YBB Connect 10/22/18 YBB Connect 10/22/18

MAD LOVE MONDAY - Jocelyn Davison | The Virtual Effect

Jocelyn Davison was nominated by us here at YEGBOSSBABES and Danielle Dugan of Etched in Marketing. As a valuable member of our Ambassador Program here at YEGBOSSBABES, we are proud to be featuring this talented entrepreneur. Here is what Danielle shared with us about Jocelyn: "[Jocelyn] is one of the most positive, encouraging, and supportive people I have ever met. In the just under a year that I've known her, she has not built up her business (which she's been hustling hard on), she has worked to help build connections and a community among Edmonton female entrepreneurs. I feel like she always has something new and exciting going on but never brags about it (although she should since it's all due to her skill and hard work) and instead is always asking about and building up those around her. Basically, Jocelyn is amazing!"

What a difference a year makes. I look back at myself last year at this time when I was at my lowest point, and I don’t recognize myself. I loved my comfort zone and loved it for far too long. Loved it to the point that in my late thirties, which I know is still young….right?? I was simply going through the motions of daily life and not really challenging myself in any way or seeking new and heightened levels of enjoyment. Before recognizing this everything was flowing smoothly, as it should when you are operating within your perfectly controlled comfort zone, but then something shifted or changed or maybe I just woke up and realized I wanted, and was capable, of so much more. I was living below my potential, which at the end of the day or the end of one's life, is a heartbreaking realization to come to, at least mine came to me while I still had plenty of time to change it.

Want to know the funny thing, I thought everything was flowing smoothly as I said above, but it wasn’t, my life was falling apart around me and I was a shell of who I used to be. So in retrospect, nothing was flowing smoothly and I will forever be grateful for the wake up, shake up, and true path I fought with all my heart to walk.

Starting my own business, doing what I love, has opened my eyes and my heart to be my true self and to show up for the world and everyone in my life in a much bigger capacity than I ever thought possible.

My business, my professional heart and soul, The Virtual Effect, at the surface provides event planning and branding services to businesses. But it goes so much deeper than that. I connect with brave souls who have taken the leap to pursue their passion, who have been inspired to achieve more in this world, give back to our community, and make an impact and a difference with every client they touch. I get to hear and understand the stories behind many incredible businesses and then create an experience for their market, whether through events or brand development, to enable them to communicate their business soul in a real and authentic way.

The Edmonton entrepreneur scene is one of support, collaboration, inspiration, and drive. I feel so fortunate to be a part of it and share in the experiences of those living in their truth and pursuing what they love. I promise you when I say there has not been a day that has passed since I left my job and went full-time into my business that I have not expressed gratitude for this experience I am having. I get to curate beautiful experiences by weaving a brand’s story into events so that is a seamless journey for the guest. I get to dive to the depths of businesses to create a foundation for brands to be effectively and authentically communicated. I get to work with people who fill my cup and inspire me in all that I do.

I am no longer the person who wishes for change or opportunities, I am the person who creates them. Beautiful communities like the one created by YEGBOSSBABES have been an absolute gift and spark for me in my journey. Connecting with women who think like you do, who operate on the same vibration, and who truly want to celebrate in your successes and hold you up through your challenges are the solid foundation we all need to achieve all that we are capable of and more. For those I have yet to meet, I can’t wait, and YEGBOSSBABES, thank you for creating this community!

Take it from the former Queen of Comfort Zones, that while safe, nothing happens there. So whether it's a baby step outside it or a massive leap of faith, make the decision to try and see what happens, because I believe you will find out that you are capable of so much more.

-Jocelyn Davison

See more of Jocelyn and the Viritual Effect on Instagram or say Hi to her at upcoming events!

Learn more on how you can get involved by becoming a YBB Volunteer or Ambassador by sending us an email (yegbossbabes@gmail.com)

YBB Connect 10/1/18 YBB Connect 10/1/18

MAD LOVE MONDAY - Jennifer Drvaric | Jen D Style

I am in the business of helping people feel and look their absolute best and portraying the best version of themselves. My businessis primarily a style consulting andpersonal shopping business but I also offer otherservices like consulting onportraits, headshots, events and even help people pack for travel.

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

I am also interested in dabbling in wardrobe styling, working with photographers and potentially collaborating on creatives or editorial work. Down the road I’d like to get into providing corporate seminars for organizations on dressing in the workplace.

I launched mybusiness (www.jendstyle.com) only very recently but being a stylist is something Ihave wantedto do for quite some time.

2.What inspired you to start your own business?

Well, to put it simply – the desire to build a business based on something that I truly am passionate about.Before deciding to start my styling business, I had a pretty successful career in the corporate worldfor over 10 years. I then went on to have my kids (ages 6 & 4 now) and stayed at home with them for a couple of years. Once I returned back to the corporate world after being home with my kids, I felt like something had changed in me. I knew that I wanted more than just the everyday grind of working for a large public company, that the differences I could make were really just minor. I wanted to go to work every day and feel passionate about what I could do to help someone, love what I do and feel a sense of satisfaction. I also worked in the recruitment world for about a year, learned a TON and all this led me tofigure outthat entrepreneurship was in the cards for me.

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

Yes! Style is more than just clothes. A lot of people think that fashion and style is superficial and materialistic, the truth is – the reason many of us love it is because it does something for how weFEEL. There really is just something to be said for putting on those beautiful shoes and feeling like you can do anything, or those pair of jeans, etc.I also believe that for me, being able to help other women (or men!) feel more confident about themselves is really a gift I’m really excited about sharing!

