Alpha Woman Podcast

Personal Finance and Investment Guru Tara Murphy

Wed, 04 May 2022 10:00:00 -0400

Tara Murphy has always been passionate about personal finance. Ever since she was small she was curious about how the finance world works. Today, Tara is a Senior Associate at Liberty North Capital, a Bay Street Investment Bank in Toronto, and she’s also a Money Coach and an Educator with her own money coaching business, TMM.

At the investment bank, Tara works directly with the Managing Partner in all facets, and she is very proud to be both the youngest member, and only female on her team. Tara holds a Bachelors of Commerce from Ryerson University, has completed both her Level I & II CSC, and was a Dealing Representative with the Ontario Securities Commission.

For the past 4 years, Tara has turned her passion for Personal Finance into helping more individuals learn to invest, by hosting several FREE Investing Masterclasses, and creating a 10 Module Online Investing Course, reaching 500+ students.

Tara is a strong believer that our money should be working as hard for us as we work for ourselves, so she has made it her mission to show people that the world of investing is a very passive way for them to truly be wealthy. We’re excited to have Tara on the show to discuss and learn about wealth building and investing for women.

Janice Bartley, Supporting Diverse Food Entrepreneurs With Foodpreneur Lab

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400

Today's interview is with Janice Bartley, the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Foodpreneur Lab. Her personal mission is to level the playing field and open doors in underserved communities for ‘would be’ and established food entrepreneurs.

Founded January 2019, Foodpreneur Lab was created to tackle systemic barriers head on and pioneer new approaches to creating access for those historically prevented from fully participating in the food sector. Foodpreneur Lab is the only Canadian Black-woman founded and led non-profit organization with a fierce national mandate to support underserved communities and address systemic barriers in the food ecosystem.

Foodpreneur Lab is a team made up of diverse entrepreneurs and experts in the food sector. We are led by Janice Bartley who draws on her 30 years of lived experience in food and entrepreneurship to create access, and open doors that have historically been closed to underserved communities.

Janice brings a wealth of experience into the food sector as a former Operations Manager in Culinary & Hospitality management. Her 30+ years as an entrepreneur brought her to Food Starter as part of the Management team. She has mentored many young and experienced Chefs in the food industry and has been able to transition those mentoring skills to food entrepreneurs. Janice has worked with community based Organizations, such as JumpStart Refugee Talent and Ryerson Diversity Institute both support women entrepreneurs and newcomers.

Listen to the interview with this inspiring Social Entrepreneur today!

Timestamps:

Start of interview (3:37)
The origins of The Foodpreneur (4:12)
Challenges that women of color face when entering the food industry (8:46)
About "food accountability" (11:32)
Foodprenuer and underrepresented communites (16:28)
Supporting local food sources (22:40)
What can a new participant to Foodpreneur expect? (31;55)
How the pandemic has effected business (34:19)
Tips for women entrepreneurs (37:47)
How do you define an Alpha Woman? (43:17)

Show Notes:

Foodpreneur social media:
INSTAGRAM: @foodpreneurlab
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/foodpreneurlab

Pam Martin McDonald on Motherhood, Holistic Healing, Entrepreneurship, Mental Health

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 09:00:00 -0500

Pam Martin McDonald is a “Naturotherapist” with the ANN, and a Holistic Health Practitioner in St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is the Founder of Meridian Health & Wellness, a virtual holistic health platform that serves a community across North America.

Pam is a passionate mental health advocate who believes in whole body health, achieved and maintained by addressing the mental, physical and spiritual elements of the self. Her entry into better health was sparked by motherhood. She started with physical health with a mommy and baby workout class and 6 months later dove into the highly competitive world of fitness competitions. She is now a retired, professionally trained and award-winning bodybuilder, having competed and placed in 5 of the bodybuilding competitions entered, in two federations both locally and nationally.

She is a certified personal trainer (Canfit Pro), she developed and taught live online circuit training programs, fitness classes, group transformation programs, nutritional coaching, private and group sessions in Yin Yoga (Satori Yoga, NB), Yoga Nidra (Shakti Yoga NL), Healthy Weight Loss Coach (CanFit Pro), Kids and Family Yoga (Karma Kids NY), Essential Oils and Natural Health Coaching (doTerra Int.), Meditation Teacher (The Lotus Center, NL), and Restorative Yoga (Andrea Peloso), Reiki Practioner (Reiki On the Rock).

Pam has a passion for helping others overcome doubt, unhealthy patterns and improving mental health. She is a public speaker, wellness presenter, personal development coach, self-care program facilitator, and has offered wellness retreats both privately and corporately.

Show Notes:
Start of interview (1:48)
The inspiration behind the many paths Pam has taken (8:40)
Pam's holistic health journey (20:37)
When Pam discovered yoga (29:57)
About shifting to online classes during the pandemic (33:30)
Children participation in yoga and holistic health (42:02)
New products and/or services at Meridian Health & Wellness (46:37)
How do you define an Alpha Woman? (50:09)

Meridian website

Sign up for the upcoming Meridian Vision Board Workshop

Support Alpha Woman by becoming a member.

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Cynthia Labelle, (a.k.a "Mama") on Founding a Licensed Cannabis Cultivation Business

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 14:00:00 -0500

On today’s Alpha Woman podcast we chat with Cynthia Labelle, Co-Founder and Managing Director of JMF Growers, a medical cannabis cultivator based in Drummondville Quebec.

Manager in the retail trade for 12 years and self-employed for 4 years, Cynthia acquired the skills of communication and leadership that are now serving her in the development a team of employees that drive effectively towards a common goal.

Cynthia is a force of nature in a sector of the industry where you generally find very few female founders or executives. She is an entrepreneur that brings the full scope of her experience and creative force to the table.

With an integrated brand platform centred around the concept of family, she has created a brand experience that is so meaningful and well-executed, her employees have become passionate brand evangelists, and call her "mama". Hear about how this plays out in the interview, along with her ideas about building a cannabis cultivators co-op and more.

Show Notes:

Start of Interview (1:33)
About JMF Growers (3:12)
Biggest business hurdles (8:44)
The first brands that Cynthia and JMF launched (13:25)
About recreational cannabis availability (25:48)
Likes and dislikes about entrepreneurship (43:11)
Advice for other women in the cannabis industry (47:18)
Cynthia's self-care routine (52:22)
How do you define an Alpha Woman? (57:19)

Dr. LJ Rose on Holistic Living, Food as Medicine, and Living With Intention

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 08:00:00 -0500

LindaJoy Rose, PhD is a therapist, author, professional speaker, international trainer, and healthy living expert with over 25 years of experience. As the former Director of International Development for the American Board of Hypnotherapy, she is a pioneer in the field of subconscious dynamics and clinical hypnotherapy, implementing training and certification in many countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia.

She is the author of eight books, including Your Mind: The Owner’s Manual and Raw Fusion Living: Recipes for Healthy Eating, Natural Weight Loss and Anti-Aging.

With a grant from the Astra-Zeneca Foundation, Rose successfully launched a healthy lifestyle retraining program at one of the nation’s largest and most respected clinics. Having overcome a debilitating auto-immune disorder through lifestyle changes and self-care, she subsequently developed a practical and delicious eating philosophy and teaches popular classes with food demonstrations, world-wide.

