Growing in Tandem: Kayla Kaliszuk and Kirsten MacDonell Talk Motherhood, Business, and YEG BOSS BABES
YEGBOSSBABES hosts everything from vision board workshops to holiday mixers to seminars with award-winning women entrepreneurs—“yegsperts,” as they’re called. They also have a membership program. Perks include a space on the YBB directory page (a beautifully-designed online database of women-run businesses in Edmonton), event discounts, and professional headshots.
Not too long ago, Kirsten MacDonell was having a lunch meeting at Earl’s. She noticed her server—a woman in her early twenties—eavesdropping on her conversation, clearly interested in the words being exchanged over shared appies and salads. When Kirsten signed off on the bill, the server saw an opportunity to jump in.
“Are you from YEG BOSS BABES?,” she asked, the same way you might ask a celebrity to confirm their identity.
“I am!” replied Kirsten.
“I love what you’re doing,” the server said. “Keep doing what you’re doing.”
For Kirsten, moments like this illuminate the true value of what she and YEG BOSS BABES co-founder, Kayla Kaliszuk, are doing. “It’s like, ooh, they’re into it,” says Kirsten. “Our work makes a mark in society, and we want to continue.”
When you think of a typical “networking event,” what comes to mind? Probably a lot of suits. Probably a large, nondescript conference space or a ballroom full of business types, chatting stiffly about growth or returns or establishing a brand identity. Probably lots of greys. Lots of blacks. Lots of men.
This, at least, is the atmosphere Kirsten faced most often while working in sales for a large company.
“The networking stuff we went to was 95% men. There weren’t a lot of women attending,” she says. “And the feedback I was getting from coworkers was like, ‘I was so uncomfortable going to those events because I didn’t feel like I could relate to anybody.’”
Kirsten decided to create a space where networking wouldn’t be such an intimidating, dude-driven experience. As a “solopreneur” herself (Kirsten has her own photography business in addition to a sales job) she knew how hard it was to gather resources and grow a business without a support network. She texted a few friends, including Kayla, a fellow small business owner, and asked if they were interested in starting a wine club (a terrific way to generate interest). “We can go to each other’s houses, meet women who are doing similar things, and swap resources,” Kirsten said over the group text.
“Kirsten sent us a logo and we were like, ‘this is awesome, let’s do it!,’” says Kayla.
Fast forward a couple of years and YEG BOSS BABES—the outcome of the wine club—is now a thriving business with over 139 members and 1700 email subscribers. Their mission? To connect women entrepreneurs with the resources and community they need to grow and thrive in business.
“I feel like more and more women are wanting the freedom to start their own business, but they don’t have friends or resources to lean on,” says Kayla.
That’s where YEG BOSS BABES (YBB) comes in. Led by Kirsten, Kayla, and additional co-founder Amy Bender, YBB hosts everything from vision board workshops to holiday mixers to seminars with award-winning women entrepreneurs—“yegsperts,” as they’re called. They also have a membership program. Perks include a space on the YBB directory page (a beautifully-designed online database of women-run businesses in Edmonton), event discounts, and professional headshots.
Read more about this featured article at the Hillberg + Berk website here.
Writer: Mica Lemiski
Photos: Janelle Dudzic Photography & Nicole Constante Photography
Location: @homebyblondy
Tips For Planning Your 2020 Social Media Strategy
Social media is now and will always be the best platform to connect with your audience and make an image for yourself. Social media is expanding and getting bigger and bigger each day. Take advantage of this platform and make a name for yourself, entertain your audience and now in 2020, create an outstanding social media strategy. Here are some tips on how to do it:
Now is the time to set some goals, make some changes and create an all-new social media strategy. Social media is now and will always be the best platform to connect with your audience and make an image for yourself. Social media is expanding and getting bigger and bigger each day. Take advantage of this platform and make a name for yourself, entertain your audience and now in 2020, create an outstanding social media strategy.
Here are some tips on how to do it:
1. Create Video Content
In 2020, the power of video will not be dismissed. With video, you can perfectly showcase your brand in an entertaining and engaging way that attracts various demographics. An important thing when creating videos is making sure it’s viewable across various devices!
2. Post on platforms used by your audience
Not surprising, I know, but this is vital to a successful social media strategy. This means you don’t have to be everywhere at once. Select one to three platforms that will be most interactive and make the most of your budget. This way you can engage with the right people in the right way for an effective social media strategy.
3. Use Google in your social media strategy
Google is not just for searching, it’s a logical place to put focus on. There are new features like Google Follow, where Google Map users can follow a business and see that brand’s Google My Business Posts in a “For You” tab on the app. There is also Google Posts that allows you to create content directly on Google. Take advantage of this in the new year to expand your reach.
Hopefully, these three tips can allow you to broaden your horizons and be even more successful this new year. Every once in a while, especially now in the new year, it’s a good idea to reevaluate your strategies and create new ones that emphasize the value you bring and appropriately adhere to your audience.
Post submitted by Monika
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Bell Let's Talk | Useful tips & where to seek help in Edmonton!
