OV Boss Babes

Ottawa Valley Boss Babes' anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes concludes with Elizabeth Davis, the bombshell behind Bombshells Tattoos!

Liz is an incredibly talented and sought-after tattoo artists in the Ottawa Valley, first starting off as a tattoo artist at the famous Wizzard's Den in Petawawa, then went into hair, opening Bombshells Hair Studio AND her tattoo studio, eventually leaving hair altogether to pursue tattooing altogether.

She had a unique business model with her all-female team, but is now tattooing exclusively from her home - and has bigger plans to expand her creativity into artwork, sculpturing and more!

In this episode, Liz and I dive into:

💇🏽‍♀️How she first established the Bombshells brand as a hairstylist. However, she shared why she sold her business to concentrate on building her tattoo empire!

😳 The negative stigmas women with tattoos used to face, including the derogatory “tramp stamp”

💕 How Bombshells has empowered fellow female artists through the creation of a distinctive business model, supported by an incredible all-female team

🔥 Why Liz made the decision to relocate her business out of the downtown core and into a home studio

Ottawa Valley Boss Babes' anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes continues with Amy Penaloza

If you haven't heard of Amy Penaloza, you are living under a rock. Because this bad ass boss babe is like me who doesn't hold back on sharing her #RealTruths, nothing was off for the table for Amy, who welcomed an open conversation about the struggles and hardships she has been through in her life, along with accumulating an incredible village of women who have surrounded Amy and her family and have made her the strong, empowering and beautiful person she is today.

Amy, who had been working at another local clothing store, decided to take a chance and launch her own business, Racked Consignment, wanted to offer her community the opportunity to shop high-end clothing while also keeping in mind a budget-friendly aspect.

In this episode, we chat about....

✈️ How Amy previously worked for an airline company at the Ottawa Airport, significantly enhancing her customer service skills, preparing for her next career venture - into the world of retail!

🤍 Amy’s struggles with infertility, loss, becoming a young, single mom and pregnancy in her 40's - for anyone struggling or those battling with any of the above - Amy and I see you and we hear you!

🫶🏼 Amy gets candid about her battle with alcohol addiction, and sharing her hard but powerful road to recovery - celebrating almost 3 years of sobriety

👗 Amy shares her thoughts on fast fashion and how Racked is an empowering store for those with elevated expectations and low budgets

In 2023, the County of Renfrew declared intimate partner violence an epidemic. Intimate partner violence has continued to climb to alarming rates not just throughout our rural communities but stats prove that in Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days and one in five women faces some type of abuse in their intimate relationships.

Despite Meta's regulations blocking news and media outlets from sharing news stories on social media, if you were to search domestic violence in the Ottawa Valley, you would see numerous news stories filled with reports of domestic violence charges, intimate partner violence investigations, and Bernadette McCann House (BMH) commitment to engage with community partners to educate and support Renfrew County residents about the seriousness and long-term dangers of violence in our community.

In this episode, BMH executive director Leigh Sweeney and I chat about...

💜 Why intimate partner violence is still happening in 2024 and why there is still so much shame, embarrassment and hiding around it.

💜 How domestic violence affects everyone, whether you're a low income family, to a career professional, or in a same-sex relationship

💜 The barriers that prevents someone from leaving, but also strategies on how to prepare yourself and your children to safely (and legally) leave an abusive relationship

💜 How Bernadette McCann House offers more than just a temporary shelter, providing a 24/7 crisis helpline, outreach counselling, transitional planning, family law support, and so much more

Our anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes continues with Candace Fleming, the bad ass boss babe hairstylist with the most compelling story, and is the driving force behind Bush Beard, where she creates exceptional Canadian-made beard essential products for men. candid glimpse into the realities of small business life.

Candace first caught my attention after Small Business Centre and Valley Heartland CFDC spoke so highly of her, sharing that she was a "must-feature" guest on OVBB - and they weren't wrong! This licensed stylist with a deep passion for hair founded BUSH in 2018, and was committed to turning beard dreams into reality.