In 2013 she launched the Natural Wellness Academy with certifications in Holistic Health and Life Coaching and Clinical Hypnotherapy and has students in 27 countries and over a dozen cutting edge coaching specializations all with a holistic (mind/body/spirit) approach

The daughter of two Holocaust survivors, Dr. Rose is also a volunteer docent at the Florida Holocaust Museum and resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband and 4 furry companions.

Show Lineup:

Start of interview (3:18)
About hypnotherapy (6:17)
The Hypno-Potential system L.J. developed (12:58)
Addressing childhood trauma with hypnotherapy (14:26)
Food as medicine (17:12)
What is raw fusion? (24:39)
Thoughts on reincarnation (31:00)
The Natural Wellness Academy (37:14)
Florida Holocaust Museum (47:18)
L.J.'s self-care routine (58:53)

Show Notes:

Visit the Natural Wellness Academy website.

Support Alpha Woman by becoming a member.

Empowering Girls and Young Women to Become Tomorrow’s Leaders – Interview With Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine and Emma Asiedu-Akrof

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:00:00 -0500

On today's show, Leslie Andrachuk has the tremendous honour to interview the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine and Emma Asiedu-Akrof, Executive Director of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment.

The Hon. Dr. Augustine was born in Grenada and immigrated to Canada in 1960 where studied at the University of Toronto and obtained a BA and a Masters of Education. After university she worked as an elementary school principal with the Toronto Separate School Board and was also actively involved in Toronto's Caribbean community, sitting on the first committee to organize the legendary Caribana Festival in 1967.

This incredible trailblazer has engaged in numerous organizations for education and social justice, serving with the National Black Coalition of Canada, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, the Board of Governors of York University, the Board of Trustees for The Hospital for Sick Children, the Board of Directors of the Donwood Institute, the Board of Harbourfront, and Chair of the Metro Toronto Housing Authority. She was also named National President of the Congress of Black Women of Canada in 1987.

Additionally, the Hon. Dr. Augustine is the first African-Canadian woman to be elected to the House of Commons. She was elected in the riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore in 1993 and sat in Parliament until 2006 after which she served as Fairness Commissioner for the Government of Ontario.

Among Dr. Augustine’s many achievements and honours includes leading the motion that allowed for the placement of the Famous Five statue on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and the motion that created Black History Month in Canada. Dr. Augustine has received honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from seven universities.

And the reason for our interview today; she is the Founder of the Jean Augustine Centre for Young Women's Empowerment. The Jean Augustine Centre is committed to empowering young women and girls between the ages of 7-17 years from across Canada. The centre takes a holistic approach to empowerment by providing programs that support the mental, physical, and social wellbeing of young women and girls.

We’re also joined by The Executive director of JAC since 2016, Emma Asiedu-Akrof who is dedicated to supporting the young women and girls of South Etobicoke and across Canada. Emma’s career path reflects a deep commitment to celebrating gender equality, empowerment of self-identified females, and youth-based programming.

Show Notes:

The Jean Augustine Centre is seeking volunteers committed to the empowerment of young women and girls. Please reach out if you would like to contact the Centre about volunteering.

Follow The Jean Augustine Centre on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter

Start of interview (3:40)
Programming at the Jean Augustine Centre (8:01)
The importance of expanding the centre and reaching out to other communities (12:10)
Imposter Syndrome in women and confidence-building curriculum (17:43)
Partnership with License To Learn (24:25)
The importance of mental health in our youth (26:25)
What's coming in 2022 for the Jean Augustine Centre? (38:53)
How do you define an Alpha Woman (45:12)

Julie Cole, Recovered Lawyer, Mom of Six and Co-Founder of Mabel’s Labels

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0500

On today’s show we interview Julie Cole, recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mabel’s Labels. Mabel’s Labels is the best-known brand of durable labels for families, featuring products such as baby bottle labels, allergy and medical alert products, sports labels, household labels and seasonal items.

Frustrated by their children’s things getting lost, mixed up and leaving home never to return, Julie Cole, Julie Ellis, Cynthia Esp and Tricia Mumby knew they could do better than the scribbles on masking tape that were being passed off as labels. From there, the idea for the product was born: the very best personalized waterproof name labels and tags that were equally cute and durable. Mabel’s Labels started humbly out of a basement and has grown to be an award-winning, market-leading company loved by Moms and kids alike.

Today, Mabel’s Labels is the best-known brand of durable labels for families, and our growing line of products features baby bottle labels, allergy and medical alert products, sports labels, household labels and seasonal items. They’re extremely durable, they’re laundry, dishwasher and microwave safe – and they’re 100% guaranteed.

Julie has helped her company bring their product to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and she has won countless awards. Cole is a passionate entrepreneur, writer, and sought after speaker.

When she’s not juggling her busy family and professional life, Julie is an engaged community member serving on boards and volunteering. She is passionate about women’s issues, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and social justice.

Thank you to today’s sponsor Manscaped. Don’t forget to go to Manscaped.com to get your 20% off by using the code Alpha Woman.

Review and rate our podcast and follow us on social media @alphawomanco wherever you are. Thanks for tuning in, stay safe out there dear Alpha Women!

Notes:

Start of interview (3:23)
Julie on being a mother of 6 (6:40)
What have some of the highlights been during the building of Mabel's Labels? (12:50)
What were your biggest challenges in starting Mabel's Labels? (20:34)
Actionable insights for Alpha Woman entrepreneurs (26:31)
What's next for Julie? (30:25)
How do you define an Alpha Woman? (31:43)

Mabel’s Labels: https://mabelslabels.ca

https://www.instagram.com/mabelslabels/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/Mabelhood/

https://twitter.com/mabelhood

https://www.pinterest.ca/mabelslabels/_created/

Interview with Honor McLachlin, Chief Operating Officer, Beacon Hill Brands

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:00:00 -0500

On today’s Alpha Woman Show we welcome Honor McLachlin, Chief Operating Officer of Beacon Hill Brands, a company dedicated to enhancing the lives of consumers by building brands using innovative technology that benefit the environment and communities where they operate.

Beacon Hill Brands is an expert in developing and utilizing award-winning, breakthrough and eco-friendly technologies. They are expanding their vision into an all-natural lifestyle-oriented house-of-brands, alongside turn-key white label solutions. Their consumer brands include Tea of a Kind, Beastmode by Marshawn Lynch, Dosable and the recently launched Kalvara, which is a cannabis-infused beverage.

Honor is a seasoned marketing professional, from running the daily operations of Dream Water Canada and now, Beacon Hill Brands. With 20+ years of agency/client experience, Honor is a strong communicator and relationship builder with extensive project and account management experience, who drives results through leadership, maturity, and a consultative approach. Honor’s expertise includes managing operational costs, ensuring excellent customer service, improving administration processes, engaging with vendors, hiring and training employees, while monitoring financial activities of the business.

We're eager to interview Honor, a skilled and deeply experience CPG marketer who is taking her significant skills and experience from the CPG world into a company that is focusing on sustainability and innovation.

Follow Kalvara Instagram

Show Notes:

Start of interview (1:47)
About Beacon Hill Brands' products (3:41)
What is Vessl technology? (6:38)
How does the body process Kalvara Cannabis Beverage? (11:51)
Advice for those consuming a cannabis beverage for the first time (14:08)
The difference in marketing and labelling a cannabis beverage in Canada vs, the United States (19:38)
Honor's biggest challenges at Beacon Hill Brands' (25:23)
What's next from Beacon Hill Brands and Kalvara? (27:30)
How does Honor define being an Alpha Woman (31:13)

Interview with Samantha Marchione, Co-Founder Nuveev Health and Wellness

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 15:00:00 -0500

On today’s Alpha Woman Show we welcome Samantha Marchione. Sam is the co-founder and product development manager at Nuveev, a brand new CBD-infused Health and Wellness brand that includes a skincare and a beverage line.