Bell, Let’s Talk. In addition to our video where we encourage you to share your own stories, we’ve teamed with Brandi Gruninger (founder of Evolution Psychology) and Jamie Bay, Head of Wellness at YBB and Founder of The Wellness Warrior, are taking us through their tips and tricks for mental health coping strategies and a list of go-to resources when you need help!
Bell, Let’s Talk. In addition to our video where we encourage you to share your own stories, we’ve teamed with Brandi Gruninger (founder of Evolution Psychology) and Jamie Bay, Head of Wellness at YBB and Founder of The Wellness Warrior, are taking us through their tips and tricks for mental health coping strategies and a list of go-to resources when you need help!
Tips in the moment: I’m struggling, I’m feeling overly anxious, depressed, or totally stressed out! What can I do RIGHT NOW?
Change your body temperature. Get into a hot shower or step outside in the cold.
Try deep, diaphragmatic breathing or square breathing.
Practice a progressive muscle relaxation.
Hold an ice cube in your hand for as long as possible. This is particularly good for preventing self harm.
Sun salutation (quick yoga flow).
Journal three things you are grateful for.
Visit nature – even if it’s the backyard or a picture of nature will work!
Colour in an adult colouring book or other creative activity such as knitting, painting, or doodling.
-Brandi, Registered Psychologist
I love the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. This looks a bit different for everyone. If I’m feeling anxious, I look around and find 5 things I see, 4 things I hear, 3 things I feel, 2 affirmations (i.e. I am strong), 1 thing I smell. The things that ground you are different for everyone.
If I’m in a meeting, sometimes I need to simply leave the room and take time to breathe on my own.
Go for a 10 minute run. Moving my body does absolute wonders for my brain and it brings me to a state of calm as soon as I finish.
Touch each of your fingers to your thumb: index, middle, ring, pinky – focus on the sensation and repeat. Another great grounding exercise.
-Jamie, Certified Life Coach
Ok, what about preventative measures that we can do each day so we don’t get to a place where we need quick fixes?
Get into nature! There’s tons of research proving the impactful effects of being in nature on our mental health. If you can’t get there, it can even be a screensaver as opposed to actual nature.
Focusing on your nutrition is so important for your mental health. Also try Try adding vitamins (B12, omegas, magnesium), but don’t restrict your food intake.
Exercise regularly. This doesn’t have to mean cardio, it simply means moving your body. Walking or yoga both have been proven to reduce symptoms.
Have a group of close friends that you can confide in to share struggles with.
Limit caffeine, alcohol, marijuana. All of these can have a negative effect on mental health.
Limiting external comparisons via social media. Try to eliminate anything from your feed that doesn’t make you feel fulfilled! For example, follow body positive feeds as opposed to aspirational, unattainable celebrities.
Brandi, Registered Psychologist
I take time to move my body 6 days a week. By moving my body, I mean taking at least 20-30 minutes to sweat. Anything that gets my body moving will ALWAYS make my mind feel amazing after.
See a psychologist or counselor! I am beyond grateful for the work I’ve been able to do with my psychologist and have learned so much over the years. If you don’t know where to start, I’ve included resources below.
Meditation. I use the app called Insight Timer which is a free app with thousands of meditations. It kicks off my day and gets me completely focused into the present moment. Something that myself and many others have a hard time doing!
Organizational wellness: This one is huge for me. When I take time to prepare my entire week on Sundays – who is cooking what day, when we’re having date night, what I’m wearing each day, when am I blocking time – the impacts are huge. I schedule my life so life doesn’t choose for me.
Create a morning routine. Seriously. I know you’ve heard it a million times but IT WORKS. Each morning I meditate, journal, workout, and learn. It is my favorite time of day and creates an intentionally positive mindset.
Take time to journal. No you won’t see immediate benefits, but YES the benefits are huge. I journal about my gratitudes, what would’ve made yesterday better, what would make today great, and finish with a list of my own goals and dreams.
If you have to take medication, that’s okay too! I was in a very dark place and was SO against taking medication. I had all the negative stigma in my head that it would change who I was and make me a different person. But guess what? It didn’t do any of those things. It simply helped me cope and get out of the hole I had found myself in.
-Jamie, Certified Life Coach
Where can I go to seek help in Edmonton?
In person: Momentum Walk In Counselling offers drop-in, goal oriented counselling and works on a sliding scale meaning, you pay what you can afford to pay. How great is that? They also have various peer support groups and a popular men’s group that runs year round.
In person: We All Believe In You (WABIY). WABIY is an incredible peer support group in our city for anyone struggling with their mental health. Check them out.
Phone: The Adult Crises Response Services (780-342-7777). We’ve heard nothing but great things about the support this line provides to those who need it most.
Phone: Distress Centre (Edmonton/Calgary – 403-266-4357). The Distress Centre is the largest crises call centre in North America and has an incredible group of staff to help anyone in distress.
Youth Text Support: Yes! The Distress Centre event has 24-7 text support for youth. How amazing is that? The number for texting is 587-333-2724.
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