Welcome to EMPOWERED AGING: Our Female Entrepreneurs Series that features women in our ORESTA community that are shifting the narrative surrounding aging while leading intentionally and boldly in business!
Meet Carole, a corporate event planner. who has been living out her passion planning and executing special events for over 20 years, designing luxurious spaces, collaborating with creative sound & light producers and entertainers. She feels blessed to have fallen into a career that she love so much!.
Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey: I am a late bloomer having discovered my life's work at the age of 34 (after having 3 babies) and started my first business, chic + swell event designers at the age of 44. I was happily planning events, minding my own business when lo and behold, I noticed a gap in the market for furniture rentals. The furniture trend in events was already present in the larger city centres but not in Ottawa so I wrote a business plan and started LouLou Lounge Furniture Rentals!
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What is the most rewarding part of your entrepreneurial journey: The most rewarding part is definitely the work environment. I have assembled, nurtured and fostered a wonderful team. We spend a lot of time together and the number one thing for me is that my team is happy and thriving. We work in a positive and supportive environment where we raise each other up. Period. There is no room for anything else.
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The most difficult part of your entrepreneurial journey: Not being able to protect my team's well-being during the global pandemic.
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What do you love about getting older? I love being at peace with myself and truly enjoy my own company.
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What don't you like about getting older? What I like least is that the years seem to get swept away much faster and there is still so much left to do!
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What advice would you give your younger self as a woman/ as an entrepreneur? Everything resides on the other side of fear. Find a way to overcome the fear and you will soar higher higher than you ever thought possible. True story!
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What is your go-to beauty product?
Laurel Hydrating Elixir I: Phytonutrient Replenish - after I cleanse my skin, I spray this liquid goodness all over my face and neck and all feels right with the world!
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What Empowered Aging mean to you?
Empowered Aging means celebrating so many incredible women I've met along my journey, recognizing their strength and resilience every day.