The Journey So Far
Spotlight Madhu Pillay
Keeping it Healthy & Organic with Tantalizers Iyobosa Glam-Up with Nelly
Optimal Health with Lina
Eat, Move, & Sleep for a Healthier You Dr Nonsi Mathe Spotlight AUTHOR ALISON CLARKE
BUILDING AN EMPIRE Arti Verma Kwatra
Canada
LADIESCORNER EMPOWERMENT | INSPIRATION| EDUCATION
FOUNDER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Tee Adeyemo info@ladiescorner.ca
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Judith Pila
Dickson Maiden Utpala Acharya Joy Ruhigisha Yoleen Naidoo Tania Turner Mary Thomas Dr. Nonsi Mathe
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Madhu Pillay
DESIGN PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Mileydi Cristancho
DESIGN DIRECTOR Tunde Adeyemo info@citeay.com
PHOTOGRAPHER Kapi Vyas Kapi Photography
THIS BOOK OR PARTS THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM, STORED IN A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM BY ANY MEANS - ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPY, RECORDING, OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER. © LADIESCORNER WWW.LADIESCORNER.CA PUBLISHED BY CITEAY INFO@CITEAY.COM WWW.CITEAY.COM +2348120797880
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
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Lady Tee’s Desk
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t first, when we decided to publish this December edition, it seemed impossible, but the word im-possible itself says I M POSSIBLE. We envisioned the beautiful magazine that you are seeing today. We knew, that with hard work, de-termination and your support, we could do it - we did it! We are sincerely grateful to every woman featured in this magazine. We do not take your belief and faith in us for granted. This is the start of our journey. We have so many interesting things lined up and we are very excited about the coming year. Our first edition in 2020 will be released in April. We can not do this alone, we need help and kindly ask that you consider subscribing to our website Ladiescorner.ca. We hope this magazine lives up to your expectations. We value your feedback and would very much appreciate comments on how we can do better. Christmas is a couple of days away. May you have the Christmas of your dreams. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and to an amazing 2020!!!
Tee Adeyemo Founder Ladiescorner.ca Editor in Chief Ladiescorner Magazine
Canada From the Chief Executive Officer
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y name is Yoleen Naidoo. Many of you know me through my community initiatives, modelling or business promotions. I have a full time job as a business development associate and I also own a few businesses. I am extremely proud to introduce you to my new initiative as CEO of Ladies Corner Magazine. We will be able to promote businesses and people on a whole new professional level. I believe that everyone is powerful and has a place in the world. I am excited to join Tee on this venture to give back, empower, develop and promote exceptional talent. My motive has been and will always be to impact people, build a strong Canada and create opportunities for everyone in Edmonton.
Yoleen Naidoo CEO Ladiescorner Magazine
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
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LadiesCorner
Endorsements
LEELA SHARON AHEER MINISTER OF CULTURE, MULTICULTURALISM AND STATUS OF WOMEN
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t’s my honour to contribute to the second edition of the Ladies Corner Magazine. This magazine fills an important niche in media by profiling the many strong women in Alberta. From businesswomen to artists and community advocates, women are a force for positive change. Alberta women are at the forefront of women’s entrepreneurship in Canada, and own or run nearly 40 per cent of small to medium-sized businesses in the province. I am proud to be in
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a position where I can support these resourceful, independent women. Boosting and supporting women’s entrepreneurship will create new opportunities and jobs, and keep Alberta’s economy growing. My own experience as a small business owner taught me that it takes the support of a whole community to succeed. This magazine creates that community, and helps us raise fellow women up to new heights. Happy holidays to all of the Ladies Corner readers. I hope your month is full of time with family and friends, staying warm and cozy, and enjoying winter activities.
DR BUKOLA SALAMI
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s women of diverse origin and social locations, we face a lot of challenges. Our genders intersect with a lot of our other social positions, including race, class and nationality. For instance, on average immigrant women are more highly educated than Canadian born populations; yet, immigrant women earn less than non-immigrant women and are more likely to live in poverty. Also, generally, women are more likely to experience domestic violence. Women are also more likely to experience depression. There are many social conditions including racialization that shapes the experiences of women in Canada. Building vital
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
social networks, fostering community belonging, and creating a voice to ensure representation in policy discourse will help to challenge some of the issues faced by women, including immigrant women. We need to have a voice to improve our social status and well being. LadiesCorner.ca provides a platform and presents a way to foster community belonging and advocacy while capitalizing on the strengths of women. I believe by highlighting successful women in the community, hopefully, other women will see a path to achieving success in Canada and in other high-income countries. Thank you for putting this forward. Gender inequality exists and this is a strategy to advance gender equity.
Canada
Contents VOL. 2, NO. 1 – DECEMBER 2019
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3 Credits Page 4 From the Founder & Editor in Chief 5 From the CEO 6 Endorsements 7 Contents 8 Spotlight: Alison Clarke 10 Ladiescorner: The Journey So Far 15 Optimal Health with
Lina 16 Keeping it Healthy and Organic with Tantalizers Iyobosa 19 Nothing is Holding Back Mather Fox 20 Ajibola Abitoye 21 Tania Turner 22 Financial Literacy with Dickson Maiden
24 Madhu Pillay 26 Beauty Supplies Abdul Samateh 28 Building an Empire Arti Verma Kwatra 31 Poetry - Miss Purple 32 What is energy healing? - Utpala Acharya 34 Bella Vita Laser Clinic
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38 Glam-Up with Nelly 40 Mental Health and Winter Blues 44 Dealing with Bullying 45 “Feeling with” Vs “Dealing with” your child. 47 Mary Blanchard 48 Eat, Move, and Sleep for a Healthier You
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SPOTLIGHT
Alison Clarke
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lison Clarke is an Edmonton author and Canada’s national treasure. She also enjoys painting and drawing. She is a creative writing tutor and a spoken word artist hosting a writing course, several times a year. Alison is the author of The Sisterhood trilogy, a young adult fantasy novel about Oppie, a sorceress’ daughter, and her best friend, Aurie, who is a dragon, and the journey they go on to save the universe. The Sisterhood is Book One of The Sisterhood Series, for which Alison won the award 2016 Writer Of The Year by Diversity magazine. The second book in the series is Racine which continues the magical odyssey. In this book, Racine, the 19 year old woman protagonist goes on a fantastical odyssey from the Library of Congress. She discovers her mystical beginnings and the power of the written word. Book Three of The Sisterhood Series, Circle was
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released with great reviews. Alison believes that the stories we tell ourselves are important. Alison enjoys writing stories with strong female protagonists. She is fascinated by Greek, Ghanian and Celtic mythology. The Sisterhood Trilogy is about hope, possibility, and empowered female characters that come together as a collective force to save the universe. Her novels also feature characters of colour, lacking in the genre of fantasy. The inspiration behind her books would be reading, travelling, and walking outdoors, experiencing nature to its fullest. Her books inspire and encourage people on their journeys and many of her readers have told her so. All of her stories are important, as they all have important themes that can inspire and encourage people. For Alison, the power and magic of reading, libraries, would be the life narratives that played out in her
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
book, Circle. Alison insists that the publishing journey was not easy, but entering a graduate school program opened up the doors, and led to the publisher of The Sisterhood trilogy. Her favourite authors of all time are Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, J.K. Rowling, J.RR. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Lewis Carroll, Margaret Atwood, Margaret Laurence, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, the Bronte Sisters. She loves reading. She has just read Dreams From My Father, by former President Barack Obama. At the moment, Alison is working on a poetry collection about Phillis Wheatley that will be published by the University Of Calgary press. She is certain that there will not be a sequel to Circle. Her books are at Audrey’s, and Chapters in St. Albert in Edmonton.