She has brought a wealth of experience in skincare and beauty from previous roles in Nordstrom and Sephora where she ran the beauty department and trained staff on sales, artistry and customer service for brands like Tom Ford, Jo Malone, Chanel and Dior as well as Clinique, Nars, Estee Lauder and Bobbi Brown. Alongside her responsibilities for Nuveev she is still acting as a freelance makeup artist, skin specialist, and educator at colleges across Ontario.

Nuveev is the health and wellness brand that empowers consumers to discover the best of natural beauty and the everyday benefits of proactive cannabis use. Representing a new era of skincare innovation, Nuveev’s thoughtfully formulated products pair antioxidant rich plant derivatives with the restorative properties of cannabidiol (CBD) to help Canadians achieve all of their beauty and wellness goals.

Samantha is a dynamic Young Alpha who come to us with all sorts of knowledge on all the things related to cannabinoids, CBD beauty and skincare, so buckle up and get your notepads out, because we’re super eager to learn more!

Show Notes:

Start of interview (2:13)
About CBD skincare products (4:19)
Nuveev's solution to dry skin in the Winter (10:41)
Advice for consumers looking for CBD skincare products (14:29)
Hempseed oil vs. CBD (15:48)
Nuveev's safety and efficacy (18:07)
New products coming soon (23:38)
Samantha's self-care routine (25:03)
How does Samantha define being an Alpha Woman? (26:13)

Find out more about Nuveev and where to purchase it here

Follow Nuveev on Instagram and Twitter

Samantha’s LinkedIn

Follow Alpha Woman on social media @alphawomanco

Kristy Skwaruk, Building a Leading Company as VP, Operations, Regulatory Affairs and People at Dynaleo.

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 06:00:00 -0400

Today on the Alpha Woman show we welcome Kristy Skwaruk, the VP, Operations, Regulatory Affairs and People at Dynaleo.

Dynaleo is an Edmonton, Alberta-based licensed processor that is focused on manufacturing cannabis-infused adult soft-chews. Dynaleo's purpose-built manufacturing plant contains specialized production equipment to produce precisely dosed cannabinoid infused edibles for the Canadian market. Dynaleo’s mission is to create the finest infused soft chews that enable consumers to enjoy cannabinoids, without the negative health effects of inhalation.

Respected as a credible voice in decision making and as a change champion, Kristy utilizes her passion for coaching and development to grow leaders and assist others in extending their thinking -inspiring action and driving results in all areas of the business. Her proven capability of improving capacity, growth and transformation as a seasoned People and Culture professional has made it easy for her to expand her role at Dynaleo to include Operations, Regulatory Affairs and People.

In this role, Kristy – along with the senior leadership team – has built a high potential team and led them to become the largest Canadian producer of cannabis soft chews in Canada. Kristy is a forward-thinking operations executive, with a passion for driving efficiency and accountability while ensuring the wellbeing and growth of employees.

This has enabled her to streamline processes to ensure the on-time delivery of quality product to our customers while applying analytics that drive the business forward. Committed to innovation in business operations, she challenges the product development team to continuously find new ways to stretch the limits of making soft chews using creative flavours and formulations.

Previously, Kristy held People and Culture roles in large global companies and small privately held businesses in the manufacturing, construction, utility, and hospitality industries for the past 18 years. Her passion for wellness and drive for change ultimately led her to the Cannabis industry. Her breadth of experience has enabled her to adapt quickly to the fast paced and ever-changing landscape of the world of cannabis in Canada.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Kristy and her husband Peter give back to the community through the Benny Brave Kids with Cancer Foundation. When they are not busy serving on community program boards or volunteering for their children’s activities, they enjoy travelling the world as a family.

Timestamps:

Introduction to Kristy

Start of interview (3:28)

The difference between gummies and soft chews (8:24)

Dynaleo's status as Canada's largest producer of cannabis edibles (13:45)

The importance of diversity at Dynaleo and within the cannabis industry as a whole (18:34)

What Kristy is most excited about moving forward in her role (22:57)

About Benny Brave Childhood Cancer Foundation (28:46)

What does being an Alpha Woman mean to you? (32:35)

Dynaleo: https://dynaleo.com

Benny Brave Foundation: https://bennybravefoundation.ca

Interview with Nan McKay, Founder of Nan McKay Connects

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 17:00:00 -0400

On today's show we meet Nan McKay. Nan is President of the Board of Directors of Nan McKay and Associates, a corporation she founded in 1980, which now has 4000 employees with offices in 10 cities. Nan is also CEO and founder of Nan McKay Connects LLC, a media and consulting company with a podcast and YouTube channel, TrailBlazers Impact Interviews, featuring ordinary women with extraordinary stories.

Nan is focusing on women over 50 who want to launch a business. Her book, Gold in the Golden Years, The Definitive Guide to Ensuring You Never Run Out of Money, along with her webinar and course will be available soon. In 2018 she received the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Signature Award for Southern California, and in 2019 she was selected by NAWBO as the California Woman Business Owner of the Year. She has received numerous awards for her service in affordable housing and has two buildings named after her, a 10-story elderly high-rise, the Nan McKay Building, and a family subsidized development, McKay Manor.

Show Timestamps:

Start of interview (1:42)
Early Obstacles Nan had to face as a businesswoman (7:15)
All about Nan McKay Connects (12:36)
The aspect of Nan's career that makes her happiest (18:37)
Alpha Women over 50 (24:15)
Advice for aspiring Alpha Women entrepreneurs (31:22)
Ana's preferred social media services (34:14)
What's next? (36:07)

Click here to get your free guide complimentary of Nan to discover the 10 Tips on How to Pivot to Entrepreneurship for Women 50+.

Nan McKay Connects: https://trailblazersimpact.com/whats-happening/

Trailblazers Impact on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/trailblazersimpact/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TrailblzrsImpct

Interview with Krista Raymer, Co-Founder of Vetrina Group, Cannabis Retail Consultants

Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Krista Raymer is a cannabis-industry retail Powerhouse, and is the Co-Founder of Vetrina Group, a consultancy that specializes in Cannabis and non-grocery Consumer Packaged Goods retail.

Described as customer journey experts, Vetrina intently focuses on retail and operational excellence that meets and exceeds their clients’ objectives through the use of technology, data and 60+ years of retail expertise.

Krista knows the kind of impact a great in-store experience can have on a business. Her ability to train and guide high-performance teams is matched only by her passion for humanizing retail interactions. Understanding the necessity for communication and trust in retail, she dedicates herself to creating holistic training models that drive efficiency and profitability by creating a positive, one-of-a-kind customer experience.

With over ten years of retail experience, Krista has built and led training programs for multiple cannabis companies and international apparel brands expanding in Canada and the US. She believes that people are always telling you what they want. All you have to do is listen.

