Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast OV Boss Babes

Madison Barr had a vision that emerged from a fusion of entrepreneurial acumen and a deep passion for thrift shopping, which gradually took shape through persistence and resilience amidst setbacks and false starts. Anchored in a vision of creative freedom and community support, this boss babe's journey as the proprietor of her consignment biz has been a thrilling transition from her background as a hearing practitioner into the realm of entrepreneurship.

As a proud member of the vibrant downtown Carleton Place community, Madison from Coastal Consignment believes in using fashion as a force for good. She isn't about unrealistic standards or unattainable ideals—she wants women to embrace their authenticity, celebrate their individuality, and love the skin theyre in.

Rylie Goody is a passionate Career Confidence Coach, dedicated to empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and thrive in their professional lives. Rylie specializes in helping her female clients build self-assurance, overcome career challenges, and navigate the complexities of the modern job market.

Whether you're seeking to advance in your current role, transition to a new career, or simply gain clarity on your professional path, Rylie will help cultivate your unique strengths, identify your goals, and develop a roadmap to help you achieve the career of your dreams!

Ottawa Valley Boss Babes' anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes concludes with Elizabeth Davis, the bombshell behind Bombshells Tattoos!

Liz is an incredibly talented and sought-after tattoo artists in the Ottawa Valley, first starting off as a tattoo artist at the famous Wizzard's Den in Petawawa, then went into hair, opening Bombshells Hair Studio AND her tattoo studio, eventually leaving hair altogether to pursue tattooing altogether.

She had a unique business model with her all-female team, but is now tattooing exclusively from her home - and has bigger plans to expand her creativity into artwork, sculpturing and more!

In this episode, Liz and I dive into:

💇🏽‍♀️How she first established the Bombshells brand as a hairstylist. However, she shared why she sold her business to concentrate on building her tattoo empire!

😳 The negative stigmas women with tattoos used to face, including the derogatory “tramp stamp”

💕 How Bombshells has empowered fellow female artists through the creation of a distinctive business model, supported by an incredible all-female team

🔥 Why Liz made the decision to relocate her business out of the downtown core and into a home studio

Ottawa Valley Boss Babes' anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes continues with Amy Penaloza

If you haven't heard of Amy Penaloza, you are living under a rock. Because this bad ass boss babe is like me who doesn't hold back on sharing her #RealTruths, nothing was off for the table for Amy, who welcomed an open conversation about the struggles and hardships she has been through in her life, along with accumulating an incredible village of women who have surrounded Amy and her family and have made her the strong, empowering and beautiful person she is today.

Amy, who had been working at another local clothing store, decided to take a chance and launch her own business, Racked Consignment, wanted to offer her community the opportunity to shop high-end clothing while also keeping in mind a budget-friendly aspect.

In this episode, we chat about....

✈️ How Amy previously worked for an airline company at the Ottawa Airport, significantly enhancing her customer service skills, preparing for her next career venture - into the world of retail!

🤍 Amy’s struggles with infertility, loss, becoming a young, single mom and pregnancy in her 40's - for anyone struggling or those battling with any of the above - Amy and I see you and we hear you!

🫶🏼 Amy gets candid about her battle with alcohol addiction, and sharing her hard but powerful road to recovery - celebrating almost 3 years of sobriety

👗 Amy shares her thoughts on fast fashion and how Racked is an empowering store for those with elevated expectations and low budgets

In 2023, the County of Renfrew declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. Intimate partner violence has continued to climb to alarming rates not just throughout our rural communities but stats prove that in Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days and one in five women faces some type of abuse in their intimate relationships.

Despite Meta's regulations blocking news and media outlets from sharing news stories on social media, if you were to search domestic violence in the Ottawa Valley, you would see numerous news stories filled with reports of domestic violence charges, intimate partner violence investigations, and Bernadette McCann House (BMH) commitment to engage with community partners to educate and support Renfrew County residents about the seriousness and long-term dangers of violence in our community.

In this episode, BMH executive director Leigh Sweeney and I chat about...

💜 Why intimate partner violence is still happening in 2024 and why there is still so much shame, embarrassment and hiding around it.

💜 How domestic violence affects everyone, whether you're a low income family, to a career professional, or in a same-sex relationship

💜 The barriers that prevents someone from leaving, but also strategies on how to prepare yourself and your children to safely (and legally) leave an abusive relationship

💜 How Bernadette McCann House offers more than just a temporary shelter, providing a 24/7 crisis helpline, outreach counselling, transitional planning, family law support, and so much more

Our anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes continues with Candace Fleming, the bad ass boss babe hairstylist with the most compelling story, and is the driving force behind Bush Beard, where she creates exceptional Canadian-made beard essential products for men. candid glimpse into the realities of small business life.

Candace first caught my attention after Small Business Centre and Valley Heartland CFDC spoke so highly of her, sharing that she was a "must-feature" guest on OVBB - and they weren't wrong! This licensed stylist with a deep passion for hair founded BUSH in 2018, and was committed to turning beard dreams into reality.

Candace not only has the entrepreneurial spirit, but she fully embraces the spirit of small business and proudly represents her Canadian roots.

In this episode, we immediately dive into Candace's journey behind the chair and becoming a highly sought after hairstylist, but then we get into....

👏🏼 How Candace has successfully navigated launching a male-based product independently and why she doesn't see herself entering the large retailer industry

🫢 Imposter syndrome, and how Candace constantly faces competition on social media, and how she has overcome it

🌸 Although BUSH products are designed for men, Candace reveals her effective strategies for attracting female consumers, who are often the ones making the purchases

🤘🏼 We both talk about it embracing our weird - because #letsBeHonest, we all do weird shit behind closed doors

📲 WATCH and LISTEN to our exclusive anniversary special episode, where Sawmill Flats hosted OVBB and our guests at one of their luxury rental units in Arnprior

🤍💕 Thank You to our Episode Sponsors:

🫶🏼 Lépine Apartments

🫶🏼 Amanda Talker Media

🎥 Produced by: Moments in Glow

Our anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes begins with Emily Arbour, the successful entrepreneur, creative market host and incredibly passionate boss babe behind Cheerfully Made in Almonte! Inspired by her love for craft vendor markets, in 2013, Emily Arbour launched Cheerfully Made, a brick-and-mortar extension of her hosted vendor markets, showcasing Canadian makers and their products.

