Angie Ostojic Magazine 2020 by Angie Ostojic

ACHIEVING

SUCCESS THROUGH A PANDEMIC

GIVING

Volume 4

TEN WAYS to

POSITIVE

LIVING

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE

RISE to

GREATER HEIGHTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEED MORE

The Sarcee Meadows Women’s Circle, p. 4 Kathy Aubichon

OPPORTUNITIES?

Navigate and Maneuver through the World of Tax and Accounting, p. 7 Tim Kwan

BUSINESS OUR TEAM CAN HELP YOU accelerate your branding online and in our magazine.

Branding can drive and generate new business, increase your business value and create trust in the market place.

A Future Where No Kids Go Hungry, p. 5 Kim Elson

Rise to Greater Heights, p. 9 Nompumelelo Real Kunene Sword of Life, p. 10 Sharon Foo Helping your Business Thrive through this Covid Pandemic, p. 11 Henry Villanueva Secret to Business Success, p. 13 Mimi Jane Pale Blue Dot, p. 14 Alan Carmichael Calgary Helping Homeless (YYCHH), p. 16 Kathy Aubichon, Mary Catherine Prasad, Rebecca Auriti, Ross Mayer

Effective advertising strategies will directly reflect the brand and its desired purpose.

Ten Ways to Positive Living, p. 18 Angie Ostojic

We make it easy for you. Our team will create a cohesive and appealing advertising strategy that plays into your branding goals.

Mental Health Recovery: The Journey to Survival, p. 21 Ruby Rose

About the Founder, p. 19 Kathy Aubichon

“Just Right” Painting and Cleaning Contractors, p. 23 Leo Ureta Balamban Online Marketing Voice for your Business, p. 25 Amy Lo

angie@theaomagazine.com We have advertising packages that fit your budget.

Ice Cream Extraordinaire, p. 27 Abbey Claro Visualize your Dream, p. 29 Denise Hernandez From Zero Capital to Six Figure Income: This Couple Found Their Secret to Success, p. 31 Lorephil Aguinaldo The Balancing Act, p. 33 Joy Tajanlangit Our Brand Story, p. 34 Maria Theresa Padua

Contents copyright © 2020 by Angie Ostojic Magazine; any form of reproduction of any content on this magazine without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Angie Ostojic Magazine Inc. assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate or incomplete information contained about each individual, event or organization. Angie Ostojic Magazine will not be liable for any damages or losses as a result of the use of the reader of any information, opinions, or products mentioned.

OUR TEAM Tony Ostojic - Editor

Alma Armada - Content Advisor

Kathy Aubichon - Business Analyst and Writer

Dear Readers, Some of you may have envisioned 2020 as a year of new beginnings and successes. Instead, we were all thrown into chaos and forced to adapt under pressure. Millions of people lost their jobs, and the challenges in our businesses and personal lives were exposed. I hope that you’ll be inspired reading the stories of entrepreneurs and courageous everyday people that continued to push through. Let’s keep moving forward, tomorrow will be a better day. Yours Truly,

Amy Lo - Ad and Social Media Design

John Tabingo - Graphic Artist and Photographer

Danvie Escala - Photographer and Videographer

Maria Theresa Padua - Stylist and Project Coordinator

Ava Tan - Writer

Mindy and Arnold Villanueva - Production and Print

Shiela Gamayao - Layout Artist

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

The Sarcee Meadows

WOMEN’S CIRCLE By: Kathy Aubichon

“

These difficult times everyone wants to experience a

he Women’s Circle started off small, connecting with each other over “Milk and Cookies”, or in our case, “butter chicken and Chai”. We had our first official Women’s Circle meeting in December 2014. The conversation was so easy between us that we knew we were on to something special. We started off with a few women of different backgrounds and cultures. As we shared our stories, we soon realized there were a lot of myths and barriers that needed to be broken down so we set out to do just that. The Women’s Circle is all about encouraging each other to be better people and do better in our community by promoting cultural acceptance and understanding. The Women’s Circle became not only one of the social hubs at Sarcee Meadows but an exemplary model to follow for several other co-ops in Canada and abroad. In 2017, we applied for the CHF Canada Co-operative Achievement Award and the CHF Canada Diversity Grant and we were awarded both. We used the funds to put on a large cultural event, bringing our community together like never before. It wasn’t long after that our Women’s Circle story was being published in articles around the world; ICA (International Co-operative Alliance) and other Co-op social media outlets from the United Kingdom, New Delhi, Malaysia, Belgium, Chicago, Washington and Ottawa. We then started getting recognized by Provincial politicians. The Women’s Circle was invited to meet with then Alberta Minister of Education David Eggen about Premier Rachel Notley’s anti-racism initiative. We received a letter from Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale that read “…. regarding the significant work of the Women’s Circle of Sarcee Meadows..., I appreciate your efforts to create a welcoming and friendly community and bridge cultural differences.”

POSITIVE, INCLUSIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND WELCOMING COMMUNITY.

”

In June 2019 we got involved with a group called Calgary Helping Homeless (YYCHH). Through this group we were given the opportunity to come together as a community to help feed the homeless people and vulnerable citizens of Calgary. Our SMHC Community has grown closer thanks to this initiative. Each time our group served SMHC members came from all over baring gifts of all kinds. Our cars were packed full of food, blankets, warm clothing, scarves and toques made by our senior volunteers. The Women’s Circle kids and husbands were right by our side serving our guests, mostly homeless people, and at the end of each night they would ask “when can we come back.”

Even during the eve of the Covid-19 pandemic, we found ways to continue helping our seniors. We cooked for them and brought groceries and ran errands. No senior should have to spend their birthday alone in quarantine so we went straight to work in organizing birthday surprises with balloons, birthday banners, gifts and home-made cards from the kids. They were so happy. We plan to keep growing our circle; educating and harnessing the bonds of inclusiveness within our diverse community of Sarcee Meadows and surrounding communities. There is no doubt that in these difficult times everyone wants to experience a positive, inclusive, supportive and welcoming community. We hope that this legacy of diversity and inclusion continues for many generations to come. Watch Women’s Circle video: https://youtu.be/le5gt9jcCE8

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

A Future Where

NO KIDS GO HUNGRY By: Kim Elson - Fund Development Associate

WE SEE A FUTURE WHERE COMMUNITIES ENSURE NO KIDS GO HUNGRY. Our mission is to connect and inspire people to take meaningful action to feed and care for kids.

or 30 years Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK) is a mission-focused grassroots organization that works to ensure every kid has enough nutritious food to eat. Working in partnership with families, schools and communities. Inviting and empowering people to work together to feed and care for kids, so can grow to reach their full potential. Their vision is simple: “We see a future where communities ensure no kids go hungry. Our mission is to connect and inspire people to take meaningful action to feed and care for kids.” 1 in 10 households in Alberta experience food insecurity – inadequate or insecure access to food – and this number is growing. Food insecurity in children exacerbates mental health problems, developing from childhood to adolescence. When kids don’t have food, they can’t reach their potential, and they miss out on key childhood experiences. They don’t make friends as easily, they have a harder time learning, they miss more school, and are sick more often. Families are working hard to feed their children (the majority of households who experience food insecurity note that their main income is wages from employment) but often because of circumstances beyond their control, they struggle to provide this basic need. At the end of the day, there is just not enough healthy food in their home to go around. These families need support from their communities.

