The Connector Next Door with Lisa Gareau: Recent Episodes
Lisa Gareau
The Connector Next Door is your invitation to meet the natural connectors all around us. They represent the everyday event planners who are energizing their communities every single day. Their stories are familiar, fun, and full of charm. Your host, Lisa Gareau, is a lifelong Event Planner and has been a Connection Strategy Coach for over a decade. She knows events can become energized connecting points where communities can gather and grow. Let’s listen in as she strikes up a conversation with today’s Connector Next Door.
Maya Corona and David Schmeikal are a dynamic husband-and-wife duo, blending backgrounds in graphic design, painting, branding, and coaching to help humans create and be creative.
Maya, with over two decades in graphic design, now explores the depths of her self-expression and joy through painting and creative initiatives focused on connecting communities together.
David has worked as an entrepreneur and creative professional for 15 years and now guides others to unleash “who they truly are” into the world. He does this through improving the pragmatic performance side of process so professionals can unleash their creative potential.
To many event planners creativity can feel messy. And adding that element of creativity into our planning work can feel even more out of place. But if we want to see change in ourselves, our world, or our work, we cannot avoid the mess.
In my conversation with Maya and David, we explored how we must build up our tolerance for the creative process even as planners.
When we learn to sit with the uncomfortable inability to structure, schedule, or add the creativity to a spreadsheet, we will gain access to the peace and possibilities only accessible by going through the – as David says – “chaos of creativity’’.
Listen in and be inspired to lean into who you truly are, what matters to you in your planning, and get ready to surround yourself with those that do the same!
Learn more about Maya at the links below and connect with her HERE on LinkedIn!
Maya’s Website: https://www.mayacorona.com
Maya’s Events: https://www.mayacorona.com/events
Maya on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mayacoronaart/
Learn more about David at the links below and connect with him HERE on LinkedIn!
David’s Film: https://www.davidschmeikal.com/film
David’s Website: https://davidschmeikal.com/
David on IG: https://www.instagram.com/davidschmeikal/
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the creative event planner that is ready to build better connections with those they wish to serve!
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Ashley Tedham has leaned into her life with courage and has become a leader who embraces the “fear factor” in her leadership.
A native Calgarian with a passion for international and community development, Ashley obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of Calgary in 2007, and a Master's Degree in 2012 in International Affairs at The Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.
Over the last fifteen years, Ashley has worked with various International Organizations in Sierra Leone, Canada, and Switzerland, including the Canadian International Development Agency, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations and World Trade Organization, the World Meteorological Organization, and the World Health Organization.
In 2016 Ashley returned to Calgary and became the Executive Director of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award).
In 2020, Ashley was included in Avenue Magazine's Top 40 Under 40, highlighting the Award's work empowering criminally involved youth through a project she developed called The Youth Resiliency Project.
Ashley took on a new role with Benevity in 2021 acting as their Director of Global Operations & Foundation Partnerships. Ashley is a passionate volunteer and currently sits on the board of CAUSE Canada and Making Changes Association.
In our conversation today Ashley shares how – to truly connect with ourselves, our teams, and the opportunities that arise – we must be honest about who we are, clear about where our boundaries lie, and willing to embrace the “fear factor” in every step!
You can find Ashley on LinkedIn HERE and explore how Benevity is “helping the world’s top brands create social impact” HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, core team, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Program is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Linda Joyce Jones believes that gathering is essential to living a meaningful life.
She’s a self-proclaimed obsessive organizer of people, places, and events – orchestrating special occasions in both her personal and professional life for more than 25 years!
Her pragmatic approach and knack for sweating the small stuff has helped her organize successful corporate conferences, community events, retreats, fundraisers, and more.
Something both Linda and I believe to be true - many have the skills to plan events, but they haven’t thought about how they can apply their diverse skills.
This belief has brought her to support “accidental planners” like herself saying, “Anyone can create amazing memories for their families, in their career, for their community, or the world” through the events they plan.
Linda wrote The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events to encourage and empower “accidental planners”.
If that’s you – you must read Linda’s book – as she shows up with kindness and clearly shares her expertise through every chapter!
In our conversation today, Linda shares how connection is “collaborating with people in order to achieve a goal” and how we can gain a sense of belonging through that collaboration.
A beautiful reason to intentionally include “event planning” on your to-do list!
You can find Linda on LinkedIn HERE and learn more about her book The Event Planning Toolkit: Your Guide to Organizing Extraordinary Meetings and Events, available both in print and as an audiobook on her website at www.LindaJoyceJones.com*
*“The Event Planning Toolkit will help you rise to the occasion to plan and execute extraordinary meetings and events by helping you get organized, reduce time-wasting mistakes, and inspire creativity.”
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Janice Cardinale has been listed as one of the top 100 most influential people in events, she’s in the Smart Meetings Hall of Fame, is noted as one of the BizBash’s 15 over 50, is a Smart Meetings Entrepreneur, a Reiimagine Powerful Business Woman, aaaand is the fiery Founder of the Event Minds Matter community – which is where our lives intersected in the Fall of 2023.
The community Janice ignited in 2022 grew out of a compassion and concern for the next generation of event, meeting, hospitality, and travel professionals.
Event Minds Matter is a community of like-minded event professionals committed to creating thought leadership and a new culture in the events industry.
Being a “natural connector”, Janice has welcomed 20 like-minded professionals to volunteer their time – as she does – to change the conversation on mental health in an industry fraught by stress, anxiety, and burn-out.
Speaking and facilitating conversations within the events industry is a passion for Janice and she takes every opportunity to provide purpose and value to anything that will support human capital within an organization.
Janice says, “In the event industry, we need to open a conversation within our associations, because language matters, education is needed, being kind is essential and listening is paramount.”
In our conversation today Janice shares how, “We didn’t know that we could work differently. We didn’t know we should have boundaries." But when we know better, we can do better.
And Janice won’t stop until we get there … together!
You can find Janice on LinkedIn HERE along with her Event Minds Matter community of 2500+ planners HERE!
A note from your host, Lisa Gareau: “As someone who faced burnout early in my life due to my event planning activities, I am honoured to join this group of passionate planning pros and will be investing in Event Minds Matter in 2024, volunteering as part of the education committee.”Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
I recently attended an innovation day to support a friend and colleague who was presenting. Hanging at the back of a room I found a seat – as it turns out – right where I was supposed to be that day.
Sitting beside me was a high energy, business development and marketing professional, who seemed to be deeply engaged with his local community, and who was – clearly – a “natural connector”.
Kent Patel is excellent at seeing the big picture, and drilling down to details, organizing projects, and inspiring people to achieve desired results.
Everything he produces is built on connection, collaboration, and growth for businesses, individuals, and the wider collective.
Outside of work, he enjoys creating unforgettable moments that resonate with joy, connection, and a sense of accomplishment through his city-funded monthly workshops that focus on Indigenous Culture and Wellness.
These learning, feel good, experiences have created lasting connections and a "community of belonging” in the Calgary community of Sunalta … and beyond.
In our conversation today Kent shares how he’s been on a journey to embrace his own culture and is now passionate to connect others to their own in tangible, supportive, nurturing, fun, creative ways!
You can find all of Kent’s upcoming workshops and connect with him HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Cathy Derksen is a catalyst and disruptor, supporting and inspiring midlife women to rediscover their brilliance and step into new possibilities.
As the founder of her company Inspired Tenacity Global Solutions Inc, Cathy helps women take on the courage to face major changes in their life.
Cathy is an international speaker and an 12x bestselling author who inspires her audience to dream big and take a leap of faith into reaching for their goals.
She has created a platform supporting women to share their own inspiring stories in books, retreats, and mastermind opportunities. With her all-in-one program, Cathy takes soon-to-be authors from chapter concept to published bestselling author in a simple, exciting process.
Cathy lives near Vancouver, Canada where she enjoys spending time in nature, travelling, meeting new people, and connecting with her community around the world.
Though our conversation you’ll hear loud and clear how Cathy is creating a ripple effect of impact by helping women share their stories and wisdom.
It takes courage to connect deeply with our own story and tenacity to share it even when it’s hard. I’m so glad you get to hear how Cathy helps women “Find the courage and take the leap”!
You can find Cathy on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new in her world of collaborative publishing on her website www.InspiredTenacity.com HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
With three decades under her belt in the nonprofit sector, Joanne Toller has had the privilege of wearing many hats, primarily as a nonprofit coach.
Joanne is the Founder of The Cause Charity Specialists, where she specializes in fundraising and nonprofit marketing consultation. Her expertise lies in strategic planning and the evolving digital landscape of fundraising and nonprofit marketing.
As a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Joanne has witnessed the sector's many changes and challenges, and she’s passionate about sharing her knowledge with others.
Now, in semi-retirement, her time is devoted to managing her exceptional team at The Cause, coaching nonprofits, and releasing free resources on The Cause YouTube channel.
Her love for teaching and coaching is a testament to her commitment to ensuring that the next generation of nonprofit leaders is well-equipped for the challenges ahead.
Semi-retirement has granted Joanne and her husband the beautiful opportunity to explore. Every winter, they traverse the US's vast landscapes; come summer, Canada is their playground.
In our conversation today Joanne shares how true connection is a combination of pulling back from toxic environments and leaning in with those that are ready to explore something deeper with their donors!
You can find Joanne on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new in her work as a fundraising coach on her website HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Jessica McBride is the The Tech Savvy Assistant and is committed to stay ahead of the curve in today's rapidly changing tech environment.
As a former Executive Assistant, she now providesexecutive support and administrative training.
A self-professed generalist, Jessica has spent a lot of time learning new skills and technologies just well enough so that they can make her life easier. Now it’s her goal to help others gain the confidence needed to to make their lives easier too!
