The Mint Experience Winnipeg March 2022 by Mint Experience Inc

Tamara Fehr, New Outlook Wealth Plan, Prosper, Empower Women in Business Love & Connection in the kitchen

The Mint Experience Winnipeg VOL 2 ISS 2 MARCH 2022

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The Mint Experience Inc. Brandon & Winnipeg hello@mintmarketingexperience.ca www.mintmarketingexperience.ca

FIRST WORD From Editor in Chief

JAMIE WILLEY

Volume 2 Issue 2, March 2022 Publisher Mint Marketing Experience Inc.

Editor Jamie Willey

Graphic Designer Ghislaine Moffitt

Writer Lisa Cress

Contributing Writers Shelby Wood, Kim Raaijmakers, Michael van Lierop Nancy Dutiaume, Stefanie Baranowski, Anna Dumas

Photographer Studio 78

“There is something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness and the nerve to never take no as an answer” - Rhianna hat does strength mean to you? Depending on the situation, it can range from the simplest physical strength to the emotional strength that guides us through thick and thin. This issue is ﬁlled with an abundance of women who continue to build the cornerstones of our community.

Cover Photo Studio 78

PRINT ADVERTISING & DIGITAL MARKETING INQUIRIES hello@mintmarketingexperience.ca FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES Jamie Willey jamie@mintmarketingexperience.ca 204-721-1296

Our Cover Feature, Tamara Fehr shares her passion for financial literacy to inspire and educate women to plan for a comfortable and prosperous future. Confident and steadfast with her choices, read more about Tamara and her path. If you are looking for physical strength, read all about Emily Parkes and how the WHY of her visions keeps growing and impacts women of every age. We don’t always see ourselves as strong, especially when we falter. Strength can be internal that takes the shape of courage to face the unknown. Our world isn’t what it once was and we can take that to be an opportunity to be even better. Made to Grow is proof of just that – building and growing a community of women who can come genuinely come together and thrive. This issue is dedicated to my pillar of strength, who embodies every definition of strength, who keeps me going when I don’t think that I can – my mom, Natalie , and that my friends, is my strength. With gratitude,

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mintmarketingexperience.ca The Mint Experience is published by Mint Marketing Experience Inc. The Mint Experience Westman is published 6 times per calendar year. Articles and art may not be reprinted without written permission from the Publisher. The Mint Marketing Experience Inc assumes no responsibility to return any unsolicited editorial or graphic material. The Mint Marketing Experience Inc. considers its sources reliable and verifies as much data as possible, although reporting inaccuracies can occur; consequently readers using this information should do so at their own risk.

Mint Marketing Experience Inc. 29 10th Street Unit J Brandon, MB R7A 4E4

CONTENTS 8 28 38 40

IN THIS ISSUE 8

Fashion & Beauty

Health & Wellness

Eats & Drinks

House & Home

Local Culture

FEATURES 28

Love & Connection in the kitchen

Cover Story: Tamara Fehr, New Outlook Wealth

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CONTRIBUTORS IN THIS ISSUE

JAMIE WILLEY Born and raised in Manitoba, Jamie comes from a long line of entrepreneurs. Owner of Studio 78 Lofts, and Editor in Chief of The Mint Experience, Jamie has a soft spot for the fearless business community. Combining her creative photography talents with her business roots, she is proudly bringing stories and inspiration with Westman’s best magazine. Jamie has a love for cooking, and of course delicious wines. She is very proud of her two boys, Braden and Nate, who never cease to amaze her with their wit, humour and compassion.

REGAN BUETI

Regan comes from a long line of Entrepreneurs and has always known she would run her own business one day, but didn’t know in what form. After graduating from Fashion School in LA, she went home to Winnipeg and worked as a clothing designer for 7 years, before combining her two dreams into one, and Style Bar came to life in 2013. She strives to make everyone feel welcome, and beautiful when they step into Style Bar and she wants you to feel like you’re shopping in your best friends closet. She hopes to show her daughter Emilia how hard work and determination can make all your dreams come true.

STEFANIE BARANOWSKI How can Diamond Lotus help you? Stefanie Baranowski is the CEO and Founder of Diamond Lotus. She lives eats and breathes health and wellness. With a live to learn spirit that she shares with intentional thoughts and kindness through her corporate wellness services. She has been in the health and wellness field for 20 years with experience, education and knowledge in various areas of health and wellness. Diamond Lotus works at helping you incorporate your definition of wellness into your daily routines, your workplace, and into your transformative self.

LISA CRESS Lisa Cress is an advertising specialist, writer and wannabe fantasy author living in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She started her freelance career under the name Slay it in Writing in 2019 and has had the opportunity to write and create for a variety of publications and companies. Her expertise is in connecting businesses to their audiences with copy and creative that engages, entertains and inspires. Get in touch with her at slayitwithlisa@gmail.com.

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SHELBY WOOD Shelby absolutely has a deep appreciation for food, and is working on putting together a cookbook, which is a real passion project for her. Since her Dad passed pretty horrifically 3 years ago she found herself searching for understanding and mainly ways to work through trauma and grief. For Shelby, food it is not only nourishment, but a real form of love, bringing people together in a special way. Especially right now with what is going on in our world, it can connect us from right inside our homes. The kitchen is the heart, it’s where the tunes get turned up! “Probably embarrassingly, if you could be a fly on the wall, as I sing into my kitchen utensil, and sassily dance like I’m Beyonce, but hey, that’s the joy!” says Shelby

MICHAEL VAN LIEROP Michael van Lierop is President & Founder of New Outlook Wealth, a Manitoba-based wealth & advisory firm that brings financial planning and low investment management fees to all Canadians, regardless of their wallet size. Visit their website at www.newoutlook.ca to learn more and to find an advisor!

KIM RAAIJMAKERS Kim Raaijmakers is a mom of two, a business professional of 20+ years and personal development junkie turned transformation coach. Kim is helping women leaders create their best lives, by creating clarity of their vision, developing undeniable belief and discovering strategies that make success inevitable. What began as a personal journey, she has turned into a mission to help women experience the same freedom. When you’re ready for your best life, reach out for a conversation at info@kimraaijmakers.com or check out kimraaijmakers.com

NANCY DUTIAUME Make Up Artist, Entrepreneur, Mentor. Owner and Lead Make Up Artist behind MADE Beauty Company. With a team of 17 professional make up artists and hair stylists, donning professional client services and skills. I am on a mission to bring out the beauty in each person that I meet, through make up artistry, teaching skills and mentor ship. With 20+ years in the Beauty Industry as a Professional Make Up Artist & Beauty Expert, 8 years as an entrepreneur and my experience as a leader in the industry allows me to help others let their lights shine. MADE Beauty Company is a collective of extraordinary make up artists and hair stylists in Winnipeg, MB. We provide onsite beauty services for weddings, engagements, beauty shoots, TV, print, runway, commercial and more. www.madebeautyco.com The Mint Experience Winnipeg

FASHION & BEAUTY

Get colourful! Lime green, citrus orange or bubble-gum pink. Spring 2022 doesn’t have a colour - if it’s vivid, it’s in. Brighten up your closet this season. Wear head to toe or use an accent piece to add a pop to a neutral look. A bright coat over a cute, neutral dress? Yes, please!

