Women of Success community celebrates our members by sharing their stories, as career women or/and business women or/and women taking care by their family. Enjoy their stories, learn from their stories and connect with them! All the best, Victoria
Jane Ioana Rusin, B.Eng., CBAP, Creative Director, Artist. Toronto, CA The story of my careers Back in Romania I wanted to study Architecture, but it didn’t work out. I ended up graduating with a Hydro technical engineering degree, one of the too many engineers the regime was manufacturing. Guess what, in Canada there wasn’t much I could do with that specialty, my only chance was to work for Canndu, in nuclear energy, but who hires a “fresh-off-the-boat” immigrant in a strategic industry? So I decided it’s time to switch careers and my best bet was “computers”.
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I was 39, with two kids in tow and with a husband that had the chance to work in his field and was able to support all of us while I was going to school. I chose a school with excellent reputation whose 5 month Developer Analyst Diploma program was the equivalent of 2 years in college and was preparing professionals like me to get into the programming / analytical field. It was very tough, with 14-16 hours of work every day, with exams every week and a new programming language learned every other week. But it was all worth it because soon after graduating, I had the confidence to apply to a newspaper job ad for RBC Insurance. After a gruelling 3 hrs technical test and 2 interviews I got the job. The school prepared me well for the technical test, but the handson, practical work comes with practice and hopefully mentors who are willing to share their knowledge. I had the amazing chance to work with a group of people who were visionaries in the Information Technology field within the Financial industry and what I learned from them still serves me well today, after 18 years. During my time with RBC, I transitioned from a Developer Analyst into a Business Analyst role and moved into different departments, so I could learn different aspects of the business. After more than 10 years with the firm, I decided to embark in my own adventure; I quit my job and pursued a Business Analysis Consultant career. I rapidly learned that I have to keep upgrading my skills and be in sync with the market and its demands, so I got my professional certification in Business Analysis, taught a course at a Community College, mentored junior BAs and created a valuable professional network that helps me greatly with securing new contracts. It wasn’t easy but it was a good experience and I can say that I got to the point where I am enjoying the fruits of my efforts. I continue to learn and improve, currently pursuing the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. In short, that’s the story of my professional career, now a few words about the career that makes me really happy: the creative side of my being. I always did something creative, so it only came natural to continue painting and hand knitting after my move to Canada. I now have a line of hand knitted apparel and accessories, an on-line boutique and one retailer for whom I make exclusive designs. It’s still small but hopefully it will grow and I’ll be busy in retirement and hopefully one, if not all, of my granddaughters will follow me into this fashion adventure. Check www.daviknitwear.com to see what I’m making.
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I didn't know I have it. The "fire in the belly". First, I did not fit in the corporate world. As I had to survive, I had to follow my "guts" and play the role I was assigned. Then, as time went by, I did tailor each and every job to become something I loved to do. R&D in electronics - in Bucharest/Romania, IBM in Israel, IBM in Canada. Then time to make decisions for "the rest of my life".
Monica J. Weissmann, CFP, CIM, MEE, Financial Advisor. Toronto, CA
I couldn't find a good adviser for my financial matters. And I needed one, a good one. You cannot retire after moving countries twice in a lifetime, unless you have a "good" adviser. I had several, each seemed to fit the "bill" in the beginning. I was looking for "knowledgeable" know your "stuff" well, inside out. I was looking for "proactive", tell me what to do and when to do it. I was looking for somebody who would care about my financial well being first and foremost. In the end I had to become one.
I started from scratch, once again. I got licensed in a totally new industry, worked long hours, studied like there was no tomorrow. Now I am doing financial planning and managing risk to preserve capital, grow wealth and ensure a rewarding retirement for my clients. I specialize in advising mature people how to secure a safe and worry-free future. Concerned about investments? Worries lead to procrastination and paralysis. Economy and geopolitical changes cannot be controlled, but keeping in focus personal short and long term goals one can overcome uncertainty and build a comfortable future. Luckily the financial matters are interesting and I developed a real passion for helping people through the maze of choices that are going to impact their lifestyles for years to come. What drive me through, all this time? The "fire in the belly". I believe there are many things which can be learned. And there are a few which cannot. You can become an "entrepreneur". Lots to learn. Much discipline, persistence and resilience needed. These skills can be learned and enhanced. There is one ingredient that is a must and cannot be acquired. The "fire in the belly". Good luck to all!