Speaking from experience, Jessica shares how assistants spend much of their time reinventing the wheel and believes it's not necessary! Learning – and using – the technology available is an absolute game changer.
I know as event planners, we never seem to have enough time in the day. What if we could work in a way that we’d have time to spare. Time to connect in more meaningful ways with our clients, customers, core teams, or community members!
After some tough work experiences, Jessica is now stepping out as a Keynote Speaker, Community Mentor, Author of The Tech Savvy Assistant series, “ChatGPT for Administrative Professionals”, and “How to Set Goals as an Administrative Professional”.
In our conversation today Jessica shares her passion to see women step up, take up space, and work in ways that advance their careers as Administrative Professionals.
You can find Jessica on LinkedIn HERE and explore what’s new on The Tech Savvy Assistant website HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Winnie Hsu came to Canada thirty years ago as a financially struggling student from China, working several low-paying jobs to sustain herself. Eventually, she started her own small accounting business.
But that was 20 years ago. Today, she has a team of fifteen professionals serving over 200 small businesses in the greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley in B.C.
Winnie never stops learning. Wanting to achieve more, she studied for an MBA with the Jack Welch Management Institute (JWMI) in the USA by taking online classes during the pandemic.
Using the 18-month fast track route, she graduated with all honours for all 12 of her courses at the end of 2021, also winning the distinguished scholar award with the JWMI at age 59 – all while working full-time to manage her business.
In Fall of 2021 - with three fellow co-founders - she started her dream impact project by founding Vision2Reality Foundation (V2RF) - a 100% online, free business community to help newcomers with their entrepreneur journey.
As of this recording, the V2RF online community had 691 members on its platform who have and are all willing to share, learn and grow with local business owners and professionals.
And it’s growing everyday!
In our conversation today Winnie shares that V2RF is a rare, truly multicultural, inclusive online community that welcomes anyone with a dream and the ambition to turn their visions into reality.
You can find Winnie via LinkedIn HERE, read more about her business HERE, and explore Vision to Reality on the website HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Tim Gareau is a Calgary hometown lad, singer-songwriter who accompanies his originals with acoustic guitar and harmonica.
His carefully crafted lyrics speak of relationships, past and present love, the joys of nature, social issues, spirituality, bees, owls, dogs and even crocodiles!
His music is primarily influenced by folk - but he easily adds a slice of rock, a spatter of jazz, a smatter of blues, with a pinch of country. And I'll say, as his wife a whole lot of "tongue n/ cheek" along the way.
Tim is a poet, and storyteller and likes his audience to come along for the ride.
As his wife of 13 years, I love how Tim has embraced his own gifts and how he shares his gifts - AND how he encourages others to find their gifts and share those with the world too!
In our conversation today we talk about the importance of finding our gifts, having the courage to use them, and then reaching out to create meaningful connections - and a sense of community - around those gifts.
You can find Tim's music - including his NEW album "Great Late Bloomer" on his NEW website at www.TimGareauMusic.ca on Facebook HERE or on Instagram HERE*!
In this episode Tim and I talked about the "Blue Zones" and the new Netflix series called "LIVE TO 100: Secrets of the Blues Zones" . You can watch the trailer on YouTube HERE! "*Travel around the world with author Dan Buettner to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives."Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!**
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Grant Assenheimer grew up as a farm kid, worked as an engineer, travelled the world as a humanitarian worker, and landed as an executive leader.
His drive to find solutions is backed by a deep value of different perspectives and the patience to discover root causes, leading to sustainable, systems-level outcomes.
Grant has had an outstanding career as a water engineer, previously worked with Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad and served as a Director on the MSF Canada Board.
As an executive leader, Grant joined the MSF Canada Leadership team, responsible for finance, IT, risk management and the internal operations of this dynamic organization.
Grant is now back in Edmonton, has recently completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Alberta, and is currently the CEO of Belongify, a workplace culture start-up that helps leaders improve team performance by creating cultures of Belonging.
Belongify co-Founders Lorne and Garrett Rubis set the Belongify Team - including an impressive list of certified Belongify Coaches - on a mission to help leaders create a culture of belonging where each individual's value is known, appreciated, and optimized.
As the CEO, Grant is excited to see leaders embrace and activate the Belongify system as he knows when leaders help their teams eliminate feelings of isolation, increase a sense of value, and recognize individual contributions they will also see these same employees thrive anywhere they choose to live and work.
Watch for Grant's posts about Belongify - and connect with him - on LinkedIn HERE*.
If you're a leader that is curious about creating a greater sense of belonging with your team check out the Belongify website HERE**.
Wondering how strong the sense of belonging is in YOUR workplace? Take the Belongify quiz HERE to answer 7 questions to receive a rating of your group's sense of belonging in the workplace - Weak, Needs Improving, Strong.*
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Tracy Folorunsho-Barry is a Career Strategist and Founder and CEO of Grow Women Leaders, helping immigrant women get hired and advance their careers.
She is a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, with a focus on immigrants and BIPOC women.
In 2017, through GROW Foundation, she launched Project150: Accomplished Immigrant Women in Canada and the Speak Out Women series.
Recognizing the gaps in empowerment, leadership, and career development services for immigrant women, she founded GROW Women Leaders in 2018.
With the GROW Digital Platform, we connect women with local and national companies, facilitating personal and professional growth.
In 2021, I opened The GROW Space—a nurturing environment where success and community thrive.
At the heart of this space lies "Nurture," an ongoing co-creative support with amenities like training rooms, workstations, and event space, along with childminding services. Importantly, proceeds from Nurture directly support women at GROW Foundation.
Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to helping thousands of women access new opportunities and reach their full potential … and she’s only getting started!
You can connect with Tracy on LinkedIn HERE, learn more about GROW HERE, and follow GROW Women Leaders on their IG HERE.Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Richard Lee-Thai, doesn’t feel he’s a “natural connector” but is fascinated by people.
Over the years he has learned the skills to both connect meaningfully with others and has become an advocate and friend to those that want to learn to do the same.
Richard Lee-Thai is a TEDx Speaker, Connection Consultant, and co-author of “Become Your Superself: Connect with Yourself to Connect with Others.”
His TEDx talk: "How to Find Excuses to Connect” outlines how people can make meaningful connections easier.
We never grew up with a class on “How to Make Friends”, so his work focuses on lessening the gap in social health education.
As a professional speaker and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coach Federation, he empowers individuals and organizations with the social skills and confidence to make meaningful connections for the rest of their lives.
His motto is: "You never know how any connection can transform your life."
In our conversation Richard shared that, “Every person you pass by has their own rich story. All it takes is initiating a conversation to enter that world with them.” He has worked to build a sense of community through storytelling and believes anyone can find excuses to connect!
Richard’s “North Star Vision”? Finding a way to create a world without loneliness.
Reach out to continue this conversation with Richard on Linked in HERE or learn more about “Excuses to Connect” on his website HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Karla Combres is a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, ceremony guide, facilitator, and speaker.
She helps people to honour and celebrate life’s big moments – the joyful beginnings, difficult endings, and everything in between.
She believes in the transformative power of meaningful, authentic, story-based ceremonies to connect and inspire us as we move through life’s transitions.
After spending over a decade living, working, and studying in other cities and countries, Karla is grateful to make her home once more in Saskatoon - on Treaty 6 Territory and the homeland of the Métis - along with her husband and three beautiful children.
Karla believes connection happens below the surface level – when we get to the heart of a person, a situation, a person’s story.
She has experienced that – when guiding her clients through the journey of death and dying – the only thing that matters is did they love and did they love others.
In our conversation, Karla shared how all our milestone moments can enhance our lives and how - if we are intentional with our connections - we can live well so we can also pass on well when the time comes.
Reach out to continue this conversation with Karla on Linked in HERE or learn more about her on her website HERE! Find Karla on her social channels with the handle @karlacombrescelebrant
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
I first heard of – and became curious about – Samantha Alexander in her role as the President of the Western Carnival Development Association, which produces the Cariwest Festival in Canada’s “Festival City”, Edmonton, Alberta.
She integrates her life in Edmonton with her frequent travels to the Caribbean. The combination has made her a dynamic leader for this vibrant, long-running, family-friendly festival!
Samantha says she excels best in collaborative environments that allow her to utilize her strong communications and project management skills.
She shows up in her day to day as Marketing Manager for MNP, one of Canada’s leading professional services firms. Through the development of strong relationships, they provide client-focused accounting, consulting, tax, and digital services.
In her role she helps organizational leaders clarify and achieve their strategic objectives. Her approach combines curiosity, strategic thinking and out of the box tactics to drive positive change.
In our conversation we talked about what connection means to her and how even the simple act of observation can create opportunities to connect over time.
Her take on leading event teams could be a masterclass on event leadership and empowerment. Listen in and get ready to learn how you can better lead your event team to create better connections year over year over year!
Reach out to continue this conversation with Samantha on Linked in HERE or via the Cariwest Festival Website HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Riaz Meghji is a human connection expert and author of the book “Every Conversation Counts: The 5 Habits of Human Connection That Build Extraordinary Relationships”.
After one conversation led him to take a dramatically different career path that changed his life for the better, he became dedicated to exploring the ways that authentic human connection can change lives and organizations.
In addition to being a respected thought leader and author on the topic of human connection, Riaz is also an accomplished broadcaster with 17 years of television hosting experience; he has interviewed experts on current affairs, sports, entertainment, politics, and business.
Riaz has hosted for Citytv’s Breakfast Television, MTV Canada, TEDx Vancouver, CTV News, and the Toronto International Film Festival. He is a natural storyteller with a proven ability to conduct engaging, in-depth conversations across various disciplines.
