I love small businesses and I want you to love them, too!
Nothing makes me happier than seeing small businesses thrive! I try to source as much as possible from entrepreneurs who I adore so that they can help grow local economies, become active contributors to their community and live their lives to the FULLEST.
I also love making lists!
Whether you're trying to figure out how to live a happier life or you want to know how to bring more purpose into your career and work, I have a list for you!
Like you, I'm constantly seeking more knowledge about how to take care of myself and loved ones, build a thriving impact-driven business and make a difference in my community leveraging the power of (social) entrepreneurship. Creating a love list of my favorite small businesses that have helped me on my journey has long been on my list (see what I did there?). So with unabashed excitement and pride, allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite and most trusted small business owners!
*None of these links are affiliate links so let these good people know I sent you ;)
I also love making lists!
Whether you're trying to figure out how to live a happier life or you want to know how to bring more purpose into your career and work, I have a list for you!
Like you, I'm constantly seeking more knowledge about how to take care of myself and loved ones, build a thriving impact-driven business and make a difference in my community leveraging the power of (social) entrepreneurship. Creating a love list of my favorite small businesses that have helped me on my journey has long been on my list (see what I did there?). So with unabashed excitement and pride, allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite and most trusted small business owners!
*None of these links are affiliate links so let these good people know I sent you ;)
Lifestyle
You can't pour from an empty cup. I remind others and myself of this mantra over and over again. Only if we take care of ourselves are we able to give and take care of others.
You can't pour from an empty cup. I remind others and myself of this mantra over and over again. Only if we take care of ourselves are we able to give and take care of others.
- Pure Roots Nutrition is my go-to for all things nutrition and healthy habits! I absolutely love her approach to an unprocessed, wholesome diet that has enough wiggle room for the occasional croissant or bottle of wine. I have participated in her sugar cleanse 4+ times and love the opportunity to reset my taste buds and change some of my less healthy habits. Shelly is down to earth and very practical when it comes to feeding the family, meal prepping and managing your immune system the natural way. Follow her on Instagram for meal ideas, kitchen yoga poses and mad dance moves!
- Alex Boross-Harmer is my trusted source for workouts when I can't get to them gym (hi pandemic!). I was incredibly fortunate to meet Alex as my coach at Crossfit Yorkville in Toronto. Even more fortunate for all of us (!), she has since struck out on her own to share her gift for mindful movement, empathy, and physical, mental & emotional wellbeing! Her virtual superhero classes are ideal for any level of fitness if you want to become stronger without hitting the gym! Do let her know I sent you and she might be able to hook you up;)
- Life in 10 Minutes is where I go to write. I don't know about you but making a date with my creativity is the safest way to commit. I sign up for one of Valley's 6-week programs and show up once a week for two hours to write and hear others' writings.
Business & digital strategy
- Minima Designs. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Michelle Martello's work! Michelle has stood by my side through the second and third iteration of Social Venturers and is an incredible mentor and advisor to have in your corner. She knows a LOT about Wordpress and digital strategy which made the entire endeavor less intimidating. No exaggeration: I have texted her S.O.S. more than once and she problem-solved and supported remotely in a heartbeat. She also has tons of free resources on her site and I highly recommend her eBooks - if you're running an online business and you are not yet on her list, you're missing out. And why would you do that?
- Terry Rice. I can't believe I serendipitously stumbled across Terry Rice during a webinar he hosted in early 2021. Any coach or consultant who wants to figure out how to get paid for doing what they love MUST know about Terry! Follow him on Instagram, connect with him (meaningfully!) on LinkedIn and most importantly, check out his online course How to start your own successful consulting business on Teachable! I've done my fair share of online courses and trust me when I say this is not your average online course. The lessons are well paced and the curriculum comprehensive. The accompanying workbook gives you tons of examples, templates, check lists and ideas for how to turn his suggestions into steps that work for you and your business. And, the cherry on the icing: the weekly office hours are a great way to ask specific questions and pick his brain! This course has SO MUCH value, trust me on this!
- Marie Forleo's B School. It took me three attempts to get through the entire program in real time because it's a LOT of work (and the bonus trainings are incredible!) but I found it comprehensive and definitely valuable! Doors to B School only open twice a year so don't miss the deadline but once you're in, you have access for life! P.S. I'm not sure Marie Forleo's empire counts as a small business but it's too comprehensive a program to omit it here.
