December 6, 2016 In Events

Take time for your self-care this December!

Self-Care Circles for the month of December will focus on helping you build a self-care plan

December can be a stressful time for many, so it’s a perfect time to up the dose of self-love. Each Wednesday from 12-1PM Liz Diaz, our Resident Wellness & Spiritual Guide will share tips, tools and exercises that you can use to bring more ease into your life and help you build your own self-care plan.

Wednesday December 7

Morning self-care practices: succeeding in your day before you even get out of bed

*If you join us on Dec 7th please bring yoga mat or blanket

Wednesday December 14

How to practice saying yes to your self-care throughout your day

Wednesday December 21

Evening self-care practice – reset and recharge

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As part of celebrating our commitment to self-care, Liz is offering 15 minute Bliss Sessions (mini hand, head, neck massage with essential oils and Reiki) to women in the office on Wednesdays for only $20.  Sign-up when you arrive at the front desk.

AND

Receive 25% off private Self-Care Sessions purchased by Dec 20th. Offer applies to 90min Reiki & Restorative Yoga Sessions and to Meditation & Wellness Coaching Packages. Gift Certificates also available.

****Sessions scheduled on Wednesdays between now and the end of January will receive an extra 5% off, for a total of 30% off services, just because YOU’RE LOVED!! **** Email connect@awakenyourbliss.com to book.

 

See you in Circle on Wednesday!

Register below or pay onsite – $10 for members/$15 non-members

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December 2, 2016 In Events

December Meetups with Katia and Barbara

JOIN A GROUP OF HEART-CENTRED WORKING WOMEN WHO ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SELF-CARE PART OF OUR WORKING LIVES.

We meet every Tuesday morning to cowork, support each other through mentorship, and take time to promote our holistic health & wellbeing.

We know that women – and their businesses – thrive when they are consciously connected with their bodies, minds, emotions, and with an authentic and supportive community. So many of us struggle with isolation, depression and lack of motivation when we work alone. It helps to get our of our heads and connect with other entrepreneurs for support and inspiration!  Coworking promotes collaboration and creative engagement among independent workers.

Shecosystem’s signature weekly Coworking, Wellness + Mentorship Meetups have been taking place in locations around Toronto since October 2015, and we are thrilled to finally hold space for this community to connect in our beautiful new coworking space at Bloor and Christie.

When: Every Tuesday, 10AM-12PM

Where: 703 Bloor Street W, 2nd Floor

What to bring: Laptop & work materials

WHAT TO EXPECT

Coworking:

After a quick check-in to set our intentions for the day, we get down to business for around 90 minutes. Each of us focusses on her own projects, occasionally turning to the group with a question, an insight or a helpful resource to share.

Mentorship:

We always have a business mentor onsite to answer your questions, give feedback on your ideas, and connect you with the resources you need. This month our featured mentor is Katia Millar is the Founder of Positive Fabulous Women – as well as a Mentor, Speaker, Connector, Social Media Maven and Business & Visibility Strategist supporting mission-driven entrepreneurs to stand out and be seen & heard.

Over the past 9 years, Katia has gone from being an overwhelmed, under-employed single Mom with no connections and no purpose, to creating a network of over 15K, hosting over 340 events, speaking to audiences on stage and on camera – and living a juicy life of purpose and service. She is passionate about helping others in shining their light and unleashing their fabulous so that they can do what they love and love what they do.

If you are interested in volunteering as a monthly mentor, drop us a line with the subject line “Meetup Mentorship” at info@shecosystem.ca

Wellness:

After 90 minutes of work, we take a purposeful 20-minute wellness break. We look at wellness through a broad lens – activities may include dance, meditation, creative writing, yoga. This month our featured mentor is Barbara Erochina. Barbara is an emotional wellness coach and founder of ‘Be With Cards’. She teaches people that the best way to speed up is to slow down. Her ‘Be With’ cards for self care suggest simple prompts to help you Be With yourself in the moment.

