Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

I had made products for myself and my family for a number of years now. Up until July 2023, I was a full-time classroom teacher. However, after a traumatic situation, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue teaching at all. When faced with the question,” what do I do now?”, my husband, Nick, suggested that I start sharing my products with others like me. People either looking for natural alternatives or who suffer from severe allergies to ingredients found in many products. My passion stems from my own frustration ;when faced with health concerns, I looked for clean ingredients in products. However either the product wouldn’t work great or the manufacturer would eventually swap ingredients to turn a greater profit, leaving me with the same reactions. I was tired of wasting my money, so I started experimenting and seeing what worked for me. The outcome was greater than I could’ve imagined. I was a bit apprehensive about launching this business originally believing it would just be a small side, hustle something to supplement my income, while I figured out what was next. When I launched my “ Being Cheeky” tinted tallow cheek and lip moisturizer that was the turning point that made me realize there were so many more people like me out there! From there, business kind of took off, and as I have gone with the flow of it, my creativity and passion have met and I continue to work on new and exciting things to come.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

Through my Instagram page I really focus on trying to educate others on the beneficial ingredients nature has to offer. As well as other ingredients that they should be avoiding and why because nobody really tells you these things. I hope to make sure nobody has to suffer the same detrimental consequences to their health that I did. I guess this fact seems to resonate with many I seem to have gained quite a following on social media.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

Honestly, I may not. I was shocked to be nominated! I’ve met some really incredible small business owners this year and I now have a ridiculously large appreciation for what they do and am honoured to have been nominated, I still do not know by who. All I know is that if I did win after the hardship that I have had to overcome, it would be very meaningful to me. I have poured all that I am, all that frustration, suffering, along with all my previous knowledge that gained through various places and spaces from my life, into my products. I believe nature is the way. It would be amazing to know that others felt, the same way.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

I currently am my only employee, but I do try to find a balance between being a part-time teacher, a mother, a wife and business owner. My products are for the most part sustainably packaged, depending upon what the product actually is. One of my stockists is a refillery which makes me excited that people have an option to bring their bottles back and use them again instead of ending up in a landfill! I’m fairly new to the market scene, however, I try to interact kindly and positively with other small businesses, helping out if I can. If I see opportunities to promote their products for them, I will. One example i can think of is when I was across and kitty corner to this dog treat company from Surrey at one market. We were at a dog friendly market and I noticed that somebody had lost their dog and sweet pupper was right below their table below eye level sniffing at these yak cheese chews. I quickly snapped a video and posted it to social media for them. As I had mentioned, I also am kind of new to the market scene but I seem to be asked to come back, so I must be doing something right?

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

I’ve come a far way in such a short period of time. The thought of even being in the running is surreal and brings me a lot of joy. I try to be mein my business. By that I mean, I try to make sure I am showing my authentic self rather than someone who I think people maybe might want to buy from. I don’t know if that means I deserve to win or that I should win but if I do, at least I’ll know I was myself throughout the process, and that I have the trust and support of my customers which is all I could hope for as a new small business owner. Thank you for the consideration, and thank you to whomever nominated Without Compromise!