ISSN 2371-1981
life.ca
CURATED
the start up issue
liz loughrey
master class learn from the best
on the rise
carry on beautiful beauty essentials
CURATEDLIFE.CA / ISSUE ONE / 1
CURATED LIFE DEFINE YOUR CURATED LIFE™
EDITOR IN CHIEF FOUNDER /LE AD CUR ATOR
JULENE CHUNG COPY EDITOR
J. ELDE CRE ATIVE - PREPRESS
JULENE CHUNG JOSIE LA CORTE NAOMI ADOWAA ON COVER
MODEL LIZ LOUGHREY PHOTOGRAPHER KYLE KIRKWOOD HAIR & MAKE-UP JOCELYN ASHLEY CONTRIBUTORS
MARY YOUNG, LEIGH ANN ASARE, NIKKI SINGH, DEVON BROOKS, KRISTIN KNAPP, CHANTEL CHAPMAN, TARA LEYDON, DR. LIZA EGBOGAH, DR. HILLARY WEBSTER, SARAH BERNECHE, RENA RUTKAUSKAS, DEEPA TAILOR, CHYAUNA FRANCIS ADVERTISING/GENERAL INQUIRIES
HELLO@CURATEDLIFE.CA PUBLISHER
JULECHU LIFESTYLE P.O. BOX 30083 CITYSIDE POSTAL OUTLET MISSISSAUGA, ON L4Z 0B6 BRANDING LUXURY. INSPIRING MINDS.™ CURATED LIFE MAGAZINE
ISSN 2371-1981 www.curatedlife.ca Spring/Summer 2016
© JuleChu Lifestyle; May 2016 All Rights Reserved. PERMISSIONS Unless otherwise stated, all content is original work.Copyright is retained by original owners. Excerpt taken from the book, “Funded: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Raising Your First Round” by Katherine Hague was republished with permission from O’Reilly Media. MEDICAL, LEGAL & FINANCIAL ADVICE NOTICE Information provided in this publication is intended to support, not replace, the advice of healthcare, legal and financial professionals. Pleases consult with your own service provider about any questions or concerns about your personal circumstance.
SPONSORSHIP DISCLOSURE Curated Life event sponsorship and editorial are separate. No monetary sponsorships or advertisements were exchanged for editorial product placements and/ or endorsements. In-kind contributions of product samples for distribution were received and are noted as such in the editorial therein.
This Publication is Proudly Canadian
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CONTENTS COMMUNITY EDITOR’S LETTER
5
FEATURED CURATORS
6
CURATED LIFE EVENTS AT A GLANCE IT’S IN THE BAG
7
9
ENTERPRISE BEAUTY & THE EBOUTIQUE
10
IN THE NAME OF LOVE
12
SHOP CONSCIOUSLY
14
ON THE RISE: WITH LIZ LOUGHREY PASSION TO POWERHOUSE SHE’S THE BOSS
16 18
20
HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST CLIENT
24
FRANCHISE PHENOMENON TO BRAVE BABE MENTOR THE READING LIST
27
MENTOR MOMENT
53
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 101
55
ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR A BOSS BABE
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57
25
HEALTH & WEALTH CREDIT HEALTH IS WEALTH
31
AVOID THE PAINS OF FASHION
35
A FIELD GUIDE TO CONSCIOUS EATING 6 HABITS THAT HELP ENTREPRENEURS THRIVE
FASHION & BEAUTY CARRY ON BEAUTIFUL STYLE SMITH
33 50
LIFESTYLE DESTINATION INSPIRATION THE CURATED CLOSET
41 46
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37 40
EDITOR’S LETTER
I
’m not a business guru, I’m just a young woman like you trying to curate the best life possible for myself. To me, curating your life means carefully choosing what you allow to shape your identity, atmosphere, relationships and sense of wellbeing. It is about realizing your worth and making choices that uphold your worth. You live full of hope for your future and curate your present life accordingly. In essence, it is a lifestyle of empowerment. As illustrated by social determinants of health, a woman is best empowered when she is economically empowered. That’s why there is a strong emphasis on women’s entrepreneurship throughout each Curated Life project. Through curatedlife. ca, my mission is to curate empowering lifestyle events and media content for millennial women. According to recent research, millennial women entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges due to being both young and women. These challenges include difficulty with business planning, lack of confidence, and lack of financial literacy and limited access to venture capital. When I read these facts, it was almost like reading a checklist of my past experience with entrepreneurship. This is why my intention with curatedlife.ca is to connect you to a community and resources that will help you start and/or grow a prosperous business. This magazine is something I dreamed of putting together for years. I filled notebook after notebook with ideas, before mustering enough courage to begin the work. In this publication, I hope to capture the essence of the supportive sisterhood of our Curated Life events in a way that could be shared online and in print. I hope that something in this issue will resonate with you and encourage you to take the next step forward in following your own dreams. I would also like to extend a special thanks to all our volunteers, contributors and press contacts who volunteered their time and content. This inaugural issue would not have been possible without your help. defining #mycuratedlife,
EDITOR IN CHIEF CUR ATED LIFE MAGA Z INE
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FEATURED CURATORS MARY YOUNG
TAR A LE YDON
Mary Young is a Canadian lingerie
Tara Leydon is a Makeup Artist,
and loungewear designer who
Image Consultant and Stylist
empowers women to embrace their
based in Toronto, Canada. She has
individual definitions of sexy. With a
worked for major brands like Aveda,
degree in Fashion Communications
Club Monaco, Hugo Boss and Holt
from Ryerson University, Mary
Renfrew before starting her own
Young also shares her brand
company TL Makeup & Image.
strategy and execution insights
www.tlmakeupandimage.com
with other entrepreneurs through communities like BrainStation and Etsy. www.maryyoung.ca SARAH BERNACHE
DEEPA TAILOR
Sarah Berneche, Holistic
After attaining her Bachelors at the
Nutritionist, is the founder
University of Toronto and her JD
and director of The BarreFuel
at the University of Ottawa, Deepa
Project, the nutrition program at
worked at the Toronto office of
Barreworks fitness studios. As CEO
Miller Thomson LLP before working
of SarahBellum, Sarah also runs a
in-house as Commercial Counsel
blog, private practice and provides
for Siemens Canada Limited. Now
consultant services. She has a
with her own law firm, Tailor Law,
reputation for empowering people to
Deepa is enthusiastic about guiding
make energizing food and lifestyle
start-ups on their journey to
choices every day.
success.
www.sarahbellum.org
www.tailorlaw.com
NIKKI SINGH
HILLARY WEBSTER
Nikki Singh is a realtor, city blogger
Dr. Hillary Webster is a board-
and a chocolate cake enthusiast. She
certified Naturopathic Doctor and
is a self-proclaimed foodie and loves
a self-professed Health Genius.
to share her passion for life, art,
As a crusader for good health,
career and all things love. She has a
her mission is to help women find
natural passion for the industry, but
health through physical and mental
it is the individuals that she meets
strength. Dr. Hillary loves to write
in her line of work that fuels her
about health in order to teach people
passion for selling real estate.
how to live their healthiest lives.
www.realestateinstilettos.com
www.websternaturopathic.com
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COMMUNITY Curated Life Events at a Glance
PHOTOGR APHER JOSHUA TUBBS, CUSTOMATIC
MASTERCLASS BY CURATED LIFE
T
hroughout 2016, CuratedLife.ca will host an event series called, MASTERCLASS. Each MASTERCLASS will address an area of weakness faced by millennial women entrepreneurs. According to research, millennial women entrepreneurs face unique set of challenges due to being both young and women. These challenges include lack of confidence, lack of financial literacy, limited access to capital and difficulty with business planning. Through the MASTERCLASS series, attendees will be connected to a community of peers and the resources required to build prosperous businesses.
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Cupcakes + Conversations May 2016 We are delighted to invite you to a celebration to mark the inaugural issue of Curated Life magazine and the upcoming season of MASTERCLASS events. The celebration will be held at Her Majesty’s Pleasure in Toronto on May 20th. In addition to receiving a collector’s copy of the magazine, attendees will enjoy cupcakes from the Bake Shoppe (www.bakeshoppeto.com) and a gift bag. See page next for details. Keep up-to-date with our community events by following @curatedlifeca on Twitter and Instagram.
D
uring January’s MASTERCLASS, we turned Souvenir Studios into a hub of inspiration. It was an intimate event, but there was a diverse group of young, women entrepreneurs. Attendees enjoyed a meal from Sud Forno along with cupcakes from the Bake Shoppe. Our founder gave a quick talk about the importance of setting goals and how to use the S.M.A.R.T. goals acronym. And designer Mary Young shared her start-up story and business goals. She also served as a moderator, providing feedback and advice to attendees as they shared their own goals for the year.
“ We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. “
- Maya Angelou
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IT’S IN THE BAG VIP attendees of our spring launch celebration, Cupcakes + Conversations, will receive the following gift bag items PHOTOGRAPHER JULENE CHUNG
Tealeaves Jet Lag Therapy Kit A carry on essential, the Jet Lag Therapy kit contains two masterblend teas – Energy and Relax. Energy is an invigorating blend of mint, citrus, yerba maté and ginkgo biloba to help keep you focused. And Relax is a floral, caffeine-free blend to help you ease into a peaceful sleep. www. tealeaves.com
Pura Botanicals Neroli Eye Ritual Made with a blend of botanical humectants like rosehip, lavender and aloe vera, this Neroli Eye Ritual is an overnight beauty must-have. The ritual works to hydrates your delicate under eye tissue and to minimize puffiness. And the full-size ritual is packaged in a roller-ball for easy application. www.purabotanicals.com
Tealeaves 10 Whole Lead Pyramid Teabag Sampler This sampler is a collection of Tealeaves’ top 10 masterblend whole leaf teas. Each blend is packaged in a convenient pyramid tea bag for easy enjoyment. The sampler includes flavours like Organic Earl Grey with Lavender, Vanilla Rooibos and Monsoon Chai. www.tealeaves.com
My Daughter Fragrances – Bloom 23 & Joyful There is so much to love about this fragrance brand. Inspired by a mother’s love for her daughter, each perfume is created in France and bottled by the owner’s family in Alberta, Canada. It is a more natural perfume, free of the harmful chemicals found in mainstream fragrances. Bloom 23 is a blend of regal gardenia, jasmine, ylang ylang and vanilla. And Joyfull is a blend of orange flower, lime blossom, rose, jasmine and sandalwood. www.mydaughterfragrance.com
Toronto Popcorn Company Toronto Popcorn Company has quickly become a main attraction at Kensington Market. With over 100 flavours of gourmet popcorn, from classic caramel to cupcake, it is a foodie paradise. Toronto Popcorn Company has generously supplied grab bags as a perfect take-home snack. www.torontopopcorncompany.com Pura Botanicals Overnight Watermelon Mask Glowing skin is always in season. Try this ultra-hydrating overnight mask made with all-natural ingredients. It contains watermelon extract to brighten and nourish with vitamin C, neroli to increase skin elasticity, all-natural silk peptide and aloe to soothe your skin.
