At two pivotal moments in his life, Joseph Tassoni’s mother asked him a simple question: “What will make you happy?” Each time, the answer changed the course of Joseph’s life. From the stock room to Joe Fresh to starting his own eponymous line of “Proudly Made in Canada” fashion, Joseph Tassoni has led the industry, taken big leaps, and followed his heart to success. 

As a fashion designer, he doesn’t compromise in his materials and in his quality. As a leader, he cares. And when you care, it shows in the product and the team.  

Follow Joseph: 

Facebook: Joseph Tassoni 

Instagram: @JosephTassoni 

web: josephtassoni.com 

Connect with Ashlee: email: [email protected] 

Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

Alexis Dean is the founder and Lead Steward of “The Dovetail Community,” an invitational community of high performing female entrepreneurs and experienced consultants. 

The core of the Community is personal connections – one-on-one or small facilitated group sessions that are designed to build supportive relationships to help take the stress out of entrepreneurship.  If you haven’t listened to part 1, you’re encouraged to go back and check out the previous episode “A community is more than followers”.  

In part two of our conversation, we talk about the benefits of engaging your team in your community, and how our new more online world creates both challenges and opportunities.  

Find out more about The Dovetail Community and check out the new podcast on Instagram: @dovetailcommunity @thinkaboutthis_podcast  

Share your experience building your business and brand community and connect with Ashlee: 

email: [email protected] 

Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

Alexis Dean is the founder and Lead Steward of “The Dovetail Community,” an invitational community of high performing female entrepreneurs and experienced consultants. The core of the Community is personal connections – one-on-one or small facilitated group sessions that are designed to build supportive relationships to help take the stress out of entrepreneurship.  

In part one of our conversation, I talk to Alexis about what makes a strong community, the difference between “fans and followers” and a true community and how to sustain that community when we can’t meet face to face.  

Find out more about The Dovetail Community and check out the new podcast on Instagram: @dovetailcommunity @thinkaboutthis_podcast  

Share your experience building your business and brand community and connect with Ashlee: 

email: [email protected] 

Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

I began my career in fundraising, and the biggest lesson I learned from fundraising is the importance of GRATITUDE. 

Creating connections with donors and volunteers is critical for non-profits and charities. And it’s the same for your business. Your clients choose to work with you. How do you show them that their business matters to you? If they’re only with you because of price and product, it’s easy for them to go somewhere else. But if you’re creating personal connections and showing gratitude – even in small ways – you’re more likely to keep them as your customers…and your greatest allies.  

Connect with Ashlee: 

email: [email protected] 

Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

Marianne Meed Ward is Mayor of Burlington, Ontario, a community located in the Greater Toronto Area. She has a passion to build consensus. In this episode, we discuss leading through uncertain times, building greater consensus in a black-and-white world and how to take care of yourself – and your team – when you’re not sure what the next day will bring. 

Throughout the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor has focused on the health and safety of the community through initiatives like the Burlington COVID Task Force, telephone town halls, and advocacy to other levels of government. Working hand in hand with Burlington’s city council, leadership team, and staff on initiatives like the Mayor’s Red Tape Red Carpet Task force, she led the city in partnering with local businesses to identify and remove the challenges to business expansion and attraction. She lives in Burlington with her husband, 3 children, and their Wheaten terrier, Boston.  

You can follow the Mayor on: Twitter: @mariannmeedward  Instagram: marianne.meedward Facebook: Mayor Marianne Meed Ward  

Connect with Ashlee: email: [email protected] Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

Have you ever said “Why me? I’m not qualified to do this?”, then took a deep breath and plunged ahead? If yes, you’ve likely experienced Imposter Syndrome. 

Mimosa Kabir is a fundraising professional who experienced Imposter Syndrome herself when she first began her career. Fascinated by the topic, she went on a mission to talk to others about their own journey. 