Brand
- My pictures were taken by Kate Thompson, Richmond-based photographer and incredible human. I have followed Kate's work for years and when I was finally able to hire her, it was everything I had hoped for! Check out her editorial work, headshots and Palindrome Creative - the creative studio she runs with her sister Anna!
- The design for my logo was initially born as part of the Girls! Girls! Girls! campaign by Emily Herr, aka HerrSuite, a Richmond-based muralist and artist extraordinaire!
- The talented Bethany Silva of Modern Raven Design turned it into a proper logo.
Podcasts
I have no tolerance for Millennial-chatter on a podcast. Nor do I enjoy listening to people sitting around a mic and shooting the you-know-what. I cringe at uptalk (when every sentence sounds like a question) and I certainly don't care what the host had for breakfast that morning.
I love nothing more than dedicating my time on the road (toddler permitting) to learning and thinking about all things service business. I refer to my podcast library as my "highway university". And once you've listened to these recommendations (more to come I'm sure!), hopefully you'll see what I mean! I have linked my favorite episodes to give you a head start. See for yourself and as with every small business - if you like them, write a review, rate them and share the love!
What works, Tara McMullin. "I know a lot about business. You know a lot about YOUR business." I don't know how I lived without this podcast until early 2021! Tara creates remarkable content all day long, I tend to scribble notes on my hand to make sure I can go back to that lightbulb moment and dwell on it some more. Tara is also the founder of the What Works Network (which I have not tried yet so I won't vouch for it) and co-founder of Yellow House Media, a full service podcast production company. Tara's newsletter and Instagram alone will make you smarter, more successful and probably more beautiful, too ;
Start here:
Show your business who's boss, Pia Silva. Most of Pia's guests work in wildly different industries than me but from HR manager for luxury resorts to rocket scientist and storyteller, I've learned something from every single one of them! Pia asks the right questions, doesn't beat around the bush and keeps it tight. While you're at it, do yourself a favor and order her book Badass Your Brand! Don't let the cover fool you. Pia dives deep into business models, pricing and positioning. I have taken every course available by Pia and would not hesitate to recommend you do the same!
Start here:
I have no tolerance for Millennial-chatter on a podcast. Nor do I enjoy listening to people sitting around a mic and shooting the you-know-what. I cringe at uptalk (when every sentence sounds like a question) and I certainly don't care what the host had for breakfast that morning.
I love nothing more than dedicating my time on the road (toddler permitting) to learning and thinking about all things service business. I refer to my podcast library as my "highway university". And once you've listened to these recommendations (more to come I'm sure!), hopefully you'll see what I mean! I have linked my favorite episodes to give you a head start. See for yourself and as with every small business - if you like them, write a review, rate them and share the love!
What works, Tara McMullin. "I know a lot about business. You know a lot about YOUR business." I don't know how I lived without this podcast until early 2021! Tara creates remarkable content all day long, I tend to scribble notes on my hand to make sure I can go back to that lightbulb moment and dwell on it some more. Tara is also the founder of the What Works Network (which I have not tried yet so I won't vouch for it) and co-founder of Yellow House Media, a full service podcast production company. Tara's newsletter and Instagram alone will make you smarter, more successful and probably more beautiful, too ;
Start here:
- Creating sustainable structures & systems with Superscript Marketing founder Anna Wolf
- Simplifying social media content creation with Andrea Jones
- Designing a remarkable customer experience
Show your business who's boss, Pia Silva. Most of Pia's guests work in wildly different industries than me but from HR manager for luxury resorts to rocket scientist and storyteller, I've learned something from every single one of them! Pia asks the right questions, doesn't beat around the bush and keeps it tight. While you're at it, do yourself a favor and order her book Badass Your Brand! Don't let the cover fool you. Pia dives deep into business models, pricing and positioning. I have taken every course available by Pia and would not hesitate to recommend you do the same!
Start here:
- The business value of focus, Less is more and getting the right advice at the right time with Brent Weaver
- Leveraging your network for profit, where to put your efforts and the alchemy of building relationships with Dov Gordon
- Aga Conboy on niching down, nailing a lead product and the personal growth it takes to command premium pricing