FIERCE Mantra of the Day: I deserve...

 What do you deserve?

Do you deserve to be happy? Do you deserve be loved? Do you deserve good things in your life?

Yes, yes and YES!

Thoughts are powerful and if you are constantly beating yourself up or thinking someone else deserves to be happier than you are or that you DESERVE to have unhealthy relationships, you will.

This is not about worrying about what OTHER people deserve, either, this is about you. Stop concerning yourself with whether or not someone else is getting what they deserve.

Focus on YOU. 

Focus on attracting all of the positive, wonderful things you DESERVE in your life. Tell your inner critic to shut the fuck up for ONE day and just allow yourself to deserve only good things; laughter, success, health, security, love.

If something negative is going on in your life and you start questioning why me, remember that not everything lasts forever and whatever you are going through will come to an end. If you can be mentally strong enough, focus on the lesson you can learn from whatever you are going through and know that you will come out of it stronger and smarter.

Write down all of the things you deserve. Go on, get a piece of paper and a pen or open up MS Word and start writing. Sit quietly for a moment and truly ask yourself what you deserve. Be honest with yourself and just allow the words to come.

Look at your list and eliminate every single negative word that is on it.

Delete, erase, obliviate! (It's a word, just ask J.K. Rowling!)

Now focus on the positive words and repeat them to yourself.

I am...

With the relaunch of the FIERCE website around the corner comes the evolution of the FIERCE brand to include "I am".

You Are FIERCE is meant to be an affirmation for you, reminding you every time you see it that you are anything you want to be. Naturally we want you to remind yourself so by providing you with our new line of products, you CAN!

The I Am bracelet is our signature bracelet is part of our FIERCE & Funky collection by Vanash Jewelry and brings to life the endless possibilities of everything that you are and can be!

It will be on sale for $34 until Dec. 19 just in time for the holidays and comes with the "I am" gift card on this blog.

I am... whatever I want to be!

Happy holidays my friends!

Black Friday... a special for you

In honour of this magical retail holiday I've decided that, since I'm in the process of redesigning YouAreFIERCE.com and won't be launching it the site until sometime next week, I will post a couple of Black Friday specials on my modest little blog.

Ahem.

This sale will end at 9 p.m. MST (that's usually when I start heading to the land of Nod *read that to mean I'm asleep by 9:30 p.m.*) so be sure to take advantage of this!!

I am FIERCE poster Reg. $19.95 each
FREE with purchase! 
Or if you just want the posters you can buy them separately!

These make great gifts for birthdays, Christmas or just because!

Bad Ass Bracelet...because it is!! This 5-strand bracelet mixes leather cord with chunky steel chain, complimented with our signature “FIERCE crystal” to add sparkle. Toggle Clasp.

Black Friday Special $39 Reg. $49

I am ... Our signature bracelet brings to life the endless possibilities of everything that you are. Wear this bracelet and choose your word or phrase to uplift your spirit daily. We designed it with you in mind. Buy one for yourself and one for a friend and SAVE an extra 10% on top of the Black Friday special! Black Friday special $29 Reg. $39

Lyrical Bracelet These leather, hand-stamped bracelets are inspired by some of our most favourite FIERCE songs! Available: “Fuckin’ Perfect” “Still Standing” “Superwoman” “Won’t Back Down” “Not Afraid” “Independent Woman”

PLUS In anticipation of the new site and the new, fancy directory that will be a part of that site, we're also offering annual FIERCE Connect memberships for only $39!

What does it get me? The FIERCE Connect Package includes:

• A profile on The FIERCE Directory page which spotlights women in business with a 50-75 word write up about you and your business complete with a picture or logo linking to your site.
•  The Directory is a year-long advertisement for your business.
• Connect members receive special discounts to Fusion events and promotion on Twitter & Facebook.
• Promotion of your business or products to our 7,000 Twitter followers and 1,200+ Facebook members, plus we connect you with the people you need to know
• Discounted web advertising rates on YouAreFIERCE.com
• Discounted blog features about your business, service or product
• Opportunities to partner for events...And so much more!

FIERCE Mantra of the Day: Acceptance

What's inappropriate to you may be perfectly acceptable to someone else. 

Within reason (let's not get into the obvious "unacceptable by any standards" context) how you perceive someone is usually based on your own moral code. If you don't like how someone lives or conducts their life, don't waste your time discussing them or what they do. What good will that do for you anyway? Will it make you feel better about yourself to belittle someone or talk about them?