Canada
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“Her books inspire and encourage people on their journeys and many of her readers have told her so.”
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LadiesCorner
The Journey So Far
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1. Here are the core of Ladiescorner. From LR, supermodel and videographer Mileydi Cristancho, society blogger Madhu Pillay with Yegevents Blogger, business woman and model Tania Turner and Tee Adeyemo. 2. The black goddess: Monika Glamazon 3. Tee with the Minister of Culture, Women and Multiculturalism: Leela Sharon Aheer 4. Lady Tee with Miss Noble Canada pageants. 5. Panels with Mary Thomas. LCC Media hosted The God Debate at the Royal Oaks in June. It was moderated Mary Thomas: our mentor, sister,friend and support system. 6. With Imoleayo Adeyeri
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7. With Ziad Aboultaif, Member of Parliament, Edmonton Manning, Alberta 8. Kirsten MacDonald, Founder, Yegbossbabes. 9. Lady Tee and Jasmine Duncan 10. Lady Tee with Author Samira Hamana
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15 11. Devanie Conrad and Tee 12. Member of Legislative Assembly Lori Sigurdson and Tee 13. Municipalities Minister, Kaycee Madu and Tee 14. Film maker Brandon Rhiness and Tee 15. Alberta NDP Leader and Former Premier of Alberta Rachel Notley. 16. Saxophonist Simply Gabriel and Tee 17. Shefali Sharma, Tee and Vikaas Kwatra, Founder CancomR
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18. Femi Adeyemo and Tee 19. Tee and Dickson Maiden 20. Madhu Pillay, Yegeventsblogger, Tee and Supermodel Mileydi Cristancho 21. Femi Adeyemo, Tee’s Trophy 22. The co founder of Parenting Grace Debra Egbuonu, Tee Adeyemo and Funmi Alagbe, Founder, Parenting Grace
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Canada
Optimal Health with Lina
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ina is a natural entrepreneur. From clothing designer to stay at home mother, from child care provider to mentor and independent brand partner. She is passionate about helping people discover their natural strengths and guiding them on their paths to success. Lina has an upfront and positive attitude towards everything that she does. Integrity is a very important part of her life. Lina was born in Italy and she came to Canada as a teenager. She has been married for forty six years and blessed with two children and two grandchildren. Lina ran a successful day home business for thirty three years while continuing to enjoy cooking and baking and many other activities. During her time as a day home provider, she developed many cherished and
lasting relationships with the families of the children in her care. For the last five years, she has been a brand partner with Neora. At the age of 66, Lina still has much that she wants to accomplish. The opportunity to join Neora was presented to her at a time when she was comfortable with her life and wasn’t looking for anything new. Neora offers a growing list of skin care and wellness products. Her favourites are the EHT brain supplement, the complexion clearing acne cream, wellness chews that help with sleep and energy as well as the prolistic skin balancing lotion. Many people who have used these products are grateful for the positive changes that have occurred. Lina encourages others to join Neora for a number of reasons. With Neora, anyone can have a business
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
that allows them to earn an income with the freedom to operate from anywhere at any time with very low start up costs at their own pace. Brand partners only have to share information about the products with potential customers without pressure from Neora to meet quotas. The business through which Lina operates her Neora Brand Partnership is called Lina’s Optimal Health. You can learn more about Lina’s business or the products that she makes available by taking advantage of the free consultation that she provides, no purchase is necessary. Her contact information is: LINA GIORDANO LYTVIAK Lina’s Optimal Health Tel: (780) 457-2695 E-mail: linalytviak@gmail.com Website: linalytviak.neora.com
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KEEPING IT HEALTHY AND ORGANIC WITH TANTALIZERS
Iyobosa
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he Tantalizers is an Edmonton based West Afri can restaurant which sp ecialises in West African and Continental dishes. Based in Edmonton’s Chappelle Gardens, the founder of the restaurant is Angela Iyobosa Eweka. Friendly and suppor tive of upcoming entrepreneurs in the city, Mrs Iyobosa Eweka is a philanthropist and an addict of healthy and organic meals. With a delivery service that spans the city, Mrs Iyobosa’s business will be opening branches across the city soon. It is easy to see from Mrs Iyobosa Eweka’s social media activities that cooking is a passion for her. There is no end to pictures of mouth watering dishes cooked from the Tantalizers Kitchen. The love of cooking and kitchens started with her mother
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“The goal of Tantalisers is to keep it healthy and authentically African” who owned a restaurant for many years at the University of Benin in Nigeria, West Africa. As a child, they were literally raised in her mum’s restaurant. Coupled with a curiousity and love for cooking, Mrs Iyobosa Eweka, loves experimenting with food as she changes the future of the taste of African meals in Edmonton. Some of
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
the meals you can order are jollof rice and plantain, coconut rice, puff puff , suya sticks, butter chicken, beef stew, meat pies, fried yam and plantain, grilled chicken, fish pepper soup and much more. Whilst, the goal of Tantalisers is to keep it healthy and authentically African, Mrs Iyobosa Eweka never serves leftovers or meals from yesterday. All her foods are cooked from scratch with freshly sourced local ingredients. Working to please each customer is a thing at Tantalizers. If you ask her, she knows what each and every one of her clients want. To try the Tantalizers experience, please contact her on her number to order your next culinary delight. THE TANTALISERS EDMONTON Number: (780) 200 9580 Website: www.thetantalizersca. com
Canada
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The Tantalisers 2976 Ellwood Drive SW, Edmonton +1587 498 1028, +1 780 200 9580 www.thetantalisersca.com
Canada
Nothing is Holding Back Mather Fox
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ather Fox has been an Independent Consultant and Confidence Coach for thirteen years. Hers is a story of courage, determination and inspiration. Coming from a broken ma rriage, Mather lost her self-esteem. She was at the end of things until she met an Independent Beauty Consultant who introduced her to a skin care product. For Mather, experiencing the value of this product became a turning point in her life. She thought she could help other women love and feel more
comfortable in their skin. Turning her new found passion into a business, she runs her beauty studio with helping women in mind. Women can simply walk into her studio to try on products with no pressure to buy. Because Mather values community, she hosts a free luncheon beauty party at her studio once every month. Mather built her business from zero to hundreds of clients all over Canada using traditional and social media marketing strategies. She helps people, particularly women find the products that work best for their skin. LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
She enrolls and trains new consultants. Beyond her skin care business, Mather offers corporate and individual gift giving services, where she packages and delivers gifts for her clients. The business has taught her a number of things which includes having faith in God, believing strongly in herself, the products and the business opportunity. Phone: 403-350-5052 Email: info@matherriseup.com Website: www.matheriseup.com
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Ajibola Abitoye
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jibola (Jibs) Abitoye is a Nigerian born City Councillor for Fort Saskachetwan. Jibs previously served as a Financial Services Representative at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC). She obtained a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Lagos and certified as a
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project management professional. As a natural community leader, Jibs has been at the forefront of community development services which included serving on the Family and Community Support Services Board, Navy League Cadet and as Chair of the Fort Saskachetwan Multicultural Association. In 2017, Jibs ran against fourteen
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candidates in the city council election and emerged the third highest in votes. She is currently serving a four year term as City Councillor. Jibs enjoys blogging, engaging in adventure activities and is enthusiastic about fashion. She live in Fort Saskachetwan with her husband and their three children.
