Are you a local business owner who is a woman? Are you looking to network and connect with other local entrepreneurs and business owners who are female? Well, you have come to the right article, as the ‘sparkleBIG Business Improvement Group‘ is having an event very soon and you can apply to attend by learning more about it here.
Ladies in North Vancouver are rocking it at business and in other areas of the community, and lifting one another up is always a plus. Surrounding yourself with winners and people who are doing good in the community.
As the saying goes, “if you are the smartest and most successful person in the room, you are in the wrong room.” As you should be surrounding yourself with people who inspire and challenge you to be the best version of yourself.
We had the opportunity to chat with Lou Meggiato who is the founder and operator of sparkbleBIG and we are happy to get to know her better in this interview for our readers. Check it out below and contact her at the bottom.
How did you come up with the concept for sparkleBIG and what is it all about?
I have been an entrepreneur for over a decade and have always been uplifted by having other women in my life to support and cheer me on.
I recently moved to the North Shore and couldn’t find a female focused networking group that fitted my needs. So I decided to create my own with the intention that it will be guided by our whole group and not just one person.
I named the group SparkleBIG for two reasons. The first reason is that the women I am attracting to this group have already found their passion in life and business. They want to follow their own path, stand out from the crowd and be noticed. They either already sparkle or want to be supported by a like-minded group so that they can learn to shine brightly. The second reason is that at times we all doubt our abilities as entrepreneurs so the word big (B.I.G.), represents not playing small in life or business but instead forging forward after your goals and dreams. It also stands for Business Improvement Group because I am a firm believer that we are always students and to make shifts in our business we must be willing to learn new things and change things up to get a different outcome.
This isn’t simply a networking group, in fact it is much more than that. We are a sisterhood where judgment and competition have no place. Instead we are creating a platform for women entrepreneurs to learn new ways, skills and tools to grow their business and themselves.
This group is about peer support and so there is no cost to join or be a member. You simply must have a business on the North Shore and be committed to yourself and our mission to lift others.
How often do you meet together as a group and what are event agendas somewhat like?
We meet once a month either in a public place or in one of the businesses owned by one of our members.
We spend a part of the evening reconnecting with each other and talking about our wins of the month and challenges. This is often followed by a guest speaker.
We have been deciding collectively what areas of our businesses we would like guidance on and inviting speakers in those fields to present workshops to the group.
If local women business owners on the North Shore want to participate, how do they join up?
To join they can email me below to introduce themselves and chat about it.
What do you hope to accomplish by hosting the ongoing sparkleBIG events?
This group is about creating a community of like-minded business women that want to grow their business, themselves and have support while doing that.
When we feel encouraged and supported in what we are doing then succeeding is much easier.
My hope in offering these events is that female entrepreneurs on the North Shore feel like they have a place they can share what they do.
What is your professional background and education all about?
I was a technical sportswear designer in Europe for over a decade after completing a degree in fashion and a Masters Degree in Performance Sportswear design. As much as I love design, it soon became apparent that the fashion industry was no longer the best fit for me and my life goals.
My career direction changed when I immigrated to Canada from the UK in 2007. I had discovered my passion for helping others to find support physically, emotionally and mentally.
I am trained and certified in aromatherapy, massage, infant massage, meditation, various essential oil services and am a yoga teacher/trainer.
Mentoring women in business elements, educational courses and in self-care practices has also been a key focus of mine for over 10 years.
Tell us about your business and what products and services you offer?
My business is called Mandala Essentials and was founded in 2016 and I recently moved to North Vancouver in the past year or so.
I am a fully registered aromatherapist and yoga teacher/ trainer. I offer a multitude of services to help people to feel mentally and physically better in their own bodies.
These include classes, retreats, workshops, consultations, massage, reflexology and the AromaTouch Technique. I offer services in person and also via a web platform for my clients who are not local.
When is the next sparkleBIG event and where will it be hosted? Why did you pick this venue?
Our next event is the 21st of April at Joey’s Restaurant in the Shipyards. It will be a meet and greet as well as a planning session for our upcoming talks and workshops. I picked this venue because its easily accessible, has a great vibe and a view of the ocean.
Is there anything else you might want our readers to know about you or sparkleBIG?
It really doesn’t matter how big or small your business is. If you are a female entrepreneur you matter. This group is about creating a collective of women who are invested in their own hopes and dreams.
For more information or to register for upcoming sparkleBIG events you can reach Lou by emailing – lou@mandalaessentials.com