Over the years, Cheerfully Made has expanded to feature over 60 brands, many of which are local, while supporting a diverse community of makers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Emily is a wealth of knowledge to many and her brick and mortar has been featured by many bloggers, influencers and media outlets, putting Almonte on the map.

In this episode, we first try to wrap our heads around how Emily does it all, but then we get into...

😮‍💨 Emily's key takeaways from organizing vendor markets in her early market days, include refining the process and enhancing the overall organization of successful holiday and craft markets

🤔 Emily candidly shares her experiences of venturing into new and different business ideas, including the challenges that arise when things don't go as planned

😵 Emily relives the moment that Cheerfully Made's social media got hacked and gives helpful advice to other biz owners to prevent their accounts from potential hacks

🤐 We talk real shit, as Emily divulges some hard realities she has faced that customers and followers don't get to see - and she spills all her truths

📲 WATCH and LISTEN to our exclusive anniversary special episode, where Sawmill Flats hosted our guests at one of their luxury rental units in Arnprior 🤍💕

Thank You to our Episode Sponsors:

🫶🏼 Fe + Luz

🫶🏼 Pure Natural Portraits

🫶🏼 Destination Almonte

🎥 Produced by: Moments in Glow

Whitney Joy Smith is a remarkable entrepreneur, city councillor, and industry leader is dedicated to providing excellence across various domains, including private investigation, security services, and professional training. Her inspiring journey spans the founding and leadership of three prominent entities: The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., Smith Security Inc., and Training Centre Canada, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in these fields.

Under her direct leadership, her investigation agency has been at the forefront of redefining professionalism and delivering exceptional results. She leads a team of expert private investigators who consistently exceed industry standards.

While she is the proud CEO of three successful businesses, in this episode, we’re focusing on Whitney's investigation agency and the factors that contribute to her exceptional private investigation services.

Kerri Broome is a celebrated energy healer and spiritual medium known for her transformative approach to healing and personal growth. With a passion for helping individuals connect to their true selves, Kerri has dedicated her life to mastering various healing modalities, culminating in the creation of Bluestar Quantum Energy Healing, a unique practice that harmonizes ancient wisdom with modern techniques.

In addition to her healing work and writing, Kerri is a talented artist whose creations reflect her deep connection to the spiritual realm. Her artwork serves as a visual expression of her healing philosophy, inviting others to engage with their own energy and emotions.

Whether through Kerri's healing sessions, books, or artistic endeavors, this boss babe embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment, guiding others on their journey toward wholeness and self-realization.

In part 2 of our 2-part feature....

🔮 We discuss how departed loved ones may "intrude" during a reading, which means they might interrupt to convey a message to someone in the physical world

✨ Kerri discusses common misconceptions around mediumship, highlighting that her abilities extend beyond connecting with passed loved ones and conveying messages

🎨 We discover how Kerri incorporates healing energy into her oil paintings and how viewers can interpret the meanings behind her artwork

🫶🏼 Kerri and I dive into healing from traumatic events, connecting with our inner child, and identifying disruptive patterns - while setting clear boundaries and intensions

Kayla Sawula is the latest downtown Arnprior boss babe to hit the scenes, brightening smiles with more than just toothpaste! Ottawa Valley Smiles is Downtown Arnprior's cutest dental hygiene boutique, offering a spa-like experience where your mouth gets the pampering it deserves.

This remarkable entrepreneur provides not only dental cleanings but also cosmetic services such as professional teeth whitening and tooth gems. With insurance coverage, flexible booking options, and a relaxed, calming atmosphere, her adorable, girly, pink space is the perfect place to treat yourself!

In this episode...

🦷 Kayla shares why she wanted to offer her dental hygiene services independently and how she is revolutionizing the oral health field, making it fun!

🩷 Listeners learn how oral health can impact women’s sex hormone fluctuations, including puberty, menstruation, and even pregnancy and lactation

🦷 Kayla spills the secrets behind her unique business model, tailoring her services and atmosphere around her female patients - making treatments feel like a spa service!

🩷 Kayla NORMALIZES oral health and hygiene practices - like it's okay if it's a battle to brush your toddler’s teeth to not flossing every day

Kerri Broome is a celebrated energy healer and spiritual medium known for her transformative approach to healing and personal growth. With a passion for helping individuals connect to their true selves, Kerri has dedicated her life to mastering various healing modalities, culminating in the creation of Bluestar Quantum Energy Healing, a unique practice that harmonizes ancient wisdom with modern techniques.

In addition to her healing work and writing, Kerri is a talented artist whose creations reflect her deep connection to the spiritual realm. Her artwork serves as a visual expression of her healing philosophy, inviting others to engage with their own energy and emotions.

Whether through Kerri's healing sessions, books, or artistic endeavors, this boss babe embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment, guiding others on their journey toward wholeness and self-realization.

In part 1 of our 2-part feature....

✨ Kerri reflects on how she initially uncovered her spiritual gifts but was fearful to embrace them—until a haunting vision of her brother's fate appeared before her, ultimately becoming a heartbreaking reality

🔮 Kerri shares how she educated herself about spirituality and the steps she took to develop her abilities, allowing her to help others

✨ We discover how Kerri connects with the spiritual realm to convey important messages to those who need to hear them, while also maintaining her everyday life

🔮 Kerri shares her expertise in providing Bluestar Quantum Energy healing to her clients and discusses how anyone can benefit from this healing method

Divorces can difficult and super stressful to navigate, but collaborative family law offers a beneficial alternative for couples seeking a more amicable approach to negotiating their separation compared to traditional legal methods. Holly Agnew, a collaborative family lawyer based out of Almonte, believes that the traditional legal process, involving lawyer-to-lawyer correspondence or court involvement, is not in the best interest of families and the outdated notion that each party must hire their own lawyer can be detrimental to families, and comes with its own sets of challenges.