Canada
Tania Turner
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ania Turner is the brain behind Edmonton’s high rated plus size women’s boutique - Curvy2Curvy Curvy2Curvy takes pride and pleasure in providing trendy and high quality clothing and accessories for curvy women. As a plus size model, Tania believes that to be curvy, is beyond plus-size and a full-figure. Her aim is to spread
the message of body positivity; help women embrace the beauty of their bodies, be confident and feel more comfortable. Curvy2Curvy offers a personalized customer service, which includes, private fitting and fashion consultation. To Learn More, please reach out to Curvy2Curvy on the following platforms:
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
Website: https://curvy2curvy.myshopify.com/ Instagram pages: Curvy2Curvy_plus_size taniaturner1313
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“If you make a plan to pay off credit card debt you will do better financially in the long haul.”
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Canada
FINANCIAL LITERACY WITH
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Dickson Maiden
ickson Maiden finds his passion through purpose. At the age of 18, he knew that a regular nine to five was not going to be his destination. Here are his top tips to financial independence. Start a budget There are few things that can enhance your financial future like preparing a monthly household budget. In the process, you can track your spending, identify wasteful expenses and establish your priorities. Start couponing Once upon a time, clipping coupons could be quite a chore. Now, mobile apps make finding coupons for popular stores effortless. There are online providing promotional codes for all sorts of brands. Buy “pre-owned” items When we think “pre-owned” we tend to think of cars. But the truth is that almost all consumer items depreciate. How much can you save by buying a refurbished phone instead of a new phone? Used laptops may cost a fraction of what you would pay for a brand new computer. When
it is time to replace household items, consider buying used. Use the 30 Day Rule to keep impulse spending in check If you’ve got money burning a hole in your pocket, just ignore it. By waiting thirty days before making a purchase, you will have time to decide if you really need the item or if it was just an impulse buy. Use a shopping list Want a way to stay focused when shopping and avoid wasteful spending? It might seem obvious but get in the habit of using a shopping list. Before you head to the store, take a few minutes to list the items you need and stick to the list. This actually works if you stick to it long enough. Quit smoking Smoking seems to be less common these days, but for many households, it’s still a costly expense that literally goes up in smoke. Think about how much you could save towards your retirement if you kicked the habit. As a bonus, your health will improve. Stop using credit cards Credit cards are the most expensive type of debt in many house-
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
holds. If you make a plan to pay off credit card debt you will do better financially in the long haul. Cancel unused memberships and subscriptions Memberships and subscriptions have a way of becoming forgotten – that is until they automatically renew. Ouch. Keep the ones you need and cancel the rest. Cut the cord Cable TV has become a norm but is your family really using it? Try to find less expensive ways to watch shows or movies online. Major broadcast networks can be picked up for free with an HD antenna. Build an emergency fund Get a strategy in place to start building an emergency fund. Check your insurance policies to make sure you have the coverage you need. DICKSON MAIDEN Licensed Independent Financial Coach Dicksonm740@gmail.com Direct line 780-680-5799
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SPOTLIGHT
Madhu P illay Founder Yegeventsblogger
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n February 2019, Madhu started Yegeventsblogger to help create an online social media directory of Edmonton businesses and services that you may need when planning an event. It didn’t take long before businesses started reaching out to her to be posted on the Yegeventsblogger Instagram page. Madhu’s attitude of community over competition opened up opportunities for her to help facilitate many businesses to collaborate with one another. She believes that we are all stronger as a group than we are alone. Yegeventsblogger has loyal followers on Instagram. Madhu is now known in Edmonton as someone you want in your corner. She has expanded to blogging about the opening of new businesses or amazing events happening in Edmonton. If you have a new business opening or event you’d like her to attend please send your request to @yegeventsblogger on Instagram.
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Canada
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Beauty Supplies Abdul Samateh: 26
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Canada
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“Edmonton is a great place for a business, especially when you do what I do. ” LCC Team had a chat with Abdul Samateh who is succeeding in a female dominated world : here are the things he had to tell us.
forms like Facebook and Instagram. I also ensure that I give my customers ex-ceptional service, because I believe in referrals.
Tell us a little about yourself and your business
As a black business man, has race played any role in motivating you to achieve more?
My name is Abdul Samateh, I am originally from Badibu a small village in Gambia on the coast of West Africa. My business focuses on hair extensions and Cosmetics. What was the journey like into business? What was your mission at the outset? My journey was rough and rocky, but I was very determined to achieve my dreams. I started off by going door to door selling cloths and doing anything that could put food on the table. Was it difficult getting the finances to start your business? Yes, I started my business in the trunk of my car with no financial assistance. How do you advertise your business? I advertise through social media plat-
crippling extent and I am grateful for that. Tell us your key principles as a business man. I pride myself on my ethics and my accessibility.
Absolutely! Being a black business man is one thing, and being a black business man in the beauty industry is an-other. Knowing that I am not just a black man, but a black man in a female dominated world motivates me to not just be good, because good is not good enough, I strive to be exceptional.
How long have you been in business? Has business gotten better over the years?
What can you tell us about your customers?
Whom do you seek advice from for your business?
My customers are family, or so I like to see them. Many of my customers have been with me for years they are very loyal to me and the business
Seeking business advice can be very tricky, given that no business is the same, but sometimes I seek advice from people I trust.
Do you find Edmonton a great place to do business? Has the recession affected you in any way?
Where do you see your business in the next year?
Edmonton is a great place for a business, especially when you do what I do. Like everyone else here, the recession has affected my business but not to a LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
I have been in business for over a decade now, I started very small but have now expanded. Business is getting better.
In the next year, I hope to make my business more accessible to clients that have long commute to get to my cur-rent location.
