Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

RD: I always had a knack for running my own business, something I attribute to my mother and grandmother, who were always launching new ventures when I was a child. At age 9 I started Rebecca’s Gift Box, a delivery service for boxes of fruit and other goodies, primarily targeting the parents of students at the university where I lived.

Then at age 14 I began Bec N Call, an errand service for busy professionals. After stints in college and jobs afterwards, I felt stuck, as if I were confined to the structure that others created. It took a while to realize that I could do something on my own. Initially, I thought the businesses I had with my family when I was young were just fun, but not something that could sustain me in “real life.”

When I finally saw a business I knew I could run better (a nanny agency), I shed my fear, took the leap and bought the business. Nowadays, I’m a bit obsessive about evaluating other businesses and dreaming about how I could make them thrive, or popping up with new ideas for them. My kids often tell me to stop coming up with ideas. (more…)

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

I’ve been a world traveler my whole life. I remember as a kid thinking that no matter what kind of job I was to have, that it would allow me to explore the world. I met a really cool teacher in high school and she ended up moving to Spain to live and teach there. That really influenced me to go to college to become a teacher.

Right after I graduated college I went overseas. I haven’t looked back since. Within 6 years I’ve lived in Australia, South Korea, and China. After that, I thought the natural progression was to move back to the states to ‘settle down’ with my husband.

I wasn’t happy. It isn’t that the US had nothing to offer me, but I knew that being in one place wasn’t the lifestyle for me. I had been doing some freelance photography work but never took it seriously, and it definitely didn’t pay the bills. It took me a long time to reflect on what I wanted as a career. I discovered freelance writing blogs quite by accident, and realized that this type of career would allow me the flexibility and location independence I so longed for. I never thought in a million years I would start my own business. But here I am. (more…)

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

I’ve always been an artistic person, ever since I was a little girl. When college came around I did the only thing that really made sense to me, I went to art school. In January of 2010, my husband Alex and I started having photo shoots here and there with our friends and family. Turned out we were pretty good at it and we’ve had LewChan Photography as a side business ever since (we both also had full time jobs).

Then in September of 2012 I gave birth to the most perfect baby girl there ever was. I struggled with the idea of leaving her in the care of someone else once my maternity leave was over. In January 2013 I made the heartbreaking transition of going back to work after baby and did so for 6 weeks until I was laid off. It was a blessing. I’m now home full time with my daughter and am working on getting our photography business off the ground. I also do freelance graphic design and write about 3-4 times a week in a blog I’ve had since February 2007. It’s called cappuccinochitchat.com… you should pay me a visit sometime (more…)

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

My name is Talia Beckett and I’m the Founder of Pink Pearl Public Relations (pinkprfirm.com), focused on luxury female marketing for kids products, fashion, beauty and lifestyle. Our services include: copywriting and editorial; media reach and brand awareness; product buzz creation; product placement; social media strategy; tradeshow organization and international brand expansion. I’m well educated in International Relations and have promoted brands across North America and Europe.

Before launching my business, I completed my Masters Degree in International Relations and Economics from the University of London (UK); Bachelors Degree in Communications from Royal Roads University (B.C., Canada); Diploma in Marketing from Kwantlen Polytechnic University (B.C., Canada) and studied International Business at Helsinki Metropolia University (Finland). 

What did you do before launching your own business?

Before working in PR, I wanted to become a Lawyer! However, I quickly realized I was much too creative and social to be in that industry. For the past 10 years I have worked in communications, sales and marketing across North America and Europe. Some high profile clients and companies include: Babes with Babies London, True Cuddles, Stork Craft Manufacturing, Canada Export Centre, Surrey Board of Trade and Telrad Canada. (more…)

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

My journey is a bit complicated to say the least. After many years in the graphic arts and advertising I decided I needed a major career shift so I went back to school and got a Masters in Montessori Education. After receiving my credential from Loyola and the Montessori Association International (AMI) I worked with children between the ages of 2.5 and 6 in a Montessori school.

A dream come true, I had always dreamed of one day having my own school, yet as I worked with the children I realized parents often had many questions and always wondered why their children were so different at home then in their Montessori classroom.

I offered home visits through the school and helped parents understand how their home environments could be altered to help their child be more at peace, independent and self-disciplined at home. I realized the impact I was having and was encouraged by some parents to pursue this as a business model.

The rest is history; I am truly passionate about the information I share with parents as I do workshops, talks and private home consultations as well as Skype consultations, for expectant parents and parents with children from newborn through six years of age. (more…)