Beauty and the Boss Babes

What I love about being part of YWiB is the positive support. No matter what you want to accomplish, learn or focus on; women are fully supporting women. Girl Power if you will.

Speaking of Girl Power, I want to share two awesome Boss Babes in the Beauty Industry: Laura and Connie of NIU BODY.  NIU BODY is a 100% natural, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare company based in Toronto. They offer affordable and effective skincare without the fancy fluff. Since launching in March of 2017, the line consists of makeup remover oils, toning mists, serums, clay face masks, and lip polishes. An exciting new product is also coming soon, which we can’t wait to check out!

The story behind NIU BODY started in 2016. Laura had this amazing idea for a natural, coconut oil-based makeup remover wipe but couldn’t find one on the market. She was looking for someone to run the idea by, and a mutual friend recommended she chat with Connie because she was the ideal consumer (Connie is into wellness, skincare, and all things natural). The girls had dinner which turned into a 3-hour business meeting. By the end of the night, they agreed to partner and start NIU BODY.

If you are interested in trying some of NIU BODY’s products, Glow Luminizing Facial Serum is their best seller. It contains organic jojoba oil (to minimize the appearance of pores), organic camellia seed oil (packed with antioxidants and Omegas), organic bergamot essential oil (a citrusy scent that relieves stress), and Vitamin E. It’s extremely light weight, moisturizing, and absorbs quickly, leaving your skin radiant and bright. Pro Tip that Connie and Laura learned from one of their customers is to use their serums before applying makeup, to give your skin a dewy, youthful look! Connie’s fav product is the Awake Rose Toning Mist. It’s perfect for travel, post-workout, or just as a mid-day refresher. She’s a sucker for floral scents –  and bonus points for reducing skin pigmentation.

Since we are on the topic of  beauty, I couldn’t help but ask Connie for some skin care tips. Connie says it’s important to develop a skincare routine that works for you. It’s great reading from different magazines and blogs on what products work for different celebrities or influencers, but at the end of the day, you know what works best for your skin.  She also suggests sticking to something simple and preferably natural that you know you will be able to accomplish (i.e. never go to bed with makeup, always wear sunscreen) and you’ll see the results.

Now, for those aspiring Girl Bosses out there this is for you. If you are looking to start your own business, Connie’s advice to you is to have confidence. She thinks a lot of women don’t give themselves enough credit (she’s guilty as charged!) and set smaller goals as a result. When she first started NIU BODY, her original target was just to sell one product to someone who wasn’t a friend. Looking back, it seemed like a ridiculously small goal that Laura and Connie quickly surpassed. Connie also says to set your bar high, vocalize your dreams, and smash those goals!

Connie’s most rewarding part of having a business is hearing such positive feedback from NIU BODY customers. She and Laura were at a market in the fall, and a girl came up to them to show how her skin had changed after using NIU BODY for a few months. She explained how it had boosted her confidence and she needed to share her positive results. Laura and Connie received a message from a customer in BC, praising NIU BODY’s clean products and revealing that before NIU BODY she had such a difficult time finding affordable but also good quality, natural skincare products. Connie says “it sounds cheesy, but moments like this are what keep us so motivated!”

After learning about NIU BODY from Connie and exploring NIU BODY’s natural and affordable products online, I was tempted to try a couple of products myself. With an education and background in beauty, I had more than one reason to add a few items to my cart and proceed to checkout!

The excitement of having a package arrive gives me all kinds of feels; like a kid ready to open their gifts on Christmas morning, which I know some of you can relate to. When I opened the package I loved the message card from Laura and Connie themselves hoping I’ll enjoy their products, and a brief background on what NIU BODY has to offer. I was even more excited to try my new skin care products that evening.

Product number one was the Detox Green Clay Mask. The mask contains kaolin and French green clay and green tea extract that draws out impurities and oil and leaves your skin detoxified and purified. What’s cool about this product is it’s in a powder form. All you have to do is mix a few drops of water to get that mask like consistency and voila, you have yourself a facial mask. I loved how it was easy to apply and it helped with my congested skin.