Flashionista Jewelry Tattoos Flashionistas is a Canadian line of temporary metallic tattoos you can wear as jewelry. Easy to apply and completely waterproof, these jewelry tattoos are the perfect accessory for the summer! You can even order custom designs for yourself or an upcoming event. www.flashionistas. com
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BEAUTY & THE EBOUTIQUE How Mary Young used Instagram to grow her fashion business.
BY MARY YOUNG
I
developed the concept for my business during my fourth year at Ryerson University where I studied fashion communications. I produced both a capstone/thesis and five-piece collection of lingerie with knit sweaters. After I presented my collection, I received great feedback from the fashion industry and spent time researching to see if this category of clothing was viable. After spending about 3 months writing a business plan and strategizing the brand, I took a leap of faith and launched my namesake line in September 2014. The MARY YOUNG brand has a minimal, sporty feel with clean lines and simple details. The use of white space and cool tones is very important to the overall brand feel. This aesthetic is quite easily applied to the website and social channels by curating images and content appropriately. The website features white space, without an abundance of colours and content. All images shared on our social channels also feature white space, juxtaposed angles and all have cool tones. It’s extremely important to have a consistent brand feel and aesthetic across all platforms. My target market is very active on social media, especially Instagram. And my target market looks for immediate gratification. With that said, sharing images of products and ways to style our garments on social media gives my consumers a direct example
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of what they can have within a few clicks. It’s also very important for brands to maintain a presence outside of their website or brick and mortar store – especially when a brand doesn’t have a brick and mortar store. Without a physical location a brand has to rely on social media channels and their website to reach consumers. Effective use of social media can promote a constant flow of new shoppers and encourage relationships with returning customers. The deliberate use of social media platforms is a vital part of my business growth. Instagram, for example, gives me the ability to showcase not only products but the lifestyle of the brand. Doing so, helps communicate our values and mission. As a result, our consumers are extremely aware of the brand as a whole rather than just the products we have to offer. The growth of the brand is very much related to my use of Instagram, for example when I share an image of a new design on Instagram I see a huge spike in traffic on the website almost immediately. I focus on having engaged followers rather than more followers who are not engaging and in turn purchasing pieces. I’ve also been able to connect with
other designers, models, photographers, bloggers and media outlets over Instagram and built some amazing relationships that way. My main advice to other entrepreneurs would be to focus on engaged followers rather than the amount of followers. Having 20k+ followers is definitely exciting, but if less than 2% of them are engaging you won’t see any benefits in regards to your business growth and sales. Having less than 10k followers but having 5-10% engaged and shopping your products is ideal; you can see direct results of your efforts this way. I would also suggest focusing on consistency and having a cohesive channel. Each social media platform should offer a different voice and content. If you post the same content on each channel there is no reason for your followers to follow each platform. Instead, choose a specific purpose for each channel. For example, Facebook can be used to share articles and have a more business-focused voice, whereas Instagram can be more of a friend’s voice, having conversations about products and the lifestyle of these items. To learn more about Mary Young, visit www.maryyoung.ca and follow her on Instagram @itsmaryyoung CURATEDLIFE.CA / ISSUE ONE / 11
IN THE NAME OF LOVE How a social-purpose business is helping to fight the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.
BY JULENE CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHY BY THIS IS L
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M
illennials have been credited with using technology and innovative thinking to disrupt the way business is done. In the past, businesses have been divided into two sectors, for-profit and non-profit. But with consumers becoming more socially aware, a growing number of businesses are adopting a “make money, make change” philosophy. Meaning, a business’ social legacy is becoming just as important as its fiscal bottom line. This shift has allowed for the rise of social-purpose businesses also known as social enterprises. In this business model, entrepreneurs build a business around a mission; bringing their whole self, personal experiences, values and skills, into a venture. A brilliant example is L Condoms, a “one for one” company that focuses on women’s empowerment. L Condoms was founded by Talia Frenkel, who witnessed the effects of HIV/AIDS on women around the world while working as a photojournalist for the Red Cross. Increasingly women and girls are affected by the HIV/ AIDS epidemic and are disproportionately affected at a younger age than men. “Sex is universal but protection is not,” says founder Talia Frenkel, “…women have the unique abilities and skills to strengthen and lead the global response to HIV/AIDS.” With this in mind, Talia set
out with the ambitious aim of fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by making condoms, the most effective technology in HIV prevention, more accessible to women.
“ a business’ social legacy is becoming just as important as its fiscal bottom line. “
L condoms available in ultra-thin, classic and ribbed versions through www.thisisl.com
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Talia’s social-purpose business uses a consumer-driven donation model. This means for every condom purchased, one is distributed in a developing country. L Condoms takes the model a step further by also providing programs that focus on building capacity of its community partners and transforming consumers into advocates. In addition these social impacts, L Condoms are also premium products that use sustainably-tapped natural latex and female-friendly lubricants, free of irritating additives. By doing so, L Condoms takes a unique approach to marketing condoms directly to women. Today around 40% of social enterprises are led by women. The success of each of these enterprises proves that entrepreneurship can be a means to finding innovative solutions for social challenges. It also proves that empowering women helps to build a more prosperous and healthy world for everyone.
SHOP CONSCIOUSLY
H
ow you spend your money is a powerful statement of what your values are. Conscious shopping can include purchasing sustainable fashion, organic beauty or ethically-sourced items. You can shop to support local entrepreneurs or an artesian in a developing country. There are a number of quality products with benefits for your health, community and the planet. Here are just a few to get you started.
Far and Wide Blanket, $275; Holt Renfrew
Insertion Bra $95US; vplstore.com
Sunny Day Karen Sandal, $395US, brothervellies.com
British Rose Petal-Soft Hand Cream, $10, thebodyshop.ca
Geometric Stable Ring, $2040.98, maiyet.com
Saddle Bag, $295USD, cuyana.com
SHOP LOCALLY
Intensely Dark Chocolate Bar, $4, Whole Foods Market
Bloom 23, $85 for 100ml, ecodivabeauty.com
Petal Fudge Body Cream, $42, purabotanicals.com
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“Canadian Built�, $29.99, peacecollective.com
H Project - Holt Renfrew’s H Project is a curated collection of unique products from around the world. This season’s collection includes fair-trade goods from Far and Wide; a company that connects artisans in developing countries with the international market. VPL NYC - This line of athletic wear is designed and manufactured by women using upcycled materials. In addition to quality products that eliminate fabric waste, VPL supports women’s economic independence through fair wages for factory workers. The Body Shop - The Body Shop is a pioneer as a sustainable beauty brand. With ethically-sourced ingredients, it has recently launched a campaign to “enrich not exploit;” benefiting people, products and planet. Brother Veilles - Founded by Toronto-native, Aurora James, Brother Vellies introduces the world to traditional African footwear. By doing so the company creates artisanal jobs in South Africa, Kenya and Morocco. Maiyet - Maiyet proves that luxury can be (and should be) sustainable. Their jewelry is hand crafted by artisans in Jaipur, India. And Maiyet only uses diamonds that are Kimberley Process Certified and are conflict free. Cuyana - Known for its “fewer, better” philosophy, Cuyana uses the finest craftsmanship to create long-lasting goods. To encourage its customers to adopt a leaner closet, Cuyana also makes it easier to donate gently-used clothing to women in need through its non-profit partner, H.E.A.R.T. Camino Chocolate – For quality, guilt-free chocolate, try Camino. Camino is owned by the Ottawa-based, La Siembra Co-operative, which was founded by three friends out of a community kitchen. Camino chocolate is made of fair-trade and organic ingredients. My Daughter Fragrances – Complete scents and sensibility, this collection of fragrances is void of harmful ingredients like phthalates and parabens. Instead it is full of amazing absolutes, essential oils, and motherly love. My Daughter also donates a portion of proceeds from every bottle to charitable causes. Pura Botanicals – With increasing awareness of toxins in mainstream beauty products, many are turning to healthier options. Based in Edmonton, Pura Botanicals is a green beauty apothecary with a collection of eco-luxe skincare that celebrates wellness and the beauty ritual. Peace Collective- The Peace Collective aims to encourage Canadians to join the fight against poverty using fashion. With the purchase of select garments, $4 is donated to Breakfast for Learning, a student nutrition program that helps to provide healthy meals for Canadian children in-need.