His insights have been featured in Fast Company, Harvard Business Review and Financial Post.
He holds a degree in business from Simon Fraser University and studied leadership communication at Harvard and off-camera, Riaz dedicates himself to philanthropy and causes he cares about including Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Covenant House.
It was in November 2022 that I “inhaled” Riaz’ book – and message of connection.
Riaz’ book has made it to the "required reading" section of my library, and I encourage anyone planning or promoting events to take a read and consider how conversations can help you create the connections that matter!
What a gift to learn more about Riaz in this conversation, understand more about why “every conversation counts”, and put my sharpie to work gathering the many “mic drop” moments and insights he offered.
You might want to get out your sharpie as you listen in too!
Reach out to continue this conversation with Riaz on his website HERE: www.RiazMeghji.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Brandi Morpurgo is the co-owner of Daisy Chain Book Co., and she runs two bookstores in Edmonton and Beaumont, Alberta and has worked hard to create a vibrant community of readers.
In a previous life she was a Social Worker and Foster Parent who had the wild idea to start Alberta’s first book truck - a bookshop on wheels.
That wild adventure took her all through central Alberta and gained attention around the world.
Brandi reads a lot, delights in the calm task of doing a puzzle while drinking whiskey and listening to audiobooks, and her favorite feeling is giggling with her grown daughters until someone snorts.
In our conversation today Brandi shares why she’s so passionate about creating community around books and how she has found success in developing the Daisy Chain Book community through book clubs.
We got to know each other as my team here at Candy has been working to support the planning of the Administrative Professionals Conference in Edmonton happening on May 3 – just a few days away.
Brandi believes that any event could benefit from having a local bookstore partner help curate both fiction and non-fiction titles for those in attendance.
She graciously agreed to host our “Explore More Book and Resource Store” by curating books that could help the Admin Pros in their career journey.
I can’t wait to see – and read – some of her recommendations!
Reach out to continue this conversation with Brandi by connecting through her website HERE - www.daisychainbook.co
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
'Segun Olude is a Graphic Design Professional, Design Educator, Storycrafter, Author, and my good friend.
'Segun is a certified professional graphic designer who has developed brands and identities for professionals, businesses, and institutions.
He is a Professional Member of Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (CGD Certified), with a range of skills in Graphic Design, Editorial Illustration, Editorial Design, Art Direction, Design Consulting, Design Education, and Design Seminar Facilitation.
'Segun has taught graphic design, design history, design theory and criticism, and other professional courses at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus and regularly speaks to virtual audiences at design conferences and seminars in Nigeria and internationally.
Along with his wife, Titi, 'Segun visits Nigeria every year to train and equip leaders for community development and transformation, primarily in rural areas.
In 2008 I met Segun as someone who could help me design the logo, look, and overall brand for my new company.
I had chosen the name “Candy Consulting” a year or two before meeting Segun the first time but had buried the name deep in my sketchbooks as I felt no one would take me seriously.
I’ve told the story many times about how I came into Segun’s office armoured up with a completely different direction for my brand. It was his kind personality, ability to listen, and expert design skills that gave me the grounding I needed in more ways than one.
Learn more about ‘Segun HERE: www.segunolude.com
See his photos and stories HERE: www.instagram.com/segunolude
Watch his PechKucha presentation HERE: https://www.pechakucha.com/presentations/a-conversation-with-my-25-year-old-self-brace-for-change
Watch his CreativeMorning Talk HERE: https://creativemornings.com/talks/virtual-what-s-in-your-story-box-segun-olude-on-design-and-storytelling-to-preserve-a-language/2
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
**Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca**
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
It’s Jaclyn Falkenberg’s calling in life is to support people to be successful.
This is most evident in her career that has stretched over 20 years working as an Administrative Professional in various sectors including youth justice, charity, and finance.
As a Senior Executive Assistant, she has supported five C-Suite Executives at TriWest Capital Partners, one of Canada’s leading private equity firms, for the last 10 years.
She’s an expert at juggling multiple and competing priorities, strategic planning, event coordination, and partnership building.
To enhance the scope of support she provides, she completed her Co-Active Leadership Coach training and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation.
She currently owns and operates Dare to Imagine Coaching Inc. and Indispensable EA Coaching & Consulting where she helps leaders maximize their personal and professional potential.
Jaclyn has been an active volunteer for many non-profits. She just recently served her third term as a board director at Kids Up Front Calgary.
As President of the Association of Administrative Professionals – or AAP – Calgary Branch, she is excited and honoured to lead an incredible team that supports administrative professionals to learn, grow and thrive and to advocate for the profession on a broad scale.
As a long-time partner with AAP branches across the country, it’s been my joy to connect with Administrative Professionals over the years.
But it’s extra special when I see the positive impact the group has in my own backyard here in Calgary!
• • • • •
Reach out to continue this conversation with Jaclyn Falkenberg on Linked in HERE or by email at aap.calgary.president@canadianadmin.ca
Learn more about AAP HERE www.canadianadmin.ca or – if you are in the Calgary area – register HERE for Canadian Administrative Professionals Summit 2023 taking place on Administrative Professionals Day – April 26. {Registration closes April 17, 2023}
• • • • •
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Dr. Victoria Burns, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary. She lives in Calgary, Alberta with her husband Hervé and Pinot, their grumpy poodle-bichon.
As a registered social worker, educator, researcher, and engaged activist she has invested her energy and expertise in the homelessness and addiction-recovery sphere for over 15 years. She comes to her work with lived experience of addiction, recovery, and disability.
Even with all her accomplishments, accolades, and awards I didn’t know of Victoria – her brave story of recovery – until last summer.
She was introduced to me by a mutual connection and I learned she was the Director of the UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) and Recovery On Campus (ROC) Alberta.
Together with her ROC Team – which now includes me and my Candy Team – Victoria is on a mission to co-create peer-driven campus communities that support and celebrate all pathways of recovery for students, faculty, and staff in Alberta, Canada and beyond.
I’ve had the joy of supporting the ROC Team as they officially launched the initiative in September of 2022 – helping them to strategically connect well with those they were looking to serve – the 26 Post-Secondary Institutions (PSI) spread far and wide in Alberta.
We’ve also started to coach these passionate PSI’s to plan events as the start of what will become a network of recovery communities in the province!
In our conversation today Victoria shares how the research shows that providing fun, informative, recovery-friendly events is one of the ways “community” is built on a campus.
And we're already seeing the result!
You can connect with Dr. Victoria Burns via LinkedIn HERE.
Read more about her work on the University of Calgary website HERE.
Learn more about UCalgary Recovery Community (UCRC) HERE.
Learn more about Recovery On Campus (ROC) Alberta HERE.
**Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community** is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Are you planning or promoting events for your business, organization, or group? Reach out and book a 30-Minute Hellowith podcast host, Candy Event Consulting Founder, and Connection Strategy Coach Lisa Gareau to share how you are creating connections through events!
Dr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister is a lifelong learner who lives out her leadership through service to others.
As an evidence-based chiropractor she provides exceptional and quality care to her patients through manual treatment, education, and rehabilitation exercises.
Since we first met, I have been intrigued and inspired by Dr. Rebecca’s focus on collaboration with both patients and partners.
She appreciates the role of all healthcare professionals within the healthcare system and fosters an inter-professional and collaborative approach to the care of each of her patients.
When I asked Dr. Rebecca what “Connection” meant to her she quickly pulled from Brené Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection, quoting, “Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.”
She believes it is imperative that her patients possess the self-confidence, and are equipped with the tools, to be active participants and self-advocates for their healthcare.
Dr. Rebecca lives out her value of connection in her practice and, in our talk today, she even mapped out the road to creating and maintaining groups that can lead participants to a greater experience of health but also better connection with each other!
You can find Dr. Rebecca-Jane McAllister via LinkedIn HERE or on her website HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Sharayah and Journee are deep thinkers, thoughtful connectors, and are sisters who have been through thick and thin together.
They are two of the most intriguing and inspiring people I know ... and just happen to be my daughters.
If you have been following my journey as I have built my business over the last 14 years, it’s almost guaranteed that you have seen snaps of my girls or heard my overwhelming gratitude that I get to be their Mom.
I was so thankful when Sharayah (26) and Journee (22) agreed to sit down with me to have the conversation about connection as they have been my constant companions and courage-building companions through thick and thin too.
For as long as I can remember the three of us have enjoyed mapping out a road trip, preparing the seats in the mini-van with big comfy blankets, packing up the dogs, cranking up the tunes and heading on the open road to enjoy time by a lake, in the mountains, or cruising over the Coquihalla Summit to visit my parents on the West Coast of Canada.
These road trips have been – and continue to be – times to shut out the world and connect but also to coil into deep conversation about current events and concepts we are curious about.
The miles we’ve travelled together have been a gift and the winding roads became a treasured thread through some very tough times.
Thank you for choosing to join us on today’s “road trip” as we chat about what connection means to them, what strategies they used to manage making friends through almost a dozen moves in their younger years, and what it’s like to navigate connection as bi-racial young adults.
If you’re snuggled in … let’s dive in!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Jessica McNaughton has learned that by chasing the things that bring her joy and that help her feel fulfilled – more would come.
She now spends her days following that positive energy and engaging with those that drive her purpose forward.
As the CEO, and Founder of memoryKPR technologies, Jessica is joyfully building a company committed to connecting the world through story.
She believes we all have more habits to capture media than ever before but fewer safe solutions to create and protect our stories for the future.
Jessica is ensuring we have somewhere to keep the most cherished memories for years to come.
