OV Boss Babes

At only 22 years old, Payton Forward always knew she wanted to be her own boss and create a badass workspace for her clients and staff to enjoy. Fresh out of hair school and immediately starting her apprenticeship, she worked at several salons, getting a good taste of the industry. “But if you’re not taking risks or getting out of your comfort zone, you’re never going to grow” she told herself and decided to go all in and opened her doors in Downtown Pembroke. Payton gives listeners an inside look at her journey to owning her own hair salon, and the hard work that she's put into it over these last two years, along with answering some questions that her clients may never have thought of... like what does it mean to "rent a chair", how do you maintain that friendship/boss aspect with your staff, what happens when stylists leave and the clients leave with them...and did you know that there's another Valley Roots here in the Ottawa Valley? Book your next hair appointment with Payton and her wonderful team at https://www.valleyrootshairsalon.ca/ (and be sure to tell Payton how great of a job she did on her website)! 

This week's podcast episode is sponsored by: The City of Pembroke - check out their partnered service concierge workshops: https://www.pembroke.ca/economic-development/service-concierge/ ; and Amanda Talker Media - she will help your business grow through strategic branding, photography and social media marketing: https://amandatalker.media/ 

Do you consider yourself a feminist? If you're a female entrepreneur or business owner, do you incorporate feminism marketing strategies in your business or are you just using feminist "buzzword" language? 

She is known in the area as one half of the Paperback Girls, but Jessica Khouri has been busy exploring a number of professional opportunities, including her own venture helping entrepreneurs build feminist businesses. This past fall, her co-authored book, Women Let’s Rise, became an Amazon Best-Seller. Her chapter Girl Gang, looks at building authentic and supportive communities of women in business. 

Holly dives into some deep conversation with Jess to talk about the stigma around feminism, discussion around the #bossbabe culture, how reclaiming self-care is a feminist act, and so much more. Learn more about feminism and tools and resources on how to build a feminist business through Jess' workshops: https://www.jesskhouri.com/workshops-products 

This week's podcast is sponsored by:

Sweetened by Shelly: https://www.facebook.com/SweetenedbyShelly/ 

The Town of Petawawa/Shop Petawawa: https://www.shoppetawawa.ca/ 

Bombshells Tattoo Studio: https://bombshellstattoo.ca/

If you live in the Ottawa Valley and need a kennel for your fur-baby, the Wylie Kennel East is the way to go! Kirstin Charette is the owner and operator of this full-service kennel and pet spa, offering canine & cat suites, daycare, secured and ample play areas for social interaction, on-site grooming services, premium treats and more. Holly asks Kirstin what it's like to be the owner of an animal kennel, and it's definitely a whole lot more then playing with dogs and picking up droppings all day long. Kirstin also gives listeners the inside scoop, like if any of her "guests" have ever "flown the coop" or the sound of howling keeps her family awake at night. Check out the Wylie Kennel East on Facebook and on their website at https://the-wylie-kennel-east-pet-health.business.site/

Just because gyms are closed and we're all stuck at home (yet again!) doesn't mean that we can find an excuse not to get in shape. Personal Fitness Trainer, Healthy Eating and Weight Loss Coach, Stacey Le Poivre, founder of GRL Fitness, has the programs for you! During the first lockdown, she helped current and new clients transition from gym circuits and workouts to creating two new at home workout programs: Body from Home and 4x4 to Fit. Holly also asks Stacey about fad diets, how to stay motivated at home during quarantine, and how mindset impacts and contributes to our health and fitness. Choose healthier options and be happier with daily movement and foods you love, while awakening your inner strength. Join Stacey's next 12-week program REVIVE, which focuses on the mind and body to have sustainable results and create a healthy lifestyle here: https://www.grlfitness.com/revive 

Back in early December, pre pandemic lockdown round two, Holly took a road trip to Renfrew, ON where she met with several local business women who recently launched their businesses in 2020 (with Ottawa Valley Coffee opening in 2021).  Holly invites local podcast host and entrepreneur Kathleen Barr as her co-host on the pod.  Kathleen is the host of the Above Twenty Podcast and founder of Generation Communication, where Kathleen offers various communication and social media content management.  Our guests include:

Kiara Mulvihill, a 21-year old hair salon owner who took a chance and pursued her dream of opening her very own hair studio...in the midst of the pandemic! Kiara talks about how she made the decision to open her doors during COVID-19 and the support system behind her. Once the lockdown is over, book your next hair cut with Kiara on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Hair-Society-107944614330809/

Rebecca Vandenberg decided to launch Hopewell Media, her photography/videography biz after realizing that photography was her true passion. Rebecca explains the importance of creating relationships with other women in both similar and different industries. Check out Rebecca's portfolio here: https://www.hopewellmediaont.com/ 

Lisa Grison is a mama of two littles and the founder of Valley Child Clothing, eco-friendly clothing and accessories made in Canada. Lisa and her husband are also opening Ottawa Valley Coffee in February 2021, a "community hub" coffeehouse experience, which will feature local coffee, craft beers, and a vendor market - year round! Check out Valley Child Clothing here https://valleychildclothing.ca and find Ottawa Valley Coffee on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ottawa-Valley-Coffee-109560184146739