Focal Tangent: Perspectives That Shift

Money, money, money…

With every business, part of the measure of success is money… 

Money isn’t everything but it’s very important to continue operating your business and whether or not your business will stay open

Today I’m excited to welcome Jayne Dykstra, partner of Zetique, we’re going to talk about managing small business finances.

Jayne has been working with small and medium sized businesses on their finances for over a decade.  Empowerment and understanding are central to what her and Zetique do - making sure that business owners have the hand holding they need to ensure proper bookkeeping and financial reports.

Episode highlights:

• How Jayne started her business and became an entrepreneur
• The background behind the branding and naming of Zetique
• Tips for managing small business finances
• The importance of tracking

Key tips for managing small business finances:

• Investing in your business and tracking this to make sure you are profitable
• Ensuring you have money saved for taxes
• Paying yourself

Connect with Jayne: 

• Instagram Handle:https://www.instagram.com/mobilebookkeeper/ 
• LinkedIn LinkJayne Dykstra
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fearlessfinancesforsmallbiz 
• Website: https://zetique.com/ 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

Being an entrepreneur…running your own business, growing a brand… is a huge undertaking, let's not sugar coat it… and you don’t have to do it alone.  Whether you're a solopreneur or have a team, there are sources of support and collaboration that are made possible through community.   Collaboration over competition is key to growth.  There is so much power in community and today we’re going to dive into this very topic with Maria Locker, founder and CEO of RevolutionHER

Maria Locker is an advocate and champion for the advancement of women and female entrepreneurs across North America, and is sought as a speaker, contributor, and expert surrounding topics including economic empowerment, gender equality, lifestyle and business trends, and products that women love. As Founder and CEO of RevolutionHER™ and its sister non-profit organization Momentum, Maria and her team have welcomed over 30,000 members and subscribers, presented over 800 events, and given back over $200,000 in funding and business mentorship to women through their annual awards programming. RevolutionHERTM is dedicated to bringing women together worldwide with impactful events and a community of like-minded peers, providing support and inspiration to help women unleash their potential and live their lives to the fullest.

Episode Highlights:

• Maria’s entrepreneurial journey to becoming the CEO and founder of RevolutionHER
• The importance of self care and identifying signs of burn-out
• Challenges that women face over the years, lack of grace for themselves
• The benefits of community building, being part of a community and how to navigate it to reap the benefits 
• How to combat imposter syndrome through conversations with each other and ourselves

The key tips for effectively engaging in community with like minded people through conversation is to: 1) ask for help, 2) be authentic - introduce yourself, and 3) show vulnerability.  The key message is to just be yourself.

“When you have a real conversation and you show the vulnerability and you show authenticity, it's really hard for people not to respond to that.” ~ Maria Locker, RevolutionHER

Want to be part of a supportive community of women?  Come join RevolutionHER at  https://www.revolutionher.com. There is always an incredible line up of events planned year round.  

Connect with Maria: 

• Website:  https://www.revolutionher.com 
• Instagram Handle:  https://www.instagram.com/RevolutionHerTM/ 
• Twitter Handle:  @RevolutionHerTM
• LinkedIn Link:https://www.linkedin.com/company/2801855 
• Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/RevolutionHerTM 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

When I get enough sleep, I am energized, my day is productive, I show up better, my mind is clear, and I make decisions with ease.  On the otherhand, when I don’t get enough sleep...my day feels sluggish… like I’m hungover, I don’t feel my best self.  

Sleep hygiene is something I put high importance on for self care and it also has a positive impact on my business!  There’s soooo much to know about SLEEP!   I am excited to welcome to the show today, sleep consultant Lily Horbi-(chuck).  Today we’re going to dive into helping business owners manage sleep for themselves and their kids.

Lily is a Pediatric Sleep Consultant, Potty Training Consultant and “Oh Crap” Potty Training Specialist. She is the mama behind Lil Baby Sleep with two little one’s herself. She provides customized support to help parents conquer developmental milestones with ease.

Episode Highlights:

• Lily’s story of how sleep deprivation and postpartum anxiety led to becoming a successful entrepreneur
• Why it’s essential for entrepreneurs to manage sleep for themselves to increase productivity
• Simple yet powerful practices for establishing a consistent morning and a bedtime routine for optimal sleep
• How to prepare for the upcoming time change without the hangover feeling with a gradual approach of moving bedtime up by 10-15 minutes a day
• Understanding the ideal duration for naps 
• Why getting out of bed right away upon waking up in the morning is the ideal start to the day

 “The biggest tip that I would ever give anybody for sleep is to wake up at the same time each day, set your sleep cycles and you'll find that naturally you'll start waking up at that time and you'll start to sleep better. So that is also going to be helpful in terms of maximizing your energy and making sure that you're getting all of the rest.”  Lily Horbatiuk, Lil Baby Sleep

Connect with Lily: 

• Website:  https://www.lilbabysleep.com/ 
• Instagram Handle: https://www.instagram.com/lilbabysleep/ and https://www.instagram.com/lilpottyplan/
• LinkedIn Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-horbatiuk-122a098/ 
• Facebook Link:  https://www.facebook.com/lilbabysleepconsulting 
• Blog:  https://www.lilbabysleep.com/blog 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

What if you can manifest your greatest desires in business and life… what would that look like and feel like?.... And you’re probably wondering, HOW does one even get started with manifesting? 