Aria Mini Dress $69.00 Dottie Open Front Coat $105.00

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Look good staying warm

Classic Trench $129.00

Manitoba has been a little cold this winter – so maybe we should talk about coats? Fight the chill in the air with a gorgeous trench coat, which are back on trend this spring. Choose a classic, neutral jacket to as a staple piece to help bring you into warmer weather.

Available at Style Bar, 470 River Ave, Winnipeg MB | Or shop online www.shopstylebar.com The Mint Experience Winnipeg

Jewelry

Season of the dreamer

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Layering dainty, delicate necklaces is as on trend as ever. Say goodbye to winter with warm gold tones. Find pieces that come as a set to make layering all that much simpler. Give your style a personal twist with an engraved coin that features your star sign, favourite symbol or initial.

c The stars align with a bold statement piece. Larger links are among the top trends for 2022. Wear oversized gold chains solo to make a statement or layer them with other over-the-top pieces to play-up any outﬁt and add some personality and style.

d Items and Prices a) Zodiac Necklace $39 b) Initial Necklace $35 c) Misc Prices d) Grace Necklace $49

Available at Style Bar, 470 River Ave, Winnipeg MB | Or shop online www.shopstylebar.com The Mint Experience Winnipeg

At Home Blow Out, Salon Quality Results BY BRITTANY MONKMAN, SENIOR STYLIST, MADE BEAUTY COMPANY

e have all had a bad hair day, and it totally has the power to make or break our day. Knowing how to present yourself is imperative to feeling like a #boss. Whether in the office, on a zoom call, or networking, looking your best suggests you have it all together. Even if you don’t ;) Begin with clean, towel dried hair. Using suitable shampoo can make or break your style! Talk with your stylist about what is right for your hair type. Be sure to identify needs of the hair when selecting products. Questions to ponder - What is the forecast? Biggest challenge? Are you looking for hold or volume, shine, hydration or texturizing products? Priming your hair, allows for other products to distribute evenly throughout and prevents build-up of styling products in certain areas. Hair is porous, so working a primer into damp hair protects your hair from damage. For Nancy, I chose Milkshake Incredible Milk and Blow Dry Primer throughout. For the root, KMS Sea Salt Spray. This amazing spray doubles as a finishing product! Finally, I used KMS Hot Flex Spray from mid hair to ends. These products work together to create a pretty, volumized style, with less effort by cutting dry time. To create that perfect salon blowout, switch to a blow dry brush. The Sutra Blow Dry Brush is my favourite. This tool has heat control settings and removes the need for additional hair tools.

1 | Using your blow drier, rough dry to reduce moisture by 70%. This look is more eﬃcient when you have damp hair. 12

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Style front sections and fringe ﬁrst. This hair can be super stubborn if set the wrong way. If the brush gets too hot, turn the setting to air only. The brush remains hot, while continuing to dry your hair. Switch back to heat as needed.

2 | Section a row of hair starting at the bottom. The width of the brush will help you gauge the size of the sections. Work section by section towards the back. Lift hair 90 degrees from your scalp, rounding downward and pulling through to the ends. Dry from root to ends. One trick I do for more detailing and personalization, is ﬁnish the section by holding the brush at the root for a few seconds, remove. Next, wrap the ends around the brush once and hold for a few seconds. Unwrap, smooth and twist around ﬁngertips. Quick tips - lifting creates volume. Tension creates smoothness. Twisting creates bend and texture. Continue working your way up, section by section.

3 | If needed, lightly run a ﬂat iron over the

top layer from mid section to ends. Finish with hairspray to tame any ﬂy aways. My favourite is Milkshake Strong-Hold Hairspray.

Voilà! Bouncy, polished, and beautiful hair at home, that brings out the professional in you and lasts for days! For a refresh and extra ﬂare, spray dry shampoo and pair with a hairpin or low pony to switch up your look from day to day.

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THE BUSINESS

of Beauty BY NANCY DUTIAUME, MAKEUP ARTIST BEAUTY EXPERT, MADE BEAUTY COMPANY

A perfectly polished makeup application, allowing every business woman to put her best foot forward. 14

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It’s been a tricky time trying to navigate the new “work from home” life. It’s become easy to throw on those yoga pants and live, “business on top”, and just plain lazy on the bottom. Let’s be honest, showing up less than “dressed for success” in rolled out of bed mode, has become not only common, but near acceptable. Camera off is always an option, right? But how good is this for our mental health. Begin breaking the COVID habit and start living in the “only one time to make a first impression” quota again. Having a polished look doesn’t have to be complicated. Incorporate multi use products into your daily makeup routine, to create a flawless look, in less time.

TOOLS | Choose a collection of brushes that have specific use. Purchasing just a few individual brushes can be much more beneficial for you, than a collection of brushes that aren’t the shapes and bristles you need to create a look. These 5 MAC Cosmetics Brushes are a perfect start to your collection and will have you mastering your makeup routine in no time.

CONCEAL WITH CONFIDENCE | Many of us have discolouration not only under our eyes, but on our lids as well. Utilizing a concealer strategically to conceal any depth under the eye area, or redness on the lid, will instantly brighten your look. Set with powder and you’ll be bright eyed in not time. Try the Nars Radiant Concealer. Brighten and perfect in one simple product.

SET, SET, SET | Finding a coveted setting powder that creates a natural finish can be tricky. Investing in the incredible Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette will be a decision you’ll never regret. This setting powder, highlighter and contour in one can be used by highlighting and shaping the face, or delicately glide your brush over all 3 shades and dust all over to add some beautiful colour.

BEST IN BASE | Simplify creating a flawless base by using a multifaceted tinted foundation, that contains skincare components and SPF. The results, super glowy skin with just enough coverage. My favourite is the Beautycounter Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20. Moisture, tint, and SPF in one. Why make things complicated?

LOVE THOSE LASHES | Mascara is one item I’m absolutely okay to splurge on. Find one that’s magic to your lashes and stick with it! Add a Lash Primer for maximum lash extension and volume. I’m loving the Lash Idôle Lash-Lifting & Volumizing Waterproof Mascara. A volumizing mascara that keeps my lashes lush, while extending my length with just enough drama. Your lashes will seen for miles. Ok, maybe just defined for those zoom calls behind spectacles.

BLUSH. ALWAYS | Adding a pop of colour on your cheeks can liven up your whole look with one easy step. Popping that same shade of blush on your lid to add just a bit of freshness? Well ok! Focus on creating colour on your cheeks and blending in a circular motion. This will give you softness with just enough colour to have you perfectly polished.

LOFTY LIPS | Creating a soft lip is effortless with the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner. A perfectly workable lip pencil with the creamiest formulation, that sets down to create long wear. This pencil allows you to fill in your lip and create a lipstick like finish. Pop on your favourite lip gloss for just the right shine. Let’s get back to being dressed for success.

