Month: April 2020

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Babes Promoting Babes – Keleka of Keleka Designs PART 2

Keleka Designs Hawaiian Beach Photo

For those of you who missed my last blog, I interviewed Keleka, Founder of Keleka Designs. She designs Hawaiian themed flame-less candles inspired by her love of the islands.

The following blog is Part 2 and a continuation of my insightful interview with her.

M:  When did you start Keleka Designs?  What was your inspiration?  

K:  In 2019 I decided to tell my advertising job of 12 years in Nevada that I was going to follow my dreams.  They were great about it since I did so well for them for such a long time.  They said whatever I wanted to do was fine, so I cut my hours to part time with them to pursue my passions. 

This is when Keleka Designs was born. I’ve always loved lighting candles in my yard in the evening, with the pool and the ambience that it created.  But with the extreme heat in Nevada, the wax candles always melted, even at night!  So, I had the idea of designing beautiful Hawaiian flame-less candles that never melt.  

I started creating my designs on Photoshop and began sending my flame-less candles to family members.  The response was overwhelmingly positive!  I also started making Rasta/Hawaiian incense holders, which also received a warm response. 

And, once I focused on building my own website, working on my social media platforms, and creating more flame-less candle designs, the response was phenomenal.  I was selling candles! The exhilaration to create and design my own candles is so fulfilling that I wake up every morning excited to produce more!

My inspiration is my love for the Hawaiian Islands.  I consider Hawaii my second home and my husband and I go home every year but our work schedule makes it hard to get back as often as we would like to.

Due to Covid-19, my part time advertising job is on hold and I know that it’s a hard time for many. The current situation causes me to rethink life and what is really important: my family, my health and going after my ambitions. I am dedicated to work hard to continue to offer creative, heartwarming Keleka Designs into your home.

I am now shipping all over the USA and internationally too. I have plans to continue to grow my business and create new designs every week.

M:  What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe?

K:  I love being my own boss, making my own schedule, fulfilling my dreams, inspiring others, connecting with people like you, Mayumi. I love to connect with honest, motivated people, so, we can all support each other with our aspirations.

It’s such a rewarding feeling! Everyday, I learn more and educate myself to become more successful with Keleka Designs.

M:  What would your advice be for Boss Babes in the making?  If they are contemplating leaving a secure 9-5 job with benefits – what would you say to them? Should they take the leap?

K:  It took me a long time to take a leap.  Be sure to always have a backup plan.  Have some income coming in while you start planning to follow your dreams. 

Starting a new business isn’t easy and takes a lot of hard work and dedication. But if you are passionate about it, you will figure a way to do it. 

Go for it.  It’s rewarding, fulfilling, and eventually you will succeed.  If your first idea doesn’t work, come up with a new one.  Keep at it, as persistence will pay off!

If you would like to learn more about Keleka and her Hawaiian flame-less candles and Rastafarian incense holders you can see them on her website: https://www.kelekaart.com/

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Babes Promoting Babes – Keleka of Keleka Designs PART 1

Keleka Designs

I was inspired to interview Keleka, founder of Keleka Designs because of her positivity and Aloha spirit. She embodies BPB’s (Babes Promoting Babes) most important pillar which is to motivate others to follow their dreams. She designs Hawaiian themed flame-less candles and home decor.

My Dad used to live in Hawaii and I used to visit him on my summer vacations. I share Keleka’s love for the islands.

M:  What’s your story?  Where were you born, where were you raised?  What was your childhood, growing up years like? 

K:  I was born in New Jersey but shortly after I was born my family moved to California. We moved over 3,000 miles away because my father was a professor at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo. 

I absolutely loved growing up in California.  The Central Coast is so beautiful. Rolling hills, vineyards, farm life and the beaches.  We were always at the beach: fishing, clamming, boogie boarding, surfing, etc. 

I was also very involved in sports since a young age.  I started playing basketball on the boys’ teams, as they didn’t have sports for girls yet.  Then I progressed into soccer and softball.  My father actually helped start girls’ softball in San Luis Obispo.  I even became female athlete of sports in my graduating class.

And I won some local awards for art in my high school art classes.  School, family, friends, the beach, and art. It was an active and fun life.  Oh, and we traveled! I was 4 years old when we first traveled to the Hawaiian Islands.

I fell in love with the islands. The music, the culture, the art, the people. The Aloha spirit.  So, we continued to travel to the islands and the Jersey Shore throughout my growing years.  The Big Island, Hawaii captured my heart.  Hawaii has and still is inspiring my art and my dreams.