We’re going to dive into manifestation, what it is, how to do it… and the tools for coming home to harmony.

About special guests Nadia and Jillian of Rise Wellness Collective:

Hi! We are Nadia Yanuziello and Jillian Locke, Co-founders of Rise Wellness Collective, a beautiful and supportive safe-haven that encourages you to live from a heart and soul centred space and shine your light into the world.

We believe you already hold the key to accessing your joy; our purpose is to deliver powerful wellness tools to help you come back home to harmony.

We support you along your wellness journey through Yoga, Reiki, Energy Healing, Meditation and healing classes, workshops, privates, courses, personal guides and retreats.

“You hold the key to all your joy…”  Jillian Locke, Rise Wellness Collective

Episode Highlights

• Nadia and Jillian’s story on how they joined forces and brought Rise Wellness Collective to life
• Unveiling the power of manifesting, what it is and how to energetically get in alignment to receive
• How to start with journaling and why it’s a powerful tool for believing in self
• Knowing yourself and your desires
• The invitation to write a letter to your future self
• The concept of release and how it opens up the pathway to abundance 
• Understanding soul and getting in tune with your spiritual self
• What energy healing is and how it clears the blockages 

Connect with Rise Wellness Collective: 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risewellnesscollective/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rise-wellness-collective-home-to-harmony 
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/risewellnesscollective/ 
• Events: https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/rise-wellness-collective-28673248517 
• Website: https://risewellnesscollec.wixsite.com/website 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

As a leader there can be a lot of pressure… to have the answers, to know what to do in uncertain times.  Mindset is huge for helping to navigate unexpected terrain and today we’re going to chat about the new mindset needed to attract and retain top clients and employees post covid.  I’m so excited to welcome Lynn Thomas, CEO of Thomas Consulting specializes in client and employee retention.  

Lynn Thomas is an experienced, accomplished, dynamic, energetic, and deeply caring leader. She has been committed to cultivating transformative leaders for over 30 years — working with executives, managers, founders, organizations, and institutions to navigate change, rejuvenate culture and exceed their potential in areas of business and beyond. Covid offers companies a rare opportunity to harness the diamonds in the rough and turn them into invaluable insights that can catapult them forward.

"Don't ever underestimate the power of a motivated, engaged, productive, and happy employees…" ~  Lynn Thomas, Thomas Consulting

Episode Highlights:

• Lynn’s career that started out as a Tax Attorney to Private Banker to Change Agent to founder of Thomas Consulting
• Why a new mindset is needed to attract and retain top clients
• How to develop employees and ensure employee satisfaction is high which leads to increased productivity and retention
• Why coming up with 20 solutions/options to a problem can lead to creative breakthrough and how to complete the exercise
• How to leverage a board of advisors
• The keys to retaining top clients with in-depth interviews and why not to use surveys
• Tips for generating referrals in your business by asking
• How to ask for feedback in your business in order to improve, uncover blind spots and grow
• Why Emotional Intelligence is a key skill to tap into for the way forward

Four decision making behaviour questions to ask your top clients:

• Why did they come to you
• Why did they stay
• Why would they leave
• Why would they would refer or not refer you

"...being uncomfortable is the message to you that you're growing…" ~ Lynn Thomas, Thomas Consulting

Thanks for sharing your perspectives that shift!

Connect with Lynn: 

• LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnthomasjd/ 
• Blog: https://www.thomasconsultingwins.com/blog/ 
• Website:  https://www.thomasconsultingwins.com/  

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

In this week’s episode, I chat with Claudia Aronowitz who recently wrote an article on LinkedIn about Toxic Positivity that got over 6000 views.  This topic is relevant and one that I felt was essential to bring to the forefront.   To help with showing up authentically on social media and to release the need to feel that when we share our story it has to always be positive.  

Toxic positivity is defined as an obsession with positive thinking. It is the belief that people should put a positive spin on all experiences, even those that are profoundly tragic.  The impact of it is that it can invalidate one’s emotional state, it also increases secondary emotions: it may end up with feelings of being ashamed of being sad or embarrassed about being afraid or angry.

