MAD LOVE MONDAY - Sonia Gonzalez | bSocial Communications Inc.

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Entrepreneur life can take you on so many different journeys. The most rewarding and exciting one for me so far has been my creative journey.

This whole business thing started with a hint of curiosity, a drive for creativity and a passion to help others. At the time when the idea of being an entrepreneur popped into my head, I wondered, “is there a way to combine my desire to be more creative with my communications experience and my love for local businesses? I’m sure there is, but can I pay my bills doing it?”

Thinking about going out on my own warmed my whole body. It ignited a fire within me. The prospect of using the wealth of creativity I knew I had available with my communications skills and putting that into helping small businesses was a dream job in my mind and one that I knew I had to pursue.

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That fire was the start of bSocial Communications Inc.

One thing I knew for sure going into my business was that it was going to be an extension of who I was. In order for this to be successful, the creative drive and exploration for myself and my business had to work together. It had to be authentic.

When I went full-time with bSocial Communications I instantly noticed the creative flow came so naturally. The creativity I was tapping into was really working for my business and clients. Awesome!

But then I encountered a challenge.

The nature of my business requires me to dive into that creative pool at all times. I write all day, every day. From communications strategy to social media marketing to content development for blogs and websites. I need to tune into that creativity to help my clients reach their audience and ensure their content is packed with their passion and personality. I absolutely love every aspect of this, but it does require a lot of brain power and time.

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I realized that there was such an abundance of creative opportunities for me in my business, but I was starting to pull back from making space to explore my creativity outside my work.

“Creativeprenuers” rely on their creativity to fuel their soul and to fuel their business. To nourish this talent, they need space for creative freedom, away from timelines, expectations and contractual obligations.

By implementing a habit of building in creative space, I stopped putting so much pressure on myself to be productive at all hours of the day and started to devote some more time to growing my skills and tending to my creative interests.  

Here are some creative space makers that have helped me grow in my business.

Exploring creative avenues outside my work that bring me joy

Allowing space for creative projects that make me happy has really upped my game. For me, this comes in the form of interior design and fashion. Whenever a friend or colleague asks for help with a home/office design project or a shopping trip to refresh their wardrobe, I’m all up in that and don’t feel guilty for taking time out of my day to enjoy that time with them.

Through these creative outlets I energize myself, I feel happy and confident and it helps me fine tune my design eye for when I do photos and video for my business. Win, win!

Exploring creative avenues that take me out of my comfort zone

This has proved to be both challenging and rewarding. No one wants to go out and do something they are not good at. What I have found is that by pushing myself through a creative project (at least once a month) that doesn’t come naturally to me forces me to grow in ways I didn’t know I needed. For myself and my business.

Going out of my comfort zone in a creative way has helped me learn patience and how to fail and be ok with it. Being creative isn’t always about rocking it and producing something that is perfect. There is a lot to be learned from the imperfections and we need to embrace that more as creative thinkers.

Creating space through meditation

I have found the best way to give myself creative space is to clear the space in my mind. I do this through a regular meditation practice (30 minutes every day). Meditation has been the most powerful creative source for me as an individual and business owner.

Sometimes you are so deep into the business you can’t see the most obvious and potentially most important opportunities in front of you. Meditation is a great way to look internally for answers and to allow new ideas to surface.

The #yegbossbabes community is full of creative, innovative women. One thing I’d like to share with fellow #yegbossbabes is to remember to be kind to yourself. Carve out space and time to explore your creativity, with no expectations and boundaries. It will inspire you to try new things and replenish that curiosity.

Isn’t that what got us into business in the first place?

Thank you,

Sonia Gonzalez

www.bsocial.ca

@bsocialcomm

MAD LOVE MONDAY - Jessica Franks| Saradee Hair Salon

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

My business is Hair; I have loved, and lived this industry for 20 years now.

My business is also people.

I love people… all people, especially my clients, being able to do what I love, with who I love is something that I am so thankful for each and every day.

2.) What inspired you to start your own business?

Starting my business was something that just happened, due to circumstances, and availability to find somewhere that filled my needs as an individual. With two small children I needed flexibility, and to be my own boss. So the salon’s first location opened 7 years ago in Leduc in 2011.