This fall, Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids is using a mixed-medium delivery approach to feed hungry kids in Calgary aiming to meet the needs of hungry kids, in school, at home and in the community. BB4CK has reopened its Central Kitchen in a new location in Calgary’s Beltline. This provides a space for dozens of volunteers to make and distribute lunches, safely each week. They are focusing efforts on growing community kitchen spaces, working with volunteers all over the city, building on their long-standing and successful community programming. At the same time, BB4CK is re-launching the grocery gift card program that was adopted in the spring to support kids at home, after schools closed. Providing resources directly to families whose kids are participating in at-home learning or are self-isolating and who still need food supports. 100% of Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids funding comes from people and groups who care about feeding hungry kids. This funding ensures BB4CK is sustainable, making sure kids have full bellies and know that someone cares for them. More than that though, they are making sure that families and parents have the support they need; reminding them that they are not on their own. To support Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids, visit them at www.BB4CK.org.

Before schools closed in the spring, the BB4CK community was feeding nearly 5,000 kids in Calgary schools every day. COVID allowed the expansion of BB4CK’s programs, reaching out to families directly and providing support to feed kids in their homes. Through the spring, food was provided to more than 6,300 kids who would have otherwise gone without. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

Accounting and Bookkeeping Estate Planning Consulting Compliance (T1, T2, GST and Payroll) Tax Planning (Individual and Corporation) Assurance (Audit and Reviews - Private Corporations) Tim Kwan, CPA, CA tkwan@kwanco.com 403-455-8892 1133 2 Street SW Calgary, AB T2R 1B9

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

NAVIGATE and MANEUVER through the world of TAX and ACCOUNTING By: Tim Kwan, Chartered Accountant – Kwan & Company

I AM ENCOURAGED

by how entrepreneurs have reacted, pivoted and supported each other to get through these difficult times.

want to congratulate all of the entrepreneurs who have pushed through and persevered through these unprecedented times. Covid-19 is indeed something that the world has never seen. I am encouraged by how entrepreneurs have reacted, pivoted and supported each other to get through these difficult times. I would also like to applaud all levels of government for their support and aid to business owners. The following are some basic tips and habits that we would like to share with everyone with regards to financial health. BUDGETING Take the time to sit down and review the inflow and outflow of your hard-earned cash. During the lockdown, you may have saved funds as a result of working from home (ie. not regularly dining out, cancelling gym memberships, etc.) If so, you can put this money aside into an emergency fund to provide yourself with a bigger cushion for the future. Make sure to clearly set out your needs from your wants. It is recommended to have three to six months of expenses in your emergency fund, but you can challenge yourself to have six to twelve months worth of expenses saved up. MANAGE YOUR DEBT Debt or leverage is an important tool to fund the growth and expansion in our businesses and our lives. However, it can be a double-edged sword and when improperly managed, can be extremely harmful to your financial health. Try to refrain from incurring additional debt unless you truly need to. Do not lease or finance a new car. Avoid making purchases on your credit card that you won’t be able to clear up the following month. Utilize Covid-19 programs offered by your bank to lower your interest temporarily if possible. Take advantage of credit cards that offer introductory 0% rates and transfer your high-interest debt over with the intent of paying it off soon. Consider selling personal assets that you no longer use anymore to pay down your debt.

HEALTH IS WEALTH You’ve heard the saying “Health is Wealth”. All the money in the world cannot buy you good health. It is important to remember to take care of yourself by eating healthy, sleeping well, and exercising. You will be surprised how these three basic things will help you manage and handle stress and increase your overall productivity. PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO BUSINESS OWNERS We wanted to summarize popular and most commonly used funding/programs available to business owners. Please consult with your accountant or tax advisor to see if these apply to you: 1. Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy 2. 10% Wage Subsidy 3. Work-Sharing Program 4. Canada Emergency Business Account interest-free loan 5. Business Credit Availability Program through Export Development Canada or Business Development Canada 6. Regional Relief and Recovery Fund 7. Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance 8. Canada Recovery Benefit *New 9. Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit *New 10. Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit *New

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

Rise to GREATER HEIGHTS By: Nompumelelo Real Kunene • Start each day with a positive attitude; knowing that you will always have the ability and control to set yourself up for better opportunities makes all the difference. • Turning your hobby into a part-time or full-time business is an opportunity that will allow you to take control of your future. The sense of ownership will help you marry up everything you’ve ever cared about, resulting in career success.

s a corporate travel consultant, I work with thousands of hotels, restaurants and tourism operators across the country who are distressed by the pandemic. They were forced to close unexpectedly. The COVID-19 pandemic brought travel to a standstill, depriving my company of potential revenue. Looking back at the clients that I’ve lost is difficult. The federal wage subsidy program provided some relief for the tourism industry, but the cancellation of business conferences and conventions across the country has really impacted my company because we are a tourism-dependent agency. Covid-19 has brought with it a wave of negative outcomes. Some might even feel that it’s a breach of their individual right to be made to stay home. When it comes to the greater good, however, the curse of this coronavirus has become a blessing for me and I have used this opportunity to be courageous in writing my book. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, when everything was shut down and I was with my two beautiful munchkins at home, my book Rise to Greater Heights was born.

Following my dreams has given me the purpose to see my goals through, and understand that I do have everything I need to reach my full potential. My everyday message for you is this:

“ ”

YOUR JOURNEY TO

BECOMING A BETTER PERSON BEGINS WITH YOU.

Born in the Kingdom of ESWATINI in Southern Africa, Nompumelelo (Mpumie) Real Kunene is an energetic professional speaker who has shared the stage with Les Brown, author, mentor-coach, emcee. Her presentations not only motivate but empower audiences with a fresh perspective and inspiration they require to pursue success and drive sustainable outcomes. Her book, Rise to Greater Heights, has inspired and empowered many to pursue their personal and professional passion and become go-getters.

Finding your passion doesn’t happen in a day. Security is an illusion whether you have a boss or are your own. It takes time, a lot of effort, and some trial and error. HERE ARE SOME TIPS IN GETTING OUT OF A SLUMP: • Gain clarity on your purpose in life. This area of focus is deep and inexhaustible. There is always so much to do and explore. • Read books that can help inspire you to find career success.