If you are interested in volunteering as a monthly wellness facilitator, drop us a line with the subject line “Meetup Mentorship” at info@shecosystem.ca

JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY IN DECEMBER

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Meetup Only:

Your registration includes coffee & tea and fast wifi and 2 hours of work & wellness.

Registration Fee:

$8 for Shecosystem Members (or one “Meetup” resource booked through Cobot)

$15 Non-members

$12 Women in Biz Network Members

Make a Day of it! Add a Day Pass and stay all day:

Your registration includes Meetup programming plus access to our flexible workspaces between 8AM-6PM on the day of the Meetup.

• Includes any additional free member programming that is happening in the space that day.

• Includes coffee + tea and fast wifi throughout the day.

• Join us for our regular Tuesday Potluck + Perspectives – share a dish or salad-bar ingredient and share your ideas, topics change by the week.

$25 Shecosystem Members – Register on our events page or through Cobot by booking a “Meetup + Day Pass” Resource!

$40 Non-members

$34 Women in Biz Network Members

More info: www.shecosystem.ca

Sign up:  https://www.shecosystem.ca/events-directory/

 

December 2, 2016 In Meet our Shecosisters

Meet our Shecosister Mugdha Pradhan

Name: Mugdha Pradhan

Business: Yoga Mukti Healing and Gut Instincts Fermented Beverages

Title: Author, Healer and Entrepreneur

 

What is at the heart of your business?

Wellness for the community

 

Why did you join a women’s coworking and wellness community?

This space appealed to me because it honours the feminine way of working and provides an infinite potential to co-create beauty.

 

What do you wish to give and/or receive from this community?

This is a community where I could be of value as a healer and because healing is never a one way street, I get much more in return

 

What does thriving look like for you?

When a being is thriving she is blessed with an abundance of health and enthusiasm, that’s the only currency of a fulfilling life

 

Shecosystem’s core values are: openness, community, collaboration, accessibility, sustainability, feminism, and wellness. Which of these resonates most with you and why?

Every single one resonates with me, because this embodies a new way of working, of creating an interlinked and synergistic ecosystem. I think the current splintered, antagonistic and hierarchical way of working is completely unsustainable.

 

Tell us one way you integrate self-care into your working life:

Actually two ways:

  1. Nath Yoga practices are part of my daily routine and they are focused on healing body and mind
  2. Being with other people who celebrate my existence

On days that I successfully do this, my self-care regime is complete

 

What’s your top piece of advice for other women entrepreneurs?

Celebrate failure– it’s the fastest way to learn. Fail fast and recover fast. And one day you’ll run out of ways to fail and voila, that day you will be successful.

 

Anything else we should know about you?

I am an Author, Healer and Entrepreneur. I worked with different start-ups in India for about 10 years before I moved to Canada. I wrote my first book ‘Winning at Parenting with Nath Yoga’ and started my Probiotic beverages company in Toronto. I am Yoga Mukti Therapist and absolutely love spreading the knowledge of relaxation. I also actively volunteer with Startup Toronto.

Want to become a Shecosister? Join us!

14523014_1398355253527713_3023254376212306100_n-2Mugdha regularly brings her Gut Instincts kombucha and kefir to our Tuesday meetups. To place an order for this week, visit her Facebook page!

 

November 30, 2016 In Events

Holiday Gifts from our Shecosisters

The Holiday season is upon us!

We know how draining gift shopping can be, so we want to make it easy for you. Shecosystem happens to be home to several makers and creators whose beautiful products would make great gifts for your loved ones – or yourself.

Here are a few products created by our members – along with special holiday promotional offers – so you can spread holiday cheer while supporting local, female-founded businesses.

ADRIENNE ENNS

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MAY YOU KNOW JOY

May You Know Joy and Seeds of Intention cards are a thoughtful holiday gift or stocking stuffer for friends, family, Secret Santas and teachers.  And – the effects of this gift will only enhance over time.  Both cards decks offer inspiration for reflection and intentional living.  Cards are available at:  www.mayyouknowjoy.com.  Please contact Adrienne Enns at adrienne@mayyouknowjoy.com if you have any questions or require a special order.

