My business journey

I started my first business when I was in high school and have since started, sold, and closed a combination of eight businesses -- including Work Smart Canada.

Why? Because I love being an entrepreneur. I love creating something from an idea in my head. I love challenging myself, learning new skills, teaching others, making my own decisions, and seeing how that idea develops into a business that can help me achieve personal financial goals such as investing or purchasing a new car or saving for a down payment on a house.

2022 was a big year for me!

I left my stable job of eight years as a Senior Business Development Consultant for the City of Hamilton Economic Development’s Small Business Division and made the decision to run WSC full-time.

What’s my favourite part about coaching and mentoring?

I absolutely love when I see someone realize what starting a business can do for them, their family, their future -- see that sparkle in their eye when they fall in love with entrepreneurship too.
My combined experience of being a business owner, working at a municipal small business centre and volunteering as a mentor for entrepreneurial programs that focus on women, low-income and new immigrants has allowed me to connect and network with amazing people in different communities. That ‘sparkle’ crosses all boundaries, barriers, and lifestyles.

Why do I do what I do?

Since Work Smart’s origin in 2014, my drive has been to help clients identify the challenges impacting their business⁠⁠— and their life. Through honest and clear communication as well as an emphasis on accountability, we are able to develop a strategy to address them.

I love to see people be curious about their potential, implement their plan and thrive in a world that didn’t exist for them before.

What makes me different?

I’m not new to business.

I’m not new to the coaching and consulting industry.

I have both personal and professional experience starting and growing my own businesses,
as well as working with and supporting other entrepreneurs as they start and grow their own business across 30 different industries.

I don’t believe in the hustle culture. I value honesty, integrity and empathy.

I agree that you have to work hard to start a business, achieve your goals, and grow your business. BUT, you do not have to work 80+ hours per week on your business while working at your job and managing a family and trying to take care of yourself -- unless you want to.

When seeking out a coach, you need to find the one that fits you, your needs and wants, and will not only be your biggest cheerleader but also your strongest accountability partner to create and implement a strategy to help you grow your business.

A coach becomes a member of your support team.
It’s important that you take the time to interview each coach until you find the one that is the right fit for you.

I encourage you to ask questions. And keep asking questions. This curiosity is what motivates you to learn and grow. During and after our time together, I want to make sure you have a clear purpose, intention and plan with impactful goals that will guide you to know where you and your business will go next, why you want to move in this direction, what steps you need to achieve to follow through with your plan, as well as a clear direction as to how you will get there.

I will hold you accountable, suggest exercises/activities so that you gain clarity when making the next decision, and ask you (sometimes hard) questions that will make the most impact. I will push you to the edge of your comfort zone because that is where change and growth exist. Do not fear change -- fear comfort and complacency.

It’s time to start playing bigger!

Jodi