Rise to Greater Heights Book is a comprehensive guide to turning your fears into greater success while seizing new opportunities. Setting your mindset for success is significant, thus, this book has the potential to completely revolutionize every aspect of your life and career. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

SWORD of LIFE By: Sharon Foo

decade ago, my life was shattered beyond recognition. It felt like I had lost everything that mattered to me, with one notable exception--I did not feel like I had lost God. We just weren’t on speaking terms! During this time, the changes seemed irreversible and I found myself in completely unfamiliar terrain. One day, I came up with the concept of a spiritual sword; words that I would use as affirmations and weapons in the war of life. On this particular day, the words “Life is beautiful, live that truth”, found their way out of my pen and onto the piece of paper in front of me. I wonder what inspired me to write those words down? Maybe it was seeing my aunt going in and out of the hospice, before finally dying of the cancer that put her there. She said “life is too good, I’m not yet ready to leave.” Pope John Paul II has been a rock of inspiration for me since he was elected, and he said that “beauty keeps men from despair.” He also said that

“

“It is Jesus you seek when you dream of happiness; he is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; he is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is he who provokes you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is he who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is he who reads in your hearts your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.”

”

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

A year after creating my spiritual sword (“Life is beautiful, live that truth”), I looked at it hanging on the door of my fridge and was filled with the awareness that it was true. Life is beautiful and I was being called to live out that truth every day. Do you have a spiritual sword hanging in your home? Perhaps you have never given a thought to such a thing. I certainly didn’t plan it as much as I stumbled upon it. Was it something, like a personal mission statement, that I had intended to create? Perhaps. I am grateful that it became such a wonderful focal point for me in the subsequent years. If you are looking for your own spiritual story, do not despair. It does not always come to your understanding immediately. Some trees, like the lodgepole pine, can only reproduce after a fire has opened their cones, by melting the resin within. In order to forge my spiritual sword, there needed to be a fire of destruction in my life. Some plants require a larger, more intense fire in order to reproduce. With the right measure of faith, I believe it is possible to produce a sword from the warmth of a candle, by reading the word of God, and especially by receiving Eucharist.

BE NOT AFRAID, I GO BEFORE YOU ALWAYS. (DEUTERONOMY 31:8)

HELPING YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE through this Covid Pandemic By: Henry Villanueva

Let us

GIVE EACH OTHER A HELPING HAND

the best way we can.

ecent months have been trying times for Calgary. Our local industries and especially small businesses were significantly affected by health restrictions to curb the outbreak of Covid-19. Understanding the difficulty of the situation, here are a few tips and resources available for businesses during these times. 1. Stay safe while operating your business. Owners should keep themselves and their employees safe and minimize the risk of contracting the virus in the workplace. Practice good hygiene and thorough cleaning and disinfecting; aid physical separation through barriers, floor marking and traffic flow controls; use personal protective equipment. 2. Financial support. The Federal Government of Canada has provided a couple of programs for businesses to help business owners stay afloat and continue running. Details of these resources can also be found on www.canada.ca a. CEBA (Canada Emergency Business Account) provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 for small businesses and not-forprofits. This has been extended to October 31, 2020. 25% of the loan balance will be forgiven if repaid on or before December 31, 2022. That’s up to $10,000 of free money! Take advantage of it while available. b. CEWS (Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy) helps businesses to keep or re-hire employees if you have seen a drop in revenue due to Covid. It is calculated by comparing your eligible revenue during the crisis with your eligible revenue from a previous period. You may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of your employee wages, retroactive to March 15. c. Canada Recovery Benefits (CRB) has been expounded to help primarily self-employed individuals or those who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). These include the revised EI income support for self-employed individuals if you must stop work to care for dependants, and two weeks support if you are sick or must self-isolate. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) ended, but is still is continuing to accept and process retroactive applications for the last period August 30 to September 26, 2020. You may still be eligible to receive $2,000 for that 4-week period. d. CECRA (Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance) offers commercial property landlords a forgivable loan worth 50% of the value of your small business’ rent each month. The loans will be forgiven if you comply with all applicable program

terms and conditions, including that the landlord will not recover forgiven rent amounts from tenants when the program is over. This is still available for an extended period to the end of September. For individuals with home mortgages, Mortgage Payment Deferral may be available to you instead, so inquire about options with your lender. e. BCAP (Business Credit Availability Program) helps cover operating costs by providing businesses access to co-lending programs; loans for rent, payroll and operating costs; working capital requirements; and various financing options from institutions such as Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). f. RRRF (Regional Relief and Recovery Funds) assists businesses and communities unable to access other support measures to cope with and recover from the pandemic; and is available in Alberta through the Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD). g. Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund provides loans of between $25,000 and $250,000 for Black business owners and entrepreneurs, and to address anti-Black racism. Details of this program are yet to be finalized. h. Support for Indigenous businesses by means of shortterm, interest-free loans and non-repayable contributions for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis businesses. i. Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility will provide emergency funding support for large Canadian enterprises (with $300 million or more in annual revenues) facing financial challenges during Covid. 3. Support and promote our local businesses. These are our neighborhood shops and restaurants who are doing their best to stay afloat and are counting on our support. Let us give each other a helping hand the best way we can. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

UNITING SKILLS WITH IMMIGRATION OPPORTUNITY IN CANADA

IMMIGRATION

SERVICES

PERMANENT RESIDENCE Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Federal Skilled Trades Canadian Experience Class Family Class Sponsorship Provincial Nominee Programs Refugee Claims

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE Work, Study or Visitor Permit Spousal Open Work Permit Grandparents/Parents Super Visa Temporary Resident Permit

TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM LMIA Application Process Supporting PR and WP Low/High Wage positions Caregiver Owner/Operator Recruitment services for employers

OTHER SERVICES Commissioner for Oaths (Alberta) True Copy Certification Divorce Applications Suncor Energy Centre, Suite 5100 150, 6th |Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 3Y7 12 AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 | Phone: 403-538-2111 Email: info@armadacompany.ca

Secret to BUSINESS SUCCESS By: Mimi Jane

“ ”

In all my ventures, business or personal, the most important lesson for me is to

TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Eventually, I took a leap of faith by starting my own business instead of following in my family’s footsteps and taking over their business, which would have been easier. An important asset for any entrepreneur is the ability to adapt. The world is constantly changing, evolving, and growing. At 10 years old, I was helping my grandmother in the office. In Grade 4, I was at school most of the time, so I sold handmade stationery to students. In Grade 7, machinecut stationery is being sold at big stores, so I sold snacks & beverages that our cafeteria did not have. “In all my ventures, business or personal, the most important lesson for me is to take it one step at a time.”