Calm Lavender Toning Mist was product number two. I have a soft spot for lavender scented products and my bucket list consists of a walk in a lavender field, so naturally this product was a must try. The toning mist has a blend of lavender floral water, aloe vera and witch hazel. When I tried it for the first time, it was love at first smell; I felt like I was walking in lavender fields already! Both products are now a staple in my skincare routine. I always appreciate affordable skin care products that contain natural ingredients.

Thank you Connie for sharing NIU BODY’s story, your recommendations and advice on being a Beauty Boss Babe.  NIU BODY is located in Toronto, You can purchase their products here and from their stocklists.

 Written By: Margaret Saliba 

League of Extraordinary Young Women: Eva Wong

Eva is a Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Borrowell, a Canadian fintech company that offers personal loans, free credit scores and personalized product recommendations. With a background in management consulting and business development, Eva has worked at Maple Leaf Foods, Oliver Wyman and a number of not-for-profit organizations. She has studied or worked in the US, Caribbean, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Eva was named one of "9 Canadian Women Changing The Game" by Elle Canada magazine, one of "30 Women in Canadian Tech Worth Following" by BetaKit and a finalist for "Fintech Woman of the Year" by LendIt, the world’s biggest show in lending & fintech.

Eva holds degrees from Harvard University and Queen’s School of Business. She enjoys food blogs and baking projects with her two kids.

Describe who you work for and why it's important to you.

I'm part of the team at Borrowell, a Canadian financial technology company. We help Canadians understand their credit so they can make the best financial decisions for their personal situation. We offer credit scores for free, personal loans and other product recommendations.

How does your role empower you?

At Borrowell, we're all empowered to think and act like owners. From setting our personal goals and contributing to our company-level objectives, to getting involved in interviewing and hiring new team members, it's very empowering to have a say in what we're doing as a company. Being at a small, fast-paced company also gives all of us lots of new learning opportunities, which is also really empowering.

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

Do your research - use the products, go to tech events, meet with people who work in the field. Then, just go for it! Apply for the job you want, reach out to companies you're interested in, or start something yourself!

Who is your biggest role model, why?

That's a tough one. I don't have just one. I admire Sheryl Sandberg and a few others for their careers and what they've been able to accomplish. I have friends I admire for their patience with their kids, and others I admire for their faith and spirituality.

What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

I'm a big fan of "Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose" by Tony Hsieh, the founder of online shoe company Zappos. And I'm currently reading Adam Grant's "Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success" which I'm enjoying a lot.

If you could go back to your 16 year old self, what would you say?

Don't worry about what you'll be when you grow up - you don't have to pick just one thing.

Why do you think groups like YWiB are important?

Groups like YWiB are really important. I once heard someone say, "If you can't see it, you can't be it." I think there's some truth in that. I don't think it ever crossed my mind to become a tech entrepreneur when I was younger, and I think part of it is because I never saw anyone like me doing that. So planting the seeds of what opportunities are out there is really great.

What can our readers do to help you?

One thing you can do that would help me and yourself is to get your credit score at Borrowell! It's free, it only takes two minutes and it won't affect your score. It's the first step to understanding where you stand.

The other thing readers can do is look at our job postings, and apply or recommend a friend if there's anything that fits! One of our goals is to build a gender-balanced team, and the more women we can get interested in what we're building, the better

League of Extraordinary Young Women: The Better Life Project

Erin & Natasha make up the co-founding team of the Better Life Project. They go into further detail about the project, how it fulfills them, and some advice for young professional women!

Erin is a Graphic Designer with a passion for branding, typography, illustration and, of course, the path to a better life!

Natasha is an enthusiastic educator who has dedicated her life to expediting the growth of high performers through positive psychology.

Describe what/who you're working on/for and why it's important to you

After the success of our first product, the Better Life Planner 2017, we're now working on a Student Success Planner that will launch this summer following a Kickstarter campaign for the planner. Students are at a pivotal point in their growth—mentally, emotionally, socially, etc.—so positive habit formation is key at this stage of their lives. We want to launch a Kickstarter campaign so that we can reach as many students as possible, helping transform the future generations. The job market is more competitive than it's ever been, and we want to give all students access to this tool so they can have a competitive advantage.