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The business of beautiful skin

Alexandra Scarola of VISO Skin Care talks entrepreneurship, motherhood and transformative skin treatments BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY STUDIO 78

When looking to balance caring for young children with owning and operating a luxury skin care spa, Alexandra Scarola, Head Esthetician and Owner of VISO Skin Care, can speak to how family becomes an integral part of your business routine. My family has been an incredible support system from the start. Before we opened Viso Skin Care we went to Toronto to purchase the Hydraderm Vital Energy machine and detail the final touches for the salon, with concluding an intensive training for the Hydraderm machine with Sopar International Inc.” Alexandra explains. “ At that time, my daughter was only ten months old and still breastfeeding. I couldn’t leave her behind so my parents also came along.” While at the training conference, Alexandra took the opportunity to incorporate the entire Guinot skincare line to compliment the Hydraderm Vital Energy machine with its at-home maintenance skincare. “The machine is a game-changer,” Alexandra says. “It’s effective, gentle and multifaceted. It works on all skin types and treats a wide range of skin concerns. It firms, tones, lifts, rejuvenates and heals the skin.” Alexandra is a fully licensed esthetician. She is a former contemporary dancer, driven business owner and loving mother of two young children under the age of five. Her approach to skincare is non-invasive, gentle, more on the holistic approach, and completely personalized to the client.

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“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” Amelia Earheart

“VISO Skin Care is the only luxury spa in Winnipeg that carries Guinot. Guinot products target all skin concerns, work at a cellular level and are very results driven,” Alexandra explains. “From acne control to soothing rosacea, antiaging and facial sculpting, I have treatment programs for every issue and skin type.” VISO Skin Care utilizes the latest technology from the Guinot line, which offers a wide variety of serums that are specific to your skin type and concern. From customized facials for relaxation to VISO’s Hydra Peel, the approach is gentle and effective with no recovery time. “One of my most popular treatments is the Hydradermie Lift, which works by inducing collagen stimulation to improve your skin’s tone, tautness and definition,” says Alexandra. “I use a wand that emits a micro electric current and it’s basically a gym for your face - it sculpts and tones your facial muscles. This is the treatment many people come for – it literally knocks off the years.” Alexandra has cultivated a loyal clientele base that keeps her busy – but she admits juggling motherhood and growing her business can be overwhelming at times. “I’m very lucky to be surrounded by family in the beauty biz who help out with childcare and want me to be successful. As a business owner and mother, you can’t do it all on your own, but no one is going to achieve your dreams for you. I want to be a role model to my kids and show them that anything is possible – you just have to go for it.”

VISO Skin Care 577 Academy Road, Winnipeg, MB 204-489-6088 ALEXANDRA SCAROLA

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HARNESSING THE POWER OF YOUR MIND! BY KIM RAAIJMAKERS

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Ever stepped into a meeting and already begin to feel irritated when you see who is there?

DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO FEEL OR HOW YOU WANT TO RESPOND.

Is there a song that you hear takes you right back to high school?

So you could choose to feel excited or motivated. Or maybe you want to calm yourself down and remember to breathe.

Maybe it’s a smell, that takes you right back to a specific place and time? These are natural ways your brain has associated certain sounds and smells with a memory or feeling. Within neuroscience this is called anchoring. You’ve anchored a specific sensation based on something that you see, hear, smell, touch or feel. This happens when you in a heightened state of emotion, both positive and negative; your brain takes note to remember, so that next time it is easier for your brain to know what to do. So now each time you hear that song, smell or feeling, your trigger an automatic reaction in your brain which creates a specific feeling or behavior. This is a reason why if you don’t like conflict, you may go into a state of avoidance. Same as each time I hear “Time of Your Life” by Green Day I’m taken back to my high school graduation and prom. The feelings mixed of relief to have graduated, nervous about what comes next, excitement to start a new journey, sadness to the ending of a community in which I had spent so many years. Just this one song triggers so many feelings and thoughts. Why does any of this matter?

CHOOSE IF YOU WANT IT TO BE SOMETHING YOU HEAR, SEE, FEEL OR SMELL. All that upbeat music that plays before a sports game is meant to pump up the audience, you can do the same. Pick your favorite song that gets you feeling energetic and motivate. Or do you want to calm down when you’re irritated or stressed? You could choose to take a deep breath (or three) before you respond. As a side note, this has worked so well that my children now know that I’m calming myself down when the inevitable complaints over dinner begin, because I’ve trained my brain to just breathe rather than to react.

GET STARTED AND PRACTISE. This does not happen all at once, you will have to take the steps to put the feeling you want with the anchor you want to create. Put on a song that gives you that sense of energy and play it loud, dance to it and create an experience from it. Do it every day and you will notice you walk away with the energy and motivation you wanted.

You can make these anchors yourself. You can use them to pump yourself up in the morning with energy, confidence and motivation. You can use anchors to calm yourself down in moments when you need it.

Each time you start to feel stressed, take a deep breath. And if you can’t remember to do this in the moment, practise by imaging yourself in that situation and then seeing yourself taking a deep breath.

Up until now you have been accidently creating anchors which trigger automatic behaviors. Like when you hear the name of your high school bully and begin feeling that sense of dread or stress. Or how when some says there is a test or exam at the end, you already tensing up and thinking I hope I can remember the answers. And honestly, it doesn’t matter what the test is, this is just what happens every time!

It is not about getting this perfect, it will take time for the anchors to take hold and become as automatic as the ones that you have accumulated naturally over your life. How awesome is it when you know you have the power to get your brain to work for you! The possibilities are endless on how and where you can use this.

So what can you do to create the anchors that you want?

So what are you ready to try today?

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Business Profile | Melissa Giller

Live life with soul

Melissa Giller teaches women how to build lives that reflect, honour and strengthen their best selves. BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY VANESSA MAYBERRY

When a woman is confident in who she is and the decisions she makes, she radiates outwards. Her family thrives, her career prospers and the world around her benefits. When we are in tune with who we are and understand our own hearts, we can live authentically. However, when we’re unsure about ourselves and what we truly want, making big decisions can be paralyzing. As a certified life coach, business consultant and mentor, Melissa Giller, MBA started Life with Soul with the mission to help women wake-up their inner confidence, heal themselves and remove what’s stopping them from living the life they really want. “I think, as women, we tend to hold ourselves back from investing in our inner healing, development or personal growth,” says Giller. “Working on our bodies, diet and the clothes we wear is easily accepted - but digging in and making changes to who we are and how we think and feel about ourselves takes a bit more convincing, even though it’s just as important.” Giller believes that we all strive to craft a life on the outside that is reflective of how we want to feel on the inside. Life With Soul offers individualized, one-on-one mentoring with Giller and a membership-based community with personal development resources and group coaching sessions. “It takes bravery to live a life that goes outside

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of the norm or what is expected of you – but living on your own terms and being true to your wants and needs is the greatest gift you could give yourself,” says Giller. “My goal is to help people establish control over their holistic wellbeing. It is possible to become someone who feels good, balanced and excited about life.” Giller practices what she preaches. She is invested when it comes to growing her business and trying new approaches to teach others how to find joy, balance and purpose. “I hope to launch The Life With Soul Podcast later this year and start an entrepreneurship training program I’m calling Mindful Boss Academy,” Giller explains. “I also offer The Fearless Feminine Leader series. A three part workbook designed to teach you how to release fear, gain support and take the next steps towards your vision. I am very proud that I’ve been able to pursue this career path, create this life for myself and make a real difference for other women, too.” When it comes to women ‘having it all’, Giller believes it’s entirely possible. “We need to understand that just like in nature, there’s a seasonality to our lives. We’re always evolving – so what ‘it all’ is to us is always going to change,” says Giller. “When a woman can trust herself to define what ‘it all’ looks like, then they sky’s the limit – she can have whatever she puts her heart to.” Are you ready for real change in your life? Learn more about Melissa Giller and Life With Soul at www.melissagiller.com.

