​A website is a wonderful place to share stories, as a solopreneur, my website should tell my story, while also sharing the success stories of people I work with.

After almost 10 years in business, I’m doubling down, and investing time, money and energy in clarifying what services I offer through Empowered Path Inc.

Part of the website transformation, with a spring makeover courtesy of Build Marketing, includes using newer technology to make all parts of my website as accessible as possible. Both in terms of accessibility and in terms of what devices it works on. 

My current website doesn’t perform well on mobile devices, be they phones or tablets. For example, its almost impossible to sign up for my newsletter from a mobile device!

One of the improvements to the Empowered Path Inc. website is to include pictures of me, and a few colleagues, instead of relying on images from the many fabulous free content sites that I’ve relied on so far.

Last Sunday, JL Morgan, a talented professional photographer in my community, did a photo shoot with me at one of my favourite places for in person meetings, the County Emporium, in Carrying Place, Ontario. (Learn more about JL and her business here)

Kate, the owner of The County Emporium, graciously allowed us to take photos around the property and inside the spacious meeting room. Afterwards we enjoyed a few cups of tea and a visit. 

The County Emporium is a welcoming space for people of all ages and genders. There’s even a small play space set up in the main shop, so young children can play while their parents and caregivers browse the products which includes clothing from swim suits to winter coats, and a variety of locally produced and prepared foods and beverages. (Learn more about the County Emporium here)

Back to the photo shoot, JL shared a few gorgeous previews of the story she’s creating about me and my life on Instagram, and I realized that I hadn’t posted a blog in a few weeks.  I figured I’d better write something and post it to let you all know what’s happening!

One of the best ways to get an idea about whether or not you’d like to work with someone is to get to know them. My goal for the new website is to share what it’s like to work with me, as your Thought Partner; how I can help you achieve your goals to find or create your ideal job, and how I can help organizations rethink what they can do to create more Inclusive Diverse Equitable Accessible Learning (IDEAL) workplaces.

I’m gathering more testimonials to help colour in the picture of what it feels like to work with me. If we’ve collaborated on a project, or I’ve helped you achieve your professional or business goals, I’d love to feature your thoughts on what it feels like to work with me. I also welcome you sharing concrete results that you’ve achieved since we collaborated!

Send your testimonials to info@empoweredpath.ca or post them on LinkedIn as a “Recommendation” for https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantalfraser/

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note until I get my new website up and running it’s easier to sign up using a laptop or desktop than a phone or tablet).

Learn more about Build Marketing here 

I have a confession to make, my website doesn’t clearly define the services I offer through Empowered Path Inc.

I’m consciously striving to provide clarity this year!

I’ve narrowed down my offerings to four categories, which showcase my strengths as a Thought Partner. All of services that I offer share the common theme of helping people find or create ideal jobs.

1. Find your ideal job: This includes individual coaching, a series of on-demand online courses that you can follow at your own pace, and a group virtual program (run about once a year). This is for people who already have a career, and some solid skills and knowledge. People who are ready to explore a change in careers, but not sure where to start. Although I can and do occasionally provide individual coaching to help people prepare their resumes, cover letters, and get ready for job interviews, this service goes far beyond that. I focus on helping people figure out what their gifts are, what kinds of workplaces fit their needs, and how to identify and get their ideal jobs.


2. Create your ideal job: This includes individual coaching to help people learn how to start, run and grow their own business. In effect, creating your ideal job. Most of the coaching that I do in this category is through the PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise. They pay me to act as a Business Growth Advisor to women across Ontario. Most of my PARO clients are women in Eastern Ontario. I also run webinars related to this topic. If there is demand I may develop online courses to help people create their ideal jobs.


3. Create IDEAL workplaces: This includes helping employers learn how to create Inclusive Diverse Equitable Accessible Learning (IDEAL) workplaces by offering consulting services and webinars, and by assisting organizations to access other trainers specializing in the topics of Inclusion Equity Diversity and Accessibility. I believe that workplaces who invest the time and effort can create IDEAL workplaces. My top strategic partner for this service is Indigenous Link, a 100% Indigenous owned company that helps employers connect to Indigenous Communities and Peoples across the lands we call Canada. 
4. Ideal Collaborations. This includes research projects that are directly related to those providing services that help people find their ideal jobs. For example, in 2021, I brought together and led a Bespoke team for the Centre for Workforce Development (CFWD) to research virtual job fair platforms. Our team researched more than 30 platforms, and provided a report recommending the top contenders. The CFWD implemented a program using our top recommended platform and are now running virtual job fairs across Eastern Ontario. (Edited May 25, 2022)

Sharing my thoughts about the services I offer helps me refine the content for my new webpage, and helps me clarify what stories I can share to help my ideal clients find and connect with me.