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LadiesCorner www. Artivermakwatra.com
Building an Empire Arti Verma Kwatra 28
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rti Verma Kwatra is conq uering the world through her businesses targetted to help the world. For the past decade, Arti has explored the world of business. She is an experienced senior business dev elopment manager, influencer, co-founder of a networking platform and the founder of an international beauty pageant and non profit company. Miss Noble Canada is an annual event in Edmonton with capacity to extend to other cities in Canada. Its goal is to celebrate female empowerment and raise money for charitable causes here at home in Canada and abroad. More than $20,000 has been raised in the past two years from Arti’s work. Mixximize is a networking platform that connects community influencers and business professionals while simultaneously earning revenue for local charities. They launched a website in 2018 and the app followed in 2019. Mixximize connects hundreds of users while helping a good cause by supporting local charities. Looking back, are there any indications from your childhood or youth that foreshadowed your work with Mixximize? Mixximize to me is mixing with the right connection and maxmizing your worth. The reason I came up with Mixximize is because since I was a stay at home mum, I always wanted to start my own business. The biggest trouble I had was finding the right connections as this was hard as a stay at home mum. I came up with Mixximize as it is always about making connections. I also believe in giving back to my brothers and sisters. The way the app works is it allows you to meet so many people, the app puts you in connection
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“The biggest trouble I had was finding the right connections as this was hard as a stay at home mum.” with people who actually make things happen. You will meet with CEOs, CFOs, mentors and coaches who will move yout business and career in the right direction. We let people charge for their time. That time is worth money and that money will be given to the charity of their choice. What has been your most profitable business idea and how did you come to that idea? Both my projects are so profitable. Not only do we give back, but we see the young girls who participate in the pageant. It is about being noble. It is not about money. We are now international. We are getting the limelight so fast and so quick. It is a great community work. Do you follow a certain morning routine or daily schedule to maximize productivity and wellbeing? My morning routine starts with prayer where I connect with the Supreme this keeps me calm and grounded, knowing that God is our parent. I was raised believing that God is our parent and everybody in this earth is our brother and sister. It is our right to LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
Canada take and give to one another as God is our parent. After I am done with my prayers, I do some workout for my body. This is so I can use my body to its maximum potential to serve others and myself. What is the biggest challenge for you as an entrepreneur? I don’t have challenges. I love challenges. I see them as my best friend. I see them as learning journey. Competencies and recruiting the right talent is a challenge. Just embracing change is also a challenge I see. We live in an era of constant change in technology. Do you have mentors and coaches? I have mentors and coaches. I learn from my siblings, my husband, my parents, then I also hire mentors and coaches wherever I feel like I am stuck in my personal development. I hire a mentor or a coach to help me. This is so I never stop my growth. I would encourage every one to have a coach/ mentors because they can help you leverage your goals. They can help you find your inner strenghts. What tips do you have for other women who would like to start their own businesses? This bit is for men and for women. It is for every one who strives to make a difference. Self doubt is deadly. Never let self doubt attack you. Always know who you are. And remember you are priceless. You are worth it. God has sent you here for a reason. Believe in yourself. Mobile: 780 221 4049 Email: arti@mixximize.com Web: www. Artivermakwatra.com Linkedlin: @artivermakwatra
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Canada
Poetry
Miss Purple Raise Me Up Dear Editor We travelled out of Asia The journey took over a day but to Edmonton we came We said goodbye to everything And everyone We bade farewell to the memories of our ancestors We embraced change
Dear Editor We came to the winter city We joined the diverse races Already here We added to the multiculturalism We made a beautiful blend at Heritage Festival We brought our music, Our gods and our dance with us Dear Editor We love all the colours of Alberta But we are stuck We expected a bit more you see We were promised jobs Great jobs But here we are
Unable to work because We lack Canadian experience Unable to work as teachers Unable to work as engineers Unable to work as stock brokers Unable to find relevant work Unable to earn what we are worth We are without representation I think. Dear Editor We came from Asia and Africa To make Edmonton our home We speak English We do community work It feels we are wanted in some places But not in all It feels like some doors are open and Some doors are closed We struggle to adjust to the violence in our homes We struggle with depression, obesity, inflation, recession and unmanaged expectations We struggle silently To make the winter city home Dear Editor We are here with our children Our mothers and our fathers What do we do?
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What is energy healing? Utpala Acharya 32
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oday, I will address this question that has come up quite a bit in the past for me, “ What is energy
healing?” Everything in the world is energy. This energy has tremendous powers to heal us from within. This energy goes by many names such as “prana”, “life-force”, “chi”, “consciousness”, pneuma in Greek, “Mana” in Polynesian, “ruah” in Hebrew, “atman” in Sanskrit and so on and so forth. This energy makes up every physical part of our body including cells, tissues, organs, bones and it is also responsible for making the “surrounding” of our body. You might remember meeting some people from whom, you get a “vibe” of being positive or negative, “deja vu” as if you have seen them or known them before. Every person is surrounded by a luminous energy body called the bioplasmic body, etheric body. Kirlian photography, has given the proof of this energy and captured the visual proof’s from the 1930’s. Scientists found that measuring magnetic fields of the body and encephalograms and cardiograms provide more accurate readings of what’s happening in the body. It is through the energy body that prana or life energy is absorbed and distributed throughout the whole physical body. The energy body has fine invisible bioplasmic channels or meridians through which ki and bioplasmic matter enters and flows. Human body has inner and outer aura. There are several major bioplasmic or energy channels and thousands of minor ones. In yoga, these are called major and minor nadis. Our bones, blood, cells, tissues etc vibrates at a lower frequencies and thoughts, feelings, emotions, life
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“We are all born with the power to heal. The body repairs and replace aspects of itself as needed.” events vibrate at a higher frequency. People heal when we balance these energies. Reiki, Pranic healing, Qigong, Tai chi, meditation, Yoga, Feng Shui, Vastu, EFT etc. We are all born with the power to heal. It is this energy that helps the body to repair and replace aspects of itself as needed. This energy accelerates the rate of biochemical reactions and heals the wound at a faster pace. This is sometimes referred to as the fifth level of healing and is the highest healing skill without the use of massage (1st level), herbs and medicines ( 2nd level), acupuncture and moxibustion (3rd level), surgeries (4th level). Alongwith physical healing, the energies can be used for psychological, mental, emotional healing and helps patients feel contented, relaxed, calm and reduction in anxiety and stress. The healer uses three parts in healing themselves and others. According to the law of conservation of energy/ law of thermodynamics, energy is constant. It can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only be transformed. The energies are taken from the sky, clouds, above, higher consciousness, spiritual realms, God, supreme being or whatever the healer and patient are comfortable calling it. The middle portion is the human beings looking to heal. The LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
Canada lower section represents the earth and portrays layers of soil and stone. The practitioner conducts universal energy from their palms and it flows to the client’s body. We tend to store energy in the form of memories and beliefs and with this kind of healing our body comes back in sync and harmony eventually getting rid of all conflicts, contradictions and unrest. The healing process happens in 3 stages namely: 1. Cleansing 2. Energizing 3. Stabilizing Cleansing removes devitalized and diseased energy, it reduces the radical reduction and it removes the risk of damaging finer energy channels. Cleansing is necessary in order to facilitate the absorption of prana or ki by the affected part. After the cleansing, the new and fresh energy is transferred to the patient. The new energy can be in the form of colour prana, solar prana, divine light, white light, air and ground prana. This makes the sacred, pure and fresh energy stay in place for a longer period of time. Healers need to be calm, happy, peaceful and be practising meditations and cannot practise when they are stressed. The healing can be done in individual and group sessions. This can also be added with meditations. Because the healer is treating the energy body, people are able to give distance healing and only possible with consent. This energy healing can be given to relationships, work, finances, food and drink, plants and animals, goals, past resolved issues, to receive clarity, inspiration, Reiki using crystals and to technology for your business. With love and light Utpala
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Bella Vita Laser Clinic
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Canada Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business. My name is Houda and my partner who is my mother is Zeina. We both run and operate Bella Vita Laser Clinic. We have been in the business since 2013 so we just celebrated our 6th year anniversary. Our business started with only one treatment which was laser hair removal, it was something we were both passionate about. We both worked different jobs, Houda was a manager at Virgin Mobile for 7 years , she started the position as a sales person at the age of 16. At the age of 19, she was promoted to management position. From there, she grew and learned so much which prepared her for a career as an entrepreneur. At the age of 23, she handed in her two weeks notice. In 2013, doors opened for Bella Vita Laser Clinic and with hard work and dedication our business flourished into a successful venture. Zeina her mother and partner was also working full time at the time and being a single mom to four kids. They both decided to take the Medical Laser Technician path. They tried something new. After a year in the business, they started to take courses and additional training to add on to their laser hair removal services. They now provide more than 15+ services to cater to all types of skin concerns. They treat their customers like family, they do their best to be fair and to bring in only top of the line health Canada approved treatments and technology. As they understand that this industry is constantly changing and improving, they do their best to stay on top of new technology, new treatments What is your morning routine like ?