How does your role empower you?

Together, our business empowers us by being able to connect with our customers, receive feedback, and design our future products with real people in mind. We are touched, moved and inspired every time we hear how a Better Lifer is transforming through the use of the Better Life Planner 2017 and the Better Life Book Club. 

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

Buy our planner! LOL. In all seriousness, our advice to a young woman looking to enter the world of self-development and goal-setting: have accountability partners and surround yourself with a support system of people who care enough about you to not let

you

get in the way of achieving your goals.

Who is your biggest role model, why?

Natasha:

Oprah, because Oprah. 

Erin:

Tony Robbins because he tells people how it is, and while it can come across as brutal honesty, it also comes from a place of genuinely wanting people to transform their lives.

What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

Every book teaches you something, so instead of settling for just one, 

join our book club

and transform with us! Search for the Better Life Book Club on Facebook to see what we've read so far.

If you could go back to your 16 year old self, what would you say?

Natasha:

"Caring for and empowering people will get you much further than any to-do list can take you."

Erin:

"You have no idea what you're capable of until you take action!"

Why do you think groups like YWiB are important?

Groups like YWiB are important so that women can have access to an empowering support system of other women. It's a foundation of collaboration, inspiration and accountability so that women can be their best selves.

What can our readers do to help you?

Stay tuned for our Kickstarter campaign coming

May 1st

, and back us however you can and share us with your friends and family!

Facebook: 

https://www.

facebook.com/

betterlifeproject.ca/

Instagram & Twitter: @blifeproject

League of Extraordinary Young Women: Caitlin Bryant

Caitlin is an ambitious young woman making a name for herself in the heart of Toronto. With a degree in International Development, experience in the financial sector and a network that spans industries, Caitlin is showing no signs of slowing down. During her spare time, you will find her running along the lakeshore, co-chairing this year’s Boobyball event in support of Rethink Breast Cancer or attending whatever hockey, basketball or baseball game is on the docket. Describe who you're working for and why it's important to you.

I current work in product management within the retail industry. I work in an environment where things move fast. It's important to me because no day is the same - there is always a new issue to address or a different way to launch a campaign so I am constantly learning.

How does your role empower you?

My role is driven by results so having ownership of a project from beginning to end is empowering. Building relationships, monitoring sales and data analysis all attribute to my success, so I get out of it what I put into it. It’s empowering to see the importance of my role within the bigger picture and to know my contribution is valuable.

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

No matter what field of work you are in or are interested in, the best thing you can do is to put yourself out there. Start by networking, registering for courses and joining a professional association. Through this process, you will learn what you like to do, the type of environment you want to work in and what you’re passionate about. There is always something to learn and someone to meet who will teach you something new. It’s funny how you can fall into a role if you’re open to anything.

If you are looking to get into Marketing specifically, I suggest taking courses through Canadian Marketing Association, keep abreast of industry trends, and always ensure your resume is current.

Who is your biggest role model, why?

I wouldn’t say I have a specific role model but I do draw from a few strong women. Michelle Obama, Victoria Beckham, and Sheryl Sandburg all display qualities and characteristics that I admire and strive to embody. Although these three woman are very different, they have created a positive impact, built an empire and achieved success on their own terms. Achieving success without compromise isn’t easy but these women have done it with grace and tact.

What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Although it’s not your typical “professional” read, it has lessons that can make you an overall better person and therefore a better professional. The book explores how important it is to let the opinions of others go, lean into a given situation and accept that it is okay to be vulnerable. We all have a fear of failure and inadequacy and this book discusses different ways to acknowledge those fears as normal and how you can work through those feelings in order to achieve success.

After reading this book, I created a short list of people whose opinion matters to me and treat everything else as background noise. Daring Greatly is a great tool to get through tough situations you may encounter.

If you could go back to your 16 year old self, what would you say?