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ON THE RISE with Liz Loughrey BY LEIGH ANN ASARE PHOTOGRAPHER KYLE KIRKWOOD
H A I R & M A K E- U P J O C E LY N A S H L E Y
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W
ith over 20,000 subscribers on Youtube, Liz Loughrey (pronounced lockree) has created buzz with her unique covers of Top 40 songs. Based in Toronto, she is a classically-trained pop/soul vocalist with a velvet voice that is soothing to the ear. A music prodigy, Liz wrote her first song at 12. Along with developing her vocal skills, Liz has also developed her skill as an instrumentalist who plays piano, guitar and drums. Counting Etta James and Amy Winehouse as her influences, Liz incorporates classic soul and jazz into her music style. As an independent artist on the rise, we interviewed Liz Loughrey to learn about her thoughts on the parallels between her art and business. Q. As an independent artist, do you see yourself as a creative entrepreneur? If so, what business skills do find essential? A. Being an independent artist is a lot like running a business. Understanding my audience, and knowing how to market myself accordingly is a big part of this career building process. Q. What has been your greatest challenge thus far and how are/have you overcome it? A. Opinions and art go hand in hand. I would say my biggest challenge has been choosing which opinions to take to heart and which to respectfully disagree with. But the more I create, the more confident I become in who I am and what I represent. Q. For many years, it’s been said that Toronto artists need to go elsewhere to “make it big” before finding or being recognized for their success here. Do you believe this is still true? A. Unfortunately yes; and more than ever we have glaring examples of artists who prove that. It’s as if the city isn’t collectively ready to claim artists as their own until America says they’re cool. That has to change because there is a lot of “cool” coming up in our city right now. Q. If you could make one change to Toronto’s music industry, what would it be? A. I want to see more communication between executives, promoters, movers & shakers of the Canadian industry and up and coming artists. They don’t seem to have much interest in taking risks or developing what’s new and dope in our city. Investing more energy into that might give artists more incentive to stick around. Q. You take a lot of care to ensure that there is meaning in your lyrics. What’s the most important message you would like to share with your music? A. Music is supposed to unite people and change lives like it did in the 70s. I want my music to remind people how connected we are with one another and with everything around us. I try to plant seeds of love and enlightenment in as much of my music is possible. Q. What is the biggest dream you have for yourself and your career? A. One of my big dreams, making music and sharing the stage with Sade. A woman that does it so well! Intelligent, poised, sexy, eloquent, and artistic. #Goals
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PASSION TO POWERHOUSE. Taking a closer look at The Coveteur.
BY JULENE CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY THE COVETEUR
F
rom getting ready for an industry event with Joan Smalls in Paris, to going through the closet of Questlove in New York, The Coveteur is well-known for taking readers behind-the-scenes. Offering an intimate, yet voyeuristic, look into the lives of today’s tastemakers, The Coveteur’s distinct aesthetic fills Pinterest boards around the world. But, it is the online publication’s authentic voice that offers the beauty secrets and cheeky (but sincere) advice that you would expect from a best friend. And yes they do give trophies for that. The Coveteur has garnered a number of awards, including the W3 gold award for best social presence, and a Bloglovin’ award for “best written content” in 2015. With more than 800,000 followers on social media and an office in New York, The Coveteur is arguably the most successful Canadian blog to date. The Coveteur was founded in 2011 by three friends: Stephanie Mark, a Dalhousie University alumni who studied fashion marketing at Parsons; Jake Rosenberg, an Ontario College of Art and Design grad; and Erin Kleinberg, a graduate of Western University’s MIT program. Originally based in Toronto, Canada, the trio didn’t even set out to start an online business. Instead The Coveteur began organically as a passion project. In speaking to Racked ( July 17, 2014) about the origins of The Coveteur, Mark said: “It started as a passive thing, because I didn’t feel satisfied in what I was doing. We all thought it was a cool, creative project.” The blog began as an exploration of the closets of street fashion stars. The trio gained access to closets by using cold calls and connections of friends who worked in public relations or as magazine editors.“Being from Toronto gave us a little bit of a unique perspective, and at least made our content stand out more,” Mark explained in an interview with Who What Wear ( January 4, 2016).
The timing was right. The founders soon noticed that street style was going to be the next big thing. So, they decided to take the trend a step further by exploring the personal style and closets of magazine editors and fashion socialites. This move placed The Coveteur right at the intersection of influence and inspiration. Due to the overwhelming demand for their content, and after just a few months, the three co-founders were able to leave their day jobs to work with The Coveteur on a full-time basis. Over the last five years The Coveteur has expanded its content. It now shares how industry insiders live, as it relates to beauty, décor, food, fashion, health and travel. All of this would not be possible without the great business success of The Coveteur. Soon after the website’s launch, the founders discovered ways to monetize its content beyond basic banner ads. Each story featured on the site is “shoppable” and connected to e-commerce. The Coveteur’s use of social media and e-newsletters, affectionately known on the site as “the internet equivalent of a friendship bracelet,” is among the best in the industry. The Coveteur has also been able to use its distinctive aesthetic for brand storytelling, by providing integrated content, consultation and white-label services.One of the most notable brand collaborations featured on The Coveteur was the “Rules of Fragrance Etiquette” video for Jo Malone London, starring Poppy Delevingne. The Coveteur has also worked with iconic brands, such as Este Lauder, Vogue and Chanel. Appointing Warren Webster as CEO of their growing business has left the co-founders room to pursue their individual passions within and outside of The Coveteur. Stephanie Mark serves as the company’s marketing director. Jake Rosenberg serves as the creative director and lead photographer.
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SHE’S THE BOSS Putting the spotlight on Canada’s millennial women entrepreneurs
BY JULENE CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIE GRAHAM
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A
ccording to the Globe and Mail, Canada has become an emerging hot spot for women entrepreneurs. With women-run small and mid-size businesses contributing $148-billion to Canada’s economic growth, it is plain to see that providing opportunities for women entrepreneurship can benefit all. But this great opportunity is not without its challenges. Challenges faced by women entrepreneurs include lack of confidence, limited access to capital and limited access to supportive mentors. Fortunately, there are a growing number of young women who are overcoming these challenges from across Canada. Melissa Nkomo, Vancouver BC Kunye, kunye.ca During a personal quest to learn how to heal her skin without harming her body, it quickly became evident to founder Melissa Nkomo, that personal care products were only one facet in achieving beautifully glowing skin. As she dove deeper into learning how to nourish her body, clean up her beauty routine and create healthy habits, she noticed a shift. Before she knew it, her passion project became her lifestyle and a new line of skin care products called Kunye. Kunye, meaning ‘One’ in her mother’s native language of Zulu, represents both unity and self. Kunye is crafted only from most effective botanicals, super-foods, and minerals on the planet. Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? A. I really wanted to create change. I’d spent years working in the beauty and fashion industries. I started to notice a few patterns that really didn’t serve us as consumers. I knew that there was no way that I could make a difference by representing other companies. So, I decided to start my own.
“ I knew that there was no way that I could make a difference by representing other companies. So, I decided to start my own. “
Q. What has been your greatest challenge thus far and how are/ have you overcome it? A. The greatest challenge so far has been the growth of the business. When I started it was a passion project. I wasn’t really sure how far it would go. Now that the business is expanding there are new lessons to be learned every day. I do my research, reach out to people who have been in my shoes before and honestly sometimes it’s just a matter of trial and error (and a little creativity) to overcome certain challenges. Q. To you, what is the best thing about being a woman entrepreneur? A. The community and support that I’ve received from other female
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neglecting all the wonderful creative aspects of the right side. With an eye for jewelry, Rachelle always dreamed about designing her own pieces. But the demands of the 9-to-5 grind, any type of hobby simply couldn’t be prioritized. One holiday season, Rachelle decided to DIY all of her gifts. And she taught herself how to make leather wrap and stacking bracelets. The feedback from family and friends was the surge of positive energy that led to the launch of her Etsy store, QUINS. Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? A. It’s hard to answer this question without disclosing what my greatest fear is - that is, to become stagnant in my life. This fear drives me to continuously pursue greater things for myself and to embark on all types of opportunities. I’m the kind of person who has to be working towards something at all times. Being able to control my collection and knowing that it will always be in state of evolution gives me the assurance that there will never be a deficiency of things to be working towards. entrepreneurs. Q. If you could offer only one piece of advice to someone wanting to start their own business, what would it be? A. Be certain that you are starting your business for the right reason(s). There are times when it is really challenging to be an entrepreneur and the only thing that will keep you going is the reason you started in the first place. Rachelle Joaquin, Toronto QUINS, quinsco.etsy.com Photo credit: Justin Korolyk
“ My greatest fear is - that is, to become stagnant in my life. This fear drives me to continuously pursue greater things for myself “
As an actuary (mathematician) by trade, Rachelle spent most of her twenties building up the left side of her brain and
Q. To you, what is the best thing about being a woman entrepreneur? A. Being able to show other women that it is possible to have it all. We no longer have to choose between being a housewife and being a top executive at a large firm. We can have the career, the side hustles, the love, and the family. It’s all about effective time management and prioritizing skills. Q. If you could offer only one piece of advice to someone wanting to start their own business, what would it be? A. If you are passionate enough about your idea and have done your due-diligence, then ignore all traces of self-doubt and take that leap of faith! Natalia Mezhonova, Toronto
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Blossom Moments, blossom-moments.com Photo Credit: Michael Pole Several years ago, Natalia started to work with flowers as a freelance designer after quitting her career at a French investment bank. She simply wanted to do what she loved and to work with people who shared her dream of bringing more beauty into the world. Natalia’s first floral work was a DIY for a friend’s backyard wedding party. From that humble beginning her little flower company has blossomed and grown into a thriving full-service design studio. Today Blossom Moments is a professional event styling company which offers a wide range of services related to flowers, weddings and all kinds of events. Q. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? A. I have always loved flowers and art in general. Though, I had never really thought of the fact that I would turn it to a business. The first floral work I did was my friend’s wedding - it was a kind of a backyard party for family and friends with a lot of DIYs. Each guest participated somehow. I do not remember how I ended up doing the flowers, but I can say that seeing the result of my work and the reaction of other people to it is the most inspiring thing ever. Two weeks later, I left my job at a bank and entered a floral design school. It was like the puzzle pieces finally put together – I started doing what I truly love and enjoy and the universe sent me lots of amazing opportunities in return. Q. What has been your greatest challenge thus far and how are/have you overcome it? A. Honestly, every stage of my business was and still is a certain challenge to me. It is hard to tell which one was the greatest - as the business is growing
challenges are becoming bigger too. To overcome them, I think that challenges should be treated as opportunities, because that is what they are in fact!
“ Challenges should be treated as opportunities, because that is what they are in fact! “
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Q. How would you define “success”? A. Everybody defines it in their own way, but I believe that success is a certain harmony between your family, profession, health, freedom, between your dreams and your reality. Q. If you could offer only one piece of advice to someone wanting to start their own business, what would it be? A. I would recommend not being afraid of starting something new. Fear is our biggest enemy, not only in business.
HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST CLIENT BY NIKKI SINGH
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anding your first client is by far one of the biggest challenges for getting your business started. I believe that businesses are based on referrals, and in order for you to receive those referrals you must have clients who will refer you and your service. But don’t get stressed out just yet. There are many things you can do to establish a clientele. 1. Reconnect with your network - both social and business Create a list of everyone you know, have done business with, or to whom you have given business. This is where you can begin the referral process. Even though your friends, family and colleagues may not require your service right away, they may know of people who will benefit from your service.
2. Keep in touch with you network and keep spreading the word about your services.
4. Be a guest columnist and write for a local newspaper
Source out your previous employer Before going out on your own, you obviously worked for a company. Reconnect with your previous co-workers as you already have their trust. Your former employers have already seen your work and know what you are capable of doing. Pitch your service to them and take advantage of the fact that they already have a professional relationship with you.
Pick a topic within your field, which many people may have questions about, and write an article. Direct questions and comments to your own website and offer to elaborate, or offer your services to further educate the reader.Having your article appear where potential clients will read it increases your exposure and credibility.
3. Join forces and collaborate with other businesses in your community Connect with people who would also benefit from referrals. For example, develop a business relationship with people such as realtors, mortgage brokers or stagers. If you are a wedding photographer connect with caterers and wedding planners to promote your business.
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5. Find organizations that target your market and offer to do training sessions or seminars When I first started in the real estate business I would hold first-time buyer seminars. This allowed me to educate people, for free, about purchasing property for the first time. And once I gained their trust they became my clients.
FRANCHISE PHENOMENON TO BRAVE BABE MENTOR Why Devon Brooks is using her expertise to support the next wave of entrepreneurs.
INTERVIEW BY KRISTIN KNAPP PHOTO PROVIDED BY FUTURPRENEUR
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s the co-founder of Blo, Devon Brooks took a concept for a second-year university project and transformed it into the world’s largest blow-dry bar chain. With locations across North America, the
United Kingdom and the Philippines, Blo makes runway-quality blow outs available to everyday women on the go.Devon’s business brilliance has landed her on the best “under 30” lists of Chatelaine, Profit and Marketing Magazines. She now sits on the board of directors for Futurpreneur Canada.
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or those not familiar with Futurpreneur, the organization is the only national nonprofit organization that provides financing, mentorship and support tools for Canada’s young entrepreneurs 18 to 39 tears old. Since its existence, the organization has successfully matched 2800 mentees with business mentors. In this interview Devon Brooks discusses what it takes to be a good mentor, how to build a successful mentoring relationship and what drives her to share her expertise with Canada’s aspiring young business owners. Q. You’re known for being a pretty amazing mentor to young entrepreneurs. How did you get started on that path? A.“Mentorship was incredibly natural for me. I grew up watching my mom, Judy Brooks, actively nurture and guide people in our community,” Devon says. “Since founding Blo, I have informally mentored upwards of 20 creatives and start-up entrepreneurs. “I’ve also had the pleasure of mentoring the founders of Canada’s first cold-pressed juice company, The Juice Truck, for more than three years through Futurpreneur Canada’s formal mentoring program. Their business has thrived and is responsible for igniting a huge cold-pressed scene here in Canada. I absolutely cherish the friendship we’ve built, and I connect with them as often as I can. The founders, Zach Berman and Ryan Slater, are some of the most emotionally adept, kind and special men I’ve ever come to know.” Q. Why do you do it? A. “I often hear mentors say that giving is very satisfying. I absolutely feel dutiful about my work as a mentor. I dig the output and volunteerism, for sure. But, I need to be clear. I very much get something from this. It keeps me fresher than anything else I do. You only get your first time launching a business once. As a mentor, I get it over and over again,” Devon Brooks says. “Each time I begin a new mentorship I benefit from a start-up experience right from square one. It keeps me on the front lines – innovating, reflecting and problemsolving. It’s an exercise that yields immediate results for me.” Q. That’s amazing. But I’m sure it can’t be easy all the time. What have you found to be the most challenging parts of the mentoring relationship? A. “It’s when I see a mentee spinning their wheels and burning out. I get tremendously invested in the well-being of my mentees, not just in their success. Because of the range of challenges I have already faced, I take a real mind/body
approach to life. Nothing is worth doing that leaves you with that empty feeling. It’s important to be thoughtful about the time that you put into your businesses—at any stage. Your work cannot be your only source of enrichment. It’s not sustainable.” Q. What qualities do you think make you—or anyone—a good mentor? A. “A good mentor has (his or her) ego in check. They are just as happy to dish about their missteps as they are to share their shiny accomplishments. Mistakes are invaluable. They are role models and have a knack for mirroring back what they’re hearing and observing. It’s all about supporting your mentees in learning, rather than trying to give them the ‘answers’. Good mentors teach you how to fish and forage. But they don’t know it all. They can’t. When a question or scenario arrives that isn’t part of their ‘A’ game they are stoked to introduce a specialist, who can add value to the dialogue, to the mix.” Q. In your experience, what makes a mentee great to work with? A. “A good mentee is accountable. They are just as appreciative of compliments as they are of critique. They take amazing notes and do their best to circle back and keep their mentor updated on the progress of any deliverables agreed on in session. They fess up. Nobody can provide worthwhile guidance without having the whole truth. You can’t be worried about looking stupid. That doesn’t help anyone. They are gracious and honour their mentor however they can, be it through random acts of kindness, testimonials, nominations or some other awesome form of gratitude.” Q. Finally, what advice do you have for people starting their first mentoring relationship? A. “Whether it’s a mentee or mentor you are looking for, take your time, and don’t be afraid to decline if you aren’t digging the vibe,” Devon says. “When you’re in a flow with someone, you notice that immediately. Patience will pay off. “Like any successful relationship, mentorship needs to be a reciprocal process, one where both parties are totally committed to contributing meaningfully, and with preparedness.” Devon Brooks is Advisor & Co-Founder of Blo Blow Dry Bar, Futurpreneur Canada Mentor and Board Member, Named 1 of Canada’s Coolest Entrepreneurs by PROFIT Magazine. www. devsdevelopment.com
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THE READING LIST A sneak peek of “Funded” by Katherine Hague
PHOTOGRAPHER PAM LAU
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o you’ve read Sophia Amoruso’s #GIRLBOSS from cover to cover. You have a big idea, registered your business and maybe you’ve even made a few sales. But what’s next? How do you take your small business to the next level? According to recent research, millennial women entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges due to being both young and women. These challenges include difficulty with business planning, lack of confidence, and lack of financial literacy, but the greatest among these challenges is limited access to capital. Arming yourself with quality resources is the best way to overcome such challenges. For advice on start-up funding, take a page (or several) from Canadian business prodigy, Katherine Hague. Katherine is a graduate of the Schulich School of Business at York University, and was recently listed
“ You must realisitically, evaluate your compant on each attribute. Knowing how investors judge investment opportunities will be your guiding light... “
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among the “7 Canadian tech stars to watch” by the Financial Post. At only 23 years old, she has a CV that is already extremely impressive. Katherine is the co-founder of ShopLocket, an eCommerce platform, which successfully raised a $1 million seed round to expand its business. ShopLocket was acquired by PCH International in 2014. Since then Katherine has established an angel school for potential investors called Female Funders. The school’s purpose is to create a platform where women can acquire the knowledge they need to make their first investment and become better investors. In addition to sharing her knowledge through Female Funders, Katherine is also writing a book that explains key start-up financing concepts using real-life case studies. Funded: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Raising Your First Round (O’Reilly Media), helps explain the venture funding process and shows what you should do to get your
business successfully funded. Here is a quick excerpt from the book to get you started.
Here are a more few books to help you build your empire:
*** What Investors Look for in the Early Stage Investment Opportunities. Early in the life of your company you won’t have a lot of data. There will not be a long track record that investors can review and analyze. Without data, early stage investors have to make decisions based on “softer” attributes such as your team, your market, or your product. When your company is further along, you’ll be expected to have much more data that will enable investors to conduct a much deeper analysis of your metrics and traction.
DARING & DISRUPTIVE BY LISA MESSENGER; $ 33.50, CHAPTERS INDIGO Daring and Disruptive is an insightful and soulful account of the entrepreneur’s roller-coaster ride for those who want to make the impossible possible and the ordinary extraordinary. Author, Lisa Messenger blends her personal
Here are four main factors investors consider when evaluating early stage investment opportunities:
stories with the important business lessons she has learned along the way.
1.
Team: Are you the right team to tackle this problem? Are you the team that is going to win? 2. Market: How big is the market? How badly does it need a solution to the problem you are tackling? 3. Product: What have you built? How far along is it? How does it compare to similar products currently in the market? 4. Traction: How are you performing on your key growth metrics? In addition to those four main factors, there are additional considerations that will weigh into an investor’s decision making process, including: • • •
Social Proof: External validation Geography: Where your company is located The State of Your Corporate Records: Is your financial and legal house in order?
You must realistically, evaluate your company on each attribute. Knowing how investors judge investment opportunities will be your guiding light as you prepare to make your first pitches. ***
IT’S YOUR MONEY BY GAIL VAZ OXL ADE; $21 .99, CHAP TER S INDIGO Host of the TV hit “Princess,” Gail Vaz Oxlade is Canada’s no-nonsense money expert. In this book will help each reader come to terms with why she deals with her money as she does. The advice in this book helps her establish a solid financial foundation on which to build as she moves through her life.
HOW TO STYLE YOUR BRAND BY FIONA HUMBERSTONE; $38, AMA ZON.CA For many entrepreneurs, creating an effective brand can be a challenge. In
This excerpt was taken from Funded: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Raising Your First Round, written by Katherine Hague and published by O’Reilly Media. The book is expected to be published in June 2016 and is now available for pre-order: (http://shop.oreilly.com/ product/0636920045694.do).
this comprehensive workbook, Fiona Humberstone will walk you through the process of styling your brand. From finding your focus, creating an inspirational vision and unlocking the power of colour psychology; Fiona will help you understand the design details that will make your business irresistible.
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CREDIT HEALTH IS WEALTH. Taking care of your personal credit is good for business.
