Power Of Why With Naomi Haile

Rebecca Mazzara is the Founder and CEO of Calita Intimates - a sustainable women's underwear line made in Canada. I first heard Rebecca’s story at a live conversation at the Tease Tea HQ in Ottawa. I was inspired by her journey and the steps that she has taken to build her company from the ground up. Rebecca spent a couple of years at Shopify (in sales) – so she was very comfortable making cold calls, getting outside of her comfort zone and finding the answers to all of her questions. This was helpful when she ultimately decided to start her own business. And in this episode of the Power of Why, Rebecca gets REAL about what it was like starting a product-based business for the first time. Rebecca breaks down her experiences started an intimates line for women with no prior experience in the fashion space. The challenging search for beautiful, yet breathable underwear inspired Rebecca to start Calita Intimates. Her passion for women's health as well as sustainable fashion led her to discover a natural fabric t

Are you a life-long learner? Much of what we are seeing, hearing and experiencing in our world today is that while things are constantly changing around us, we have the agency to navigate what’s going on inside. Specifically, how we choose to invest in ourselves as humans… to grow in life and in our careers. Michaella’s story helps illustrate the power of charting your own path and saying yes to experiences bring you closer to the person that you want to be. In this episode, you will learn: How Michaella navigated living in 5+ cities throughout her childhood and adulthood What Michaella’s experience working in the technology space – at the intersection of product and sales was like What to consider when moving to another country for school The tech world for people with non-traditional degrees Delivering presentations to both C-level executives and business users to influence change. Michaella Munyuzangabo is a Global Solution Manager in the Telecommunications industry. She helps telecommunication c

How you spend your “down-time” matters to your well-being and creativity. Do we still partake in activities because we simply enjoy it? I have been fascinated by the growing allure of hobbies during quarantine - the “gentle pursuit of modest competence”. What happened to trying activities that are not directly related to your career? In this short episode, Alex talks about his podcast (Time for Your Hobby) and the why it’s important to have hobbies that you enjoy. In this episode, you will learn: The importance of picking up a hobby for your mental health & well-being. Why it feels like you’re listening to a broken record with the rhetoric: “just get started” on what you want to build or create What is the best part of podcasting? Alex has always enjoyed activities and projects that have an audio component to them. Alex started his journey as a rapper. Creating lyrics that uplifted people on their own personal path. And as he got older, he decided to play around with music production programs. Alex

So much is possible when you are clear about what you are working towards. In this episode, you will learn: How Victory strategically created opportunities to position herself as an asset in the technology industry, without prior experience What is possible when you work backwards from your goals Why it is important to speak directly to your potential customers about their problem BEFORE you launch a product or service The importance of having spaces within the corporate industry for Black professionals to connect and learn from each other Victory Omotayo is an entrepreneur and business coach on a mission to demystify entrepreneurship as a means of propelling women forward into business ownership. Since 2013, Victory has been exploring and learning in the e-commerce space. Victory has launched 3 businesses and after selling her business in 2018, she decided to take her expertise online. Victory wanted to teach others how they too can find success with business. She went back to school for her Master’s

In this episode, you will learn: Why understanding who you are when you are triggered is a part of your healing [13:30] Why self-acceptance is an important piece of authenticity [33:00] This week on the Power of Why I sat down with Meghan Wills. Meghan has 20 years of experience in diverse professions. Her experiences include Mindfulness Coaching and she also has a background in Human Resource Management. Through her work in the professional world and her responsibilities as a mother, Meghan emphasizes the importance of intersectional wellness & diversity. Her passion for inclusion and equity stems from her experience as a Biracial Black Canadian Woman with a Jamaican heritage. Connect with Meghan Wills Meghan's Website Meghan Wills on Instagram The “I’m Good Illusions” article  written by Meghan Connect with Naomi on Instagram and read the full show notes here.

In this episode, you will learn: The importance of asking “how can I be useful” instead of “how can I be successful” to achieve your goal How to communicate and pitch your ideas, products or services to people by outlining their pain points, instead of communicating features. How to get clear on the problem that you solve before you even talk about the product. Why building a solid business is not just about “out of the box thinking” but great execution. This week, on the Power of Why, I sat down with David Beckett. David is the creator of Best3Minutes Pitch Methodology a Pitch Coach, TEDx Speech Coach, Creator of The Pitch Canvas©, the Author of Pitch To Win, and named Freelancer of the Year (in 2019). He conducts pitch workshops for companies and startup accelerators – mainly across Europe and has also coached over 950 Startups to make outstanding pitches and raise over €270 Million investment. Bring Your Pitch to the Next Level and Connect w/ David Beckett Best3Minutes Website David Beckett on T