Nothing is going to go according to plan but that’s okay! As long as you have a goal, it doesn’t matter how you get there.

Why do you think groups like YWiB are important?

Groups like YWIB are important because it is a network of likeminded individuals who are providing a positive source for growth. Any time you can connect with people that have ideas and stories to share, you should capitalize on that. The moment you think there’s nothing left to learn or no way to grow, you’re doing yourself a disservice. 

What can our readers do to help you?

You can all purchase tickets to this year’s Boobyball event in support of Rethink Breast Cancer. Tickets go on sale this summer and the event will be in October. As co-chair of the event, I would love to see you all there!

League of Extraordinary Young Women: Gisela Cardenas

We're back with the first League of Extraordinary Women of 2017! Learn more about Gisela Cardenas, owner of mandala company, Yantra Supply Co. These mandalas are 100% cotton and are hand painted in India. Gisela, the owner behind Yantra Supply Co. has created the logo, presentation and all the packaging herself in Vancouver, B.C.

Describe what/who you're working on/for and why it's important to you

When I first stumbled across the idea of starting my own business, my focus and main goal was to introduce mandalas to the local market and the people of Vancouver.  I am now working on promoting and introducing my brand across Canada and hopefully International.

As a young mother of one, and being active in fitness and yoga, I knew that the local environment is very health conscious, so I took this opportunity to explain what the significance of the mandala is and the many uses.

How does your role empower you?

For most of my life, I’ve always worked for somebody else or for another company; this is the first time in my life that I can say I am the boss. This has empower me, allowing me to think for myself, bring my ideas to the table and make my own decisions. It educates me and makes me feel that it’s never too late to do the things in life you love, and to never give up.

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

My advice would be to work hard for the things you want and love in life; go for it and never give up.

Who is your biggest role model, why

My biggest role model was my grandma, even though she wasn't in my life for a long time. I can vividly remember her and looking up to her in so many ways, she thought me how to be strong and to never give up; to follow my dreams. She was extremely creative and intuitive.

 What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

For me, The Four Agreements is a life-changing book, whose ideas come from the ancient Toltec wisdom of the native people of Southern Mexico. It talks about never making assumptions and to be impeccable with your word, to Always do your best. It explains how your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

If you could go back to your 16 year old self, what would you say?

I would say to always stay in school, focus on education and family, do your best and always be yourself.

How has YWiB supported you? Why are they important for young women?

I first discovered YWiB while I was visiting the city of Toronto. I was looking to collaborate with other local businesses and make new contacts. Victoria Stacey from YWiB reached out instantly and offered to help me to promote my brand in TO.  I believe groups like this are extremely important for young women who are starting to launch a new business or product line, because with the proper support and collaboration, young entrepreneurs can achieve their goals and dreams much easier.

What can our readers do to help you? 

Readers can help me by sharing their thoughts, by following and sharing Yantra’s Supply Co Facebook page and Instagram, and by giving feedback and commenting on posts.

League of Extraordinary Young Women: Pauleanna Reid

Describe what you're working on and why it's important to you I’m a multi-business owner. But my proudest accomplishment to date is New Girl on the Block, a mentorship program for millennial women in transition. As a self-taught renaissance woman who has mastered the art of getting stuff done by attacking my goals with heart, hard work and by building healthy relationships, I started the mentorship program two years ago in collaboration with my business partner, Safia Bartholomew. Together, we’ve helped over 100 mentees in 6 countries take their distant dreams and turn them into noteworthy achievements.

When I’m not mentoring, I’m motivational speaking on a stage somewhere in the world, working on the film adaptation to my novel, Everything I Couldn’t Tell My Mother or ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs, Professional Athletes or celebrity clients.

My work is important to me because I believe that you are never out of options. My story exemplifies what it means to gain control of one’s life through self-determination and blind faith. With the discouragement of the naysayers, I’ve learned to silence the noise of those around me so that I could hear my own voice louder. That voice always tells me to take risk and follow my dreams. This self-reliance is the motivation to focus on making sure that other people, especially young women, pursue the things that they love. I hope to teach them to believe in themselves despite their perceived flaws or negative situations.

