MAD LOVE MONDAY - Tracey Jazmin Photography

We go Q&A style with the talented Tracey Jazmin. Her answers are so genuine and relatable to so many of us YEGBOSSBABES across any field.  Thank you for you sharing your journey with us! "I’m Tracey Jazmin, and I’m a wedding photographer and brand photographer. Since I was little, flipping through old photos has been one of my favourite things to do. I love getting to see what people looked like and did before I knew them. When I was 14, I got my very own camera and you could say the rest is history. Putting my two loves together, I had created a dream job doing what I love. I want to be able to document and capture genuine and intimate moments for couples so that they, their kids and their kid’s kids can flip through old photos the way I used to when I was younger. As a brand photographer, my why has always been the hope to inspire others and see them being successful doing what they love. If I can help in that process, thats when I feel genuinely fulfilled."

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1. What inspired you to start your own business?

I wouldn’t say I was ever “inspired” to start it on my own if I’m honest. I had so many others believe in me before I believed in myself to make my photography career my own business. Starting my own business more or less came about because I was getting so many bookings, I had to. It was then, that I started getting inspired and became the business person I am today.

2. Do you have a go to quote / motto?

Everything happens for a reason. This quote has been what I fall back on when my faith in myself, my business or my work waivers for the past five years.

3. What’s a personal goal of yours to accomplish? (time frame?)

In the next year or so, I hope to purchase an acreage with my other half. Being a business owner, it’s always tough to have financial institutions take you seriously so we’re working hard at making that a possibility.

4. Do you have a professional goal or set of goals for your business?

The list of goals for my business is always forever long but the big one right now is to book a destination wedding in Greece or Italy!

5. Why do you love being an entrepreneur?

The freedom it gives me. I’m a rebel at heart so I have always loved getting to make my own schedule and be my own boss. There is truly nothing better than that all while getting to do what you love.

6. Did you ever have a time where you wanted to give up? How did you overcome that feeling?

I have, and I did. When I moved from my small hometown to Ottawa, I packed my camera away in the back of my closet and had decided I was done taking photos. It was persistence from friends and family, that brought it back out again. However, that break allowed me to fall in love with it again and to date, I take the feeling of getting burnt out very seriously and make sure I only take on what I know I can handle.

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7. Whats your best boss babe moment? (First moment of reassurance).

When Style Me Pretty emailed me and asked to feature my work! I remember feeling like I had made it when I received that email. Getting published, especially on larger publications, is a feat and having them reach out to me gave me so much reassurance.

8. What platform do you find most success / interaction from? (IE. Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook).

Definitely Instagram! I’ve booked many brides from Instagram. Of course, I think it helps that it’s mostly a visual app but I also love telling stories in my captions that will educate brides and inspire them to plan a wedding that’s “them”.

9. Work-life Balance: What you do you do to destress? What is your must-have moment of the day (me time)?

My three favourites for de-stressing are mid-day dance parties, watching Ellen because she always makes me laugh and of course who doesn’t love a good bubble bath. Being a rebel at heart, I love mixing up my schedule every day so I’m not sure I have one. Some days it’s a morning coffee, other times it’s walking the dog and the next it will be reading a book.

10. What are you looking to learn from other YEGBOSSBABES in the community?

I want to learn how to grow my business past the size that it is now. I’m a solopreneur and I love the idea of having a team! I’m nervous, but so interested!

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Interested in being featured? email us at yegbossbabes@gmail.com 

MAD LOVE MONDAY- Justine Martinson | Lipstick Empire

We dive into the world of  Cosmetic Laser Services from business owner, Justine Martinson. How a passion to be creative turned into her business of "doing magic" with makeup and skin enhancement treatments. Her business is not just about aesthetics - it's about creativity, relationships, razzle dazzle, and self love. We asked Justine to reach out to a past client so we can hear about their experience with Cosmetic Laser Services to gain a better understanding of this unique field of work. Thank you Kim for sharing your experience with us:

“I was introduced to Justine and Lipstick Empire through my sister in law. I was in a motorcycle accident 4 years ago that lead to a change in my appearance which has been a struggle for me. It is a very hard thing to wake up one day and not look like yourself anymore. After my first Sublime radio-frequency facial contouring procedure at Lipstick Empire, the difference was astounding. Such a drastic change with little to no downtime. Justine and I both cried when she handed me the mirror and I caught a glimpse of the old me in the mirror. My dad even cried the first time he saw me after my treatment as he was so impressed. The increase in my self love and confidence since meeting Justine is incredible. Not only does she offer life changing services she is also the kindest and most supportive person I have ever met. She will bend over backwards to help you and make you feel comfortable throughout the entire process.”  -Kim S.

