As part of an International Women's Day feature, the Peak asked qathet region entrepreneurs about their journeys in business. Here are the responses from Kathleen Hamilton (Cranberry Fitness Co):
What advice do you have for aspiring women entrepreneurs or professionals?
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is also the one I struggle the most to live by: to not only embrace failure and vulnerability, but to actively seek out opportunities to fail and feel vulnerable.
What inspired you to pursue a career in your industry?
My career in fitness began in the final year of an honours English degree program at UVic. Since exercise was where I was finding stress-relief and fulfillment against the stresses of being a working student, I realized then that a career helping others feel better, improve their quality of life and build confidence through fitness was what I was really meant to be doing.
How has your journey shaped your approach to business?
I feel the challenges of working through some of my own personal barriers have not only given me a tenacity for continued learning, but have predisposed me to lead with empathy, patience and curiosity. My mantra these days is “progress, not perfection,” and this principle underlies the strategies I use with my clients.
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