In this episode, you will learn: The types of empowered financial conversations you should be having with yourself and your peers Potential money stories that are getting in the way of your growth and An alternative view on retirement. This week, on the Power of Why, I sat down with Melissa Allen. Melissa is a financial advisor and impact investor. She is passionate about sharing what she knows about personal finance, investing, building generational wealth, and creating a legacy that will positively impact our families and communities for decades to come. Melissa strongly believes that mindset followed by action is the key to monetary abundance. With the belief that real, positive societal change happens with our dollars, Melissa is determined to inspire people everywhere, especially those in overlooked, underestimated, and at-risk communities, vote with those dollars. Connect with Melissa on Instagram or send her an email at Allen.melissa@gmail.com Connect with Naomi on Instagram and read the full sho

“You have to do what works for you at your own speed”. - Jay Sinha In this episode, you will learn how Jay built a thriving community of 120, 000+ plastic-free enthusiasts and advocates, wrote a book to share an important message and the highs and lows of running a business since the early 2000s. Jay is an accomplished entrepreneur, lawyer, scientist, researcher, writer and policy advisor – with this experience spanning the academic, governmental, and private sector. Most of Jay’s professional experience has thoughtfully been linked to the environment and sustainability in some way. He is so focused on being an educational resource around the health and environmental effects related to plastics. Jay Sinha and Chantal Plamondon are the co-founders of Life Without Plastic and have since built a global community of plastic-free living enthusiasts and advocates. They help decrease the world's dependence on plastic and educate people about the health and environmental problems associated with plastics. In 2017, Ja

"When burnout is present, it is impossible to experience well-being". – Richard Balon. How many times have you ignored what your body was saying to you in times of burnout or depletion? How often do you sacrifice your health or sanity for the sake of pleasing others? Whether we are aware or not, our body is constantly speaking to us. Our body is telling us what it needs to be healthy, conscious, and happy. Do we listen? Do we take these demands seriously? In this episode, Mallory Rowan indulges us in a conversation about energy and her personal experience understanding and navigating burnout. And walks us through how she built a thriving business without sacrificing her well-being. Mallory is a 26-year-old entrepreneur who is passionate about helping people create business systems, while respecting their lifestyle. Today, she inspires thousands online, works with entrepreneurs and creatives who want to build and grow their businesses without burnout. She speaks at events, partners with powerful brands, a

Fight. For. Your. Joy. What does it mean to fight for your joy? What does it mean to claim who you are and your identity? And do so, unapologetically. In a time where the media, news channels, and advertisers online are vying for your attention and moments of peace, it has become crucial to exercise your boundaries and clarify who you are. As Joan brilliantly put it: "You either become so entrenched in what is happening that you forget who you are or what is happening polarizes inside so much that you start to question who you are." Joan Rupram is a healer and educator focused on ushering wellness as the foundation of sustainable leadership. Bridging the gap between the spiritual and the practical, Joan’s mission is to build the inner caliber of Millennial change doers and new school thought leaders to be and build the change they seek in today's world. Joan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joan.rupram/ Have a meaningful conversation with Joan: https://joanrupram.as.me/claritycall Connect with Naomi: h

In this episode, Gwen Elliot, Online Course Producer, walks us through her journey in TV production and how she creatively made her way into the eLearning space. And what an incredible space to be in. According to Forbes, it is projected that the eLearning industry will grow to $325 billion by 2025. Today, Gwen has co-created more than 30 courses reaching over 450,000 learners. She currently works at Shopify, and runs a business helping authors and experts turn their books, workshops, and expertise into online education. Connect with Gwen: https://www.gwenelliot.ca/ Read the show notes at: https://powerofwhy.substack.com/ Connect with Naomi: https://naomihaile.com/

In this episode, Jesmine Onyeukwu, Organizing and Productivity Coach, talks about creating and intentional life through very simple principles. Jesmine believes that you CAN, in fact, "have it all" if you manage your priorities well. And that you can not afford to change the world at the expense of everything else in your life. Read the shownotes at: https://powerofwhy.substack.com/ Check out my website: https://naomihaile.com/

Fatuma's manifesto is that we each have a gift. That our souls are uniquely crafted to make the world a better and a more inclusive place. Her art is a way of self- expression and to call to attention the beauty in diversity. In 2019, I first came across Fatuma's art at the Women Who Work Gala held by The Embassy of Gabon and Gwen Madiba in Ottawa. Fatuma was showcasing her art in prime space - right at the entrance for people to admire and enjoy before they Gala started. It was through her art, that I felt that I had already met her. In 2018, Fatuma became a published author and even held her first book signing a year later in 2019. She continues to surprise and delight her audience and her work inspires the community to express themselves. Fatuma writes, draws, paints, and on her days off, spends time giving back to the community at the local shelter in Ottawa, Canada. Fatuma’s passion is to encourage people to embrace their own uniqueness. Every piece of art holds meaning and is a vessel to tell many stori

Do you feel that you truly belong at work? How about in your social circles? Sarah recounts her personal story and how this led her to building a purpose-driven company, Tribute. Sarah is on a personal mission to make the workplace more human centered, by helping individuals feel a greater sense of belonging and purpose at work. I wanted to bring Sarah on to speak about how we can be creative and the importance of belonging in the workplace and in your social circles. Sarah shares that her company, Tribute, is about paying tribute to who you are and that makeup of experiences and how you can pay that forward to other people. I can’t wait for you to hear more about Sarah's mission and her why.

