MAD LOVE MONDAY | Jamie Guzovich - Zulula.ca
After being a stay at home mom for the past six years, I had this burning desire inside me to finally make my lifelong dream a reality, to be my own boss without compromising on the responsibilities of motherhood.
After being a stay at home mom for the past six years, I had this burning desire inside me to finally make my lifelong dream a reality, to be my own boss without compromising on the responsibilities of motherhood. I knew I had to create a business that would allow me flexibility to work outside the normal hours of an 8-5 job and I wanted to bring something brand new to the northern American market. It all started when I went shopping for a pair of sneakers and a handbag soon after arriving on Canadian soil in 2019. I just couldn’t find what I was looking for, I missed some of my favourite South African brands and there was just nothing similar around. We decided to create an online platform that would offer something extraordinary with a product range that displays a piece of my heart and South African heritage, and so Zulula.ca was born.
Photo Credit | Karen Mackridge
The first hurdle was coming up with a name that did not already appear on a search engine. The name Zulula comes from ‘Zulu’ which is the largest ethnic group of Southern Africa and the ‘la’ is taken from ooh-la-la, which is said when you think that something or someone is surprising, unusual or very attractive.
We started to carefully select suppliers that focused on immaculate workmanship to ensure that we could offer exceptional products. All our products are handmade in South Africa from genuine leather and bring a new sense of luxury to northern America. We also chose to include an exclusive fabric range, which we are growing with exciting new fabrics over the coming months.
We wanted a range of products suitable to women, men, children and even babies with our gorgeous diaper bags. We are currently also working on our travel collection and adding a business executive range for all the hardworking men and women.
I live by a motto written by Jay Danzie that says ‘Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.’ My aim is to ensure that this is displayed to each and every person that has an interaction with Zulula.ca. We designed the logo for the business with a pineapple, which is seen as the queen of all fruits because it has a crown. For centuries, the pineapple held the symbolic meaning of luxuriousness, friendship (and family) and good vibes amongst others.
These expressions build the foundation on which Zulula.ca was born. My journey thus far has been one of extreme excitement, from shopping for new products, becoming part of a new community to a Hollywood actress following us on instagram; sometimes I have to pinch myself that it is all real. I do, however, have to continually remind myself about patience and that building a business takes time. I am finding I spend more time in the gym than ever before, as it forces me to take time out, really helps my stress levels and head space.
I am so grateful to have found the YEG BOSS BABE community and look forward to interacting with like minded women in the industry. I have a whole new market to learn about, along with a new way of working. I believe the YEG BOSS BABES deliver such a high standard of principles, I cannot wait to get involved.
Jamie Guzovich
MAD LOVE MONDAY | Blessing Okpala - 511Kitchenamour
My business 511Kitchenamour is a private hosting and city hopping event curating outfit. 511kitchenamour is vested in the creation of unique and healthy recipes, fusing African and north American ingredients to create signature dishes.
Photo | Stories by Sahil
My business 511Kitchenamour is a private hosting and city hopping event curating outfit. 511kitchenamour is vested in the creation of unique and healthy recipes, fusing African and north American ingredients to create signature dishes.
The reason for the interest in healthy wholesome fusion meals was as a result of my childhood experiences emanating from observing my mother’s extraordinary culinary skills and her creation of mouth -watering dishes as she constantly hosted friends and family. These experiences left an imprint in my heart that would late become a driving force to start my private hosting event curating outfit.
My inspiration to start my own business came after immigrating to Canada for educational opportunities and I was always in constant search of meals that reminded me of my childhood. Not having too many options or having to pay top dollar which was not readily available for the existing options, I began to conceptualize methods of recreating these African meals in healthier ways than back home (which features a heavily carb focused diet) and by so doing, integrated African and Canadian cultures. In the early Pilot years, of my fusion menu, I hosted private events and cooked for associated, friends and Family. Several successful events and with ChefB gradually becoming a house-hold name, I launched 511kitchenamour with the aim of bringing people of various backgrounds and ethnicities together to enjoy FOOD.
Photo | Stories by Sahil
My favorite quote is “Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.” -Alan D. Wolfelt”
A personal goal to accomplish is to introduce the vision of 511kitchenamour to various cities in Canada and in time globally through my city hopping pop-up event. I want to change the narrative that a certain type of foods belongs to a specific culture, rather that, food is an important way to unify individuals of different races and background and celebrate the diversity of culture. I hope to accomplish that as I host these pop-up food events.
Being an entrepreneur is the most challenging and the most rewarding journey I have ever embarked upon. Entrepreneurship has presented me with the opportunity to create value with what I do, to work and to develop my passion and while constantly learning how to run a business and connect with other people who are also passionate about growing their business. As an Entrepreneur, I am a Finance Manager, a Sales person, an event planner, a Hostess, an avid network enthusiast and above all, a philanthropist of sorts. I enjoy volunteering and giving back to my community which has been so good to me.
Yes, there were many times where I thought about giving up due to the pressures and challenges of growing a business. I had an event once and by T-2 days, people had not RSVP’d or even bought tickets to the event. Of course, by the day, the event was sold out. This and many other stories of success have helped me stay strong, focused and not looking back. However, I believe the biggest thing that helps me to overcome that feeling of giving up has been my WHY- Why I started 511kitchenamour.