Melissa Giller hello@melissagiller.com www.melisssagiller.com

“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” - Shannon L. Alder MELISSA GILLER

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The Butterfly Language of Growth BY STEFANIE BARANOWSKI, DIAMOND LOTUS YOGA

When I sit back and reflect on where I was a year ago, I was a different me. I can see I have grown and changed with my experiences and all the things I have had to overcome. I am now mentally stronger and wiser and have a better understanding of myself. I look back at what I’ve gone through and feel proud of my ability to find growth and transformation through all the mud and pressure. Opportunities for growth are given to us daily. Sometimes these opportunities are strongly evident and placed directly in front of us, and other times they are presented to us as small markers or unclear ways that may make us question a deeper meaning behind their presence. Sometimes we won’t know what that opportunity for growth might bring until we take on the challenge to see it, greet it, and meet it with open arms. Growth happens in the challenges, the discomfort, and the mess of the non-linear path. To find growth requires us to move out of our comfort zone and feel all the emotions that come to the surface when

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we come face to face with our fears. Our comfort zone is usually what’s consistent, predictable, and gives a sense of safety. It’s where we usually find ourselves in a nice, relaxed state in our mind and body. However, we don’t manifest growth when we stay the same. The one thing that is constant in life is change; change is always occurring around us day to day, hour to hour, and minute to minute. We can choose to either resist change and stay within the confines of our comfort zone, or we can choose to embrace change and move with it and grow with it. Growth happens when we decide to embrace the discomfort, as mentally and emotionally challenging as it is. It’s in embracing the change and discomfort that we find transformation over time. Just as the butterfly needs time in its cocoon to transform, so do we as humans. When we welcome change and discomfort, and can find patience in the concept of time, transformation will transpire. We might not notice the transformation as it’s happening, but when we

give ourselves the opportunity to self-reflect in days, weeks, months, and years, we can see that transformation is time sensitive. We are not the same person we were a year ago, a month ago, a week ago, or even yesterday. Giving yourself the opportunity to embrace change every day will allow you to move towards that transformation to being the best version of you. Moving through change can feel frustrating at times and as though the light at the end is far out of reach. It’s in those times we need to show the most kindness to ourselves. Growth and change require us to self-reflect and find gratitude in even the smallest of things. So, let your heart be bigger than your ego and your soul shine brighter than the darkness of the day.

“A diamond needs to go through an immense amount of pressure before it finds its true beauty, and the lotus flower needs to find its growth in muddy water.” – Stefanie Baranowski (Diamond Lotus, 2021).

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Business Profile | Laura Macleod, Align

Align to your true centre

It is time to start putting yourself first, and Laura Macleod has an app for that. BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY SHARLA PIKE

Laura MacLeod knows what it’s like to feel lost, overwhelmed and disconnected. Caught in a pattern of people-pleasing, with a void no amount of wine, food or Netflix could fill, MacLeod hit a crisis point. “I was experiencing health problems that were signals from my body that something needed to change. I realized there was only one person holding me back from taking care of myself – it was me,” Laura MacLeod, Owner of Align explains. “Once I took control of my life 24

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back, I started saying “no” and found my alignment, a world of possibilities opened. I found my purpose – and in 2019, I began to help other women find theirs.” MacLeod is a mindset and alignment coach. She helps women reconnect to their inner wisdom and unique purpose. We may have forgotten what our purpose is while taking care of everyone but ourselves. The best gift we can give our children is a mom who is lit up from within and going after her dreams.

“When a woman finally learns that pleasing the world is impossible, she becomes free to learn how to please herself.” - Glennon Doyle “I’ve seen how so many women are under a dizzying amount of pressure to do it all and be everything to everyone. When we are at work, we feel guilty because we are not with our family. When we are with family, we feel guilty for not giving 100% to our work,” says MacLeod. “We are programmed to be selfless and sacrifice our needs, health and desires. Through 1:1 and group coaching, I help women turn inward and take care of their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.” MacLeod has high hopes for the future of the 12 Align Tools mobile app and coaching program.

Laura MacLeod “When you find alignment, it’s like putting down a heavy bag of bricks you didn’t even know you’ve been carrying around,” MacLeod says. “I help women learn how to start taking intentional care of themselves. My coaching focuses on the 12 Align Tools that I use in my life to stay aligned and grounded.” The 12 Align Tools also comes in the form of a mobile app. The app helps you set consistency and accountability to work towards your goals while ultimately supporting your mental health.

“I like to dream big – so I hope one day the 12 Align Tools reaches millions of people and supports their journey to purposeful living. We all have unique gifts and something to offer – the world needs us to embrace what those are and do what lights us up.” For anyone considering starting their own business, MacLeod hopes her own story can be a source of inspiration. “I pushed myself to start Align because I knew I had more to contribute to the world than the work I was doing at the time. I was tired of hiding in the background, helping others achieve their dreams. If you have a dream for your own business – do it. Do not let your dream die unexplored.”

Align, by Laura MacLeod support@aligntools.com

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Business Profile | Emily Parkes, Fifty 5 Fitness

Hard work makes the dream work Fifty 5 Fitness and Form Fitness are here to help women of all fitness levels keep moving BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY ANN POOLE CREATIONS

EMILY PARKES

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For women 55+ looking for a space to exercise that focuses on form and no-impact workouts, Fifty 5 Fitness specializes in minimizing injury and modifying moves so women of all fitness levels can join. “I started Fifty 5 Fitness in July of 2017. At first, my why was my Mom. She was looking for a gym to start exercising at and she felt she didn’t fit in at any of the gyms in her area,” explains Emily Parkes, Owner, Fifty 5 Fitness. “She wanted to find a fitness class taught by someone who was ‘Senior Fitness’ certified to make sure she wouldn’t hurt herself. She also wanted to find somewhere she could connect with women her age.” Fifty 5 Fitness started by offering one class a week, but it quickly grew to a full schedule.

“My biggest challenge has been finding a work/life balance and asking for help. I have two kids and two businesses – so it’s a lot of early mornings, late nights and constant challenges,” Parkes says. “It took me two years to hire more staff – and I wish I had done it sooner.” Parkes launched her second business, Form Fitness, in January 2022. Form Fitness is under the same roof as Fifty 5 Fitness – but it’s catered to a younger crowd of women aged 30 to 50.

“I may be a senior, but so what? I’m still hot.” - Betty White

“My why now is fueled by the many wonderful women I get to work with every week. We are almost in our 5th year of business and I have seen our clients go from being nervous and brand new to exercise to having incredible confidence in their ability and finding long-lasting friendships at the studio.”

