OV Boss Babes

A career in the healthcare sector is not only rewarding but it provides you with the opportunity to serve and work with people on a daily basis, whe people face serious health challenges or injuries, witnessing the moment of birth or the end of life—you get to know the patients very quickly and have the opportunity to play an important role in their lives.

Avery Jackson, a former Algonquin College Registered Practical Nursing (RPN) Alumni, shares his experience about the RPN program and how it prepared him for work in the healthcare sector, why nursing is a great career option for both men and women, and how it's been a rewarding experience for him (which is why he is continuing to advance his education in this field).

Learn more about the RPN program at Algonquin college waterfront campus by visiting https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/program/practical-nursing/l and start your journey towards a career that is meaningful and will truly make an impact!

Luxury glamping has on in the rise for quite some time but dome glamping is the alternative experience for an unforgettable holiday close to nature... and where cozy meets comfort!

Chantal Duffy and Jenna Jean-Marie are just two of the biz owners behind Hillhaus Domes Pontiac, a new form of outdoor hospitality that has grown in popularity with geodesic domes where you can unplug, retreat and recharge all while enjoying the elements of the outdoors without having to compromise comfort.

In this episode, Chantal and Jenna share with us:

🛖 Why winter glaming has become super popular (and is even attracting Australians!)

🛖 Does their name Hillhaus have anything to do with the Netflix "Haunting of Hill House" series? 👻

🛖 How they decorated AND separated "rooms" when the dome is cingular with no walls?!

🛖 Why glamping in domes is the closest you'll get to nature without having to give up little luxuries AND giving you an unforgettable holiday!

Young or old, we enjoy looking our best. Unfortunately though, seniors who face mobility issues, are restricted to retirement residence or other limiting abilities can have a difficult time getting personal care on a regular basis. What the rest of us tend to take for granted by getting our hair done on a regular basis, those in long term care homes or are restricted to their homes are unable to book a haircut with their favourite stylist at their leisure.

But the good news is that Kelly Sperry, the owner of Kelly's Salon Services Unbound Inc, offers long term care homes residents and private clients an in-person salon experience so that they don't have to worry about finding their next trim.

In this episode, Kelly shares how she helps keep our aging community looking and feeling great, helping them maintain their appearance and dignity. She's also one of Enterprise Renfrew County's Starter Company Plus Program recipients and shares how this program helped to improve her business, while also giving her the confidence and ability to incorporate her biz!

Growing up as a competitive rhythmic gymnast, Alexis Officer discovered the joy of movement at an early age. She’d spend hours in the gym immersed in the flow of putting her body in motion. She also experienced the reality of injuries and learned how failing to take care of your body can drastically reduce your quality of life.

This physical therapist and her team works to balance the art of human connection with the science of restoring, maintaining, and improving mobility, function, and well-being, while also integrating Pilates into her practice at Art & Science Physiotherapy and Pilates.

In this episode, we chatted about:

🏃🏻‍♀️ The importance of moving our bodies - from stretching to exercise.

😣 Chronic and persistent pain, and the physical functioning of those with chronic health conditions

🧘🏽‍♀️ How Alexis helps her patients to develop a deeper connection between their mind and body

🙌🏻 The importance of self care, preventing burnout and what that looks like for biz owners

There are no words for the magnitude of loss and pain a family can experience when losing a child - especially one taken quickly, unexpectedly and at such a young age. Reesie Elizabeth Olmsted wasn't even two when she caught the flu that took a turn for the worst last November. 3 months later, the Olmsted family is honouring her memory this February for what would have been her 2nd birthday, starting the Love 4 Reesie Foundation to help keep Reesie’s memory alive.

Reese's mom, Lia Olmsted, shares with us about the beautiful, cheery and sweet fun little girl that she was and how you can get involved in her foundation. Special thanks to Kerri and Ashley from Whatever Custom in Downtown Carleton Place for launching the foundation's apparel line in such a quick turnaround time 🤍

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Taylor Gagne knew that she didn't want to help build someone else's dream and instead, at the age of 24, returned home to Pembroke and started her very first business, Ottawa Valley Promotions. Fast forward a few short years later, Taylor has built a successful brand, creating Insoired Events, and most recently, The Party Shop.

