Behind the Scenes (Jess )

This week I went behind the scenes with Zach Schleien.

Zach is the co-founder of the video speed dating app, Filter Off. Filter Off has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, BBC, and ABC. Prior to Filter Off, he ran and sold the dating blog Top Romp, which covered dating hacks and apps for the millennial dater.

In this mini episode we learn why video dating trumps the regular photo and swipe apps. If you are looking to get serious about your online dating life I suggest taking a look at Filter Off.

https://www.getfilteroff.com/

https://www.instagram.com/filteroffdating/

This week I really went behind the scenes with the one of the creative producers at HBO Max Mikki Bennett. As the creative producer Mikki cuts and creates all of the trailers we see for HBO originals such as the new Gossip Girl, Starstruck, the Justice League, and most every new HBO show you see out there!

Mikki shares how she got into the film & TV industry, not very many people can say they knew what they wanted to do right out of high school but Mikki did and she never stopped until she got there! Her story shows true determination when chasing your passions!

I absolutely loved Mikki and getting to understand the creative process behind trailers! Mikki also opens up about a charity and cause close to her heart. The @pancan has affected her family and so many others across North America. 

 You can catch Mikki on Instagram, Linkedin and even more importantly you can donate to Pancreatic Cancer Research ( click me!) 

On this week’s episode I went #BehindThe Scenes with Kasia Gruchalla-Wesierski, Gold Medalist who recently compete at the Tokyo 2020ne Olympics in the Women’s 8 Rowing!

This week I sat down with a fellow Calgarian; Robin Kovitz. Robin is currently the CEO of Baskits, a premier gift delivery service In North America. Who services grew exponentially with Covid. Robin’s path to becoming an entrepreneur was driven by challenges in the workplace, the importance of family and the love of wanting to give back to the community. Before starting her career, Robin attended queens commerce and then Harvard business school, where she discovered a new way of business. Every step and opportunity that Robin has had has impacted the way she leads today as a CEO. Although she may not have it all figured out, Robin works to better herself everyday and sets a great example for younger women looking to find their seat at the table.

Madison and Janessa started their entrepreneurial journey with a company called STMNT that helped empower women by having control over their clothes and their impact on the environment. When COVID-19 abruptly but a top to STMNT, they pivoted their business into service and how products that disinfect spaces to be safe from COVID. 

Madison shares advice for young entrepreneurs, what it's like working closely with family, who inspired their entrepreneur journey and so much more!

You can find InTheClearZone 

https://clearzone.ca/ 

https://www.instagram.com/intheclearzone/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/intheclearzone/

On this week’s episode of Behind the Scenes I sat down with Crystal Mak, who is currently working as the Executive Assistant to the founders of @437 Swimwear . An absolute networker extraordinaire, Crystal has managed to utilize social media to create new meaningful relationships with some pretty cool #GirlBosses in Toronto.

With a “never say No “ mentality coming out of covid, Crystal is leading the way with her go getter attitude. This conversation really opened my eyes to the power of social media and some of the best uses to grow your network, professionally and personally.

If you are looking to expand your network take a look at @MondayGirlTo. You get to connect with top Canadian women from a range of industries every month, attend cocktail networking hours (not awkward, I promise), and it’s already helped my career so much since I joined. If you’re interested I can refer you here: https://www.mondaygirl.ca/socialclub

Crystal is very open to making new connections so feel free to connect with her->

- Instagram

- LinkedIn

- TikTok

This week I sat down with Laurenne Mericer, Founder of Treadstone Sports, a marketing agency based out of Calgary working with NHL players to collaborate and connect with the cities and communities they play in.

We talk about her start into the sports world working with the Nashville Predators during their playoff run, how she decided to shift her career path and start something completely new, then eventually found her way back into sports by starting Treadstone. Laurenne sheds light on the difficulties of being an entrepreneur and advice on how to push through them! I love learning about this side of marketing, especially in sports and how Treadstone works with athletes to support locally! I can’t wait for the first hockey game back in the dome, but in the meantime listen to this great conversation ! Let's get into it!

This week we are going #BehindTheScenes with a good friend of mine Catherine Van Helden, founder and CEO of Honey Social, the face behind the foodie account Forkurdiet and an all around boss lady with a go getter attitude.

In this episode we dive into how Catherine started Honey Social, the pros and cons of what what it's like to be your own boss, her dream life of living/working on and Island in Barbados and some advice on how to shake the fear of judgement.

You can find Catherine 

@honeysocialcompany

@forkurdiet

@cattyv

I am so excited to be kicking off the summer by going behind the scenes with the beautiful and talented Devon Cole.  Devon is a local Canadian artist who released her first song July For the Whole Year last fall which is what you are hearing now. As well as her song Alive with more to come this year. In this tell all interview Devon reveals the highs and lows of being an artist, the struggle with perfection and the fear of failure. as well as everything that she’s learned during the process of producing her music, writing new songs and her masterclass with Charlie Puth. We may have even touched on who and where she gets her song writing inspo from. I also learned more about Devon’s upcoming single Good On Me and EP Green Room. You can head over to her instagram @devonmcole for more deets. I truly admire Devon’s courage to put herself out there with her music. I am so excited to see where this journey takes her but for now here’s our conversation. You can find Devon on all socials Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devonmcole/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@devoncolemusic?lang=en https://www.devoncole.com/ Like, Follow and Subscribe Behind the Scenes Podcast https://www.instagram.com/behindthescenes_pod/ 

This week i got to catch up with a friend of mine!

Dozie and I went to high school together, and as along as I’ve known him he has been creating music! With now over 5 thousand months listeners on spotify, Dozie is that much closer to achieving his dream!

In this conversation with Dozie, I explore what inspires his song writing, how he balances working a 9-5 while also pursuing his dream, how he overcomes the difficulties of the music industry and what’s its like to get back on stage at live events!

I loved getting to know more about Dozie’s music and the process behind the scenes. I hope you all enjoy, Let's get into it!

DOZIE ON SPOTIFY 

DOZIE ON INSTAGRAM

Get excited! Late spring Behind the Scenes will be launching! In this space we will be having conversations with founders, thought leaders, industry professionals and friends, covering the topics you want to know more about, asking the question you are dying to know! I hope this inspires you to get started on something that is holding you back. 

In my first episode I am going behind the scenes with Michelle Kaplin, recent graduate turned tiktok creator who found her passion in cooking and surprisingly ended up being invited for a day of cooking with Chrissy Teigen. During her search for a hobby Michell became a certified life coach, took a solo road trip from Chicago to New york and everywhere in-between.

Michelle shares her insight on how going back to your childhood roots can help discover a passion outside of school, work, dating and going out with friends. She also touches on how she deals with online haters, finding the love in doing things alone and what’s next for her tiktok after completing her cooking project. I was so inspired by this conversation with Michelle, and I hope you enjoy 

You can find Michelle Kaplin 

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michkapcooks?lang=en