Thinking About Podcast

Today, we are thinking about supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs through virtual assistants with Steph Faria, the Owner of Faira Virtual Assistants Inc. Steph kicks off the conversation by sharing her journey and how she got into the world of virtual assistance. Despite being in the business for four years, she recalls the moment that started it all—an Instagram story that sparked the idea to
offer her services.

Steph provides invaluable advice for entrepreneurs who are thinking about hiring a virtual assistant (VA). She explains what to look for in a VA and suggests that if certain phrases keep popping up in your daily routine, it might be time to bring in some help. She also shares her own challenges of taking her own advice on time management while staying creative in her work.

A lover of travel, Steph reveals how grateful she is that this career allows her the flexibility to work and explore the world. However, she also opens up about her past struggles with finding a healthy balance between work and self-care, something she now prioritizes. She offers helpful advice for entrepreneurs
who are considering hiring a VA, including tips on how to make the onboarding process smoother.

For those wondering if they could benefit from a VA, Steph shares a comprehensive list of tasks that virtual assistants can take off your plate. She highlights the perks of working remotely and traveling, but also cautions listeners about the importance of cyber security in a remote work setup.

Tune in for this insightful conversation filled with practical tips and inspiration from someone who has successfully built a flexible and rewarding career.

Connect with Steph
On Instagram @fariavirtualassistants
On her website fariavirtualassistants.com

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
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In this episode, I am thinking about common advice I share with clients and want to share with you! But first I throw down the concept of duality, reflecting on how this idea might continue to play a more significant role in the future of everything I do.

Together, we'll take a look into a glimpse of my everyday work as a social media manager and touch on the whirlwind of activity that comes with Q4, a busy time for so many in the business world. Then shifting gears from my usual style solo episodes, I dive into five essential permissions for your social media journey—offering mindset shifts to support a more positive experience. I remind us that social media is, at its core, about being social, and breakdown what that truly means in a way that will leave you feeling empowered and refreshed.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts! Your feedback helps the show grow. If there’s something specific you’d love to hear more of, send me a DM, and be sure to share this episode with friends who would love it too!

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

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In this week’s episode, we are thinking about the housing market and making it a little less intimidating. Sarah, one half of the Duplex Duo, an educational company focused on helping people break into real estate through duplex investments shares the inspiring story of how an initial idea, combined with the passion and handy work of her partner, sparked a snowball effect that led to the creation of the Duplex Duo. One of the key aspects of their approach is teaching people from their own personal experiences, providing practical, hands-on knowledge for new real estate investors, specifically duplexes.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah offers valuable advice, including a list of dos and don'ts. She emphasizes not to stress about being stressed and shares two more specific pieces of advice for those considering duplex ownership. Sarah also introduces the concept of house hacking, a strategy that can make real estate more accessible and profitable.

Sarah brings a fresh perspective by answering the questions with practical tips, focusing on financial insights, which are often the main reasons people are attracted to duplex investments. She also gets real about the realities of budgeting and setting timelines, providing listeners with a realistic view of what to expect.

In addition, Sarah shares tips and tricks on landlording, offering guidance on managing tenants and property effectively. To wrap up the episode, she introduces their course, One House, Two Homes, which provides even more detailed education on the duplex real estate market.

Connect with Sarah
On Instagram @the_duplexduo
Explore the One House, Two Homes course

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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In this episode we are thinking about embracing the F around and find out mentally brought to you by our guest, Tenika, an international mixologist and owner of Drinks by Nika, a mobile event bartending and beverage consulting company that provides a variety of services ranging from corporate event bartending to mixology classes. Tenika reflects on her early experiences with her family, where hosting parties and game nights allowed her to experiment with mixing drinks. These moments planted the seed for her future career. Encouraged by a close friend who helped her take the leap by naming her business and creating her first business cards, Tenika began her entrepreneurial journey.

She shares some of the incredible opportunities she’s had so far, including attending fashion week in Milan, Italy. But, as exciting as the journey has been, Tenika explains the challenges that come with turning a hobby into a business. She highlights the delicate balance of monetizing your passion and the risk of
losing the initial love for what you once enjoyed doing just for fun.

In this episode, Tenika also takes us inside her creative mind, revealing what she thinks about when in drink-creating mode and how she incorporates all five senses into her process. She shares thoughtful tips before considering hiring a mixologist for an event.

