In this 30th edition of Women in Business, women were interviewed who are employed in front-line positions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These women share their stories of overcoming negativity, working with the community and turning unpredictable situations into something positive91裸聊视频� in the hope that their perseverance and success will become the guiding light for the next generation of women in business.

Women in Business shows who the movers and the shakers are in Kelowna and that there is always a space to share stories of successful women.

91裸聊视频淚f you have a dream in your heart, do it.91裸聊视频�

Jennilee Greig, founding director of Thrive Kids Canada believes firmly in her statement. It91裸聊视频檚 what prompted her to start the non-profit 15 years ago.

91裸聊视频淧rior to starting Thrive I worked at a number of after-school programs and was really bored,91裸聊视频� said Greig. 91裸聊视频淭he kids were too. They couldn91裸聊视频檛 wait to get picked up so they could get on with life. I thought it was sad that kids had to essentially waste three to four hours every day after school before they could leave get on with things.91裸聊视频�

What she wanted was something that kids would be excited to go to and would help them grow and thrive in those after-school hours.

91裸聊视频淚 wanted to infuse the experience with the things I personally valued,91裸聊视频� explained Greig. 91裸聊视频淎 connection with nature, a relationship with the creator, and positive mentors. I wanted something safe, exciting and spiritual for kids to do after school and that91裸聊视频檚 why I launched (Thrive). I would be remiss not to mention that when I first started, I started it in and with my church and had their cheerleading and supporting me along the way. Thrive Kids Canada wouldn91裸聊视频檛 be what it is today had I not had that support and encouragement of community in the beginning.91裸聊视频�

In addition to its national office on Harvey Avenue, Thrive has locations and programs in Kelowna (Glenmore), Rutland, West Kelowna, Enderby, Cloverdale, Burnaby, Saanich and Saltspring Island. For Greig, the best part about growing the organization is visiting the centres and spending time with kids and staff, and seeing that the vision of helping kids thrive is being carried out.

91裸聊视频淜ids love it, staff love it, parents love it,91裸聊视频� added Greig. 91裸聊视频淭here is nothing better than seeing kids grinning from ear-to-ear as they ride a horse, beaming with pride as they complete a high ropes course, or tell me that their favourite thing about Thrive is the staff.91裸聊视频�

When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a time of blessing and challenges.

91裸聊视频淎t first COVID was actually really great for us,91裸聊视频� said Greig. 91裸聊视频淲ith the support of the government of B.C. for childcare, those first few months were actually a huge blessing. Kids that needed parent time and home time got it. Staff that needed a break got it. Kids that continued in care got a lot of personal attention and staff got to work in a super small relaxed environment.91裸聊视频�

But two years in with regulations constantly changing and government support ended, the landscape has changed.

91裸聊视频淚t is a challenge,91裸聊视频� admitted Greig. 91裸聊视频淚t mostly affects the staff that work directly with the children. Everyone is tired. Tired of the polarization that COVID brought into the team, tired of trying to keep parents happy at both ends of the spectrum, tired of being scared of getting sick.91裸聊视频�

Even with the challenges of COVID, there is a shining light.

91裸聊视频淭he great thing about working with kids is there will always be those that make you laugh and bring so much fun and joy into your day,91裸聊视频� said Greig. 91裸聊视频淎s an organization, we have also made a special effort to have all our centre leaders join together weekly on Zoom to share highs and lows and pray for each other. We recently brought in a leader to share about overcoming anxiety, and all our staff regardless of position, are given a counselling allowance. Taking care of our staff is paramount during this time.91裸聊视频�

Successful people are incredibly busy. That can lead to conflicts trying to balance work, life, and family. It91裸聊视频檚 not so much of an issue for Greig.

91裸聊视频淚 am single and don91裸聊视频檛 have kids,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 actually really bad at overworking because I love my work and I91裸聊视频檓 passionate about the mission.91裸聊视频�

But overworking does remind her to look after herself.

91裸聊视频淚 have to remind myself that I need to have health and energy to overflow joy and grace to my team,91裸聊视频� added Greig. 91裸聊视频淚f I91裸聊视频檓 overtired or overstressed my team doesn91裸聊视频檛 get the best from me and it makes leading harder. When I91裸聊视频檓 proactive at balancing life I get joy from all things outside, such as hiking, camping, paddling, and gardening. My biggest lifesaver is a secret little retreat called L91裸聊视频檃bri Fellowship on Vancouver Island where I can retreat but still be in a community and have fun at the same time. As an extrovert that is super important.91裸聊视频�

For women who are thinking about starting their own venture, Greig is direct and to the point.

91裸聊视频淭he biggest reason women don91裸聊视频檛 succeed in business is they never start,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚f you have a dream in your heart, do it. Start by creating a community around you that believes in you that will encourage you and remind you of your why when things are tough. Make sure the success or growth of the business does not take the joy out of it.91裸聊视频�

She said it91裸聊视频檚 important to create a business plan in a way that allows women to keep doing what they love as they grow.

91裸聊视频淥wn your business don91裸聊视频檛 let your business own you. There is lots of support out there right now for women entrepreneurs. Plus most of us already in business and leadership would love to share what we have learned in our journeys. So don91裸聊视频檛 be scared to ask others for help regardless of where you are in the journey.91裸聊视频�

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