Have you ever met someone with infectious energy? The kind of person that makes you want to be better? Inspires you to do more? Immediately upon meeting them you're like "yeah, they have IT." Well that's exactly how I felt chatting with Syrie! As a woman in a male dominated industry, she learned how to kick-a and take names quickly, but never lost her true direction: happiness. After switching career gears a few times and hustling harder than anyone I know, (she says it herself, she's always doing the most!) she now owns her own event planning businesses - essentially the business of happy! We talk starting over, charging what your worth, mentorship, imposter syndrome, trusting yourself & your journey, toxic positivity and so much more. BRB, channeling all of this energy to *actually* start believing in myself - I hope you do too!

You can visit her websites at: https://www.socialmavenbuffalo.com/ or https://www.buffalosmallweddings.com/ or find her on IG @socialmavenbuffalo @petitesoireebuffalo - while you're there give me a follow too! @RustBeltBabes

Who says you can't work full time and run a successful hand-dyed yarn company out of your apartment?! If that's the case, Imani never got the memo! She's been involved with fiber arts since elementary school and she isn't slowing down anytime soon. After starting The Knotty Buffalo, she quickly realized that accessibility was a huge issue, not only physically but mentally too. It's no secret that white women have been the gatekeepers of the crafting world and that can make it an unwelcoming place for many. So Imani set out to create a community (and hopefully soon a physical space!) where everyone is welcome and can get there easily by foot, bike, bus or car. We talk about supportive family and friends, how reliable transportation can be a deciding factor for a lot of things, the importance of having an online presence and so much more!

If you're interested in ordering any of her hand dyed yarn (she makes Bills yarn!) you can check her out on IG @knottybuffalo716 or visit her website at www.knottybuffalo.com

While your over on IG you can find me too! @RustBeltBabes

Mother? Check. Full-time job? Check. Opening a side business during the pandemic that eventually led to a brick & mortar cafe? DOUBLE CHECK. If you are ever in need of inspiration, look no further! Kartika (aka Tee) is as creative and hard-working as they come. I am so grateful she was able to spend some time with me to chat about opening Khari's Cafe. She speaks about the importance of community support, how we can start to live in a more abundant mindset, receiving guidance from ancestors, creating a space that is welcoming to all & betting on yourself. Tee's dedication to mental & community health shines through everything she does. Stop in to Khari's Cafe & you will no doubt leave happier than when you arrived!

Want to visit the cafe? You can find them at 128 Fargo Ave Buffalo, NY - Check out their website: www.khariscafe.com or Find them on Instagram @KharisCafeNY - and while you're on IG, you can follow the podcast @RustBeltBabes

This is a quick little episode focused on a woman that you should know, but probably don't. She changed history right here in Buffalo & paved the way for women after her, I introduce you to: Louise Blanchard Bethune. She was the first female architect in the nation and was ne of the voices responsible for making architecture a licensed profession. She's most well known for designing the Hotel Lafayette in downtown Buffalo, but she was also involved in numerous architecture groups & women's clubs. She was also rumored to be the first woman to buy a bike in Buffalo. I am constantly inspired by the women I learn about and she is no different! Hope to pass a little inspiration your way! 

Find me on IG: @RustBeltBabes 

Sources: Wikipedia, Pioneeringwomen.bwaf.org, wnyhistory.org, Buffalo News Archives, trailblazingwomenwny.org, buffaloah.com

Episode 3 features my dear friend April Ersing, personal trainer and owner of AE Fit 716. We chat about how she got started in the fitness industry and it turns out, she was like the rest of us - clueless! After a few personal setbacks & finding herself working a job she absolutely loathed, she decided to go back to school and has been unstoppable ever since. We cover authenticity, vulnerability & the fear of rejection, the important connection between mental and physical health, the struggle of unlearning the "beauty standards" we've all been conditioned to believe, April gives us all some great tips on how to change our mindsets when it comes to starting a new, healthy habit & so much more. 

Interested in working out with April? Check out her website at https://aefit716.com/   or you can find her on IG @aefit716

You can also find me on IG & now Tik-Tok! @RustBeltBabes (I have no idea what I'm doing on tik-tok, but here we go!)

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and ring in the New Year with good intentions for 2021 - later babes!

In this episode, I had the opportunity to chat with Terra Dumas from Common Roots Urban Farm. She was one of the first people I met when I moved to Buffalo, and I couldn't have been any luckier! She is an extremely hard-working and determined urban farmer on Buffalo's East Side. After graduating college and feeling less than enthused about teaching, she ventured down a path that would lead her closer to the earth, closer to herself and closer to Buffalo. Throughout our conversation she reveals nuggets of wisdom that have helped her work smarter, not harder & she shares how important it is to constantly learn, adapt, grow and share. 

Interested in learning more about the CSA, the farm or the Farmer Pirates? Check out their websites at https://www.commonrootsurbanfarm.com/  and https://www.farmerpirates.com/

You can also follow along on IG @commonrootsurbanfarm & @farmerpiratescompost

You can also find me on IG @rustbeltbabes 

I had the pleasure of chatting with Malissa Larson, owner of Ashtanga Yoga Buffalo for the very first episode of RBB! Her story starts back in high school, where she was first exposed to yoga and (spoiler alert!) she actually hated it! We chat about yoga, self-doubt, becoming a doula and the importance of cultivating community. Malissa gives some great advice for anyone looking to pick up a new skill, how to use loneliness as an opportunity & how to transition away from the competition mindset into one of support and growth. 

Interested in learning more about AYB or doula services? Check Malissa out online at: www.ashtangayogabuffalo.com/events-schedule/  and www.malissalarson.com You can also find her on Instagram @aybuff_133

Want to nominate someone you think is a RBB? Email me at [email protected] or find me on IG @rustbeltbabes

Have you ever felt stuck? Like life is happening around you, but not necessarily to you? Do you feel that yearning in your soul for something more? Do you suffer from self-doubt? Anxiety? Fear of failure? Can you hear your calling but are unsure how to answer? You are not alone. Welcome to Rust Belt Babes! A podcast dedicated to telling the stories of women in our communities that faced their fears and came out on the other side. Women that are invested in the Rust Belt and invested in themselves. I hope you feel empowered and inspired, so that when you do hear the calling, you have the courage to answer.