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I came to Canada to offer my children a better future. I prepped for ten years before coming and it showed as I got my first job right away and then cruised from one promotion to another. My husband at the time could not keep up and our marriage ended, so although I was ready to have children then, here I am having my first baby eight years afterwards‌ I had initially requested to deliver at the East York Hospital as we live close, but everyone I knew insisted that I went to Mount Sinai, so I have changed my request and ended up delivering there. I had some horrific scares and not a very easy pregnancy but overall it was ok; the delivery room was from the fifties and the doctor I ended up delivering with had two cesarean sections coming up so he threatened with forceps and a vacuum right away; maybe it was better because I was so scared that my baby’s head would be oval and bruised that I pushed like a maniac and had him out in a few more minutes. I can honestly Georgiana Petec Project say that there is an affluence of very young personnel Manager IT. Toronto, CA now at Mount Sinai and also not enough of it, but the care is there and the maternity ward is newly renovated and quite beautiful and well equipped. On a personal level the years of fitness and exercise helped a lot and I encourage all women to take up exercising for a natural, easier and faster delivery. Being a mom is the most wonderful gift that life can offer, and even though exhausting, there is nothing outshining the giggles of the little one, his first everything, his undeniable adoration at everything you do. Whatever purpose you had set for your life before, a baby changes everything, all of a sudden you exist. There is the constant scare that something might happen to him or something might happen to you and he would be all alone with no one to protect him. I was quite sheltered in Romania, working for WHO, so my delivery, had it happened there, would have been better. Financially, the same. Because I have my own business and have not paid premium for two years prior to delivery I do not get any financial support whatsoever, and when I inquired what happens to all the money I have paid as a full time employee, I was told that the Canadian Government thanks me. There is no support for the baby either, at least I was denied it. There is a lot of moral support, and there are groups one could join, but I got so swamped with everything that needs to be done that I never made it to any, so it has been a bit lonely, you have to find mommy friends to have friends, everyone else will be on a different pace and schedule and you will feel left out. There is one website that I recommend, www.babycenter.ca . It has an interactive application sending periodic reminders and useful articles. I registered for weekly advice and kept receiving it from the moment I found out I was pregnant.
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they say about your brain melting when you breastfeed is true, I forget essential things or words and remember oddities I had no clue I knew. The creative part of me stayed though, it feels like I got a surge of it, I am able to work more fervently with the baby playing next to me. I have always loved jewelry and have been collecting unique pieces from around the world, I have always admired and envied jewelry makers; I have accepted my last job because the office was located into the fashion district and although IT, it was in the fashion business. After having passed by beads shops for about two years (that was three years ago) I decided to get in and see what they sell, then realized it wouldn't be too hard to put things together. I started with the TPL (Toronto Public Library) which is absolutely amazing, I have read somewhere between five hundred to a thousand jewelry making books, I went to classes at Harbourfront Centre, I put up my own website and little by little made my own shop and pieces. Making unique jewelry is a passion that will not die because I have a baby, it is harder, before I was able to fund it with my daytime job and I did not target sales, advertise or market. That will come. It is quite encouraging that whoever bought something from me came back or gave amazing feedback. As immediate project I have registered for a craft sale in November, I will see how it goes, baby steps ď Š.
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Anca Gabriela Hartan Owner HCS Consulting Toronto, CA I started managing and having my own business at the age of 25. I learned from others on how to market, sell, recruit, train, organize, and manage payroll and taxes. I learned how to create my own network , to compete and perform in this tremulous economy. I worked from having my consulting company with EU helping small businesses with financing to building up my own portfolio of real estate investors and helping them in maximizing the ROI.Every single business meant long hours and as soon as the trend was gone, I found myself starting all over again. When I saw GWT back in 2013, right after graduating my Master Certificate in Business Analysis with Schulich Executive School of Business at York University, Toronto it was the same concept, but the residual income marked a milestone. In a very short time my team is already 60 people and the residual income is in. I am well on my way to my goal of helping 100's of people retire from working by sharing what I do and walking the talk. I see myself making an impact in other people's life.
