MAD LOVE MONDAY | Lorna Mutegyeki - Msichana Inc.

To be honest I didn’t set out to be a fashion designer. In fact, when I first moved to Canada, it was to study molecular genetics at the U of A. And while in school, I began working in finance which eventually led to me becoming a CPA. But even with a good career, I really felt that I needed to do more, so I decided to make a change.

Fashion is a natural form of communication for me; I’m very passionate about women and this industry impacts so many (everyone, really!) I wanted to make the most significant, meaningful and lasting impact I possibly could.

One thing I love about being an entrepreneur is that I get to pursue the mission /priorities that are most important to me and perfectly aligned with my values.

One of my favorite moments in the day is the moment a client tries on a bespoke piece for the first time- there is something so empowering about looking at yourself and knowing that a piece perfectly fits your body- and I see it that confidence in their eyes.

Model | Sonia @bsocialcomm

Photo | @TasyNicole

Model | Marnie @glowjuicery

I also love the connection formed between the women creating the clothing and the women who wear it. With each bespoke piece, our clients receive a video where they can watch their garment being created and meet the women behind it. People don’t always think about how their clothing was made, but with Msichana the process is something that we are very proud of.

Running my own business has not been without challenges. The hustle is real, but I have never felt more satisfied. When times get really tough and I’m tempted to give up, I think of the people whose lives Msichana is impacting, and how many more there will be, and that encourages me to keep going.

Currently, I am working on the next collection for Msichana and improving the program for our team in Uganda. I am incredibly proud of the work that they have accomplished as seamstresses and we are now focusing on the business aspect so that these ladies can be successful entrepreneurs themselves. By giving women the skills they need to grow past Msichana I hope to create a community and a network of professional women who will support each other and be the proof that others may need to believe in their own power.

I am glad to be a part of the YEG Boss Babes community. I love connecting with women who experience similar challenges and who I can celebrate successes with.

MAD LOVE MONDAY | Ashley Prince - More Fun! Gourmet Sweets

I am Ashley Prince the owner and baker behind More Fun! Gourmet Sweets. More Fun! Is all about taking classic sweets and transforming them with healthful and gourmet ingredients. Each baked good is made with a combination of Sprouted Spelt flour and unbleached flour, organic produce, eggs and dairy and natural flavors and colors. Everyone is trying to consume less processed foods and more natural ingredients but everyone still craves sweets like cakes and cupcakes! So I set out to make better sweets, ones that you can feel good about serving yourself and your family.

More Fun! Came to fruition from one comment on my personal Facebook page. My sister had asked me to make her wedding cupcakes and I was practicing my piping skills and posting them to Facebook. Someone commented and asked “how much for an order?” At this time I was practicing with a bran muffin and store bought icing, so the thought that someone was interested in ordering was hilarious. But, I knew I could put together something absolutely delicious for this person, so I began to brain storm. And that folks, is how it all began.

When I created more fun! I had just been laid off, and I ended up being out of work for 8 months. The creation of my business allowed me to focus on something other than being out of work and that was huge for me. Fast forward nearly 2 years and I am embarking on the biggest challenge yet. I am crowdfunding in the month of February 2019 in hopes of gathering the remaining funds to move into a storefront in Leduc!

In this blog post, I wanted to touch on something I feel is relevant to me right now but also for many women going through the entrepreneur journey. I want you to have the confidence to “try”. Whatever that may mean for you- the next step in your business, the realization of an idea you have been mulling over for some time- find the confidence to try it. Because that’s how my journey began, I wanted to give this baking thing a try.

As my journey continued, I began to notice a change in myself that has truly been eye opening. I have realized my tenacity and instincts are more powerful than I have ever allowed them to be in the past. I attribute that evolution to allowing myself to become an entrepreneur. Yes I say “allow” because 3 years ago I would never have had the notion of starting a business from scratch. I allowed myself to run with an idea. To dream and create something without the fear of rejection. At the time, my bakery was just an idea that no one knew about but me. Slowly the idea grew stronger to the point I shared it and started to find ways to bring my products to the people to see what they thought. And do you know what? They loved it! And when I was told “these are the best cupcakes I have ever had”, that’s when I knew I couldn’t stop and I had to work towards bringing my baked goods to the masses. And this happened all because I found the confidence to try.

I decided late in 2018 that I was going to take a BIG step and launch a crowdfunding campaign to help raise the remaining funds to open my storefront. I knew it was time for the next big “try”. To take a calculated risk in hopes of furthering my business. I am preparing myself for the emotional rollercoaster ride that will follow with this crowdfunding campaign. I encourage you to follow me on social media, as I post about the highs and lows of this next chapter of my business. Perhaps my journey will give you the inspiration to try.