 Shecosisters receive a 20% discount until December 15th.  Promo Code:  FRIENDS

 

BARBARA EROCHINA

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BE WITH: CARDS FOR SELF-CARE  

Be With is a set of thirty-six cards divided into six categories: write, speak, ask, rest, move and affirm. Each category suggests simple prompts to help you Be With yourself in the moment: whether that means slowing down, paying mindful attention, or giving yourself tender loving care. The cards can be used daily or weekly, or just when you need them. Shuffle them and pull one at random, or work through them category by category. It’s up to you. Bring the benefits of self-care into your everyday life and learn how to give yourself the love and time you give http://buyambienfastmed.com everyone else. Right now you have the opportunity to support Barbara’s indiegogo campaign and get your Be With Cards in time for the holidays!

 

CHRISTINE PENSA

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ART THAT MOVES

Everything that Christine designs + creates is meant to bring OM or calm to your home. She designs and hand prints original screenprint textiles and letterpress and lino block prints. She often uses words and inspirational sayings because she believes that inspiring words can elevate the energy in our home. Her line of inspirational sayings digitally printed is also designed to bring uplifting, positive energy to all rooms in your house. Check out her Etsy shop.  Christine will also be at the One of a Kind Christmas 2016 show. You can find her in booth T11 for the full 11 days of the show.

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Christine has also created ‘The Soul Discovery Coloring Book’ which is an adult coloring book which is meant to help reader reach deep within themselves to connect with the divine. The book is an invitation to the reader not only to coluor the beautiful images found here,but also to access their own creative heART through journaling and creative exercise prompts.

 

MUGDHA PRADHAN

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GUT INSTINCTS

GUT INSTINCTS brews artisanal batches of Kombucha and Kefir that are seeded with the intention to heal your gut. They believe that fermented foods are an answer to a host of modern day illnesses and would love to share these healing elixirs with everyone.

November 28, 2016 In Meet our Shecosisters

Shecosister Gabrielle Garcia Helps People Find a Workplace that Celebrates their Identity

Name: Gabrielle Garcia

Business: Ziversity

Title: Director of Community Partnerships

 

What is at the heart of your business?

Helping connect diverse talent with companies committed to diverse teams

 

Why did you join a women’s coworking and wellness community?

I want to be surrounded by women entrepreneurs – both giving and receiving mentorship

 

What do you wish to give and/or receive from this community?

I hope to give knowledge around sales, business development, digital marketing and social media

 

What does thriving look like for you?

Being able to be of service to others

 

Shecosystem’s core values are: openness, community, collaboration, accessibility, sustainability, feminism, and wellness. Which of these resonates most with you and why?

Openness, community and feminism. I always try to centre these values in my business practices

 

Tell us one way you integrate self-care into your working life:

I try to be self aware as possible when it comes when it comes to my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs and responding to needs as they arise

 

What’s your top piece of advice for other women entrepreneurs?

Don’t be afraid to hold people to standards – especially when you’re dealing with clients

 

Anything else we should know about you?

I also perform spoken word poetry

 

Check out Gabrielle Garcia’s Website

Want to become a Shecosister? Join us!

November 15, 2016 In Meet our Shecosisters

Meet Our Resident Admin Guru + Techie Mentor Lisa Kelly

Name: Lisa Kelly

Business: Admin Guru

Title: Online Business Manager

 

What is at the heart of your business?

I believe there are many talented, heart-centered agents for change working hard to do good work. Beautiful work makes the world a better place. If I can help these champions continue their meaningful work, everyone benefits. I want to be an advocate and a cheerleader for business owners making a difference.

 

Why did you join a women’s coworking and wellness community?

This is where I feel at home and most authentic. I came here originally because I truly believe that self care is integral to the holistic health of myself, family and my business. Being in a service-oriented business, I need to take of me first so that I can give my best to my clients. I met a whole bunch of other like-minded women who share these values when I found Shecosystem. I’ve found my tribe!