When I remember what 511kitchenamour stands for, I remember the early days under my Mother’s tutelage, my journey to Canada, my first sold out, fully capacity event. When I remember that I have brought Africa to North America through the my Kitchen and I remember the power that the little girl from Lagos, Nigeria has not only in the Kitchen, but in the greater World at large, I remain inspired and know that there is no turning back.
My moment of assurance was when I read up on what YEG BOSS BABES were all about and I spoke to Kayla. I have always believed in the camaraderie of Ladies coming together and the great things we can achieve when we combine our varied skills and talents. Above all, giving back is something very dear to my Heart and I had a greater appreciation for this when I read the YEG BOSS BABES story. 😊
I find Instagram provides a greater interaction, sometimes real-time with people. It is also a source of inspiration sometimes, since being one who easily connects dots, I see ideas on IG sometimes and decide to re-create it to some degree in the Kitchen. Think about seeing someone eating corn in Africa and deciding to grill Watermelon.
I love to dance and travel. I find that dancing helps me unwind and loosen my muscles which sometimes get tense from standing for hours when hosting an event or whipping up the meal of the month in the Kitchen. I enjoy traveling too, as it exposes me to many different culture and people’s way of life, especially their food. Other time, I just curl up under a duvet watching a nice movie with FOOD. My must have moment of the day is the time before bed when I unwind and plan for the next day or projects coming up.
I am looking to learn about the passions, skills, interests and challenges of other YEG BOSS BABES in their various spheres and endeavours of life. I also hope that our interactions will scale to great things that will be experienced and beneficial by and to our great city of Edmonton.
This summer Chef B is launching her first dinner series and the first event of its kind in the beautiful city of Edmonton - "Savory Bites and Jazzy Vibes". In an intimate setting, guests will be serenaded with poetry, Jazz and live music while they savor each carefully selected culturally inspired, healthy option four course menu.
The event will be taking place at the beautiful Café Lavi nestled in the extended wing of the historical Gariepy Mansion on Saturday, 17th August 2019 at 7pm.
More information on the event and menu is available HERE.
MAD LOVE MONDAY | Danielle Dugan - Etched In Marketing
Hello YEG Boss Babes! My name is Danielle, and I am the owner of Etched In Marketing. I found a love for marketing in university, and with that came a dream of one day having my own consulting business.
Nicole Constante Photography
Hello YEG Boss Babes! My name is Danielle, and I am the owner of Etched In Marketing.
I found a love for marketing in university, and with that came a dream of one day having my own consulting business. My goal with this business was to have the opportunity to work with amazing business owners and brands to help others see how great they truly are. After a few years of working in a couple of very different industries, the time came when the only questions left was "why not now?". So with some support and motivation to take a leap, I started Etched In Marketing. At first, it was a side hustle, and now it is my full-time focus.
Through Etched In Marketing, I work with local small businesses and entrepreneurs in various consumer industries, with a focus on wellness and lifestyle. Etched In Marketing provides a full range of marketing consulting and services, customized to a businesses needs, goals and resources. For one client, this may mean help creating a presence online with training to manage it themselves, well for another, it might be developing and implementing a cohesive marketing and communications strategy. My goal is to work with a business to provide support and find an effective marketing strategy that works for their unique situation.
Nicole Constante Photography
Work/Life/Social Media Balance
I often get asked about how I balance my time on social media when it is such a big part of my work. Since I am sure this is something many of you encounter, I thought today I would share a bit more about this topic.
By now, most people are aware of the negative implications social media can have on our mental health, but it also isn't all bad. Social media can be entertaining, a great way to connect, a source of inspiration, a way to find out about new places, and many other positive things.
While I am by no means an expert on mental health or work-life balance, from my experience, there are two points that have helped me to balance life online with real life:
1) Remember that social media is, at most, only partially representative of reality.
Even when authentic, the posts we choose to share online are still curated - it still takes numerous shots to nail that selfie, and we still adjust the framing or staging of a photo to make sure it looks "just right".
While I 100% encourage you to be real online in a way that you are comfortable and that fits with your brand (this type of openness leads to real connections) there will still be things that don't make it into your feed. That is okay! But just as there will be things that you won't' be sharing online, everyone else will have more to their story that you can see.
Don't use social media as your measure for business or personal success, or a benchmark of what your life should be.
2) Be intentional about how you're spending your time online.
Nicole Constante Photography
You have limited resources both in your business and life. Why are you investing those resources in social media? What are you hoping to get out of this investment? Is your investment paying off?
Instead of being online simply because everyone is online, or because it is a habit, be intentional about it. Move away from those times you, without thinking, pick up your phone and start scrolling and be present and deliberate about how you spend your time and energy. Turn off notifications. Set time limits that make sense for you and your life. And if your posting for your business, spend time to come up with a plan that makes sense and schedule when possible.
In general, enjoy the time you are on social media, and if you are not, it's okay to take a break.
While it does require an ongoing effort to find that balance, at the end of the day, I do love social media as a way to learn about new businesses/places/events, to hear about what people are up to & to make new connections. Find me online or at a Boss Babes event and let's chat more!
WANT TO LEARN EVEN MORE? Check out our upcoming workshop “Content & Cocktails” for a chance to connect with Danielle, Sarah Van Marketing & the YEG Boss Babe Team!