Parkes pushed herself to take the leap into entrepreneurship after being inspired by other female business owners in Winnipeg. “My neighbour Cheryl Zealand owns Cranked Energy. She is a busy mom of three boys and I remember watching her when she first started her business in complete amazement,” says Parkes. “Her drive, determination and passion in her business gave me the push to start mine.” Anyone building a business knows it takes grit, hard work and determination.

“At Form, it’s all about simple movements and small class sizes. We focus on exercises that are easy to understand and combine them with correct form and repetition to help members achieve their fitness goals. We want to keep you moving for years to come!” When it comes to women ‘having it all’, Parkes believes it’s possible with hard work and the willingness to make sacrifices to get there.

“There are going to be tough days where you want to throw in the towel and give up – keep going,” Parkes says. “When you look back in five or 10 years and see what you’ve accomplished, you’re going to be pretty darn proud of yourself. Dream big – but be ready to put in the work to achieve those dreams!” Emily Parkes, Owner/Creator Fifty 5 Fitness & Form Fitness 8-960 Lormier Blvd, Winnipeg, MB 204-807-1982 www.fifty5fitness.com

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EATS & DRINKS

Shelby’s

Directions:

PORK SCHNITZEL with mushroom gravy

3-4 Boneless Pork loin chops

2 tsp garlic

2 eggs

2 tsp paprika

1/2 cup Kelloggs cornflake crumbs

1 tsp salt

2 tsp onion powder

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• On one plate whisk two eggs. • On another plate, add cornflakes, breadcrumbs and spices.

Ingredients:

1 cup bread crumbs

• Cover boneless pork loin chops in stretch wrap and pound out thinly with a meat pounder or a rolling pin.

1 tsp pepper Oil, canola ½ cup butter

• Like an assembly line, dip your pork into the egg and then into your coating and pat well into the crumbs to cover. Set aside until ready to fry. • In a large frying pan, add oil to coat the bottom about half inch deep for a shallow fry. • Add butter and let come to a medium high heat. Then add in your schnitzel. • Cook for approximately 8 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy.

Mushroom gravy Ingredients: 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup butter 1 tsp basil 1 tsp onion powder

German yellow bean salad Ingredients: 1 can of yellow wax beans Half a cucumber

1 tsp minced garlic

¼ cup of red onion sliced thinly

½ tsp salt

2/3 cup white vinegar

1 tsp pepper

3 tbsp olive oil

1 cup whipping cream

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp flour whisked together with ½ cup water (this is your “roux” to thicken the gravy)

1 tsp pepper

Directions: • In a small saucepan, brown mushrooms in butter for approximately 5 minutes • Add the rest of the ingredients to combine. • Let thicken and simmer while continually mixing. • Serve on top of your Schnitzel.

Directions: • Drain your can of yellow beans and add to a bowl. • Chop half cucumber into quarters and add to the beans. • Next, add red onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. • Toss to mix and coat until combined.

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Business Profile | Shelby Wood

Love and connection in the kitchen Shelby Wood is pouring her heart into a new cookbook

Lovely readers, I am so excited to share that I am on the beautiful journey of creating my very own cookbook! It’s always been my dream to help people make connections and memories through the ritual of preparing food and the enjoyment of eating a great meal. I can’t wait to offer you a cookbook filled with equal parts sassy eats and healthy, nutrition-packed meals.

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Creating my cookbook has been a process so far – but I’ve realized how incredibly important it is to acknowledge that every small step towards a big dream counts. The largest, most worthwhile mountains aren’t conquered in a day! Many of you already know that the kitchen has always been my place of healing. I deeply struggled with grief and loss after my Dad passed away. My kitchen was a safe space where I could express what I was feeling and

Life is always going to have obstacles – but we can’t let them get in the way of living our best life or pursuing our dreams. - Shelby Wood reconnect with the beautiful memories I have of him. He and I believed a delicious meal could change your whole mood and that “putting on a good spread” for those you care about is an act of love and service. If you can’t tell, I am extremely passionate about what food can mentally and emotionally bring to your life. After all, food isn’t just a source of energy and nutrients – it’s a connection that carries across time. Preparing and sharing food is such a beautiful part of life. Food connects us all and brings us together. The recipes and meals we love and enjoy are passed down through families and exchanged among friends. Through those much-loved recipes, memories of our childhood or departed loved ones live on – and isn’t that incredibly special and wonderful? Life is always going to have obstacles – but we can’t let them get in the way of living our best life or pursuing our dreams. I have personally had to learn how to let pain fuel me, not break me. Hard times are going to happen – but they are part of the journey.

I am so excited about this cookbook and everything that will go into making it for you! Putting together a cookbook is something I have wanted to do for a long time, and I am proudly and wholeheartedly choosing to pour all my energy into this and make something incredible. Getting to be a part of the memories that are made in the kitchen means the world to me. Thank you to all of you who have been following my career through the pages of this magazine! I hope one day my cookbook will find its way into your kitchen. I can’t wait to share my stories, savoury treats and delicious meal ideas with you. Connect with me on Instagram to see what I’m up to and keep in touch! @allmylove.allmyrecipes Xox Shelby

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You only live once, so drink great wine.

SEVEN DEADLY ZINS Smooth as a girls night out without wine… which lets be honest would be smooth but not as fun. True to to the name it feels like a sin in Zinfandel form. This is a gem of of a wine boasting a full bodied taste with a lot of different flavors. From the initial burst of jammy berry fruit to the oak spice linger, it should be your new go to for a sassy girls night or a bathtub full of bubbles. Subtleties of raspberry and chocolate but the balance of aroma and flavor. This is the new wine for all your Zins…..

BY ANNA DUMAS

Women’s day

signiﬁes so many things. It shows that we have come so far, we are recognized. Not only as mothers, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers but as the matriarch of our families. We have come a long way. We are now providers of the life created and contributing to society in a way we haven’t in the past. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, or a single woman, you are and forever will be stronger as a gender than ever before! So in honor of that let’s celebrate with our best friend….wine!

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ALAMOS SELECCION MALBEC Everyone would recognize Alamos Malbec, but their new seleccion from the terroir near the Andes Mountains is bold! With this cool climate red I was expecting a lighter taste. Not the case at all! It blew me away with its astringent beginning leading to plum, oak, pepper and a hint of cherry. If you like bold full bodied and dry this is your new best friend. Classic yet elegant in its well rounded ﬂavor with a lasting ﬁnish that will make you crave the next sip….. and a beautiful purple label to boot because who doesn’t love purple?

“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick, and pull yourself together” - Elizabeth Taylor

SUNGODDESS SAUVIGNON BLANC Appropriate to its name, the flavors of this delicious wine are certainly indicative of grapes that grew with more sun. It has a fruit forward taste with a kick that can only be recognized as intensely aromatic highlighting tropical fruit and banana while creating a long smooth finish that will please your palate long after the first sip. A slight lemon and mineral characteristic give this beautiful wine a complex and delicious taste. True to its name and highly recommended as we goddesses deserve the best.

FRISKY ZEBRA I wanted to pick something unique and as South Africa isn’t known for its Sauvignon Blancs, I thought I would give it a try. I can tell you I was not disappointed at all from the ﬁrst sip to the end of the bottle……glass I meant glass……ok bottle this one didn’t get recorked at all! Easy drinking with classic Sauvignon Blanc character such as melon citrus and a lingering tone of vanilla and honey. We all need to be frisky every once and a while so why not do that with a zebra…. The wine I mean, but you do you girl.