Prior to starting memoryKPR, she was a C suite exec who spent 25+ years in progressively senior roles in some of Canada's most respected companies, building high-performance teams and managing transformational change.
As a busy Mom, Jessica jokes to her children often, that she has 3 kids, Jacob, Jakson, and memoryKPR. Something my kids could certainly identify with – lol!
I chatted with Jessica virtually from her home of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan about her exciting start up based out of the near-by, vibrant prairie city, Regina, the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.
I love how Jessica shares how connection – to her – feels like a big warm blanket that wraps us up and warms our relationships.
Given that she is calling on her long-time relationships to build a platform that helps us all create deep, lasting, long-time relationships – it’s a perfect analogy.
You can find Jessica via LinkedIn HERE or on the memoryKPR website HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Dr. John Rook is a passionate servant leader who champions the belief that poverty can be solved.
With a doctorate from Oxford University, he has spent years both at the front lines and in academia to gain both a theoretical and practical understanding of the issues facing people in poverty.
It is this perspective that makes him a desired speaker at conferences – tackling topics related to poverty and prosperity and policy change.
As the President & CEO of Simon House Recovery Centre, John builds trust with his practical, hands-on approach thanks to several decades of work in the trenches.
Simon House in Calgary, Alberta, has been in their community for over 40 years, and has been founded on a culture of care.
The goal of the organization is to guide and empower men to achieve long-term recovery from addiction and all its effects.
Under John’s leadership, and his empowered staff, Simon House leads from the Core Values of compassion, acceptance, respect, integrity, accountability, and innovation, and are leading the way in addiction treatment and lifelong recovery.
In our conversation we discussed that many going through challenges use substances to help them disconnect from life’s pain.
John shares with us how by building a trust-filled community at Simon House, men in the program can start a new journey, and begin the work of reconnecting with life in healthy ways!
You can find John by email at JRook@SimonHouse.com or learn more about Simon House on their website HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Preethi Balasubramanian, MBA, ACEA, CCAP, PACE learned from an early age the value of connection.
She soaked in the connection with her family growing up in India and naturally worked to bring friends together into that feeling of family as well!
Preethi has grown into her life path as an award winning, certified experienced Administrative and Human Resources professional with 15 years of experience supporting senior and C-suite executives, Board of Directors, and leading HR initiatives at various organizations from start-ups to large Multi-National Corporations.
Currently as the Owner of her own Virtual Executive Assistant business, the Wonder EA, Preethi provides administrative, social media and communication, people and HR, board governance and executive support services to coaches, speakers, and small entrepreneurs.
Preethi holds an MBA degree with a double major in Human Resources and Information Technology.
She also obtained a Certificate in Business Communication for The University of Toronto and participated in The Leadership in Administration Program at The Rotman School of Business. She holds the international designation as an Advanced Certificate for the Executive Assistant (ACEA).
She also has the Canadian designation Canadian Certified Administrative Professional (CCAP) and the American designation Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE).
Preethi and I met in her role as the President of the Toronto Branch of the Association of Administrative Professionals of Canada where I have been investing as a long-time partner through Candy Event Consulting, supporting Admin Pros who plan and promote their own events.
What a joy to learn more about Preethi in our conversation and be inspired by her unique and infectious way of creating connections!
You can find Preethi on LinkedIn HERE – or on her Wonder EA website – HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
I had been following James Robilotta, CSP – an accomplished author, speaker, coach, and emcee – on LinkedIn over the last couple of months but it wasn’t his credentials that caught my eye – it was his keen focus on authentic connections that made me curious.
When inviting him to a conversation about connection (that I recorded for you all to share in) it was cool to hear how his definition of “Connection” was right in line with the foundation of our Candy Community – specifically that connection grows when all feel “seen, heard, and considered”.
James has aspired to live his life authentically – for his whole life – and chose to put pen to paper in 2015 to write his first book “Leading Imperfectly – The Value of Being Authentic for Leaders, Professionals, and Human Beings."
Long before the book came to be, James had been speaking internationally to willing & unwilling audiences about curiosity, authentic leadership, and vulnerability since 2009.
He now speaks to over 60 groups a year, bringing his thought-provoking talks, each one infused with self-awareness and comedy stemming from his background as a trained stand-up and improv comedian.
His clients include American Express, General Electric (GE), Accenture, SHRM, ATD, Yale University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and many others.
It’s his goal to leave audiences feeling happier and ready to take on their responsibilities and the world.
I’m all for that.
Thanks James.
I was able to visit James virtually who was in his home in St Paul, Minnesota. You can find James on LinkedIn HERE – or on his website – HERE. www.JamesTRobo.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Lindsey Sinclair is an active listener, big picture brainstormer, passionate problem solver, energetic educator, and – yes – a natural connector.
Lindsey happily puts all these skills – and her ability to show up authentically – to her work as the Business Development Manager at Tourism Canmore Kananaskis.
Her background in events began over a decade ago from coordinating festivals to then working as a supplier in a Destination Management Company (DMC), to diving into the Destination Management Organization (DMO) world where she now is a resource for planners who look to host their events in Canmore and Kananaskis.
Like many people emerging from lockdowns in the travel, tourism, and “events world” – Lindsey and I reconnected with a renewed enthusiasm and curiosity to explore what could be next for connectors like us!
On October 22-23 I hosted Candy’s first 2-day, deep-dive retreat for everyday event planners – The Ultimate Event Experience in Banff, Alberta, Canada.
The room was filled with comfy chairs, coffees in hand, and concentrated conversation about how to create alignment between who we truly are and how we show up to the world around us.
We then applied that learning a to find alignment between the purpose of our events and how we could share that purpose with others.
Lindsey agreed to jump in to not only learn with the small group of seven in-house and do-it-yourself event planners over the two days, but also showed up to offer feedback in our “Purpose Presentation” portion of the weekend.
In our conversation today Linsey unpacks some insight she received from her time at The Ultimate, and shares her thoughts on shifting from being approval-driven to living authentically!
You can find Lindsey on LinkedIn HERE – or on the Tourism Canmore Kananaskis website – HERE. www.ExploreCanmore.ca
Production Note: This episode was previously recorded the week after Candy's retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - that took place on October 22-23, 2022
#candyevent_theultimate #candyeventretreat2022 #candyeventcommunity #candyeventworkshops #candyeventacademy #candyeventconsulting #theconnectionarchitect #lisagareauconnectioncoach
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Kyle Craik is a martial arts black belt, wellness community builder, and the Founder of The Wellness Dojo*.
When Kyle thinks about connection he thinks about community.
His journey to a black belt took patience, care, and an ability to embrace the journey.
It also took a network that was ready to support him, push him, lift up him up, and – yes even knock him down (in a healthy way!) – so he could get stronger.
With nearly 30 years in martial arts, he has brought the world of discipline, learning, self-exploration, and focus that martial arts taught him and created a community built to help anyone take control of living a healthier life.
At Candy’s first 2-day deep-dive retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - Kyle led us through an exclusive, poolside "martial arts 101” wellness session.
The few of us that joined in felt a bit out of our element as newbies, but we also felt that warm the feeling of connection.
Now Kyle finds joy working with his clients in the areas of massage therapy, fitness and nutrition coaching, and martial arts and, and, in our conversation today, shares how anyone can become a "Wellness Black Belt"!
You can find Kyle – and discuss how he could help you on your wellness journey – HERE. Interested to hear the inspirational story of Pam, one of Kyles clients? You can find Pam's Story HERE!*Curious what the word "Dojo" means? Listen in to find out!
Production Note: This episode was previously recorded before Candy's retreat - The Ultimate Event Experience - that took place on October 22-23, 2022
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Ever since she was young, Lucy Braizer, OBE, has been driven to drive people together to have conversations.
As one of the world’s leading authorities on the administrative profession, CEO of Marcham Publishing, specialist publishers of Executive Support Magazine, Lucy’s passion is for the Assistant role to be truly recognized as a career and not just a job.
With access to the most forward-thinking, passionate, and knowledgeable administrative business leaders in the world, as well as personally meeting and speaking to literally thousands of Assistants over the last 10 years, Lucy’s knowledge of the market and what Assistants all over the world are facing on a day-to-day basis are second to none. In 2021 Lucy was awarded an OBE in recognition for her services to office professionals.
In a survey conducted by Lucy’s team, she found 87% of assistants plan events as part of their role. That’s no surprise as Lucy shares the assistant’s superpower is process and procedure ... all mixed up with great people skills. Who better to plan events for a business, organization, or group!
We talked about the difference between “teamwork” and “collaboration”. Brilliantly, Lucy shares how collaboration is not just working together, it’s thinking together.
She advocates that it’s time for Executives and Assistants to start thinking together so that – together – they can work toward larger, more meaningful goals.
Lucy now lives in Spain – 100 meters from the sea – which is where I caught up with her for this conversation.
You can find Lucy anytime – even as she travels the around the globe with her message – HERE. Find a Resources and Conversations on her Executive Support Magazine Channel on YouTube HERE.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Trish Tutton helps organizations and individuals learn to use mindfulness to reduce stress and anxiety so that they can thrive in life and at work.
After years working in cultures where stress and burnout were seemingly the only way to success, Trish suffered a shocking loss and things became clear: stress is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to dictate our lives.
As a speaker and mindfulness teacher, Trish has taught the skills to live and work happier to thousands of professionals and has created positive change for her clients to become happier, more productive, effective and successful without the busy badge of honour.
In our conversation today Trish shares with us what it means to “re-member” who we are by reconnecting the parts of us that have been scattered.
You can find her as a teacher on the #1 free meditation app in the world, Insight Timer, and she is the author of the Mindful Mornings Journal.
Her warmth and wisdom shine through in her coaching and training … and just as much in this conversation.