BY CHANTEL CHAPMAN FINANCIAL FITNESS COACH AT MOGO & FOUNDER OF HOLLER FOR YOUR DOLL AR
Y
ou should walk before you run is a popular saying. And, before you open a business, you should make sure your personal finances and credit are in order. This is one of the most overlooked but important steps in starting a business. If you don’t know what a credit report and score are, start by finding out. If you thought report cards stopped after graduation you may need to head back to money school. There is another report card that follows us around into adulthood. It is from the Credit Bureau. In Canada, your Credit Bureau is issued through Equifax or TransUnion. On this credit bureau is your credit score. It is your financial reputation, based on a scoring system. Much like life, if you have a good rep, you’ll be presented with more invites and opportunities. Think of it like this. If you’re late all the time and never answer your friends’ text messages, eventually people won’t want you around. Your credit reputation is the same. If you don’t pay your bills on time, or incur more debt than you can handle, your credit score will drop, along with all future opportunities, such as making car leases/mortgages/rental properties/business loans increasingly harder to attain. The credit bureau reports the history of all of your previous debts then generates your personal score. Why do you as a business owner need to care about this? #1- Institutional lenders are judgmental: They’ll judge you by your personal credit score.
a bank or credit union, for a brand new business that doesn’t have it’s own business credit history, the lender will ask to see your personal credit history as proof that you are responsible. Think of small business loans as personal loans for people who own small businesses. One of the most important things that the lender looks at is your personal application, which includes your personal credit history. So if your credit score is bad, so do your chances of getting a micro-business loan from a bank or credit union. #2 Credit checks don’t stop once you’ve landed financing. When you are operating your business, suppliers may ask you to personally guarantee a supply order if they have granted you a longer invoice period on your accounts payables. This is called Supplier Credit, and is usually offered for 60 to 90 days. If they do this, they will want to do a credit check on you to make sure your word on paying debts on time is legit.
“
There is another report card that follows us around into adulthood. It is from the Credit Bureau.
If you’re wondering how wrecking your credit in college with the rounds of beers you bought at the bar will impact your getting a business loan, let me tell you why. When you borrow your first micro-business loan, from
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“
#3 YOU may be extending credit as supplier. You need to understand the good and the bad effects on a credit bureau. So, don’t extend credit to someone who isn’t worthy if you are issuing supplier credit in your business. Understand what’s a good and bad score, and then pick with confidence.
Now, let’s look at how to make sure your credit score doesn’t close any doors for you on your business venture journey.
even want to think about. We’re talking bowels of hell depths here. So, set an alarm and make your automatic payments. Whatever you need to do just do not miss your payment or you’re asking for a slow and painful credit death.
STEP 2 NEVER EVER let your balance exceed 70% of the limit, even if you pay your credit card off every month. For example, if your credit card has a balance of $1000, never let your balance go beyond $700. That way, you’ll have room for interest and service fees. If you carry a balance don’t let it go over 35%.
STEP 3 Have at least two forms of active credit. Just when you thought you could build your credit with that one Bay card that’s been sitting in your wallet since 2003, we throw in this monkey-wrench by urging you to have at least two trade lines of credit open. The more responsibility you can handle, the better a credit candidate you’ll be. Your credit trade lines should have a combined limit of at least $2000, to increase your creditworthiness.
STEP 4 Don’t have too many inquiries. In work, play, and credit, one truth remains: being promiscuous will earn you a bad reputation. In the world of credit it’s worse. You won’t be able to rent a car when you’re on vacation, rent an apartment on your own or start your own business.
STEP 5
5 Steps to a Rocking Credit Score: STEP 1 Don’t miss any minimum monthly payments. Whether your minimum payment is $4 or $400, it needs to be made on time, otherwise your credit score will plunge to depths you don’t
Don’t let your accounts go to collections. When you start dodging debt your account will get sent to a third party in hopes that they’ll be able to recover the money you borrowed from the original lender. Whether you gave your number to some guy you never want to see again, or you have a debt that you defaulted on, get ready for your phone to blow up with unknown numbers on the regular. And, adding insult to injury, most lenders won’t give credit to anyone unless they’re collection-free. It can take some time to build or turn around your credit score, so make sure that you’ve followed these five steps well in advance of applying for any business credit where your personal application matters.
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CARRY ON, BEAUTIFUL BY TARA LEYDON
A Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer (travel size), $20CDN, Sephora
s woman on the go, it is a smart idea to pack your makeup bag with everything you need for a 5 minute look. As a make-up artist, I love trying new beauty brands and products. But over the years, there are a few beauty essentials that I just can’t seem to live without. Here’s a peek into my make-up bag for my top favourites.
Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade, $23CDN, Sephora
Chanel Vitalumière Aqua, crème powder, $70CDN, Holt Renfrew
Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm, $35CDN, Holt Renfrew
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze, $54CDN, Hudson’s Bay
Chloé Eau de Perfume, $80CDN for 1 oz, Sephora
Blush Lipstick Clutch, $250US, annhowellbullard.com
MAC Mineralize Moisture Gel, $46CDN, Hudson’s Bay
NARS Blush in Torrid, $38CDN, Sephora
MAC Tinted Lipglass in c-thru, $19, Hudson’s Bay
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Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, $41CDN, Hudson’s Bay
Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer (travel size), $20CDN, Sephora. I’ve been using this bronzer for over 14 years now, and it still remains to be my number one! It’s perfect for all skin types, as it has no shimmer or sparkle and leaves the skin with a clean matte finished look. Chanel Vitalumière Aqua, crème powder, $70CDN, Holt Renfrew. The entire Chanel cosmetic line is amazing, but I especially love their crème power foundation. It gives your skin an all-over, even tone without feeling too heavy. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Bronze, $54CDN, Hudson’s Bay. This stuff cannot only be used as a blush, but also as a highlighter or even eye shadow! It comes in several color palettes that you can mix/combine and is great for travelling, as it’s easy to slip into your purse for those long days that turn into night and you need a bit of shimmer! MAC Mineralize Charged Water Moister Gel, $46CDN, Hudson’s Bay. I started using this moisturizer about a year and a half ago and have had amazing results. It’s a lightweight gel, but because it is water-based it keeps my skin super hydrated (even in the dry winter months). NARS Blush in Torrid, $38CDN, Sephora. The reason I love NARs blushes so much is because they are available in a variety of shades and the pigment is super rich when they are applied. I often wear Torrid, as the coral red shimmer compliments my skin tone (with or without a tan). MAC Tinted Lipglass in c-thru, $19, Hudson’s Bay. Although sometimes I think my lipstick collection has gotten slightly out of control, this one is my constant go-to (I always keep it in my purse)! This is a great everyday lip-gloss if you just want a more natural glossy nude lip. All in all, it looks nice with any clothes it’s paired with and is great for both day and night. Chanel Le Volume De Chanel Mascara, $41CDN, Hudson’s Bay. I have tried so many types of mascara over the years, but this is by far my favorite! I’m constantly recommending this to my clients and they have all loved it too. I find it plumps my lashes and gives volume at the same time, without looking too clumpy. Chloé Eau de Perfume, $80CDN for 1 oz, Sephora. If you follow me in Instagram, you’ll know that I also have a love for things that smell pretty! So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that I have tons and tons of perfumes. However, this is the only bottle of perfume where I have used the entire bottle… three times! Dior Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm, $35CDN, Holt Renfrew. This is a great lip balm for when your lips need hydration! I love using it under my other lipsticks and lip-glosses. It keeps my lips moisturized and plump. Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade, $23CDN, Sephora. After the first time I used this product, I became an addict. The reason why I love it is because it’s in-between a shadow and a waxy pencil, so it gives my brows a dense but natural look. It is also smudge-proof and long lasting, which is perfect for those long days. Yves Saint Laurent Volupté Sheer Candy, $40CDN, Sephora. For a subtle lip colour, I use this balm in the colour “Juicy”. It is a sheer baby pink with a golden shimmer. The gloss leaves my lips soft and hydrated. And the long-lasting formula is vitamin and antioxidant rich. CURATEDLIFE.CA / ISSUE ONE / 34
AVOID THE PAINS OF FASHION Body-friendly tips from Dr. Liza
BY DR. LIZA EGBOGAH PHOTOGRAPHER PHIL CROZIER
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ashion can be painful, but it doesn’t have to be. Selecting clothes and accessories that not only look good, but also make you feel good, can help prevent injury and painful conditions. Here are some of the common fashion pain culprits, and the tips to wear these pieces safely.
TINY TOPS AND JACKETS If tops and jackets are too small you can injure yourself putting them on and taking them off. While you are wearing these tops that do not fit, you can also limit how much you can move your shoulders, possibly leading to injury. Tips: Wear clothes that feel comfortable and that you can move in. Stretch your pectoral muscles throughout the day by clasping your hands behind your back and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold this stretch for at least 10 seconds. If you can’t do this stretch in what you’re wearing then you need to put on a different top.
HIGH HEELS Wearing high heels is a common source of foot, ankle, knee, hip and back pain for many women. Don’t fret, as not all high heels are created equal and you can still gain some height while sparing your body. Tips: Rocker soles, wedges and platforms can give you some added height while minimizing discomfort. Wearing custom orthotics in your heels, less than three inches high, can help provide some needed shock absorption and support. When you go shopping for shoes do not be afraid to jump, run and squat in your heels before you buy them. If you are able to do these movements in the heels then there is a good chance your body approves.
WAIST CINCHERS Who doesn’t love outfits that make your waist look tiny? Some corsets, wide belts, blazers and high-waisted bottoms can cinch your waist dramatically. Unfortunately, the pressure which some of these garments place on the abdominal area can slow digestion, decrease your ability to breath deeply, limit blood circulation and promote back pain. Tips: Clothing with Lycra is a good idea to minimize the impact on your body. Wearing clothes and accessories that are stretchy means that you can still get the desired look while giving your body room to move. Corsets don’t stretch and should generally be avoided. If you have to wear one, limit the time spent in the corsets.
