It takes courage, passion, numerous hours and sleepless nights to start, build and live your dream career. This week we have highlighted some talented Ontario boss babes for International Women’s Day – March 8, 2019! Each of these women highlighted below have taken the leap and followed their heart to help you create your dream event! Photographers, florists and event planners, it takes all kinds and if it weren’t for these beautiful individuals making a creative impact in their communities, our world would be a little duller! We asked our social media followers to either self-nominate or nominate another incredible women-led event business leader to participate in our International Women’s Day feature. We hope you enjoy learning about all these creative, passionate and talented women as much as we did while interviewing them!

Flower Frenzy, Melissa Eggleton – Business Owner and Floral Designer

Flower Frenzy Florist
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
Flower Frenzy is a Wedding and Events florist launched in 2018. The of the goal of my business is creating floral styles that are different, trendy and personalized. I do not work out of a book. I yearn to open a store where I can incorporate the community with classes.

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Owning my own business has positively impacted my life as now I can finally do the creative floral styles I want to do. I feel free and empowered to be myself. Each day I can work on developing a new aspect of my business, so I’m never bored!

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
One thing I couldn’t live without? Flowers literally. Flowers have changed my life. They are so beautiful and bring joy to the world.

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Words of wisdom I would give other women in the industry is DO NOT RUSH! Do not pressure yourself to be successful right away.

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
A boss babe who inspire me is Marie Forleo. She always has videos of inspiration that always uplift my spirit and inspire me to keep going.

Giant Camera Photo Booth, Ervee Caddick – Owner

Giant Camera Photo Booth
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business?
We are a Photo Booth company who provides entertainment to you and your guests. We make sure that they will leave your event with quality photos, happy faces and a great experience! We provide your guest with their photos on a customized template from your event

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Owning my own business gave me a little financial freedom and although it can be hectic at times, I manage to make more time with my family.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My family!

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Think outside the box and always remember the reason why you started the business.

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr and a few of my friends who started their businesses!

Kristin Peereboom Photography, Kristing Peereboom – Owner and Photographer

Kristin Peereboom Photography
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
KP Photography was founded on a desire to preserve moments. Whether those moments be meeting your new baby for the first time, or spending time together as a family, or committing your lives to one another, or whether it be celebrating a new milestone. All these moments deserved to be remembered and documented well.

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Since starting KP Photography so many blessings have poured into my life. From the friendships that I’ve been able to cultivate from other entrepreneurs, to the traveling, to the many, many people I’ve been able to meet and work with- it has been such a joy and privilege to do a job that I truly love and to be able to cultivate relationships.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
I would have to say my family! They bring me joy each day and my kids were a big reason I started with photography. But red wine is a close second!

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Don’t walk this road alone. Reach out to other women in the industry. Take risks, asks questions, make mistakes. The bumpy road of the beginning will be just that- your beginning. Keep moving forward one day at a time!

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
Mary Marantz. She not only is a leading wedding photographer, she is also an amazing leader, fearless. She uses her story, her beginnings to inspire so many others. Her words and her teachings are such a source of inspiration.

Lisa Vigliotta Photography, Owner and Photographer

Lisa Vigliotta Photography
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
I am a natural light-chasing wedding, event, fashion and family lifestyle photographer; a storyteller photographer… a romantic at heart, who while holding her camera, will also be holding her breath in happy anticipation of capturing the image that will take your breath away.

How has owning your own business changed your life:
Owning my own business has change my life because it has allowed me to be accessible to my three children. I am the CEO of my household, and raising our children intentionally is my main passion in life. I will never take for granted the flexibility and freedom business owning brings.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My Bible. Christ is my rock, my source of hope, joy and peace. I couldn’t live without the living and active Word of God.

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Never let someone else’s middle or ending be compared to your beginning. Comparison is the thief of joy. Push into your own vision and instincts.

Name a boss babe who inspires you:
Karen Vilora-Miguel, owner of Canada Bliss. She is determined, tenacious, creative and pushes past her fears.

Photography By Shelly, Shelly Harrison – Owner and Photographer

Photography By Shelly
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
I am primarily a wedding, portrait and event photographer but have a strong focus on empowering women. I believe women are the heart and soul of everything and every women should know how amazing she is.