How does your role empower you?

Regrettably, I made the decision to end my life during my second year of college. With the belief that it was impossible to bounce back from my misery or shut off the tiny voice inside my head, I often struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts and then one day chose to honor them.

People may see my highlight reel on social media, but what makes me feel empowered is the journey to how I got here. I’m a woman who has fought for her dreams and won. After a full recovery, I made a promise to myself that I would set out on a mission to discover my purpose and wouldn’t give up until I tapped into exactly what it was.

There was a time when I didn’t know if I would ever make it through my struggles. People told me that I would never be successful. But I’ve been fortunate enough to have several amazing women show me that my past doesn’t have to define my future and my failures aren’t a measure of my potential.

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

No matter the product or service you offer, you need to master the art of selling. Strive to turn your conversations into leads. One key success strategy is understanding people; their pain points, what inspires them and how you can create a unique experience from the moment they connect with you.

Who is your biggest role model, why?

I have amazing mentors in my circle who have all contributed to my success in some aspect or another. But as of right now, I have been spending enormous amounts of time watching talks conducted by Jeff Weiner, CEO at LinkedIn. LinkedIn has been such an incredible networking tool for me over the years and most recently I’ve been curious to study the leadership team. Jeff has taught me the importance of compassion as well as the significance of problem solving skills and getting shit done.

What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: Success Secrets Every Gutsy Girl Should Know by Kate White

If you could go back to your 16 year old self, what would you say? Chase dreams instead of chasing men.

Why do you think groups like YWiB are important?

I discovered your organization via LinkedIn. I think it’s extremely important to have groups such as this one so women know that they are not alone. Passion can take you anywhere all you have to do is focus on the next positive step. It’s much easier to take this step if you feel supported.

What can our readers do to help you? 

I enjoy using my platform to change lives. If you're interested in working with me, please feel free to reach out for a conversation at pauleanna@pauleannareid.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pauleannareid

Facebook: https://facebook.com/pauleannareid

Website: https://www.pauleannareid.com

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/pauleannareid

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pauleannar

Medium: https://medium.com/@pauleannareid

Mogul Talk: https://mogultalk.biz

New Girl on the Block: https://newgirlontheblock.com

League of Extraordinary Young Women: Gianine Mapula

Ever heard of the saying “big things come in small packages”? Well, that pretty much sums up Gianine. She graduated as Valedictorian of her class from the University of Waterloo in 2015 with a major in Communications and minors in Psychology and Human Resources Management. Currently, she is finishing her certification in Social Media Marketing at George Brown College.

Gianine is an ambitious and self-driven young woman working her way through the world of ‘adult-ing’ as the Digital PR and Social Media Director of Kindred Culture, a Social Media Coordinator of a major Canadian financial institution, and as an entrepreneur. She has many years of experience in event planning, social media marketing, project management, and communications.

During her spare time, you will find her going on adventures, food trips, and dancing in the studio with her crew.

Describe what you're working on and why it's important to you?

I am currently working for the Digital Strategy team for one of Canada’s top 5 banks and Kindred Culture. My responsibility for both positions is to execute social media strategy and marketing operations. Outside of my main responsibilities, I also work on event planning, communications, and project management with Kindred Culture – which I enjoy.

At the bank, our team is working on several campaigns that will be launching soon. All I can say is that I am very excited for these and I cannot wait for it to start rolling out!

Kindred Culture is a dance organization that promotes art, education, and community. We do this by providing different dance programs and events, and supporting various charitable or non-profit organizations that align with our values. As the Director of Digital PR and Social Media, my team is working on expanding Kindred Culture’s visibility and presence in the community. We are continuously exploring new ways to reach different demographics and look for opportunities to collaborate with online magazines, news outlets, and other organizations. We are even considering print media to help with our goal of reaching out to new demographics.