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Gabriela Spinu, Apitherapist Toronto, CA Health and Beauty from the Bees After years of looking for more meaning in life, I finally found it within me. I am a mom on a mission of giving my kids the best start in life through the best possible nutrition and by keeping them away from chemicals. I consider it is my duty to prepare them for a long, healthy and balanced journey with respect for our planet and love for all creatures around us. Especially for the bees as they are the most generous and wondrous of all, they teach us to give with joy and live in harmony. My second half of the mission is to share with other moms the information I collect in my research to help them preserve their beauty and youth and have healthier families. When you work from home with 3 kids around, you learn that you can have more than 1 boss yelling at you, that if you don’t organize your time properly you will end up looking for a hiding place to talk to a client on the phone while holding the door as they push it from the other side. The closet can become the best home office during the night so that you have quick access to whoever cries first so that the others don’t wake up and work can be done until dawn. Thanks to the bees and their royal jelly, the day can start joyfully despite many illegitimate requests from everybody around including the dog: a bit of royal jelly and love irradiates again through all my pores for all of them and a fiery situation ends up in peace.You learn that words can weigh more than gold when you hear: “Mommy, I’m happy I was born in your house”. Part of my mission is being the messenger of the bees and my biggest satisfaction comes from introducing people to bee products and making them love this staff with all their rejuvenated heart as they see the difference within days.
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When you realize that in half and hour it’s back from school time and you haven’t accomplished what you planned for, a generous spoonful of bee pollen honey fixes everything and the half an hour becomes the most efficiently spent time of the day as you have a tight deadline and harsh working conditions await for you afterwards. You learn that words can weigh more than gold when you hear: “Mommy, I’m happy I was born in your house”. Part of my mission is being the messenger of the bees and my biggest satisfaction comes from introducing people to bee products and making them love this staff with all their rejuvenated heart as they see the difference within days. The main beneficiary, the first testers and my biggest supporters are the kids. They love cutting and sticking labels, handing brochures and I consider part of motherhood to teach them to eat and live healthy. I have high hopes that they will be the next generation to raise awareness about the importance of the bees on our planet and of living in harmony with nature and ourselves. Gabriela Spinu, Apitherapist, Member of the Romanian Apitherapy Society and of the American Apitherapy Society www.healthandbeautyfromthebees.com
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In 2012 I was laid off and still in school. I took that as an opportunity to finish my MBA faster and also to think about what’s next for me. Even with an MBA I was somewhat unemployable, having this amazing education but not enough managerial experience to kick-start a professional career in marketing (my career of choice thus far). At the same time I started writing a business plan instead of my research thesis, and an idea was born. How about launching the very first fashion crowdfunding platform to support emerging designers? Fast forward a year later, and I already had a team in place, a working product, and I was testing the market with real customers. During this time, I also convinced my life partner to join in the business officially and full time. His vast digital marketing experience was much needed on the team. Many people ask me how are we making it happen, and I just couldn’t see it any other way. We learned how to separate our personal and business lives and we’ve grown stronger as a couple because of it.
Ana Caracaleanu, MBA Founder and CEO at Luevo Toronto, CA
Don’t get me wrong, entrepreneurship did have its toll on me, on us, on my family and on my friends. Many compromises were made, most importantly, taking away time spent with your loved ones and spending your days, evening and weekends working on the business. Then there is the financial aspect of being an entrepreneur, and I don’t mean we are buying yachts and mansions anytime soon!
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When I sit back and reflect on the last year and a half of my life, this is what I’ve learned: 1. I’ve learned that passion can make you do crazy things, but key is to not regret anything. 2. Every failure is a learnt lesson 3. Entrepreneurship has taught me how to be more resilient, I feel now I can survive pretty much anything 4. I’ve learned to ask for anything from anyone. Someone will respond. 5. I’ve learned to smile more and to take pleasure in the littlest things. This past year has been most difficult: we launched twice, pivoted once and I lost my grandfather in the middle of it all. But, the experienced gained makes me and my partner stronger, smarter and I believe, more valuable. I learned more in one year than I learned in seven in a University classroom. My advice? Even though you will have lots to lose, give entrepreneurship a shot, no matter what the outcome, you will come out a more valuable individual.
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