2019 has been full of ups and downs for me but my biggest lesson so far?

Sometimes the show can’t go on.

This year has included many ups:

• speaking at business and creative events alongside my children;
• hosting Babies, Business + Breakfast pop-up events at Algonquin College and growing a small but mighty community;
• creating resources, writing regularly; and
• being asked to apply to pitch competitions, advise on creating more ‘parent-friendly’ corporate spaces, with offers of venue space, support and more.

Closely followed by some downs:

• I realized I had an unwelcome follower, which prompted me to consider stopping my more visible work and event related speaking engagements; and
• I recently experienced the loss of our third child when I had a miscarriage and spent the last month #cancellingplans.

I’ve written about all of the above in two recent blog posts, you can read them in detail at the above links if you wish.

If you’re looking for a summary: it has been a challenging year.

BUT some of the great news I would like to share with you and the reason I am writing this newsletter at the moment are:

• I have realized I am surrounded by a great network, community and have had many lovely and welcome offers of support;
• my drive to shed light on things we experience as parents–and particularly as women–which can make us feel isolated, has been fired up even more as I have realized discussion, creating safe spaces and fostering an inclusive community can all provide support; and
• I am starting to dream up different ways of doing things in 2020.

Which leads me to a special announcement:
Babies, Business + Breakfast will have a new home and more regular events!

Earlier this Fall, the team at Bayview Yards approached me to host our group as one of the regular ‘Bayview Meetups’ which means:

• we will be able to host more attendees in a central and accessible space with baby change facilities;
• on street parking is free for two hours, public transit options include the nearby Bayview LRT/O-Train Station and bus links;
• you will get to visit a space which you may normally not enter with your kid(s) and meet other like-minded parents doing the same;
• it will be even easier for me to connect you with the wonderful folks at Bayview Yards and Invest Ottawa who support businesses, entrepreneurs and startups in our city; and
• events will be lower cost for me to host and hopefully we will be able to welcome even more parents who want to pursue professional development alongside their loved ones!

Can you tell I am a little bit excited!?!

To get involved, please join the email list at this link or by clicking on the image below!I am confirming dates for the first event at Bayview Yards and once that is set, I will be emailing you again with details.

In the meantime, here are a few FREE professional development events around Ottawa I am trying to attend – in between Christmas parties and visits with Santa of course – if you are able and willing to join me:

Friday, November 22nd
Elevate Womxn National Conference at Parliament Hill

Wednesday, November 27th
WCT-NCR Pink Market

Thursday, November 28th
SoGal Ottawa Pitch Competition at CanvasPop

I don’t know if I can make this evening one yet but it’s with Karla Briones who is *amazing*:
Monday, December 2nd
Creating A Great Business Pitch Workshop

A few more goodies, depending on your interests and location:

Saturday, November 23rd
Teachers Learning Code: An introduction to programming for the classroom

November 22nd to December 12th
Cornwall Business Enterprise Centre’s Winter Seminars

Worried about attending business events with kids?
I’ve got you covered.

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