Saying goodbye to a Graceful Goddess

I hate having to write this post.

I've been dreading it since I heard the news last night.

There is a woman who most of you have never heard of. She lived a happy, quiet, and full life, generously touching the lives of others with her genuine beauty. She glowed from the inside out, her warmth and soothing presence calming the inconsolable, and her first thought was always of how she could help someone in need.

Her name wasn't splashed across newspapers on a regular basis, she wasn't a blogger, she didn't impose her opinions on anyone through social media, and she had no time for anything but making sure she lived life to it's fullest.

Christine Jarvis was our first-ever Graceful Goddess recipient of the FIERCE Awards but more than that, she was someone I considered a friend.

On Saturday, July 7, Christine died doing one of the things she loved most; driving her cherished motorcycle she lovingly named Rosie.

At the 2011 FIERCE awards, I invited the previous winners to present awards and Chris gladly and humbly accepted the offer. During her speech, she spoke of how much it meant to her to have the honour of being our first-ever Graceful Goddess recipient and how she looked at her diamond award whenever she needed a reminder that she was FIERCE.

Chris was 51 years old when she died but she touched so many lives in her short time here. She leaves behind three children, three grandchildren and countless lives she has changed for the better.

Rest in peace graceful goddess. The world is a better place because you were here.

t.

3 Things I learned from Amanda Babichuk

Amanda Babichuk via D'Lish Wine Bar

Yesterday, the tweet that shocked the Edmonton (#yeg) community came from our very own 2011 FIERCE Woman of the Year, Amanda Babichuk.

Amanda came into my life when I was literally at rock bottom but fighting to emerge from the depths of depression that had become my existence. She offered up D'Lish Wine Bar to be the space for our first-eevr FIERCE Women of the Year awards even though her renovations weren't complete and she didn't know me at all.

Her patience, concern for the event, and willingness to help me even though she really had no reason to, showed me that she had a heart that was rare and an ability to see beyond her own struggles that she was facing while transitioning her business from a meal assembly studio to a shi-shi wine bar.

We became fast friends and shared many conversations about love, loss, life and other similarities we had in common. I admired Amanda's ability to rise from the proverbial ashes numerous times throughout her life and come out stronger every time.

The closing of D'Lish is sad, yes, but I have no doubt that Amanda will come out of this with a few more scars but Still Standing.

Three Things I Learned from Amanda

3. A Heart Hug Heals When I first met Amanda, she hugged me. But when I went to pull away, she looked at me and said, "I need to show you a heart hug." I looked at her funny, wondering where the hell she was going with that when she leaned in to hug me the opposite way. Instead of leaning into the hug with her right arm raised, she leaned into it with her left arm raised which confused the hell out of me. I didn't know how to hug her! After awkwardly adjusting myself and my arms, I returned the hug feeling ridiculously uncomfortable and somewhat vulnerable. She smiled at me and told me when you position your body like that in a hug, your hearts physically connect, hence the heart hug. 

2. Inspiration comes at any age. Amanda's resilience, her ability to bounce back and her determination to not let being a single mother define her, leave me in awe. Where others feel the need to define themselves by the tragedies in their life or the drama that plagues them, Amanda sidesteps all of the stereotypes and is determined to have people see her for HER not for the circumstances she has overcome. The fact that she has overcome so much and gone on to walk her own path endears her to me even more but knowing that she is still so young has made me extremely protective of her. I love her like a little sister and know that despite this new roadblock in her life, it is temporary and she will get through it like she gets through everything else.

1. Ensure your own success by ensuring the success of those around you. 

Amanda's selfless business savvy was always something that baffled me. She seemingly put other businesses before her own need to succeed and she people without expecting anything in return. I have a serious radar for not trusting people, especially of those who seem to do things for others. I always think there is an underlying motive because in my experience there always has been one but with Amanda that was never the case. She promoted other businesses, she supported other businesses, and she really wanted to see others be successful, not because she expected them to reciprocate but so she could celebrate their success and watch them flourish.

D'Lish was a true extension of Amanda; charming, flirty, relaxed and home. No matter what the future holds for Amanda, she has a community of support, love, friends and my personal eternal loyalty. 

She was named the 2011 FIERCE Woman of the Year for a reason. Amanda Babichuk is someone the entire City of Edmonton should stand up and applaud.

Thanks for everything you've done, Amanda. I am eternally grateful.

Love,

t.

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Pinch your inner Goddess, wake her up and embrace YOU!

Grab your feather boa and sashay yourself to a class with Aime Hutton, Queen Goddess of Awakening Goddess, a Calgary-based company that offers classes for women to embrace THEIR inner goddess.

Aime was a 2011 FIERCE Women of the Year Phenomenal Female nominee who dazzled me with her purple feather boa and insane energy.

She is a speaker, author, coach and above all, Aime is true to her message. She LOVES herself unconditionally and spreads the message of how you can love yourself, too.

Check her out! She was just accepted as a Diamond Member to the International Women's Leadership Association!!

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Sammie Love: You need to know her

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Marie's 10 Minute Strategy to Working Out

We all struggle with balance and finding time for ourselves. 