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HOUSE & HOME Business Profile | Mandy Brown, Realtor

MANDY BROWN

Work hard, be kind

Mandy Brown, Realtor has never turned down an opportunity that brought her closer to her dreams BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY WILL JAKOBSON

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“You can waste your lives drawing lines. Or you can live your life crossing them.” - Shonda Rhimes “It’s been awesome to see more and more women pursue careers in Real Estate and rise to the top of the sales achievements,” Brown says. “I’ve been very lucky in the sense that I’ve had incredible female mentors who have supported and encouraged my career, as well as many supportive male colleagues. My husband is fully supportive of my career – and I of his. I have many male colleagues who are wonderful to work with as well.” Being a Realtor is the same as owning your own business. It takes resiliency, hard work and long hours to build a reputation and create connections based on trust, empathy and expertise. Mandy Brown, Realtor, has certainly put in the time. Her business has a 98% repeat and referral rate. “I decided to start working in Real Estate because it was a good combination of my skills,” explains Brown. “I understand how houses come together and can recognize when a space has potential. I love that I help people with the biggest purchase they’re ever going to make. It’s a unique relationship.” Brown started in Real Estate 10 years ago after working in customer service and the construction industry. She also attended the University of Manitoba and studied with the Faculty of Architecture. Brown is ﬁercely committed to her clients and goes above and beyond to deliver an exceptional real estate experience.

Along with her incredible drive and willingness to go above and beyond for her clients, kindness and giving back are also at the heart of Brown’s principles. “I want to set the example that part of being successful is being kind and giving back,” says Brown. “With every home I sell, I donate to The Shelter Foundation. This is a non-profit that gives to women shelters in our community to support the families who need them.” As Brown continues to conquer her goals and build her business, she embraces a new challenge: dreaming bigger. “I’m so glad I got involved in Real Estate – it is very exciting to be a woman in this field right now,” Brown says. “My career is definitely in a sweet spot, and it’s great to see Realtors being chosen because of their reputations and qualities.”

Mandy Brown, Realtor 204-989-5000 mandybrown@royallepage.ca

“To work in this industry, you really have to believe in yourself. My strengths are in market knowledge and negotiating – but I also just really love people and helping them ﬁnd their dream home,” Brown says. “Four years after I started in Real Estate, I was in the top 10% of Manitoba Realtors – a ranking I still maintain today.” The Real Estate industry has evolved signiﬁcantly over the past decade. Today, we’re seeing more women in the business of selling homes than ever before.

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Business Profile | Amber Bauman, Grey Pearl Interior Design

Owning her space

Amber Bauman, Grey Pearl Interior Design believes women can have it all - if they want to. BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY STUDIO 78

Amber Bauman loves the challenge of transforming a room. From residential homes in need of a refresh to clinics and offices looking to enhance their functionality and improve their workplaces, Grey Pearl Interior Design has built a solid reputation from a diverse portfolio of satisfied clients. Bauman has certainly paid her dues and invested in her career. She studied interior design at the Art Institute of Vancouver and graduated with honours in 2008. She is also certified by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), which demonstrates a practising interior designer has the experience, skill and ability to satisfy a client’s needs and resources. “I’ve always wanted to be in charge of the work I do and who I build relationships with,” explains Bauman. “But I also understood that work experience was extremely important. I was with a small design firm for 10 years before I started my own business in 2018. After starting my family, sole proprietorship felt like the natural next step.” Interior designers typically work with architects, engineers and construction laborers to determine how an interior space functions and flows. Bauman acknowledges that her profession can be a bit of a boy’s club. “There are a lot of women in the design industry – but having worked in an architecture firm and being on site a lot, a woman’s expertise is often dismissed,” Bauman says. “I make it a priority to be as educated as I can with my contract documents and when speaking 36

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to other consultants. I deserve respect and to be taken seriously - I know I am very good at my job.” Bauman finds inspiration to grow and build on her success from her family. The support of her family strengthens her determination to provide and be better every day. Eventually, she hopes to retire her husband. “I love what I do. I hope to still be designing when I’m 80 – I can’t see myself ever quitting,” Bauman says. “I truly believe that when a woman sets her mind to something, you can’t stop her. Can we have it all? Well, if you don’t want it all, what’s the point?” Confidence comes with time and experience. For career-minded women with ambitions to start their own business, Bauman encourages you to find what your passion is, go after it and don’t stop. “Sometimes we need to stop and ask ourselves ‘what would a man do?’ because women tend to care so much about the needs of others. We’re often putting ourselves and our wants and dreams last,” Bauman says. “Care less about what people think. Set boundaries and give yourself the space and grace to make mistakes. The world is slowly changing to make room for women in leadership, but no one is going to hand it to us. After all, behind every successful woman, is herself.” Grey Pearl Interior Design www.greypearldesign.ca 204-509-4020

“Power’s not given to you. You have to take it.” - Beyonce Knowles

AMBER BAUMAN

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COVER FEATURE

Plan, prosper and empower Tamara Fehr, CFP wants to see more women step into their power BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY STUDIO 78

Tamara Fehr, CFP, is a financial planner with New Outlook Wealth (NOW). NOW brings holistic, professional financial planning to everyday Canadians. As an advisor to Canadians, Fehr strives to bring a true, transparent, high performance wealth management experience at a reasonable cost.

or buying and selling stocks – but it’s really about helping people.”

“I started working in finance when I was 18 years old as a teller at a large credit union,” Fehr explains. “I continued to educate myself and received my Certified Financial Planner designation in 2004. Along with providing written financial plans for my clients, I also do risk assessment analysis and provide solutions through a wide variety of reputable insurance carriers that NOW has relationships with.”

“As a career woman who wanted to be a mother, I chose to balance my career with home life early on. Maybe I didn’t put as much time in at the office as others may have been able to – but this was my choice,” Fehr says. “Now that my children are all grown up, I’m able to spend a lot more time on my business. Will I ever regret the time that I spent with them when they were young? ... Never!”

Throughout her career, Fehr has witnessed how women and men have different philosophies and challenges when it comes to planning for retirement.

As an advisor, Fehr is sharp, intuitive and compassionate. With a wealth of experience behind her, she has helped countless clients gain financial literacy and put them on the path for a comfortable, prosperous future.

“On average, women tend to live longer and make less money throughout the course of their careers,” Fehr says. “Women also tend to prioritize financial security over wealth accumulation. Women can be excellent, savvy investors and money managers – and I’m always more than happy to show them how.” The world of finance continues to be a male-dominated industry, but Fehr knows her strengths and has never shied away from doing the things that challenge her professionally or personally. “Women shouldn’t limit themselves when it comes to what they can accomplish. Never let the fear of failure hold you back,” Fehr says. “Young women today are aware of finance as a career path, but there remains a lot of misconceptions about it. Many think it’s about math

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Fehr believes that if women can believe in themselves and put confidence behind their choices, then they can find success and feel good about anything they do.

