In this episode of The Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, I got to sit down with the incomparable Yolanda Marshall. Yolanda is an award winning Canadian-Caribbean children's book author. She provides a look inside the start of her journey as a poet in undergrad to a published author touring schools and libraries from the GTA to New York City.

It was a great pleasure to have this astounding woman on the podcast and to share our driving forces, those of which are our sons.

So grab your headphones or turn the volume up in your car or at home for this, because, as usual, it's going to be a great one!

Use the code: SBBS and book your first FREE class at www.shinefit.co/book and check out the incredible energy that embodies Shine Fit yourself! 

In this episode, I had the amazing pleasure of having Vera Tzoulas back on the show. This time, we went for something a little different. She taught me how to become less intimidated by the kitchen while we both shared our fondest memories of food growing up in a Greek household. Vera continues to spread the same joy of cooking with her kids and clients. It is her purpose to help others as well as her appreciation for the way that food influences life that takes the forefront in leading her successful business ventures. 

So plug in your headphones, turn up the volume in the car, or get comfy on the couch for this one, because as usual, this is going to be a great one! 

On this week's episode of the Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, we start 2024 off with Vera Tzoulas. She takes us through her journey of pivoting her successful Toronto restaurant business after the height of COVID. Vera not only diversified her business, but she created a new one in the process. So grab a snack, pen and paper and get comfortable because, trust me, this is going to be a great one!

Lana, founder of Women Who Freelance, shares her story as a freelancer. We discuss her big leap into the deep end in starting her own Canada wide freelancing community where women can connect, network and support each other in their entrepreneurial adventures. The growth of the community has been quite consistent for some time now, however, with opportunities and virtual connection increasing over the last few years, Lana has seen an even greater desire for the community she created.

On this week's release of the Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Fatima Lee Garsi, owner and coach at Sister Fit. We discuss her journey to becoming a successful business owner through addiction, her relationship with her faith and with fitness. She dives deep into her WHY of opening up her gym specifically for the LGTBQ+ BIPOC women and all that she offers to the community. Not only is Fatima's gym a place where I, as a trainer, feel welcome and at home, but it is also where our clients feel comfortable being themselves, sharing their stories, and their areas of expertise in the health and wellness industry. Fatima has built something where it is not just about fitness professionals providing the knowledge and care, but she created a space where the members contribute just as much, if not more to the space. 

In this episode of the Small Business, Big Stories podcast I have the amazing pleasure of sitting down with one of the biggest names in the kettlebell world, Sylvia Takada.

Discovering her love for kettlebells not only opened up a path for self discovery but also a community like no other. Sylvia speaks on the complexities and beauty of being a woman in fitness and how she uses her platform to support and educate other women on the truth of building a strong mind and body.

As a mom, business woman, kettlebell enthusiast and so much more, Sylvia is such an incredible spirit and someone whom I am so grateful shared her journey with us. So, plug in your headphones, turn up the volume in the car, or get comfy on the couch for this one, because as usual, this is going to be a great one.

On this week's episode of the Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, The Canvas release, I had the amazing pleasure of chatting with Cassandra, owner of Pura Vida Tattoos. She takes me through her incredible journey of becoming one of the top microblading artists in the GTA and the strides she took in becoming a tattoo artist. We share our passion for art and our tattoo 'lessons' that we will never regret lol. The love she has for her clients and her craft really comes through in our session, as well as the pride she has in being a part of a dominating force of female artists we have here in Toronto.

So grab a snack, pen & paper & get comfortable because, trust me, this is going to be a great one!

On this week's release of the Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, The Energy episode, I sit down with Karina Milech, the founder of Karinaemfitness. Within just a few minutes, you will understand why I titled the episode what I did. Karina is the definition of positive and unapologetic energy. As a fitness instructor and personal trainer who works primarily with individuals with exceptionalities, she has spent most of her time really honing in on her verbal cuing. modifications and her overall perspective regarding the individualization of programming. 

On this week's release of the Small Business, Big Stories Podcast, The Connection episode, I sit down with Rae from @bakerraexcafe to discuss the quick transition from baking in her kitchen to being featured on blogTO.