Holly's collaborative family law approach allows couples to work together with specially trained lawyers (and potentially other professionals) to navigate the emotional and financial complexities of separation.

In this episode...

👩🏼‍⚖️ Holly reveals the reasoning behind her significant transition from corporate law to family law, explaining why collaborative family law was the perfect choice for her

📝 Holly shares how collaborative family allows for an out-of-court process that addresses emotional, financial and legal situations

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 We chat about child custody battles, separation agreements, parents’ legal rights and obligations, decision making - all areas Holly assists couples with minimal conflict as possible

😣 Holly talks about the stressors involving family law, how she balances heavy caseloads, dealing with an uncooperative parent, and how she leaves family files at the office

Forestry is weaved into the tapestry of the Ottawa Valley. For hundreds of years, the abundant forests in the Ottawa Valley have provided a livelihood in an industry one of the largest drivers of Renfrew County’s economy.

Not surprisingly, the Forestry Technician program is the longest-standing full-time program offered at Algonquin College’s Pembroke Campus. Since its early days, the Pembroke Campus has been among a small group of post-secondary schools in Ontario that have produced thousands of Forestry graduates.

Shinaid Eggett, a Forestry Technician Algonquin College Pembroke graduate, is doing great things in her career and recently received a prestigious award from the industry back in September from the Ontario Woodlot Association.

In this episode....

🌲 Sionaid, a Field Operations Coordinator at the Ontario Woodlot Association, reflects on how a visit to a logging museum and meeting a Forestry Technician alum influenced her career decisions

🌳 Sionaid shares her journey of leaving her previous career in child development and education to pursue a degree in Forestry at Algonquin College

🌲 This Forestry Technition alumni shares a little background into forest fires and how we can collectively prevent them from happening

🌳 Listeners learn how Algonquin College's curriculum has changed to reflect the new and future challenges that face the forestry sector, not just in Ontario but across Canada

Amanda Amyotte is a multi passionate country girl, mom of two, registered nurse, Arbonne independent consultant and one bad ass farmer behind Maple Crest Farms in Shawville. Many local makers may also remember her baby business, Maple Crest Farm Baby Division.

Amanda and her husband Andrew are regenerative beef farmers, raising and producing livestock and crops that align with the natural environment that nourishes soils, ecosystems and their community.

In this episode....

👩🏽‍🌾 Amanda discusses her journey into farming alongside her husband, sharing how she successfully manages Maple Crest Farm while balancing her healthcare career and developing her own business

🥚 Listeners discover why farm fresh eggs are better than store bought eggs and why pasture raised pork tastes better than meats purchased from your local grocery store

💁🏽‍♀️ Amanda shares what ended Maple Crest Farm’s Baby Division and explains how her venture with Arbonne has ignited a renewed sense of purpose and passion

🤍 We gain a deeper understanding of the agricultural community in Pontiac and the importance of women supporting women

✨NEW EPISODE ALERT✨

While out in Alberta, Erin Kergen had been working for large public brands, with exposure in program development, creative concepting, to project management and everything in between.

While off on maternity leave, she and a girlfriend decided to take over a former general store, naming it after their girls, Pickle and Myrrh. Relocating back to Ontario, she opened her sweet caramel shop with her husband in 2020 and has been happily brewing their delicious handmade salted caramels ever since, growing a large customer base around the world!

🍬 We learn how an initial opportunity with the Fairmont Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise hotels ultimately set the stepping stones for Erin’s future career up for success

🍬 We hear of how Pickle & Myrrh first began in Alberta when Erin and a girlfriend took over a former General Store and how she eventually relocated back to Ontario and opened her beloved artisinal salted caramel shop

🍬Listeners discover into how Erin has effectively marketed her salted caramels, including setting price points, wholesaling strategies, and how they continue to grow in popularity across Canada

🍬Erin hints at her business model strategy, effective marketing techniques, growing her brand and her expansion into the vendor market world

One local #BossBabe that Erin shouted from the rooftops is the babe behind @wickwitchapothecary, the lovely atmospheric and shop found in the quaint and bewitched village of @merrickville_jeweloftherideau!

📲 TUNE IN NOW, BABE!

Yvonne Nobbs was a former Airbnb host with a waterfront cottage whose renters were constantly asking her where they could rent a boat in the Madawaska Valley area. With there not being any bost rental businesses in the area, Yvonne offered her renters to take her own boat out for an additional feel, when she suddenly had the idea to launch her own recreational watercraft rental business, Highlands Outfitters.

And business immediately took off, as Yvonne started to source her inventory, purchasing pontoon boats, fishing boats, canoes, standup paddleboards, and even offering fishing tours and kayak adventures.

In this episode....

🚤 This former Airbnb host shares how she went from renting her waterfront cottage to launching a watercraft and water toys rental business

🛶 Listeners learn about the effective strategies Yvonne implemented to safeguard her boat rentals from theft, as well as insurance and liability waivers in place to protect from damage

🛥️ With no other boat rental businesses in Madawaska Valley, we learned how Yvonne carried out her market research to establish rental price points

👏🏼 Yvonne offers valuable business insights, emphasizing one of the key lessons she has learned during her career:

“DON’T BE GREEDY.”

We all know that running a business is a lot of work...and naturally, you want to keep as much of what you make as possible, get your taxes filed without any penalties or late fees, and PRAY that you don't get audited.

Laura Stevens from Valley Accounting & Tax is here to help! She and her business partner opened up their biz two years ago in Madawaska Valley and they have business and corporate clients across Ontario, Montreal and even Calgary, offering virtual appointments and safe and secure tax filing.

Laura's nuggets of financial wisdom will help you make make better financial decisions as she provides some ✨important✨ tax tips and deadline dates so you can feel confident and financially empowered.

You'll want to tune in because....

❌ Laura shares valuable business insights with my listeners, including her reasoning as to why small businesses should NOT incorporate their biz

🌐 If you use Shopify, Etsy, Eventbrite, or another e-commerce website... you'll want to listen up - because Laura gets into all various Points of Sale!

🚗 We discover key secrets in tracking your mileage, business expenses and how to save money at tax time!