Since her work involves collaboration with chefs, event planners, and other vendors, she offers valuable advice on how to build a supportive community within the industry. Lastly, for anyone wanting to dabble in mixology at home, Tenika gives her top three recommended alcohols and bar tools to have on hand to start experimenting with your own creations.

Connect with Tenika 🤍
On her website at drinksbynika.com
On Instagram @drinksbynika
On TikTok @drinksbynika

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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Today, we are thinking about ads, ads and more ads. In today's episode, we sit down with Aashima Verma, founder of AV Marketing, an ad agency specializing in meta ads and consulting. Aashima takes us through the inspiring journey of how her career took off, starting with a pivotal comment from an ex-boss that pushed her to venture out on her own. She explains that the key to her success has been the willingness to experiment and advises listeners to adopt a process of elimination—just try things and see what works.

Aashima recounts the moments when she began gathering more clients on the side and how that process led her to realize that she had a full-fledged business, prompting her to dive in completely. During the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of looking past the noise and paying attention to the moments in life that guide you toward what is right for you.

In addition to her story, Aashima offers valuable advice for small business owners just beginning to navigate the world of advertising. She highlights the importance of making your ads work hard for you so you don’t have to, and touches on the hot topic of AI and its role in marketing today. Aashima reassures business owners at all stages that ads are a powerful tool for visibility, no matter where they are in their journey.

The episode also dives into the concept of founder-first marketing. Aashima shares a compelling story of one of her clients who thrived by embracing this approach, offering insights on how it can impact business success. She also debunks the idea that you always need to follow Meta’s ad recommendations, emphasizing the importance of understanding your own data and reporting. This episode is packed with actionable tips, empowering advice, and inspiring stories for anyone looking to leverage ads to grow their business.

Connect with Aashima 🤍
On her website at aashimaverma.com
On Instagram @theaashimaverma

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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In this episode, I am thinking about the process of reconnecting with myself aka my "putting me first" era.

I' m reflecting on how quickly summer has flown by and how each year seems to bring the same familiar feeling, especially as September approaches. September has always felt like a ‘new year’ to me, likely because of my past experiences working in post-secondary education.

I find that the fall season brings me a renewed sense of energy. Recently, I've experienced two significant mindset shifts that have made a big difference for me. The first is going back to basics—embracing the small, simple things that make everyday life better. The second is the concept of an ideal calendar, something I
learned from JT Barnett. It involves creating an ideal version of my calendar and overlapping it with my actual schedule, ensuring that my days align with how I truly want to live.

As I wrap up this episode, I share some of the things I’m currently loving and highly recommend, hoping to leave you with some inspiration to take into your own life.

Links from the episode:
JT Barnett Weekly Outline
Follow Steph Pellett for all things Slowpreneurship
Sign up for Office Hours Fall/Winter Cohort

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

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In this week's episode, we are thinking about sustainability and how to incorporate it into our everyday lives as we welcome Romina, a multifaceted professional who wears many hats as a sustainable event planner, environmentalist, college professor, and more. Romina takes us back to her fourth-grade days, sharing a fond memory that she believes planted the seed for her lifelong journey into sustainability. Kirsti sparks a thought-provoking discussion with a question inspired by Romina’s belief that the world doesn’t need perfectionism—it needs progress and perseverance.

This leads seamlessly into approachable and friendly advice for anyone wanting to become more sustainable in their daily life. Romina offers practical tips for those interested in hosting more sustainable events, breaking it down into key components like food, beverage, and travel. She also introduces the concept of "eco-values," a term she coined to describe the core principles that guide her work.

The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Romina discusses how sustainability is intricately linked to social justice. She also shares her go-to resources for staying updated in the ever-evolving world of sustainability. Finally, Romina revisits the three R’s—reduce, reuse, recycle—and enlightens us on the correct order in which they should be prioritized.

CONNECT WITH ROMINA
Visit Romina's website at ecofriendlyevents.ca
Work with Romina as a consultant
Download Romina's free venue evaluation checklist
Connect with Romina on Instagram at @ecofriendly.events

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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Today, we are thinking about being sexy and sober aka choosing yourself and raising your standards. In this episode, we chat with Courtney Croucher, an empowerment coach who focuses on empowering women through mindset work, values, and beliefs, which she states translate into confidence. Courtney describes her approach as blunt with a side of woo-woo. Beyond her coaching, she is also a Pilates and breathwork instructor. Courtney raises the standard for others in her work, embodying the values she promotes.