Show Timestamps:

Start of Interview (2:09)
What is Vetrina Group? (4:21)
Cannabis storefronts that cater more to women (9:06)
Krista's educational background and what led her to cannabis (11:43)
What Krista's most proud of about founding Vetrina Group (17:54)
Advice for fellow Alpha entrepreneurs (22:17)
Krista's self-care routine (28:40)

Show Notes:

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Find Krista Raymer on LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-raymer/

Vetrina Group Socials:

https://twitter.com/vetrinagroup

https://linkedin.com/company/vetrina-group/

Fatima Mechtab of Oasis Aqualounge, and Empowering Women with Pleasure-Positive Messaging

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 09:00:00 -0400

September is sex month at Alpha Woman, so we’ll be profiling women entrepreneurs in the sexuality space, as well as delving into tips and tricks to enjoy your most pleasurable life. Which is why we're super intrigued to interview our next guest, Fatima Mechtab.

Pre-pandemic, Fatima oversaw all marketing strategies, brand initiatives, and event designs at Oasis Aqualounge, Toronto's premiere, sex-positive, women-first (and owned), water-themed club. Post-pandemic, she has since returned to Oasis Aqualounge as an event host for both in-club parties and a content creator for the Oasis virtual space.

We discuss what it's like to go to a sex-positive club as a woman and why being among people of many different body shapes and types is liberating . And why taking full control of your own sexuality and sensuality - whatever that means to you - is deeply empowering.

Show timestamps:

Start of interview (1:40)
Growing up in Thunder Bay (6:13)
All about Oasis Aqualounge (8:55)
Fatima's thoughts on socializing post-pandemic (24:07)
The percentage of women working in sex-positivity (29:00)
What's next for Oasis Aqualounge? (32:40)
Fatima's self-care routine (35:50)

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Meet the Owner of KOStudio Young Alpha Yin Qi Xie

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0400

Yin Qi Xie is a 20-year-old entrepreneur making strides in the world of MMA with her company, KoStudio.

Young Alpha Gabby Samson had the pleasure of chatting with Yin Qi to hear more about her experience in the world of entrepreneurship and mixed martial arts. Two years ago, Yin Qi started boxing while studying at Parsons School of Design. As a student suffering from homesickness, she found a positive community of women who shared a passion for boxing. Unfortunately, though, Yin Qi noticed how ill-fitting the equipment was for her small hands. In a male-dominated space equipment for women is rarely a priority. So Yin Qi took matters into her own hands.

Listen to the interview to learn more about this inspiring young woman!

Interview With Activist and Founder of MenstruActua, Valeria Moncada

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:00:00 -0400

Valeria is a very impressive young woman. A Salvadoran changemaker who immigrated to Vancouver, Canada four years ago, Valeria is the Founder of ‘MenstruActua’, a social project that tackles period poverty and stigma by providing reusable menstrual pads and educational workshops in El Salvador.

She is a gender equality advocate who has collaborated with different organizations for women empowerment and mental health as a Mentor and Senior Peer. Recently she delivered her first TEDxTalk to raise awareness about period poverty as a barrier to achieve gender equality at her alma mater The University of British Columbia where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education. She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Family Therapy and a Postgraduate Degree in Child & Adolescent Clinical Psychology, all to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a therapist to continue advocating for women and families.

Timestamps:
Start of interview (2:08)
Growing up in El Salvador (4:12)
Period education in El Salvador (9:38)
Valeria's eventful and educational summer of 2019 (17:43)
What's next for MenstruActua? (27:22)
Valeria's Inspirational Alpha Woman (34:30)
Valeria's self-care routine (37:53)

Notes:
Don’t forget to get your Limited Edition Menstruation Month Alpha Woman t-shirt, designed by Young Alpha Intern Sadhvi Sail. We have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach our fantastic audience. Please reach out to hello@alphawomanco.com for more information. Review and rate our podcast and follow us on social media @alphawomanco wherever you are.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Limited Edition Menstruation Month t-shirt: https://www.alphawomanco.com/product/?product-id=38155327-6e1c-1d6c-1f08-eff2985ecdc4

Menstruactua: https://www.instagram.com/menstruactua/

Podcast Interview with CEO of Diva International, Carinne Chambers-Saini

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 16:00:00 -0400

July is menstruation month at Alpha Woman. We’ve been exploring how people around the world menstruate, the impact of period poverty, how girls and women around the world are educated about their periods and more. This is why we are so excited to interview one of the global leaders in menstrual product innovation - and also a sister Canadian - the Co-Founder and CEO Diva International, Carinne Chambers-Saini. In the interview we’ll explore her almost 20-year journey to create and market the revolutionary product, The DivaCup. As the only real innovation in feminine hygiene in decades, The DivaCup has completely disrupted the industry by providing the most eco-friendly, clean and comfortable way to address menstrual care on the market today.

The incredible growth of the company and rise of The DivaCup brand caused Carinne to receive much recognition. To name a few, has been awarded the EY Entrepreneur of The Year for Sustainable Products and Services, EY national Special Citation Award for Industry Disruptor, in addition to being recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 under 40.

In addition to working towards her business dreams, Carinne is also a daughter, wife and mother of two amazing kids.

Timestamps:

Start of interview (2:09)
The origin story of Diva International (8:34)
The stigma around menstruation (10:59)
Educating young women about menstruation (23:56)
Your biggest business challenges (32:30)
Carinne's self-care routine (43:07)
An Inspiring Alpha Woman in history (49:07)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship inquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Limited Edition Menstruation Month t-shirt: https://www.alphawomanco.com/product/?product-id=38155327-6e1c-1d6c-1f08-eff2985ecdc4

DivaCup: https://divacup.com

Podcast Interview with Katrina Marie, Sexual Empowerment Coach

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Sexual empowerment coach Katrina Marie works with women from all over the globe to recreate their most foundational relationship: the one with themselves.

She describes herself as a crusader of self-love and self seduction. She helps people shed sexual shame and pleasure anxiety. Katrina carries on the legacy of Dr. Betty Dodson, facilitating Bodysex workshops all around the world.

Timestamps:
What is a sexual empowerment coach? (3:12)
The challenges women face in identifying their self-worth (8:00)
Sexuality and being a mother (17:06)
Menstruation shame (28:28)
Your biggest challenges in building your business (33:00)
The importance of self-care (42:58)
Katrina's Inspirational Alpha Woman (45:09)

Notes:
Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship inquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Podcast Interview with Young Alpha Entrepreneur Nicole Sanchez

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 20:00:00 -0400

To kick off Menstruation Month here at Alpha Woman, I sat down with an entrepreneur and impressive Young Alpha, Nicole Sanchez. Nicole is the co-founder of sustainable period product brand Ruth Pads, named after Ruth Bader Ginsberg. These innovative period products help to reduce waste and provide comfortable and ethical alternatives to traditional brands.

Nicole has a familiar story when it comes to menstruation. She described how as a young Filipino woman, she received little education or guidance around menstruation. And like many other young girls and menstruators, she hid her period as a young twelve-year-old, unsure why she was ashamed.

Nicole was inspired after learning that period pads can take 500-800 years to decompose. And by contrast, sustainable products can decompose within just a year. When Nicole discovered this, she was studying e-commerce at the University of Alberta. She later joined the sustainable period brand, Hempact to provide a much-needed alternative to traditional products. This year, Hempact evolved into Ruth, a brand featuring ethically and sustainably made period pads. And while Nicole didn't have plans to be an entrepreneur, her passion for sustainable and shame-free periods inspired her involvement in such a life-changing project.

