Join us on Wednesday, May 1st for parent-friendly professional development!  

In case you missed it, be sure to check out the details of our first event in 2019.

This is for the parents who don’t often venture into business settings because of early morning or late night event start times.

The ones who don’t have childcare, or maybe you do but it doesn’t cover before or after hours (when most of these events seem to happen).

Or perhaps you’re *not quite* comfortable letting a stranger look after your child (yet…or ever). 😳

I get it – I’ve been bringing my kids (almost three years old and nine months old) into business settings since they were weeks old.

They are the reason I keep pushing for inclusive programming and accessible spaces. They inform what I do and why I do it.

This event will be held midday (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) midweek (Wednesday) and will be parent and child-friendly.

Breastfeed, bottle feed, babywear, stroller rock, change diapers, give snacks, offer cuddles, do what you have to do, so you can also do something for you (always wanted to be a poet). 🙌🏻

I will start announcing the panel speakers for the ‘How She Built It’ event on Wednesday, May 1st 2019, in my upcoming ‘Babies, Business + Breakfast’ newsletter, this my blog and social media.

If you plan on attending, make sure you RSVP via Eventbrite as I won’t be selling tickets at the door – I will be busy juggling my baby and making sure everyone has a good time! 🎉

Fuel up on fresh business inspiration, strong coffee and get connected to other like-minded parents. 👶🏻📈☕️

You’re not the only one who wants to do what you do, alongside the ones you love.

I believe parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

As such, I have a lot of #BYOBaby into business settings stories to tell (good and bad) but too many to write about here.

There’s a book in it and I’ll share that some day soon but here is a bit of perspective if you’re curious, considering it or have tried it in the past.

The good: I often have complete strangers approach me, with beaming smiles, asking questions, offering to make me a coffee or grab me a chair.

Faith in humanity = officially restored after living as an expat freelancer for a while and getting a bit jaded from attending too many awkward networking events solo.

The bad: Explaining the concept of parent-friendly professional development to someone and them nodding in agreement, only to exclaim, “But the children wouldn’t actually attend, right? How would anyone concentrate?”

Well…at least she listened to the concept, even if she didn’t understand it!

The ugly: Having a complete stranger compare me bringing my newborn to a conference to people who fly with children and inconvenience other passengers.

I do both: bringing babies into business settings and travelling with them too (shock, horror!)

The good ones encourage me to keep on keeping on, the bad ones cause me to reconsider my key messages and delivery style and the ugly moments are thankfully few and far between.

I mostly smile, nod, move along and reflect after the fact. Then I note them for future stories, as they aren’t my ideal target audience anyhow!

Last week, I visited Algonquin College’s new DARE District with my baby to have a meeting and tour the space.

Just two kids, visiting a new social innovation lab in the city, checking on the baby change situation in the loos and talking about accessibility, innovation and inclusion.

Also spent part of it crawling around hot desks, scoffing digestive biscuits and smiling at strangers (him, not me…except for the last two, guilty)!

Click on the link above to learn more: I am happy to report it has baby change facilities, there is (paid) parking on site, accessible buildings and – while most rooms aren’t child-proofed – it is a great open concept space to meet others, attend events and work remotely.

Some of my other recent (and positive!) experiences are detailed on my blog, if you want to learn more about:

• Visiting Invest Ottawa with kids
• Participating in Impact Academy with a baby
• Attending Creative Mornings Ottawa while babywearing
• Touring coworking spaces as a parent
• Bringing children into the boardroom

#BYOBaby Activism

We’re going to events and posting our experiences, to encourage others to do the same.

I’ve been advocating for programming and resources for parents who would like to participate in professional development alongside their children. And you can too!

Use one or all of the hashtags #BYOBaby #startupyoung #parentpreneur to share your adventures with children in tow via social media

Please comment on this post or contact me via this online form, if you’d like to be featured on my blog and newsletter in future! 😃

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