“I love my work. I love helping people find peace of mind with their finances and showing them how to manage their money to maximize their wealth and profits,” Fehr says. “I hope more women take the step into high levels of management and business. That’s the only way we’ll see significant change. Women have so much to offer the business world – don’t let anyone tell you different.”

Tamara Fehr, New Outlook Wealth tamara.fehr@newoutlook.ca www.newoutlook.ca

“The success of every woman should be the inspiration to another. We should raise each other up” - Serena Williams

TAMARA FEHR

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LOCAL CULTURE

Strong. Fierce. Talented. YOU! Discovering your natural talents is the first step to your best self BY WENDY HOFFORD, WH STRATEGIC DRIVE

Are you living to your full potential? Are you lost and confused about who you are and what your purpose is? To understand who you want to be or what potential you have, you must first understand who you are and how you are wired and what comes to you, naturally. CliftonStrengths is an online assessment tool that identifies the talents and strengths within. Once you understand your unique and powerful talents, you can 40

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begin the journey of learning more about who you are and cultivating your best self. Results from the ClifftonStrengths assessment tool are measured against 34 different talents. These talents help you understand why you see the world the way you do and what sets you apart from others. When we understand where we shine, we can leverage our natural abilities to grow and reach our goals.

where we thrive, our confidence skyrockets. When we are confident in who we are and know our value, we are empowered. When we are empowered, we can believe that our success is deserved and legitimately achieved.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TALENTS AND STRENGTHS CAN HELP YOU FLOURISH IN YOUR CAREER. We all have talents and strengths that can help us reach our potential in both our personal and professional lives. It isn’t about what specific talent you need, but rather, what specific talent you have that you can leverage to reach your potential in your life and career. Learning how to build on what comes natural to you is much easier than trying to become someone you aren’t. So where do you start? The first step is: do the CliftonStrengths assessment. When you get your results, you can study the areas where you shine and gain a better understanding of the talents you can nature to become your best self. A strength can also be a weakness – so we need to learn how to use our talents in a positive way.

LEARNING ABOUT YOUR NATURAL TALENTS CAN BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE AND SQUASH IMPOSTER SYNDROME. Research shows that 79% of women struggle with their confidence and self-esteem, while 75% of us experience imposter syndrome. What that means is most women struggle to see themselves as capable, talented and worthy of their accomplishments. With the CliftonStrengths assessment, you will learn about the talents you are naturally gifted with and what makes you unique. Women I have worked with have discovered their natural talents and strengths are exactly what they need to guide them to be the best version of themselves. When we focus on maximizing what we’re good at and

Once you begin to understand how you’re wired and what you’re good at, the work begins. It takes the investment of intention, focus and practice to turn a talent into a strength and become the person you are meant to be.

WH Strategic Drive 204-981-3967 wendy@wendyhofford.com www.wendyhofford.com

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Business Profile | Made To Grow

Dream, grow and prosper. Made to Grow Project offers entrepreneurial women community, connection and confidence. BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY LYNETTE PHOTOGRAPHER

The landscape of entrepreneurship is changing. While the number of female-owned businesses is on the rise, women still experience a crushing societal pressure to perfectly balance their professional ambitions with family life. A support system is critical – but one of the greatest challenges women in business face is finding that support and building a network of relevant connections, applicable expertise and supportive relationships. It is this need for community that inspired business owners Nancy Dutiaume and Sherry Sobey to start the Made to Grow Project.

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NANCY DUTIAUME

SHERRY SOBEY

“The Made to Grow Project is about building relationships, networking and getting the support we found has been missing for small, femaleled businesses and startups,” Nancy Dutiaume, Co-Founder of Made to Grow explains. “We are a community of entrepreneurial women who fiercely support each other’s professional ambitions and celebrate each other’s success.” As an entrepreneur, there are countless existing resources that promise to help you grow your business. While the Made to Grow Project offers its members mentorships, workshops, meetups and an annual event, the priceless element of the project is the collaborative nature of its community members. “This is a community you can really lean on and have as your soundboard, which is really something that sets us apart,” Sherry Sobey, Co-Founder of Made to Grow says. “The Made to Grow membership is comprised of peers and is a range of expertise, experience and perspectives. This is a community of business owners who understand your hurdles and struggles. We can and will collectively help you find solutions to whatever storm you’re weathering.” “The difference is that we don’t just tell you where to go or what to do. We’re actually here to be a part of your community and your journey as a business owner,” Dutiaume adds. The Made to Grow Project launched in March of 2019. In that short time (and in the face of a global pandemic), Dutiaume and Sobey have witnessed the membership thrive. “We’ve had members tell us that the relationships they formed through the Made to Grow Project are what has gotten them through the pandemic,” Sobey says. “And that gives us goosebumps! This has grown to be bigger than we could have imagined.” Members of the Made to Grow Project have an opportunity to fully engage with a community of fellow businesswomen online and in-person. Membership includes marketing opportunities, complimentary meet up invites, member-to-member incentives and a community of support. “We also have MeetUp Mondays,” Sobey says. “We use the time to kick off our week and discuss things like how our businesses are handling the most current public health orders, how we keep thriving through lockdowns and the importance of a positive mindset.”

“This is our passion project,” Dutiaume says. “We do all that we can to spread the word about your business and oﬀer a safe space to share ideas and connect with other women in the small business community.” Join us at Made To Grow Live Event, May 9, 2022 and learn more about this amazing community of businesswomen at madetogrow.ca.

Made To Grow www.madetogrow.ca

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Business Profile | Heather Lee Chapman, Own It Empire

Unlock your potential to succeed Are you ready to OWN it

BY LISA CRESS PHOTOS BY SAMANTHA CONNELL PHOTOGRAPHY

Heather Lee Chapman is a Holistic Self & Business Mastery Coach, author, podcaster and professional speaker. She is the Owner and Creative Director of Own It Empire (OIE) where they help conscious entrepreneurs to become the best versions of themselves, and live their best lives while leaving a legacy. Heather lives to inspire, educate and serve. She does so through her free online events such as the incredible business manifesting workshops, Business Bliss, and Cocreating at its best (your 90 day road map to quantum leaps and success). OIE offers top of the line online programs and

mentorship through their signature Own It Mastermind (OIM) program & Mindset Shift program. Heather works with a select few at a time through her 1 on 1 VIP Coaching helping people truly own it! She is a co-author in two #1 Amazon Best Sellers, Fitness to Freedom and Dear love, I am ready for you. Plus through her podcast The Own It Show, Heather helps uncommon knowledge become common (this is a must listen to, action packed show)! Heather has been a successful entrepreneur and coach for over 12 years. She has over 16 years experience

HEATHER LEE CHAPMAN

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studying human potential and performance from the studies of Human Kinetics, biology, psychology to Holistic Nutrition, Advanced Spiritual Training, Neuro Linguistics Programming, Hypnotherapy education and more. Heather loves to assist individuals to get clear on their purpose and goals and make them a reality. Allowing people to find their purpose, and gifts to share them with the world and then build a business around their dream lives that allows them to leave the legacy and impact they were born to! Heather Believes we must be treated like a whole, mind, body, soul and spirit and when we miss a pillar we can’t reach our full potential. In Own It Empire through the holistic self and business mastery approach they help conscious entrepreneurs increase their awareness, impact, profits, performance and quality of life. Through their unique techniques of working with the physical and the metaphysical while building the high performance success habits, skill set and mindset, with working masterminds and accountability, you can own whatever life you can dream of. the root cause of the problems. She learned you must build a business you love around your life and not the other way around. Heather learned that if you truly want to be a successful entrepreneur you need to have Multiple Streams of Income (MSI), an exceptional team and scalable company that can run like a well oiled machine with and without you. She believes it is time to start building with the end and big vision in mind and work your way back from there so that you are not building in vain. Now Heather lives her life fully on her own terms, doing what she loves, with financial freedom, time freedom, leaving a positive impact, legacy of love and teaching others how to do the same!