I’d love your feedback on this list of services!

Testimonials from people I’ve helped find or create ideal jobs and workplaces are always welcome.

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note until I get my new website up and running it’s easier to sign up using a laptop or desktop than a phone or tablet).

Did you know that there are learning opportunities all around us?

I’m a big believer in Inclusion Diversity Equity and Accessibility (IDEA). I also know that I can learn a lot from other people’s lived experiences.

There are many different ways to learn. I love reading, so I buy and read books and I follow many people on Twitter who have different lived experiences.

I also like meeting new people, and learning about them and their journeys. Even when it seems like on the surface, we are the same, we all experience life differently, and can learn from each other.

This week, I learned that the Native Women’s Association of Canada is holding a webinar called “Identifying and Removing Employment Barriers for Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people with disabilities” online between 13:00 and 15:00 on Thursday March 24, 2022.

Here's some more information about this event, as per the image above: the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC) invites federally regulated employers to a webinar training session to learn to identify employment barriers in their workplaces.

Topics for discussion include:

• Tangible Actions to create a culturally safe and accessible environment
• Explore Insight from Research and Lived Experiences to understand the impacts of Indigenous identity, gender identity and disability on the needs of Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people in the workplace

While the target audience is federally regulated employers, the session is open to other interested parties. People like you and me, who want to learn more about how we can help create workplaces that are inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible.

Note that registration is limited to 38 people, if you're interested in this learning opportunity, register now!

To register for this session email workshops@nwac.ca

I’m excited to attend, I hope you join us.

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

Mentoring is one of the greatest resources available for entrepreneurs.

On February 5 and March 5, I spoke about business mentoring in virtual events. One of the questions that struck me during the second talk was “what should we pay for mentoring?”

I believe with my entire being that mentoring should be “free.” I put free in quotation marks, because anyone interested in benefitting from a mentoring relationship should invest their time and energy to help themselves achieve their goals. I don’t think that anyone should be charged a fee to receive mentoring.

To me mentoring is when people act as trusted thought partners, helping each other out. They also celebrate each others success. Often the more experienced person is considered the Mentor, while the person with less experience is considered the Mentee.

I’m currently participating in 3 formal mentoring programs, two are with my professional associations, and the third is with a government funded program to help women entrepreneurs.

I’m a strong supporter of joining the professional associations that are related to your business and career. While you generally have to pay membership fees to belong, often one of the member benefits is a free mentoring program. 

For example, I belong to the Human Resources Professional Association (HRPA) which has had formal mentoring programs in place for about a decade. I also belong to the Business and Professional Women of Ontario (BPW Ontario) and I’m helping launch our first formal mentoring program BPW Ontario Women Strengthening Women.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve also been a mentor for the WE CAN Project at Queen’s University Coffee Konnections program. 

None of these programs charge mentees to participate, and none of them pay the mentors.

If you’re looking specifically for Business Mentoring and you don’t belong to a professional association or other program offering mentoring services, then I’m happy to recommend resources.

The PARO Centre for Women’s Enterprise Mentor Moments program is available to all individuals whether you are a PARO client or not. To learn more about this program click here.

MentorCity, a Canadian company, offers enterprise solutions for organizations, and they offer a free program for individuals. To learn more about the free program click here.

There are also a number of organizations across Canada that offer free business coaching or counselling. I recommend that you google “small business centre” or “economic development” along with your region, to learn what resources are available near you.

I also recommend trying to work with a free coach to start. When you’re ready to invest in a professional coach, you’ll have an idea of what type of coach you’d like to work with.  

The free coaches are generally selected through a competitive process and then paid by their organization to provide you with Business Coaching. For example, I’m a part time Business Growth Advisor for PARO. PARO pays me to coach women* starting or growing their business. Most of my PARO clients are in Eastern Ontario. 