💰You might have UNCASHED cheques from the CRA (which means more money for you!) - and Laura shares how you can find that out NOW!

In the historical town of Perth, you will find a casual fine dining experience like no other. With a rotating menu offering a modern take on traditional dishes and fresh, local ingredients guests, the Stone Cellar invites you to come eat, drink and visit. And Lindsay Mason, who is one half of this young family owned business, chats with me about the the ins and outs about what it's like managing a busy restaurant and how she came into owning this establishment.

🍽️ Lindsay explains the journey of acquiring the Stone Cellar Restaurant with her husband and transforming it into a thriving family enterprise

😵 Lindsay shares horrifying customer experiences that she has encountered, and how customers' behaviour continues to shock Lindsay and her staff

😮‍💨 We learn how Lindsay oversees and manages her team when they aren’t at the restaurant, especially when problems arise

🙄 We hear of comments and stereotypes that Lindsay has encountered as a "young business owner" of a well-established restaurant, and how she responds to these remarks

In today's business world, efficiency is key and being able to access services remotely helps to reduce driving time, in-person appointments, and other unnecessary fees, especially around property and real estate.

Amanda McMullen launched Ontario Law Clerk Services, a virtual solution for clients looking for assistance from experienced real estate law clerks, providing top-quality, and professional freelance real estate law clerking services, saving clients’ time and money by outsourcing their files through their experienced and trusted team.

In this episode....

💼 Amanda shares why she decided to enter into the law field and how she made the switch to real estate law

💼 Amanda outlines the steps she needed to take in order to pursue her business venture in a virtual setting

💼 We learn how real estate law clerks can assist home owners in the buying and selling process and if a real estate lawyer is still required

💼 We learn more about the Small Business Advisory Centre and how the Starter Company Plus Program helped Amanda make some smart business decisions

Our vision is crucial for the movements we make, tasks we accomplish, and interactions we have. It even impacts our sleep patterns based on the light we are exposed to during the day. Despite the importance of sight, it is often taken for granted until our vision begins to blur, prompting us to schedule an appointment with our optometrist.

Dr. Morgan Welburn, Optometrist and Partner at the Renfrew Eye Clinic, along with her business partner, are strong advocates for eye health. They urge individuals to undergo regular eye examinations and are incorporating advanced tools and technology to enhance vision care for their patients.

Dr. Welburn has been featured in Women in Optometry, actively supports her community by sponsoring events and initiatives and is committed to raising awareness about the increasing number of female optometrists.

In this episode, we discuss:

🤓 Dr. Morgan Welburn emphasizes the significance of eye health and advises against buying prescription glasses and contacts online without consulting with an eye care professional

👓 If your vision is already 20/20, does this mean you have perfect vision... and do you still require glasses?

👀 Dr. Welburn shares how often you should be getting your eyes checked, common eye health conditions, and how eye perscriptions are calculated

💁🏼‍♀️ Dr. Welburn discusses gender imbalance in the eye care industry and how she is advocating for more women to consider optometry as a career

Valerie Hyska is the proud owner of Your Independent Grocer (YIG), a beloved neighborhood grocery store that has been serving the Petawawa community for many years. With a passion for providing fresh, high-quality products and exceptional customer service, Hyska's YIG has built a loyal customer base and a reputation for being the go-to destination in Petawawa for all your grocery needs. But how does one get involved in the grocery store industry, how much equity do you require to take over ownership, and how do you build and cultivate a team of long term staff that even end up retiring there? In this episode... 🍎 Val shares her journey into the grocery store industry and how she successfully landed an opportunity to compete for the Your Independent Grocery Store franchise 🫢 Val gets candid about the equity needed to acquire a grocery store and why it was the biggest investment she ever made 😮‍💨 Val openly addresses the daily customer complaints, criticism, and backlash she faces regarding grocery store prices, while discussing her perspective and actions taken in response 🫢 I asked for Val's take on the new grocery store opening across from Hyska’s Your Independent Grocer... you’ll have to tune in to hear what she says.

Celissa Vipond and Melissa Lindstro m we're hustling two colleagues working at a mental health care centre when COVID hit and more and more therapists started moving their practices online - and found that their clients much preferred receiving therapy virtually. 

And in 2021, Celissa and Melissa launched Virtual CBT, providing structured psychotherapy to individuals struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, panic disorder, health anxiety, and various phobias. 

In this episode, we discuss:

🤍 What cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is and what a therapy session looks like

🤍 Why these babes wanted to focus on mental health and how they assist their clients with everything from anxiety to vomit-phobias!

🤍 How Melissa and Celissa have virtually grown their multi-disciplinary team and what that dynamic looks like 

🤍 How these babes deal with chasing unpaid therapy session invoices and the awkward conversations that stem from them

Upon returning to the Ottawa Valley, Kristin Leitch made the decision to start her mobile makeup service, driven by her passion for the beauty industry and empowering women to feel confident and beautiful. Kris' business flourished as she expanded her services to include permanent makeup, brow shaping, botox, and laser treatments. In 2018, she established HeLa Beauty in Downtown Pembroke, followed by a second location in Petawawa. Kris and her team of professionals in white coats are committed to delivering top-notch medical-grade services and educating clients about the importance of personal care, elevating their self-care routines to new heights. In this episode.... 🤍We learn of Kristin's first business, where she was initially was a successful mobile makeup artist, and how she came to becoming the CEO of Hela, the Ottawa Valley's first multi-serviced medical aesthetics, laser clinic and luxury spa 🤍 We break down aesthetic treatment stigma stereotypes and where this negative connotation came from... and if we believe that attitudes towards aesthetic treatments are changing 🤍 Kris shares how she and her team are advocating for women to prioritize self care and why it's an investment beyond your appearance 🤍 We dive into treatments such as Botox, micro needling, IV drips, and SO much more!