You can find Trish on her website HERE, Instagram at @trish_tutton or on Facebook at Trish Tutton Mindfulness page HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Caitlyn Hamblin is a natural connector, creator, and podcast enthusiast.
She learned from her mom – who she called the "Mayor of Truro, Nova Scotia" – how to walk up to anyone and make them feel seen, heard, and considered.
Caitlyn is an Executive Assistant in Business Development and Marketing at Lindsay Construction based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia near Halifax, an Atlantic Ocean port in eastern Canada - the provincial capital of Nova Scotia.
A leader in her profession, she now puts her “connection savvy” to work as the President of the Atlantic Branch of the Association of Administrative Professionals (AAP).
And AAP is the reason we met - and became fast friends at at the AAP National Conference in PEI this last June where I was honoured to be chosen to speak to the dynamic and dedicated Administrative Professionals in attendance.
In our conversation Caitlyn expressed how “when we’re surrounded by people we naturally connect with, we can do great things."!
Her new passion project, “Cait Collabs”, launched in 2022 with the goal of connecting brands and generating collaborations between big-picture creative women. Her collaborative initiative is such a great example of her belief in action!
Connections can be polished, professional, and also be a lot of fun like the doing goofy Instagram reels on a cold beach in PEI! (Yes, you'll hear that story when you listen in.)
Caitlyn also reminds us that keeping connections strong we need to be intentional about reaching out while – at the same time – taking care of ourselves along the way.
This conversation was a fun one and became a natural first episode for Season 2. I think it will set the tone for our new season The Connector Next Door and I hope you do too.
Welcome back Connectors!
You can find Caitlyn on LinkedIn HERE and check out her new passion project “Cait Collabs” on Instagram HERE.
A special note as of September 24, 2022: My conversation with Caitlyn was recorded before the devastating “historic” storm hit Atlantic Canada. The next days and weeks will be difficult for those in the area because of Hurricane Fiona. We wish all those affected a safe and speedy recovery once the wind and water recedes.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
My long-time, dear friend, Grace Gee, is a Chinese Canadian who now resides in Louisville, Colorado.
Grace has lived and worked in Canada, the US and Hong Kong and has traveled widely in Europe and Asia.
It was over 25 years ago that we met in Calgary, working side by side at a postal plant conveyor belt sorting holiday packages to their final destinations. We both knew our time there would be short lived, but our friendship endured.
Grace is an artist.
Her life and work as an artist have been deeply influenced by her bi-cultural upbringing and she’s strongly rooted in spiritual growth, healing, and transformation.
As she explains in our conversation today, her art holds space for vulnerability to exist, and her upcoming installation is evidence of how deeply that is true for her.
Grace has exhibited across the US, in both group and solo exhibitions and her award-winning work has brought her invitations to exhibitions, artist residencies, interviews, and even published works.
What a joy, on this my last episode of Season one, to sit down and explore how art can awaken us to the value and importance of deep connection with each other.
You can find Grace on her website HERE ( www.HealingGraceStudio.com ) and on Instagram HERE*.
Learn more about her Brave Pathways Exhibit HERE .*
You can participate in her upcoming project Bubbling Up: Giving Voice to Injustice *at the following two events:
• History Colorado Center in Denver on May 7th for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Wellness Day Event.
• Denver Zoo (at the Toyota Elephant Plaza) on May 15th for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Heritage Celebration Event.
You can contact Grace by email to learn more, connect, volunteer, or support her work at HealingGraceStudio@gmail.com*
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Christa Hiebert is a soulful advocate who approaches life with open arms; no challenge is too mighty.
As a community builder, Office Manager and Executive Assistant at Alaris Equity Partners, and a dedicated mom of two girls, she looks at every challenge as a chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
She’s an igniter and inspiring leader who serves as the volunteer President of the Calgary Branch of The Association of Administrative Professionals.
Since Christa and I met a couple of years ago I have admired her sass, grit, and unshakable belief to change the status quo.
We became fast friends and aligned in our desire to empower those working behind the scenes to make their companies, organizations, and communities stronger and more connected to those they work to serve.
It was with that grit and a growing appreciation for those that have fought – and are still fighting – for our freedom that she advocated to paint a Poppy Crosswalk in her home of Chestermere, Alberta and founded "Glorious and Free" a Canadian Veterans Awareness Group in 2021.
In her downtime her thirst for adventure takes over and has landed her on multiple wake surfing podiums and her fearless tenacity guides her through avalanche terrain on her snowmobile.
Today she continues to use her platform to uplift others while staying connected, supported, educated, and empowered to shine.
You can find Christa on LinkedIn HERE, learn more about the Association of Administrative Professionals HERE, or support her “Glorious and Free” initiatives HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Wakefield Brewster – “Da Lyrical Pitbull” – is a proud, professional poet, spoken word artist, and Professional Poetic Interpreter™️.
Since January 1999, Wakefield has been known as one of Canada’s most popular and prolific Performance Poets.
He is a black man born and raised in Toronto, by parents hailing from the island of beautiful Barbados, and he has called Calgary home since 2006.
In 2019, he was appointed as the very First Resident Poet & Spoken Word Artist of The Grand Theatre House in Calgary, Alberta and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the E.A.R. Society – Emergency Artist’s Relief Society, providing emergency relief funding and affordable Health Care for Artists.
Wakefield says one of his greatest presents to the world is bringing a poetic presence into places where people don’t expect poetry to be.
In this age of information and sharing stories, Wakefield believes in the power language and in this artistic form – the live expression of these stories. He believes poetry is a way of bringing people together. A way to create safe place for people to connect.
These days Wakefield is everywhere but it was a gift to slow down, have a seat on his virtual couch, and discuss how connection is built through poetry and to hear more about the passion he carries for the spoken word … and it’s unifying nature.
You can find Wakefield – everywhere online – AND at his NEW website at www.WakefieldBrewster.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Evan Babins is a self-proclaimed “adrenaline junkie”, a tech savvy event producer, and event industry trendsetter.
He has managed event logistics and technical event production for many world class clients like: Nissan Canada, Equitable Bank, Kia Canada, Novartis, and Bristol-Myers Squibb, just to name a few. He continues his passion for events as the new Events & Marketing Manager for Klir.
He has hard-won, long-time, experience in both the live, hybrid, and virtual event spaces. That experience has won him a reputation as someone to watch as the events grow and change in the months and years to come.
Evan has been listed as one of BizBash’s Top 250 Event Professionals and one of Special Event Magazine's “Top 20 Young Event Pro's to Watch”.
He believes it’s so important that event planners come together to share ideas, resources, and connections.
When we open the curtain to reveal the experts behind the scenes, we can all learn what it means to create a seamless event production by connecting well with our event teams, partners, and attendees.
Evan sat down with me for this virtual visit from his home in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and quickly shared how it’s his desire to work with good people, doing good work, for good clients.
I’m thankful to have met Evan – a truly good person in the events industry – and to be able share our conversation with you all!
You can find Evan and continue the conversation on LinkedIn HERE
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Nita Knapp has lived – and invested her ability to connect – in small rural communities all her life.
She grew up in Evansburg, Alberta – a community of 700 people and then “moved up in the world” to a community 1500 people when she moved at 17 to Mayerthorpe, Alberta.
In spring of 2021 I met Nita – and fell in love with her heart for people – as we both participated in a community for coaches that were learning to change the story in their minds and embracing new ways of creating connections and opportunities in their lives and businesses.
Now, in her work as a Mind Renewal Coach, Nita serves clients and kindly guides them to live in alignment with their unique purpose. It’s her passion to see women gain clarity on what is holding them back and start living their lives with purpose.
Nita’s goals this year are to create events, workshops, and talks that will resonate deeply with women globally.
She knows from experience, when women are ignited and in alignment with their purpose, they become alive in their uniqueness and this bright light is “sprinkled” on those around them.
But how do we “renew our minds”? In our conversation today Nita encourages us to become aware of our toxic thoughts, to tear about what’s not working, and reconstructing our mind with purpose.
You can link through here to find Nita and connect on Facebook and Instagram.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by Candy Event Consulting : Making Your Team Stronger
Vanisha Breault is a fighter.
We all have our battles in life but Vanisha’s “war on addiction” has come from her fight for survival – for herself, her children, her family and their future.
Over the last decade, her fight has gone beyond her own family as now she is on a “tour of duty” in the war on addiction and says, “we can NEVER give up on HOPE! If our kids are above ground, there is HOPE!”
Vanisha’s fight and passion led her to start the Terminator Foundation which tackles the mental health, opioid, and addition crisis in Canada by offering triathlon training for youth and young adults.
Vanisha has come to her work through a lifetime of challenges and has bravely shared some of those challenges in her recently released her book “Ordinary Courage”.
She shows up on the pages in a real and raw way. The same way she shows up everywhere in her life. She’s not shy to share about the hardest – but most rewarding – job she’s ever had – being a Mom.
She is a passionate single parent and openly shares that 3 out of her 4 children have struggled with addiction issues - nearly costing each one of them their lives.
In our conversation today Vanisha shares what it has meant to her to show up authentically in every situation. To her that is the meaning of connection – to first get in touch with ourselves and then to pour our lives into the lives of others knowing there is hope for anyone that is ready to see it.
You can find Vanisha and continue the conversation on LinkedIn HERE or learn more about Terminator Foundation at www.TerminatorFoundation.com and you can find - and link to purchase - Vanisha’s new book “Ordinary Courage” at www.VanishaBreault.com.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Dawn O’Connor is the founder of Focus Bubbles and the facilitator of connection, community, and productivity!
