Mad Love Monday - Sonja Deklerk Fine Jewellery
The decision to become a jewellery designer was a natural fit for me as it complimented my educational background in Fine Art. Truly, jewellery is art at its finest...
Hi, I'm Sonja and I am so excited to introduce myself to the YBB community!
I’m a fine jewellery designer who is passionate about creating jewellery as unique and beautiful as the individual for whom it is intended. I am a listener and interpreter who artistically transforms your heart's deepest emotion and life experience into tangible tokens of your love and affection.
Image Credit Tracey Jazmin
The decision to become a jewellery designer was a natural fit for me as it complimented my educational background in Fine Art. Truly, jewellery is art at its finest... the most precious of materials are used to create these timeless works of art. Studying at the Gemological Institute of America enhanced my understanding and appreciation of the precious materials that I work with. A vital component in all that I do is having a clear understanding of how and where my materials are sourced. I will only work with ethically and sustainably sourced diamonds, gemstones and precious metals.
With over 20 years of experience in the fine jewellery industry, the desire to launch my own line was always present. I have had the privilege and opportunity to work for and with the best of the best in our beautiful city of Edmonton. However, the yearning for something more propelled me into becoming an entrepreneur. I was searching for deeper meaning...deeper purpose and a way to share with the world something that was more authentically me. This is the powerful driving force behind all that I do.
If there was one message that I could shout from the rooftops, it would be this:
YOU are precious
YOU are of value
YOU are worth more than gold...
Image Credit Tracey Jazmin
The treasures of this earth are not diamonds and gold. The treasures of this earth are you and I. I am so passionate about sharing this message that I host a podcast dedicated to sharing real stories of the joys and sorrows of life while instilling a message of love and self worth. More Than Gold, the podcast can be found on apple podcast, Spotify and SoundCloud.
I find joy and purpose in helping to empower other women. This is always at the heart of my jewellery design and podcast. I have designed what I lovingly refer to as my "power ring." Wearing it brings me joy, comfort and confidence...when I can design something for another individual that evokes those same responses, it is so gratifying. Every individual needs their own power ring!
I love being an entrepreneur because there is no limit to what is possible. It was the only option available to me that allowed for full freedom of expression in a way that felt meaningful and truly authentic. Through becoming an entrepreneur I have found my voice, calling and purpose. In addition to this, I have had the opportunity to connect with so many inspirational and like minded individuals.
The harsh reality entrepreneurs face as we strive for limitless levels of success means that the possibility of failure is just as strong… the two go hand in hand. There have been many moments of insecurity and self doubt...questioning if I have made the greatest decision of my life, or the worst. I don't know that those feelings will ever truly be overcome, but I have found things that help to reduce the sting. Acknowledging that those insecurities are real and present is part of the solution. Surrounding myself with other likeminded individuals who help and support me is another part of the solution. I have come to accept that some days I am going to need a hand up, and other days I will be the one helping another up.
Image Credit Tracey Jazmin
There have been many collective small moments along my way that have reassured me that I was on the right path, but it wasn't until I signed the lease agreement for my own space that I felt an indescribable feeling of joy, peace and gratitude envelop me...everything felt aligned and right.
On social media, Instagram is where I like to spend more of my time and effort, but I am finding success using LinkedIn as well. My strategy has and always will be to be present and authentic. I recently discovered reels and admittedly am having way too much fun with that. If ever I feel that social media is too much, I just step back and take a little break. I think that is more healthy on every level for myself, my clients and my business.
Stress is a very real part of anyone's life, but especially that of an entrepreneur! I need my own time for solitude where I can play the piano in order to de-stress. It is without a doubt the most effective way for me to unwind at the end of the day. My family knows exactly how I am feeling based on how and what I play.
With all of my heart, I am eager to connect with and learn from others in the YBB community. We all need those around us who inspire us to become the best version of ourself...there's always room for improvement, and I have found that positive connections and role models are a highly effective tool. Let's all help to sharpen each other's tools rather than to dull them. I look forward to connecting with you!
Submission by:
Sonja Deklerk GIA AJP
Mad Love Monday - Larissa MacIsaac, Larilea Studios
To those of you who don't know me my name is Larissa MacIsaac. I grew up on a farm an hour east of Edmonton and moved to Edmonton at the ripe age of 18 to pursue a career in cosmetology.
MEET LARISSA,
To those of you who don't know me my name is Larissa MacIsaac. I grew up on a farm an hour east of the City and moved into Edmonton at the ripe age of 18 to pursue a career in cosmetology. After a journeymen license, a few jobs, a pandemic and a baby later I found myself diving further into my passion for photography!
Image | Coral Konanz
We asked Larissa a few questions to get to know her better and ask her to share some advice that might help others who are ready to take that jump into entrepreneurship!
1. Do you have a go to quote / motto?
Community over competition has been getting me through lately. Photography is a very populated industry but there are so many amazing people who have paved the way and offer amazing knowledge.
2. What's a personal goal of yours to accomplish?
Short term, Become a baby swaddling pro and expand further into Newborn and maternity photography. Long term, to be able to earn enough to supplement full time income and stay home with my daughter!
3. Work-life Balance: What you do to de-stress. What is your must-have moment of the day (me time?) We always like to relate with others by sharing our stressors and best practices that help. Photography helps me de stress, being able to capture memories for families is almost therapeutic for me. I also enjoy some Netflix binging before bed!
4. One piece of advice you would give someone wanting to start their own business.
You're your own worst critic, you are your only competition.
It's been an amazing two years working on finding my niche/editing style. I cannot wait to see where 2022 takes me on this journey and I look forward to connecting with so many more wonderful people!
Mad Love Monday | Amal Mohamud
My name is Amal Mohamud and I am a writer, director and producer from Edmonton. I use my media skills and storytelling abilities to create and tell visual stories on screen.
My name is Amal Mohamud and I am a writer, director and producer from Edmonton. I use my media skills and storytelling abilities to create and tell visual stories on screen. I am a proud 28-year-old first-generation Muslim Somali Canadian that can speak 3 different languages – Somali, Arabic and English. Highlighting diverse Edmonton stories on screen is an art form for me because I am communicating narratives in a visual matter.
I feel that stories help bring people together and the idea of bringing my own visuals to life as a storyteller is my way of being an artist. I have worked extremely hard to further my career as a writer, director and producer in Edmonton.
I have always had a passion for storytelling and that’s why I pursed media. I enjoyed writing, directing and producing meaningful projects. The lack of diversity on screen has also really motivated me to want to showcase stories from underrepresented communities. I believe that representation of minorities matters and, in my case, growing up I never saw someone that I was able to relate to, that looked like me. For that reason, I decided that it was my mission and purpose to give voice to the voiceless.
In 2016, I reached out to Shaw TV Edmonton to volunteer on their Edmonton community television program, a platform where they covered local stories for the Edmonton community. They were very supportive and allowed me to produce, write and direct some projects with their team and it aired on their platform. After my experience with Shaw TV Edmonton, OMNI Alberta's team reached out to me and offered me a position to join the Somalis in Alberta program community program. Being a part of OMNI was important to me, I've received many positive feedbacks from viewers saying they enjoyed the program because it was relatable to them. The lack of diversity and negative media representations of my community has motivated me to tell positive Somali stories.
I recently developed my first documentary project with AMI accessible media earlier this year, the documentary was about Canadian organizations creating virtual programs for people with disabilities during the pandemic. I am extremely proud of my accomplishments and I can't wait to create, develop and produce more and new projects as a storyteller. I want to inspire and motivate my community members by exhibiting our Edmonton community in the spotlight.
Submission by Amal Mohamud