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In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Steph Sellers, founder of Cookies and Dreams, and her mission to spread joy through gourmet cookies. As she navigates the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, she shares valuable insights into building community connections and the realities of running a successful business.

Steph Sellers is the founder of Midwest based, gourmet cookie company called Cookies & Dreams. Her baking journey started at the local farmers market as a young college graduate & continued over many years, a few restaurants & lots of ups & downs. After a particularly tumultuous year, Steph knew she needed to try something new if her restaurant was going to survive. She came out with a menu of 12 gourmet cookies to sell at her restaurant's bakery & the rest, as they say, is history. The cookie concept took off quickly! Later that year, she opened her first stand-alone brick & mortar store for Cookies & Dreams & began shipping nationwide. While the Cookies & Dreams journey has also been full of highs & lows, Steph & the Dream Team now run two successful brick & mortar locations, ship nationwide, wholesale & offer fundraising opportunities with their giant, gourmet cookies.

You can learn more about Cookies & Dreams on their website or Instagram.

You can also connect with Steph on LinkedIn.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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Caitlin McGregor’s journey as the founder of Plum transforms the hiring landscape by embracing data to reveal innate talents rather than relying on traditional resumes. The episode explores how technology and behavioural data can help businesses thrive while ensuring that employees are matched with roles that allow them to flourish.

Caitlin MacGregor, CEO and co-founder of Plum, is passionate about helping people reach their true potential. That’s why, after building two businesses for other people, she founded Plum – to help organizations fully leverage the human potential within their workforces. Plum equips business leaders with the talent data needed to match employees’ talent to roles where they’ll thrive, so that the business can thrive too. She is a regular speaker at global events including CES, Human Resource Executive HR Technology Conference & Exposition, Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG) Women Connect, HRCI Higher Standards Summit and more. She also is a sought-after guest on podcasts including, Recruiting Daily, The Recruitment Flex Podcast, and 3Sixty Insights. In addition, she has been quoted in the NY Times, Financial Post, The Globe and Mail, The Record, Global News, Human Resource Executive, and Benefits Pro. Caitlin is a gold GLOBEE Women World Awards winner for Achievement in Innovation and was named an Inspiring Leader by InspiringTM Workplaces.

You can learn more about Plum on their website.

You can also connect with Caitlin on LinkedIn or Instagram.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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This conversation with Kristi Herold illustrates how play can be a transformative force in both personal and professional realms. With insights into her journey, the evolution of JAM, and the impact of recreational play on workplace culture, this episode offers valuable lessons on community and joy in entrepreneurship.

Kristi Herold is the founder and CEO of JAM, a multi-million-dollar global business that has connected millions of people through play since its inception as one of the largest adult recreational sports leagues
in the world. The JAM team has produced and delivered over 4000 playful corporate events, in over 30 countries since the summer of 2020 and the JAM team consults organizations helping them integrate fun and play into their “workPLAYce culture”. JAM has been awarded “Canada’s Most Admired Culture Award,” and certified as “Great Places to Work – Canada” multiple times.

Kristi's team is offering Figure 8 listeners a copy of her PLAYbook PDF and 25% off a JAM event. Get yours here!

You can learn more about JAM on their website. You can also connect with Kristi on LinkedIn or Instagram.

If you're interested in learning more, you can find my book Big Gorgeous Goals on Amazon, anywhere you might live. For more about my growth and leadership training programs, visit www.julieellis.ca to see how we might work together. Read my blog or sign up to get your free diagnostic. Are you ready for growth?

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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This episode highlights Jacqueline Sava's inspiring journey as the founder of Soak Wash, revealing her innovative approach to creating a product that cares for delicate clothing while prioritizing sustainability. She discusses education's role in fostering consumer relationships and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship over nearly two decades of business.

There’s the stuff you toss in the washer, like your jeans, T-shirts and the kids’ sweatshirts. Then there are the clothes you coddle. The ones that say “this is me.” That’s the stuff you take care of with Soak.

Jacqueline Sava is the Director of Possibilities and Founder of Soak Wash Inc. Founded in 2006, Soak was a side-project for Jacqueline’s first business designing knitwear, and was created to fill a gap in the marketplace. Jacqueline identified that the care products available in retail environments at the time did not align with the clothing they were meant to wash. And so, Soak was born—a premium laundry solution that customers grew to love and trust.

Through Soak Wash Inc. (a proudly women-led company), Jacqueline has empowered individuals to take better care of their clothing by extending the life of their favorite pieces.

Our resellers are over 95% women owned businesses. Investing in Soak Wash Inc. is an investment in hundreds of women-owned and led business across the globe.

You can learn more about Soak Wash Inc. on their website or on Instagram. You can find Jacqueline on LinkedIn.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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Welcome to Figure Eight, where we feature inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs who’ve grown their businesses to seven and eight figures. Today, we’re joined by Lori Weir, co-founder and CEO of Four Eyes Financial, a fintech company. Lori, an experienced entrepreneur, began her journey in 1996. Her first venture was an adventure-based learning company in New Brunswick, inspired by a consulting project on incentive travel.

Lori later transitioned into consulting, focusing on organizational design and operational efficiency. Through her work with wealth management firms, she identified inefficiencies in risk profiling and investor communication. This insight led her to co-found Four Eyes Financial in 2015 with her partner, leveraging his technical expertise to build a product that simplifies and improves the investment process.

Lori shares her experiences scaling a tech company, the importance of securing funding, and the challenges of constant innovation. Despite being based in New Brunswick, away from major financial hubs, Four Eyes has successfully attracted talent and contributed to the local innovation economy. Lori emphasizes the value of aligning skills with vision and making informed decisions to scale effectively.