 

What do you wish to give and/or receive from this community?

I love sharing my experiences in life and business http://ed-trio.com/buy-levitra-online with others on their own unique, but similar path. I always receive the same back without ever asking.

 

What does thriving look like for you?

Creativity. Compassion. Wellness. Energy. Community.

 

Tell us one way you integrate self-care into your working life:

I’d say the one most consistent way would be my daily morning sun salutations and affirmations.

 

What’s your top piece of advice for other women entrepreneurs?

Do what feels good, no matter what it takes to get there. Find a way. And have faith.

 

Anything else we should know about you?

I love Chocosol’s dark chocolate hemp bar.

 

Join resident Admin Guru + Techie Mentor – Lisa Kelly – with tech tips and tricks for simplifying workflows in your business using the latest technological tools.

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Lisa will share invaluable tips for:
• Time Management & Productivity
• Project Management
• Customer relationship management (CRM)
• Email management
• Automation & Integrations
• Simple E-Commerce
• Outsourcing

 

Check out Lisa Kelly’s Website

Want to become a Shecosister? Join us!

November 14, 2016 In Meet our Shecosisters

Our Shecosister Natasha Mitchell helps entrepreneurs build + grow their business with ease

Name: Natasha Mitchell

Business: Inspire & Drive

Title: Chief Motivator

 

What is at the heart of your business?

Helping entrepreneurs build and grow their business with ease

 

Why did you join a women’s coworking and wellness community?

For the connections, support and fun of being around other inspiring women

 

What do you wish to give and/or receive from this community?

To share my experience with others to help them achieve more success in their business and to receive new perspectives, collaboration and friendship from the community

 

What does thriving look like for you?

Doing what I love and having the freedom, flexibility and finances to travel and explore new places

 

Shecosystem’s core values are: openness, community, collaboration, accessibility, sustainability, feminism, and wellness. Which of these resonates most with you and why?

Collaboration is most important to me. I believe that together we can achieve even greater success and without the Corporate Walls we need to surround ourselves with people who have a broad range of different skills to help us be successful

 

Tell us one way you integrate self-care into your working life:

Being able to rest when I want it and not working 12-hour days

 

What’s your top piece of advice for other women entrepreneurs?

Surround yourself with smart people that can guide you when you need it and support you through the rough times

 

Anything else we should know about you?

I love being around people and helping them find solutions to help them move forward

Want to become a Shecosister? Join us!

Our Shecosister Natasha Mitchell is collaborating with Katia http://www.bestxanaxcomparison.com Millar of Positive Fabulous Women to bring you ‘Inspired, Fabulous and Unleashed for 2017’!

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Sign up here

Check out the event on Facebook 

DESCRIPTION

Are you ready to skyrocket your business and make 2017 your best year yet?

Now is the perfect time to create your 2017 plans so you can hit the ground running, without having to stress about this over the holidays.

 

Join your Hosts:

Katia http://www.bestxanaxcomparison.com Millar – Founder, Positive Fabulous Women

Natasha Mitchell – Founder, Inspire & Drive

…plus a hand-picked panel of business, marketing, branding and mindset experts as we lead you through a half-day intensive planning workshop.

 

Together we’ll show you how to:

Create your achievable 12-month business strategy

Remove barriers that are limiting your success

Maximize your time and resources

Get clear on your brand and message so you can show up powerfully and authentically

Use social media strategies to connect with your tribe and boost your visibility

You’ll walk away with personalized business and social media plans that will give you the direction and focus you need to maximize your visibility and profits in 2017.

 

What You Can Expect:

A hands-on working session, with real results (not another pitch-fest!)

Plenty of opportunities for learning, questions and networking throughout the day

Experts will circulate during each workshop to answer your questions and give you feedback

Panel discussions

Mini coaching sessions

You owe it to yourself, your business and your clients to achieve your full potential and this workshop will give you the knowledge, inspiration and drive you need to get you there.