YOU DETERMINE HOW FAR YOU ARE GOING TO GO and how many hearts you are going to touch.

’m Mimi Jane, the heart of Bextle Solutions, an entrepreneurial training company designed to give passionate entrepreneurs a proven, powerful step-bystep system for building a profitable business and a freedom lifestyle – around financial literacy. My first “business venture” was at five years old, offering to do menial tasks for my grandmother like cleaning the office for 5 pesos. My grandmother is my ultimate inspiration. She stopped going to school after grade six so that she could start earning money because of poverty. After landing a job in sales in the big city, she saved up her commissions until she could finally start her own business in 1972. Her companies now generate millions in revenue in the Philippines, and her businesses span from real estate, construction, merchandising, retail, to the food industry. This is where I learned that perseverance gets you farther than most can see. Even as a young child, my eyes were set on running the family business, watching it grow as I too grew.

It may surprise people to learn that you just have to take that first step, then everything else will slowly fall into place. Planning without action will only develop frustrations. I always focus on the step I am in. This is how I overcome stress and being overwhelmed. One great example was my business at 15 years old, an entertainment company. I just took the first step which was posting the services on the internet. I’ll never forget receiving that first email from a client—I jumped for joy! My first client was a debutante and wanted a choreographed dance with two of her friends for her special day. I over-delivered from the value that my customer paid me but I didn’t care about the money. I just loved what I was doing. I was passionate about it. At the end of her event, her family thanked me and handed me a cheque for double the amount that we had agreed to. I was shocked! “I learned a valuable lesson about money that day: Entrepreneurship is about giving.” These clients gave back by referring new clients to me. The more generous you become, the more hearts you reach. The more people love working with you, and the more impact you can have on their lives. Generosity is the secret to success in Wealth. That is one of the most important lessons we teach at Bextle. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

PALE Blue DOT By: Alan Carmichael

LET US SET ASIDE OUR PRIMITIVE TRIBAL INSTINCTS,

build bridges instead of barriers, and strive for equal opportunity for all inhabitants of this Pale Blue Dot.

t’s a little over 40 years since NASA launched two spacecraft, Voyager 1 and 2, to explore the outer planets of our solar system and then continue out towards the stars. At a distance of about 6 billion kilometres from Earth, the late Carl Sagan, a member of the Imaging Team, convinced NASA to turn the first spacecraft’s camera back towards us and take a “selfie” of our planet. At this distance, our entire world only spanned one pixel, and is shown here, floating in a sunbeam.

In his 1994 book, Sagan comments on the significance of this photograph. He urges us to contemplate the countless millions of people who have died and the accompanying untold suffering of so many, in the attempts of over-ambitious humans to temporarily control a portion of that dot. He writes: “think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner; how frequent their misunderstandings, ..how fervent their hatreds”. On this last point it is interesting to note that some of the most intense hatred in this world can be between neighbours (both locally and nationally), for example between Sunni and Shiite Muslims or Semites such as Jews and Arabs. This seems puzzling to outsiders, as to us they appear more like brothers and sisters. One manifestation of this hatred is the fact that our world is now divided into over 100 regions by virtue of border walls or fences that are either completed or under construction. Walls and fences are a way to separate neighbors. In 1989, after the fall of the Berlin wall, there were only 15 border walls in existence throughout the world. However, since that date, the number of barriers along borders (built or being built) has increased to over 70. Think how tiny these areas would appear on the pale blue dot above! Given this perspective, it seems we inhabitants of this world are heading in the wrong direction. We need to be able to get along with our neighbors as we are all human beings, sharing a common planet, and of course, as yet, we have no “Planet B”. Our current tendency to regress to tribalism indicates a return to more primitive times, where foreigners were people to be feared and repelled. As humans, we

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

are essentially all the same. We have the same needs for survival and growth. Each life is as important as every other life. Most of us value peace and freedom above all else. Unfortunately, a few people, who generally tend to be nations’ leaders, do not share this vision. In spite of the fact that no one has ever managed to conquer the entire world, some people still aspire to this dream, (and as we know, those who keep trying the same thing and expecting a different result are deemed to be insane!) As Sun Tzu cautioned in his classic book “The Art of War” (5th century BC), it is not possible to hold too large an empire for a great length of time; the cost and organizational difficulties prove to be too great. This can be observed in many instances throughout history, for example in the fall of the Roman Empire, which grew to be too large to maintain. Sun Tzu’s advice is likely the reason that China has never tried to expand beyond its borders; it is probably about as large a population that can be managed successfully for a great period of time. Nonetheless, within China there have been many civil wars and revolutions over the past few thousand years, but in spite of all this trouble the country has held together far longer than any other. Several great minds throughout the course of history have dreamed of the idea of “Cosmocracy”, ie “World Government”, as a solution to many of the problems listed above and as a way to end the need for war. Even Ulysses S. Grant, the famed military leader and US President stated that: “I am convinced that the … World will so develop that it becomes one nation, so that armies and navies are no longer necessary.” Of course, some problems (such as climate change) require global solutions; individual countries pursuing their own agendas will not be able to solve these difficulties. As Nobel prize winning economist John Nash explained, “the best solution is not what is best for the individual, but what is best for the individual and the group.” This advice holds for individual people as well as individual nations. Clearly, the slogan of “make America great again” is not the best policy. The best solution is “make America and the rest of the world great again”. For us in the western world it may be surprising to realize that almost 50 million people are born into this world each year with no documentation; no identification papers, no record of birth. Furthermore, half the world lives on less than $3/day and many have little to no education. I often wonder how many great minds like Einstein, Socrates or Goethe never realized their full potential as they were condemned by their circumstances to spend each day just scratching for their survival; eking out enough food to feed themselves and their families, with no time to think about higher things. It is sobering to think that there are more than 3 billion people on this planet who are trapped on Level 1 of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”, where they wonder each day if they will live to see the sun set. Let us set aside our primitive tribal instincts, build bridges instead of barriers, and strive for equal opportunity for all inhabitants of this Pale Blue Dot.