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A FIELD GUIDE TO CONSCIOUS EATING WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH BERNECHE, RHN
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indful eating -- what I prefer to call Conscious Eating -- is about deep diving, unlearning inappropriate habits, and connecting with our true needs. It’s about eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full, but also about asking yourself why a lot more frequently and concentrating on what a lot less. Are you eating a cookie because you’d genuinely like one? Or is there a series of events that have brought you to this point? The goal isn’t to demonize cookies or other treats, but to own your decisions, your health, and your emotional well-being so that you’re making food choices that sit well with you. That make you feel good about yourself.
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2. Consider the five senses when eating. They say you eat with your eyes, but you can actually apply all senses when you eat. Smell, look, and touch your food, if applicable, before consuming. Let a forkful of mashed potato sit on your tongue. When you eat slowly and conscientiously, it’s amazing how satisfied you can feel. How do the roasted carrots smell? What texture does the spaghetti squash have? Take the time to ask yourself these questions. Carry a conversation with the food you’re eating. Get intimate.
C
onscious eating is helpful not only in weight loss and maintenance, but encourages you to work through issues and challenges that lead to stress and anxiety. It’s about internal cues, like hunger, rather than external cues, such as time or advertising. As Beth Wolever and Beth Reardon discuss in The Mindful Diet, we live in a culture that essentially discouraged self-awareness. At every turn there’s an opportunity to disengage, to distract, and to avoid whatever we’ve got going on inside. Many of us have forgotten what true hunger actually feels like. Mindfulness involves helping others to pay attention to what’s happening in their minds and bodies so they can make empowered food choices and take rightful ownership of their plates once again. That said, Conscious Eating can feel incredibly daunting. Wouldn’t we go “off the rails” without self-imposed restriction and calorie counting? What would happen if we weren’t bombarded by food rules -- if food just was? Below you’ll find a few starting guidelines to help you navigate Conscious Eating. It’s time to stop the self-punishment and torture, and to leap into a new world of opportunity, community, connection,
“ Own your decisions, your health, and your emotional well-being “ and self-love.
10 GUIDELINES FOR THE CONSCIOUS EATER 1. Take time out of your day to sit down and enjoy your meal. It goes without saying, but when you sit at your desk and work while you eat, it’s difficult to pay attention to your body’s natural hunger cues. Are you still hungry? Is your meal satisfying? By taking time to focus on your lunch, you’re giving your mind the opportunity to register what you’re eating, to appreciate the food, and to take it all in with your eyes. It also gives you a much-needed break away from the computer and the paperwork.
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3. It is the why, not the what. So often I hear clients chastise themselves over what they’ve eaten: I shouldn’t have eaten that. But why did you? The lovely thing about emotional eating is that it offers us insights about ourselves that we might not ordinarily see. Eating a cookie doesn’t make you a bad person; it makes you a person who likes cookies! Generally it’s the reason, or lack of, behind the choice that really bothers us. If you’re having a treat because you genuinely want one, that’s cool, but if you’re reaching for a bag of cookies to calm concerns, it’s not going to do you any favours or make you feel good about yourself. Shift the focus away from what you’re eating and begin to think about why. 4. Choose colourful foods. Adding colour to your meals is one way to make it move from A-okay to ahh-may-zing. Think a big salad with red cabbage, tomatoes, diced cucumber, chunks of roasted butternut squash, and a zesty cilantro vinaigrette, or a plate of spaghetti squash tossed with an almond butter sauce, garnished with cilantro and mint, and topped with chopped almonds, bean sprouts, and sliced chili peppers. One great way to make healthy food look more appetizing is through the addition of colour.
5. Give your life some life. It’s easy to seek refuge in food when our lives aren’t going so well. If you’re down, why not invite friends over for an impromptu dinner party? It doesn’t have to be fancy -- you could easily serve up a pot of bean soup and salad, or a frittata and some roasted sweet potatoes. Second to that, search for meet-up groups and classes happening in your area. This is the time to learn how to knit, take up Spanish, or join a book club with like-minded people. These things will all enrich your life -- and move the focus away from your plate to your heart. Breathe life into your everyday by actively looking for ways to make it a little more magical. 6. Make sure your healthy meal contains a salt, an acid, and a sweetener. This is considered the bliss point in the culinary arts. Ever have a bowl of soup and think, hey, something’s missing? If it’s dull, chances are it was missing an acid. By salt I mean salt -- Himalayan pink sea salt, ideally. Salt food enough, just before it tastes too salty. Try adding acids to your soups, salads, marinades, and so on, like lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, lime juice, and rice vinegar. For sweetness, look to natural options like dates, raw honey,
“ Eating a cookie doesn’t make you a bad person; it makes you a person who likes cookies! “
pure maple syrup, and fruit. This will help your plate to come alive. 7. Put your fork down between bites. This is hard to do if you’re very hungry, but try your best to take a breath between bites -- it’s not a rush. Eat some of your food, place your fork on your plate, and think about what you’re eating. Taste it. Let it sit on your tongue. By taking longer to eat, you’ll also appreciate the time it took to prepare the meal (not resent it) and give your body time to tell you when it’s hard enough. 8. Set the scene by playing music, using cloth napkins, and lighting
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candles. While this may not occur all the time, it’s a nice practice to get into. Turn your regular old dinner into a restaurant experience by adding cloth napkins, music, and candles. Eat from your favourite plate, if you have one, or use a wine glass for water in place of a high ball. Elevating mealtime in this manner will help the occasion to feel special and meaningful. 9. Use salad plates in lieu of dinner plates. This is a great practice to get into, especially if you are a smaller person. Most dinner plates are very large. By choosing a salad plate, you naturally reduce your portions without feeling deprived or unsatisfied. You can always return for seconds if you’re hungry, but this sort of activity can help minimize overeating. 10. Relax around “bad foods”. Foods are not inherently good or bad, though some foods are clearly more nutritious than others. That said, it’s about 70/30 or 80/20 -- not 100%. Focus on eating those vegetables, protein, and complex carbohydrates, and don’t sweat the cookies.
6 HABITS THAT HELP ENTREPRENEURS THRIVE. For the health of both you and your business, take good care of yourself.
BY DR . HILL ARY WEBSTER , NATUROPATHIC DOC TOR
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ou have painstakingly planned every detail of your business. Now it’s time to plan your health. As an entrepreneur you work hard, long hours, make sacrifices and put your heart and soul into your company. It can be frighteningly easy to let healthy habits slip at the expense of building your business. Nurturing yourself is crucial to nurturing your business. After all, if you take care of yourself you are more capable of helping your company to serve others. Good health takes some planning. Here are my tips for living healthy while building a business.
Create your stress-busting arsenal While being your own boss is incredibly freeing, at times it can be incredibly stressful. Entrepreneurs tend to experience higher rates of mental health struggles. When I ask patients how they deal with their stress, most do not actively take steps to mitigate the nasty effects. Meditation, exercise and aromatherapy are some science-tested stress reducers. But, finding the regimen that works best for you takes some time and experimentation.
Keep a regular schedule, including down-time Scheduling your time helps to create good habits, such as working out, sleeping enough hours and making good food choices. Consistency is key. Since you don’t have a boss mandating that you be at work from 9 to 5, work time can easily bleed into non-work time, and before you know it you’re burnt out. When you schedule time off, make sure you are actually off the proverbial clock.
Limit screen time
you, but research shows that screen time before bedtime negatively affects sleep quality. Science has not yet quite discerned the effects constant electromagnetic radiation has on our bodies. So, it’s best to keep the phones and tablets out of the bedroom.
Drink lots of water Have your favourite water bottle on hand and drink steadily throughout the day. This habit does double duty. Water consumption prevents symptoms of dehydration, such as headaches, and it keeps you from getting up to go to the bathroom on a regular basis.
Nurture your social network Your social media network may be flourishing, but the people with whom you interact in person have the greatest impact on your mental and physical well-being. As a small business owner, your hours may be very different from those of your 9-to-5 friends. So, you need to make time and a concerted effort to see them. Choose your company wisely. If your friends and family have healthy habits, the chances are you will eventually adopt them.
Track your fitness Entrepreneurs are innovative, creative and results-driven people. So, wearable fitness trackers, such as the Fitbit or the Jawbone, are the perfect match. The fact that they provide daily digital feedback on your health parameters -- such as steps and sleep -- make it easy to set short and long-term health goals and achieve them. Recent findings suggest that these trackers underestimate your daily steps. Incorporating even one of these habits will reap huge rewards for your health.
It can be very tempting to take your telephone to bed with
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DESTINATION INSPIRATION BY LEIGH ANN ASARE PHOTO PROVIDED BY JAMAICA TOURIST BOARD
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visit loved ones or scout resources, being in a new environment can be just what your business needs. Near or far, there are plenty of options for a great get-away. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Destination: Negril, Jamaica Purpose: Rejuvenation & Relaxation Since the days of Hippocrates, swimming in seawater has been believed to improve mood and overall health. The healing effects of seawater include an increased sense of calm, improved circulation and activation of your body’s healing mechanisms. The warm weather, white sand beaches and lush vegetation of Jamaica are stunning, but it is the hospitality of the people that truly captures the essence of one love. And while you’re there, enjoy exotic fruit, authentic Caribbean cuisine and feel alright.
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deadline is looming but for some reason, you can’t keep from scrolling through vacation photos in your timeline. Thankfully, that same wanderlust can be a blessing in disguise if you are experiencing creative block. Because entrepreneurs depend on creativity to develop new plans and problem solve, finding ways to overcome creative block is essential. There are numerous studies on the correlation between creativity and travelling. According to Adam Galinsky, a professor at the University of British Columbia, traveling actually increases the depth and integrativeness of your thoughts as well as your cognitive flexibility (your brain’s ability to jump from one idea to another). Whether you are travelling to rejuvenate yourself,
“ Wanderlust can be a blessing in disguise if you are experiencing creative block “
Photo credits: (top) Jamaica Tourist Board, Negril Beach, Jamaica. (right) Christophe Bielsa, Terrass Hotel, Paris France
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hotel. Minutes from the Sacré Coeur, Terrass offers an artist studio feel with a panoramic view of Paris. In addition to a restaurant that overlooks the Eiffel tower, Terrass will also be opening a new spa in 2016.