Nicole described some of the major challenges in starting a business as a young woman of colour in an industry dominated by white men. During our conversation, she described the intimidating environment of pitching a brand for periods in a room full of predominantly white, cis, men. As a young businesswoman, it can be difficult to feel confident as is. But it can be an added challenge when you're selling products considered taboo for many squeamish men. But intimidation did not stop Nicole's entrepreneurial spirit. Today, Community Foundations Canada and Alberta Innovates proudly support Ruth.

After hearing her story, I asked Nicole if she had women entrepreneurs to look up to when she was younger. And her answer was moving. She described how entrepreneurship ran in her family, and her grandparents were poultry farmers. While many don't associate farming with the glamorous image of entrepreneurship, for Nicole, her grandparent's farming was the entrepreneurial inspiration she needed. She also named her grandmother as one of her Inspirational Alpha Woman.

Nicole is an inspiration. She overcomes obstacles, promotes sustainability, and prompts a much-needed change in the period industry. Most importantly, she reminds us all that menstruation is a normal experience worthy of our attention and innovation. And we can't wait to see the impact of her innovation.

Timestamps

Start of interview (1:43)
All about Hempact and Ruth (4:19)
The stigma around women's periods (8:58)
Balancing going to school and starting a business (13:01)
When Nicole first found her entrepreneurial spirit (16:49)
The difficulties of being a female entrepreneur (26:32)
Nicole's Inspirational Alpha Woman (35:00)
Behind the name "Ruth" (41:22)
Advice for Young Alpha Women (48:34)
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? (54:13)

Notes:

We’re excited to announce that we have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience. Please reach out to hello@alphawomanco.com for more information.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Interview with Queer Enterpreneur and Young Alpha Laksha

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 16:00:00 -0400

This week, I interviewed a queer entrepreneur and impressive Young Alpha, Laksha. Laksha is the owner of Sassage Stickers, an inclusive stickers brand with great designs for Pride Month, mental health awareness, and so much more! Laksha is a familiar face at Alpha Woman Co. Our first Young Alphas article, Top 8 Young Entrepreneurs You Need to Know, features Laksha and her brand. This week, Laksha and I explored her journey as a passionate and light-hearted young entrepreneur.

Laksha is a psychology major from Bangalore, India, who is passionate about mental health advocacy and queer representation. When I spoke with Laksha, she described the challenges of growing up in India, where LGBTQ+ identities are taboo, and so is mental health.

When Laksha was in quarantine, she launched Sassage Stickers with her partner Nakul and found a way to channel her passions in her brand. She combined her quirky personality with her passions to create a fun and authentic brand for her community. And in her words, the name "Sassage" comes from her love of hot dogs, "and all the cool hot dogs that we are."

Laksha is a lively spirit and a perfect guest for the end of Pride Month! For her, Sassage Stickers is a hobby and passion project. She aspires to be a counsellor and pursue a career in psychology. But in the meantime, Sassage Stickers is a great way to combine her creative skills and aspirations. Her accomplishments as a young businesswoman are inspiring. And without a doubt, she'll be a fantastic counsellor for Young Alphas in the future.

To check out Laksha's products, check out sassagestickers.com!

Timestamps:
The taboo of mental health in India (3:11)
The idea for Sassage Stickers (11:48)
Meeting her business partner on a dating website (15:44)
Unexpected challenges while starting the business (20:19)
Where do you see Sassage Stickers in 10 years? (26:39)
Laksha's inspirational Alpha Woman (29:57)
Where you can find Sassage Stickers? (33:48)

Notes:

We’re excited to announce that we have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience. Please reach out to hello@alphawomanco.com for more information.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Breanna Sinclairé, Opera Singer

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 05:00:00 -0400

Today I’m interviewing opera singer Breanna Sinclairé. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of CalArts, Breanna received her Masters from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and was the first transwoman of the opera program. Operatic performances include Carmen, La Calisto, The Old Maid and The Thief, The Magic Flute, L’enfant et les sortilèges, Platée, and West Side Story, as well as Meredith Monk’s Songs of Ascension at REDCAT, and Zachary Sharrin’s Time Bodies at MOCA. Outside of opera, Sinclairé has enjoyed a variety of performance opportunities with LGBT and other nonprofit organizations across North America.

Breanna also made her debut as a guest artist for the Gay Men’s Chorus of DC in Durufle’s Requiem performing “Pie Jesu” at Church of the Epiphany. She was among Out magazine’s 2015 “OUT100” list of LGBT heroes. She was the first transwoman to perform the National Anthem at a professional sporting event for the Oakland A’s, SF Giants, and San Francisco Deltas. She made her debut with SF Symphony on December 2018 as the first trans singer to perform with the orchestra.

Timestamps

Start of interview (2:14)
Early thoughts about gender (5:09)
Breanna's passion for music (9:40)
Coming out as trans (15:57)
What it means to be a Soprano singer (21:21)
Your favourite opera to perform? (24:21)
The day-to-day of an opera singer (27:57)
Breanna's inspirational Alpha Woman (38:40)

We’re excited to announce that our Alpha Woman Store is now open! Show the world the Alpha Woman that you are! We’ll be introducing new designs frequently so check back often for our new, limited designs.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Interview with Young Alpha Maia Knight

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Maia Knight is a Carleton University, Journalism and Political Science student who will be progressing to her third year in the fall. Maia is a longtime climate activist which is probably what sparked her initial interest in politics. Ever since she learned about climate change when she was 8, she knew that she had to have a part in finding the solution. Since then, she attended a three-day conference with the Climate Reality Project, founded by Al Gore, to learn how to effectively communicate the climate crisis. She then went on to become the President of her high school’s Eco Council as well as serve as the Eco Representative on the Student Council. Most notably, Maia ran in the last federal election in the Ajax riding as the Candidate for the Green Party of Canada as one of the youngest candidates in the country. Maia continues her work with the party and is currently serving as the Youth Chair on the Ottawa-Centre riding association.

Timestamps:
Start of interview (1:06)
How did you get interested in politics? (2:54)
How can people become more environmentally conscious? (7:39)
About the Green Party and campaigning (12;03)
The biggest issue young women face today (23:30)
Advice for young aspiring politicians (29:20)
Who is your inspirational Alpha Woman? (37:17)

We’re excited to announce that we have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience. Please reach out to hello@alphawomanco.com for more information.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Interview with Dr. Desta Meghoo, aka Mama Desta

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 14:00:00 -0400

Dr. Desta Meghoo is our guest on the Alpha Woman podcast this week. Dr. Meghoo was born in Jamaica and migrated to the USA in the 1970s with her family, where she began her journey into cultural activism.

Throughout the 1980s, she was immersed in the Pan African and Rastafari Movement in New York, as well as the Reggae industry, managing music icons Augustus Pablo, Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt, amongst others. Influenced by leading Rastafari Elders, she promoted Rastafari gatherings and cultural events and, by the 1990s, embarked on promotion and management in Africa with Nigeria’s world music icon, Sonny Okosuns.

Mentored by Pan African jurist and diplomat, Ambassador “Baba” Dudley Thompson, she completed her Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida and was immediately offered the post as Director for the Center for Race Relations at UF Levin College of Law by 2001. She is now taking her significant life and professional experience to help shape the African cannabis industry through her collaboration with AphriHelios Global

A mother of 10 children, a grandmother, an international activist, a highly educated woman who completed her doctorate while pregnant with twins, Dr. Meghoo is pure inspiration. Listen to the podcast today to find yours.