Sign up here – use Fab20 for $20 off registration before November 18!

 

November 11, 2016 In Business, Collaborations

Mentor Office Hours with Women in Biz Network

mentor-office-hoursWould you love to ask for advice without fear of the cold call?

 

What if we provided a safe and supportive environment to talk about your career, business and life’s challenges?

 

There’s no disputing the value of mentorship, particularly for the solopreneurs. 

Women in Biz Network is bringing Mentor Office Hours to Shecosystem every second Monday from 11 am -1 pm. Drop in and sign up for a private, 20 minute 1-on-1 conversation with WIBN mentors. 

Enjoy mentorship in a variety of areas:

    • Work / life balance
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Business development
    • Career, Linkedin and resume advice
    • Financial wellbeing
    • much more!

 

Free for Shecosisters and included in a Day Pass for non-members.

http://www.buyvaltrexonlinehere.com href=”http://www.womeninbiznetwork.com/wibn-conference-spotlight-leigh-mitchell-founder-of-women-in-biz-network/”>Mentor for Monday, November 16 – 11 am-1 pm 
leighandlogoLeigh Mitchell, Founder of Women in Biz Network 

Mentoring/advising on:

  • Marketing
  • Building Strategic Partnerships
  • Career development
  • Resume /Linkedin advice

Learn more about Leigh 

Mentor for Monday, November 28th – 11 am -1 pm

Heather_250x333 Heather Briggs, Radiate Real 

Mentoring/advising on:

Mentor for Monday, December 12th, 11 am-1 pm Meredith

Mentoring/advising on :

  • Knowing your numbers
  • Office productivity + processes

Learn more about Meredith

November 10, 2016 In Events

SheEO brings Radical Generosity to Shecosystem

Everything is broken…what a great time to be alive. This motto drives Vicki Saunders, founder of SheEO. Our economic and educational systems are broken. So is our concept of work and success. And as we witnessed this week, so is the system that enabled a racist, sexist, bully to rise to the head of the United States.

Great time to be alive? Really?

It’s a great time to be alive because in the problem lies the solution. In becoming aware of what is broken, we unlock the potential to innovate and create systems that work. Acknowledging the brokenness allows us to liberate ourselves from the dysfunctional inertia of the status quo and move forward with renewed purpose. It’s the crack where the light comes in.

The brokenness that Saunders is fixing is the world of funding for women’s enterprise. After years of running ventures in Toronto, Europe and Silicon Valley, Vicki grew dissatisfied with the existing venture capital model – and took it upon herself to create a new economic model for women entrepreneurs that combines the best of crowdfunding, coaching, buying power and networks.

It is a model that she is spreading around the world with a goal of raising $1 Billion to support women’s enterprise.  And it’s a movement that got her on a list of the World’s Top 100 Most Influential Leaders among a roster of notable women including Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey.

So what’s broken?

Women are dramatically underfunded compared to men, receiving only 2.7% of venture capital and 13% of all angel investment. Women struggle to get in the door to pitch their ideas to VCs and face unconscious bias once they’re in. Male-dominated venture firms are often dismissive of ideas that solve ‘female problems,’ ignoring a massive market. Investors overlook women’s enterprises that don’t fit the ‘unicorn’ model of success. And women with assets to invest are shut out and mystified by the old-school funding process.

The solution: SheEO’s Radical Generosity

SheEO is creating a funding universe separate from the boys’ club where women-led ventures can define success on their terms, apply for funding from investors who speak their language, and democratize the investment process to build confidence in women wanting to invest in venture they can really get behind.

SheEO is a global initiative to radically transform the way we finance, support and celebrate female entrepreneurs. 1000 women Activators across Canada give $1000 to create a million dollar pool of capital that is then loaned out to local female-led ventures, whom the Activators help select. With Activators as supporters, advisors, customers and connectors, SheEO Ventures are set up for immediate and accelerated growth. Selected ventures receive zero interest loans, a personalized guided development program, and access to a global network of female investors, advisors and customers (check out the 2015 Ventures).