Our morning routine none existent. Everyday is a different and new day for us which makes things exciting and fun. If you want to get an idea, we both head to work together, grab our coffees and prepare ourselves to provide the best customer services to all of our clients. Since our business is based on appointments - we always have appointments prebooked 4-6 weeks ahead of time - so we have an idea of what to expect that day. The best part about our work is that we feel like it’s our second home and it’s our first home since we spend so much more time at the clinic than at our actual home. We sometimes spend extra time just talking to our clients that we forget the time especially when its close to the end of the day so we end up being at work for more than 10 plus hours. But the best part is we don’t feel like it is work. Making someone feel nice about their appearance by providing a relaxing facial or just having someone tell you how much they suffered from facial hair due to hormonal imbalance and now they are so happy and feel confident to walk around means the world to us. As a business in Edmonton, what are your tips for success in dealing with customers? We believe the best tip to give is to honestly have patience, you are dealing with women who come from all around the world and everyone has a story that comes with them so don’t ever judge or not take the time to truly understand their needs. They have obviously come to you for a reason so taking the time to patiently understand their needs and address their concerns with honesty and transparency is the key to success. LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
What types of services do you offer your customers? We try to offer it all just because there is always something new that is always coming out. Our services include laser hair removal, laser skin tightening, body contouring with bodyFX system, chemical peels for all skin types and concerns such as acneic skin , pigmented and mature skin. Microneedling using both Fractora by Inmode & Dermaspark. Teeth whitening, Light therapy, Eyelash lifting and tinting, dermaplaning, microdermabrasion, IPL Laser skin rejuvenation and we will continue to add to our services as time goes on. What are they saying about you? Going to Bella Vita is like going home. The amazing ladies at Bella Vita are always welcoming and make you feel like family. They take the time to truly understand your concerns and develop a plan to get desired results and then some. Bella Vita doesn’t just enhance at the surface, they go deeper than that and you leave feeling happier and refreshed. I love Bella Vita, I’ve been going to them for years and recommend them to anyone who is looking for a little rejuvenation. Absolutely love this place, the management, and technicians! The clinic is always really clean and staff is very professional. Moreover, they’re never running behind on appointments. I love the convenience and user-friendliness of the on-line booking system, as well as the appointment reminders. “There’s a wide range of cutting-edge treatments offered at the
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LadiesCorner clinic and Houda is awesome at explaining and showcasing the steps/ benefits on social media. She’s also really easy to get a hold of whenever you have questions about anything! Love the monthly promos! I’m always satisfied with every treatment I receive at Bella Vita!” Bella Vita Laser Clinic is hands down the best clinic I’ve been to in Edmonton. The ladies are friendly, very knowledgeable & take pride in their work. I started off doing laser treatments here on my underarms after I had a bad experience at a different clinic & my results have been amazing. Looking forward to continue laser treatments on other body parts. If you haven’t checked this place out yet I highly recommend you do so; you will not be disappointed.
to go. Providing excellent customer service means going the extra mile in making sure a customer is happy and satisfied with a company’s products or services. It also involves providing service to a customer in a timely, pleasant manner. In order to provide excellent customer service, one needs superb communication and problem resolution skills. Excellent customer service means making each and every aspect of the customer’s experience a positive one. I believe that effective people
Technology driven personalized skin care: what does this mean?
and communication skills are what have helped me to excel in the customer service positions I have held in the past. I always ensured customers were completely satisfied with their decisions by conducting follow-upsand I worked to resolve any conflicts or problems that arose effectively. Good customer service means meeting expectations- but excellent customer service means exceeding them.
For example, at Bella Vita Laser clinic, we offer the Fractora treatment. Fractora is the most advanced fractional radio-frequency treatment providing anti-aging improvements on skin tone and texture for a more radiant appearance through ablation and skin resurfacing. Fractora can be used in areas that demonstrate fine or deep wrinkles, scars or discolored red and brown skin tone. The technology companies are making less
“The future of cosmetic dermatology, anti-aging, and wellness is about the advances in technology, as it’s really about how we’re going to get these ingredients into the skin,” says Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, MD a New York City-based dermatologist, who founded the namesake PFRANKMD Skin Salon. “I see this in my practice now—we’re using lasers to deliver products now.”