Claudia Aronowitz is an accomplished personal development and relationship coach.  Claudia uses compassion, insight and straightforward communication to support her clients through change and transition. Her ability to clarify complex situations, and break them down into accessible steps, helps her clients gain new perspectives and confidence, while embracing new opportunities.

Positivity can be toxic because part of being positive is accepting that you have bad days and things you dislike and all kinds of feelings. ~ Claudia Aronowitz

In this episode:

• Learn about Claudia’s journey to entrepreneurship
• Understanding toxic positivity, the impact it can have and how to respond to it
• The powerful concept of the word AND and it permits you to embrace the good and the bad
• Acceptance, facing fears, and how to change the relationship with yourself
• Embracing how both humans and relationships are perfectly imperfect
• The process of getting to know yourself, to have personal awareness and why it’s essential in leadership

...I can say I'm having a hard time. I can say, you know, this year has been complicated.  I can be real, permitting the other person to be real too…. ~ Claudia Aronowitz

Thank you Claudia for sharing your story, it truly provides powerful perspectives that shift.

Connect with Claudia: 

• Website:  www.claudiaaro.com 
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/claudiaaronowitz_coaching/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiaaronowitz/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaAronowitz/ 
• Blog: https://claudiaaro.com/blog/ 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

 You’ve invested in your brand, thought of a name… the colours, the website domain… there’s time, heart, and passion that goes into it.  And it’s important to protect your brand because reality is, someone else can have the same thing too!  Even naming this podcast, I went through weeks of research to pick a name that I can protect, that is unique but also aligned to who I am.  Today we’re going to dive into the very important topic of brand protection and trademarks with special guest Cynthia Mason, a Canadian lawyer and trademark agent.  I met Cynthia in a women’s entrepreneur group and she has educated and helped many entrepreneurs on trademarking for business.

Cynthia Mason is a Canadian lawyer and trademark agent with a passion for helping businesses arm themselves with the information and tools necessary to protect their brands from copycats. Over the span of her 20-year legal career, she has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies to protect their names, logos and taglines from theft and misuse.

Cynthia is also a legal innovator and has developed an online platform for registering and monitoring trademarks, making professional brand protection accessible for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Episode Highlights:

• Learn about Cynthia’s path to entrepreneurship
• Understand the meaning of what a trademark is and why it’s necessary for your business
• Discover tips for protecting your brand
• How to choose a good name that can be trademarked
• Why is there so much value in your brand and protecting it
• Tangible action steps for moving forward 
• How a Trademark agent can help with the trademark process

“Register your trademarks, your name, your logo. If you're using a tagline, register that as well. They really are fundamental elements to your brand and you want to make sure that you own them. Don't make the mistake of believing that just because it came out of your head, you actually own it. You have to take the steps to own it. And the steps are not difficult. They can be intimidating, but there are people there who can help you.” ~ Cynthia Mason, Mason PC

Thank you Cynthia for sharing your perspectives that shift!  Get in touch with Cynthia for a free consultation to obtain more information about owning and protecting your name, logo or other trademarks here:  https://masonpc.com/book-a-consultation/

Connect with Cynthia: 

• Instagram Handle:  https://instagram.com/masonpctrademarks
• Twitter Handle: CMasonPC
• LinkedIn Link:www.linkedin.com/in/masonpc
• Facebook Link: MasonProfessionalCorporation
• Blog:  https://masonpc.com/blog/
• Website:  https://masonpc.com

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

Your busy season is approaching… your heart beats faster, it feels as though there are less minutes in a day to get things done, to prepare, it’s showtime… but wait, you haven’t had a chance to connect with your partner or your family… "there will be time... when things get less busy…", by then there may be tears, frustration, yelling.   Does this feel familiar?   This is my storyline on repeat and guess what? There's a way that couples can survive and thrive in the busiest of times.  

I’m so excited to welcome Allison Villa, Psychotherapist + Relationship Expert, creator of The 4 Relationship Seasons-, and host of the Couplehood podcast.   We learn about how to apply the 4 Relationship Seasons lean into her expertise on helping couples remain healthy during peak periods in business… and during uncertain and stressful times such as a pandemic.   Her honest approach to parents in love has impacted couples, and families, worldwide. 

Episode Highlights:

• Allison’s personal story of recovering perfectionist meets motherhood 
• The inspiration behind Allison’s brand vibe and the evolution of her personal brand
• The 4 Relationship Seasons: what they are, why every couple goes through them, and why naming them is empowering and provides clarity/direction 
• Tips for entrepreneurs for managing expectations in relationships during the coping season
• How couples can survive and thrive during the peaks and valleys of the entrepreneurial journey
• Recommendations for couples on how to deal with periods of uncertainty
• The breakdown of Allison’s marriage that led to a breakthrough 

Thank you Allison for sharing your story and unique perspectives that shift! 

