OV Boss Babes

We search all around for the perfect chip truck in the summer and us Ontarian's love our chip trucks! And good truck employees don't get nearly enough credit in the summer.

Sarah Abbott from Bob's Fries in Merrickville talks about how she went from working in the social service sector and came to own her childhood chip truck that she used to work at while she was in high school. Sarah also talks about one of the "quieter" issues that can not always work out when owning a business, and that's going into business with a friend.

Sarah is proud to have an all-female team at Bob's Fries and shares how her food truck business really offers opportunities to her staff beyond a part time job, and that's to create a safe place, a sense of belonging, lifelong friends, and of course, free food!

Massage Therapy is, by definition, a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps to alleviate the discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions. And Emille McKay, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), along with her team of 2 other RMT's, have 3 mottos within their practice: client-centred care, trust and compassion, and community though her practice at McKay Massage Therapy.

Emilie also wanted to take a new and different approach to guide and partner with other like-minded RMT's and massage therapy business owners: to guide them to amplify their strengths, support their growth, and show them the opportunities to help build their dream practice though her coaching business, the RMTpreneur.

Emilie also shares her parental experience becoming a NICU mom when her son was born prematurely at only 25 weeks, and how she got through that difficult time being separated from her son and the support she received from the community and other mom's to share that they are not alone in that difficult journey.

This month on Boss Babe Corner, we are shining a spotlight on several food trucks across our region that deserve some recgonition because many have been going at it before, during and after the pandemic.

This week, we are showcasing Pura Vida Food Truck, based out of Almonte, ON whose mantra is all about bringing people together with food. Owners Michelle and Justin are highly involved in the health, wellness and fitness industries and wanted to embark on their vision to provide their customers with high quality, fresh and great tasting food, including handcrafted tacos, bowls, burgers and smoothies, as well as a wide assortment of non-alcoholic drinks!

They also cater to those with dietary restrictions, so there is something for everyone! They also plug the expansion of their business, and I might've just plugged the Petawawa Container Market for them to park their food truck at this summer, so be sure to stay tuned for details on that!

Erin Curtis has always been passionate about supporting individuals with a variety of needs and she wanted to provide a personalized, evidence-based and family focused service that would address the accessibility barriers of ABA Therapy in Renfrew County. Erin is a certified applied behaviour analysis (ABA) parent educator and the owner of Dragonfly Family & Learning Services, and she and her team help aid families in supporting their neurodivergent child(ren) through skill building and/or behaviour reduction.

After relocating to the Ottawa Valley in 2018, Erin quickly realized that services tailored to neurodivergent individuals was greatly needed. Find out what exactly ABA is, what kinds of person-centred programs are specifically targeted for children with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other neurodivergent learners, and how Erin and her team of therapists recognize each individual's unique skills, life experience, and goals and help YOU as the caregiver or parent help them to succeed.

The Ottawa Valley is full of East Coasterswho have dropped their anchors here and Laurie Collins wanted to share a taste of her homeland's flavours, fresh lobster, live music, a silent auction and art installations through a festival weekend, with two back to back events: an Anchored Kitchen Party in Pembroke and a Tapas & Trails culinary adventure in Laurentian Valley!

We've been seeing it advertised nonstop on our socials but what in Lord Tunderin' Jesus is an Anchored Kitchen Party?! Hear how Laurie's inspiration started during the pandemic, how she's managed to plan two fun events and experiences in one weekend, and a sneak peek as to what to expect (and if tickets are still available!) Learn more at https://tapasandtrails.ca and https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theantigonishexperience/676651/

Chéla Breckon, a woman many have heard of, worked with, or seen in action, is a business leadership expert who works with organizations across Renfrew County and beyond, specializing in team-based strategy development, creating welcoming communities, change management, leadership training and more.

A fierceless leader who is in full command of her voice, Chéla shares her thinking, ideas and creativity to help other women feel empowered, inspired and valued, bringing them to a whole new level of confidence in themselves, their business and their teams.

This babe is disrupting the stereotypical beliefs that you’re limited to advancing in a small town, and works with her clients to shift challenges into opportunities, creating transformational change. Chèla talks about female empowerment, what feminism looks like in 2022, how she teaches rural communities to think strategically and to see the potential within their own demographics, and how she helps rebel rural women build legendary businesses.

OVBB Podcast is excited about our latest partnership with Startup Ottawa Valley, which supports rural members through various biz resources, networking events, workshops, and highlights diverse and innovated businesses and entrepreneurs in our community.

Startup Ottawa Valley is a network through the Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, whose mission is to connect with the entrepreneurship community across the Ottawa Valley.

Marie-Josée (MJ) Lévesque holds graduate degrees in library science and business administration, is a certified lrofessional coach and is the proud owner of the newest handmade pottery shop in Pembroke!

During the pandemic when there was a sense of panic, uncertainty and unpredictable lockdowns and closures, MJ realized that her artistic and creative passion was leading her in a new direction, taking her down the entrepreneurial road, which we all know has its bumps, road blocks, and detours but in the end - is worth the drive to get to our destination.

Bumpy Roads Studio offers contemporary-looking functional pottery that is timeless! For those looking at creating their own handmade pottery and learning the craft, MJ also holds in-person clay nights at her studio, as well as her Summer "Claycation" where clay enthusiasts can enjoy a week of fun exploration of the pottery process!

Locals love flocking to Good Food Company in Carleton Place, whether it be for their delicious deli snack box, a fresh grab-and-go salad, or their homemade banana walnut scones. The owner, Petra Graber, originally worked as a pastry chef, starting a catering business with a friend, setting up booths at the Carleton Place Farmer's Market before taking the biggest risk any entrepreneur could do: open her own cafe and restaurant!

This Chamber of Commerce 2019 award winner explains the evolution of the restaurant industry from the late 90's to where it is now in 2022: from how going out to breakfast or brunch really wasn't a thing, advertising your business was merely word of mouth or basic advertising (aka no social media), and she had initially pitched the frozen freezer meals idea - but no one thought that it would take off with customers! And boy, were they wrong!

Sharon, Lois and Bram is a nostalgic and legendary Canadian children's group that rose to fame in 1978 and has been listened to by millions of families and passed on through generations. These three performers quickly discovered that they shared a common philosophy about creating quality music for people of all ages and their hit music can still be streamed on platforms like Spotify, along with their TV show The Elephant Show found on YouTube.

After 44 years, their legacy remains strong as one group member, Sharon Hampson, is continuing on the band's love for singing and bringing joy to families of all ages, along with her daughter Randi, who is also their band manager. With sold-out shows and a fanbase that still knows every word and movement to its songs, this mother-daughter duo continue to share the music of Sharon, Lois & Bram with fans and friends, old and new.

Tune in to hear how Sharon initially got into folk music (and why dropping out of high school was the best decision she could've made), why she and Bram decided not to replace Lois after she stepped back, how Randi got involved as band manager, and... Holly asks if they would be down for a sing-a-long and Storytime of their new books at White Pine Books in Arnprior! Find out!

At the young age of 3, April Resmer was first introduced to the piano and was the youngest person to compete in the Kiwanis Music Festival. For as long as April could remember, she has loved music and enjoyed learning and playing the piano, wanting to share her passion with others.

Although April has taught students of all ages, she has a way with school-aged children and has similar traits of an elementary teacher, which makes practicing and learning with April so fun for children!

April gives our listeners an inside look into what Ms. April's Music Studio all offers, along with some fun trivia about the piano and if she can even play a full song with her eyes closed! April is also offering fun summer camps this July that you'll definitely want to take advantage of!