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Calgary HELPING HOMELESS (YYCHH) By: Kathy Aubichon, Mary Catherine Prasad, Rebecca Auriti, Ross Mayer

“ ”

Our goal is to

UNITE CALGARY TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY by showing love and compassion to our most vulnerable citizens.

t first glance, YYCHH may look like just another one of the many groups in Calgary providing food for those experiencing homelessness or poverty. However, we can tell you that we are so much more than that. Each Saturday we host a Fiesta (which means “feast” in Spanish) in downtown Calgary to share our supper, warm clothing and other essentials in the outdoors, at street level, and in all kinds of weather. We make connections with those who may be affected by, are at risk, or experiencing homelessness. Our goal is to unite Calgary together as a community by showing love and compassion to our most vulnerable citizens. Our aim is to increase awareness about the issues and common misconceptions surrounding homelessness. In March 2020 when it was announced to the world that Covid-19 was a Pandemic, life for all of us changed. Calgary Helping Homeless (YYCHH) had to make the hard decision to shut down our hot and cold meal services for a few months, for the safety of our guests and volunteers. This was mandated by the Alberta Health Services when the maximum number of people that could gather together was reduced to 10. In July 2020, we were given the all clear by AHS and the Fiestas were back on track. This time though, things looked a whole lot different: we could no longer serve meals on plates to our guests. Instead, we made pre-packaged take-away bags filled with non-perishable food items as well as individual portioned servings from our food suppliers. Physical distancing was a big thing and we found a way to keep 6 feet apart from each other. Wearing masks and gloves was our new norm and we made it work. YYCHH has been around for many years. With new leadership in 2015, we’ve been hosting meals known as Fiestas for the homeless and vulnerable citizens here in Calgary. We registered as a not-for-profit Society as of January 2019, and

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

in that same year we provided 5,026 servings of nutritious meals to vulnerable citizens! YYCHH operates on the generosity of our many awesome volunteers, sponsors, donors and supporters whom we’ve connected with through word of mouth and through our Facebook page. Our fiestas are open to everyone, with no questions asked. Guests come from all walks of life in search of a nutritious meal and a clean change of clothes, including street sleepers and past homeless people who have since found housing. We also provide hygiene kits so that our guests can maintain their basic cleanliness. We have volunteers that come just to spend time with the guests and provide a welcoming place for them to socialize and be treated with respect. YYCHH gives citizens like you a chance to participate in making long lasting relationships and connections with each other and to tie the city together as one! If you are interested in having a life-changing experience, we welcome you to get involved. Come and join us at a Saturday Fiesta and help hand out take-away bags or help by giving a donation. The vulnerable citizens of Calgary need you!

For more information on how you can get involved as a donor, a food sponsor, or a volunteer please connect with us at https://www.facebook.com/Calgaryhelpinghomeless by leaving a message on our facebook page and one of our admins will be in touch with you.

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

Ten Ways to

POSITIVE LIVING By: Angie Ostojic

our viewpoint on life can affect your physical and mental health as well as your emotions. It can also either raise or lower your blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress levels. If you feel positive about everything, then things become manageable. You can ward off illness and find it easier to face adversities and hardships in life. Anyone can infuse positivity into their lives. The power of positive thinking may seem a bit cliché, but it really does wonders for your self-esteem, overall mood and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

No one said life was easy and sometimes we get overwhelmed with what life throws at us. It is up to us to decide how we will come out of these challenges. THE POWER OF POSITIVE LIVING IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

1. TURN FAILURES INTO LESSONS Acknowledging that no one is perfect puts things into perspective. You’re going to make mistakes, but instead of focusing on your failure, analyze what went wrong so you can learn from it.

6. STOP THE FLOW OF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS It will need a lot of efforts at first but be patient and make a commitment. Observe your thought patterns. Write down a positive affirmation to counter each negative thought.

2. FIND POSITIVE FRIENDS

7. FIND SOMETHING YOU LOVE TO DO

Surrounding yourself with people who are grounded and upbeat helps you maintain a positive outlook. Positivity is contagious; so, choose your friends wisely.

Take the time to engage in something you’re good at; it will give you a sense of joy and fulfillment.

3. BE GRATEFUL Each night before going to bed, write down 3 things that you are grateful for. It may be as small as a good cup of coffee or something bigger like giving a warm hug to someone who needs comfort. Make it a habit and you’ll soon realize that practicing gratitude becomes part of your daily routine. 4. SEEK HUMOR Watching stand-up comedy routines or funny movies opens you up to laughter which signals the brain to release ‘feel good’ hormones. This reduces stress levels and allows you to see the silver lining. 5. ASSESS WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE This could be challenging at first and may require several attempts, but it gets results and you’ll feel empowered. If your job is ill-fitting and fills your life with negativity, you may want to do something else, but fear is holding you back. Many things can affect the level of negativity in your life but once you put your finger on it, you can move forward positively.

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

8. LIVE A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Eat right, exercise regularly and you’ll see a definite boost in your mood. You will feel more confident and see things in a brighter and positive light. 9. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Reinforcing positive living requires practice. The more you do it, the better you will be at it. Then, one day when you’re in the midst of a crisis, you can use your strength to overcome this adversity. 10. START YOUR DAY WITH POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS Begin your day on a high note. When you start your day positively, you will be able to handle any negative things that can happen throughout the day. No one said life was easy and sometimes we get overwhelmed with what life throws at us. It is up to us to decide how we will come out of these challenges. The power of positive living is a beautiful thing!

About the FOUNDER By: Kathy Aubichon

“ ”

BEING GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE of what you have in front of you is one of the most important ways to build self-esteem and a sense of happiness.

ichelle Obama said it best: “Success isn’t about how your life looks to others; it’s about how it feels to you.” When you take a glance into the life of Angie Ostojic today, you see a successful business woman. She is a strong independent woman; A wife, a mother, a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur with an ever-growing list of accomplishments and so much more. What you may not know is that Angie comes from humble beginnings in the Philippines. She knows firsthand what it means to struggle and work hard for what you believe in. With Angie, you get a woman that not only talks the talk, she also gets into the trenches and walks the walk with anyone that needs her. Angie is the type of person that will tell you the whole truth, even if it’s sometimes difficult to hear. She would rather hurt you with the truth then protect you with a lie and that is an incredible trait not only of a good friend but as a true leader. Angie’s passion in life is to find a way to lend a helping hand. Her heart is fullest when she is giving back to the community. Her goal is to show other people that if she can turn her humble beginnings into a success story, then so can you. She has not forgotten where she came from, and she still strives, to this day, to teach others how they too can turn their lives around. She is a woman of strong faith and understanding, and she practices gratitude every day. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why she has become the prominent and successful entrepreneur that she is today. Angie has said, “Being grateful and appreciative of what you have in front of you is one of the most important ways to build self-esteem and a sense of happiness. When you feel satisfied with what you have and feel a true sense of joy and appreciation for life, you will feel confident in taking the necessary steps towards reaching your goals.”