Together we discuss the downsides – and sometimes upsides - of this common feeling. When it can work for you, and how to avoid it becoming debilitating. We also talk about how it’s a two-way street, and how can you, as a leader, can help your team feel supported in developing their skills, avoiding the pitfalls of feeling like an imposter.  

Follow Mimosa Kabir: Twitter: @mimosakabir LinkedIn: Mimosa Kabir  

Connect with Ashlee: email: [email protected] Instagram: ashlee.livingstone

Inspiration drives passion in the work you do. And your passion can inspire others - your team, your clients - bringing everyone together to support a common goal. This week I challenge you to think about what inspires you, talk to your team about what inspires them and to bring your passion to work, every day. You'll find your inspiration is infectious, creating stronger bonds, and stronger teams.

Connect with Ashlee: [email protected]

Instagram: @ashlee.livingstone 

Think Again! In this conversation with Paul Nazareth, VP Education & Development, CAGP, we open up about leadership, personal growth and challenging our own beliefs on what we think we've always known.  As leaders and members on teams we need to challenge our assumptions, set boundaries for ourselves and be curious about it all. Take a listen and let me know - what do you need to rethink?

About Paul:

Paul Nazareth has worked in Canada’s philanthropic sector for over 20 years. Currently, Vice President, Education & Development at the Canadian Association of Gift Planners (CAGP), and was previously Vice President at the charity CanadaHelps. Paul has been a philanthropic advisor with a national wealth management firm in a trust company and spent 15 years working with charities like the University of Toronto and Canada’s largest network of Churches. Paul is on the board of several charities and on the Advisory Council of Carleton University’s Masters in Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership program. He serves as a lead faculty for the Master Financial Advisor in Philanthropy (MFA-P) program with the Knowledge Bureau, and is a frequent instructor for the tax and advisor community through organizations like CPA, Advocis and Estate Planning Councils. He frequently speaks on television and radio on the power of personal philanthropy in Canada.

You started your business for a reason but now you are letting so many limiting beliefs stand in the way of your vision. Sound familiar? In this week's Teams with EDGE episode with Dot Rock we discuss the stories we all tell ourselves about what we can't do, how hard it is and why as business owners we must recognize these as just stories so we can scale and grow our business and get back to our zone of genius.   

Be curious. Do the Work. See what is possible.

About Dot:

Dot Rock is a CPA, HR Professional and business strategist who helps business owners focus on their passions and leave the minutiae of accounting and HR to the experts.    After earning her BA in Accounting, Dot worked for KPMG International as a financial statement auditor and passed the CPA exam. She served in many top level Finance Director roles and worked in public accounting with Fortune 500 companies before realizing that her true passion was people, not being lost in spreadsheet land. Accounting and HR aren’t rocket science… but Dot was briefly the business manager of a rocket engine test facility. She then became an HR Director and now uses her combined experiences to help businesses thrive. Small businesses often fail because managing people and finances aren’t their jam. This is where Dot excels. With a firsthand understanding of scaling and growth, she works her magic by finding patterns, implementing systems, and interpreting behaviors at work. Dot can truly help you connect the DOTS.   In her spare time, Dot is passionate about Crossfit, outdoor adventures and flying. She’s dynamic and vibrant in every way and will help your business be the same. She also writes a blog: oxygenfirst.com - encouraging everyone to focus on their needs and desires first, before taking care of others. 

Connect with Dot: 

[email protected]

Instagram: dot_rock_ 

Facebook: dot.rock.consulting (facebook.com/dotrockconsulting)

LinkedIn: dotrock (linkedin.com/in/dotrock)

This episode is all about taking action and carving out the time and space to engage and develop connection with your team now. Put aside all the resistance and excuses and focus on what is possible and what you can do to improve this important business and human function. 

Plus there are real "business" benefits to an engaged team

1. Increased Productivity 

2. Talent Retention 

3. Client Satisfaction & Retention 

4. Decreased Absenteeism 

5. Increased Profitability