Mad Love Monday | Andrijana Jakovleska
My journey into the Home Sales business began when I was only 18 years old. Now, almost 7 years later, all of my accomplishments I owe to choosing boldness. I read a quote recently that stuck with me:
Choosing Boldness
My journey into the Home Sales business began when I was only 18 years old. Now, almost 7 years later, all of my accomplishments I owe to choosing boldness. I read a quote recently that stuck with me:
"Freedom lies in being bold".
It reminded me of my 18 year old self and me choosing to ask for what I wanted. It all started when my parents bought a new home built through a Home Builder back in 2015. Since it was our first family home since moving to Canada in 2009, it was an exciting process. Since that time my parents knew I was infatuated with interior design and had an eye for it, so they let me choose the interior selections and have a say in the layout of the home. This required me attending meetings with the area manager in Rosenthal (the area we were building the home in) and discussing all of the options. After a few visits and me observing the environment the sales lady was working in, and how she always had people come visit her, thank her for her services, and were just so glad to have met her for how she helped them get the home of their dreams or aid them to find the financing that fit their lifestyle best, I thought to myself... I want to do this.
One day, coming home from high school, I walked by her showhome (for once she did not have anyone sitting with her for a meeting) & I thought this is my chance. I walked in and she was happy to see me greeting me with a smile. We talked for a bit, and then I said: "I love what you do, our new home is now built and its so close by your showhome, I would be more than happy to come by and sit while you work to learn from you and also help in any way, I do not want any kind of compensation. Just being here is enough." She looked at me and said "I actually am in need of an assistant" My eyes lit up. I couldn't believe it. As soon as she saw my excitement she said " I will give you a 3 month probation period, this is a people business and it is not for everyone." I understood and said I am up for the challenge, despite my decision to remain in Business School and major in Marketing at MacEwan University.
Well... she must have liked me because I stayed as her full time assistant for 6 whole years while finishing my degree. Through all of the hardships, fun times & learning curves, we were a team and my loyalty to her was unmatched. I was able to continue my studies, travel, and also work a job I was passionate about (I was free) ALL because I was bold enough to ask.
To this day she is like an aunty to me, and it was hard parting with her but she wholeheartedly encouraged me to become a Realtor once finished with my schooling as she knew I would excel. Despite that, I knew that I would excel, my confidence was very strong. Looking back onto the past 9 months and my accomplishments in my new role, the one thing that has helped me more than discipline, motivation, or hard work (which are all very important) is being bold and asking for what I want. Nobody is going to come to you to hand you what you're looking for or what you deserve. If I did not ask to help the sales lady and learn from her, if I did not ask for the best possible support from my broker, if I was not always taking the risk of failing, asking to help a client, being present and accountable when things needed to be done, I would not be where I am today. My confidence only continues to grow every day and I know no matter what gets thrown my way, I will find a way to solve it and remain bold.
No one can take your boldness away from you. Choose it every day.
Mad Love Monday | Shawna Dirksen - Practically Minimal
My business is called Practically Minimal. I help women declutter their lives and overcome overwhelm. Practically Minimal is all about empowering ourselves to focus on the things, people and experiences that align with our lives and purpose, and finding the courage to let go of what doesn’t.
What is your business?
Emilie Iggiotti Photography
My business is called Practically Minimal. I help women declutter their lives and overcome overwhelm. Practically Minimal is all about empowering ourselves to focus on the things, people and experiences that align with our lives and purpose, and finding the courage to let go of what doesn’t.
I do this through my blog, online programs, one-to-one coaching, and extra resources and livestream events in my private Facebook group called The Clutter is REAL Community.
What inspired you to start your own business?
A shopping addiction and two walk-in closets stuffed with clothes!
Long story short, I finally recognized I was repeating an unhealthy pattern, and took a long and challenging path to creating what I now call a minimal-ish lifestyle. :)
The impact exploring minimalism has had on my life was so huge, I wanted to tell everyone all about it, and if I inspired a few others to learn more about it, that would be a bonus. So, I started my blog, Practically Minimal, in the spring of 2019.
About a year later, I decided I wanted to be more hands-on in helping women create a calmer, more peaceful environment (and some high-vibe energy) at home. That’s when I turned my blog into a business and here I am today!
Do you have a go-to quote or motto?
Yes, I have a few, but my favourite is probably this one by Peter Walsh (author and organizing guru), “Clutter isn’t just the stuff on the floor. It’s anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living.” #preach
What’s a personal goal of yours to accomplish?
Maintaining a neat, clutter-free home is a goal of mine and, I think, always will be. I’m not a naturally organized person, so I have to work at it. My business definitely helps keep me accountable to this!
Do you have a professional goal or set of goals for your business?
Of course! A professional goal I’m working on right now is improving and practicing my public speaking skills so I can do a better job sharing my story with others who may find some inspiration from what I’ve learned and gone through.
I’m also working on making more of an impact within the Practically Minimal community, and helping my clients get exciting results from my online courses and coaching programs. So, learning more about what their barriers are and coming up with solutions to help them break through.
Why do you love being an entrepreneur?
Freedom is probably my highest value and entrepreneurship feels like freedom to me.
Did you ever have a time where you wanted to give up? How did you overcome that feeling?
Yes, for sure. Starting a new business is really challenging. And, I’m definitely not the only one out there offering decluttering and home organizing services, lol! All I can say is I know this is what I’m meant to do so, to me, there’s no other option except to keep going.
What’s your best boss babe moment?
Anytime someone emails, DMs or comments on social media that I’ve inspired them to declutter something, it’s a best boss babe moment! Knowing I’m making an impact (no matter how big or small) is what this is all about for me.
What platform do you find most success or interaction from?
I probably would have said Instagram even a few months ago, but now I’d say I get the best interaction and success inside my Facebook group (even though there are fewer people in it than follow me on IG right now).
Work-life balance: What do you do to destress? What is your must-have moment of the day?
An early morning meditation and then a coffee before I start working is my favourite time of the day. Also regular workouts help me with stress and anxiety.
What are you looking to learn from other YEG Boss Babes in the community?
How to keep growing as an entrepreneur and how to scale my online business. I also love hearing other boss babes tell their stories, and learning why and how they do what they do!
Submission by Shawna Dirksen Practically Minimal
Mad Love Monday | Anila Irfan - Clean Smiles Dental Hygiene
At Clean Smiles Dental Hygiene, we believe “Prevention” is the way to go.
MEET ANILA
Having visited her clinic we can 1000% say that this women and her team are doing amazing things! Learn more about their passion and how they are making a difference in #YEG!
@gharam_ph
Photo | @tracy.jazmin
At Clean Smiles Dental Hygiene, we believe “Prevention” is the way to go. We want our patients to enjoy and relax while having their professional dental hygiene appointment.
We provide affordable dental hygiene services, X-rays and exams so every one has access to dental care and prevention. We direct bill to all dental insurances for our patient’s convenience.
For our patients who don’t have access to dental insurance and find it difficult to afford dental hygiene services, we have designed the first in YEG “Clean Smiles for Community Program”
All the prices for our services are listed on our website.
We believe in being “proactive” rather than “reactive”. The world is changing and people are more aware and smarter about keeping good dental health and avoid dental problems. There is way more to dental health than having dental problems and having to keep fixing them.
Yes! This is a fairly new approach to have a dental hygiene clinic that is dedicated for prevention. We welcome you to give it try and experience this fresh approach for dental care.
Submission by: Anila Irfan
https://www.instagram.com/cleansmilesdental/
https://www.facebook.com/cleansmilesyeg/
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