Laura Spencer became a fertility coach in the hopes of helping other women who are struggling trying to get pregnant. Because she too has faced the IVF cancellations, dreaded attending baby showers, cringed seeing the never ending pregnancy announcements, and through her own fertility journey, has discovered clarity and acceptance. Since 2019, Laura has been supporting others facing fertility decisions and navigating primary and secondary infertility and miscarriages and other fertility loss.

In this episode, we bear it all, talking about the struggles, fhe obstacles and challenges women face when trying to conceive. From tracking through ovulation tests, why the evaporation line on a pregnancy test is so misleading, what PCOS is, and so much more.

Before I talked to Victoria Cleary, Owner and Certified Athletic Therapist at VC Athletic Therapy, I thought that athletic therapy was for ONLY athletes and those competing in regular physical sports. But Victoria explained that EVERYONE is an athlete in some way, shape or form. Whether you enjoy cross country skiing, paddling on the Ottawa River, or practing yoga - we are all actively moving on a regular basis and are bound to injure or strain ourselves at some point and need to seek help.

VC Athletic Therapy provides more than just hands on treatment of sports injuries, concussion testing and emergency care. In addition, they have registered Massage Therapisty, Acupuncture, Osteopathy, Chiropractic and a Holistic Nutritionist to ensure your body is functioning inside and out. Victoria shares how movement therapy assists with pain reduction, how stress impacts your well being, how acupuncture can help you get more sleep, and so much more!

This week’s podcast episode has been sponsored by:

The Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre provides exceptional support to military families and its surrounding communities. Learn more at https://www.cafconnection.ca/Petawawa/Home.aspx

Are you a business operating in the Town of Petawawa? Register your business to Petawawa’s business directory here: https://www.petawawa.ca/business/

The Labour Market Group Renfrew-Lanark’s 2022 Employer Market Survey is now live. Let your voice be heard! https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EmployerOneRenfrewLanark?fbclid=IwAR3M7BYdngnohVEAUKsadzDdrFxDbevVHQKDmo_Zl1-OwtMbmY-1ndIt54o

As a feminist communications and strategy firm, With Chéla Inc. works with changemaking women who want to co-develop personal and professional strategies to amplify their voices, work, and big ideas. Learn more at https://withchela.com/

When Mary Brown’s opened it’s doors in the Petawawa community, the level of excitement was a 10/10 because we were so pumped to have this famous tasty chicken and taters restaurant in our neighbourhood. And Lorie Cove, owner and operator of the Petawawa location has been recognized as an outstanding business owner and military veteran, and is an active member of the community, supporting many local initiatives.

On Wednesday, February 2, 2022 it’s BRITTANEY FRASER-MCCANN DAY at Mary Brown’s where $2 from every two piece meal will go towards Brittaney Fraser-McCann’s family. Brittaney was a mother of four boys, wife and nurse at the Pembroke Regional Hospital and at Hela Beauty and passed away on December 17th, 2021 at only 33 years old.

We have seen so many beautiful and heartfelt tributes about Brittaney from her friends, co workers, and community. Now we hear firsthand from Brittaney’s stepmom, as she shares Brittaney’s love for her career, her boys, and her passion for life.

This episode has been generously sponsored by 104.9 MyFM Pembroke and Mary Brown’s head office. Please consider stopping by Mary Brown’s on February 2 and purchasing a 2 piece meal, where $2 from every meal goes to the well-being and future of Brittaney’s family.

Stephanie de Montigny is a photographer, blogger and content creator who openly shares the daily wins and struggles of being a work-from-home boss mama raising a toddler and newborn AND a business at the same time. She was recently nominated as Faces Magazine’s 2022 “Best Blog” for her self described trailblazing blog, Boss Mama Diaries, and connects and supports with other boss mom’s through the Boss Mama Collective.

Stephanie’s honesty with a side of sarcastic dry humour has you chuckling as she shares how she consistently comes up with new content, how she juggles three businesses while raising her children full time, how you can reuse your pictures, posts and content, and why she ALWAYS includes a copyright disclaimer at the bottom of her photos.

This week’s episode has been sponsored by:

Enchante Cosmetic & Medical Aesthetics is a Botox, laser therapy and medical spa that provides you with a natural looking appearance, making you look and feel good in your own skin. Book your next appointment at https://mcaesthetics.ca/linkbio

Sweetened by Shelly would love to cater / create desserts for your next event or social gathering. Find her on Facebook and Instagram at Sweetened by Shelly.

Plan Your Visit with the Mississippi Mills Fun Guide. You will find natural, cultural, and heritage assets combined with friendly people, unique shops and amazing restaurants will fill your visit with incredible experiences: https://www.mississippimills.ca/en/explore-and-play/explore-mississippi-mills.aspx

Agnew Renovations offers quality home renovations at affordable prices. Give them a call at 613-639-5971 or check them out on Facebook to see their recent transformation projects!

In 2017, the Allard family founded the Ethan Allard Memorial Hockey Fund (EAMHF) in 2017 following the tragic death of their son Ethan in a workplace accident. Ethan always had a passion for hockey and sports and the Allard’s wanted to ensure that their brother and son’s legacy carried on by helping youth across the Ottawa Valley have the ability to get involved in sports.

Although the pandemic has kiboshed plans around the annual hockey tournament, the family isn’t letting the pandemic stop them and have announced they will be holding the Ethan Allard Ball Hockey Tournament on June 4, 2022 at the Civic Centre in Petawawa!

Be sure to follow the Ethan Allard Memorial Hockey Fund on Facebook and Instagram to stay tuned for updates, donate, sponsor the tournament and get involved!