I am one of the happy and satisfied customer of Bella Vita. The service is excellent with competent price. I had a dark pigmentation on my cheekbones but after few treatments, it all faded. I see satisfying results in my skin. I will keep coming and will try their new products. Houda and the rest of the staff always do a good job. I would recommend Bella Vita to everyone. Who would not love to have a glowing and perfect skin? What does outstanding service mean to you? Good customer service involves treating customers with a friendly attitude. However, I believe excellent customer service means going above and beyond. It entails having a thorough knowledge of the services being provided and to be able to give our customers the options to decide which way they would like
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Canada
invasive devices for consumers with different needs. So basically now your typical relaxing facials are fun and all but majority of people in this generation are wanting results and fast results and the only way to do that is to combine beauty with technology and getting really deep into the skin to give those amazing results Skincare is now growing faster than makeup, as the selfie generation grows up. For people who don’t know what body contouring means? BodyFX is a new, long lasting, non-invasive solution to reduce the unsightly appearance of cellulite. BodyFX will reshape your body to provide a non-surgical alternative to liposuction. BodyFX is a perfect solution to get rid of your mummy tummy or muffin top, and improve your general body contour. BodyFX uses a combination of different clinically proven modalities including radiofrequency energy, deep tissue heating and suction coupled negative pressure. The radio-frequency energy distributes heat to the skin and underlying fat, causing the tissues to heat and contract. The vacuum and controlled energy pulses then work synergistically to pro-
vide beautiful body shaping results. How can this help people? BodyFx technology utilizes Radio Frequency (RF) energy to penetrate the skin layers to selectively heat the skin tissue and the extra-cellular matrix (ECM) where the collagen fibers are embedded. The local heating causes an immediate contraction of the collagen fibers and at the same time increases the metabolism of the fibroblasts thereby accelerating the production of new collagen fibers. BodyFx also incorporates a secondary irreversible electroporation (IRE), which destroys fat cells, reducing body circumference. BodyFx is ideal for: •• contouring and sculpting of the body, body circumference reduction, tightening loose or sagging skin, •• improve the appearance of cellulite BodyFx treatments have been clinically proven to: •• Reduce circumferences up to 9cm in the abdomen and up to 8cm in thigh areas after only 8
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weekly treatments •• Clinical studies have proven up to 3cm circumference reduction in arms after only 3 treatments •• Leave skin looking firmer, tighter, with an overall better texture. What are the best treatments for people who are interested in facial treatments? A series of in-office peels can dramatically improve the appearance of the face, hands, or neck, taking off dead cells to reveal brighter skin. For those with hyperpigmentation, consider a still-more targeted version of the treatment. Using a sterilized device, microneedling delivers a series of controlled “wounds” beneath the skin’s surface, triggering its own natural collagen production. It’s an amazing tool for pores, tone, and overall texture. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, ultrasound energy devices, or laser resurfacing may be an option for moderate to severe facial sun damage. www.bellavitalaserclinic.ca 9250 34A Ave, Edmonton, Alberta
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Glam-Up with Nelly 38
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
Canada Tell us a little bit about you and your business. I was born in Pakistan, we moved to the US when I was 5 years old. At age 12, my family and I moved to Canada and made Edmonton our home. A lot of people confuse my ethnicity with anything but East Indian, It’s actually quite funny, and most people confuse me with being Latina, but I am full blooded Pakistani. I started my studio shortly after I had my first child. At first, it was just a weekend side hustle, but after having 3 kids, I wanted to turn my passion into a full time career, so that I could continue being a devoted mom to my young kids. I specialize in Bridal/Glam makeup, but I also have fun with special effects makeup for Halloween. I love to be creative and I am always trying new things. When I am not working on my business, you can find me chasing after my kids. We love to be outdoors, visiting friends and family and having a good time. Why did you choose this industry? Or did it choose you? I feel like this industry chose me, I have always been fascinated with beauty, fashion, and hair since I was a child. Growing up, I was the go to person amongst my friends for all things beauty and fashion. Never in my mind did I think this was going to be my career path. Knowing that I can make someone feel amazing is such a rewarding feeling and gives me a sense of fulfillment. It is the best feeling when my clients tell me how amazing their day was, because
they felt beautiful with their hair and makeup. When I am making a client up, it sends me into this zone of calmness and peacefulness. I always thought, that having a career was supposed to be hard and boring, but for me, makeup is therapeutic. I?m very grateful to have this talent, the trust of my clients and the ability to do what I love every day. What do people often forget when it comes to getting their face done up? One of the biggest mistakes or missed steps in getting make up done is missing the skin care routine. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take care of your skin. Like a painter, it is easier to create a masterpiece on a clean fresh canvas. Having a good skin care routine, helps rejuvenate your skin and hydrates your skin for longer lasting makeup. A good basic skin care routine includes an oil based cleanser to break down your makeup at the end of the day, a toner to neutralize your ph levels, and a hydrating moisturizer. I always recommend that my clients get a facial once every new season. Ladies please take care of your skin. What are your three top tips to a great make up business? I think my top three tips to help anyone get going in this industry would be: 1. Consistency and a great portfolio. Always have great portfolio out there for everyone to see. People like to see different styles, different looks that LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
stand out from all the others. You want to show value with your work so everyone can see that your style is unique and offers something that no one else does. 2. Be professional at all times with everything you do. Having professional pictures with your makeup, hair, and outfits stand out. It makes people interested in you, your service as well as adding value and showing you?re taking your business and clients seriously. 3. Passion, this is the most important one of all, because without passion there is no love and without love, is it really worth doing? When you have love in your work, people will see that and will feel that you genuinely care about them, when they are seated in your chair. If your clients don?t like a look or you don?t like a look change it! It?s your work, your name and their face! Our face is the first thing people see, so making sure your clients look their best is part of the love and passion which will turn into appreciation for your work. Where can we find details about you? Details about me and my work can be found on the following platforms: Instagram @makeupbynellyr Facebook Makeupbynelly Email: makeupbynelly8@hotmail. com
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Mental Health and Winter Blues with Coach S hayla .S. Dube
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have spent the last 10 years working with children, youth and families who struggle with various mental health issues, so I know first hand that managing stress, wellness and self care can be challenging. The true essence of understanding mental health from a deeper level happened a couple of years ago, when my own wellness completely fell part. To the world, I was a happy thriving mom, but internally I was struggling and falling apart. In my healing process, I realized that we could all use support and guidance, which is why I created Wellness Empowered, a space which I use to provide constant motivation and education on health and wellness that aims to empower others with practical tools that they can apply in their own wellness journeys to maintain positive mental health. I was recently asked about how I stay motivated in winter, when the weather is gloomy and the natural sunlight is less available; In my first few years of living in Canada over a decade ago, I hardly ever went outside the house during the winter, unless I had to. I used to say things like “ winter is depressing.” While I am aware and understand that for some people, “seasonal affec-
tive disorder, “ where they either have onset of depressive symptoms as the temperatures decrease or worsening of pre-existing depressive symptoms when winter strikes is reality for them, for me it was a mindset induced mental block that I have since learned to overcome. To combat the depressing nature of winter and stay motivated, I intentionally schedule indoor exercise activities that I enjoy such as badminton and netball. The key is, enjoying the activity enough that you will overlook the weather. I like team sports for accountability reasons. When you are part of a team, you become family with your team members and family members are expected to be loyal and dependable, so my responsibility to the team keeps me motivated in attending and participating. Being part of a recreational team sport not only boosts my mood and energy, but it also gives me a strong social network, which is important for physical and mental health. In the past, I have obsessed about the so called bad and good food, following some fad quick fixes diets and I also focussed on being a certain size and being a certain weight. I quickly learned the ugly truth in the long run, diets and weight loss are not sustainLadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
able, but lifestyle changes are and the true measure of our best weight lies in the functionality and abilities of our bodies. I no longer subscribe to any particular diet, but I aim to eat nutritiously every day which comprises whole grain foods, fruits and vegetables and high finer foods. I occasionally allow myself the pleasure of enjoying treats here and there, however I prefer my own home cooked meals to already made food. When I eat right, I feel energetic and happy. Unresolved stress can affect us physically, mentally and emotionally, hence, I understand wellbeing through realistic and holistic lens. My spirituality keeps me grounded . Without my faith, I would put so much unrealistic pressure on myself, I would get pessimist, lost and impatient, however when I look up to God and surrender my purpose to him, I trust the process. I find inner peace and joy in my work of guiding others towards healthier and happier lives. Shayla S.Dube, B.S.W, M.S.W, R.S.W Mental Wellness Clinician Reg #11129 www.wellnessempowered.com
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Canada
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
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LadiesCorner
Dealing with Bullying with
Samira Hamana
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ullying can leave physical, emotional and psychological scars that can last a lifetime.
