Community & Culture
I’m coming off the high of moderating a panel at the Startup Summer Summit yesterday that was full of powerhouse women, leading and creating phenomenal communities and culture in their industries, businesses, and organizations. While we had 45 minutes to chat about their respective communities, it felt like we just barely began to scratch the surface of what it really means to create a community and culture and how they’re doing it successfully. So, I figured I’d share the video here for your enjoyment!
Tamara Steele is the President of the Black Cultural Society of PEI, and Administrative Assistant at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery. She’s well known for her beautiful singing, but as The Buzz put it recently, she traded her microphone for a megaphone and stepped up as the leader for change on PEI at the recent Black Lives Matter march. Giving the Black community on PEI a safe place to look to for guidance and support during this pivotal time in history. Tamara has spent the past 21 years watching the population of Charlottetown grow, and she shares a passion with her fellow BCSPEI Board members for building up and advocating for the Island’s Black communities. President of the Black Cultural Society of PEI and long-time administrative assistant for the Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Tamara also currently serves as a Board member for the Island Fringe Festival, Women’s Network PEI, Art in the Open; and is a past board member for ACT (A Community Theatre).
Julia Campbell is the COO of North Shore Group, comprised of Wholesale and retail companies, and Owner/Operator of JEMS Boutique, a clothing boutique known for its workplace culture and community contributions. After a decade of global travel, Julia has moved back ‘Home‘, and is happy to be a part of the Island’s business community. Julia believes PEI has all the potential of big-city culture, and small-town appreciation and respect. “We just need to keep driving both forward simultaneously.” she says.
Rachael Sonolà is the Founder of Mane Experience, a salon specializing in 4A-4C hair types. She also bakes delicious Nigerian homemade bread and sells in at Riverview Market. She is a blogger and content creator who has a background in nutrition and digital marketing. After earning her degree in Nutrition at UPEI, she entered the job market looking for her niche or passion. Nothing fit quite right, so she made a decision to plan out what she wanted to do, and followed it. "Hence the reason you have an educator, a blogger/content creator, baker-cook, hairstylist and most likely more to come!". Rachael likes to say, "There’s no map for entrepreneurship. If you’re going to start a business, let it be something you’re passionate about; it makes the hard work worth everything!”
Hilary Wood is the Founder of Bliss Tattoo and is well known for her work with Veg PEI and Freshstart Fauxmage. A compassionate, community-oriented person with a passion for animals and social justice, Hilary Wood’s personality pours into her work. Hilary acknowledges the vulnerability of getting tattooed and encourages her clients to set the mood of their appointment—from choosing the music to expressing how much they want to talk or just be silent and in the zone. Bliss Tattoo holds space for you and respects all bodies, genders, races, and sexualities. “It’s the tattoo artist’s responsibility to make you feel seen, heard, and respected during your appointment,” Hilary says about her work. “My goal is to give you not only a permanent piece of art but a positive experience of getting that art on your body that you’ll remember fondly, forever
And last but certainly not least, Ilona Daniel is a Chef & Hospitality Instructor at Holland College, and Freelance Food Writer, she also on the Board of Directors for Tourism Association of PEI & The PEI Writers Guild. Known locally for her culinary partnerships with local businesses; she’s partnered on products from savoury donuts to gingerbread ciders, creating an exciting product for the business to promote and stir up community engagement with people flocking to the locations to try the unique creations. Chef Ilona Daniel is a spirited culinary and hospitality curator with initiatives across the globe that serve to enrich and empower all stakeholders she engages with. Chef Ilona Daniel is the director of her Hospitality and Foodservice Consulting firm, Tribe Fresh. She has worked with several small, mid and large-sized local, interprovincial and international businesses to help manage risk, grow their business, as well as develop their brand in meaningful ways. Her efforts have taken her across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Chef Ilona’s business also works to execute special events hosting ambassadors and royalty from across the globe. She has worked as a brand ambassador with the Prince Edward Island government, restaurants, food manufacturers and multi-national companies to market their operations via various social media channels. Ilona is a Feature Food Writer for Saltwire Network, a regular contributor to CBC Radio, as well as a freelance travel & food writer.
Creating community and culture within your business, industry, or organization is essential to enjoying your career and attracting employees, board members, customers, and followers who are invested in their role.
We're going to talk about how to create a community within your organization that employees want to brag about being a part of and one that minimizes your turnover rates. This way everyone will be spending less time training new hires and more time loving what they do. We'll also talk about the #communityovercompetition movement! How to lift each other up in your industry and recognize partnerships and opportunities instead of undercutting and competing for sales, attention, likes, etc. Because, as we like to say on PEI, “a rising tide lifts all boats”.