a funeral director is not just a job; it is a calling. It requires a unique blend of compassion, professionalism, and resilience. Being a female funeral director is a unique and challenging profession that requires compassion, empathy, and a strong sense of professionalism.

Through her dedication and unwavering commitment, Caitlyn Cybukski plays a vital role at Malcolm, Deavitt and Binhammer Funeral Home in helping families navigate the difficult journey of saying goodbye to their loved ones, leaving a lasting impact on their lives.

In a profession that demands long hours and a constant readiness to serve, the emotional toll of dealing with death and grief can be overwhelming, and self-care becomes crucial to maintain mental and emotional well-being. Despite these challenges, Caitlin finds fulfillment in providing comfort and closure to families during these sad and emotional times.

In this episode...

🤍 Caitlin shares how she discovered that she wanted to become a funeral director at a young age and why her passion for helping people in a time of sadness was her calling

🤍 We talk about COMPASSION FATIGUE burnout and why this is not talked about enough in all social service industries

🤍 Caitlin shares how her your outlook on death has changed since being immersed in her role as funeral director

🤍 We retire gender dominance stereotype as female funeral directors are changing the face of the industry

📣 Calling all business owners! 📣

Jaime Bell is a business lawyer and the founder of Contracts Market, who is here to revolutionize the way you think about legal contracts in your business!

Contracts are the backbone of any successful business, yet they are often overlooked or misunderstood. As a seasoned business lawyer, Jaime has witnessed the devastating consequences that can arise from poorly drafted or non-existent contracts. From partnership disputes to client disagreements, the lack of proper legal documentation can put your entire business at risk.

With Jaime's extensive legal expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, she is here to educate and empower business owners about the importance of solid legal contracts, providing legal contract templates for freelancers, coaches, consultants, influencers and digital creators, and more!

In this episode, Jaime shares her knowledge as we dive into:

📑 Why your website should have a data and privacy policy, terms and conditions, and more!

📃 Affilate marketing (influencer, paid partnership, collaborations) and what legal agreements and disclosures should be included in your contract

📄 Strategies for entrepreneurs who want to advise their direct clients, customers and followers that they're raising their prices so that you appear confident and ready to justify your price increase(s)

📝 Course agreement clauses course that digital creators should include for anyone purchasing their digital masterclasses, courses, and other online products

And so much more! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Reduce, reuse, and recycle has always been at the forefront for Natalie Surette to find creative ways to minimize waste, reusing products, and recycle any materials that could be used for a new purpose - and she wanted to share her passion with others to follow in suit, buying products made with recycled content and provide a eco-friendly refillery so that folks in the Ottawa Valley could refill their household cleaning and personal care products in bulk, eliminating the need for disposable packaging.

Natalie takes us back to how the idea for a refillery came to fruition, along with:

✳️ How rĒCo Refillery is pioneering sustainable business models and approaches and encouraging folks to rethink the way they consume

♻️ Sharing why sustainability is important in business and how other biz owners can become an eco-friendly brand

❇️ How the support of Renfrew County Community Futures Development Corporation helped contribute to the growth of rĒCo Refillery

Our anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes concludes with Jacquie Kuntze, the babe who built her successful bridal hair and makeup team in Ottawa and Prince Edward County !

In this episode, we first try to wrap our heads around how Jacquie even gets to enjoy her summers being #BUSYAF and booked solid every weekend, but then we get into...

🤯 How Jacquie has achieved the unachievable in business - and it's NOT by posting constantly on the socials

🙌🏻 Knowing your worth, having standards and boundaries, and setting your rates when you're a service provider

♥️ How Jacquie overcame her deeply troubled childhood trauma and found her path to happiness and success

🚌 Jacquie's other biz, Astrid Park, that she co owns with biz partner Lana Dingwall, and how their off-grid camper motel are building a project that massively rewards the community beyond your wildest imagations

📲 WATCH and LISTEN to this exclusive anniversary special episode, where Wilder Waters hosted our guests at a gorgeous chalet in Calabogie, ON.

🤍

In 2021, Jenny Hodgson took ownership over Milano's Pizza Petawawa location. She had mermaid serving and managing the former restaurant Dineamice in Pembroke when the owners decided to close the restaurant and Jenny was sterting to think what her next step would be when this opportunity presented itself... and business owner had a good ring to it.

Now that Jenny's been in business for 2 years, leveraging an iconic franchise and putting her own twist on things, including adding her own signature dishes and specials, like her homemade cheesecake and $10 medium pizza specials, all seems to be smooth sailing.

But the clock never stops when you're a business owner, so in this Where Are They Now video episode, Jenny and I talk about:

✨ How she made the leap into entrepreneurship and how her former years of working in hospitality has contributed to the success of running a business

🍕 How pizza is community - being a staple Friday night meal, birthday party lunch, or late night craving with friends

🤍 What Jenny does differently being in a saturated market where there are a variety of pizza restaurants in her town and close by - and why her business model is successful with a loyal and returning customer base

🤌🏼✨ The secret ingredient to Jenny's success (and no, it's no her signature cheesecakes) 😉

WATCH and LISTEN to this exclusive anniversary special episode, where Wilder Waters hosted our guests at a gorgeous chalet in Calabogie, ON.