Krystin and Catherine Wood are a mother-daughter duo operating Mahogony Salon & Spa, offering two locations to serve and pamper their clients. Since opening the doors of their premier (Stittsville) location in June 2004, these babes and their team have been dedicated to exceptional guest service, attention to quality and taking their level of care and service to an entirely new level of luxury. But a lot goes on behind the scenes when it comes to owning two luxury day spas - and Catherine and Krystin don't hold back as they reveal their secrets to achieving success in the wellness, beauty and self care industry! In this episode, we discuss: 🤍 How these babes wound up in business together 20 years ago, and how they created professional boundaries, divided up responsibilities and what those first early years looked like 🤍How Catherine and Krystin expanded their salon and spa by building their second location in Carleton Place and why they built such an extravagant facility 🤍How their team are the driving force behind their business’ marketing, through both social media and exceptional customer service 🤍 Revealing strategies for running a thriving luxury salon and spa and what has worked for them for 20 years!

Perfected by a husband and wife duo, Samantha Armstrong and her spouse Tyler created an epic gourmet donut like no other. After discovering a unique donut concept in Nashville, Tyler and Sam were inspired to create their own version. It was during COVID that Tyler brought the idea forward to Sam, and the couple decided to pursue it. Despite having no culinary experience, the couple dedicated months to perfecting their 140-layer donut before launching it on social media. Fast forward 4 years later, Holey Confections can now be found at 3 locations across Ottawa and the couple even struck a Dragon's Den deal in early 2024! In this episode... 🍩 This former non-baker shares how intensive the process is to make these larger than life donuts, why they take 3 days to make and how they manage to stay remarkably fresh! 🍩 Following the success of their stores in Stittsville and Barrhaven, Sam shares what led them to opening their third location and how they manage and oversee all 3 stores 🍩 Sam shares where the Holey Confections’ slogan #DietStartsTomorrow came from and why their donut names are hilarious and relatable!

Kate Page is a dedicated powerhouse in the health and wellness industry, committed to enhancing individuals' well-being, offering top-quality supplements and expert guidance to help her customers reach their health goals. Whether you're in search of clean vitamins, minerals, herbs, or sports nutrition products, Ottawa Valley Supplements is your trusted ally in holistic wellness, with professionals immersed in the nutrition biz, ready to help guide and educate you on various vitamin and mineral supplements. In this episode.... 🌱 Kate explains how her grandfather’s health diagnosis inspired her to delve into holistic health and learn more about people's well-being through nutritional supplements 🌱 Kate describes her approach of engaging with customers to understand their health history to help identify the supplements that align with their health requirements and objectives 🌱 Kate reveals industry secrets like cost comparison, product sourcing, inventory levels, and more! 👏🏼 Kate explains her initial introduction to Renfrew County CFDC and how crucial they were in providing significant financing for the essential purchases that helped launch her biz

After Denise Ray and her family had been approached by the former owners of U-Brew (before it became Cork Culture), letting them know they were nearing retirement, Denise, her former spouse and daughter were excited to get involved and take over this existing brew-on-premise business. After speaking with retailers and suppliers, familiarizing themselves with the wine making process and sampling plenty of different wines, they rebranded U-Brew and became Cork Culture, eventually relocating to a new location and sharing their joy of winemaking with others across the Ottawa Valley! In this episode.... 🍷 Listeners learn about various wines, the extensive sampling involved, as well as the regulations and restrictions essential for entering the wine-making industry 🥂 We learn how the wine-making process works and the value of making your own wine (and why it's a better time than ever with LCBO’s being closed!) 😉🥂 Denise shares the secret ingredient to success in this business (and surprisingly, it isn't about the wine!)

Terri-Lee Cameron was another member at the Renfrew Curves fitness location, which helepd women meet their fitness goals with a 30-minute total body workout combining strength training, cardio, and stretching. But then the former owner approached her, asking if Terri-Lee wanted to take over the business and she quickly agreed, ready to pursue this incredible opportunity. In addition to the struggles following the global pandemic and a franchise that was not worth continuing staying associated with, Terri-Lee decided to step away from being a Curves franchise owner and rebranded as an independent fitness studio, with a similar strength training concept. In this episode.... 👉🏼 We explore the experience of running a Curves franchise and delve into Terri-Lee's decision to rebrand and establish her own independent fitness studio 👉🏼We explore Terri-Lee's strategy in establishing new price points, structuring fitness classes, and effectively promoting TLC Fitness without a website or sharing the class schedule on social media 👉🏼 We learn how Enterprise Renfrew County supported Terri-Lee in confidently rebranding her business and why it played a crucial role in her success

Mélanie Pieschke was working for the MRC Pontiac when she decided to take a leave of absence for a year and started selling clothes at the Sears store counter, realizing that she loved it and never looked back. She opened her fashion boutique, Jolie Folie, in Shawville because she was passionate about building economic development in her community and wanted to give people a reason to shop local instead of venturing to the big city. In this episode..... 👗 Mélanie dives into how she went from working at her municipal job, to working behind the counter at Sears, to eventually opening her own boutique 🤳🏼 We hear what Mél's marketing and advertising platforms looked like when she first opened and how they've shifted with the growth of social media 👡 Mél shares which fashion trends have come and gone over the years, and what styles continue to be staples in your closet 💰 We talk about business support and shuch local organizations contributed to the success of Jolie Folie in its infancy years

After Lindsay Wickware was blindsided by her then-husband, discovering that he was leading a double life, going through a divorce shortly after her daughter was born, and went through a a serious concussion, she rediscovered her love of art. Lindsay started painting again to pass the time while she recovered, both physically and mentally, and hasn't stopped since. Her abstract work combines her love of bold designs and cheerful colours - but within her artwork is a form of trauma healing, and this former creative designer had some heavy trauma that she had to overcome in order to paint over the invisible wounds to fully heal. Through her artwork and sharing her personal story, Lindsay is helping others to discover their creative passions by allowing them the space to release, heal and forgive. 🙏🏼 In this episode.... 🤍 We hear Lindsay’s devastating story of how her husband ended their marriage shortly after welcoming their daughter and how she rebuilt her life 🖼️ Listeners learn of how a profound accident led Lindsay to feeling whole again and coming around full circle to discovering her passion for art, and ultimately forming the Lindsay Joy Project 🎨 Lindsay shares the artistic moment that she incorporated her feelings of forgiveness and ultimately let go of the past in the form of a creative painting 🫶🏼 We hear how a painting workshop allowed students to release former traumatic feelings to come out through the brush, creating a sense of sisterhood and empowerment