If you can change your the way you see things and be  open to shifting your mindset, making the focused effort to realize that JUST BECAUSE someone conducts their life in a way that you would not doesn't make them a bad person. Perhaps, just maybe, you could learn something from them instead of making them the target of your daily gossip.

On the flip side, don't let someone's perception of you change who you really are. If you try to be what someone wants you to be or change the core of who you are to please someone else, you lose.

If someone wants to see the worst in you, they will no matter what. 

You don't have to like everyone or be friends with everyone just accept who you are, that people have different sets of standards, eliminate the people who only being negativity into your world (both online and IRL), and surround yourself with the people who bring out the BEST in you.

Are you happy with who you are? Accept who you are, faults and all. Be the BEST of your authentic self.

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FIERCE & Fascinating: Sharon DeVellis

This is the 2nd profile in our FIERCE & Fascinating series which spotlights the amazing people I have come to know and adore online. Get to know someone new each week as I profile some of Social Media's most FASCINATING people! ~ tamara

Name: Sharon DeVellis
Job/Business: Freelance Writer
Get to know her on Twitter

Quick bio about her fascinating self: I’m pretty much like everyone who might be reading this – a woman who’s trying to juggle life, work and family while still finding time for the things that light up my life. Right now those lights are writing and speed skating.

I’m happily married to a wonderful man and have two kids who I refer to as Son No. 1 and Son No. 2. Those names are based on birth order, not on who I like best. I feel I need to say that in any interview I do because one day they will google themselves.

I have two blogs. One is called The Inside Scoop which has nothing to do hysterectomies. The other is called Speed Skating Mom which also has nothing to do with hysterectomies. Not that I have anything against hysterectomies. I may actually need one at some point and if I do, clearly I already have the perfect blog name for when it happens. In the meantime, my blogs are about my life and how I’m attempting to speed skate at the age of 41.

What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
That I’m an introvert. People often assume I’m outgoing but I actually prefer one-on-one chats or small groups. *cough* Yes Sharon you were super shy when I finally met your seksi ass in person :D 

(l-r) Lisa Thornsby, moi, the introverted Sharon DeVellis,
and Maria Lianos-Carbone finally meet in person
at BlissomCanada after a 3-year online relationship. 

Who is the most interesting person you have met? What’s the story there?
Oh my gosh, there is no one person because everyone, EVERYONE, has a unique and amazing story of some kind. If we all take the time to stop and listen you’ll be surprised at the fascinating stories you’ll hear.
What Sharon really means is that I was the most interesting person she had ever met and that we just never got enough time together in Toronto to finally get some good stories going. Right Sharon? AmIright?

If you could tell your 16-year-old self something, what would it be?
Don’t ever dumb yourself down so other people will like you because if they only like you when they think you’re not smart, they’re not someone you want in your life.

What are you doing to make a difference?
Living my life by example. It’s so important we don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. Women, most especially moms, need to stop putting themselves last. There is no selfishness in wanting to pursue dreams and passions. Think about it. Would we ever sit down and tell our children that they can follow their dreams but first they need to ensure everyone else in their life is happy and only then can they get on with the dream chasing.

Yet this is what we do. We put ourselves last thinking there will always be time somewhere in future. Only the future isn’t a guarantee, is it? So we need to go out and live our lives to the best of our ability. This isn’t a dress rehearsal – we only get one shot at it.

*cue Eminem* You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo... What does Eminem mean by missing your chance to blow...  because in MY pervy little mind... wait what?! Carry on, nothin' to see here!

My favourite quote from a movie/song lyric is: It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you’ve got. Sheryl Crow

If I were a Smurf I would be blue.

Tattoos: What do you have and what do they symbolize? I have a maple leaf inside a circle with the words “Made in Canada” - it symbolizes how stupid I was at 24-years-old to put a tattoo in the place that would stretch the most during my pregnancies. It’s practically an oval with a tree now.

Do you believe in monogamy? Absolutely! Although I prefer oak or a nice maple, particularly with a rustic finish. Oh wait… Yes. OMG hahahah I love you Sharon

One thing I have zero tolerance for is drinking and driving, and distracted driving in general. 

Come up with an acronym for FIERCE (be as saucy as you like!)
Fiesty Interested in what others have to say Eager to learn Resilient Candid Eclectic 

Is there someone  you think should be featured for FIERCE & Fascinating? Let me know! 
Previous FIERCE & Fascinating: Dana McCauley

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Oh Babs... Top 10 Most Fascinating People? Really??