Dress designed by:

From feeding the homeless people in the streets of Calgary, to raising awareness of the need for brown bag lunches to feed kids that go to school with no food in their stomachs, Angie dives into these causes and gives it her all. In Angie Ostojic we have found a one-of-a-kind leader. For those that have had the opportunity to attend one of her speeches, to those that have met her on the street, you know firsthand that Angie is the real deal. Her smile and her compassion for others is a genuine gift. We look forward to seeing what Angie has in store for the future. We are so very grateful for her teachings and her generous ways of making everyone feel equal and valued. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

PLAN YOUR FUTURE We pride ourselves on educating our customers and helping them make an informed decision. Choosing the right policy can help you and your family in the event of an unforseen incident. Accident and/or sickness protection Disability protection Critical illness protection Cancer disability protection Life protection Affordable rates Licensed agents Benefits are paid directly to you in addition to any other benefits

LET'S KEEP YOU SAFE!

Mental Health Recovery:

THE JOURNEY TO SURVIVAL By: Ruby Rose

It’s appropriate to talk about mental health; SOMETHING THAT THE WORLD IS HESITANT TO HEAR BUT MUST BE TOLD.

t is being said that mental health conditions might become the next pandemic. With all that is going on in the world--natural disasters, a global pandemic, tragedy after tragedy and isolation, a person’s mind can only deal with so much.

reactions including anxiety, fear, and panic. A person suffering from a mental health condition can be triggered anytime and anywhere; it is important to identify and become aware of the cause/s of the trigger.

I believe it’s appropriate to talk about mental health; something that the world is hesitant to hear but must be told.

4. GO BEYOND THERAPEUTIC ADVICE

I experienced a mental health collapse long before this pandemic happened, and I am still in the recovery phase. Let me share with you some of the steps that my family and I took for me to survive some of the darkest moments in my life. I hope that a person who might be suffering from a mental illness find these encouragements helpful during difficult times. 1. LEAN ON YOUR SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM My family and friends never gave up on me. I felt safe opening up about my condition; they stayed with me when I was afraid, encouraged me to eat and even stayed up all night when I couldn’t sleep. 2. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP Yet despite the support from my family and friends, I was still deteriorating, both mentally and physically. I sought professional help at my father’s advice. At first, I was hesitant thinking that I could handle it on my own because I came from the medical field. 3. IDENTIFY TRIGGERS AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. From a lecture I attended this year, I heard that psychiatric conditions are bio-psycho-social in nature. What does this mean? That it has three components: biological, psychological, and social. The expert in this field said that any change in the environment (social) can be a stressor and that stressor could trigger a chemical imbalance (biological) which could lead to psychological

a. Find a creative way to express your thoughts As I was going through my mental health battle, all of the doctors encouraged me to find ways to express my thoughts more creatively. b. Keep yourself busy Do your best to keep yourself occupied while continuing your medications. In my case, my passion is writing so I wrote stories. c. Travel If there are available resources, try your best to travel if you can. I traveled outside of the country because I felt the voices I heard lessened during travel. 5. STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH It was easy to stray far from my faith. With the support of my family and strong faith in God, I became closer than ever before to God, and it renewed my belief in him. If you are interested in purchasing my book, feel free to check the following accounts: Facebook: Ruby Pakinkin Facebook page: Ruby Rose Pakinkin, Nurse Virtual Assistant and Author Book Title: Time Sees: How far will you go to mend broken time? | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

“Just Right” PAINTING AND CLEANING CONTRACTORS By: Leo Ureta Balamban

We trust that if God put us to it, HE WILL HELP US GET THROUGH IT.

e started our commercial cleaning company, LUB Contractors Ltd., in the hopes of being able to spend more time with our family and creating extra cash flow. Motivated not to depend on our 9 to 5 jobs in the long run, we took the leap into business in December 2016. Within two months, our first ever client signed a 2-year contract with us! As our business started growing and we began attracting more clients, our focus shifted into long term growth and viability. Here are some of the lessons that we learnt throughout our journey. • Be knowledgeable about your business. Take time to know more about your clients. • Don’t stop learning new techniques and tools of the trade. Study and get more certifications. • Understand your client’s expectations. Establish a clear line of communication with your client. Solicit feedback from your clients about your service delivery. • Value the people that work for you. Your people are your best asset. If you take care of your people, they will take care of your business. It is as simple as that. ADAPTING TO CHANGE At the eve of COVID-19 in March 2020, all of our purchase orders for painting services were cancelled. There was no movement in the residential building business due to the lockdown. However, in mid-March, we received a call from a client asking if we could supply the manpower for janitorial services in their building. What a time to run a commercial cleaning business during a worldwide pandemic! We came to their service the following day, glad that our adaptive business model allowed us to pivot with the needs of our clients.

HOW WE SCALED OUR BUSINESS Our revenue started to grow from four digits in 2017 to six digits in 2019. We did this by adding painting services which included residential and commercial interior painting, indoor parking painting, parking stalls line painting, parking stalls number lettering and reserved parking/disabled signs. We also added move out/move-in cleaning services for apartments and condo units, drywall repairs and water damage restoration services. LUB Contractors Ltd. is highly dependable in delivering fast and quality standards of services and all our jobs are guaranteed. We have built a system to ensure that we can deliver quality and efficient service during the back-toback turnover of an apartment unit (24 hours turnover of an apartment unit from painting to cleaning). Coming into Canada as contract workers in 2007 from the Philippines, we didn’t expect to be where we are today. As Christian parents, we decided long ago that in whatever we do, we would seek God’s Will in our lives. We trust that if God put us to it, He will help us get through it. We stay grounded in our faith and the motivation to lead our family into a better life. LUB stands for the initials of Leo Ureta Balamban. Leo graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, while co-founder Cristine Balamban graduated with a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She recently received her designation as a Chartered Professional in Human Resources (CPHR). | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

marketing design OUR SERVICES Social Media Management Web Page Design Graphics design for marketing materials Virtual Assistance

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| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

ONLINE MARKETING VOICE for your BUSINESS By: Amy Lo, Owner - Phoenix Marketing & Digital Design

“

It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most

RESPONSIVE TO CHANGE. - Charles Darwin

”

y name is Amy Lo, owner, founder and the ‘Jill’ of all trades of Phoenix Marketing & Digital Design. Together with my husband, Joven Bautista, who is also my business partner in design and operations, we manage our startup business and focus on customer-centricity. I am currently focusing as an Online Marketing expert. Our strategies help businesses gain an organic and authentic following. Our creativity builds engagement to increase online visibility to generate leads, interest, and profit. We believe in giving value and creating dialogue by way of applying our skills in graphic design. We listen to our clients and help innovate their vision through our creativity. I’m a lifelong student and I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset. I am consistently looking for new ways to earn a passive income. As much as I love long walks on the beach, I live in the city of Calgary, Alberta, where it can snow eight months a year. Nonetheless, I love my city with all the experiences it has brought me. I grew up with the mentality of going to school, getting a job, working, getting promoted, hoping to retire from that same job after 25 to 30 years. As dedicated as I was, that didn’t quite work out well for me. I am no longer in my 9 to 5 work routine. The changes in the economy have made me relentless – aiming for greatness in every project.

