MAD LOVE MONDAY | Fanny Kung

My FK*IT Lash business started on my drive to work one day. It was dark, cold and early, and my falsies were NOT cooperating. FK*IT. I’d worked in retail for a decade, cosmetics for a large portion of it, but I’d never been able to find anything that would work on my Southeastern, Asian, mono-lid eye.

It was rare that I met a makeup artist who knew how to work with my eye shape until I entered the industry myself. It’s amazing that brands are becoming more inclusive, and I hope to be able to contribute to that growth, even a little bit.  

I reached out to many different sources to find false lashes that could truly be comfortable on all eye shapes and look badass at the same time. I got samples from all over the world and asked friends in the cosmetics industry for their feedback.

The best decision I made was to hire a professional graphic designer once I had secured my product.

I ran into a friend who’s a graphic designer, and I’m so happy I invested in the packaging and marketing from the get-go as opposed to waiting until the business picked up before re-branding. Not only did a professional help me gain a sense of confidence in my vision for my brand, but it also helped me to make sure I stayed true to myself. At the end of the day, this is my business, and the packaging is me—on a box. No one who knows me can say they are surprised by the color palette, design, and accent details!

FK*IT Lashes is a brand-new venture for me. Despite having just launched September 7th this year, I’ve already had the pleasure of being invited to showcase my products at four events. I’ve learned to refine what I do to better reach my target customer base and had the opportunity to meet and learn from so many amazing entrepreneurs in our welcoming city. 

My parents are both entrepreneurs, so I saw all the benefits and hardships first-hand very early on. I love the flexible work hours when it comes to work-life balance, but I also know how that scale can tip dramatically the other way whenever things at work get stressful. Ultimately, this is a project that I can feel very fulfilled working on after a long 9-5 at my day job.

No matter what, you’re your own boss, and every dime you make goes towards your own future.

My husband and parents have been incredibly supportive. My friends have been amazing cheerleaders. Other entrepreneurs are now my close confidants and trusted advisors. Together they have pushed me out of my comfort zone in ways I couldn’t have imagined within such a short period of time. People I’ve met have generously introduced me to their connections in the industry, openly rave about my products, and think of me whenever opportunities arise.

I hope to be able to do the same for them and pay it forward.

I have connected with so many amazing #BossBabes over the past 13 weeks, and I cannot wait to meet more. There are so many more exciting events and launches to come, and I am hoping to collaborate with even more local #YEGBOSSBABES! 

Fanny Kung | FK*IT Lashes
instagram.com/fkitlashes

Reduce Stress Like a #BossBabe Over the Holidays

The holidays can be tricky - it’s stressful for many of us (myself included) and it truly doesn’t have to be! Yes, we’ll always have things we need to do and places we need to be, but a few tweaks can make everything much more manageable.

So how do we reclaim control and decrease stress during the holidays to ensure we get the rest we all deserve? Below are my go-to tips for actually enjoying ‘the most wonderful time of the year.’

Don’t try to do it all (aka Keeping up with the Jonses).

All the parties, events, and activities you want to do are great but know your limits. Don’t overplan or overcommit yourself to too many activities. You’ll regret it at the end when you feel your holidays flew by and you still don’t feel like you had any time to rest. 

In terms of kids, I’m not a mama, but our Head of Events, Jocelyn Davison, is. Jocelyn’s wise words: don’t worry so much about the mom who does all the Christmas crafts with her kids or brings cookies for the whole class. There’s no need to stress ourselves out over it when there are more important things in life. Have to bring a dessert? Go buy something! Voila!

Remember what matters

When it comes to gifts, Sheldon and I have a very specific and shortlist of people we buy for and even set limits for spending on each other. There’s no need for us to overdo it during a time that can already be financially stressful.

Are there certain people in your family who want to buy gifts for everyone? Set boundaries in advance, or better yet, do a simple gift exchange. This is something we started with both our families. It allows us all to keep costs low and no one feels the need to buy something for everyone. We use drawnames.com for our exchanges where you can create wishlists, limits and more!

Continue taking time for your wellness

Don’t completely book yourself up and forgetting to take time to relax and enjoy the season. Although I don’t keep up with my regular 5 AM routine during the holidays, I do continue taking time to move my body, journal, and meditate. This allows me to be present with family and show up fully ready for catching up with family and friends.

Put your phone away

If there’s an affirmation I repeat to myself during the holiday season it’s, “be present, be here.” As mentioned, continuing my wellness regime allows me to do this, but so does getting off my phone and having conversations with people I don’t see often. Find it hard to stay off your phone? Out of sight out of mind works wonders. Leave it in your purse, or set it in a separate room. 