"There really isn't anything more fun or rewarding than using my energy to create something beautiful; whether it is doing so with the magic of makeup and skin enhancement treatments or a transformative act that celebrates relationships between myself and others by creating a lasting relationship and common bond.

I have been fortunate as a woman entrepreneur to bring my creative energies to my work. My name is Justine Martinson and I am the sole owner of Lipstick Empire LaserSpa on 124th Street in Edmonton. Lipstick Empire is a full service Medical Spa offering the very best in cosmetic services, promoting skin health and innovation by using the most advanced cosmetic laser devices and skincare on the market. We offer everything from Facials, Chemical Peels, Makeup Applications, and Waxing to Laser Hair Removal, Skin Resurfacing, Botox and Fillers and so much more-  like some amazing make-up products showcasing a rich palette of colours– created by yours truly. Did I mention I love all things Beauty, the colour pink and anything sparkly?

Several of my clients are successful business women and men who recognize the importance of presenting a polished image, not just from the perspective of others who might be assessing them, but from that quiet inner confidence that comes from knowing that whatever you were blessed with has been given an opportunity to shine. I take joy in contributing to this confidence.

There is something joyful to loving pink and sparkly things, but owning your own business is hard work and takes a great deal of time, dedication and above all else; perseverance. Cosmetic Laser services require rigorous training and adherence to standards: designing lipsticks and makeup and sourcing out the highest caliber of equipment and products requires a both scientific and aesthetic understanding. Creating a warm and welcoming spa environment requires good communications business acumen and a loving spirit not to mention an excellent staff! Oh, and let’s not forget to mention; all of my clients are greeted with a hug and nobody leaves without one…. I mean, nobody!

GIRL POWER

Is there a separation between Justine the professional and Justine the person? I don't think I really make this distinction – friends and family make up part of the multi-facets of my life side by side with my professional initiatives. And, well, the more facets the more sparkly the gem! But at times I have to choose – expand the business? Focus on personal life and relationships? Take my nieces and nephews to a concert? Spend more time with family – Family is everything and my family is extremely supportive. These are dilemmas we all face and finding that balance is important.

Owning my own business has been a great adventure but not without difficult moments. When I think about those moments I realize that a lot of them stem from people underestimating me and taking advantage of my youth which at first glance can be deemed as “inexperience.” I love turning skeptics in to believers and razzle dazzling people with my intellect and vast knowledge of my field of work. Ialso realize some difficulties stem from my underestimating myself! Where I am right now took courage and persistence: the courage to make myself vulnerable by trying what I was/am not certain of and learning new things by engaging in a process of understanding rather than knowing . Because, let's face it, whatever you think you know is ever changing and ephemeral. My goals are not so much about achieving a static point on some ladder of success, they are about becoming – becoming an increasingly more informed practitioner and creating an exemplary transformative environment for both clients and staff. Thank you to my beautiful friends, family and clients; who are one in the same, for letting me share my magic and do what I love more than anything.

Roald Dahl said “Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

XOX,

Justine Martinson

Owner/ Operator

Lipstick Empire LaserSpa

10830 124th Street, Edmonton, AB

587 523-5477

www.lipstickempire.ca

@lipstickempire

Interested in being featured? email us at yegbossbabes@gmail.com 

MAD LOVE MONDAY: Kirsten Kyle Photography

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A sneaky (and late) YEGBOSSBABE Mad Love Monday Feature coming at you from Kayla Kaliszuk! I wanted to re-introduce you to a local boss babe in the Edmonton area. Some of you may already know her as she is the founder of YEGBOSSBABES but if you didn't know she also successfully runs her own business Kirsten Kyle Photography!

I wanted to show some love and talk a little bit about Kirsten & her Photography business, specifically her Boudoir sessions. 

Not only is Kirsten running all aspects of YEGBOSSBABES but she is also planning a wedding, working full time and still managing to create beautiful memories for people through the magic of her camera!

If you've ever wanted to do a boudoir shoot, whether for a significant other or for yourself, but maybe you have been worried about feeling uncomfortable, or not confident enough just know that Kirsten takes pride in making everyone feel beautiful & comfortable. Below I have provided a few testimonials from her past clients!

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From beginning to end Kirsten ensures that you have a positive experience. She provides inspiration outfits on her Pinterest Page, professional hair & make up as well as professional quality photos & custom albums for the finished product.

Thank you Kirsten for being an inspiration to us all! xo

Interested in being featured on YEGBOSSBABES? We are always looking: e-mail us [yegbossbabes@gmail.com]