Stressed But Well Dressed

Coffee drinking is one of the most fashionable trends of the last few years.

How stressed would you feel if you knew the risks in the coffee supply chain and the volatile future of coffee?

Pour yourself a 'Cup of Ambition' and tune into this episode of the podcast with Holly Kragiopoulos founder and owner of North Star Coffee Roasters 

Dahlia met Holly in May 2023 and heard the story of North Star Coffee and how with her partner Alex she had set out to build an impact led organisation.

Holly's story of building an impact first business encourages listeners to think about how largertraditionally profit first businesses can start to evolve their culture to be more purpose led. This isn't about totally foregoing profit, it's about combining it with purpose to create long lasting impact.

We discuss the fact that sustainability has become a fashionable corporate buzzword and Holly challengesthe concept of simply sustaining the status quo

'We would be sustaining systems and processes that have never worked so our mission at North Star is tobuild an industry that works for everyone'

The conversation includes the company story right from source, what it truly means to be a B Corp and what it takes to create an impact led organisation culture from dayone. 

Holly shares her reflections on the journey so far and what is next for North Star, sharing the passion and vibrancy of the coffee culture she has been part of in Leeds.

In Episode 2 of Season 2, Dahlia is joined by Rhona Berengut to discuss ‘Why do we all think we are stressed?

This episode steps away from the usual conversation aboutstyle and identity and looks at the concept of stress.

Dahlia talks about being a student in Rhona's Organisational Behaviour Class and learning about the fact stress doesn't exist as a 'tangible' thing on it's own.

'And you said something I will never forget "There is no such thing as stress." I stopped in my tracks – at that minute it was possibly the most stressful thing I had ever heard.

Dahlia and Rhona discuss what stress actually is and how it can impact us both physically and mentally. They discuss the four different types of stressors that cause us to think we are stressed and give an example of how these might show up in our lives and how we can become more conscious of them to better manage how we feel.

Dahlia and Rhona discuss tips for anticipating, managing and overcoming these encounters and situations, with Rhona describing stress as a ball of string we need to untangle to get to the root cause of the issue. She shares tips on how to manage specific stressors and the patterns that identify when they may appear.

The conversation ends with reflections from both Rhona and Dahlia on how to identify and manage stressors over time and a personal reflection from Rhona on her time teaching Organisational Behaviour.

Rhona is a founding partner of SIGMA Strategic Solutions Inc. where she works with organizations to enhance performance by aligning people, performance and strategic purpose. Rhona was also an award winning part-time faculty member of York University’s Schulich School of Business from 1989-2018, and Program Director of the Schulich Mini-MBA: Essentials of Management from 2014-2018. In addition, Rhona has developed Executive Workshops on Critical Thinking and Innovation, Leading Sustainable Strategic Change and Developing a Strategic Mindset, and Developing Strategic Agility.
Rhona is a Certified Planning and Facilitation Coach; a Certified Virtual CEO Administrator; a Certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) Administrator; and has taught at UofT Rotman School of Business, the University Of Calgary Faculty Of Management, and Ryerson University’s Ted Rogers School of Business Management.
Rhona’s areas of expertise include Managing Strategic Change; Strategic Planning and Facilitation; Executive Coaching; Organizational Design, and Interpersonal Effectiveness, Executive Leadership and Critical Thinking and Innovation . Rhona is also a Coach with the Canadian Youth Business Federation, where she coached her entrepreneurs to the Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Rhona has worked with clients in both the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, among them: CN; American Express; BMO Nesbitt Burns; Stratford Festival; Ontario Ministry of Government Services; Kruger Paper Products Inc.; Ford Motor Company of Canada; The National Film Board; The Ontario Ministry of the Environment; Amdocs; The Older Adults Centre of Ontario; and The Sino-Technology Exchange Group; Mount Sinai Hospital; York University Student Client Services and the Registrar’s Office; and Aluma Systems Inc; Clinical Lab Management Association, City of Sudbury, Legal Aid Ontario, Ontario Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Revenue.

Dahlia kicks off Season Two of the podcast with Fashion Business Consultant, Lecturer and Business Mentor Sasha Ramdoo.

Did you know that the first Saturday of January is known as ‘Sunshine Saturday’. December is statistically the most stressful month of the year and as we move into January people are starting to think about how much they need a holiday and are looking for their next break. On ‘Sunshine Saturday’ we are incredibly likely to start researching or even book a holiday as we think about where we mightwant to visit across the year.

As well as seeking sunshine people are alsoseeking joy. Holidays are a way to relax, take a break and switch off – but how comfortable do people feel about the idea of having to get into swimwear once they arrive?

Dahlia and Sasha discuss the joy of swimwear and how to feel well dressed (and not stressed) on the beach. We look at how to seek joy in your swimwear and how to use swimwear for body confidence, getting comfortable inthe skin you are in.

Dahlia asks Sasha about how she as a buyer got into themind of the swimwear customer and how she used her psychology degree alongside her buying experience to understand the varying customer needs in the category. Thediscussion includes body confidence and how retailers need to use real models to help fit products to make sure the category becomes more inclusive and worksfor every body.

Sasha has over 20 years of fashion buying experience across a number of categories and has specialised in Swimwear and Lingerie. Sasha’s work includes supporting small start-ups, partnering with established retailers andsuppliers and lecturing. In her introduction she shares her journey from she shares her ‘Whys’ for January and how her journey has taken her from buyer to consultant, lecturer and business mentor.

The conversation ends with Dahlia and Sasha sharing theirpersonal reflections on how they feel on holiday and how they can use swimwear to boost their own confidence levels, seeking joy in their holiday wardrobes.

The conversation ends with a commitment from Dahlia and Sasha to find the joy in wearing swimwear and a quick lightning round where Sasha shares the theme song to her wardrobe and answers the ultimate question 'Stressed or Well Dressed?'

Dahlia wraps up season 1 with a conversation with Paul Abbott, author of 'Events Are Easy' and coach. With Christmas around the corner and the party season in full swing, Dahlia and Paul discuss how to get comfortable at events and (as is always the case with the podcast!) what on earth to wear to different occasions.

Paul talks about the role of the event manager in creating an inclusive atmosphere. His analogy of the 'Corporate Cuddle' helps to demonstrate the level of welcome that is often needed to put people at ease when they show up in new situations.

The conversation includes how to unpick the dress code, how to make the event work for you and what to do when you just want to hover by the buffet table. Dahlia and Paul reflect on the events that they have enjoyed the most and why they were so memorable.

Paul's thoughts on stringent dress codes and the need for a specific 'look' or a mandatory Christmas jumper are met with very clear feedback: 'Give me space to have creativity in my wardrobe'

Listen, enjoy and rock up at your next event with purpose.

'Look for lessons in your challenges'

Dahlia interviews Dally Kaur, Director at creative agency 'Ideas That Work.'

Dally shares her story with Dahlia, talking about her journey from employee to owner. Dally and Dahlia discuss how Dally's style has changed over time and how she has both grown in confidence and resilience over the last ten years.

Dally describes herself as a visionary and talks about how she has been very clear on what she has wanted to achieve and how she wants to do it. Dally explains how her styled has evolved over time and Dahlia and Dally talk about Dally's newest role - being a parent - and how that has also influenced her style and her identity.

Dally talks a lot about the need for resilience in her journey and gives sound advice on how to 'look for the lessons in your challenges'.

Dally has recently been included in the 'Northern Power Woman Top 50 Future' list and listening to her achievements and ambition it is clear why she has every reason to be recognised and celebrated.