MAD LOVE MONDAY - Laurel Redfern | Redfern Creative

HEADSHOT

We go Q&A Style with Laurel Redfern, the owner of Redfern Creative.

1. What is your business? Why that field/service/product?

70% of my business is Graphic Design services, specializing in print.

My clients are generally small to medium sized businesses that don't necessarily require a full time designer on staff, but can recognize and appreciate the importance of branding and professional design. Templates and "online" designers simply don't produce a high quality finished product and it's noticeable.

I absolutely love designing catalogues and brochures but that's not all I design. Advertising (magazines, billboards, digital), logo design, flyers, event branding (posters, invites), signs, menus and stationary are my bread and butter. Really, any form of visual branding is what I do best and I will happily defend the position that print is not dead! Clients and customers still like to have tangible things to remember a conversation by, so why not make it beautiful? A glossy product book featuring your best sellers, a fancy wooden business card to leave behind or a thought inspiring ad in an industry magazine are all sure to impress.

The other 30% of my business is Calligraphy. This has been a passion of mine for years and I sell both original artwork and prints through my website. I currently offer a line of greeting cards as well and hope to expand into some different products in the future. I may even try teaching if I can work up the courage! Calligraphy is my love and keeps me creative, inspired and focused.

Everything I do is driven by my desire to create. I have always been fascinated by the idea of creativity, where it comes from and how to foster it.

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2. What inspired you to start your own business?

I had been working full time as a Graphic Artist for 13 years. Although I loved my job and appreciated the steady income and benefits, I was becoming complacent and getting less satisfaction from the role. It would have been very easy to stay there but the years were flying by and I needed to do something to get my passion back.

3. What is a personal goal of yours?

"I own my business. My business doesn't own me" That quote sums up my goal pretty perfectly. In this first year, I am ready and willing to give this everything I've got to make it succeed. Once I get there, I simply want 8 hours of work to do a day. The freedom to work on something I love inside my little tiny trailer in the mountains is really all I'm going for here. Although this answer might seem underwhelming, it took me a while to accept this idea and I want others to know it's a perfectly fine goal! Goals of global success are ok too ;)

4. What's your best Boss Babe moment? First moment of reassurance?

I had someone request a quote from me on a project I knew I could do an awesome job on. I presented a fair quote based on my applicable experience and was met with "your rate is too high". This isn't the first time this has happened and in the past I would have considered dropping my rate or maybe not even responding. It happened to be the day after the epic Oprah speech though so I just explained my rate. I also noted you could easily find designers that charge far less than me and many that charge more. I spoke to my level of skill with confidence and respectfully left it at that. Guess who called me back and gave me the job? I needed this reminder and maybe some of you do too. Stand your ground, speak confidently and know your worth... then impress the hell out of them because you CAN.

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5. What are you hoping to learn from other Boss Babes in the community?

When I browse Instagram and @yegbossbabes, it's always for inspiration. Before I decided to venture off into my own business, I had no idea this community existed. There is such a massive group of amazing, inspiring and resilient women in the city. In my own experiences, they've always been more than willing to offer advice and suggestions. When I'm feeling crazy for leaving a steady job, just seeing other women doing it makes me think... "hey, maybe I can do this"

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

MAD LOVE MONDAY - Camille Wallach | Mobile Massage YEG

We go Q&A Style with Camille Wallach, the owner of Mobile Massage YEG. Her unique business provides in home and workplace massage around the greater Edmonton area. With over 12 years experience, Camille has worked in chiropractic and physical therapy clinics and decided to start her own business 3 years ago. Camille has seen huge growth expanding her team to 7 therapists providing massage therapy to Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Fort Saskatchewan, Leduc and Beaumont. Her goal to expand her workplace massage program is very interesting because who wouldn't want a massage at the office?! That's a corporate culture I would be interested in being involved with! I think YEGBOSSBABES corporate culture just shifted... Scroll down to learn more about this local bossbabe!

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What inspired you to start your own business?

The idea for mobile massage came from a couple different areas. I was working at a physical therapy clinic on the north side of Edmonton, they had a sister clinic in the south that didn’t have massage. The physios at the clinic would always ask where to refer, eventually I started doing mobile in the south. I had also interviewed at a company that offered their employees massage therapy in the workplace. I didn’t get the job, but that I was inspired me to pursue the workplace side of my company. This company offered this service to their employees, and that sparked the idea that other companies would like to do the same.

Our goal for Mobile Massage YEG is to provide quality massage therapy with convenience.