Timestamps:
Mama Desta on cannabis and her early life (7;34)
Feminism in Africa (15:12)
Cannabis laws in Ethiopia (23:46)
AphriHelios (29:45)
Becoming an author (34:59)
How her cannabis use has changed over time (38:13)

We’re excited to announce that we have Alpha Woman merch available! Now you can show your Alpha Woman-ness to the world, just go on over to Alphawomanco.com and shop away to your hearts content. We also have podcast sponsorship opportunities available to help you reach this fantastic audience.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Nancy Duitch, Founder and CEO of Sera Labs

Fri, 04 Jun 2021 20:00:00 -0400

Nancy Duitch is a leader and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry with a passion for wellness. Her hunger for success was sparked by the tragedy of losing two of her siblings suddenly to hereditary heart disease in their 20s. She saw just how short and fragile life could be and started her own non-profit to raise awareness for the condition. She raised millions of dollars that were put to discovering the cause of the disease and getting treatments to people and this success gave her the confidence to found other successful companies including her latest venture Sera Labs.

Over the past two years she has generated eight figures in revenue, sold her company to become a subsidiary of a large pharmaceutical company, stayed on as CEO and brought on Nicole Kidman as a strategic partner. Nancy and her team have built a network of buyers, retailers, and more than 140,000 customers and 500,000 customer databases to date.

Timestamps:
Start of interview (1:57)
Nancy's experience founding a publicly-traded company (8:36)
Techniques for building an effective team (11:58)
All about Sera Labs (16:55)
Availability in Canada (25:25)

Notes:
Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Interview with Drag Queen and Young Alpha Makayla Walker

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 17:00:00 -0400

To kick off Pride Month at Alpha Woman, I sat down with the amazing Young Alpha, Makayla Walker! Makayla is an eighteen-year-old Black trans woman with an impressive career as a Drag Queen. She showcased brilliant insights into the world of drag during our podcast. And shared her experience of successfully transitioning from live, in-person events to virtual shows.

While Drag Queens are often seen as exclusively men dressing "like women", to Makayla, the art form is so much more open. The drag art form has evolved to include high fashion, androgyny, goth, and so much more! She describes drag as a part of her everyday life. Makayla's drag persona and confidence always shine through. Whether she's putting on a work uniform to performing in fancy gowns! This Young Alpha embodies her Queerness without compromise and wears her confidence everywhere she goes.

"I don't remember a time where I didn't feel the way I feel now. I definitely came out of the womb with a pride flag and stilettos!" - Makayla Walker

I had the chance to hear about her coming out story. She shared her personal challenges and triumphs

and exemplified the difficulties of living as a Queer person. Especially as a Black woman. Her openness was particularly inspiring during this Pride Month. The month of June is an opportunity to remind us of the importance of pride. And Makayla embodies this beautifully.

She named Marsha P. Johnson as her inspirational Alpha Woman. A Drag Queen notorious for her work for gay rights during the Stonewall Riots. Johnson inspired Makayla to be authentically herself, pay little attention to labels, and create a Queer-friendly future. Now, Makayla plans on dominating Pride Month with a new set of virtual events and shows.

Click here to follow Makayla on Instagram!

TIMESTAMPS

What is drag? (2:30)
How old were you when you first learned about drag? (10:20)
Gender-neutral bathrooms in highschool (16:12)
Makayla's personal journey (22:25)
Growing up without a support system (27:18)
Advice you would give to your younger self? (29:05)
Reaching out to people during the pandemic (41:28)
An inspirational Alpha Woman - Marsha P. Johnson (43:35)

NOTES:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Larissa Nicole, Personal trainer and Wellness Coach

Fri, 28 May 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Today I’m interviewing Larissa Nicole. Larissa is a Toronto-based personal trainer and wellness coach. She believes in a balanced, sustainable approach to health & fitness – no diets, no “fit teas”, no short-term fixes.

Having lost over 60lbs and overcome traumas related to cardiovascular health, extreme bullying, and body dysmorphia over the course of her own fitness journey, Larissa Nicole uses her transformation story as a way to teach women struggling with their weight how to become a stronger, healthier & happier version of themselves and that absolutely anything is possible with the right mindset.

Larissa’s business - Larissa Nicole Fitness- caters to a growing, highly engaged community of busy, independent women who are struggling with their weight and/or body image and looking for ways to break out of the cycle of “diet culture” and into a more sustainable, healthy lifestyle.

Timestamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman - Meg Boggs (1:50)
Start of interview (7:33)
Larissa's personal wellness journey (12:58)
Her educational background (25:44)
What her clients can expect (33:45)
Her biggest challenges as an entrepreneur (37;30)
Healthy habits and mindset (47:32)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Young Alpha Series: Interview with the Alphawoman Interns

Fri, 21 May 2021 01:00:00 -0400

Today, I am pleased to present the very first episode of the Young Alpha Series, which aims to bring you the stories of young women, their successes and failures, and their unique perspective on the current status quo. What better way to kick off the series than talk to the people who were instrumental in its creation? Join me as I have an insightful conversation with the Alphawoman interns, Trisha, Gabby and Anvi.

Anvi Sethi is interning with Alpha Woman as Podcast Researcher and Production Assistant. She is a second-year student studying International Economics at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She hopes to work full-time in the field of Advertising and Marketing after her post-secondary studies. With her experience working in Market Research, Social Media Strategy, and Content Creation, Anvi is actively bringing her skills and creativity to the table. She is passionate about exchanging experiences with other people in the hope of learning from their narratives and inspiring others with her own. Her hobbies include listening to music and podcasts, journaling, and trying out new cuisines.

Gabrielle Samson is interning with Alpha Woman for PR and Content, along with Social Media Marketing. Gabrielle is a Ryerson student in the Creative Industries program with a passion for diverse media and women empowerment. As a young, Queer, Woman of Color, Gabrielle is passionate about contributing to the Young Alpha series from a lens of intersectionality. She is also a fitness instructor and personal trainer eager to advocate for physical and mental health for young women.

Trisha is a 2nd year Advertising and Marketing Communications Management Student at Centennial College and is interning with Alpha Woman for Social Media and SEO. Trisha combines her client-facing experience with skills obtained from school such as learning the ins and outs of Consumer Research, campaign planning, Digital Communications, and Advertising through various social media platforms. Trisha has been part of an international dance team for over 8+ years and also actively volunteers. Her passion stems from being able to integrate teamwork and outreach to consumers to solve their wants and needs, whether it be digitally or on a personal level.

Timestamps:
About Trisha (3:54)
About Gabby (5:24)
About Anvi (9:33)
The top 3 problems young women are facing today (22:19)
What does being a Young Alpha mean to you? (36:01)
What most excites you when you think about the future? (46:06)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Niambe McIntosh, Executive Director at Peter Tosh Brand & Legacy

Fri, 14 May 2021 20:00:00 -0400

Today we interview Niambe McIntosh, the youngest child of Peter Tosh who has stepped up to the mantle to carry on her father’s message and legacy. A renaissance woman, an Alpha Woman, she serves many roles including Executive Director of the Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand; Managing Member of Tosh Holdings LLC; Board Chairperson for the Peter Tosh Foundation Ltd.; and President of PT Capital LLC.

Niambe was instrumental in the planning and development of the Peter Tosh Museum which opened in 2016 and is a national landmark edifice in Kingston, Jamaica dedicated to the preservation of her father’s legacy. Additionally, Mcintosh and her family founded the Peter Tosh Foundation in 2017 to serve as the vehicle for the realization of her father’s dream.