Kids that are bullied suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, nightmares and low self-esteem. Research shows that bullied children will have lower academic achievement, a higher level of aggression and are more likely to attempt suicide during childhood or adulthood. Therefore, early intervention can sa ve a life and help children tremendously. As a certified life coach and an author of the storybook “Challenging the Bully”, I urge parents to have open communication with their children, so
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they can trust and share with them anything that happens at school. Open communication is the key that helps parents learn and detect if their child is getting bullied at school or not. If the child is an introvert, parents could use “sharing conversation”. Sharing conversation is a method used to encourage children to talk about the good and bad things that happened that day . You can also use a storybook-like “Challenging the Bully” as a conversation starter. When parents learn that their child is being bullied at school, they need to do the following: •• First, tell him/her it’s not their fault. •• Secondly, show him/her that you LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
care and you are going to help. •• Thirdly, meet with the principal and discuss ways to deal with bullying. Fourthly, coach your child on how to defuse an attack and invite your child peers for a playdate to help your child have allies. Finally, keep an open eye on your child’s behaviour and keep supporting him/her. Samira Hamana is a certified life and executive coach and a HR professional. Facebook: Samira Hamana Instagram: SamiraHamana
Canada
“Feeling with” Vs “Dealing with” your child.
Joy Ruhigisha LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
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eing a parent of three children and working with different parents from all walks of life, parents who feel stuck with their children and unsure of what to do with them, I can confidently say that, parenting can be a daunting process, even more so when parenting children whose emotions run high. Most parents have the intellect to “dealâ€? with their children, but find it hard to emotionally connect with them. Parents deeply love their children and want them to feel seen, heard and valued but many times, some parents lack the skills to do so. Part of the reason parents struggle is essentially tied to their childhood experiences. Research has shown that childhood experiences affect adults in later life. For instance, if one’s childhood was mainly characterized by traumatic experiences such as, emotional neglect and abandonment, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, bullying and rejection, there is a likelihood that these traumas will manifest during adulthood in different ways. That being said, it is important to know that, there is hope and that parents can heal from these traumas, by stepping out of their comfort zone, create awareness of their own personal triggers while choosing to courageously show up for themselves and the next generation. Renowned researcher and psychologist Dr. John Gottman breaks down the five key steps to being able to “Feel withâ€? your child: •• Be aware of your child’s emotions. •• Recognize the emotion as opportunity for intimacy and teaching. •• Listen empathetically and vali-
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date the child’s feelings. •• Help a child verbally •• label their emotions. •• Set limits while helping the child to solve problems. My husband and I made a commitment to go on a date night once a month. Even though our kids are aware of this, our youngest struggles to separate from us every time we step out for this date night. She cries and would say “mom and dad, I don’t want you to go, I want you to stay home with meâ€?. In the past, we would quickly try to fix her emotions and question why she had to cry each time we were stepping out. This strategy terribly failed for these reasons: •• We never took time to understand why our daughter was crying . •• We didn’t help her identify her emotions and explore why she felt the way she did. Instead we were quick to dismiss what she was feeling. Over the years, experience and research has taught us to “feel withâ€? instead of “dealing withâ€? our daughter. Below is an illustration of a typical “feel withâ€? conversation. Mom: Tonight we are going out on a date. Daughter: I don’t want you to go. Mom: Oh you don’t want me to go? Why? Daughter: I want to hang out and play with you mom and dad (while crying) Mom: I see where you are coming from, Dad and I enjoy playing with you and would want to do that, unfortunately, we made a promise to each other and you don’t want to break that promise.
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Daughter: Continues to cry đ&#x;˜˘ Mom: Takes daughter’s hand and have her sit in her lap and soothes her. I can see you are devastated, what are feeling. Daughter: sad Mom: oh I am so sorry to hear that, I can see how this can make you feel sad. Is there anything that I can do to make you feel better? Daughter: Yes, go on a date with me tomorrow. Mom: Hmm, that is such a brilliant idea. I would love to go on date with you, can we do this next weekend though as I have to go work tomorrow. Daughter: Okay mom Mom: What would you want us to do on our date night? Daughter: Let’s do some painting, I love painting mom. Mom: sounds like a plan... From the conversation above, you can see how this mom was able to feel with her daughter by first of all acknowledging and validating that she was devastated. Secondly, this mom was able to further explore why her daughter was crying, how she felt and why she felt the way she did. Most importantly, this mom was able to help her daughter to cross over to problem solving which is equally important. “Feeling withâ€? our children requires parents to be mindful of their children’s emotions while supporting them into problem solving. Joy Ruhigisha Gihana Mental Health and Family Therapist owner of www.familylifeandbeyond. com @familylifeandbeyound
Canada
Mary Blanchard Tell us a little bit about yourself and your APEX Recruitment.
dates to reputable employers. How did you get into the industry?