It is entirely possible to plan a wedding without the help of a professional planner, BUT there are some things you need to remember, might not be aware of and also want to enjoy your day without having to worry about the little things After being listed on Chatelaine’s 40 under 40 list, Julie McNamara knew it was time to take the plunge and expand her business model from a small wedding planning company to a vibrant social enterprise offering a diverse suite of events and public affairs services. In this episode.... ✨ Julie shares how she stumbled into the event and wedding industry, becoming Ottawa and the Ottawa Valley's sought-after wedding and event firm 👰‍♂️ We discuss wedding and event coordination, behind the scenes content creation, collaborating with other biz professionals, and so much more! 🤩 Julie shares how her event planning business model has evolved and why she no longer participates at her events (while still making money!) 👏🏼 We discuss Julie and Co's new area of focus in public affairs and politic public relations, and if Julie plans to focus more on this line of work, and move away from weddings and events

Scott's Shoes has quite the history past, with three generations of family ownership. The original store has been a well known fixture in downtown Renfrew since 1895 and the Scott family have been finding the perfect pair of shoes for every foot! Fast forward to 2024, Nathan Scott and his wife Haley are the main proprietors of the store, upholding the longstanding Scott family legacy of managing the business and delivering top-notch footwear and exceptional customer service at their three stores in Renfrew, Pembroke, and Arnprior. And there's no business like shoe business as we get into all things retail shoe therapy and let let the shoe drop, as we talk about: 👞 Some of the history surrounding the long time Scott's Shoes and how Nathan and Haley took over his family business 👠 Business expansion, with Scott's Shoes opening two consecutive locations and the secret to managing all 3 stores 👟 Strategies on how Scott's Shoes stores continue to thrive even with other big box stores and online competitors 🥾 Popular shoe trends, markup costs for profit, exceptional customer service and much more!

Located on the grounds of an 1860's stone manor house in the heart of Rideau Lakes, Stone Manor Studios is a renovated carriage house that was repurposed to become an exclusive art studio for creatives. Previously known as Newboro Manor, owner and creative director Kim Lulashnyk wanted to provide a warm and inspirational space for artists and craft enthusiasts alike to gather and learn from experts in their fields, engage in meaningful conversations about art, and provide them with an unforgettable experience to inspire, refresh, and enrich their creative hearts and minds. We learn more about this boss babe behind this establishment and how she and her husband transformed this formerly well known bed and breakfast and created a stunning setting for aspiring artists to dive into their creativity!

Megan Tysick is a data-hungry and creative marketing babe with years of brand management experience under her belt. With advanced capabilities building and strengthening businesses and their brands, she is Ottawa and Lanark County's go-to content creator, understanding brands across various industries and their marketing strategy's to developing a new or adjusted plan to help their biz thrive. From taking fashion business management in school to working behind the scenes at Aritzia, Megan quickly learned the value of brand marketing, retail management and development, eventually transitioning and becoming a freelancer, launching The Social Club, a marketing and branding consulting agency. In this episode... 💫 We talk about the importance of a consistent social media presence and strategy, consumer analysis and finding your niche in competitive markets 😳 We dive into the new marketing "trend" re: FACELESS MARKETING and if you should be using this strategy ... or not 📲 Megan shares social media trends that are no longer serving your biz and why trending songs aren't going to make your reel go viral

Leia Antunes fell in love with the dance of ballet from a very young age, getting accepted into Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s Professional Division at the age of 13. She was immersed into the graceful, poised and beautiful world of ballet, but her lifelong dream of becoming a professional ballerina was met with strict dance schedules, body dysphoria, dancer comparisons, and sore feet. So this babe decided to take a break, travelled the world, and returned to her home in Smiths Falls to become... a registered massage therapist... and eventually, the new owner of the faith-based dance studio, Redeemer Dance Academy. In this episode, Leia and I chat about: 🩰 Her journey into the professional world of ballet, as we peek behind the curtain and discover how it's not all poised and perfect 💃 We talk about the difficult pressures faced by girls and women in the ballet world, including compassions and performance roles 🙌🏽 We discuss how ballet is evolving in diversity and inclusivity, and how Redeemer Dance Studio is redefining representations 🫠 We talk dance mom's, dancer comparisons, nailing down dance routines, religion and dance, and so much more!

Chelsea Lafleur, or better known as Queen Chelsea VFX, is a social media digital effects creator creates who creates visually stunning and captivating effects that not only catches the attention of her wide online audience, but her work often goes viral on her social media platforms, as people are constantly captivated by her mind blowing content. Chelsea has a knack for leveraging the latest digital tools and technology to produce engaging and shareable content that resonates with her viewers. Her work ranges from animated graphics to immersive AI filters, and she is constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the digital space. In this episode, we dive into learning about: 🔥 How this boss babe started dabbling in video content creation, and when her videos started going viral, achieving MILLIONS OF VIEWS! 🤌🏼 When Chelsea not only started making a profit on her videos through brand partnerships and collaborations, but was sought out by a manager and talent agency 🤩 Where Chelsea comes up with her brilliant ideas for creating the impossible possible with her INCREDIBLE videos 🎥 Why behind the scenes tutorials of videos are just as popular as creating realistic content

Pediatric Physiotherapist Laurence Roy developed a passion for treating the pediatric population while she was working with pediatric patients at CHEO Hospital in Ottawa. However, helping families in the Ottawa Valley access closer services was a priority for Laurence, relocating to Arnprior to open her own practice. With Arnprior being the fastest growing community in Eastern Ontario, Laurence is determined to build her team and fill this gap! When treating pediatric clients, Laurence uses a play-based therapy approach to help children with global and motor developmental delays and other movement disorders. She is revolutionizing and educating the public about the importance of pelvic therapy! In this episode... 🌸 Laurences shares why she felt compelled to leave her secure job as a physiotherapist at CHEO and open her own practice ✨ Listeners discover how Laurence is educating her patients and community on the importance of pelvic floor care and why it's more than just kegel exercises 🙌🏻 We discuss the realities of being mom’s to young, busy kids and the sacrifices that come with being a busy entrepreneur and mom - and why it's necessary to give yourself grace 👊🏻 We hear how Enterprise Renfrew County helped Laurence not only develop her business plan but how it's helped her build and expand her biz