We would like to invite you to join SheEO Founder, Vicki Saunders, for  a free Happy Hour and conversation hosted by Emily Rose Antflick, Founder of Shecosystem Coworking + Wellness, to learn about how you can get involved as a SheEO Activator or apply as to be a SheEO Venture in the 2016 Radical Generosity Campaign.

Join us on November 23rd to learn more!

This is a free event open to women only – Shecosystem members, friends and guests are welcome. Register below and please share! 

 

November 10, 2016 In Uncategorized

The Coworking Values are Feminine Values

It’s hard to capture why women join Shecosystem: they talk about being with their tribe, about good energy. This intangible vibe that we nurture here  really comes down to a set of values that our members share. These values inform how we make decisions on a daily basis, and they are the foundation of our culture.

Shecosystem’s core values are aligned with the values of the Coworking movement. The movement has five core values:

Community
Sustainability
Accessibility
Collaboration
Openness

The added bonus for a women-focussed coworking space is that the coworking values ARE feminine values.

Over the last few years, the business world has been paying lots of lip service to the idea of embracing feminine leadership styles and workplace values (see these articles from Forbes and Harvard Business Review). But the coworking movement is founded on these values…so let’s OWN them.

In Gloria Steinem’s book My Life on the Road, she talks about a time in the 1970s when she  spoke with Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, a female leader in India who had worked with Gandhi. Steinem was trying to convince Kamaladevi to apply Gandhian tactics to women’s movements. After listening patiently, Kamaladevi kindly informed her, “We taught him everything he knew.” She explains that Steinem had “the Great Man theory of history, and hadn’t known that the tactics we were drawn to were our own.”

In the same spirit, it is important to unveil the feminine energy that pulses through the world of coworking. Like so many other aspects of the feminine paradigm that feminists have been working so hard to honour and make space for in our world, we can now celebrate the success of these values.

And coworking is a worldwide movement worth celebrating. In the last ten years, thousands of coworking spaces have opened worldwide. According to recent statistics from the 2015 Global Coworking Survey, the industry has a growth rate of 36% over the last 12 months, and an estimated 510,000 coworking members around the world who are choosing to work this way.

So why not call attention to the fact that this is the way we’ve been doing it all along? When something is natural and timeless, it finds a way.

The paradigm of competition, fragmentation and hierarchical leadership no longer serve us. A more interdependent and collaborative society is the only way toward a more sustainable future.

Give us a movement that validates this way of being, give us a structure that facilitates it – and we’ll thrive. Women deserve to take ownership of a workplace culture that empowers and inspires them to be their best.

Shecosystem’s Core Values

Openness guides our design and the interactions between members and the ecosystem around us. We embrace the unknown and remain receptive to feedback. We keep an open mind and heart, and consider ideas from outside the dominant paradigm. An attitude of openness cultivates compassion and trust.

Collaboration values integration and wholeness over competition and hierarchy: this is how natural systems become abundant and resilient. When we work together to “get to yes” we come up with creative ways to meet everyone’s needs.

Accessibility strives for equitable access to power for all, and success in business is accessible when women can work on their terms. Each of us possesses a wealth of inner resources that we can access when we learn to tune in and value this feminine capital.

Community shapes our coworking space: we aim to be a circle, not a pyramid. Rather than imposing a structure upon a group of people, the community gives rise to a structure that fits its shape. Technology connects,  but community provides a sense of belonging and unites us through shared values. When women thrive, they reinvest in their communities.

Sustainability includes but goes beyond the ecological dimension. We prevent depletion by nurturing our personal and professional resources and honouring cycles. Maintaining a mindset of abundance means that we can all sustain our businesses: there is enough for all.

Wellness cannot be compromised along the entrepreneurial journey. We support seven dimensions of self care: physical, intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, financial and environmental .

Feminism strives to do away with barriers to the full and diverse expression of feminine power. We unite and galvanize to discard old stereotypes, challenge structural inequities that limit our potential, and raise the status of the feminine in the working world