Focus Bubbles is a membership-based virtual coworking platform, supporting knowledge workers to be productive from home or wherever they chose to work.
Dawn says, “Hosting Bubbles, and supporting our team of facilitators, is the most gratifying job of my entire career. Every day I am curious and excited to learn what people are working on.”
She sees the enthusiasm, wisdom, and support that members share with each other and how – thanks to the Focus Bubbles format – they get through some tough tasks on some tough days.
Dawn has been learning – and teaching what she has learned – about productivity best practices and process improvement for 30 years.
Whether she is hosting micro-events like the Focus Bubbles with a dozen or more participants or coordinating larger retreats and conferences for groups like the Women Presidents' Organization, Dawn’s goal is to foster a feeling of community.
In our conversation, Dawn stressed that – to be a connector – it comes down to really listening to others, recording points of interest, and recalling that information when it matters.
Connecting well is part magic and part mastery … and Dawn has it all!
You can find Dawn and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about Focus Bubbles at www.FocusBubbles.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
My Life Lessons Part Four & What Inspired Level Four of The Connection Architect Program by Lisa Gareau • Event Marketing
Lisa Gareau has lived a life that has both informed and inspired her work as a Connection Strategy Coach.
Since founding Candy Event Consulting in 2008, she has helped guide 1000’s of planners and their teams to build more meaningful connections with their customers, clients, and community members.
In this 4-part storytelling series, Lisa shares some of her life lessons and how those lessons have set the foundation for her new "connection-first" course and community, The Connection Architect Certificate Program.
Lisa has come to believe meaningful connections start when event planners learn to Master the Four Levels of Event Planning & Promotion with Candy's Event Building Blueprint.
Level One • EVENT STRATEGY
Level Two • EVENT PLANNING
Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS
Level Four • EVENT MARKETING
If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you already know events can be used to grow your business, create a positive impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas.
After the sharp, connection-severing impact of the global pandemic the world needs the natural, bold, creative connectors to step up. Your customers, clients, and community members need you to step up too!
The Connection Architect Course & Community is for the impact-driven event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan.
Contact Us to Learn More!
My Life Lessons Part Three & What Inspired Level Three of The Connection Architect Program by Lisa Gareau • Event Stakeholders
Lisa Gareau has lived a life that has both informed and inspired her work as a Connection Strategy Coach.
Since founding Candy Event Consulting in 2008, she has helped guide 1000’s of planners and their teams to build more meaningful connections with their customers, clients, and community members.
In this 4-part storytelling series, Lisa shares some of her life lessons and how those lessons have set the foundation for her new "connection-first" course and community, The Connection Architect Certificate Program.
Lisa has come to believe meaningful connections start when event planners learn to Master the Four Levels of Event Planning & Promotion with Candy's Event Building Blueprint.
Level One • EVENT STRATEGY
Level Two • EVENT PLANNING
Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS
Level Four • EVENT MARKETING
If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you already know events can be used to grow your business, create a positive impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas.
After the sharp, connection-severing impact of the global pandemic the world needs the natural, bold, creative connectors to step up. Your customers, clients, and community members need you to step up too!
The Connection Architect Course & Community is for the impact-driven event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan.
Contact Us to Learn More!
My Life Lessons Part Two & What Inspired Level Two of The Connection Architect Program by Lisa Gareau • Event Planning
Lisa Gareau has lived a life that has both informed and inspired her work as a Connection Strategy Coach.
Since founding Candy Event Consulting in 2008, she has helped guide 1000’s of planners and their teams to build more meaningful connections with their customers, clients, and community members.
In this 4-part storytelling series, Lisa shares some of her life lessons and how those lessons have set the foundation for her new "connection-first" course and community, The Connection Architect Certificate Program.
Lisa has come to believe meaningful connections start when event planners learn to Master the Four Levels of Event Planning & Promotion with Candy's Event Building Blueprint.
Level One • EVENT STRATEGY
Level Two • EVENT PLANNING
Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS
Level Four • EVENT MARKETING
If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you already know events can be used to grow your business, create a positive impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas.
After the sharp, connection-severing impact of the global pandemic the world needs the natural, bold, creative connectors to step up. Your customers, clients, and community members need you to step up too!
The Connection Architect Course & Community is for the impact-driven event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan.
Contact Us to Learn More!
Lisa's Life Lessons and What Inspired Level One of The Connection Architect Certificate Program Lisa Gareau has lived a life that has both informed and inspired her work as a Connection Strategy Coach.
Since founding Candy Event Consulting in 2008, she has helped guide 1000’s of planners and their teams to build more meaningful connections with their customers, clients, and community members.
In this 4-part storytelling series, Lisa shares some of her life lessons and how those lessons have set the foundation for her new "connection-first" course and community, The Connection Architect Certificate Program.
Lisa has come to believe meaningful connections start when event planners learn to Master the Four Levels of Event Planning & Promotions with Candy's Event Building Blueprint.Level One • EVENT STRATEGY
Level Two • EVENT PLANNING
Level Three • EVENT STAKEHOLDERS
Level Four • EVENT MARKETING
If you are planning and promoting events for your business, organization, or group, you already know events can be used to grow your business, create a positive impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas.
After the sharp, connection-severing impact of the global pandemic the world needs the natural, bold, creative connectors to step up. Your customers, clients, and community members need you to step up too!
The Connection Architect Course & Community is for the impact-driven event planner who is ready to build more meaningful connections through the events they plan.Contact Us to Learn More!
Kim Westlund is an Entrepreneur, Speaker, Moderator and Podcast Host who is focused on connecting people with their purpose and helping them tell their unique life and business story.
2021 was a big year for her as she took the leap and launched her new entrepreneurial journey with Channel One Productions along with The Business B-side Podcast!
Kim and I have been good friends for many years and our time together always consists of expansive conversations about life, relationships, and purposeful work.
One reason I love chatting with Kim is her ability to bring meaningful insights to tough challenges thanks to her diverse career and leadership roles that have spanned over 30 years – including the arts, theatre, and even banking!
Kim gained recognition as a leader in business communities throughout Alberta, facilitating in-depth panel discussions with entrepreneurs to better understand their roadmap through struggle to find success.
She has faced challenging years and hard circumstances in her life, but she is using her story to fuel inspiration for others to also find their voice and share their unique story.
Our conversation in this episode centred around the value of a good story and the impact it has on those listening in.
But Kim – being Kim – took it a layer deeper by sharing a bit of her own story and her insatiable drive to help others articulate their own story and find the courage to share it!
You can find Kim and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about Channel One Productions HERE and listen in to The Business B-Side Podcast by linking through HERE.
PS ... I even had the chance to share my story and my passion for building meaningful connections through events on Kim’s podcast ... you can listen in here HERE!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
On December 24, 2021 my Mom, Mary Bartel, turns 89. Her legacy of connection inspired and influenced my life and work like no other.
Mary was the 10th child in a family of 11 kids. Her mom, my Grandma, loved to have guests in their home – no matter if there was food to feed them or a clean couch to sit on. Grandpa was always ready to feed the horses even if surprise guests would visit their farm.
I have come to know this as “radical hospitality” and this is something I talk about a lot as a Connection Strategy Coach!
Even though my Mom was raised in a humble home, it was filled with constant conversation, big dreams, … and lot of music! Her love for music brought her out of her shell and started her on the road to becoming a connector and community builder she is, even today.
As she grew older, her drive to connect others together through music matched perfectly with my Dad’s natural way of encouraging others as a teacher and eventually a pastor.
They married young and started their life of travel, adventure, and investing deeply in every community they called home.
It was a gift to be able to travel from Calgary to Abbotsford to celebrate our family Christmas early. Even my sisters were able to fly in from Winnipeg and Armstrong to join in.
The icing on the Christmas cake for me was to get the chance to interview my mom and hear more of her story, record it, and now share it with you.
I have experienced firsthand how important it is to her to build a legacy of lasting connections. I hope through this conversation you’ll be inspired to build and leave a legacy of your own.
Happy Birthday Mom!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!
Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
On her Linkedin ProfileCandace Giesbrecht, CPHR, ACC describes herself as a Remote Performance Coach, Strategic HR Consultant, Mentally Healthy Workplaces Champion, Word Lover, and Community Builder.
Candace is the Director of the Remote Performance Academy with Teamit.com, Teamit is the leader in modern talent strategy, helping growth-focused companies recruit, cultivate, and sustain high-performing remote teams.
She is a Strategic HR coach and consultant with over 25 years of senior leadership experience in both the not-for-profit and private sectors.
With expertise in social work, human resources, and organizational leadership, she has a broad and deep toolbox to draw from.
Her passion is helping leaders and organizations of all sizes to find the sweet spot between excellence in employee experience and business success.
It was interesting to hear Candace describe connection as survival as she, her husband (my cousin Brent!), and teenage son live in the beautiful Okanagan Valley which has been hard hit by fires, floods, and landslides.
Her perspective is a valuable one as she has learned to not only connect to survive throughout her life but has adapted this concept to her work with leaders and teams.
We’re all about “connection first” here at Candy, and I’m confident Candace will give you some new – and inspiring – insight on why connections really are at the heart of great teams.
You can find Candace and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about Teamit at https://teamit.com/
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Michelle Hrycauk Nassif is the Founder of I AM A Feminine Leader, helping women “Identify, Articulate, and Embody” their unique feminine leadership style so they can project their leader's voice, transform lived experiences into powerful lessons, and take inspired action – all with the goal of creating a more meaningful lives for themselves and their families.
As a stay-at-home mom turned Founder, Michelle transitioned back into the workforce during the pandemic and knows intimately the struggles all parents face with managing career and home life.
Through coaching, mentorship, and her I AM Editorials project, Michelle encourages both women - and men - to connect intimately with their feminine power.