M:  What did you want to do when you grew up? 

K:  I always wanted to be a professional softball player or compete in the Olympics. By the time I finished high school and after receiving a full scholarship to Baylor University for softball, I decided I didn’t want to pursue softball full-time.

It was at this point in my life when I really started to get into art. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I loved to paint and decorate.

So, I traveled to Hawaii and after some time off I decided to go to a community college to figure out what I wanted to do with my future.  After returning to California,  I knew I wanted to be an art professor or Junior College teacher in the field of Public Art.

M:  Did you go to college or university?  If so, what did you study?

K:  I attended a Junior College for 2 years to fulfill my requirements for a larger University. After I graduated from there, I decided to go to CSUMB (California State University Monterey Bay). 

I studied Visual and Public Art.  I LOVED IT.  I worked with the community, with at risk youth, seniors in nursing homes, all involved with art.  I taught mural painting skills, watercolor classes and became involved with the community, which filled my heart and soul.  I was very successful and very happy.

M:  When did you move to Nevada?  Why did you move to Nevada?

K: Life happens, and my family became my priority.  My father was ill at the time that I graduated college, so I left some art opportunities in Monterey and Carmel.  However, it all turned out great.  I went into advertising and marketing after attending college in California for 8 years.

The money was good, so I kept doing it. It wasn’t my passion but was fulfilling for the time. Unfortunately, my Mom and Dad divorced, and I helped my mom and brother move out in Nevada. 

I have been doing advertising and marketing here in NV for 12 years.  The greatest day was when I met my husband in 2014 and got married in 2016.  Still doing my advertising but I decided it was TIME FOR ME TO follow my dreams ...

Babes, Part 2 will be posted SOON so make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss it!

If you would like to learn more about Keleka and her Hawaiian flame-less candles and Rastafarian incense holders you can see them on her website: https://www.kelekaart.com/

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Babes Promoting Babes Interview Series Launch

Daisy Logo

I’m very excited to announce the launch of my Babes Promoting Babes Interview Series. The first Boss Babe to be interviewed is Brigitte Besner, one of the Owners of Daisy … Sandwiches & Such.

MY MISSION:  To motivate and inspire Boss Babes in the making. To uplift, encourage, and promote male & female entrepreneurs and to share aspirations, goals and dreams with them.

To provide and build a warm, loving, and supportive community of CREATORS. Creators of art, a business, or a NEW YOU …

I had the opportunity to interview Brigitte a couple of days ago and it was timed synchronistically. Daisy will be re-opening for takeout on Monday, April 27th. I am a fan and am very happy!

M:  What’s your story?  Where were you born, where were you raised?  What was your childhood, growing up years like? 

B:  I was born in the province of Quebec in a small town called Verdun.  Family of 4. Younger brother. Both parents worked until they decided to open their own restaurant (diner).  My mother’s parents had their own diner already. So I basically grew up in a diner all my life.

M:  What did you want to do when you grew up?  

B:  Lawyer.  But my father was hoping for me to join the family business so I went a different path.  At that time my parents owned a chain of Italian restaurants.

M: Did you go to university?  If so, what did you study?

B:  No, I did not go to university but I went to a hospitality management school in Montreal.  L’Institut de Tourisme et D’Hôtellerie du Québec.

M:  When did you move to Vancouver?  Why did you move to Vancouver?

I moved to Vancouver in 1991 for work.  I worked in a small restaurant in Maple Bay near Duncan on the Island.  After I moved to Vancouver and worked in different hotels as a server, banquet server and front desk.  Eventually I was offered a position in a hotel in Lebanon for 6 months for Food and Beverage Management … When I came back, I was transferred to a hotel in Montreal (of all places LOL!!) for a year and came back to Vancouver.  Most of my career in BC was mainly in hotel settings. 

 M: When did you start Daisy … Sandwiches & Such? I know the story but how did you name Daisy’s?

B:  We opened Daisy’s in May 2011. My daughter said she wanted to be famous when she grew up so I said okay, here’s your chance.  I named the restaurant after her. Her name is Charlotte Daisy.

6) What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe?

B:  I guess what I like (or liked ) — the control over the “creative” aspects.  

When you are working for someone, you are working at bringing THEIR vision to life.  Even if sometimes you think you know better, and you bring in ideas or feedback to your employers, it is still their dream and vision.

When you are your own boss, you are in charge of every aspect of your vision and your dream.

And from that point on, you build yourself a team that will help you bring your dream and vision to life.  In the process you hope that you are empowering and giving tools to another person to go out and take a leap of faith and start their own business.