Taylor continues to inspire us with a level of creativity and resilience, as she has pivoted and persevered through the pandemic (because navigating a wedding and event rental biz during the pandemic was not an easy feat), not to mention doing all of this before she turned 30, as she restructured her business, created a collaborative team + working space with other solo biz babes, and has become a niche market leader in her industry.

Hear this incredible young entrepreneur's story unfold as she breaks down her journey and how her new modern day party biz, The Party Shop, aligns so well with her brand to create events that are both instagramable and an experience!

Brenna Jansen is a third generation farmer but getting into agriculture wasn't something that she had initially envisioned herself doing. After studying commerce in school, relocating to Germany and working an 8-5 job in the petroleum Brenna Jansen is a third generation farmer but getting into agriculture wasn't something that she had initially envisioned herself doing. After studying commerce in school, relocating to Germany and working an 8-5 job in the petroleum business, she realized agriculture was "in her roots" and returned to the Ottawa Valley - and she's been ✨killing it✨ at Hedgeview Farm Organics ever since.

Brenna is an inclusive employer, hiring a employee through Counity Living Upoer Ottawa Valley, has teamed up with Ullrich's to retail her vegetables, has been featured in many news and media outlets across the board, most recently Edible Ottawa and was named Kubota's Woman Farmer of the Year.

The agriculture industry has changed a lot over the years, with more female farmers taking over and it being recognized for what it is - a business! After years of hard work, Brenna is at a point in her career where she always dreamed she would be and is advocating towards educating the community about agriculture to help change social structures and cultural norms.

Although Michelle Letourneau studied psychology and criminology in school, after relocating to the Ottawa Valley and discovering limiting jobs available in her field but realizing the need for mortgage brokers, she decided to become a licensed mortgage broker. Michelle eventually moved out of her home based office and opened her own brokerage office and has since expanded her team - and this babe has with her clients' best interest at heart, building a relationship that lasts the life of your mortgage needs.

This boss babe assists with home purchases, refinances, renewals, rental properties and more. She also makes learning about mortgages, credit checks and interest rates fun with her entertaining reels and tik Toks, proving that you can educate your audience and have some fun while you're at it!

In this episode, discuss:

💻 If you are self employed, what do you all need to be approved to purchase a home?

🏡 When would it make sense to refinance your home? Is it worth it?

🏠What are the risks of purchasing a foreclosed home?

💰 Do you actually need 20% of a down payment on your home? Can it be less?

As birth and postpartum doulas with over 15 years of combined experience, Christine Crook and Erin Kasungu of Rooted Family Wellness Centre in Kanata have worked with countless new parents and understand first-hand the positive impact that community has on growing families.

The journey of bringing a baby into the world is a vulnerable and life-changing time and they wanted to create a single source of services, education, and community for new parents. Their multi-disciplinary wellness centre was born out of their shared passion for making new parents feel supported, heard, and loved at every stage of their birthing and parenting journey.

From pelvic floor physiotherapy, infant massages, parenting coaching, to providing mental health support post-birth and so many other holistic wellness services, the Rooted Family Wellness team is here for you through your entire journey!

Growing up, many of our most fondest memories are recall spending time outside and learning and exploring the outdoors is crucial to every child's development. Aria Bunkis is an outdoor enthusiast who initially saw herself as a marine biologist or geologist but when she realized that her passion for education, child psychology, and well-being was a career that she wanted to pursue.

Arija is a firm believer that nature and being outside provides deep insight into connection and she is passionate in creating the space and time for children of all cultures, race, neurodiversity’s, ages, abilities, and experiences to engage

and develop holistically in nature through her business, Out and About Forest School and Nature.

Arija also shares with us her experience at Algonquin College Waterfront Campus taking the Registered Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and how it's led to her creating child-centered programs that are interest-led, inquiry-driven, and educator-supported, encouraging self-discovery and resiliency.

Learn more about the ECE program here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/program/early-childhood-education/