You see Heather learned early on you are your glass ceiling and you must keep growing. She used to have multiple businesses, multiple contracts, volunteering, healing from multiple injuries and working 18 hour days, 7 days a week and just kept coming up against that ceiling, physically and metaphysically! She literally couldn’t work any harder! Then she learned that most of us are only working with the mechanical and not the metaphysical and when you get into quantum physics you will realize how that no longer serves us! She realized most entrepreneurs were burning out and not working holistically on themselves and their business, getting to

If you are ready to take your performance to the next level, increase your impact and profits then this is where you need to be! Heather has created and leads the first ever of its kind full Holistic Performance Program for Conscious Entrepreneurs, Own It Mastermind! She hand selected the perfect team and coaches to help every conscious entrepreneur own their purpose & profits while making this world a better place, creating peace and heaven on earth for the highest good of all because life was meant to be blissful. Heather Lee Chapman www.ownitempire.com

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WOMEN IN WEALTH IN CANADA BY MICHAEL VAN LIEROP, PRESIDENT NEW OUTLOOK WEALTH MANAGEMENT

f you include retail or branch level banking in Canada, women make up just shy of one-quarter (23%) of financial advisors in Canada. If we exclude these typically salaried positions, the percentage drops precipitously. In other words, the major wealth managers whose compensation models are commissioned or meritbased seem least likely to attract – and especially retain – women advisors. As a consequence, an increasingly large segment of clients with wealth in Canada – female clients with money – are not getting advice from advisors who resemble them. The wealth management industry needs to expand its engagement of women – in terms of client service and especially advice. The financial planning field has more women than ever, but this remains a “man’s world” which puts women advisors, and by extension their clients, at a huge disadvantage. That said, the business case is enormous for greater gender equity: women increasingly make critical financial decisions in households, and in ways that were not even possible a few decades ago. Accessibility to information and technology have provided power to those who want it – information is power and women have equal access to this. Increasingly, mortality rates continue to show a major gap between men and women in Canada, with women living often several years after their partners have died. In many cases, they find themselves solely responsible for their financial well-being and that of their estate (children, grandchildren) without the financial literacy or support they need at a vulnerable time.

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Indeed, massive amounts of wealth (hundreds of billions of dollars) will transition in Canada in the next decade that will be largely managed by widowed (or divorced) women in their 60s, 70s and 80s. Over 70% of estates are inherited by women. Who will be best able to provide the support, empathy, and understanding they need to make the best decisions possible? Research has demonstrated that female investors are 2.5x more likely to take investment risk if they are being coached and advised by a female advisor. Arguably, despite awareness, not enough is being done to support women. In an industry which likes to present itself as purely meritocratic, sales organizations (of which every large wealth management firm is, whether they acknowledge this or not) are loathe to do anything that may favour someone over another. In theory this is all fine and dandy, but in practice it’s another story. While other

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businesses have gone to great lengths to encourage and support (ie: with dollars) those who may be disadvantaged for racial, ethnic, cultural or gender reasons, the business of wealth management in Canada seems unable – or unwilling – to do more than pay lip service to the issue. And while the “old boy’s club” mentality of the industry has largely dissipated in the last decade, the make-up of the industry is so heavily skewed towards older men (the average age of advisors in Canada is nearing 60) it’s difficult to imagine this male dominance is a legacy of an industry desperate for modernization. Even the metrics for success in the industry remain male-centric. It’s not as though the industry isn’t acutely aware of the challenges – the fact is, there are many extremely successful women advisors in Canada, but they are a tiny minority of the total number of advice professionals in the industry.

Virtue signalling corporate behemoths Lots of big companies in the wealth management space in Canada make grandiose pronouncements on social media and in their marketing of how progressive and inclusive they are. The “token” successful women – who often fit a very narrow definition of beauty and success – are aggressively showcased. They exude success and prosperity. Meanwhile, the reality – an aging, predominantly male workforce – continues to run the show. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t powerful women on boards and inside the C suite as senior executives, it just means there remains a certain degree of showmanship relating to women’s inclusion that just fails to match up with the day-to-day reality. The bottom line is this: the financial industry in Canada needs to address this issue with urgency – and the

business case for doing so is compelling. The decisionmakers increasingly are women. High net worth clients – the ideal target for most wealth firms – are increasingly women. If the industry is truly working in the best interests of clients, having a comparable and suitable advice capacity (in terms of women advisors) will help ensure that women with wealth – and those without it – can still get proper financial planning advice.

Statistics Source: “Why there are so few female financial advisors: and what needs to happen to grow the numbers” by Judy Paradi, Paulette Filion (https:// www.strategymarketing.ca/wp-content/uploads/Femalefinancial-advisors-why-so-few-2020.pdf)

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EMILY PARKES

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One woman’s discovery

of enlightenment

stepped into the hot yoga room with the humid heat hitting my face and the warmth of the floor under my feet thawing my frozen toes. I placed my yoga mat in front of the mirror with my yoga strap, water bottle, and yoga block at the top of my mat. Sitting down in lotus pose on a yoga block; one leg in front of the other. I relaxed my shoulders to pull them away from my ears and took a look in the mirror at myself. I noticed my skin was clear and glowing, the whites of my eyes looked clear and white, and the blue in my eyes radiated like the southern blue ocean. My posture was tall with confidence, but soft, with peace emanating through it. I hadn’t seen myself look so healthy and happy in such a long time. For three years, I’d looked at myself in the mirror, and had started to gradually lose sight of who I was, to the point of not being able to recognize myself. This was the first time I was able to really recognize me—to really see me. The yoga teacher scheduled to teach the class entered the room. She was a colleague of mine and a friend; I always knew taking her class would be a spiritually welcoming treat. She walked in with a grounded and soft

presence. Her intention for the class inspired us to let go of anything we were holding onto from 2019, and to embrace the new year of 2020. She told us, “Let this class be about letting go and creating space to be open for what is to come”; it was exactly what I needed to hear. I started to dive into my thoughts. I realized that all the pain and suffering I’d gone through had brought me to this moment, right here. That all the memories filled with tears, loss of hope, loss of love, and confused identity had driven my soul to a higher purpose. It was a balance of love and loss, pain and laughter, drive and insecurity, ego and humbleness. Every one of us in class had all come to our yoga mat for different reasons that day. We all had a different story that brought us together as a community for this one-hour yoga practice. This community felt like home; a safe space to own my story and to cultivate the courage to express it. This is my story.

Diamond Lotus Book can be purchased on Amazon.ca

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The Mint Experience Winnipeg March 2022

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