Candace not only has the entrepreneurial spirit, but she fully embraces the spirit of small business and proudly represents her Canadian roots.

In this episode, we immediately dive into Candace's journey behind the chair and becoming a highly sought after hairstylist, but then we get into....

👏🏼 How Candace has successfully navigated launching a male-based product independently and why she doesn't see herself entering the large retailer industry

🫢 Imposter syndrome, and how Candace constantly faces competition on social media, and how she has overcome it

🌸 Although BUSH products are designed for men, Candace reveals her effective strategies for attracting female consumers, who are often the ones making the purchases

🤘🏼 We both talk about it embracing our weird - because #letsBeHonest, we all do weird shit behind closed doors

📲 WATCH and LISTEN to our exclusive anniversary special episode, where Sawmill Flats hosted OVBB and our guests at one of their luxury rental units in Arnprior

🤍💕 Thank You to our Episode Sponsors:

🫶🏼 Lépine Apartments

🫶🏼 Amanda Talker Media

🎥 Produced by: Moments in Glow

Our anniversary "Where Are They Now" episodes begins with Emily Arbour, the successful entrepreneur, creative market host and incredibly passionate boss babe behind Cheerfully Made in Almonte! Inspired by her love for craft vendor markets, in 2013, Emily Arbour launched Cheerfully Made, a brick-and-mortar extension of her hosted vendor markets, showcasing Canadian makers and their products.

Over the years, Cheerfully Made has expanded to feature over 60 brands, many of which are local, while supporting a diverse community of makers, artists, and entrepreneurs. Emily is a wealth of knowledge to many and her brick and mortar has been featured by many bloggers, influencers and media outlets, putting Almonte on the map.

In this episode, we first try to wrap our heads around how Emily does it all, but then we get into...

😮‍💨 Emily's key takeaways from organizing vendor markets in her early market days, include refining the process and enhancing the overall organization of successful holiday and craft markets

🤔 Emily candidly shares her experiences of venturing into new and different business ideas, including the challenges that arise when things don't go as planned

😵 Emily relives the moment that Cheerfully Made's social media got hacked and gives helpful advice to other biz owners to prevent their accounts from potential hacks

🤐 We talk real shit, as Emily divulges some hard realities she has faced that customers and followers don't get to see - and she spills all her truths

📲 WATCH and LISTEN to our exclusive anniversary special episode, where Sawmill Flats hosted our guests at one of their luxury rental units in Arnprior 🤍💕

Thank You to our Episode Sponsors:

🫶🏼 Fe + Luz

🫶🏼 Pure Natural Portraits

🫶🏼 Destination Almonte

🎥 Produced by: Moments in Glow

Whitney Joy Smith is a remarkable entrepreneur, city councillor, and industry leader is dedicated to providing excellence across various domains, including private investigation, security services, and professional training. Her inspiring journey spans the founding and leadership of three prominent entities: The Smith Investigation Agency Inc., Smith Security Inc., and Training Centre Canada, cementing her legacy as a trailblazer in these fields.

Under her direct leadership, her investigation agency has been at the forefront of redefining professionalism and delivering exceptional results. She leads a team of expert private investigators who consistently exceed industry standards.

While she is the proud CEO of three successful businesses, in this episode, we’re focusing on Whitney's investigation agency and the factors that contribute to her exceptional private investigation services.

Kerri Broome is a celebrated energy healer and spiritual medium known for her transformative approach to healing and personal growth. With a passion for helping individuals connect to their true selves, Kerri has dedicated her life to mastering various healing modalities, culminating in the creation of Bluestar Quantum Energy Healing, a unique practice that harmonizes ancient wisdom with modern techniques.

In addition to her healing work and writing, Kerri is a talented artist whose creations reflect her deep connection to the spiritual realm. Her artwork serves as a visual expression of her healing philosophy, inviting others to engage with their own energy and emotions.

Whether through Kerri's healing sessions, books, or artistic endeavors, this boss babe embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment, guiding others on their journey toward wholeness and self-realization.

In part 2 of our 2-part feature....

