Surrounding Yourself with Fierce Women with Kelly Woods – September 17, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, play and interact with each other. Kelly Woods, Founder of Brujera Elixirs Inc. and winner of the 2020 CANIE Woman Entrepreneur Award for the British Columbia region, believes the key to thriving during the pandemic is surrounding yourself with fierce women and being gentle with yourself. 

Growing up connected to the land and community, Kelly’s heritage and upbringing in the forest of western Quebec has greatly influenced who she is as a business woman today. Creating potions and herbal remedies from an early age, it is not hard to believe that she is a Descendant of the Early Witches and a Daughter of the American Revolution. 

Although theatre school was her primary education, Kelly is also a certified Sommelier. Perhaps her grittiest education was the school of hard knocks hospitality world where she evolved as an award winning mixologist, master formulator and respected industry maven. 

In the last eight months she has been awarded three awards for business: RBC Canadian Woman of Influence Award, BC Business Woman of the Year and the Western Canada CANIE Woman Entrepreneur award. She has founded and led two community organizations and continues to be one of the most innovative minds in beverage formulation in North America. Currently penning “The Boozewitch Guide for the Sober Curious” and growing Brujera Elixirs House of Brands, Kelly lives in Squamish BC and is the proud mother of a four year old boy.

“This pandemic has brought a massive shift to how we are all living and working. You need to be gentle with yourself, gentle with others, and realize that the expectations you set for yourself will look different during COVID.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kelly discusses surrounding yourself with a circle of fierce women and finding a way to be gentle with yourself and others throughout COVID-19.