Ariessa Black was a single mom and former aesthetician whose initial business, Platinum Black, took a turn after the pandemic but she didn't let that stop her, as she decided to put her heritage roots, love for supporting local Canadian businesses, and an idea with her best friend and came up with the Witch Haus, a store that embodies femininity, spiritual products, witchy wares, and more!

Unfortunately, a sudden accident took the life of her friend but Ariessa took this as a sign to persevere and carry on her dream to open her magical and dark aesthetic store... and that's what she did, originally opening in Carleton Place and relocating to her business' permanent home in Almonte.

In this episode, we chat about:

🧙‍♀️ What the modern day feminine witch looks like and how witches symbolize female empowerment

🧙🏼‍♀️ A unique perspective on the witches in Disney movies and why Ariessa thinks they were perhaps misunderstood or misrepresented

🔮 Tarot cards, psychics and mediums, and Ariessa's popular ghost ceramics

🫶🏼 How The Witch Haus is an inclusive and welcoming store, supporting various local and Canadian biz owners, and why Ariessa's favourite customers are the ones who just pop in for a chat!

Katie Turner is a well known psychic and medium who has the ability to tap into timelines providing glimpses into the past, present and future. She is also a Paranormal Expert and Paranormal Investigator with the Canadian Supernatural Research Society, and you can also check out her show Paranormal Investigator on Netflix to watch some paranormal investigations in some haunted places right here in the Ottawa Valley!

But how does someone know they're actually psychic? Are they really able to see and correctly predict someone's future? What about talking to loved ones that have passed, not to mention ghosts and spirits. And why should those who haven't been properly trained in dealing with ghosts really mind their own business before opening up portals that they might not be able to close themselves? Katie Turner explains it all to Holly and her co-host, Katie Hyska, Pure Country 96.7's afternoon show radio personality!

Madison Broad is an Carpentry Renovations Techniques Program Algonquin College Pembroke Campus alumni and a Weston Family Foundation grant recipient, currently a couple hundred hours away from completing her general carpentry apprenticeship at Dugan Hawkins Construction, with a goal of receiving the red seal designation.

In this alumni spotlight episode, Madison shares how she first initially thought to pursue a career in social services as a nurse or personal support worker. But after assembling an IKEA bunk bed and discovering that carpentry ran in her family, she realized that she enjoyed building and constructing things, and moved to Pembroke from Sudbury to take Algonquin Clllege's Carpentry Renovations Techniques Program.

Tune in to hear the "unique opportunity" that Madison took upon herself that landed her carpentry apprentice, her perspective on the changes in the industry's attitude towards women in carpentry, and advice she would give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in the trades!

Breaking the Stigma: A Candid Conversation on Mental Health and Therapy with Tory Baker-Reed and Kathryn Baker-Reed of The Thrive Centre in Smiths Falls. Tory and Kathryn are two registered social work counsellors who wanted to create an inclusive space in providing greater access for therapy and counselling services, while also making it more affordable, inclusive and accessible for everyone.

Tory and Kathryn's services focuses on life skills coaching, Psychodramatic Bodywork, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and tapping. They also focus on trauma healing, both working work from an anti-oppression, trauma-informed lens.

In this episode....

🤍 We explore the concept of mental health and wellness, emphasizing its significance in overall well-being, shedding light on common mental health issues and the impact they can have on individuals and society

🩷 We talk about the importance of self-advocacy and times when you need to be your own advocate for immediate action to happen

🤍 We delve into the stigmas surrounding therapy and mental health, addressing misconceptions and societal barriers

🩷 Tory and Kathryn provide guidance on how to challenge and overcome these stigmas, encouraging open conversations and destigmatization efforts

In December 2021, a former Peterborough resident, Liz Woosey purchased the historic Balmoral Hotel from the previous owners who were retiring. She had stumbled across an ad that the building was for sale in the local newspaper and decided to take a drive out to Barry's Bay to take a look and knew this was the next chapter in her life.

Liz used to run Sexapalooza, an adult tradeshow, dedicated to entertaining and educating its visitors on sex and sexuality and also was the editor of a magazine. So how did this former adult fun consumer show host and magazine editor come to becoming an entrepreneur and business owner of this locao Madawaska Valley establishment?!

In this episode....

👻 Liz shares the history behind this century old building, if she thinks the Balmoral is haunted and her previous encounter with a ghost

💃 We talk about Barry’s Bay’s first drag show held at the Balmoral Hotel, the mixed response and why Liz would absolutely do it again

⚒️ We discuss the changes Liz has made since becoming the owner and lengthly renovation process

👉🏼 Liz tells us what her biggest challenge has been since keeping a legendary establishment a part of community history while also keeping up with the times

And so much more!

Empowering Women, Exploring the Extraordinary ✨

This week, I sat down with Megan Ryder-Burbidge and Linsey Sherman-Zekulin, the babes behind Sororal Travel, female-led guided trips that allows for authentic connections, safe adventures, and supporting women-led
businesses and nonprofits along the way!

Embark on a transformative journey with Sororal's women-led guided trips, where you can forge genuine connections with like-minded travelers. Explore breathtaking destinations with the assurance of safety, as their experienced guides lead the way. By choosing a Sororal trip, you travel as a catalyst for change - actively contributing to the growth of women-led businesses and nonprofits at each destination, fostering empowerment and sustainable development.