Niambe’s fire for advocacy also stems from a family crisis in February of 2017 in which her brother Jawara McIntosh – musician and cannabis activist – was brutally attacked while incarcerated for cannabis possession in Bergen County Jail in New Jersey. Jawara later succumbed to his injuries in 2020 which compelled Niambe to raise awareness of the dire conditions faced by prisoners, the need for prison reform, and the necessity for legalization of cannabis nationwide.

Newly motivated, Niambe formed partnerships and alliances to strategically address these issues. Understanding that pressure must be brought to bear on those who actively and passively maintain our current system, Niambe organized and participated in protests; gave lectures; and lobbied congress; McIntosh also serves on the Board of Directors for the non-profit cannabis advocacy organization, Minorities For Medical Marijuana (M4MM), and serves on the advisory board for the Last Prisoner Project, an organization geared towards cannabis criminal justice reform.

Timestamps:
Growing up in both Boston and Jamaica as a child (4:48)
How her father's music influenced her (6:53)
The Peter Tosh Museum (10:30)
Her brother Jawara McIntosh (16:12)
The injustice of prison labour (32:17)
Legalization in Massachusetts (37:55)
Seen by Peter Tosh (41:32)
Interesting facts about Rastafari (44:46)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Last Prisoner Project

Minorities For Medical Marijuana (M4MM)

Peter Tosh Foundation

Podcast sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Dr. Toni Rinow, Chief Financial and Global Operating Officer at Neptune Wellness Solutions

Fri, 07 May 2021 18:00:00 -0400

Today I’m interviewing Dr. Toni Rinow, Chief Financial and Global Operating Officer at Neptune Wellness Solutions.

Dr. Rinow is well known for accelerating revenue streams through acquisitions, corporate development, sales and marketing, and financings in the global healthcare and consumer product markets. Her professional career has included leadership roles in both public and private pharmaceutical and consumer product organizations, where she spearheaded acquisitions across Canada, Latin America, and India.

Toni has successfully facilitated the negotiation of international corporate alliances valued over $100M and overseen a life science investment portfolio with $400M under management. She held the position of General Manager of Jubilant DraxImage, a global leader in nuclear medicine with over $250M in sales in over 22 countries.

Timestamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman: Marie Curie (1:57)
Beginning of interview (7:29)
About Neptune Wellness Solutions (9:49)
Toni's academic background (14:33)
Quebec's Cannabis laws (22:00)
The impact of the pandemic (27:20)
Advice for fellow women on building a successful career (29:04)
Toni's self-care routine (34:27)

Notes:

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Joyce Gerber, creator of the CannaMom show, and Reverend Kelly Addison, Founder of Kelly's Green Lounge

Mon, 03 May 2021 21:00:00 -0400

Today we have a special edition of the Alpha Woman podcast as we're interviewing Joyce Gerber, creator of the CannaMom show, and Reverend Kelly Addison, Founder and Managing Director of Kelly’s Green Lounge.

Joyce Gerber is an attorney, advocate and writer. She is the creator and host of The Canna Mom Show where she is using her unique voice to change the narrative around cannabis and caregiving. When not advocating for cannabis normalization, Joyce is active with many community and civic organizations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, some of them being managing a rock band and running for a local political office

Reverend Kelly Addison truly embodies what she does as the founder and Managing Director of Kelly’s Green Lounge (KGL), a cannabis-friendly establishment quickly gaining notoriety within the cannabis community, and within its local community of Orono, ON. Rev. Kelly brings a wealth of experience as an educator, counsellor, and builder of community to her work in founding KGL. She is a Certified Reiki Master Practitioner, and is studying plant medicines and other healing modes to add to her skill set. Motivated by the spiritual aspects of the plant, Reverend Kelly was ordained as a Minister in 2020, and holds “The Cannabis Church of KGL” as a celebration of unity, community, and respect for the cannabis plant and her divine properties. The Church is in the process of being recognized with Vital Statistics Canada, making “Cannabis” a spiritual designation in the country.

Timestamps:

Episode intro (1:30)

The origins of the CannaMom show (6:30)
How Kelly got involved with cannabis (13:20)
The woman that inspires you the most (19:12)
The new cannabis banking bill in the United States (31:51)
Problems on the Canadian side of the border (35:14)
Talking to your kids about cannabis (40:47)
What does it mean to you to be an Alpha Woman? (45:45)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Theresa Robert, Vice President of Finance of Mariwell

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Today on the podcast we're interviewing Theresa Robert, Vice President Finance and major investor in Mariwell which is a licensed producer of boutique, sungrown cannabis located on the banks of Lake Erie in Southern Ontario. Mariwell’s farm benefits from some of the richest soil in Canada and the location affords the cannabis grower a longer season than most, achieving multiple higher yielding harvests in a single year. This is a challenge in a country well-known for harsh winters; listen to the interview to hear how Mariwell achieves more than one outdoor crop per year.

Theresa recently pivoted her career from owning and managing a transport company to leadership at Mariwell, leveraging her many years experience as an entrepreneur and business leader to build Mariwell. Learn about Clara Hughes, Theresa's Inspirational Alpha Woman!

Time Stamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman: Clara Hughes (2:10)
Beginning of interview (6:00)
Her experience in the transportation industry (9:06)
How she got started with Mariwell (16:30)
Mariwell's growing process (24:06)
The challenges that the pandemic has presented (31:21)
Theresa's self-care routine (36:15)
The launch of Mariwell to retail (39:30)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

For podcast sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Vivianne Wilson, Founder of GreenPort Cannabis Retail

Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:00:00 -0400

On today's Alpha Woman Podcast we interview Vivianne Wilson, Founder of GreenPort Cannabis, a retail store in downtown Toronto. As a Jamaican Canadian, Wilson’s earliest memories of cannabis involved her grandmother steeping cannabis leaves to make a pain-relieving tea. Her journey towards opening up her own cannabis store was green-lit when this same grandmother approved of her plans to bring this beautiful plant into the light and share her ancestral knowledge with others here in Toronto.

Vivianne chose Nanny of the Maroons as her inspirational Alpha Woman. Join us today as we learn more about Queen Nanny, Vivianne's entrepreneurial journey with GreenPort and more!

TimeStamps:
1:16 Inspirational Alpha Woman: Nanny of the Maroons
5:07 Start of Interview with Vivianne
7:47 Her company GreenPort Cannabis
12:14 Growing up in Jamaica
16:47 Adjusting to the pandemic
23:18 How we can progress with legalization moving forward
26:30 Advice to fellow entrepreneurs
32:50 What product do women purchase most?
36:24 Treating health issues with cannabis
39:37 What's next for GreenPort?

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Jenna Rubin, Co-Founder of Indorgro

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0400

Jenna, a recent graduate in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, co-founded Indorgro with her father after he successfully transitioned from an opioid dependency to medicinal cannabis. This experience made her a passionate advocate of cannabis as a natural alternative medicine that aids in managing both physical and mental chronic health conditions.

Out of this transformative experience, Indorgro was born as a personal production service for medical cannabis patients. As a visionary leader, critical thinker, and entrepreneur, Jenna is committed to helping the medical community improve overall quality of life through the use of plant medicine.

Jenna chose Nina Simone as her inspirational Alpha Woman. Join us today as we learn more about Nina Simone, Jenna's journey as a young entrepreneur, the why behind the launch of her business and more!