The transitions made me resilient, evolving with the market, life, and in every situation. I have over 15 years of experience in business administration, project management, and supply chain from the oil and gas industry. Although I had great opportunities, the uncertainty of the industry led me to change my environment, which allowed me to have the freedom to pursue my passion for graphic design and marketing. The next big step was to learn the fundamentals of digital marketing. I committed to studying online to grow my knowledge and expertise. We were able to innovate and expand our services and have mastered our craft to remain competitive. Now I’m leading my own company. We work behind local and reputable companies within the food and beverage, automotive, health and wellness, and educational industry. We take pride in everything that we do for our clients in making sure we meet their expectations as their success is our success. We work hard to help businesses cultivate their brands and make their goals a reality. Aside from getting the job done, delivering customer satisfaction will always be one of our top objectives. At Phoenix Marketing and Digital Design, we make sure that we wake up with determination and go to bed with satisfaction. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

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ICE CREAM Extraordinaire By: Abbey Claro, Owner - Abbey’s Creation

Follow your dreams, never give up and work passionately at the things you love to do!

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!

was born in the Philippines and grew up with many siblings. I had a happy childhood spending lots of time with my brothers and sisters. Since I was a young girl, I always dreamt of having my own business. When I graduated from college, I had the opportunity to own my own canteen and served over 1000 school kids from kindergarten to grade six. After four years of running my canteen, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to work in Canada. I went to Canada leaving behind my 4-year-old daughter and sacrificing 3 years of being apart from her. I worked at several fast-food restaurants over the next few years, praying for the day when I would be together again with my daughter. Finally, after long years of hard work I was able to bring my daughter to Canada and we began living our dreams in Calgary. In 2019, I received my permanent residence status and started looking for a business to own. After a long search, I decided that there was an opportunity to fill a need in Calgary for a Philippine-inspired ice cream shop. In early January of 2020 I signed the lease for a space located in Bowness and then began the long days of building my shop. From trenching of the floors and digging plumbing trenches, to painting the walls, my days were filled with many hours of physical work.

My business was set to open on March 15, just as Covid-19 brought down government-mandated closures of all the restaurants across the city. Thankfully, my landlord was very understanding delayed my rent payments until the store was allowed to open. On a sunny Thursday on May 22nd, I officially opened my ice cream store. With its opening, came the long days of work without any days-off, training my staff and building relationships with our customers. The communities of Montgomery and Bowness were very supportive and my store’s reputation for delicious ice cream and friendly service grew exponentially.

Finally, after a couple of months my fellow Filipinos began to spread the news that a ‘kababayan (someone from their home country), owned a wonderful ice cream store which served both Canadian and Filipino ice cream flavours such as Halo Halo, Queso and Cocopandan, to name a few. Customers came by the carloads and leaving with buckets of ice cream. All my hard work and sacrifices started paying off and I was so pleased to make many people happy. So, as they say, follow your dreams, never give up and work passionately at the things you love to do! Dreams do come true! | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

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Unit 516, 10816 Macleod Trail, Calgary, AB T2J 5N8 | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

VISUALIZE your DREAMS By: Denise Hernandez, Franchise Owner / Operator - BOOSTER JUICE

“

WORK HARD WITH INTEGRITY and keep an open communication with your superiors about your career goals and intentions. Most importantly, visualize owning the business and live it as if you already own it.

”

ack in the year 2005, I was employed at the luxurious, world-renowned, Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Cayman Islands. I have enjoyed every day of the island life, and to have seen world-famous personalities and celebrities up close and personal was so cool! Who would have thought that I will get to live in a dream island for seven years?--- It was such an amazing experience! But just like any beautiful dream, it had to come to an end. In 2011, when my work contract was about to expire, I went looking for other job opportunities outside the island. It was then when I came across a job posting for Booster Juice in Calgary, Canada. With my future on the line, I packed my things and flew to Calgary for the job interview. I left no room for failure nor the thought of returning to the Cayman Islands. Determined as I was, I had already visualized myself working and living in Canada even before the interview. FACING OPPOSITION Common to most newcomers, it was not easy starting out in Canada. I remember shedding tears while throwing out the garbage because I was treated poorly by my co-workers. Having worked for the Ritz Carlton for seven years as the departmental trainer for room service, I was accustomed to rigorous work ethic, which made some of my co-workers uncomfortable. I wanted to share the same level of professionalism and excellent customer service that I learned from The Ritz-Carlton. This brought tension and I felt discriminated. FOCUS FORWARD I kept my head high, focused on my goals and pushed forward. I brought in my creative business ideas

which helped improve the sales of our Booster Juice locations. A few years later, I became the Store Manager. Years of hard work, dedication and persistence eventually paid off when I was given the opportunity to become a franchise partner of not just one, but two Booster Juice outlets. My interest to become a franchise owner was known to my boss and becoming an employer myself was truly a dream come true! My business partner admired how dedicated Filipinos are to their jobs and I couldn’t agree more! I took a big risk flying to Calgary just for a job interview and now I get to give the same opportunity to help people; the risk I took back then was indeed all worth my effort! My advice to those who want to become a business-owner is to work hard with integrity and keep an open communication with your superiors about your career goals and intentions. Most importantly, visualize owning the business and live it as if you already own it.

WANT IT – THINK IT – GET IT!! | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

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| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

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From ZERO CAPITAL to SIX FIGURE INCOME This Couple Found Their Secret to Success By: Lorephil Aguinaldo, CEO - Canajan Inc.

“ ”

COMPROMISING AND FLEXIBILITY are necessary in order to have a happy marriage life as well as a very successful business.

ife in the Philippines was very difficult. My husband, Wennie, worked odd jobs so we could afford to buy milk for our newborn daughter. At the age of 19, I’d just finished college and he didn’t have any post-secondary education. We counted only on ourselves to survive. We often asked ourselves if this was the life we wanted and dreamed of. As a mother, I had to think of something that could change our lives for the better. My dream was to come to Canada but I needed a lot of work experience to get there. I worked many jobs, worked diligently, and fast forward four years later in 2011, our family was blessed to move to Canada. But that was half the struggle. After arriving here, we took on cleaning jobs, even cleaning bathrooms to make ends meet. We desperately wanted to leave our 9 to 5 jobs, we grinded daily and kept looking for a solution. At first, Wennie didn’t like cleaning because he viewed it as a dead-end job. His mindset changed after working for a sanitation company where he learned to pay greater attention to detail and became meticulous in cleaning and in short order, excelled at his job. Cleaning became a passion for him and in May 2020, he decided to join me as a business partner in our family business. Now he manages our employees and ensures that the highest quality service is provided to all our clients. One of the areas we found challenging as a married couple and as business partners, was adjusting to each others’ personalities to meet our goals. While

my husband is an introvert and shy, I am an extrovert with strong self confidence. My expertise and strength is administration and meeting with people. I am the face of the company while my husband handles operations. We focus on our strengths and at the same time, help with each others weaknesses. I tend to make long term plans while my husband is more focused on the short term process. We try to meet in the middle to be able to reach our common goal. I am a visionary and like to project into the future, while my husband focuses on the day to day functions. The difference in our mindset can sometimes be very challenging but we both agree that compromising and flexibility are necessary in order to have a happy marriage life as well as a very successful business. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