Michelle and I first met in 2019 when she was leading a group of Administrative Professionals from her Edmonton home. We have since become great friends and unshakeable allies.
Our conversation was recorded from her new home in Puerto Rico just as she started an “intentional pause” from social media in early December.
She may be on a pause from posting publicly but Michelle’s purpose as a connector is clear, and – as you’ll hear – her passion for leaders to support the “connectors” on their teams is strong.
You can find Michelle and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about I AM a Feminine Leader at https://www.iamafeminineleader.com/
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever!Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Skevi Constantinou is a highly experienced former Executive Assistant who is a dream builder and a firm believer that, when in a supportive community, assistants and business support professionals really can level up.
Skevi spoke to me from her home in Birmingham, England, UK and shared how connection to her means “community” and her experience of community is clearly the foundation for her award winning and global lifestyle platform, The PA Way.
She ensures that her members feel valued, nurtured, and listened to by hosting fun and empowering in-person and online events for both their personal and professional development.
With Skevi at the helm, I’m sure ALL feel valued, nurtured, and listened to. And that sounds like community to me!
The PA Way came to her in a dream while working in a full-time executive assistant role. That dream has led her to a self-taught journey of levelling up and calling others to level up in their profession as well!
Skevi truly understands that it’s time to shine the light on the profession and to ensure that those within it are truly celebrated, recognized and rewarded.
Through our conversation I could see how much she values The PA Way “Loyal Royals” and is helping to take her view of community to the next level!
You can find Skevi and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or join The PA Way community at https://thepaway.co.uk/Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Jason Bacon is a coach, consultant, and champion of entrepreneurship.
As the founder of Sunstone Strategic he works with startups, side hustlers, and solopreneurs. Sunstone was built with the mission of 'Moving Business Forward'.
But it’s not all business for Jason. He’s written a book, called Entrepreneur-ish - Inspiration and Lesson’s in Entrepreneurship from Vikings, Pirates, and Samurai.
With its December release he’s having some fun digging into history but is also challenging the current view of what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Jason says entrepreneurship is about ACTION – not just the title of “Entrepreneur”.
When I first met Jason I was telling him about our upcoming course and community called The Connection Architect as I wanted to build cohorts that were active, moving, growing, and connecting well with each other.
Jason is a master at building active cohorts and encourages entrepreneurs to explore who they are, what they know, and WHO is in their circle that can help them grow!
Here in Candy, when we work with impact-driven event planners, the same principles apply.
Actively engaging in our projects, our people, and our partnerships is the only way forward!
You can find Jason and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about Sunstone Strategic here https://www.sunstonestrategic.com/Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Joel Olandeca is an Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Event Professional, Event Technology Innovator, and current Chair of Canada’s, International Live Events Association or “ILEA”.
Joel is the creator and co-founder of SOS Charging Solutions and SOS Web.AR.SOS is known for providing mobile device charging at events across the globe, but for them it's more than just charging.
Imagine an event where attendees are sitting on the floor next to a plug and are worried about how they are going to make their phones last until the end of the day.
Now imagine your event where guests are provided with a charger conveniently placed on their table: they use the event app, text their spouse, follow the sponsor on IG, plug their phone in and then shake hands with the colleague charging beside them.
In addition to keeping events #chargedup, and providing a unique way for brands to reach attendees, the SOS solutions are well known to bring people together.
With SOS Web.AR, Joel and his team are continuing to help planners enhance the event experience by combining digital elements with the real world - effectively and simply.
Joel is a passionate advocate for the events industry and the impact it has on the global economy and culture. He has served as the President of the International Live Events Association - Calgary Chapter, and is currently Chair for ILEA Canada.
In addition to being an entrepreneur, innovator, and educator, he is also a firm believer of giving back to others. Joel is an avid volunteer who loves to support causes that are close to his heart.
In our conversation today, we not only talked about the current state of events, but what can be designed, developed, and reimagined for the future!
You can find Joel and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about SOS Charging Solutions at https://soschargingsolutions.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the impact-driven event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Elan Marko is the founder of Deep Work Sprints, a virtual coworking world that helps entrepreneurs build a 2hr work day, so they can land more clients and get more work done … all from home!
He started his first business when he was 10 years of age and moved on to formal education at the Richard Ivey School of Business.
I first met Elan when I was invited to join his session to discuss how coaches, speakers, and leaders could better facilitate groups online. With COVID-19 shut-downs becoming the reality for many of us, successfully moving our workshops, meetings, and connections to virtual platforms was so important.
Elan’s facilitation of that meeting was a great example of how he works to provide fun and engaging experiences – even online. By the end of the discussion, we all felt a close connection with him, and each other!
Based in Toronto, Elan not only runs Deep Work Sprints, but is on a mission to help entrepreneurs positively impact the world and accomplish their goals faster. His ability to balance having fun and getting things done is contagious!
Facts I find fun about Elan are the fact that he has rock-climbed over 400,000 vertical feet, across over 300 cliffs around the world, he created the Flash Mob High-5 Run – randomly high-fiving strangers as you’re running (yes, pre-COVID!), and once asked Heather Reisman, Indigo’s CEO & Chief Booklover – aka. “Heather’s Picks” - what she’d do with 500 extra hours.
Even though Elan is getting ready to start an exciting new chapter as a new father, he’s not slowing down and plans to travel and work with the family in their converted sprinter van they built from scratch.
You can find Elan and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or join the Deep Work Sprints community at http://deepworksprints.com Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
My good friend Vince is one of those people that, when you start a conversation, you just want to keep going. There is always another idea, thought, or theory to discuss.
Vince has lived a rich life in the military, in sales, and now works as a high performance coach to entrepreneurs. His investment in empowering other coaches has also made him the "coaches coach" as he brings Calgary and area coaches together to learn and get support!
With Remembrance Day coming up this week on November 11, I asked Vince to come on as my guest to talk about what sparked his desire at an early age to join the military, what he learned about connecting well with others, and how his experience has influenced his life and work as a coach to entrepreneurs and business owners.
In addition to his story, you'll hear his heart, his passion, and his desire to make a difference in his world.
Connection means something special to him because of the time he spent in the military. He was personally on a mission - but the connections he made with those who "had his back" deeply impacted him and influence his work to this day.
Vince says, "If we can get curious and clear about what we want, the impact we want to make, and why it matters, then regardless of challenges, obstacles, and suffering, progress can be made. It isn’t about restricting how we think and feel. It’s about shifting how we think and feel in a way that maintains a high performance, which in turn accelerates and amplifies the impact we want to make in the world."
No wonder Vince and I have such great conversations every time we meet!
You can find Vince at and continue the conversation with him on LinkedIn or learn more about his work at VinceFowler.ca
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the impact-driven event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
When I think of Tollisha Joseph, I get a smile on my face and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from the give-and-take of a good relationship.
My new friend from Florida has boundless energy, an appetite for meaningful conversation, and a kindness in making connections that emerges from her core.
Tollisha teaches Founders & CEOs how to master the art of networking to get on the "YES" side of their business. She shows them how effective networking can increase your value potential and visibility which will increase their earnings. Her work to develop networking and revenue strategies is her passion.
In her 10 years of experience as a Networking Strategist, she has created ways for leaders to create and send out the right messages – and words - that will stick through her business The Official Glue.
Over the last few months, we have collaborated on various platforms, co-hosted conversations about connections, and are looking forward to growing together in the months to come.
Tollisha believes true connection is wrapped in a sense of authenticity and intimacy. As we discuss, intimacy is a 2 way street when building our teams and our network as we grow!
You can find Tollisha and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about her work at The Official Glue.
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the impact-driven event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
A couple of years ago I was asked to give a presentation for event planners talking about mental health in the event planning industry.
It was a daunting request as the topic was so personal to me but also because I had never felt free to share how the stress of event planning - that we often glorify - became an overwhelming weight, caused periods of breakdown, and created acute feelings of burnout in my work and eventually in my life.
As event planners we often pride ourselves in being busy, handling "all the things", and keeping everyone on task and on time.
But what about when we don't.
What about when we can't get out of bed and get busy in our work?
What happens when can't carry the weight of "all the things" any more?
Where do we turn when we can't even keep ourselves "on task" and "on time" ... let alone our teams?
There are ways to recognize the signs of burnout. There are ways to manage your passion for your work. There are supports to help you heal and mentors to help keep you motivated and moving in your event planning.
It's important to explore what mental health awareness looks like for ourselves, for our industry, and for the people that are around us on our planning teams.
My hope is that you will find hope in my story and start moving from feelings of Burning Out to Burning Bright.
Lisa Gareau,
Connect Strategy Coach for Impact-Driven Event Planners
& Founder of Candy Event Consulting
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If you are struggling and could benefit from a conversation with me or a weekly connection with others, take a look at the Candy Supports below. I have committed to be with event planners on their journey to sweet success and that means through times of stress and uncertainty too!
BOOK A CONVERSATION WITH LISA GAREAU, CONNECTION STRATEGY COACH
If you are struggling, please reach out, book a conversation with me, and let's discuss how you can take a step away from burn out and get on the path to burning bright. You can book 30 minutes with me for free at https://calendly.com/candyeventconsulting/30min
THE PLANNERS POP-IN : THE WEEKLY MORNING MINGLE FOR EVENT PLANNERS
If you are ready to get real and get in conversation with your planning peers I invite you to pull up a chair to the Candy table every Wednesday from 8:30 - 9:30 AM MST to hear from event-loving leaders, and lend your voice to the conversation.