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3.) Do you have a go to quote/motto?

Yes we do as a group, ‘TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK’ A bit cheesy, but we love it! Lol

This comes from a good place, as a hair salon, some days it can get quite crazy hectic in there, and instead of letting another stylist get overwhelmed, because they cant keep up, we help each other. We wash their bowls, or wash their client, get coffee, tea, or water for each other’s clients. We work as a team, and we do it together.

It warms my heart when my staff are saying this motto throughout a busy day… lol

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4.) What’s a personal goal of yours to accomplish? (Time frame?)

This is a hard one; I have so many… the one I should do is.

To take better care of myself, take time for myself.

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

I would love nothing more than to see all of my staff build their clientele up, and for all be busy every single day at the salon. Busy days go fast, and it makes work really fun. And the stylists growing their clientele ensures their success, but it also ensures the salons success as well.

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6.) Why do you love being an entrepreneur?

It gives me the freedom to be creative, and showcase my talents, and I can teach my staff to love what they do even more than they already do, and give them more knowledge with PK classes, and hands on skills training, to be better at their craft as well.

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

Yes, when my Mom passed away from Cancer in December of 2014, losing her was the most devastating thing that has happened to me. It was hard watching her lose her battle, in a most horrific traumatizing way. And then the months to follow after she was gone, I couldn’t work, it was really bad. I was overcome with grief.

I eventually, just started going back to work, bit by bit, and slowly was able to get back to my full time days. If it wasn’t for the family, friends, and great staff that I had surrounding me, I might have just given up.

I also know that my Mom was pushing me from the other side to get up, and keep going, she would not of been ok with me giving up. But not going to lie, it was not easy. And some days are still very hard.

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8.) What’s your Best Boss Babe moment? (First Moment of Reassurance)

There are many first Best Boss Moments…

One would be during the first year, the first time in a month when I paid all my bills and there was still money in the bank account.

When I hired my first employee.

When I had my very first Christmas Staff Party.

When I see a stylist get her very first commission paycheck.

When my staff or salon get back great reviews or raves from our clients.

Lots of really great moments…

My latest, is Opening the New Saradee Salon location in October 2017.

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

We use all of them. We most definitely see and use social media as a tool. Clients bring in photos as their inspiration pictures, and then we LOVE showing off our work on our social media after we are done doing the clients hair.

10.) Work-life Balance: What do you do to distress? What is your moment of the day (me time)?

This is not something I have much time for, I am trying to get better at scheduling myself some time, but with working, being a business owner, and having a daughter that dances every evening it proves to be a difficult task.

Sundays seem to be my sacred family day and my quiet time.

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11.) What are you looking to learn form other YEGBOSSBABES in the community?

I love the VIBE that YEGBOSSBABES has, and I love the community spirit it encourages.

That we as women can empower each other, and encourage each other’s success, and help support each other’s dreams.

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

MAD LOVE MONDAY Rebecca Perkins | Perky Athletics

Perky Athletics is an App created by hometown girl, Rebecca Perkins, designed to bring fitness class clients, instructors and motivators together on one platform. Female app creators can seem to be few and far between, so we got to know her vision, goals, and reality behind her startup.

1. What is your business?

Perky Athletics! Perky is a website and app that helps people find and sign up for a variety of affordable fitness classes.

For fitness instructors and motivators, this is a platform for them to become their own boss. We help them find participants for their classes.

We remove the middleman of a studio. Motivators can set the venue, such as a park, condo, gym or community hall and create their classes.

We are creating a fitness community by connecting people to people.. and are just about ready to launch!

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2. What inspired Perky?

Well two reasons.

Firstly, I wanted a platform where instructors, trainers, leaders and adventurers can be their own boss. They can stop being paid an hourly wage; they can earn based on the revenue they generate. They choose the class, time, location and cost per person. I want them to be able to be entrepreneurs.

The second reason is for the participants. This platform will create fitness classes that are affordable. Fitness can be expensive and I want to help create fitness and adventure classes that are accessible to all!