The BALANCING ACT By: Joy Tajanlangit

BALANCE COMES IN THE MOMENTS WHEN YOU STAND UP FOR THE LIFE

you truly want for yourself, by making choices that align with that.

couple of years ago, in one of the conversations with my daughter Ella, I apologized for being so busy and having little time with her. I was always travelling for work and also had to be on top of things with our family business. I asked her, “what can I do better?” Her reply struck me, and it made an indelible imprint in my being. She said, “Mom, I wish you didn’t get mad at the little things. You are an angry person.” When she said those words, I saw the pain and sadness in her eyes. It broke my heart seeing her unhappy. I felt as though I had failed her. I hugged her tightly and made a promise to change. I realized that in my pursuit to give my family a comfortable life, I forgot to make my daughter a priority and clouded my purpose by doing many things at once. Those words from Ella sounded like an alarm bell to me. I consciously decided to change and made several choices to find balance in my life. I made three critical changes that allowed me to find the balance I was seeking and spend more quality time with my daughter. And these you can easily apply in your life if you are facing similar challenges finding the balance that’s right for you. CONNECT WITH YOUR GOAL EVERY DAY. Each of us has goals in life. As we journey through life, it may change from one stage of life to another. Some goals are small and often work towards the attainment of a bigger purpose. Whatever our goal is, we have to be laserfocused and be connected daily with it until it comes to fruition. LEARN TO MANAGE YOUR PRIORITIES. We often hear experts tell us about time management. But here is what I learned from my coach we cannot manage time, but we can manage our priorities.

The tasks that align most with your goals must get the highest importance and urgency. RESPECT YOUR YOURSELF AND LEARN TO SAY “NO.” Many external factors demand our attention whether it be from our family, friends, colleagues - and if the matter is not urgent, and we need to rest, we need to learn to say ‘no’ lovingly and respectfully. When we force ourselves to always give in to external demands, we become more stressed and frustrated, and we cannot give wholeheartedly. When we are energized and happy, then we can give them our attention entirely. If you are on a quest for a better version of yourself, let’s connect. Visit my website at www.coachedbyjoy.com or send me a message at info@coachedbyjoy.com, on FB and Instagram.

A COACH IS YOUR ALLY. A COACH IS YOUR STRATEGIST. A COACH IS COMMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS. | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

Curatedlyf "Live the life you design." Curatedlyf is all about having fun and expressing your uniqueness by wearing limited and one-of-a-kind style pieces. We curate looks, styles and statement pieces that anchor to one’s lifestyle, personality, and personal taste.

Article by: Maria Theresa Padua

Our Brand Story

Encouraged, I came back to Canada with a brand new collection in mind and began doing

When I was young, I tagged along with my

my market research. It was mid-2019 when I

grandfather and sat in his business meetings. I

saw an opportunity to open a brick and mortar

admired how he managed to be the pillar of

store. I gathered my resources and began

strength for our family and how he gained the

him as being resourceful, smart and assertive. It wasn’t until my late twenties when I realized that I had an entrepreneurial streak as well. The difference was that I did not start off as confident or assertive as my grandfather was. I always had a love for beauty pageants and modeling, so I poured my energy in that direction. It gave me some of the best times of my life and instilled

projections. It hasn’t been an easy journey, and there have been a lot of challenges, disappointments, and mistakes along the way, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic which threw off our global economy. There were many instances when I felt it was almost

Mele +

Marie

easier just to quit, but I couldn't let myself be defeated by these circumstances; my journey must go on, and then came the clarity of what I

valuable knowledge in me.

had to do.

In 2018, my life did a 180-degree turn to bring me here to North America. Knowing what my

Our Mission To help skilled artisans and product-preneurs

dreams were, I knew that I could make them

reach the global market and be a part of their

come true-- this is how Curatedlyf started.

growth and success. To give our customers

I started building my business plan and flew back to the Philippines to attend an international trade fair and convention, where I met Marie of

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOHN TABINGO AND DANVIE B ESCALA

respect and love of our community. I remember

re-drafting my business plan and financial

Mele + Marie, a prestigious, international

designer in the world of fashion, jewellery, and all things couture. Exploring her collection, I told her about my business plan. She said, “Why don’t you start now?”. She shared her

access to high quality, unique pieces and innovated ideas to maximize their wardrobe and make a fashion statement.

Our Vision Our vision is to expand globally to meet the market demands while growing in quality and creativity relevant in today’s fashion industry. We want to utilize innovation and technology

entrepreneurial journey with me, staking her claim that “If you’re determined, it doesn’t matter how small you start; what’s important is that you start!”

while cultivating avenues that showcase our partners in the best light. We believe in the curated life philosophy,

—“fitted best to your lifestyle, taste,

Forces behind Curatedlyf

and personality”.

allerie in Faye & V p. custom to

Noemi Jenabeth

Rose

Danvie

Theresa

Edward

Avic

| AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 |

THE STYLE SECTION

John

Marquee

Vivian

Lulu in Audrey Albason

www.curatedlyf.com

Jaki Peñalosa F O R

C U R A T E D L Y F

C19 New Horizon Mall or www.curatedlyf.com

Photography: John Tabingo and Danvie Escala | AOMB | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 | 35

CALGARY'S PREMIUM AUTO DETAILER

OUR SERVICES BASIC, PREMIUM AND ULTIMATE INTERIOR CAR DETAILING PACKAGES AVAILABLE EXTERIOR WAX & POLISH Contact us: CAR ENGINE DETAILING Bay 17, 240074 Frontier Crescent VACUUM Rockyview County, AB T1X0N2 DISINFECTING 403-204-3798 | AOM | www.angieostojic.com | Volume 4 | 36 CAR DECALS zlrautospa@gmail.com

Angie Ostojic Magazine 2020

Articles inside

NAVIGATE and MANEUVER through the world of TAX and ACCOUNTING

The Sarcee Meadows WOMEN’S CIRCLE