M:  What would your advice be for Boss Babes in the making?  If they are contemplating leaving a secure 9-5 job with benefits – what would you say to them? Should they take the leap?

B: THINK about the reason — If you’re in it for the money, you’re not going to make money right away. DO IT IF:  

1) You’re passionate about your service or product.

2) You are excited to be your own boss.

3) You can talk to people in the industry first.  Ask them questions. Questions like, what would they have done when they first opened their business that they didn’t know, but know now.

4) You have the ability to delegate tasks.  It makes a HUGE difference. When you delegate tasks, you can FOCUS your time and energy on what generates MONEY.  If you try to DO EVERYTHING yourself, your creativity dries up …

M:  Any last words? What’s our favourite positive/motivational quote or book.

B:  Being in business is being in a relationship. You are in a relationship with your customers.

Like every relationship to function, some compromises will have to be made. Choose how much and what kind of compromises you are willing to make to keep your relationship with your relationship with your guest healthy and balanced.

When you make too many compromises, you dilute the essence of who you are, of what your business is all about.

It’s a thin line to walk, but it’s very important to learn how to walk it.

But most important, always work from a place of gratitude.

Daisy … Sandwiches & Such is located at 1089 Roosevelt Crescent in North Vancouver.  Their menu is on their website: https://daisysandwiches.com/ and the restaurant will be re-opening for takeut on Monday, April 27th.

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How Covid Has Affected My Business by Fitness Contributor – Fawn Gill

Never in my lifetime (almost 50 years) have I experienced anything like this. And I know I’m not alone.

We are all in this very unprecedented time together — Having to stay home to keep each other safe.

I was asked to write how Covid-19 has affected my business. Well, to be honest, this pandemic has put me out of work. I was working as a Group Fitness Manager and Instructor for a large chain that shut their doors and may be declaring bankruptcy. I suddenly found myself terminated, along with all the other staff. On top of that, the physiotherapy clinic where I was teaching Clinical Pilates also had to shut its doors temporarily.

Suddenly, I was unemployed. First. Time. Ever.

It was (and still is) surreal. I’ve been in the Fitness Industry for over 25 years. Teaching fitness classes almost every day to groups of people. Sharing energy. Receiving energy.

I went from teaching 2-3 classes a day to nothing. Boom. Just like that. So you can say, I’m in withdrawal.

Whenever something negative happens, I try my best to look at the positive side. 

For years I was working very hard at becoming an online entrepreneur. I offered different health and wellness programs online. It was super fun, creative, and I was making a good little side hustle. When I took on the Steve Nash Manager position, I had to give all that up as it was a conflict of interest.

Now, I’m an online entrepreneur again! Since the closure of all my jobs, I have started teaching LIVE Pilates and Barre classes on Facebook along with ZOOM noon-hour cardio blast classes.

I’m getting a great response from both and it is a lot of fun to teach from home … You can’t beat the commute!

It’s also an opportunity to keep in contact with many of my participants and I love that I’m helping them stay healthy and happy during this difficult time in our lives.

I am planning on expanding my online offers to group accountability sessions and one-on-one training.

Stay healthy everyone and remember…wash your hands!

Fawn Gill is a Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness instructor, Pilates Instructor, Barre instructor & Accountability Coach. Fawn has over 25 years experience teaching others the benefits of living healthy and has helped thousands of people lose weight & get fit. You can learn more information on her website: www.fawngillfitness.com

You can join Fawn’s fitness classes at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/fawngillfitness

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Boss Babe – New Chapter of My Life

This month marks an exciting time for me. It’s the first month that I will be an un-tethered Boss Babe! I am free from a job that I no longer enjoyed.

Time to begin a new chapter! Now I can put 100% into what I’m passionate about: Digital Marketing, Content Creation, Social Media Management, SEO & PR services.

I love to promote Local Businesses and now I can do so from the comfort of my home … I am starting a new interview series that I have named Babes Promoting Babes. It is also the name of my networking group, upcoming podcast and one of my Instagram profiles. I have four! Excessive?! Nah, I’m a multi-passionate person and have many interests that I want to pursue.

The first person I am going to interview is Brigitte Besner, owner of Daisy’s Sandwiches & Such in North Vancouver, BC. I first met Brigitte when I was Assistant Branch Manager at Hertz Car Rental. She sent me a thank you card for my good customer service (which I still have) and invited me to her restaurant to treat me to lunch. That was the start of our friendship 8 years ago!

Stay tuned for my interview with Brigitte. Coming SOON …