Danielle Wiebe - Business Babes Collective.

Meet Danielle, founder of Vancity Business Babes and now global platform Business Babes Collective. It began as a local chapter in Vancouver, and after 3 years, led to the expansion across 5 cities (and counting!) across the world with one mission: to connect, educate and inspire business women through events, workshops and programs.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

I felt like many female small business owners feel lonely and need a community, as I did at the time. I wanted to create a space where women could come together to feel like they belonged, so they felt comfortable asking questions, getting feedback and meeting other business owners that they could collaborate with.

WHAT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE THAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED DURING THIS JOURNEY?

Being able to work from my phone is one of the biggest perks of being an entrepreneur. This means I can work anytime, anywhere. The freedom this allows is amazing! However, this can also cause me to think that I always ‘should’ be working.

I have to admit, there are times where I feel guilty for taking time off, because I can technically get in ‘one more email’ or respond to ‘one more message’. This has caused many anxious nights where I lay awake till 2AM. Or I would wake up in the morning feeling guilty for letting myself sleep in (even when I know it’s needed). To be honest, I can feel extremely overwhelmed at times. I feel pressure from myself to accomplish more, do more, and BE more.

HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THIS STRUGGLE? OR ARE YOU STILL WORKING ON IT?

What brings me back and helps me combat this feeling is reminding myself that my value does not come from my work. My whole business could disappear tomorrow and I’d still be ME! I would still be enough, just as I am. My value doesn’t lie in what I accomplish, but in who God is and created me to be. A loving wife, auntie, sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter and friend.

WHAT IS THE GREATEST LESSON THAT YOU'D SHARE WITH SOMEONE WHO IS STARTING THEIR BUSINESS?

Next time you are feeling anxious about work or daily responsibilities - STOP, remember who you are, and remember that you are SO much more than your to-do list and your accomplishments. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. Also, seek out community, whether that be co-working spaces, local events, online communities, etc. You were not meant to do it alone!