You can register here for free https://plannerspopin.eventbrite.ca
After 30 years planning events, and 12 years since founding Candy Event Consulting, it's still my dream to see event planning teams embrace their brilliance, activate their experience, and cultivate meaningful connections for their businesses, organizations, and groups.
How we gather in and for our businesses, organizations, or groups has changed - so we'll have lots to chat about!
We hope to have you at the table!
Lisa Gareau,
Connection Strategy Coach
& Founder, Candy Event Consulting
Rivers Corbett was born to be an entrepreneur!
As he says on his LinkedIn profile he was fortunate to discover this path in his early twenties and has been pursuing that path ever since.
He’s a serial entrepreneur of numerous companies, TEDx speaker, Entrepreneur in Residence for the province of New Brunswick, video author of 13 Fears of Entrepreneurs, host of the Startup Canada Podcast, author of The Bootstrapper's Guide to Business Success, and now the CEO and Founder of ChefTorial.
Together with his AskRivers team, he specifically works with culinary professionals who wish to start and grow a 6-figure virtual business allowing them to work anywhere, anytime.
Rivers has already been leaving the trails of his legacy by creating a community of chefs at ChefTorial that are turning around to help BUILD communities through engaging experiences through food … ALL peppered with fun!
I reached Rivers in his home in Montreal to chat about what connection means to him, how he has learned to be intentional when building connections, and how a sense of humour and a dash of humility can open the door to deeper connections over time.
You can find Rivers and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or learn more about Cheftorial at www.ChefTorial.com
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the impact-driven event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca
The Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Jordan Guildford is a small-town Nova Scotian girl who moved to Calgary in 2014.
It was getting close to the Christmas holiday – and she had a desire to help make survivors of domestic abuse feel seen. There were many steps that led her to this moment, but on this day she decided to jump in to do something about it.
She initiated a jewellery drive – ultimately resulting in hundreds of pieces of jewellery given to over 400 women that Christmas!Through the experience she made a critical observation which would change everything for her.
The public did want to mobilize for survivors. But the recession devastating the city. Even though Funds were low, Calgarians were ready to use skills, time, and energy to make a change.
This led to Jordan create a national charity called Gems for Gems to not only gift women with jewellery on Christmas morning, but to collaborate with the public to help end the cycle of domestic abuse.
Gems for Gems has gifted over 18,000 gifts on Christmas mornings across the country, assisted thousands of survivors with essential skills like financial literacy, preventative self defence, resilience and psychological coping skills , built a scholarship program for survivors and, launched an ambassador program comprised of men and women all unified under the same mission.
The Gems for Gems Ambassador Program spans across Canada and the U.S. as well as having three celebrity ambassadors within the team.
In addition to her community leadership, she launched Jordan Guildford Consulting to give organizations, and start-ups, the ‘leg up’ and creative injection needed to mobilize the community around them.
In my conversation with Jordan she talked about how important it is to evaluate our connections, lean into what lights us up, and what it’s like to stand alone when crafting progressive solutions to tenacious problems.
All good reminders – no matter the connections we are working to create!
You can find Jordan and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or explore how you can help Gems for Gems at www.GemsForGems.com Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Sharleen Gatcha is an energy professional with over 25 years of experience in the electricity industry, recently joining Hardline Engineering as the Vice President, Business Development.
I first met Sharleen in 2019 when she joined in on one of our Candy community workshops for in-house and do-it-yourself event planners called Planning with Vision : An Event Planners Vision Boarding Workshop.
At the time Sharleen was in the middle of founding her new initiative called Women+Power.
It was set to be a not-for-profit organization that would provide community-driven support to women that worked in - and with - the power industry.
She also knew, to be successful, she would need to open the doors to like-minded men who could support this new community of women as allies.
The organization that was established in 2019 and has since developed into a community of over 300 active members! Sharleen and her team now provide opportunities for members to connect, exchange ideas, share information, learn more about the industry, mentor each other, and communicate industry news, events, challenges and opportunities.
She always has had a passion for developing meaningful connections and in her spare time she can often be found organizing, planning, and attending events of many different kinds!
That spirit to connect - together with her positive energy and influence - might be why we have so much fun when we get the chance to visit!
You can find Sharleen and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or explore Women+Power at www.WomenPower.ca Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Nancy Milton is an international facilitator and executive coach who has been spearheading her leadership and communication organization, Nancy Milton Inc., for 13 years.
Based out of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Nancy touches hearts through anything does, but she also puts her head and her hands to her work as well.
I was introduced to Nancy a couple of months ago when I was searching for just the right Mentors for Candy Event Consulting's new Course and Community, The Connection Architect.
Our first call was a meeting of the minds - and the hearts - and I knew I had just met a new friend that I might someday call an old, trusted, and true friend.
Nancy’s track record of community building is a result of her keen ability to see a need and then rally others to help meet that need.
The Fresh Start Program started in just that way as she saw a need and rallied her community to help meet the practical needs of individuals and families transitioning from shelters to their own apartments or houses.
Now, thanks to local sponsors, donors, and volunteers, truck-loads of packages - filling cupboards, shelves and drawers with basic household and personal items - help to create the feeling of "home" for these families.
Now the Fresh Start Program has found a “home” in 4 (soon to be 5!) locations and has grown a “family” of over 2000 community members!
In our visit with her we dove into her ability to connect others and the power of bringing like-minded energy together for good.
You can find Nancy and information about The Fresh Start Program at https://www.thefreshstartprojectontario.com to continue the conversation!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
For over a decade, Tanya Koshowski has led the team at Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids as the Executive Director. For 30 years Brown Bagging has inspired Calgarians to take meaningful action by feeding and caring for kids who would otherwise go hungry.
As a leader who has walked the path of change and challenge, Tanya now also works to empower other leaders to listen to themselves, know their purpose, and care for others so that they can be impactful in their lives and work.
With that belief, Tanya founded Tanya K Leadership Consulting, where she broadened her work and inspires leaders as a coach and guide. She has a clear passion to help leaders have the courage to be more authentic and human centred in their practice of leadership.
I first heard of Tanya and the work of Brown Bagging in 2010 when I had moved back to Calgary as a single mom with 2 young girls in my care. As we landed and started to create connections for our lives and my work, I joined board of Entrepreneurial Moms of Calgary.
Our group leader was enthused about the work of the organization and raved about the role Tanya was having in caring and feeding for Calgary’s kids.
Amazingly it wasn’t until 2020 when we first officially connected. Our conversation was easy, fun, and familiar. We have since shared a few virtual coffees, and just last month, our first face to face coffee thanks to eased restrictions here in Calgary!
It’s incredible how life has a way of bringing people into our lives to encourage us and challenge us to be more of who we are meant to be.
You can find Tanya at http://www.TanyaK.ca to continue the conversation!
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Jay Baydala is a serial entrepreneur with 25 years’ experience in Corporate IT Project Management and is making his mark as a pioneer and thought leader with 18 years in the digital social impact space.
Jay’s enthusiasm to shift the Corporate Social Responsibility landscape led him to create Goodpin 2011, a platform to help companies democratize their CSR efforts and truly engage the communities they are trying to serve.
In true Jay fashion, he didn’t stop there, founding Evrywork in 2018, this time on a mission to connect both coworking spaces with each other and entrepreneurs looking for coworking spaces. Like airbnb for coworking, Evrywork has become a platform that is supporting communities and promoting needed collisions that improve society.
When I first met Jay about 4 years ago, it was in a coworking space that my Candy team called home. We settled in on the cool couches, lattes in hand, and a real, long-lasting, meaningful connection was born.
As you’ll hear in our discussion, Jay always cares about people first and I sure felt that from our first meeting.
Based in Toronto, Jay lives to experience life through friends, swimming, cycling, and travel. Thanks to Zoom we were able to reconnect and discuss what connection means for him ... and entrepreneurs today.
You can find Jay and continue the conversation on LinkedIn or explore Evrywork at https://evrywork.com/ Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
Kyle J. Mason is an experienced award-winning Indigenous Leader, Change Agent, Speaker, and as you will hear today, a natural connector.
The son of Indian Residential and Day School Survivors, Kyle grew up in the North End of Winnipeg in a single parent family.
They often struggled to make ends meet, for secure housing, and had to make use of food banks and other social programs.
Determined to succeed in life, Kyle avoided unhealthy life options and has built a career that has empowered thousands.
In the Fall of 2008, Kyle and I first met. Kyle had moved back to the North End of Winnipeg where he was getting ready to launch the North End Family Centre.
At that same time I was launching my new venture, Candy Event Consulting, and Kyle reached out for help.
I believe were meant to connect. As Kyle gave me a tour of the open, unfinished, space that was going to become the centre's "community living room", we became fast friends and future collaborators.
How great to reconnect, 12 years later, to talk about his life-long work as a community connector.
Connect with Kyle J. Mason on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylejmason/
Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector? Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas. The Connection Architect Course and Community is for the everyday event planner that is ready to create connections that matter. Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.caThe Connector Next Door is produced by www.CandyConsulting.ca
The Connector Next Door is your invitation to meet the natural connectors all around us.
They represent the everyday event planners who are energizing their communities every single day. Their stories are familiar, fun, and full of charm.
Your host, Lisa Gareau, is a lifelong Event Planner and has been a Connection Strategy Coach for over a decade.
She knows events can become energized connecting points where communities can gather and grow.
Subscribe at www.CandyConsulting.ca to hear her conversations with Connectors Next Door.
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Meaningful connections matter now more than ever! *Your community, clients, or customers are ready to connect. Are you ready to be their connector?
Events can grow your business, create an impact in your community, or motivate a group around your ideas.*The Connection Architect Course and Community *is for the impact-driven event planner that is ready to create connections that matter.
Sound like you? Start building at www.TheConnectionArchitect.ca*