Well, one of the women who I follow faithfully on twitter and have her tips sent directly to my inbox, is Marie Forleo. Marie is a Marketing & Lifestyle expert who is listened to by the likes of Sir Richard Branson (seriously, if you don't know who Sir Rich is I'm not giving you a link/definition... google him).

Marie  is brainy, ballsy and could very well be a New York version of moi if I were rich, successful and brunette.

Anyhooters, Marie recently posted a blog/video about your excuses for not working out.

Go. Watch. Sign up. Be prepared to be amazed. Oh and get your ass off the couch. Being unhealthy is not FIERCE.

Oh and don't look at me, I've only restarted my healthy journey and hell NO it doesn't mean I'm giving up wine 

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7 Women Who Rock Our World

I love being inspired and amazed by women who make a difference. I cling to their every word, absorb every ounce of intelligence they share and am in awe of what they have done and what they continue to do. 

Carissa Reiniger I first met Carissa at the Edmonton's Women Show back in 2006 when she had just released her first book Stories From Our Black Books at the ripe old age of 22. I've watched her grow as one of Canada's most amazing entrepreneurs, launching Silver Lining Ltd, become a world-class speaker, philanthropist and inspiration to women everywhere. Oh and for her upcoming 30th birthday in June, she plans on getting her pilot’s license and will be flying around the world in 30 days, starting on her birthday. 

Yeh, she kinda kicks ass.

Ruth Kelly I had the privilege of working for Ruth back when Venture Publishing was only three years old. Even then I knew Ruth was a woman to be revered, respected, and renowned for her brilliance. She commands respect with merely her presence, and is an important player in Edmonton's business community. Not only does she give back to the community with her time but she mentors many young entrepreneurs and is seen as one of Edmonton's most influential business people.

Yep, I kinda have some mad respect for Ruth. And even though I swear enough to make a sailor cringe, she still sees the best in me and for that, I feel truly blessed.

Carol deDelley Carol's name might not the most recognizable on this list unless you remember the brutal murder of her son Tim McLean back in July 2008. McLean was beheaded on a Greyhound Bus by Vince Li who was found Not Criminally Responsible by the justice system. Carol has since been fighting to change the NCR law in Canada and is one of the strongest, most articulate, kindest women I have ever met. She is naturally maternal and her quiet strength and resilience inspires me to never quit no matter how bad I think I may have it. Tim's Law is still one I support and will continue to support until the NCR Law is changed. 

Christie Schultz Christie started Entrepreneurial Moms in 2007 in Calgary with only nine women who attended their first meeting. Since then she has grown EMI to include chapters all over Canada and the US, and partnered with Carla Young, publisher of MOMeo Magazine, to launch Momventures. Christie's stranglehold on the Mommy Industry is undeniable but she is as classy and gracious as she is beautiful. 

Teresa Spinelli Teresa's dad Franco started the Italian Centre in Edmonton's Little Italy in 1959 which quickly became known for it's authentic Italian fare but Teresa's vision has taken the city landmark to a whole new level in 2000 after Franco passed away from cancer. Dealing with the death of her dad and her brother's sudden death before his 33rd birthday, Teresa was thrust into a position of filling her dad's shoes; something she was unsure of and something most people were skeptical of. She surprised herself and everyone around her by growing the business 50% by 2002. I can't imagine the struggles she endured dealing with an old school Italian mentality, being a strong-willed woman, and taking on a business from a man who was so well respected BUT Teresa kicked ass, made no apologies for her success and is now one of Canada's most respected business women. She freakin' rocks. And I was thrilled beyond THRILLED to have her as our first-ever FIERCE Women of the Year awards MC. I asked her to come back for the 2nd one but, you know, she was busy celebrating her 50th birthday in Italy.

 I forgive her.

Trina Read Oh, Trina, I love her for so many reasons but one of the biggest reasons is her empowering position as a Sexpert who helps women embrace their sexuality. I first met Trina at an event in Jasper where she rocked the room as a funny, down-to-earth speaker who made women feel like it was OK to have orgasms. Lots and lots of wonderful orgasms. She is a speaker, author, therapist, and all around FIERCE woman.

Erica Ehm Last, and certainly by no means least, the incomparable Erica Ehm. I remember her as a Much Music VJ. I grew up wanting to BE her. All these years later I still wanna be her. She was a trailblazer in the  "Mommy" industry with her conception of the Yummy Mummy Club, and one of the most genuinely sweet women I have ever met. She supports and encourages other mommy-based businesses, bloggers and writers through her website and really paved the way for everyone in the industry. I love her honesty, her candor and her genuine passion for what she does.

When I met her in 2009, she was telling a story about being at a cocktail party after becoming a first-time mom. She was chatting with a guy who asked, "So what do you do?" She replied, "Well, I'm a mom..." to which he responded by smiling politely and walking away. Erica said she thought to herself in that moment, "Hold on there buddy, I'm Erica fuckin' Ehm!" (And yes, she said that. I remember my jaw dropping at the surprise of such a classy chick swearing but it endeared her to me even more so). And so... the YummyMummyClub was born.

And those, FIERCE bitches, are 7 women who rock our world!

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