Sabrina believes that in today's social and political climate, organizations have the potential to be powerful stewards of social change. And her goal is to equip organizations with the tools, knowledge and approach to move along the diversity and inclusion continuum. All of these things combined with Sabrina’s energy make her a powerful force for positive change in the world! You can find Sabrina's work here: Email Sabrina here Sabrina's website Sabrina on Linkedin Article by Sabrina: What the Amazon GO Store Teaches Us About Inclusion Article by Sabrina: Do You Hire Like You Date? 5 Ways To Level Up Your Recruitment Game You can find Naomi Haile's work here: Naomi's website Naomi on LinkedIn Naomi on Instagram Naomi on Twitter

Jennifer Vassel is the author of “I Am Unique!”, a book and empowerment brand about self-love and the importance of sharing your unique gifts with the world. Her goal is to position Erin as the global face of self-love. To encourage and empower young people to own their voice, power, and unique identity. If you are a writer and are even thinking about writing specifically for children, listen to this episode to gain some insight into the impact that you can have. You can find Jennifer's work here: Jennifer Vassel on Instagram "I Am Unique!" Website  "I Am Unique!" on Instagram "I Am Unique!" on Twitter Jennifer's feature on Forbes You can find Naomi Haile's work here: Website Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

Karina recounts: “From childhood to adolescence to adulthood, everyone wants to feel like they belong somewhere. But sometimes, there is that one thing that makes you feel out of place at times. For me, that was my hearing impairment”. Find the full episode transcription here.  Transcribed by Karina Cotran. Karina has an empowering story about her personal journey of hearing loss and receiving a cochlear implant at an early age. Karina's journey is explored in her book Hearing Differently. Karina is 24 years-old, a writer, and has a BA in Professional Writing and Communications and has extensive experience in marketing, communications, and the world of creating captivating content. Karina Cotran is a professional communicator, and a published author of a collection of short stories that is centered around growing up with hearing loss. This inspired Karina to launch her blog: Hearing Differently. This blog and her book are some of the ways that she embraced her journey as a hearing loss advocate

Dr. Naomi I. Maria beautifully recounts her childhood experiences and how this shaped her to embrace her truth. She is a passionate and dedicated Immunologist from the small Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao. Dr. Naomi I. Maria’s academic training and research experience has provided her with a broad background in multiple biological disciplines including molecular biology, pharmacology, immunology and rheumatology, with specific training in clinical autoimmunity. She completed her B.Sc. and Masters of Science in the Netherlands. Currently, Naomi is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Feinstein Institute in New York City. You can find Dr. Naomi I. Maria's work here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naomi-maria-ph-d-69206761/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omhz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/dr_Omhz You can find Naomi Haile's work here: Website: www.naomihaile.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naomiahaile/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naom

Hanieh and Shabana are working to change the face of publishing through their work and venture, Peacock Press. Their love for creating and uplifting the community is what keeps them going on this journey. A lot of writers struggle to get their voices heard. When you are out there in the world trying to show people what you are working on, oftentimes, it’s women’s voices that are stifled. Peacock Press was born because we felt we needed to give a platform to women to have their voices heard. A platform where they can talk, share their stories, and reach out to people. It was born from that need to give other people their space to share their voices – especially to women of colour, First Nations people, LGBTQ+, anyone with a disability, we want to give voice to those who have been historically unheard. Have you seen the cover of “Because I Can”? Every single person is purposefully placed on the cover of the book.

Murdock speaks truth to power: "We are constantly experiencing road closures, constantly experiencing pot holes, constantly experiencing detours – does that mean my destination has changed? No. But the way in which I get there has to change. What purpose does, is speak: “even amidst needing to change how I get there, never forget where you are going”. Think about it... no matter where you stand, a compass will always appropriate itself to always show you north. That is what purpose is. It is a constant reminder. It is an accountability tool to show you where you are going". Want to learn more? Listen to this week's episode... You can find Anthony Murdock II's work here: Register for the Seminar: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-it-make-ense-seminar-presented-by-murdock-llc-tickets-90922749391 Power Moves Only: https://www.instagram.com/hashtagpmo/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymurdockii/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amurdock_ii/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/amurdock_ii You can f