If you would like to contribute to my campaign you can visit my Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, website or visit atbboostr.ca. Every contribution receives a reward, so I urge you to check it out! Campaign runs from Feb 1- 28th.

MAD LOVE MONDAY | Jordan Gibbins - Glass Slipper Entertainment

GLASS SLIPPER ENTERTAINMENT: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

My name is Jordan and I have recently returned home after living in China for the past 13

months where I acted and performed at Shanghai Disneyland Resort. Working in

Shanghai Disneyland opened my eyes to a world full of magic, smiles and happiness. So

much so, I want to continue to share that magic and joy with everyone here at home

through Glass Slipper Entertainment. I know it can be difficult to travel to far away

places to meet fairytale princesses, so I thought I could bring them here.

Having the incredible opportunity to live in China, and to work for Disney was both life

changing and eye opening for me. Not only was I immersed in a brand new culture full of

tradition and history (and tons of people), I also got to work for a company I had only

dreamed of working for.

Reminiscing…

I have been performing for nearly 20 years. When I started my training way-back-when,

never in my wildest dreams could I have seen myself performing for Disney. I remember

for my 12th birthday, my parents (and grandparents) took my family and I to Disneyland

for the first time. As cheesy as it may sound, I honestly get emotional just writing about

it. I am sure most people out there remember their first trip to Disneyland (or any of the

Disney parks), because it really does make memories that last a lifetime. For me, it was

hands down the most magical place on earth. That trip holds some of my most cherished

memories. I remember seeing some of the princesses from a distance, and then actually

getting to meet a couple of them in person, and being mesmerized and in complete awe. It

was safe to say I was star struck. Was it real? Was I really getting to meet a real live

princess?! It was a dream come true.

Little did I know, more than a decade later another dream would come true… working for

Shanghai Disneyland Resort. This time, not only did I get to make more of my own

memories that will last forever, I was able to take part in the magical memory-making of

so many little ones that came to visit the park in Shanghai. This is something so special, it

is difficult for me to put into words. So I will leave it up to your imagination.

A little more about me, past and present…

(so stop here if you’ve read enough lol)

Dance vs. School

My passion is and has always been performing arts, dancing in particular. The pressure of

making a decision of what to do after graduating high school was stressful. What I truly

wanted to do was move to New York or Los Angeles and just dance. But a part of me

(particularly the left side of my brain), wanted to pursue an education heavily involved in

numbers and science. Somehow I found a way to do both… I danced my way through a

Petroleum Engineering degree from the U of A. Okay, I didn’t quite “dance” my way through.

It was the hands down the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but definitely the

most rewarding.

After the oil industry crashed and after I had to move on from dancing on cruise ships, I

decided to enrol in Public Relations at Ryerson University. I graduated in June of 2018.

And I fell in love with the industry, one I was so unaware of prior to my education. I am

grateful that I can at least apply this skill/knowledge while running my business. And I

must say it has been quite helpful thus far.

Needless to say, I have never really known what I “wanted to do with my life”. The one

thing that has remained constant is performing; that I know, and have always known, is

my passion. So I have always just found a way to make it work. No excuses.

My reality

Without too many details, I also have a passion and dynamic love for giving back to

communities and making a difference in the lives of people who need it most. I founded

and co-founded multiple fundraisers: one for family victims in Afghanistan after the

tragedies of 2001, and another after the horrific aftermath of the Tsunami in Indonesia

and Thailand in 2004. When I was young I was often trying to come up with ways to help

other people.

That, combined with always having a desire to have control of my own schedule and

working for myself made the business idea of performing, making people smile, bringing

them joy (along with myself), seemed like I hit the jack pot.

… And then reality kicked in, when I realized I knew nothing (and I mean NOTHING)

about running or operating a business. Whenever I feel like I have chosen wrong, or feel

like maybe tossing in the towel, I attend a networking event or entrepreneur workshop

and inspiration kicks back in. I have also discovered that our city is FULL of wonderful

resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners. I just think that is so awesome! I

know it definitely enables and inspires me to keep going and learning as much as I can.

Being an entrepreneur can be a lonely venture. So it really is important to take care of

yourself mentally and physically. It’s important to surround yourself with positive people

who inspire and challenge you. They can be people who you’ve known your whole life,

or someone you’ve just met (at a workshop for example). Being a part of the YEG Boss

Babe community feels like a wonderful privilege and an amazing opportunity. One that I

am very grateful for, even though I’ve just started…

I thank all of you wonderful, strong, independent and intelligent women in advance,

because I guarantee you, your efforts will be appreciated in one way or another.

Since starting my business I now say, you can never have too much happiness, too

much laughter, too many stories or too deep of a smile line.

www.GlassSlipper.ca | 780-966-9902