In a world that is constantly changing, being at the top of YOUR GAME means you need to make TOUGH DECISIONS about your business and yourself in order to be successful. And working one-on-one with Tina Collins, Executive and Team Coach helps individuals, organizations and teams identify their strengths, needs, dreams, potential, identities and more. During the coaching process, Tina holds up a mirror to executives so that they can identify some of the things that are blind spots to them and implement changes, creating self-awareness, driving transformational change, and providing critical challenge and support. In this episode..... ✨ We discover how Tina fell into her line of work by becoming an executive and leadership coach and who her ideal client is ✨ We talk about self-awareness, regulating our emotions, vulnerability, identifying triggers, and more! ✨ Tina and I explore gaslighting in the workplace and why this master of manipulation … And how they can break you ✨ Tina shares solution-based tips for your organization with proven client testimonials that work and create effective teams

Saschali Brunette, Owner of The Sushi House Petawawa, co owner with her partner Mackenzie and proud mother of three busy littles, launched the very first sushi business in downtown Pembroke before she decided to take a break and focus on her music career. But after relocating back to the Ottawa Valley and the small community of Laurentian Hills, she realized there was a demand for more sushi options - so she and her partner got to work! With their skilled talents, fresh sushi recipes and a taste for more sushi variety, The Sushi House has since expanded across the Ottawa Valley, showing locals that a home based business can be successful without the need for a store front, multiple staff, and set hours, with their grab-and-go sushi trays found in Sip-N-Stirs Pembroke, Jan's Valu Mart, No Frills Renfrew and No Frills Arnprior and Canex! Sascha is relentless with big dreams and big obstacles that she plans to overtake in a BIG way, with a podcast EXPANSION exclusive - you'll have to tune in to find out! 🍣😉 In this episode...... 🎶 Sascha unveils that her initial dream was to dive into the music scene... but she flipped the script and we are so happy that she did, diving into the sushi making business instead! 🍣 🍱 Sascha shares how she pitched The Sushi House's grab-and-go sushi to be featured at grocery stores across the Ottawa Valley and how they got into Canex! 😵 We talk about the importance of community and how Sascha's close network rallied together whenever their social media account got hacked 🤌🏼 We learn how The Sushi House has found its niche that no other restaurants are doing to retain and build its customer base

For over 17 years, Adrienne Carfagnini, Founder, Clinical Director and therapist at Connected Counselling Services has been working with individuals, couples and families to assist them in their healing and recovery journeys. This isn't your typical couch therapy session though, as Adrienne shares how she uses holistic and alternative approaches in her therapy, counseling, and healing sessions. We switch positions as we learn about a therapist's point of view, how awkward it can be when a fighting couple enters a session, Adrienne's thoughts on personal self-sharing with clients, how she implements self care to prevent therapist burnout, why listening fatigue is a real thing, and why she values mentorship from other therapists. During this podcast "session" Adrienne speaks out to entrepreneurs in hopes to inspire them to seek out therapy to battle life’s perpetual challenges, especially those working in isolation, seeking validation in business decisions and dealing with unexpected curveballs!

Looking to shift away from the field of Social Work, Kaitlin decided to return to school to become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). After the magical home birth of her daughter in 2018, Kaitlin was inspired to support women and families through their transformative perinatal journeys and became a birth doula and it was during her second pregnancy Kaitlin decided to expand her perinatal education and began the process of becoming a Licensed Childbirth Educator. Now, Kaitlin is putting her passion into practice, opening Flourishing Families in Perth, a holistic heart-centred clinic designed to support individuals and families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Kaitlin is a trailblazing boss babe as she brings a unique revolutionary approach in the way she approaches business and builds her team, demonstrating how she is clearly a leader in her field and credits her education, skillsets, core values and life experiences to the various series she and her team provides. In this episode, 🤱🏼We hear how Kaitlin's vast career journey and home birth experiences contributed to her opening her multi-disciplinary family centre 🌸 We dive into why everyone's pregnancy and postpartum experiences are different why lost birth recovery is so important 👑 Kaitlin shares how she secured financial funds to build her business, the bones of creating her centre and building her team 🫱🏼‍🫲🏻 We talk about the importance of asking for help, utilizing your village and why "mom / parent shaming" is NOT okay

Maven Catering has been a staple in the Deep River community for quite some time now and I'm sure many of my listeners have sampled Carolyn Arnold's delicious meals at one point or another. But how did this seasoned world traveller who left home to explore restaurants in Australia, Cambodia, and Thailand, bring back sharpened skills, new recipes and seasoned flavours and wind up working... for an insurance agency?! Well that 9-5 corporate job didn't last long, as Carolyn's entrepreneurial spirit finally emerged as she gave her boss 3 month's notice and began the shift from employee to employer, launching Maven Catering and building a team of folks with a passion for providing great food to their local community. In this episode, we chat all about: 👩🏽‍🍳 How this Deep River local went from world traveller, to working in insurance to launching a successful catering biz 🤌🏼 Carolyn's award-winning catering strategies, from curating her menu to setting prices to offsetting overhead costs 🤦🏽‍♀️ Mixed up orders, too much food, customer complaints and dealing with price negotiations 🤔 How Carolyn (unintentionally and unconventionally!) landed huge corporate catering contracts with CNL and at the Hexagon Restaurant

Originally from India, Aneeta Jacob knew that she wanted to study abroad and study social services in Canada, coming to Canada in 2018 and landed on Algonquin College Pembroke Campus' Social Services Worker Program after reading that it was one of the top colleges to attend in Canada, relocating to the Ottawa Valley and graduating from the SSW program in 2020. Aneeta was one of Algonquin College Pembroke's first international student graduates and she reflects back on her time at school and in the Ottawa Valley fondly, reflecting on the skillsets she developed from her professors, the friendships she made and the community that embraced and welcomed her the minute she landed. Aneeta is now enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta and is eager to share her story for how she wants to become a driving force for change in rural health care and is eager to make a difference in social services and in the health care field.