Inspirational Alpha Woman - Nina Simone (1:17)
Start of interview with Jenna (11:18)
Her company Indorgro and how they help medicinal cannabis patients (13:25)
The origins of Indorgro (19:13)
Her 3 biggest challenges in launching her company (36:25)
The opinion of her peers in regards to her career in cannabis (41:42)
Feeling empowered launching a business being inspired and motivated by other strong women (43:46)
The effects that COVID has had on her business (47:25)
What's next for Indorgro in 2021 (53:18)

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Sponsorship enquiries email: hello@alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Sherri Kogan set to improve the dry herb cannabis consumer journey with her company BLifted

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Today in The Alpha Woman Confab Room we welcome Sherri Kogan, the co-Founder of BLifted, a company with the goal to improve the dry herb cannabis consumer journey. Sherri grew up in the age of D.A.R.E. but has seen the benefits of Cannabis first hand. Firmly believing in harm reduction she believes in the wellness potential of vaporizing - you’ll hear more about this in detail during our interview. Sherri and her husband (who is also her co-founder) live north of Toronto, Ontario with their two daughters and fur babies.

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Inspirational Alpha Woman - Sue Johanson (1:17)

Start of interview with Sherri (7:12)

Her cannabis accessory company BLIFTED (8:54)

The importance of temperature variance when vaporizing (10:41)

The process behind naming their most popular product: The Gibson (11:58)

Her biggest hurdles in starting BLIFTED (17:49)

Having their Instagram account deleted (19:01)

The post-purchase support you receive when you purchase a product through BLIFTED (22:07)

The ups and downs of going into business with her life partner (26:36)

Educating her children about cannabis (28:23)

Advice for fellow entrepreneurial women (31:16)

Where you can purchase BLIFTED products (32:58)

Tijen and Ashley From EKS Talk Launching A (Legal) Cannabis Topicals Business in Canada

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

Take it from Tijen and Ashley, launching a legal cannabis-infused topicals business in Canada is not easy. These two powerhouse women went up against corporate behemoths and won a coveted spot on legal retail shelves in Ontario, and much of that is due to their single-minded focus on buildings products that they're proud of and a brand that remains true to their vision and mission. Learn more about their 10 year journey with EKS and how they navigate life as both romantic and business partners in this Alpha Woman interview.

Become an Alpha Woman Patron

Click here to read our The Wellness Duo on Alpha Woman

For more information on EKS, click here

Podcast researcher Anvi Sethi

Sign up to Alpha Woman Co at: https://alphawomanco.com

Follow us on social media @alphawomanco

Timestamps:
Inspirational Alpha Woman - Lucille Ball (1:41)
Start of the interview (7:55)
Why they chose Lucille Ball as their Inspirational Alpha Woman (9:29)
The April 2021 launch of Earth Kisses Sky's new products (13:03)
The process of getting approved for retail (19:47)
Staying true to their brand (27:56)
Balancing being both business and life partners (29:11)
"Enjoying the process" (35:10)
How they got started in the cannabis business (40:37)
Newly acquired skills over the pandemic (43:27)
What's next for Earth Kisses Sky (EKS) (48:26)
Outro (51:32)

Interview with Serena Donovan, Founder and CEO of Because You Cann

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 08:00:00 -0400

On season 2, episode 1 of the Alpha Woman podcast Leslie Andrachuk interviews Serena Donovan, Founder and CEO of Because You Cann, a cannabis micro cultivation in Alberta. Because You Cann is the 2nd Health Canada licensed Micro Cultivation facility in Alberta and 25th in Canada. Join us as we talk entrepreneurship, family, community and how cannabis changed Serena's life.

Time Stamps:

Celine Dion intro (2:48)

Serena Donovan intro (7:51)

Raising a family rurally (9:21)

Her introduction to cannabis (15:30)

The health benefits she's received thanks to cannabis (22:37)

Coming out to her family about her cannabis use (25:43)

How she started growing cannabis (27:44)

The response from the locals (34:00)

Her biggest challenges getting started in the cannabis industry (36:03)

The importance of International Women's Day and Women's History Month (41:21)

WeCann's retail launch (44:10)

Her post-COVID plans (50:56)

Show notes:

Click here to read our interview with Serena on Alpha Woman

Interview with Kat Merryfield, Founder of Kat's Naturals

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Kat Merryfield is the owner and founder of Kat's Naturals, a CBD company that formulates therapeutic grade hemp-derived blends with quality and consistency in mind. Kat was an herbalist, homeopathic consultant, and homesteader in Tennessee when she began to look into solutions for her veteran husband’s PTSD, as well as her own aches and pains. Kat’s Naturals was born in 2015 after she stumbled upon the healing powers of CBD. Join Alpha Woman today as we explore Kat's journey to becoming an entrepreneur.

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Interview with Dr. Olga Chernoloz, Founder of Omnica Biotech and Chief Scientific Officer at Wake Network

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Dr.Olga Chernoloz has 10+ years experience in pre-clinical and clinical research, and biotech project management. A Registered Pharmacist, Dr. Chernoloz specializes in psychopharmacology, neuroscience and applied cannabinoid research. She has developed educational modules on cannabis for healthcare professionals, industry and other shareholders. Dr. Chernoloz is also an entrepreneur and leader in research in the cannabis and psychedelic spaces.

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Interview with Rebecca Brown, Founder of Crowns Consulting

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0400

Leslie Andrachuk, Founder and CEO of Alpha Woman interviews Rebecca Brown, the founder of Crowns, a full-service consultancy for the global cannabis industry. Crowns is writing the playbook for cannabis marketing and designing solutions to grow cannabis brands within the constraints of regulation.

Originally published June 2020
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Interview with Mara Gordon, Co-founder / Chief Process Engineer of The Oil Plant (formerly Aunt Zelda’s)

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Leslie Andrachuk, Founder and CEO of Alpha Woman interviews Mara Gordon. Mara specializes in the development of cannabis extract treatment protocols for seriously ill patients in California. She is the co-founder of Aunt Zelda’s and Zelda Therapeutics. Prior to Aunt Zelda’s, Mara worked as a process engineer, helping Fortune 500 companies create intelligent software by utilizing the Rational Unified Process.

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Interview with Rosie Mattio, Founder and CEO of Mattio Communications

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Leslie Andrachuk, CEO and Founder of Alpha Woman interviews the dynamic Rosie Mattio, Founder and CEO of Mattio Communications.

Originally published June 2020
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Interview with Erin Gore and Karli Warner, Founders of The Garden Society

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Leslie Andrachuk, Founder and CEO of Alpha Woman interviews Karli Warner and Erin Gore of The Garden Society, a company determined to break the stigma and completely redefine cannabis for women. They understand how to bring cannabis into women's daily life in ways women will relate to and get excited about.

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Interview with Patty Pappas and Carrie Mapes, Founders of Hello Again!

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Join Leslie Andrachuk, CEO of Alpha Woman as she interview Carrie Mapes and Patty Pappas, the Founders of Hello Again!. Mapes and Pappas are cofounders of Hello Again, a line of vagitory products for menopausal women that includes THC-infused vaginal suppositories to help with everyday and night time menopausal symptoms. Their products are available in the some states in the US.

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Interview with Codie Sanchez, Investor and Advisor at Entourage Effect Capital

Fri, 08 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

Leslie Andrachuk, Founder and CEO of Alpha Woman interviews Codie Sanchez, a reformed journalist, turned institutional investor to now a Managing Director and Partner at Entourage Effect Capital, a private equity firm focused specifically on investing in the legalized cannabis industry.

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