Recently celebrating one year of sobriety, Courtney has rebranded herself as “Sxy N Sober”. She shares a vivid early memory of drinking at around age 15, which resulted in a concussion from hitting her head on a cab door, marking the beginning of a downhill journey. After years of an on-again, off-again relationship with alcohol and realizing repeatedly that drinking wasn’t enjoyable, Courtney had a pivotal moment on a plane returning from an inspirational weekend. Ironically, after a few glasses of wine, something shifted, sparking the start of her sobriety journey.

Now sober, Courtney finds she no longer falls into past patterns of self-sabotage, which has been one of the most significant takeaways from her journey. She also delves into her community, Sxy N Sober, created to fill the gap she noticed in elevated experiences for sober people. Her tagline, choosing yourself and raising your standards, encapsulates her mission.

Courtney emphasizes the importance of boundaries to limit resentment and shares her wellness hacks, including contrast therapy, meditation, breathwork, and brain care, which have supported her through her journey. In the conversation, Kirsti prompts Courtney to share tips for finding community, specifically in Toronto, and Courtney offers valuable insights. The discussion also touches on the nature of friendships and how it’s okay to have different friends who serve different areas of your life.

CONNECT WITH COURTNEY
Book a call with Courtney
Learn more about From Saddie to Baddie, Courtney's monthly group meditation
Book a 1:1 breathwork session
On Instagram at @thenotsoaveragebetch
On Instagram at @sxynsober
Listen to the Not So Average Betch podcast on Spotify
Listen to the Not So Average Betch podcast on Apple



Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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Today we are thinking about quieting the doubt voices in our head and embracing unique spiritual journeys. In this episode, we interviewed Catherine Choi, the Founder of SoYoung, known for creating beautiful, functional, and durable bags for life on the go. Catherine shares her inspiring journey from no business background to building a successful brand.

We dive deep into the conversation by asking Catherine what freedom means to her, leading to an open discussion about her battle with addiction in her younger years. She candidly discusses her family's dynamics and how they influenced her troubled path, including the emotional three-year rollercoaster of addiction, lying to her family, and stealing money from her father to fund her habit. Catherine
describes the pivotal moment when her cover was blown, marking the start of her journey toward recovery. Feeling desperate and helpless, she reached out to her sister and checked into a detox center, an experience she describes as life-changing, lifting a weight off her shoulders and providing a gift that later influenced her business endeavors.

Starting SoYoung was a bold declaration against the voice of doubt in her head. As the business grew and stress mounted, Catherine turned to meditation to avoid burnout. After being copied by a big brand, she realized the importance of sharing her story and taking off the metaphorical mask. Catherine also shares her profound experiences with ayahuasca and climbing a volcano, offering listeners a raw and honest account of her personal and entrepreneurial journey.

Join us for this heartfelt and motivational episode as Catherine Choi reveals the trials, triumphs, and transformative moments that shaped her path to freedom and success.

CONNECT WITH Catherine 🤍
On her website soyoung.ca
On Instagram @catherine.soyoung
Visit So Young on Instagram @soyounginc
Watch Catherine's recipe reel we discussed here

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

If you found the episode supportive or love the podcast, please feel free to leave a review to help the podcast grow 🤍

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Today, we are thinking about reflecting on our business and the power of just starting. In this special episode of the Thinking About Podcast, I reflect on the incredible journey leading up to the 100th episode. I share the impact of hosting a podcast, highlighting its many benefits; opens doors to connect with people otherwise out of reach, simplifies networking, provides a platform for long-form content, and, most importantly, it's incredibly fun. I also get candid and emotional, expressing the awe at surpassing the statistic that most podcasts don’t make it past five episodes.

I share the evolution of the podcast from a mere idea to its current success, sharing how I navigated the waves of this journey. I am deeply appreciative of everyone who has listened, been a guest, shared the podcast, and supported me along the way. Over the past two years, the podcast has evolved significantly, fueled by my passion for understanding people and their stories. I believe that everyone has a unique story worth sharing, and podcasting is a powerful medium for these narratives.

Throughout the episode, I share valuable insights gained from my podcasting experience, emphasizing that good things take time. I provide an honest look at the behind-the-scenes steps of starting a podcast, sharing tips for those interested in guesting on other podcasts. To wrap up, I share my current loves, including book and food recommendations, making this episode a blend of reflection, gratitude, and practical advice.

Hosted by @kirstimcnabney 🎙
Find links, inspiration and updates on @thinkingaboutpodcast

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