Lori Weir is the co-founder and CEO of Four Eyes Financial. Lori is a people and business builder. In her 30 years of entrepreneurship, she co-founded and was the managing partner of two successful consulting firms; helping some of Canada’s most profitable companies, including JD Irving and Scotia Wealth, align processes and employee behaviours to drive positive client experiences. Lori’s background in strategy development and execution governance led Four Eyes Financial, a company she co-founded in 2015, to earn both the 2023 RegTech Company of the Year & Best Wealth Management Regulatory Solution (Canadian Regulatory Technology Assoc). Lori is the past chair of ALS Canada and Marathon by the Sea, her volunteer efforts have taken her abroad including work in Economic Development in Latin America.

Connect with Lori through LinkedIn or learn more about Four Eyes Financial on their website.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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What if you could transform your biggest dreams into tangible achievements? Join me, Julie Ellis, as we journey through the art of setting and conquering big, gorgeous goals in a solo episode of Figure Eight. Drawing from my book "Big, Gorgeous Goals," I share actionable tools to help you turn ambitions into reality. Together, we'll explore the importance of aligning goals with personal purpose, making space for creativity, and embracing the urgency to redefine our paths. Discover how to manage to-do lists and embrace SMART goals, all while keeping your energy levels high, even on the toughest days.

In this episode, you'll find inspiration and guidance to propel women entrepreneurs towards their dreams. Learn how to navigate the key stages of goal-setting by dreaming boldly, creating a clear vision, and mapping your journey with tangible milestones. I emphasize the necessity of taking small actions, evaluating progress, and understanding the deeper why behind our aspirations. I also introduce my growth and leadership training programs designed to empower and support entrepreneurial success. Dive into the world of ambitious goal-setting with me and discover how collaboration can lead to you getting everything you want in 2025 and for the last half of this decade.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

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Canada's top woman entrepreneur, Kelsey Kitsch, takes center stage as she discusses her remarkable career path characterized by bold choices and relentless ambition. From an unorthodox application to the Ivy Business School to leading ventures in frontier industries like land development and psychedelic drug research, Kelsey's story is one of creativity and fearless exploration. Her "why not try?" attitude serves as a powerful lesson for aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating the impact of seizing opportunities and embracing the unknown.

As we learn from Kelsey's journey, the theme of diversity in career paths stands out. With a background in management consulting, Kelsey has navigated transitions into construction, subscription boxes, and much more. Her ability to identify and harness the "silver thread" of her passions and capabilities has allowed her to excel across various fields. The episode reveals the risks and rewards that come with being ahead of the curve, encouraging listeners to identify their unique strengths and pursue them with vigor.

The entrepreneurial landscape is fraught with challenges, and Kelsey candidly discusses her experiences with business struggles and transitions. She shares insights into building complementary teams, utilizing tools like the Enneagram for enhanced team dynamics, and the importance of recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses. Kelsey's resilience and ability to adapt to abrupt changes, from market failures to personal health issues, underscore a key takeaway: success is as much about managing crises and learning from failures as it is about celebrating victories. Join us for an inspiring conversation that offers a treasure trove of wisdom for current and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Kelsey Kitsch has founded, scaled and consulted to businesses across diverse industries:

• heavy civil infrastructure
• master planned communities
• psychedelic drug development
• digital therapeutics

...and every time uses the same approach and skills: connect with individuals to build trust, build teams and align them on a vision we hold for the future which involves new solutions executed on today.

Simply put, Kelsey is a visionary who inspires with integrity and builds trust, resulting in the formation of world class teams that together, deliver results.

Kelsey speaks on the future of work at the intersection of psychedelics and culture. She takes consulting work on a sharp shooter basis. She sits on two non-profit boards- both squarely focussed on healing people and the planet.

As her passion project, she is devoting time to a women in psychedelics documentary project this year.

Julie and Kelsey discuss...

**(00:00:04)** Women Entrepreneur Success Stories

**(00:08:45)** Diverse Career Paths With Creativity

**(00:15:35)** Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges and Success

**(00:25:26)** Navigating Entrepreneurial Transitions

You can find Kelsey on LinkedIn.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!

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In this episode, Julie interviews Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker, founder of DeeBee's Organics. Dionne shares her journey from a career in maternal-fetal toxicology to creating a successful organic snack company. They discuss the challenges Dionne faced in the retail landscape, her innovative approach to product development, and the importance of customer feedback. Dionne also emphasizes the value of coaching and mentorship in overcoming self-doubt and fostering growth. The episode highlights the significance of resilience, community support, and continuous innovation in the entrepreneurial journey.

Dr. Dionne Laslo-Baker is the Founder and creative force behind DeeBee’s Organics. As a medical scientist with a PhD from the University of Toronto, Dionne spent years studying how the environment and the food we consume impact our health and wellness. She has garnered international attention for her doctoral thesis on the effects of exposure during pregnancy to toxins in our environment. Dionne was named Humanitarian of the Year at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She is widely published in medical literature and has taught courses in human anatomy and physiology at both the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University.

Dionne is a strong proponent for the health science behind organic food, and DeeBee’s Organics was founded by a mom on a mission. She created DeeBee’s to feed families, do business differently, and create a legacy that will impact future generations. At DeeBee’s we believe in the potential of a vibrant world where differences are celebrated, kids are encouraged to be themselves, and we are all nourished with a rainbow of fruits and vegetables straight from the earth.

This is our “colorful world.”

You can connect with Dionne through LinkedIn or her website.

You can connect with Julie on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Find Julie's writing at her blog or by ordering her book Big Gorgeous Goals.

Watch for the Big Gorgeous Goals: Official Workbook coming March 2025.

What did you think of this conversation? We'd love if you'd rate or review our show!