Do you have a go to quote / motto?

Always build quality relationships. I strive to build great trusting relationships with my clients and other business owners within the city.

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

A personal goal of mine is become a better public speaker. I have struggled most of my life being shy, recently have found myself having to do more presentations - That is something I am working on this year.

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

I have massive goals for MMYEG. This year we are focusing on our workplace wellness program, helping companies incorporate massage therapy in their corporate culture.  We are also partnering with some hotels in the area and looking to expand that as well.

With the In- Home massage therapy we are looking to expand out into Spruce Grove, Stoney Plain and St. Albert, bringing on a therapist for each of these areas.

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Why do you love being an entrepreneur?

I love being an entrepreneur for many reasons. First of all I am working for my future. I can do as much or as little as I want, depending on the goals I want to reach. There is usually little stagnancy with growing a company, I’m always learning new things on how to expand my company.

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

There have been multiple times I’ve wanted to give up. I have failed in some ventures I’ve taken with my company. Some things work, some don’t. When I think about giving up, that feeling doesn’t last long. I just remember I would never be OK working for someone else or working a 9-5.

What’s your best boss babe moment? (First moment of reassurance).

Last year I was nominated for Best Massage Therapist in YEG in YEGFitness Magazine. That brought a lot of credibility in the health community. I was also nominated again this year which felt really great!

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

I find that Instagram has been the best! I get a few clients a month from this platform.

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

Self care is a big priority for me. Practice what you preach! I get massages twice a month and see a chiropractor and acupuncturist once a month and Physio when needed. Yin Yoga classes twice a month, should be doing it once a week…I also journal daily and do 20 mins of meditation.

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

MAD LOVE MONDAY - Tera Williams | Mia West

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What is your business & why that field / service/ product?

My name is Tera Williams and I am the founder of Mia West. Mia West is a new, Canadian activewear brand that is designed by my partner and myself. We create fashion-forward athleisure apparel with a focus on quality, function and style.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always loved to create. As a kid, you would always find me drawing, sewing, behind a camera, or anything that would challenge my artistic capabilities. Growing up I dabbled in a bit of everything, but one thing that really stuck was my passion for health and fitness. Combining these interests led me to create my dream job and do what I love!

Mia West was created with the intention to provide high quality and affordable activewear but more importantly, to empower women to look good, feel great and live a life you love. To shop Mia West, click here. 

What inspired you to start your own business?

I always dreamt of starting my own empire. I think what really motivated me to stop dreaming and start doing was my previous job. I spent several years of my life working for someone else and grew tired of not doing anything for me. I use to dread waking up every morning, leaving my dog and going to work. Now I can honestly say that I’m excited to wake up early and start my day.

Do you have a go to quote / motto?

My motto is “Live A Life You Love”. Life is too short to be anything but happy. If you have dreams, go for it. Don’t think about how long it will take because the time is going to pass by anyway!

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

I want to buy my dream home with my boyfriend/business partner and live on the west coast with our dog, Mia. This is actually where the name “Mia West” comes from :P

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

The list of business goals is endless! But one of my main goals is to open Mia West stores internationally. I always find myself looking at vacant stores and envisioning a Mia West sign in front.

Why do you love being an entrepreneur?

I love being an entrepreneur because it gives me the opportunity to create my own schedule and do what I love. Building a brand isn’t a 9-5 job. I’m usually working from the moment I wake up to the moment I close my eyes (and sometimes in my dreams). But to me, it’s not work because I love the job that I’ve created!

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

100% YES!!! Working for your self can definitely be a rollercoaster. One day things are going great and the next you’re having an emotional break down. I’m lucky to have such a great support system. My boyfriend, family and friends are always there to lift me up whenever I feel discouraged. When I’m feeling extremely overwhelmed I take a step back and remind myself that a problem is only as big as you make it.

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

My best boss babe moment was when I received my first online sale from someone I didn’t know. The feeling is unexplainable when someone you’ve never met, supports you and believes in your brand.

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

Definitely Instagram! It’s a great way to connect with others and to promote brand awareness.

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

Any form of exercise helps me de-stress. I try and make it a habit to join a workout class or hit the gym 3-4 days a week. But after a long stressful day, nothing beats a glass of red wine, Netflix and cuddles from my pup.

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

I want to learn how other YEGBOSSBABES got to where they are now. I think we can all learn from others mistakes and successes. Knowledge is power and it’s so inspiring to be able to meet like-minded babes who come together, learn from one another and support each other. I truly believe that when women support each other, incredible things happen.

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