MKB Consulting specializes in supporting businesses through social change with strategic communications, project management, event management, and creative work. Melissa is dedicated to helping her clients achieve their organizational objectives while increasing positive social impact.

Melissa discovered WeBC while looking for entrepreneurial support; interested in tapping into an existing network of women, she joined the Discovery Foundation’s Strategic Mindset Program. She was brought together with a diverse group of women who created a supportive space, sharing professional and personal aspects of business ownership.

The program highlighted the importance of balancing masculine and feminine energies in business, with advice on slowing down and overcoming past obstacles. Grateful for the experience, Melissa stays connected with the group and looks forward to being part of a supportive community. She is excited about discovering further opportunities to expand her network while creating a positive change with her work.

Client Q&A

Q: What made you take that next step to start a consulting business on your own?

A: I feel like the combination of my global perspective and experience, with the lens of social impact put me in the right position to offer clients a unique skillset. I have a sort of globalization approach to what the future of philanthropy needs to look like, what the future of social impact and measurement needs to look like, and what the future of sustainability in nonprofits needs to look like.

When I put feelers out there, I started to identify some really big gaps of what I had seen and built in other countries. I knew there was an opportunity here for me to bring that skillset and expertise to clients.

Q: What was your experience like taking the Discovery Foundation’s Mentorship Program from WeBC?

A: The group of women that came together was just phenomenal. They were all so brilliantly smart, but so vulnerable and open. We created this really beautiful space for one another to just be truly, authentically ourselves, and to share the things that keep us up at night. 

We are whole humans and we were able to show up as whole humans. We even shared things that are stressing us in our personal lives that then bleed into our professional lives or vice versa. I feel like I just took away so much from it, so I’m very grateful for it.

Q: Were there any unique themes within your group?

A: One theme, and something that I love, was conversations around feminine powers. We talked about how we use our masculine energy at work, but feminine energy is just as important, and so there was a lot of female empowerment and recognition.

All of us were talking about different confrontational relationships and how we have been showing up in rooms. It was a reminder that your feminine power is the best way to approach things and having emotions is okay. There’s a cultural norm that you have to erase all those things as soon as you enter an office, but that’s not true anymore. I love a social revolution. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start their own business?

A: Have a really deep alignment of your core values and your self-care. You’re going to come across people who are going to offer you money or provide ideas or push you in a certain direction, and unless you have a very clear alignment of your core values, it’s going to be hard to say no to those things. You’ll know that because your gut will tell you, and you have to stay in tune with that. The best way to stay in tune is to have a really strong self-care practice that allows you to make the right decisions.

Where to find MKB Consulting

Website

LinkedIn

The post Melissa Blair, MKB Consulting, Kelowna appeared first on WeBC.

Sherry has two businesses. One is a nutrition consulting company called Delish Diet, where she helps people lose weight without dieting. Her second business is a food manufacturing company called Protein Powered where she helps people prioritize getting protein on their plates, without spending a ton of time in the kitchen. She understands that prioritizing protein was an integral part of her own weight loss journey without dieting. Sherry participated in one of WeBC’s Peer Mentoring Groups and speaks about her experiences below…

Mentee Q&A

Q: What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

A: Truthfully, I never aspired to be a businesswoman or entrepreneur, ever. For me, being in business, or being entrepreneurial, has always been driven by wanting to share knowledge that makes a difference in other people’s lives, especially things that have made a difference in my own life.

It actually took me quite a while to accept that I would have to learn the business side of things because, as a holistic nutritionist, I began my business to simply help people heal themselves.

Eventually, I grew to love learning the marketing side of things, mostly because I love to learn, write and teach. For me, marketing is simply a way to pass on the knowledge that inspires people to want to learn more.

Q: What inspired you to join WeBC’s mentoring program?

A: I was inspired to join WeBC’s mentoring program because I love to surround myself with other women who are driven and making a difference in the world. 

I liked the idea of being able to get direct feedback from people and new ideas for how to overcome challenges and obstacles in my business. It was fun and interesting to see inside other women’s businesses, to hear their personal stories and to be able to offer my own feedback, ideas and solutions, as well. 

One thing I really loved about the mentoring program is that it is really well designed and facilitates true listening before solutions are offered. It is a very dynamic process that requires presence. You can’t just sit on the sidelines, you have to engage with the process.

Q: What personal growth have you experienced since participating in the program?

A: One of the great aspects of connecting with other driven women is that you get great recommendations for books to expand your knowledge. 

Currently, as a result of a recommendation by one of the members of the group, I am studying the book “Profit First.” It is extremely essential for me now to invest my time and energy in mastering the financial aspects of running a business, because it doesn’t come naturally to me. I am more of a big vision, creative and relationship-focused type of person. Anything that has to do with finances, red tape or paperwork has been a huge drain for me in the past. In order to stop feeling that, I am working on counterbalancing that tendency, by actually ‘leaning in’ to the money side of things. I intend to keep doing so until managing that side of the business feels easy and natural. 

My business approach requires a lot of re-education and re-programming. The challenge I have with Delish Diet is keeping people engaged in the learning process. Sometimes, people would buy my e-courses and then book a private session with me 6 months to a year later, confessing that they hadn’t even opened the program yet—never mind actually consumed the pre-recorded video content! 

It was suggested to me in the mentoring program by our facilitator that I could survey my list, to find out what would actually motivate my audience to “show up.” I discovered that my audience prefers livestream training so that they can show up for the “live vibe” without having to stop what they are doing, sit down to join the zoom, and be on camera themselves. They can simply listen in while puttering around the house doing housework, or making a meal in the kitchen. 

As a result, I am now coming up with ideas for how I can incorporate more live-stream training into my e-courses to give people a more connected community learning experience online.