3.  What is with the name Perky?

It was actually so difficult coming up with a name! I played around with a lot of different fitness related names. Nothing was memorable. I wanted something random, high energy and catchy. One of my friends mentioned jokingly said it should be Perky and here we are! Yes, it also happens to be a play off of my name. ;)

4. What kinds of classes can we sign up for on Perky?

This is the fun part.. the options are endless! Literally any sport, activity or workout class you can think of, can be taught here. Both certified and non-certified motivators are welcome. If certified, credentials will be highlighted on their profile for participants to view. However, if you are just a great runner and want to set up a running group, go for it!

5. What are your Perky Goals?

The website and app are still a work in progress. My goal is to have everything complete in the first half of this year! I am going to open the site up to motivators to establish a solid base, then a few months later I all you lovely YEGBOSSBABES can start signing up for classes. :)

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6. What do you want to accomplish?Of course I fully am committed to promoting fitness as a way to achieve overall personal wellbeing and happiness! However, Perky is also about being brave. It isn’t easy to try a new activity or class that is unfamiliar. Just showing up for a fitness class is increasingly intimidating.I want to help YEGBOSSBABES be brave. If we can brave here, show up and try new adventures, you are going to take this bravery with you outside of the class and into your day-to-day life. There are so many things I could learn and try, but it’s scary. While signing up for a bootcamp or yoga class excites me, the idea of taking a swimming class or a hockey lesson makes me nervous. I want this platform to make it easy to push us all out of our comfort zone. Let’s be BRAVE together.

7. What do you do to de-stress?haha… I guess it may be obvious but I workout to de-stress! Nothing like a good sweat to get our of your head! If not through working out, I destress by being around my family and friends. I have a wonderful network of people who help me de-stress just with their presence!

8. Have you ever had a time where you wanted to give up?

Of course!

Then I remember Perky is about being brave. So I better be a good role model and follow my own advice! App/web development is something I was unfamiliar with, so I have been learning on the go. What I have realized is that you have to put your confidence aside. Admit what you don’t know and ask questions. You will figure it out. :)

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9. What is your favourite thing about YEGBOSSBABES?

I am a born and raised Edmontonian. I know how inspiring and motivating the women in this city can be. I am so excited for YEGBOSSBABES to continue to grow and create a powerful network where women can collaborate and support one another. I also want Perky to help YEGBOSSBABES become their own boss! All of you fitness motivators, use this to take control of your life.

10. What do you love most about Edmonton?

Edmonton is such a wonderful city. Growing up there I took for granted how amazing the river valley is.. YEGBOSSBABES when I come to visit this summer I will most definitely be attending Perky workouts with you all in the valley! P.S. motivators take advantage of that venue… also Hawrelak park is just perfect! Aw! I need to book a flight to Edmonton now.

11. Do you have a favourite quote:

I do because I can. One of past managers lives by this saying and I love it.

12. What have you learned creating an app that you did not expect?

When I first started working with the team, my primary concern was with the look and feel of the app. I collected countless apps and websites to analyze the “vibe” and what I wanted to mimic. Don’t get me wrong, this is important, but what I have learned is my number one priority is to make the website and app simple and as user friendly as possible. You can contemplate the placement of a logo all day, but what matters is the flow. If I had know this today I would have shifted look and feel to my second priority! I think we are at a good place with a nice balance of both. When it launches .. you can tell me ;)

13. What is your advice to a YEGBOSSBABE who is interested in developing an App?

I think generally people shy away from creating apps because if you don’t have a background on the subject matter it can seem daunting. My best advice is not to be afraid to admit what you don’t know. If you are hiring someone to develop the app for you, make sure you are comfortable with them and that they are a good fit, as you will be working very closely with them. Never be afraid to ask them for clarity or to explain a process. Honestly,  google can help you out with pretty much everything.

Talking openly about the problems I face with Perky has also pleasantly surprised me. The random pieces of knowledge, advice, or even contacts that your friends and family may help guide you in the right direction!

Can’t wait to see you all outthere you Perky YEGBOSSBABES <3

If you are in the fitness industry and are looking for a unique and effective way to gain more clients, get in touch with Perky!

http://www.perkyathletics.com/

Instagram - Perky Athletics

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