This well loved micro brewery knew that craft beer was cool over 28 years ago and wanted to be able to put cans of their freshly crafted beer directly in the hands of their friends and customers. Perth Brewery has grown their collection to feature over 20 beer styles, all of which are available for free home delivery across Ontario, and are available at your local LCBO, grocery and Beer Store.

Co owner Cathy Brown shares how she initially got involved as a third partner in the brewery business, who is the creative brains behind those cool and unique designs and clever beer names, what the process was like for getting their craft beers on the shelves at the LCBO, and why the craft brewery business has fun written all over it!

This week’s episode has been sponsored by:

Century 21 Aspire Realty is the gold standard in Canadian real estate. Search current listings, get insight into a particular neighbourhood, find out how much your home is worth and more! Visit https://aspirerealty.c21.ca to speak to one of their knowledgeable real estate agents today.

Valley Heartland supports businesses within Lanark County + North Leeds by providing entrepreneurs with access to funding, training and mentorship. Learn more at https://www.valleycfdc.com

Are you a first time entrepreneur? An established chain owner? A student with a summer start-up idea? We want your business! Check out Perth’s Community Profile for a picture of life in Perth and the following resources to help you make the move: https://www.perth.ca/en/do-business/community-profile.aspx

At Edward Jones, their role is to understand your financial goals and explore the hundreds of solutions out there to find the right fit. Achieving your financial goals begins with understanding them. Contact financial advisor Christine Jarrett for all of your financial needs at 613-432-1688.

The Grind Pembroke is a 100% volunteer run non profit organization that provides a coffee house, community kitchen, outreach ministry, emergency shelter services

client services office, and youth services recreational programs. The organization does not receive government funding but relies on donations and fundraising.

Administrative assistant Bonnie Harnett speaks proudly on behalf of the Grind, sharing what initially sparked her interest to want to join the Grind team, how they’ve navigated through the challenging times of COVID-19, how the support of their community and volunteers has helped hundreds of vulnerable people, and their annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraising event, taking place Saturday, February 26. This week’s episode has been sponsored by The City of Pembroke. Indoor dining may be closed, but you can still enjoy Pembroke’s amazing selection of food! Join the Takeout Challenge and show our restaurants your support. Check out their Facebook page for more info!

Elle Macqueen has always enjoyed event hosting and event planning and knew that she wanted to incorporate these skills into her next business venture. As a business consultant, she has coached many boutique hotels, small chains and short term rental owners on how to build and brand their experience and wanted to build create a welcoming and personalized experience for guests that book a stay at Sugar Cove Cottages.

Elle shares her journey of what brought her to the Ottawa Valley and why it was her silver lining during the pandemic, what guests can expect when they book a stay at Sugar Cove Cottages, and we both share a “crappy” rental nightmare story (from a landlord AND renter’s perspective).

This week’s podcast has been sponsored by:

Enterprise Renfrew County’s Starter Pous Company program will be gearing up again in spring 2022. Learn more at https://www.enterpriserenfrewcounty.com/programs/starter-company-plus/

Are you an operating business located in Laurentian Valley! Register your business today at https://directory.lvtownship.ca/?_mid_=9349

Enjoy a boutique salon & spa experience at the Urban Lounge & Spa. Their stylists and certified aestheticians will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. Book your next self care appointment: https://urbanlounge.schedulista.com/

Join the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association’s #tourismfamily today by becoming an OVTA member. It’s completely free! http://www.ottawavalley.travel/About_the_OVTA/Become_an_OVTA_Member.html

When you hear “essential workers”, many of us immediately think of healthcare workers, medical professors and first responders. But front line workers working tirelessly in the developmental services sector also need to be recognized.

Natasha Brennan is a Community Living worker at Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley who is a proud advocate for people with developmental disabilities. Natasha shares that inclusion of people with disabilities is important within their personal lives and the community, and how her role goes beyond taking them to appointments, assisting in their day-to-day lives and providing essential care.

Community Living Upper Ottawa Valley is hiring - start your career in the developmental services sector and help make a difference and inspire possibilities!

Akousa Asare was our very first guest when OVBB first launched to talk to me all about her first business, Essence Luxe Couture Wigs. She even had the opportunity to appear on Dragon’s Den AND scored herself a deal. But it was leaving her stressed and completely unmotivated. Once Akos knew it was time to shut it down and walk away, she followed her true passion of producing organic, local and sustainable farm-fresh produce and flowers. And so, Re.Planted Urban Farm was created.

We talk all about the root behind Re.Planted, composting and organic produce, her “prescription flower CSA” and why this boss babe is back in full force for 2022!

This week’s podcast has been sponsored by:

Local Immogration Partnership Group of Renfrew-Lanark: Take advantage of the FREE Introduction to Intercultural Competency workshop featuring topics like Identity and Culture, Value-based Behaviours, Assigning Meaning and Unconscious Bias. Register here: https://algonquincollege.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqduqgpj0jHtPfQ_j_3Hq26-NL3eJDm-r6.

Book your skydiving experiencing with Parachute Ottawa! Opening for the 2022 season in May 2022: https://www.parachuteottawa.ca

End Of The Leash is a locally owned, women & veteran owned pet boutique where you can find all kinds of pet supplies. Shop online or in store at https://www.endoftheleashpet.ca

Ever After Bridal Boutique features a wide selection of beautiful and current wedding, mother of the bride, mother of the groom, flower girl, and prom dresses. Shop their inventory of new and consigned dresses at https://www.ever-after-bridal.ca