🔮 We discuss how departed loved ones may "intrude" during a reading, which means they might interrupt to convey a message to someone in the physical world

✨ Kerri discusses common misconceptions around mediumship, highlighting that her abilities extend beyond connecting with passed loved ones and conveying messages

🎨 We discover how Kerri incorporates healing energy into her oil paintings and how viewers can interpret the meanings behind her artwork

🫶🏼 Kerri and I dive into healing from traumatic events, connecting with our inner child, and identifying disruptive patterns - while setting clear boundaries and intensions

Kayla Sawula is the latest downtown Arnprior boss babe to hit the scenes, brightening smiles with more than just toothpaste! Ottawa Valley Smiles is Downtown Arnprior's cutest dental hygiene boutique, offering a spa-like experience where your mouth gets the pampering it deserves.

This remarkable entrepreneur provides not only dental cleanings but also cosmetic services such as professional teeth whitening and tooth gems. With insurance coverage, flexible booking options, and a relaxed, calming atmosphere, her adorable, girly, pink space is the perfect place to treat yourself!

In this episode...

🦷 Kayla shares why she wanted to offer her dental hygiene services independently and how she is revolutionizing the oral health field, making it fun!

🩷 Listeners learn how oral health can impact women’s sex hormone fluctuations, including puberty, menstruation, and even pregnancy and lactation

🦷 Kayla spills the secrets behind her unique business model, tailoring her services and atmosphere around her female patients - making treatments feel like a spa service!

🩷 Kayla NORMALIZES oral health and hygiene practices - like it's okay if it's a battle to brush your toddler’s teeth to not flossing every day

Kerri Broome is a celebrated energy healer and spiritual medium known for her transformative approach to healing and personal growth. With a passion for helping individuals connect to their true selves, Kerri has dedicated her life to mastering various healing modalities, culminating in the creation of Bluestar Quantum Energy Healing, a unique practice that harmonizes ancient wisdom with modern techniques.

In addition to her healing work and writing, Kerri is a talented artist whose creations reflect her deep connection to the spiritual realm. Her artwork serves as a visual expression of her healing philosophy, inviting others to engage with their own energy and emotions.

Whether through Kerri's healing sessions, books, or artistic endeavors, this boss babe embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment, guiding others on their journey toward wholeness and self-realization.

In part 1 of our 2-part feature....

✨ Kerri reflects on how she initially uncovered her spiritual gifts but was fearful to embrace them—until a haunting vision of her brother's fate appeared before her, ultimately becoming a heartbreaking reality

🔮 Kerri shares how she educated herself about spirituality and the steps she took to develop her abilities, allowing her to help others

✨ We discover how Kerri connects with the spiritual realm to convey important messages to those who need to hear them, while also maintaining her everyday life

🔮 Kerri shares her expertise in providing Bluestar Quantum Energy healing to her clients and discusses how anyone can benefit from this healing method

Divorces can difficult and super stressful to navigate, but collaborative family law offers a beneficial alternative for couples seeking a more amicable approach to negotiating their separation compared to traditional legal methods. Holly Agnew, a collaborative family lawyer based out of Almonte, believes that the traditional legal process, involving lawyer-to-lawyer correspondence or court involvement, is not in the best interest of families and the outdated notion that each party must hire their own lawyer can be detrimental to families, and comes with its own sets of challenges.

Holly's collaborative family law approach allows couples to work together with specially trained lawyers (and potentially other professionals) to navigate the emotional and financial complexities of separation.

In this episode...

👩🏼‍⚖️ Holly reveals the reasoning behind her significant transition from corporate law to family law, explaining why collaborative family law was the perfect choice for her

📝 Holly shares how collaborative family allows for an out-of-court process that addresses emotional, financial and legal situations

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 We chat about child custody battles, separation agreements, parents’ legal rights and obligations, decision making - all areas Holly assists couples with minimal conflict as possible

😣 Holly talks about the stressors involving family law, how she balances heavy caseloads, dealing with an uncooperative parent, and how she leaves family files at the office