Where to find Delish Diet and Protein Powered

www.DelishDiet.ca

www.ProteinPowered.ca

Facebook – Delish Diet

The post Sherry Rothwell, Delish Diet, Kelowna appeared first on WeBC.

“Fearing a new opportunity or decision is only an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and grow. Do the thing you want to do. Jump into the unknown and trust yourself! In my opinion the risk of failure is much better than a lifetime of regret.”

Chickpeace is a zero-waste refill store located in Kelowna that opened its doors in June 2020. Their mission is to reduce single-use plastics from the environment and to empower consumers to make sustainable choices. Chickpeace is currently a team of six.

Before launching her second business, Allisha took some time to volunteer as a Mentor with WeBC. She was matched with Stephanie and Joanna from Umami Crave the Fifth, supporting the launch of their family business. 

“The startup phase is always an exciting time. I love that energy and the creativity that comes to life in that process. I was excited when the opportunity presented itself to support other up-and-coming business women in that stage.”

Mentor Q&A

Q. Why did you choose entrepreneurship?

A. I wanted to be an entrepreneur so that I could lead a business that had a meaningful impact on our community but also have the flexibility and freedom so I could be present for my family. 

Prior to MotherLove, I was a Project Manager for GreenStep Solutions. I completed my graduate studies at UBCO focusing on sustainable communities so I knew that when I decided to start my next business I would want to merge my passion for sustainability and entrepreneurship. That’s how Chickpeace came to life.

Q. How has your business changed since you opened it?

A. Mostly, it’s the same, although we have learned from our mistakes and grown in so many ways. Our values haven’t changed but the ways in which we share these values with our community are much more expansive than I ever thought was possible.

Not only are we supporting individuals on their sustainability journey, but we are also supporting small businesses through our community kitchen, composting program and more. 

Q. What do you feel is your greatest strength in your business? 

A. My greatest strengths are being goal driven and compassionate. I always have a to-do list (or many) on the go. I am constantly on the hunt to be or do better personally and in business. As for being compassionate, I try not to be judgmental and know that our life experiences are all different and that is what makes us come to our own unique decisions and viewpoints.

Q. What’s the biggest lesson you have learned while being in business for yourself?  

A. My biggest lesson while in business is to give me grace and welcome mistakes/failures because they are all opportunities for learning and doing better in the future.

“If I had to pick one thing that stuck out to me the most from my mentor’s guidance, it is leading with love. I find that women business owners lead differently. There is more emphasis on finding a common ground and bonding. I’m so thankful that I got to be a part of WeBC’s Mentorship program and pass on what has been such a valuable compass for me.”

Where to find Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery

www.ChickpeacePlanet.com

Instagram – @ChickpeaceZeroWaste

Facebook – Chickpeace Kelowna

The post Allisha Heidt, Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery, Kelowna appeared first on WeBC.

#IWD2023 theme is #EmbraceEquity

The first step to more equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances, and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.

Together with this year’s IWD theme of #EmbraceEquity, we will have a session to help us connect on the grounds of who you are, rather than what you have accomplished.

Ready for more? Join us! Register now >>>

Event Details

• Date: March 8, 2023
• Time: 5:15pm Registration. 5:30pm Start.
• Place: Kelowna Yacht Club

Program

• 5:15pm – Arrive and Register
• 5:30pm – Opening by KWIB, Member Spotlights
• 5:45pm – UnNetworking Session begins
• 6:30pm – Break for appies and mingling: The perfect opportunity to meet more women business owners from the community, grow your professional networks and build meaningful connections that lead to real opportunities. Cocktail vibe. A selection of appetizers and soft and alcoholic drinks (cash bar).
• 7:00pm – UnNetworking Session continues
• 7:30pm – Event ends.

The post International Women’s Day Un-Networking Event appeared first on WeBC.

On the eve of International Women’s Day, join us to reunite in-person at a live event in Kelowna with the women who have supported your entrepreneurial journey. You’ll hear from a panel of local women who will share their mentorship stories and celebrate with a livestream toast with 7 communities around the province.

Learn more or reserve your spot now>>>

The post WeGrowTogether: Celebrating 15 Years of Mentorship with WeBC in Kelowna appeared first on WeBC.

This event features a panel discussion hosted by Krista Mallory of the COEDC. Krista will interview three female entrepreneurs who are at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey. Each panelist provides a diverse perspective and valuable insights from their unique experience building a business. Attendees are encouraged to stay after the panel for additional networking and peer connection.

Come celebrate the achievements of women in technology and be inspired by the entrepreneurial journeys of our panelists.

Agenda

• 4:00-4:30 Doors Open & Networking
• 4:30-4:40 Opening Welcome
• 4:40 – 5:15 Panel Discussion
• 5:15-6:00 Networking

Register Here >>>

The post Female Founders Funders and Fortifiers Speaker Series appeared first on WeBC.

With an illustrious professional career, she is in a unique position to help entrepreneurs. She has been a journalist, freelance writer, editor of a national business magazine, software developer, university administrator and crisis counsellor before she devoted herself full-time to being a coach. She has also been involved as a mentor for the LD-ACE program, mentoring aspiring First Nations entrepreneurs for three years, as a mentor and a guest speaker.

Mentor Q&A

Q. What are your top 3 business strengths or areas of expertise?

1. Marketing and/or promotion
2. Satisfaction in work/life balance
3. Personal development

Q. What are your reasons for wanting to become a mentor?

A. I am excited about supporting and developing confidence in women. I have mentored CEOs who wanted a fresh perspective on employee issues and marketing approaches. I have also mentored aspiring aboriginal entrepreneurs over the past three years.

The post Bonita Hodgson appeared first on WeBC.