If you’re not a woman in Ontario, then you can always contact me and pay me to be your business coach directly.  Even though this is a service I offer, I still recommend that people work with a free coach first.

* PARO considers trans women to be women. PARO also welcomes 2 Spirited people, non-binary people and agender people as clients.

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

Facebook can be an effective way to grow your business and professional network! 

Networking is all about identifying Friendly Forces (allies and colleagues), creating trusting relationships and helping each other achieve your goals.

Most of us start using Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends. I know I did! 

When I became a veteran, I started connecting with other business owners, and learned that many had business Facebook pages, which I started to like and follow. I even started my own business Facebook page, where I occasionally share events, blogs, and information.

In 2020, when much of the world pivoted to virtual networking, and my offspring were stuck learning from home, I found that I had extra time to do things that interested me. 

I learned that several of my sisters in the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) were collaborating to run two monthly worldwide webinars. One focused on Intergenerational Dialogue and the other on Leadership. 

Since Leadership is one of my special interests, and I love meeting new people, especially those with different lived experiences than mine, I started attending these early morning online events while the rest of my household was asleep.

It turns out that many BPW members are on Facebook, but not necessarily on LinkedIn. My group of Facebook friends grew after each BPW International event.

In 2021, a young woman I connected to through the WE CAN Project at Queen’s University Coffee Konnections program, shared that she was working with other young women from India, who were all studying abroad, on scholarships. They planned to start a social enterprise to help women in India improve their lives through entrepreneurship.

I admitted that I didn’t know anything about starting that sort of program or doing business in India. I asked for her permission to share some of her story with my network, with a goal of finding someone in India that could help her.

Then I reached out to my BPW network, focusing on India. The first person to show up in my Facebook friends search was literally a woman doing this kind of work in India. I reached out, we had a Facebook live chat, and then I introduced the two women to each other.

Earlier this month I celebrated my birthday, people from all over the world (probably reminded by Facebook) reached out with birthday greetings. This reminded me that it was time to write a post on Networking with Facebook.

One of Facebook’s great features are the groups, whether it’s an open or private group. You can join a group on just about any topic imaginable. The people in the groups I enjoy belonging to, share resources and advice with each other. Some of them provide motivational aids, others run monthly learning challenges. 

If you’re interested in growing your network and you’re already on Facebook I encourage you to reach out and connect with others, by liking pages, joining groups, and commenting on other peoples’ posts.

Caution: There are predators and other creepy people on all social media platforms. Please do NOT share personal data, especially your address, workplace, or phone number online. Please do NOT participate in “fun” quizzes asking you for your pet’s name, or favourite foods. Online predators use this information to hack you accounts. If you remain cautious, you can safely network online. For more about interacting safely with people you meet online follow Matt Richardson on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

What's your favourite way to network?

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

In March 2020, after a week of social distancing, and spending a lot more time on social media than I used to, I realized a lot of my comments focused on the future.

I started blogging with a short post called The World After COVID 19. It’s almost two years later, and we’re still learning to adapt to life during a global pandemic.

I am privileged to live in the lands we call Canada. I have clean drinking water, food and income security, a safe home, and pretty decent internet connection. My loved ones are all relatively healthy.

The past two years have highlighted many inequities in the systems we have in place in our communities and workplaces.

There are many people living in Canada who don’t have access to the privileges I have. For example:

• There are communities living without potable (safe to drink) water.
• Food insecurity is rampant amongst those living in Northern, remote, and low-income communities.
• Many people have left the workforce to care for their children and other family members.

It’s February 2022, and I still aspire to help create a new, more inclusive and equitable normal.

• One where everyone is treated with respect, regardless of what they do for work, their level of education, what language they speak, or any other “difference.”
• Where all have an opportunity to earn a living wage, or to receive a guaranteed basic income.
• Where there is significantly less wage discrepancy between celebrities and those who actually make our society possible, people like the front-line workers at grocery stores, farms, and manufacturing plants.
• A world where we realize it makes more sense to use renewable energy sources, than to continue pouring money into the fossil fuel industry.
• A world where we care more about growing food than growing lawns.
• A world where everyone has a safe home, with potable water, electricity and food security.
• A world where all children can thrive.