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Owning my own business has given me the opportunity to raise my children full time. I knew from the start how quickly the time would go and I wanted to savour every second of it and I have. I have also had the opportunity to share in life changes moments and have photographed so many inspirational people who have turning into friends.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My kids, my hair tie and coffee!

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Stay confident. It’s a tough industry and not everyone is willing to lend a hand or help build you up. Seek out the people who are. Make a plan, stick to it. Believe in your goals and work toward them. Never stop learning and give yourself a break now and again, failure and the lessons we learn from them are the stepping stones to success.

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
Sue Bryce

Pinot & Posh Events, Naomi Menezes – Owner and Lead Planner

Pinot and Posh Events
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
Pinot and Posh Events is a wedding and event planning company. We take care of everything and anything you need; from sending your save the dates to packing up your left over cake — we can do it all!

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Having my own business (and being my own boss!) has allowed me to provide my clients with my full attention while still being able to spend time with my family. My life and time are much more balanced, and it really makes a huge difference on my clients experience.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My fiance (and insurance agent!), Sacha Poshni. We both started our businesses at the same time and supported each other through every step.

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live” —J.K. Rowling. Your company’s success will get where you need it to be eventually, enjoy every step and learn from every fall along the way.

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
Cassia B.  of “Sato Saved Rescue Centre” Cassia puts her heart and soul into caring for animals, no matter how tough, crazy and hectic things may be, she powers through and makes every life count.

Pocket of Posies Floral Design, Samantha Forrest – Lead designer and owner

Pocket of Posies Floral Design
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
Pocket of Posies is a full-service floral design studio situated just north of Waterdown in the community of Carlisle. We proudly deliver fabulous florals for your events and dream wedding within Southern Ontario.

How has owning your own business changed your life:
Owning and running my own business has been incredibly satisfying and fulfilling, not to mention the financial freedom and independence that goes along with working for yourself. As a mother to 3, being able to schedule my work, events and clients around my family life has made all of our lives easier. Truth is, being a creative also does something to my soul. Allowing myself to explore the areas of design, colour, style and techniques has exposed me to so much more then I could have ever imagined, and that fills my soul everyday.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
I could not live with out flowers!! They are the heart and soul of my creative business. They put a smile on my face everyday and there is no better feeling then delivering a beautiful arrangement to someone on a special occasion and seeing that same smile on their faces!!

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
It is a constant struggle of self worth, perfection and comparison. This is your life, your dream and your lively hood, do it for no one but yourself. You are strong, you are smart and you are worthy!

Name a boss babe who inspires you:
I have so many amazing boss babes in my world that it is so difficult to narrow it down, but I will have to choose Krista Olnyk – owner and planner at KJ and Co. She has been there to mentor, listen and be a supporter of my business from the beginning. As a recent mother of 2 and successful business woman, she is the definition of a Boss
Babe!

Vivian Lyttle Events, Vivian Lyttle – Owner, Lead Planner and Stylist

Vivian Lyttle
Instagram
Facebook

Tell us a bit about your business:
I’m a wedding planner and designer creating custom celebrations in Hamilton, Niagara and beyond. I offer full service planning and design as well as month-of coordination for weddings. I also design and style workshops for photographers and small businesses. I love beautiful details and the joy of a wedding day!

How has owning your own business changed your life?
Owning my own business has allowed me to pursue my passion for weddings and create my own career path – which has made me so happy! It’s also made me more confident in my decisions, since a lot of this business is trusting your instincts and believing in your own ideas.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without?
My family! None of this would be possible without the support of my husband and parents.

What words of wisdom would you give another women just starting up their business in the event industry?
Trust your gut. Also, stay true to what you love! This business can be tough, but if you have a passion for weddings and the drive to work hard, you’ll succeed.

Name a boss babe who inspires you?
This is way too hard! There are so many talented women I admire, I couldn’t possibly choose one to highlight. I work with photographers, florists, venues and more – all powered by amazing women, which is so great!

“All we have is “One Life”, so go for IT!” 
― Shannon L. Alder

 

Stay tuned for weekly blog updates and make sure to follow us on LIUNA Station’s Facebook and Instagram and LIUNA Gardens’ Facebook and Instagram as we deliver fresh content to inspire, excite and assist as you plan your dream event.

From all of us at LIUNA Events, thank you for following along!