On International Women's Day, I discovered the Ukrainian tradition of honoring all women with a day off and showering them with love - something told to me by our new team member who recently relocated from Ukraine to Edmonton. She reminded me to celebrate this special day in ways that recognize all the powerful contributions made by the women around us!
Reflecting on the importance of recognizing women in our lives, I decided to honor a small, select group of incredible individuals who bring so much richness and power into my life (I wish I could name everyone). These remarkable mothers, supporters and inspirations are queens among us all; inspiring me everyday with their strength and elegance. With immense gratitude for having them as close allies, friends and mentors - I take this moment to recognize these amazing people for being focused on creating and establishing a safer, more accessible and brighter future for all women today and tomorrow.
Dallas is a true gift. In every interaction, personal or professional, she is 100% focused on you. She takes great effort to demonstrate in every moment that she is present, a trait not easily found nowadays. After rising to the top in other professions, Dallas started her own business Intuitive Financial Coaching this year. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to utilize her services as I too, recently started my own company and wanted to ensure I was on the right track - who better to get advice from than one of your best friends? After just the first two sessions I was amazed at how much I actually gained: Motivation, direction, understanding, but most of all discovery. Dallas helped me discover so many aspects about myself that affected not just my financial success but also my relationships, my health, and more overall satisfaction with life. Without judgment, Dallas helped me reframe my thinking and to see the bigger picture in all my decisions. Thank you Dallas for being my friend, my coach, and most importantly, a strong and feminine force in this world.
When I met Heather for the first time, I was amazed by her intelligence, her empathetic nature, but most importantly how gracefully she navigated challenges, difficult conversations and personal change. You just know sometimes when you meet someone that they will make a difference in the world, and that is Heather Andrew. She is a personal hero and a great friend who also decided to step into her boss-woman's shoes and open her own business this past year. Aspen Wellness Centre provides mental health therapy and wellness services including various types of therapeutic massage, reiki and reflexology to promote the healing of the body, mind and spirit. When it comes to business, Heather is a visionary. After consulting on the best ways to get started in her industry, she put together an amazing team of professionals who were passionate about her vision and mission for Aspen Wellness Centre. Over the years Heather has taught me patience and compassion and I could not respect someone more than I do her. Thank you Heather for teaching me everyday to be a slightly better version of myself.
Beautiful, fierce, savvy, strong…Olga is the metric in every way. Not only has she guided a thriving Edmonton based business for over 16 years, she raised two highly intelligent and successful children, but most recently she is dominating in the Mortgage world and will always be my top referral for any buyers. She is calm, patient, wickedly smart, honest, loving and everything I am obsessed with. She is the keeper of all my secrets and fears and I couldn't trust anyone more to give me tough advice (when I need it/deserve it). She shows me daily how to be a better person and she never stops pushing me to reach my goals, big or small. Her tireless energy and unending support means the world to me. Thank you Olga for being YOU and showing me what it looks like when women use their powers of strength and intelligence to empower everyone around them.
When Kelsey and I met, I was 25 and knew absolutely everything about everything. I was unapologetic and determined to win in one way, my way. We worked together at Driving Force and I was ruthless in the best and worst possible way. At that stage in life, I just wanted to win, to achieve and to make waves. I'm not sure how she saw something more in me, but she found a way through my tough approach and we became great friends. With incredible patience, she encouraged me to look beyond conventional boundaries and take risks. She taught me how to lead with confidence but without force, how to make decisions that empowered people around me without threat and how to demonstrate empathy when it mattered the most. She made sure I understood that success was not about doing things one way but about adapting and finding paths to succeed together. I could not be more grateful to her today and everyday; plus I love to tell people that I am friends with a powerful woman leader running the whole show in the USA for Driving Force. I could not be more proud of her and the incredible accomplishments she has achieved and will always be a woman I respect to the highest level.
Ill get this out there first, Caitlin Varrin and I share the same name, the same birthday, we were born in the same hospital and we grew up two doors down from each other! We are true gemini twins and I am so grateful to have someone who understands me as only she could. While we can be a lot alike, it's our differences that make me respect her the most. She is creative, dynamic and seemingly good at absolutely anything. Magic Hour Creative is a full service media company and she is the boss that runs the whole ship. You would think that would be enough, but while we mere mortals are sleeping, Caitlin runs a successful vintage clothing store company, Lawless Vintage; as well she styles for film productions, DJS, and likely more than I have time to write here. She is a supporter of all women, all people, and if she does not have time to help you, she will clear her whole schedule and do it anyway. As a creative entrepreneur, she is a rare breed and I am lucky to call her my friend. She is certainly “one to watch” and I can't wait to see what she does next.
All women face their own challenges in finding their place and space in the world. These women have and are always pioneering a path for themselves, but most importantly other women to come ahead. They demonstrate that no woman has to make herself, her voice, or her opinion small to be accepted. Their strength, their elegance, and their friendship is iconic in every way and if you have not met them yet, I hope you get the chance so you can see great examples of women making incredible moves everyday.
Happy International Women's Day to all women, in all places, and in all spaces. We support you and we stand with you.
Caitlin Heine
Owner, Iconic Purpose Inc.