I choose to help shape a better future by taking positive and constructive actions such as: helping employers learn how to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces, helping people learn how to find their ideal jobs, and by helping people learn how to start or grow their own businesses.

I believe that while many people have opportunities to thrive, Canada can do better. As individuals and organizations, we can consciously choose to:

• Amplify the voices of Black people, First Nations, Inuit, Metis, other people of colour and Disabled people.
• Create Accessible content, with closed captioning and alt text.
• Make hybrid learning environments the norm, allowing people to join in person or online, to help those with mobility challenges, comprised immune systems, or neurodiversity access learning.
• Listen to and learn from those who have been under-represented in workplaces, BIPOC, Disabled, Neurodiverse, LGBGTQ peoples and engage them in creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

I hope that everyone who reads this post finds positive methods of contributing to a better new normal for all.

We’re all human. We can’t be perfect; we’ll likely make mistakes as we strive for a better new normal. I also believe that each of us has the power to consciously choose to take actions and influence decision makers to create a better new normal.

I’d love to have you join me on this journey.

What action are you taking to create the future you’d like to live in?

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

Every now and then someone asks me for a list of books by Indigenous authors. There are many reasons, some want to learn more about the lived realities of Indigenous peoples in the lands we call Canada, others want to make a step towards reconciliation by purchasing books written by Indigenous authors.
​
This week I noticed that a lot of people were posting stacks of books by Indigenous authors on Instagram, I saved a post from Raven Reads, and looked at it again today.

In response to a call post Indigenous book stacks from Raven Reads and Indigenous Bookshelf, I posted 4 pictures of books I own, that are on the bookshelf behind me on my left. I did a little shuffling, trying to focus only on books by Indigenous authors.
​
This blog shares these images, and a second series of images, geared to younger readers, which I’ll post sometime before January 31, 2022. 

The book about Molly Brant, Mohawk Loyalist and Diplomat, is a biography, and was not written by an Indigenous author. Still a good read!

The book Gambling on Authenticity is a compilation of chapters from Indigenous and non-Indigenous authors pulled together as a book in honour of the memory of an Indigenous scholar Susan Applegate Krouse Ziigwam Niibe Kwe (Spring Water Woman), Anthropologist, Wife, Mentor, Colleague, Friend.

I have a bibliography that contains many of these books and a few others. As well as some authors I know about but haven't read yet. 

Now moving on to the books aimed at younger audiences, starting with Firekeeper's Daughter because the cover art is so glorious.

I love the cover art on this book! I waited until I had a free weekend before purchasing Firekeeper's Daughter, because I knew I would binge read it. It was well worth the wait!

The graphic novel series A Girl Called Echo is good for all ages from advanced young readers to elders.

My spouse brought home signed copies of both of the Rabbit and Bear Paws series. Some of these are well loved and a little ragged.

Networking is all about identifying Friendly Forces (allies and colleagues), creating trusting relationships and helping each other achieve your goals. You can do that on Instagram!

I resisted joining Instagram (IG) for a long time. Mostly because I think in words and not in pictures.  I assumed that I’d have to be an accomplished photographer before posting on IG.

Late in 2020, I joined Instagram with the goal of following a bunch of phenomenal Indigenous women entrepreneurs I’d met through the NWAC #BeTheDrum Entrepreneur Navigation Program. I happily started following people and liking posts, adding an occasional comment or emoji.

Disclaimer: I’m a Gen X person, also known as a Digital Immigrant. Communicating with emoji’s doesn’t come naturally to me. I generally stick to a thumbs up, smiley face, or heart.

I’ve been actively networking for almost 4 decades. I knew a lot of people used Instagram, but I had a hard time imagining how I’d use this social media platform to network.

When I began writing a phrase or a few sentences as a comment on people’s posts, it started to feel like networking.

Then I discovered the joys of direct messaging (DM) people I’d come to know online, for real time text chats. I’m not talking about dating DMs! Any DMs that even hint at being someone or some bot looking for romance is blocked. No explanations, no apologies, just a simple block.

You’d be surprised at how many predators there are out there looking to misuse social media. To learn more about how to stay safe online follow Matt Richardson, Director: Intelligence and Investigations. 

Some examples of networking I’ve participated in using the Instagram DM function are chat’s about growing your business, accessibility, and books. I now feel like I know some of the people I DM with, they’re a part of my network.