Destination: NYC, New York Purpose: Fashion & Music
Destination: Paris, France
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Purpose: Art & Beauty
New York is home to more textile and fashion museums than any other city in North America
Paris is the beauty capital of the world for many reasons. It is an ideal destination if you have a passion for aesthetic appeal. In Paris, you can tour the best perfumeries and create your own fragrance at an atelier through Creative France. Or you can visit CODAGE, an innovative skincare lab and boutique to create your own skin serum. And because Paris is home to many iconic galleries, boutiques and pâtisseries, you will find visual and gastronomic inspiration in abundant supply. For accommodations that are just as beautiful, stay at Terrass
“
In the wise words of Frank Sinatra, if you can make it in New York, you’ll make it anywhere. This is why you can find the hottest fashion and music talent here first. Intimate music venues like S.O.B.’s in SoHo are great spots to catch emerging musical talent. And New York is home to more textile and fashion museums than any other city in North America. If you’re looking for fashion to take home, there is an abundance of shopping options for every budget; from bargain hunting at Century 21 to the designer flagships on Madison Avenue. To experience the best of New York, stay at hotels like the New York Edition, a luxury hotel ideally situated near the best shopping and nightlife the city has to offer. In the heart of NoMad, the hotel offers easy access to Manhattan’s trendiest neighbourhoods so you can experience the city on foot like a local. The hotel also boasts its own 24hr fitness centre, spa and high-end restaurant, The Clocktower.
Destination: Toronto, Canada Purpose: Culture & Innovation
Photo Credits: (top) Nikolas Koenig, The New York Edition Hotel, New York City, United States of America.
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If you don’t have much free time to travel, try taking a “staycation.” Because Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, you don’t have to go far to find new inspiration. There
is plenty to experience here at home. You can experience a taste of Paris at Colette on Wellington or the West Indies at Patois on Dundas. On the business side, the city of Toronto is making huge investments in entrepreneurship and innovation. Organizations like Start Up Toronto, for example, host plenty of seminars and networking events each week. If your goal is rejuvenation, consider an overnight to escape from your home routine or a day of spa treatments at the Four Seasons. The Four Seasons’ spa is one of the largest in the city with features like a relaxation pool, steam rooms and outdoor terrace. Located on Yorkville Avenue, the hotel spa is just steps away from the lush life of Toronto’s most glamourous shopping and restaurant experiences.
“ Because Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, you don’t have to go far to find new inspiration “
Photo Credits: (top & right) Four Seasons Hotel, Toronto, Canada
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THE CURATED CLOSET How changing your space can change your life.
BY JULENE CHUNG PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY IKEA CANADA AND THE LAUNDRESS SOHO
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hen I decided to live an empowered, curated life one of the first things I did was overhaul of my closet. As superficial as it may sound, how you dress does influence the amount of respect you receive. Therefore defining your style is essential to your personal brand. After countless episodes of What Not to Wear (hey Stacy London!) and reading A Pair and a Spare’s wardrobe rehab, I finally realized the hoodies I was used to wearing as a university student needed to retire. At the time I didn’t even realize that my closet detox would be such a powerful part of my metamorphosis. It was amazing how something as simple as re-organizing your closet can change the way you live your life. Since then, I’ve gained more gratitude for what I have. And I’ve even saved both time and money in the end. A well-curated closet is one that may be lean in terms of the amount of content, but it is full of items you actually love to wear. Some use the word “investment” as excuse to splurge on an expensive designer something that they’ll barely wear. But, in terms of your wardrobe, the real investment is in quality items that you will actually make full use of (or keeping your money in the bank). If you think of your closet as a collection to be carefully curated, you will focus on the long term. In short, choose classic fixtures over trends and quality over quantity.
IKEA PAX wardrobe system; various options, ikea.ca
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Living in the city often means you have less closet space. So to store small clothing items outside of my closet, I opted to use IKEA’s Hemnes 5-drawer chest and two Mossland picture ledges to create a combined storage, vanity and gallery wall space. Because the Mossland picture ledges are deep, I am able to store both my repurposed candle jars and favourite photos at eye-level. I keep the beauty items that I use the most frequently on a tray on top of the chest. I lined the first drawer with black velvet organizers to store jewelry and divided the second, larger drawer with IKEA’s Skubb containers to store the rest of my beauty items. The final three drawers are organized to store small clothing items like hosiery, socks and lingerie. Once you have everything organized, the next step is adding great garment care to your routine; because owning a silk blouse means nothing, if you do not know how to maintain it. Proper garment care will help your fabrics last longer and give you fully maximized wardrobe. There are many online resources, like the Laundress blog, that can teach you Learning what works for your lifestyle and body shape is also essential. Once I culled my closet of items I no longer wanted to wear. I was important to organize what was left. First, I replaced all my old wire hangers with all white hangers. I found this made my closet visually appealing and less distracting. And because all of my hangers were now the same height, I could easily see each item. And because I can now see everything in my closet, I make better use of my wardrobe. Using a closet organizer with transparent features, like this glass Komplement interior drawer by IKEA, is a perfect way to both display and organize your garments.
“ There is no one season that is best to cull, refine and replenish your wardrobe. “
IKEA KOMPLEMENT interior drawer with glass front, $40, ikea.ca; The Laundress lavender pouch, $10 USD, thelaundress.com
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how to remove stubborn stains and treat delicate fabrics like wool. For example, the Laundress suggests hanging dried lavender in your closet as a natural way to keep your closet smelling fresh and repelling pests like moths. In my excitement about a redefined personal style, I almost got carried away with shopping for a new wardrobe. But to avoid a cycle of clutter, it was important for me to change my shopping habits and be more conscious of how I spent my money. I could no longer shop based on trends for one season at a time. Instead, I started to look at long-term savings. I began buying usually expensive items like leather boots at the end of one season, for the year ahead. And I found putting more effort into finding the right purchase for the right price, made me value my wardrobe even more. Now, I have what I like to call lioness shopping habits when hunting for great deals. Luckily, saving money doesn’t always involve extreme changes. For example, I shop at Marshalls during the week when it is fully stocked and join mailing lists to learn about flash sales. But my best habit is searching sale racks for essentials like white shirts and dark denim jeans. For example, I once stocked up on J. Crew matchstick jeans, which usually retail for $152, for $34.99 (a savings of $117 a pair). This was because I was shopping at a high-traffic flagship on Bloor Street. The jeans were on sale for $69 but the store was offering an additional 50% off sale items at their location. In the past I’ve been able to stock up on work-wear essentials with similar deals at stores like Club Monaco and Banana Republic. When looking for footwear, my favourite finds were at Hudson’s Bay where I found Sam Edelman pumps marked down from $135 to $57.37, thanks again to a stacked discount. Bottom line, look out for that
“save an additional…” signage, your wallet will thank you.
“ Putting more effort into finding the right purchase for the right price, made me value my wardrobe even more.
There is no one season that is best to cull, refine and replenish your wardrobe. It’s something you can do any time of the year, all at once or in phases. But, if you do choose to add a closet detox to your spring cleaning routine, feel free to share how you organized your space or refreshed your wardrobe with the hashtag #mycuratedlife.
“
***
IKEA SKUBB Box, set of 6, $9.99, ikea.ca
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For more content like this, follow me on my journey to defining my curated life on my blog, hopeandherfuture.com or on Instagram @hopeherfuture.
STYLE SMITH Chief Stylesmith at SmitheryStyle.com, a new Canadian e-boutique using real women models, shares the tricks of the trade for finding your most flattering cuts. Here’s her crash course on the best of the season’s trends by body shape.
BY RENA RUTKAUSKAS PHOTOGRAPHER BRODY WHITE
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The Cape Top Body Shapes: H, A Why: The breezy style conceals the lack of a defined waist in H Shapes. And the bright colour and cut draw attention to the upper body on A Shapes. Styling How To: Go with skinnies on the bottom if you have a straight body. For hippier shapes, try a dark denim flare. Bonus points for a raw hem. Pssst: A statement necklace is an A Shape’s best accessory.
Trend: Culottes Body Shapes: X, H, V Why: A voluminous lower half balances the upper body (especially good for V Shapes) and nips the waist on X and H ladies. Styling How To: Pair it with a wide strap tank for broad shoulders. Tuck in a silky tank to enhance an hourglass X Shape. Or pair it with a cropped boxy top for H Shapes. Pssst: A nude shoe is always our pick for elongating the leg.
Left Closed Knit Sweater, $58CDN, Linen Culotte, $78CDN, smitherystyle.com; Center “Gwyneth” Statement Necklace, $38CDN, shopforjayu.com; Tibi Crop Top, $315CDN, Holt Renfrew; Rendezvous Kitten Pumps – Nude & Black, $265CDN, zvelle.com; Right Butterfly Top, $105CDN, smitherystyle.com
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Trend: Floaty White Top Body Shapes: A, O, H Why: White really grabs the eye so you can use strategically cut white tops to make the eye read your body shape differently. Styling How To: On a rounder O Shape body, something more structured like this button up dolman works. The off the shoulder ruffle is perfect for creating curves on H Shapes and balancing out broader hips on A Shapes.
Trend: Vertical Stripes Body Shapes: X, V, O Why: A flirty shape and delicate v neck in a vertical stripe help elongate and let the girls breathe on bustier X, V, and O shapes. Styling How To: A statement heel in a pop of colour gives the perennial stripe some edge. Pssst: Echo the vertical lines in your choice of accessories, like drop earrings.