There is a quote that came from Rachel Zoe and I included it on my website because it really depicts what my motto as a stylist is. It speaks to the importance of how what we wear depicts how we are viewed by others and sends a message about confidence, self-awareness, assertiveness and the list goes on. From someone who spent many years in the business world,I saw firsthand how this concept is so very true in the business world. I love being able to help others be the best version of themselves

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

Personally, I really would like to bring back fitness into my life more regularly! Ever since having kids, exercise has really not been made a priority for me and I struggle getting it in. For all the mommas out there who are incredibly fit, I need to take a page from your book!Although, I do have to say that the type of exercise I’m drawn to these days is ALLL about Yoga! I LOVE yoga and would like to incorporate it into my daily routine.

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

Wow, I’d say really a few things. I’d really like to learn all there is to know about the styling business, connect with other women in business and give back to the community where I can. I am excited to learn from those around me, make connections, collaborate and build long lasting relationships. By the end of 2018, I would like to have 2-3 collaborations.

6.Why do you love being an entrepreneur?

I am a very driven person and the concept of entrepreneurship is a match made in heaven. I have a business background so I understand the foundation which helps,but so far what I like the most is the creativitythat I can put into it and I take great pride in calling itmy own. I enjoy having theflexibilityto drop my kids off at school, pick them up and flex with what’s happening in my personal life. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been pushed outside my comfort zone a lot but I know that for both personally and professionally when I allow myself to be exposed to new ideas, new environments - I learn, grow and thrive.

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

Jen D Style hasn’t been around for very long. I’ve had a few moments where I thought, “What are you doing?” But for the most part, I charge on forward and keep reminding myself that if I believe in myself and my ability to succeed, I will. Mediation and yoga practice has really helped ground me during days of uncertainty, self-doubt and stress.

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

To be honest, it was actually when I decided to quit my last job as a recruiter. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED the organization I worked for but I never felt quite right with whether the job itself was for me. I recruited for senior level finance professionals (which is what I came from)and I became very good at it.The moment I came to realization that I needed to move on waswhen I realized that even thoughI didn’t particularly enjoy the work,I was still successful! The whole concept FLOORED me.

I immediately began to think, “Can you imagine what you could do ifyou actually loved what you did?That’s when Jen D Style was truly born.

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

So far, mostlyInstagram@jendstyle.yeg.My next step isto build my blog,facebook and pinterest platformsvery soon.

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

I think most of you will laugh at this but my biggest de-stressoris SHOPPING! Retail therapy is at its finest for me. Otherwise, my favourite “me” time is after the kids go to bed. Anyone who has littlechildrenknows that the post child bedtime relaxation is the only chance you really get to unwind!

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

I’m most excited just to meet other BOSSBABES and learn from them! This journey is quite new for me and I have so much to learn. There really isn’t anything better than a community of people around you who can support youand you can grow from. I’m so happy that I found YEGBOSSBABES and can’t wait to attend all the upcoming events.

YBB Connect 9/24/18 YBB Connect 9/24/18

MAD LOVE MODAY | Camille Anwuli

1. WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS & WHY THAT FIELD/SERVICE/PRODUCT?

My creative grind is my blog camilleanwuli.com where I document my personal style, events, travel destinations, creative projects and my sneaker campaign #ShesGotSoleXO aimed to empower women in sneaker culture (so expect a lot of sneaker content haha). I started this platform four years ago and had no idea what I was doing. I built this blog from the ground up and had to learn how to document my content right down to taking outfit photos on my tripod, landing collaborations on my own and networking with bloggers and brands. I represent the fly girls who love sneakers and refuse to conform to what society deems as “ladylike.” It has not been an easy journey but i am thankful with how far it has gotten me. I’m still learning even to this day. My next venture currently involves dabbling in video content and jumping on the Youtube wave.

2. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS

My mother! She is an entrepreneur who I watched build her business from the ground up in project management. When you lived with someone for so long and have seen them work their ass oﬀ with your own eyes, it adds fuel to your fire. Also surrounding yourself with people who create art. Whether it is music, photography, fashion, podcasts.

3. DO YOU HAVE A GO TO QUOTE/MOTTO?

Okay this is going to sound corny but as of now my motto has been the Nike slogan which is Just Do It! If you’re afraid to do something, it means you should let go of your ego and do it. Fear is always going to be there and we have to acknowledge that. Enjoy the process and if you fail, pick yourself up and learn from it and try it again.

4. DID YOU EVER HAVE A TIME WHERE YOU WANTED TO GIVE UP? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THAT FEELING?

Of course! And in those moments, I have to remind myself why I started in the first place and have to take a few days to recharge. Sometimes it lasts weeks and even months. I don’t want to be known as the person that gave up.

5. WHAT’S YOUR BEST BOSS BABE MOMENT?

I would say there was a moment where I was asked to photograph a local event and showcase it on the blog. I was to be there for the entire duration and I knew what I was capable of in terms of my creative writing and photography skills and I requested to be compensated and we negotiated a number that we both agreed upon. In that moment, I knew my skills were valued and I knew what I brought to the table.

6. WORK-LIFE BALANCE: WHAT DO YOU DO TO DE-STRESS?

Oh gosh there’s alot! - I watch old 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s music videos and completely lose myself - I dance around my condo a lot whether im cleaning or just straight up stressed out - research things on the internet - read the mantra on my fridge (thanks grandma) - meditate - catch up on a book - flip through old vogue magazines

7. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO LEARN FROM OTHER YEGBOSSBABES IN THE COMMUNITY?

Teamwork and combining forces to create magic! Whether its a boss babe who is a photographer, marketing guru, stylist, podcaster, and sneaker freak, just being vulnerable and putting myself in a position to learn as much as I can. I like hearing stories about how these powerful women got their start, how they overcame diﬀerent obstacles leap of faith gives me the courage to step out of my comfort zone even more.