Stacy Taylor's entry into entrepreneurship was an interesting one that just happened to come at the right time with a once-in-a-lifetime contest opportunity that she didn't want to miss out on. This former government worker turned business owner took a chance on herself and her business and left it all to go all in.... and was successful in winning the City of Pembroke's Win this Space contest in downtown Pembroke, securing her first location, courtesy of Sleepwell Property Management. Stacy shares her personal journey of leaving her records management job and going all in with her canning and home cooked meals business, expanding and growing her team after a short period of time, becoming involved in the community and taking on the role as Board Chair of the PBIA Board - and all the ups and downs of entrepreneurship!

This month on our Babe Beyond the Brand Series, we are diving into the fascinating world of adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), which is a neurodevelopmental condition that seems to be affecting more and more adults, many in which are women. Having ADHD affects how you pay attention, your sense of self control, simple forgetfulness, among other traits. And women specifically with adhd tend to not be diagnosed until later in life and end up with diagnoses of depression or anxiety for years before ADHD is ever part of the conversation. But in 2024, we have more access to information than we’ve ever had. And People are more willing to share their experiences with ADHD, which is helping lessen the stigma around mental health. Traditional ADHD therapy often involves assignments to complete between sessions - leading to disappointment when it doesn’t get done (because HELLO, ADHD!) I sit down with Jenna Free, certified ADHD therapist who sheds light on the often-overlooked world of ADHD, providing valuable insights and guidance for anyone navigating this complex condition.

OVBB is pleased to welcome Lindsey Gibeau, headshot and personal brand photographer! ✨STAND OUT. ✨GET SEEN.✨ ✨BUILD AN ABUNDANT BRAND.✨ Capturing the essence of luxury, style, sought-after brand photographer Lindsey Gibeau takes a seat and shares what it takes for entrepreneurs to create a visual brand that stands out while appearing confident, captivating and professional, connecting with their audience in a bolder way. 👑🥂 In this exclusive Spotify and YouTube episode, Lindsey spills industry secrets and the lessons, tricks and knowledge she has learned in her years of experience as a brand photographer, including: 📸 How she elevates women and their presence online through a unique storytelling digital aspect by constantly showing up with confidence and ease 💁🏽‍♀️ Why it is important for a brand to show their face and who the individual or individuals are behind a business 🤳🏼 How entrepreneurs can effectively use their photos from their digital portfolio beyond using them on their website in the "about me" section or on an introduction social media post 👯‍♀️ How Lindsey collaborates with other women in similar and different industries, including other photographers, makeup artists, hair stylists, and personal stylists to help their clients take their photography session to the next level

Erin Grace always loved animals and was initially torn between becoming a registered veterinary technician or a veterinarian but didn't want to go to spend all her time in school, so thus she chose to become an RVT, finding her passion specifically with horses. After moving to Smiths Falls and offering horse riding lessons, along with assisting friends with therapeutic care for their horses, Erin then became a certified Equine Massage Therapist, opening Equine Grace Therapy, providing therapeutic services to help improve the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of horses. This is an industry that relies heavily on reputation, word of mouth and education, as Erin continually demonstrates to her clients that it is more than just a "feel good" massage that she offers but an investment in their horse's well being, working on their fitness, injury prevention, lessening anxiety, etc. In this episode, Erin discusses: 🐴 The human-horse interaction and how we can gain their trust and develop a mutual partnership 🐴 The importance of horse business insurance and why it's crucial to protect your business, your horses and your clients 🐴 How she has structured Grace Equine Therapy to educate and encourage more people to consider horse therapy

✨💜 Ottawa Valley Fourth Annual Women's Collective 2024✨💜 This past International Women's Day, we welcomed four trailblazing boss babes: Jodie Primeau of Primeau Law, Kristin Leach of Hela Beauty and Medical, and Dr. Morgan Welburn of Renfrew Eye Clinic, where we will celebrated their personal empires and chatted intensely around three key themes: ✨Invest✨Inspire✨and Impact✨. This year, our conversation focused on: 💰 How to invest for success - key fundamentals that every entrepreneur needs in order to become successful. ✍🏻🗣️ Addressing the complex challenges women in business are facing and areas that you yourself have faced over the years of breaking into specific industries 🫱🏼‍🫲🏻 The importance of key partnerships, catalyst organizations, making connections both in and outside of your field and the value they hold 👑🙌🏻 How these three boss babes are making an impact, through ongoing innovation, expansion, and growth

Many of us stumble into entrepreneurship by pure destiny. And often times, what we envision our business will look like typically changes once we do decide to go all in. And that stands true for Jessica Yazdani, who initially had a dream of opening up a business in Merrickville but wound up purchasing a well known location in downtown Almonte. But her vision for carrying Canadian brands that values inclusivity, sustainability and quality was always a crucial component of her business values and when this opportunity presented itself to her, she was ready to go all in. In this episode, Jess and I chat about: 🫶🏼 How Jess' love for the former store, Doree's Habit, led her to eventually purchasing the store from Brodie O'Connor (aka one half of the Blondie Apparel babes!) 👀 How she faced imposter syndrome after taking over the store and changing the name (and the surprising attachment of customers to the former name) 👗 Inclusive sizing, why fashion helps boost your confidence, and how Grace + Sparrow promotes body positivity 📲 We dive into the power of social media, the importance of an effective Instagram bio that stands out, and attracting more foot traffic

Located in Perth, ON, HLK Macarons is a micro-bakery born out of passion from baker and dessert enthusiast, Heather Kay, who specializes in making Italian macarons. In this episode, Heather and I chat about: 🍥 How Heather started her micro-bakery and how she approached HLK Macarons with a business mindset 🍥 How Heather determined her price points by adding her mark up to calculated costs so that her customers are getting a quality product and she is making a solid profit 🍥 Tough hurdles Heather has experienced in the bakery business, from standing out on the socials, not worrying about her following count, and rude male counterparts 🍥 How Small Business Centre's Starter Company Plus Program helped Heather modify her business plan to help with her growth and success