Left: Striped Shift Dress, $95CDN, smitherystyle.com; Center: Wilfred Free “Arlenis,� $75CDN, Aritzia.com; Marble Drop Earrings, $49CDN, shopforjayu.com; Tanya Taylor Off-shoulder Top, $555CDN, Holt Renfrew; Right: Dena Dolman Blouse, $99CDN, smitherystyle.com
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MENTOR MOMENT Life lessons in business with Dr. Liza
BY DR. LIZA EGBOGAH PHOTOGRAPHER PHIL CROZIER
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n my last year of Chiropractic school, a friend and I developed a concept for a high-end chiropractic clinic in the heart of Toronto’s Financial District. It was so exciting and we started our business plan before we had even graduated. Once we nailed down the area for set up, we went and visited every clinic in the downtown core to get an idea of what the competition looked like. As overly confident new grads, we decided that there was in fact no competition because our clinic was completely different from anything out there. We opened our doors in April 2008. Instead of treating a full load of patients like we expected, we spent most of our time brainstorming about how to draw in clients. When our first patient came through the doors and we were excited. He actually arrived by accident while looking for another clinic but thought he might as well give us a try. As the first year went on things became extremely stressful as we quickly maxed out our bank loan and were not bringing in enough money to cover our overhead costs. Towards the end of our first business year, we both had to inject more money into our struggling clinic. Fortunately, by the next year things had picked up considerably and we were finally getting a regular stream of patients through word of mouth and good old Google. Halfway through 2009, I started to do quite well and was finally able to reap financial benefits from the business. Unfortunately my partner was not experiencing the same success and this started to create some tension. He ultimately decided to leave the clinic and pursue other endeavors. Fast-forward to a couple years as the sole-owner, I was getting by but definitely not taking home sufficient income for the amount of work I was putting in. Finding a team that was as committed as myself proved to be impossible. I learned that no one will work as hard for your business as you will. In 2013 my husband and I decided to start a family. I knew that I had to sell my practice in order to spend quality time with my soon-to-be son. My son was born in early 2014. In the fall of 2014, I sold my practice to a chiropractor who worked in the multidisciplinary clinic and expressed interest in becoming its owner. As negotiations began I started to feel that perhaps she was not the right buyer. Against my better judgment, I went ahead with the sale because I was so desperate to have more time with my growing family. Two months after the sale, I arrived at the office to find that the locks had been changed. Later that evening I received a letter from a lawyer stating that I was no longer welcome at the clinic I established 7 years prior. To make matters worse, I hadn’t been paid for my last month of work at the office or the full purchase price of my practice. With a full schedule of patients, I was forced keep my business moving by using
pop-up clinics in meeting rooms; while frantically looking for a new business space. Thankfully, I found a great space in a nearby building and worked tirelessly to have a new clinic, the[fix], open in as little time as possible. By taking all the lessons I learned from past failures, I have built a better business. Today the[fix] is even more successful than the previous clinic. I have an excellent team that is supportive and passionate. I have even rubbed the shoulders of Hollywood’s finest at the Oscars. And I have recently diversified my business by launching a line of massage balms. By sharing my business story, I would like to encourage you to remain resilient. Use the struggles face to make you and your business stronger. Here are the lessons I learned that strengthened my business: 1. Listen to your instincts – they are often right. Does a lease seem too high? Does a space seem too big? Are you in over your head? Do you have a bad feeling about someone? 2. You can’t trust everyone, especially in business. – Remember, business is business, so always get everything in writing. Having a written contract can help you avoid a lot of headaches and will save you money that may otherwise be spend on legal fees. 3. Know yourself – I learned that I prefer majority control. I now know that it’s better for me to manage my business on my own. 4. As a small business owner, learn as many skills as you can. This will save you a ton of money. For example, learning to use Photoshop saved me a large amount of money on design and marketing materials. Also, taking the time to master Google SEO led to over a 75% increase in new business for my clinic within the first few years of practice. 5. Learn from past failures – If you learn from your past failures, you are more likely to succeed in the future. I strongly believe that every failure is a lesson and that an accumulation of these lessons can increase your chance of succeeding.
Dr. Liza Egbogah is one of North America’s leading chiropractic doctors and clinic director of the[fix], downtown Toronto’s boutique comprehensive chiropractic and massage clinic. She is a sought after health and wellness expert and has provided expert opinions for numerous television programs, newspapers, magazines, radio shows, the Ontario government, workplaces, athletes and productions. Follow Dr. Liza @drliza on Instagram or check out the[fix] at www.thefixtto.com / 416.366.1703
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 101 BY DEEPA TAILOR TAILOR L AW
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ntellectual property is sacred for your business. It can be used to protect your business name, logo, packaging design and inventions, which are central to the success of your business. Yet it is one of the first things that business owners frequently overlook when starting their business in an attempt to keep their start-up costs low. In reality it should be one of the first things you consider when starting up. If you stop to think about it, as a start-up you devote a significant amount of time and money towards developing a solid reputation for product or service and a strong brand. Is that not something you want to protect?
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T
here also seems to be confusion as to what intellectual property is and what registration will and will not protect. Intellectual property is a form of intangible property that has just as much value as tangible property that you can hold in your hand. It includes new brands, new software and technologies and new inventions. To give you an idea of which intellectual property rights are relevant for your business, here’s a run-down of the most common forms of intellectual property.
Copyright Copyright protects literary, artistic, dramatic or musical works. This includes the more obvious examples of creative works like a poem, a drawing or painting or a musical score. However, it also includes communication signals, sound recordings and computer code. The Copyright Act prohibits others from copying your original work without your permission. In other words, it gives you as the copyright owner the sole right to produce or reproduce a work or substantial part of a work in any form. Copyright is inherent when an original work is created. Rights to ownership of a work arises as soon as the work is created where the author or creator of the work holds copyright to the work. The Copyright Act allows for registration of copyright to evidence that copyright exists and that the registered owner owns the copyright. The registration may be beneficial in the context of employment where someone else is creating copyrightable work for your business or if you commission photographs or other artwork for your business. Note that you can’t copyright an idea. Copyright applies to the expression of an idea in a fixed form not to the idea itself.
Trademark Trademarks may be one or many words, sounds or designs that are used to distinguish the goods or services of one person or organization from those of others. It is important to protect because it will represent not only what your company sells but also your reputation and brand on the marketplace. Over time, the image associated with the brand will be strong enough that it will represent your business without any mention of the business’ name. Take, for example, Nike’s swoosh, McDonald’s golden arches and the Apple. All three of these marks represent businesses and the goods and services that the business provides. I’m willing to bet that you can identify each company and what they sell based on their mark alone. This is what you are protecting when you register your trademark – the association between a mark and your company’s reputation and brand. Registering your trademark gives you exclusive rights to use the trademark throughout Canada for 15 years with the possibility of renewing the mark provided the trademark is still distinctive and in use. Because of the option of renewing the mark, this is one of the few instances where the term of protection for the intellectual property could be indefinite. In the second installment of this feature I will discuss patent and industrial design. Until then you may find more information on the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s website at www.ic.gc.ca.
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ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FOR A BOSS BABE BY CHYAUNA FR ANCIS PHOTOGRAPHER JULENE CHUNG
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successful blogger. Bloglovin’ is totally free to join at www.bloglovin.com
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ithout the right tools turning your dreams into reality can be both time consuming and frustrating. This is especially true when you are running a small business with limited resources. Duties like branding and marketing are often a DIY project. That’s why I wanted to share these six useful resources:
Moleskine Staying organized is so important. It seems like I use a countless number of day planners, notebooks and journals to help keep my life and business in order. Well, now you can do everything you enjoy with a classic Moleskine journal digitally. You can use this app to help keep organized while on-the-go or to sketch ideas for an upcoming project. Designed to allow for limitless creativity and productivity, the Moleskine app allows you to sync or share your ideas with ease. The digital Moleskine journal app is available in Apple app store, Samsung apps, Windows Store and Google Play.
Canva Because I am not a professional graphic designer, I found it difficult to create social media graphics to promote my website. I wanted my audience to be intrigued, but most importantly I wanted my designs to look professional. Then I stumbled upon Canva, an easy-to-use graphics app. Canva has hundreds of professionally-designed templates you can use to create images for Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. All you have to do is drag and drop your own text and images to create a design that is all your own. The Canva app is available in the Apple app store for iPad or the web at www.canva.com
Vendeve
Bloglovin’ If your business has a blog, your two goals probably are to increase your reach and to monetize your content. You want people to know about you and what your brand is about. For a tool that can do both, look no further than Bloglovin’. This app is amazing. It’s basically LinkedIn for influencers. People can see the profile you’ve created which can be set up to automatically stream content from your blog to your social media channels. Bloglovin’s influencer program allows you to work with brands on coordinated campaigns. On top of all this Bloglovin’ also has a library of resources to help you become a super
Expressions Mug – Don’t Quit Your Day Dream, $12.00CAD, indigo.ca; Kate Spade New York Linen Journal in Blush, $24.95CAD, indigo.ca
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As an entrepreneur it is important to learn new skills to grow your business. As female entrepreneurs, we are the fastest growing sector of entrepeneurs – girl power! But we often face challenges with acquiring enough capital or mentorship to take our business to the next level. With this in mind Katelyn Bourgoin founded Vendeve, a business network for women entrepreneurs that leverages participation to builds credibility. The Vendeve refines the best features of sites like Yelp and Linkedin to provide women a platform to share work referrals, skills or answers to business questions. “for fearless, entrepreneurial women who want unapologetically get shit done”. Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia this homegrown resource has become extremely popular and has even captured the attention of Forbes. To see more of what Vendeve has to offer visit www.vendeve.com
Shecosystem Based in Toronto, the Shecosystem is a new co-working space designed to create an entrepreneurial culture that values a feminine way of achieving success. Along with wellness meet-ups, Shecosystem encourages women entrepreneurs to bring their whole self to work. Challenging mainstream perceptions of what it means to be successful, the Shescosystem also encourages mentorship and collaboration over competition. You can find out more about the space and meet-ups at www. shecosystem.ca Chyauna Francis is a lifestyle blogger and budding entrepreneur from Toronto, Canada. Her blog, verichicwithchy.com, provides beauty tips, relatable personal essays and a boost of inspiration for female entrepreneurs.
Empower Women Stories are powerful. And we all have a story worth sharing. Facilitated by United Nations Women, Empower Women provides online resources and a global platform that facilitates networking, learning and sharing of experiences. The initiative is especially focused on empowering women to achieve their full economic potential. If you would like to share your business story or take advantage of free business resources, simply create a profile on www.empowerwomen.org.
Lucy Annabella Soothing Aromatic Candle, $17.28USD, lucyannabella.com; Ann Howell Bullard Blush Lipstick Clutch, $250USD, annhowellbullard.com
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the start up issue www.curatedlife,ca CURATEDLIFE.CA / ISSUE ONE / 60