In February 2021, I created my first IG post, a picture of what my office looked like at that time. As of the writing of this blog, I’ve posted 110 times on IG, and even managed to share some stories to my timeline! 

So far my IG network is the smallest of my social media networks, with over 500 followers – some of which I’m confident are bots. Even taking that into consideration, I’ve met and learned from some really intriguing people, with fantastic stories to share, and I’ve grown my overall network.

As I write this piece it occurred to me that I should post a new picture of my office, and up my game when it comes to networking with others on IG. Tasks to add to my “to do” list.

I encourage you to explore networking opportunities on your preferred social media platforms!

What's your favourite way to network?

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

In 2021, as I prepared to launch my first online courses, “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” and “Navigating your Career Route Map: Designing Courses of Action to Help You Achieve Your Definition of Success” I decided to invest in help from professionals whose strengths complement mine.

As you can likely guess from the long titles for my courses, I think in words! I have a really hard time visualizing images in my head. I reached out to Jen Detlor Kerr, from DetDesigns, and asked her to create a logo to represent the signature course “Navigating your Career Route Map.”

Jen created a glorious image, that exceeded my expectations, and looked nothing like anything I could have possibly visualized on my own. It represents a treasure map for living a good life. Many things are uncertain, there are no charted paths, opportunities are all around us, and there is more than one definition of success.

The jewels represent opportunities, which are sometimes hidden. The blocks represent obstacles. The network image represents an inclusive network of Friendly Forces, people who want to help us achieve our goals. The 3 concentric circles represent the circle of influence. The silver trophy and the silver medal with a purple ribbon represent different definitions of success. The compass represents each individual’s capacity to seize control of discovering, exploring and navigating a path to their unique definition of success.

The Beta version of an 8-week group session of the Navigating your Career Route Map course ran between June and August 2021. The feedback was fabulous, 100% of the participants would recommend this course to others. By the time we held a reunion in December 2021 all of them had found and were in or about to take on new jobs.

Now I’m putting the finishing touches on the on demand asynchronous version of the "Navigating your Career Route Map" course, in a 3-part series. During our reunion I learned that my explanation of how the homework worked was the only part of the course that needed improvement. I’ve drafted the new Homework slides and speakers notes. Now all I need to do is sit at my laptop and press record. After which I’ll send the series of edited videos to CCS Inc. for closed captioning and transcripts. This process is taking longer than I expected, and that’s OK!

What kinds of projects are you working on?

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).

This year’s aspirational word is “health” as in changing some of my habits to bring more health and wellness into my day-to-day life. Part of creating a healthier life is making better food choices.

I’ve known about the power of vision boards for several years; last February I was assigned creating a vision board as part of a course I took. During a winter solstice celebration with Brenda MacIntyre Medicine Song Woman, I finally completed my very first vision board, it’s about 29 inches (74 cms) tall and about 20 inches (51 cms) wide. My main motivation was to create a teaching aid for the homework section of the online courses that I’ll be launching soon.

I love pictures of food, and I happened to have several resources on hand with lovely images of healthy meals. Since I knew my goal for 2022 was to become healthier, I went with the theme of healthy food for my vision board. It’s currently resting on top of the large printer in my office, and I see it every time I walk to my desk.

I also like to buy locally whenever possible, so I selected a page from a free calendar with the words “Love Local Food” as the central image. In the interests of being kind to the environment, the images are glued to what used to be a project board for one of my offspring’s grade school assignments.

Have I mentioned that I’m a bit of a hoarder? I tend to hang on to things that may serve a useful purpose at a later date. Which was why I also happened to have a bunch of images of healthy foods in a crafting portfolio.

My first goal for life and business for 2022 is to increase my personal health and wellness. This includes taking regular breaks from sitting at my desk, moving around the house (I’ve worked from home since 2012), taking semi-regular walks, moving my body through Chi Kung and Tai Chi courses with Greg Magwood, Magwood's Martial Arts and taking Yoga classes from Julie Sweeney, Insight to Action Coaching Services.

What is one of your goals for 2022?

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To get a free copy of my eBook “Networking: Identifying and Connecting with Friendly Forces” click here (note it’s easier to sign up using a laptop than a phone).