Make a schedule or to-do list of priorities

I have a list I maintain in December that is just focused on the holidays. I know what events we’re attending, who I have to buy gifts for, and what else I need to do. No, I’m not going to get it all done in one day. Yes, keeping this list updated allows me to stay focused and calm despite the chaos around me. 

What about you? Are there any tips you have for reducing stress during the holidays? We’d love to hear!

Post submission: Jamie Bay | The Wellness Warrior
@thewellnesswarrior_
The Warrior Collection (10% of all proceeds sold from the Warrior Collection will go directly to support Momentum Walk-In Counselling, a mental health non-profit triage in Edmonton).

Showing Up on Instagram Stories - A Sip & Support Recap

On September 30th, our fellow ambassador & photographer, Nicole Constante held her first Sip & Support. It was all about how to show up for your audience on Instagram stories. For those of you who have never been to one of our Sip & Supports or have never heard of it, a Sip & Support is an event with an intentionally small group of women that come together and share their interests with one another regarding a specific topic.

Sip & Supports are a great way to meet like-minded women, attend an event that is intentionally small in size (if larger networking events are not your thing), and to get to know our community in a more intimate setting. Not to mention, leaving inspired and supported by the YBB Community ready to take on your goals.

A member of our YEG BOSS BABES Team, is often the one who develops a topic to explore specifically for this event, leads the group with discussion topics and takes in feedback which we use to help plan future workshops/collaborations and to grow relatable skills touched on during the sip & support. Today, Nicole guides us through a walkthrough of her journey in hosting for her very first time.

So, If you ever had an idea that you've been putting off for so long, then you should continue to read this.

Today I am excited because it marks almost 2 months since my first ever Sip & Support! I sat down with a group of women for a mastermind session in one of my favorite coffee shops. This experience has taught me LOTS of lessons— which, I am going to share with you today.

Live events make me so nervous. I remember during my first one, I barely slept the night before. I also had a handful of index cards on my hands for my notes. Talk about being overprepared! 

And this time, I put it off for WEEKS because I was afraid I wouldn't have answers to questions. I promoted it last minute just so I would have an excuse if people didn't show up. (anyone else guilty of this?!)

In the last few days prior to it especially, the impostor syndrome was only getting greater and even more consuming. My stomach was a punching bag for thoughts like, "what, I think I'm a guru now? Who do I think I am? What do I know to teach them?!"

That Monday morning of the event though, it was different.

I was the LEAST prepared still, yes. I had deadlines to finish for other clients, sure. My team had to cancel on me last minute, of course. But that day, I was different.

I was just DONE having the victim mindset! I told myself "I've got this!!" I STEPPED UP.

— aka this girl took a nap like a champ! Like she didn't have an event in 4 hours and that she hasn't even finished her notes yet… It was a full-on Jesus Take The Wheel moment! And during the event, I told myself, I'm just going to wing it!

And the moment I was at that table with the girls, it was just me talking to my friends. It was just us having our mastermind and bouncing ideas off each other at a coffee shop. More than what I KNEW, I shared MY HEART. I shared my stories. The girls participated with great enthusiasm (and more people than we anticipated came!) The table was friendly and powerful. It was so much more than I could've ever asked for or imagine!

I asked myself — "why did I ever put it off for so long?!"

I was so afraid I wouldn't have anything to share. That I wasn't really qualified to teach on something like utilizing Instagram Stories for brand-building and marketing. That people wouldn't show up. That I would mess it all up.

But you see, I knew that it was me being still, trusting and getting into that VICTORY mindset that has made all the difference. It made me realize even more that indeed, it is already done. The battle has already been won. All we have to do is position ourselves to receive it. (picture a girl in her pajamas blasting Elevation's "See A Victory" solo in her room! Ha!)

Today I want to encourage you…

If God put something in your heart.. if there's something that's been calling your name.. if there's an idea, a business, a blog or youtube channel, a podcast, a new product.. if there is something that has been whispering deep within you.. may this season be the one you reach for it. May here and now be the space where you cultivate it.

I hope you let this be the time you lean into your calling ever braver and more empowered. Choose today to be the one you say "yes" to yourself and your dreams, claiming it is God's will for your life and so you will always be victorious.

Amidst the voices, I pray you go inward and deeper to hear the still, small voice. The one that says, "You are more than able. You are equipped. You are empowered. You will do great things in this life.."

Let's not let our ego, fear, and self-doubt get in our way anymore. Let's take a stand and not let life get in the way anymore.

Go for it. Because if you believe you already have it, indeed, it will be yours.

You've got this, girl!!

Post Submission: Nicole Constante
This post was first published on The Get It Girl Insider
instagram.com/nicole.constante