Find out your Relationship Season by taking the free quiz: https://www.allisonvilla.com/quiz

Connect with Allison: 

• Instagram Handle:  https://www.instagram.com/allison__villa/
• LinkedIn Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-villa-39342ab0/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allisonvillarelationshipexpert 
• Podcast: https://www.allisonvilla.com/podcast 
• Website:  https://www.allisonvilla.com/ 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com  

A website is essential for your business growth, think of it like a virtual business card, a virtual storefront where visitors can enter and browse and get to know you, your product, your service.  How can you get them to stay a while longer?  How can you get them to BUY?  This is one of my favourite topics to dive into because I see the impact that websites can make and that professional brand photos can make on a website.  

In today’s episode we dive into how to create a website that sells, that will attract your dream client with special guest Erin Dean Williams, website designer and brand strategist for entrepreneurs.

 
Erin Dean Williams is a leading website designer and brand strategist  for entrepreneurs. She’s helped dozens of entrepreneurs create drool worthy brands and websites that increase revenue and standout. 

… creating your website and your content strategy is an opportunity to go back to the roots of why you started your business…. ~ Erin Williams

Episode Highlights:

• [3:08] The story of how Erin became an entrepreneur
• [8:49]  Why a website is essential for portraying your brand vibe and for business growth
• [10:48]  Tips for designing a website that sells
• [15:15]  How to be strategic and intentional with the content on your website or blog and why it matters 
• [18:21]  Ways to effectively manage your website and mistakes to avoid

 You want that one-liner or headline at the top of the page, because you only have five seconds to really engage people that land on your website.  You want that top part of your website to tell people what it is you do and how you can help them and have a call to action to either book a call with you or buy your product or buy your service. ~ Erin Williams

Stay tuned for Erin’s upcoming online course,  Brand Accelerator for Coaches, launching in September.

Connect with Erin: 

• Website:  https://erindeanwilliams.com/  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erindeanwilliams/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-williams-0a8b9445/
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Sunrise-Brand-Studio-104335828025065 
• Blog:  https://www.sunrisebrandcollective.com/blog

Links mentioned in the episode:

• https://www.sunrisebrandcollective.com/freebies , 
• https://erindeanwilliams.com/booked-coach-brand-accelerator 

Connect with Nathalie:

• Website:  https://pictonat.com  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 

Did you know that affirmations are a part of your toolkit to help with your mindset, keeping you positive and helping with building confidence?  True story. I’m so excited to welcome special guest Tanya Thomson to chat about enriching your mindset for high performance and growth… in business and in life.  This episode will truly shift your perspective.

Tanya is the founder of RYSE; a business built out of necessity, both for herself but also for the struggles that we as women go through.

As a Marketer in the corporate world, Tanya had a successful career, working for big brands like RBC, Air Canada, AT&T, Kraft Heinz, the list goes on. When she went on mat leave, she thought she'd return in 9 months and pick-up exactly where she  left off. That clearly was not the case. Her former employer filled her role, leaving her unemployed. Less than two weeks later COVID-19 hit.

The months to follow were an emotional roller coaster, from being forced to sell their condo & move in with her parents, to figuring out what she was going to do with her life. After a year of soul searching she found that her story was very similar to many other women; though the words are different the storyline is always the same. Women feeling unworthy, undervalued and unappreciated.

This is why we need to make changes. So, with that thought, RYSE was born.

RYSE strives to empower all women through positive affirmations and every day reminders; we provide the tools to enrich your mindset.

Episode Highlights:

• [03:08] How Tanya created her own opportunity with the creation of her company Ryse
• [08:21] Insights on the parallels between the determination and grit of athletes to high performance in business
• [11:56] How happiness and success are correlated 
• [14:24] The four categories of the Ryse Affirmation cards and how it empowers and speaks to people on different days
• [18:43] Experience a live card reading
• [21:26] How consistency is key for forming habits and enriching your mindset
• [26:12]  Tips for leaning into being open and vulnerable 
• [31:16]  The power of looking at challenges as new opportunities

Look at challenges as opportunities for new beginnings. ~Tanya Thomson, Ryse 

This episode will truly shift your perspective.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Mamas and Co. community membership for women entrepreneurs https://www.mamasandco.com/a/42958/ao4jcZBy

Connect with Tanya: 

• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/shop_ryse/
• Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/shopryse
• Website:  https://shopryse.ca/
• Join the free Facebook group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/shopryse/

Connect with Nathalie:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pictonatphoto/  
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/pictonatphotography 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pictonatbrandingcreative/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathalie-amlani/ 
• Join the Free Focal Tangent:  Brand Builder Society Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandbuildersociety 
• Website:  https://pictonat.com