Since a large chunk of our marketing and lead generation is currently done through social media, we are also working on tapping into our platforms’ analytics to better understand what our key performance indicators are and what strategies will offer us the greatest return on investment. Kindred Culture has many amazing upcoming initiatives that are launching soon such as our new Female Training Program (January 2017) and annual post-secondary competition The Academy: Urban Dance Competition (March 2017). I also have some personal projects I am working on that I’m hopefully launching soon so connect with me to stay tuned!

These projects are important to me as they provide me with learning opportunities and experiences that will help me advance in my field. They also allow me to pursue my passion in the arts and marketing. I feel a special feeling of fulfillment knowing that I’m able to use my talent and skills towards something greater than my own benefit through helping my community and contributing to the greater good.

How does your role empower you?

Having had the chance to experience working for a big corporation and a start-up, what I find most empowering is the opportunity to think outside of the box and implement innovative ideas every chance I get. I feel most empowered when I see my vision come to life and experience the impact it has on the organization or community first-hand. I can definitely say that some of these ideas have been very successful, while others needed improvement. But the journey of crafting an idea, putting it together, and connecting the dots make everything more rewarding.

What advice do you have to other young women looking to get involved in your field of work?

Believe in yourself: Don't let anyone tell you what you can or can’t do because you are just as smart, talented, and skillful as the others. You just have to believe it and put it to action.

Build your portfolio: Don't wait until you're done University to start building your portfolio. Start as early as you can. It shows the drive and commitment you have for the industry you strive in and it also helps show potential employers and partners what you can really do.

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there: Don't be shy! If you want to apply to that job, do it. If you want to talk to that CEO, reach out. If you want to be involved, ask. What’s there to lose?

Who is your biggest role model, why?

I don’t have a role model - I think I only have people who motivate and inspire me.

My family motivates me to keep going in life no matter what obstacle I face. They’re very supportive of me and never fail to provide me with whatever it is I need to pursue my aspirations in life and be successful. The commitment and sacrifices my parents had to go through just to give me the best life I could possibly have drive me to never settle and always strive to become better.

A person who inspires me is my boyfriend. His work ethic, intelligence, perspective on the world, and the way he interacts with the people around him push me to be the best person I can be and to start believing in myself and my potential.

My family and boyfriend are big reasons I have been able to accomplish my goals. I thank them every day for guiding me to get to where I am today and for helping shape who I have become as a person. I take a lot of pride in the work that I do, not only because I do it for myself or the organizations I work for, but also for the people who mean the most to me.

What book do you recommend every young professional should read?

I’m not an avid reader but if I was to recommend a book to every young professional it would be, The Wealthy Barber Returns by David Chilton. It’s a book about financial planning, however, this book has no checklists, no charts, and barely any math. In this book, the author casually chats about the world of money and he provides his insights, tips, and tricks on how to manage finances more easily. It will give you a whole new perspective on how to think more wisely about your savings, spending, borrowing, and investment decisions, which i think is important for young professionals like myself.

If you could go back to your 16-year-old self, what would you say?

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! It might not be obvious now but when I was in high school, I used to be really shy and because of it, I closed some doors for myself. Being a short and timid kid who immigrated here from the Philippines and was new to Canadian culture, I didn’t have the confidence to do what I needed to do to achieve what I imagined I was able to achieve. It wasn’t until my senior year of high school and my first year in University that I really started to break from my shell and build more confidence. In University, I joined many clubs and organizations - not just as a member, but also as an executive. I even won an award as a President of a club and was featured in our school’s student council website. I had four of the best years of my life in University and I wished that my 16-year-old self was able to experience that in high school as well.

Why do you think groups like YWiB are important?

Organizations like YWiB is important as it gives young women like myself a place where we could connect and empower each other to make a positive difference in the fields we're in and in the society as a whole. It's also a great platform for women to inspire each other and promote professional growth in a supportive environment.

What can our readers do to help you?

I'm always interested in meeting and chatting with new people. If you have a project in mind you think I can help you out with (social media, marketing, dance, communications, etc.) or you just want to chat, connect with me:

Twitter: @GianineRedInstagram: GianineRedSnapchat: red1217 YouTube: GianineRed