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.

2025 brought a pause and shift …

Since the beginning of 2025, I noticed that my business model wasn’t working for me anymore.

It wasn’t inspiring me the way that it used to — so I decided that it needed a change. Actually … an overhaul.

Over the last few months, I’ve done a deep dive into what has worked in my business over the last 11 years, what hasn’t worked, what has brought me joy and excitement, and what has drained me.

I’ve sat with myself to understand what drives me today. Why? Because I am a different person today than I was 11 years ago.

I live a significantly different lifestyle today compared to what seems like a lifetime ago.

In mid-2024, I moved to a new city and am now a full-time bonus parent to four girls. In December 2024, I lost my dad.

So many changes were happening in my life …

So, I paused.

I sat with myself to understand my own needs and how that can be reflected into my business.

I needed to ask myself and understand who I want to work with. How I want to work with people moving forward.

I’ve also listened to my clients and how their needs are changing. I’ve paid attention to what drives them and what impacts their ability to achieve their goals.

I’ve watched as the market has shifted significantly over the last five years - and more specifically, last 10 months - and I chose to make some major shifts myself.

I have no intention of retiring anytime soon because I love being an entrepreneur and I adore who I work with.

BUT it was time that I set a new path for my business that matches the person I am today and the lifestyle I currently lead.

My intention was to redefine a business model that fits the best qualities of me, the entrepreneur leading this next chapter.

I have always loved entrepreneurship and working with entrepreneurs.

Now is the time to set myself up for success by being the best entrepreneur that I can be. So that I can help YOU be the best entrepreneur that you can be.

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