I have over 20 years experience working with top recruitment firms and government job placement programs. My passion is people and finding the right match. Based locally, we provide excellent recruitment solutions and deliver the highest level of talented candidates needed to succeed in today’s competitive markets. We are also well-experienced in career development and employment counselling services, where we assist job seekers with strategies to obtain meaningful employment. Our solid reputation is the result of uncompromising integrity, proven commitment and providing high quality results. We have the resources and expertise to consistently acquire and deliver qualified candi-
I worked in the past as a temporary o ffi c e staff through agencies gaining m u c h experience in various offices. I saw an advertisement about a new office opening in Edmonton. I thought to myself, I could do this. Being familiar with how agencies work, I cold-called and marketed myself. My cover letter was enthusiastic, positive and reflected my desire to learn recruitment and b u siness development. They offered me a Recruiter/Account Sales position. W hat type of recruiters/companies d o you work with and how hard is i t to find excellent candidates in today’s market? I work with employers who are willing to accept a qualified candidate’s re-
LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
sume, where a thorough interview was c om pleted, references checked, learn a bo ut the candidates’ personality/fit and why I think they would be ideal. It is not difficult to find great candidates – they often will find you! Many people struggle to find the job o f their dreams, is this because of t heir Resume or they lack the right e xperience. What have you come across? Ineffective resume, lack of callbacks, g aps in work history, no years listed, m issing or lack of experience. It’s all a bout how you market yourself and utilize all job search strategies. Where can we find out more about the full range of your services? www.apexrecruit.ca
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LadiesCorner
Eat, Move, and Sleep for a Healthier You Dr Nonsi Mathe
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hat is health? And what does it mean to be healthy? The World Health Organization describes health as “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Despite this description, we tend to think of health as just the latter part of this statement “the absence of disease or infirmity”. We consider ourselves healthy when they are not ill. By viewing health as just the absence of disease, it limits the ability to take charge of our health. It leaves most of us in a state of compliancy, and only acting until something goes wrong. In reality, the earlier part of this statement is likely the most important “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”. In recent times, it has become in-
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creasingly difficult to remain “healthy” and maintain a state of physical, mental and social well-being. Human lifestyles have changed at a rapid pace. Lifestyle refers to the way we eat, where and how we live and socialize, how we spend our time and, how we travel and relax. Our diets are characterized by foods that are high fat, high salt, high sugar and low in fibre because of low vegetable and fruit consumption. Our days are spent mostly sitting at work, sitting while we travel to work and other places and even when we relax we tend to be sitting and this reduces our physical activity. If we couple this with the stress, loneliness, social isolation and depression which are fairly common; it is not surprising that in modern societies it has become increasingly difficult to live a healthy lifestyle. In fact, the rise in chronic diseases can be seen as our bodies reacting to the environments we live in and the lifestyles they create. Chronic diseases, such as heart diseases, diabetes, respiratory disease, cancers and depression, dominate the global and public health agendas worldwide. Together, these conditions account for 7 out of 10 deaths globally. These conditions are also responsible LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
for countless years of life lost to disability and affect not just individuals but families and communities. Collectively, these chronic conditions were known as lifestyle diseases. The main lifestyle factors that increase the likelihood of chronic diseases are unhealthy diet, physical inactiv-
Canada ity, excessive alcohol intake, tobacco use, high stress levels and air pollution. Age, family history of disease, gender and ethnicity can also increase risk for chronic disease, however, it is these lifestyle factors that that propel these non-changeable factors to disease. So how do we respond? How do we take charge? Here are three lifestyle behaviours that if improved can help in reducing risk and feeling healthier EAT Improving diet is of importance at any stage of life. Diet is influenced by culture and environment, however the basic principles of improving diet remain the same. These include: •• Eating MORE fruits and vegetables at least seven portions of vegetables and fruits per day •• Including more nuts, pulses and whole grains to your diet •• Eating LESS fat, salt and sugar-be aware of sugars in drinks and foods by reading food labels where available. Diet improvement resources: •• World Health Organization Fact Sheet on Healthy Diet https:// www.who.int/en/news-room/ fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet •• Canada’s Food guide https:// food-guide.canada.ca/en/ MOVE Physical activity includes all bodily movement not only exercise which is planned or structured. Activities such as playing, carrying out household chores, travelling are part of physical
activity. The WHO recommends accumulating at least 150 minutes per week of moderate to vigorous physical activity. Moderate-to-vigorous intensity which means it should increase your heart rate, and could leading to sweating and breathing hard. To increase your physical activity you can : •• Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day for almost all days of the week •• Take a break from sitting every 30 minutes. •• Stand while talking on the phone or watching television. •• If you work at a desk, try a standing desk — or improvise with a high table or counter. •• Walk with your colleagues for meetings rather than sitting in a conference room. Physical activity resource: •• WHO Fact sheet on physical activity •• https://www.who.int/newsroom/fact-sheets/detail/ physical-activity SLEEP Sleep is vital for resetting bodily function and regulating metabolism. Long-term poor sleep has been linked to increased risk for overweight and obesity, increased irritability, increased for heart disease and a compromised immune system. Sleep is a priority not a luxury. Accumulating sleep debt can be detrimental to health. The national sleep foundation (www. sleepfoundation.org) suggests the folLadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
lowing ways to check if you are getting a good restful and restorative sleep. Are you •• sleeping 7-8hours a night •• fall asleep within 15-20 minutes •• unbroken sleep. •• waking up feeling refreshed, •• feeling alert and productive during the day •• experiencing interruptions in your sleep, such as excessive snoring, pauses in breathing, restlessness Sleep information resources: •• National sleep foundation – https://www.sleepfoundation. org/ These three behaviours are interrelated and an improvement in one or two leads to an improvement in another and ultimately an overall improvement in health. Lifestyle change is not is easy or quick. However, small deliberate steps can help. Keeping a record of what has been achieved can be encouraging and sharing your journey with someone else helps with accountability and support. Dr Nonsikelelo (Nonsi) Mathe is a chronic disease and nutritional epidemiology researcher and Health lifestyle advocate. Her research focuses on identifying risk factors for chronic disease in different populations including women who previously had gestational diabetes. Nonsi is passionate about lifestyle interventions (improved diet and physical activity) for improved health. Dr Nonsi Mathe Twitter: @nonsikelelo Facebook: Dr Nonsi Mathe
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DIGITALArtistry The digital era is quickly moving past its infancy stages. In order for brands to compete, we need to pivot quickly to embrace digital content that surpasses conventional marketing techniques. The only way to build an unshakable brand in this new stage of the digital era is through digital artistry. True art captures experiences, creates deep emotions, and connects us on a transcendent level. Digital artistry is the process of taking physical art and transforming it in our ever-changing digital world. Physical art has always been able to capture the emotions of the beholder. So, creating powerful content for your brand does the same thing. Digital artistry is built on three pillars: written content, graphics, and video. These three pillars are currently used in digital marketing, but only some brands are transforming these mediums to build their audience. Traditional art techniques for these three pillars can be transferred to the digital world, and from there, transformed into something altogether new. A true way to make you stand out.
Written content can be transformed into art through story-weaving and poetry. Content is often overlooked as a form of expressing emotions and stories. We write down our thoughts and ideas, but we shy away from words that represent deeper feelings or emotions. Graphics are another form of digital storytelling. In the recent past, digital design has helped us to protect, revive, and preserve art traditional forms like paintings and photographs. Now, we are building on traditional methods to create new experiences and expression through digital design. Video is the most powerful form of expression because it’s so immersive. It provides an experience that naturally engages most of the senses, and, when transformed into art, can engage all the senses. The motion of videos captures change, emotion, and, perhaps most importantly, time. Video is the only medium that captures all human emotions in art form. Just like art, digital artistry is achieved through dedication, introspection, exploration, and most of all, hard work. Digital Artistry is so powerful. You deserve an unshakable brand, and that’s why your brand deserves digital artistry. /vandermeer.jared @jared_vandermeer @jared.vandermeer
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LadiesCorner.ca – Winter 2019/2020