Barbara Walters via People.com

Growing up, I wanted to be JUST like Barbara Walters... you know... interviewing Michael Jackson, asking the hard hitting questions, being the world's most respected reporter who ALWAYS got the great interviews.

I would get so excited for her annual Top 10 interviews with the world's most interesting people. I always had this big, goofy smile plastered across my face as I sat right in front of the TV studying every question and response, wondering how I could one day be as cool as Barbara was.

But not this year.

I... I am almost at a loss for words. Bab's Top 10 was just released (well except for the mystery guest) and, holy fuck me sideways with a cactus, it is more painful than reading the first chapter of 50 Shades of Grey. 

Really, Barbara?? REALLY???

E.L. James, author of Fifty Shades of Grey
Actor Ben Affleck
Seth MacFarlane...the brains behind Family Guy
Hillary Clinton
Honey Boo Boo
One Direction

Ugh. With the exception of Seth MacFarlane (who I love love LOVE and truly think IS brilliant and deserving of this interview) and of course Miss Hillary who is always interesting, my eyes can't roll far enough back in my head to express my utter disgust with this list.

Honey Boo Boo via realitynation.com

Honey. Fucking. Boo Boo. The only top 10 list she should be associated with is "Things that are wrong with society."

Ben Affleck? Really? He was interesting when Kevin Smith discovered him.

One Direction?? Aren't they a one-hit wonder?

And 50 Shades of "Are you fucking kiddin' me?" If all you sex-starved moms want is good erotica and to learn about handcuffs and ball gags, Google is your friend.

GAH! *taking a sip of coffee* 

OK, since I'm going to criticize this list I may as well throw out my own Top 10 Most Fascinating People of 2012 list so you all can criticize mine.

Ahem.

Perez Hilton via Twitter

Perez Hilton. Say what you want about him but his transformation (both physical and spiritual) is admirable. Plus I owe him for that word, FIERCE... cuz I stole it from him.

Justin Bieber. It's the year of Beliebing... yup and after he brought his mom on stage with him to accept his Artist of the Year award at the American Music Awards this week, he earned a special place in my mommy heart. Good kid, that Biebs.

Kristin Stewart & Rob Pattinson. Not because I care about or have seen/read the Twilight series but because A) I know it would draw major attention for an interview and B) you know you wanna hear about the *gasp* cheating scandal.

Katie Holmes via Eonline.com

Katie Holmes. Yah you know you want all the juicy deets from her divorce. Plus I think she's been through a helluva lot and is in her transformation year.

Jeremy Lin. Don't know who he is? Total role model THAT is who he is. Google him.

Channing Tatum. Duh.

Sara Blakely. The woman gave you Spanx. She's also the first female billionaire by the age of 40 AND she doesn't have an MBA. She also launched her business with only $5,000.

Jeremy Lin via NBA.com

President Barack Obama. I'm apathetic when it comes to politics (there, I said it) but this is a guy who generations will read about and study and I would LOVE to interview him.

There. There's a few people I would have on my list. Who would you put on YOUR most fascinating list of 2012??

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Jingle & Mingle!!

Join us for a complimentary cocktail, games and prizes as we kick off the holiday season in support of the Christmas Bureau! And of course our AMAZING host Delux Burger Bar has the best food in town (our FIERCE Committee meets there every month!!) so bring your appetites!

The Christmas Bureau is going to help 65,000 families in Edmonton this year and your ticket will go towards their goal of raising $1.8 million dollars!

We will have some really fun holiday games, great prizes and LOTS of laughs! Tickets are limited so be sure to get yours sooner than later!

This mixer is male/kid friendly so invite the guys in your life! 

Click here to purchase tickets. See you next week!

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FIERCE Entrepreneurs: The ultimate online community JUST for you!

Photo swiped from the Financial Post

I don't know if YOU have noticed but networking groups have saturated the market and it's tough to find the right one to join.

Actually when I launched FIERCE it was with the intention of it becoming a networking group but it evolved into a community that inspires, elevates and celebrates women through our content and our signature event, the FIERCE Women of the Year awards. I'm glad we didn't become a networking group because FIERCE isn't strictly for entrepreneurs, it's for every woman and THAT is what sets us apart.

However I need a place to connect with other entrepreneurs and have found the PERFECT place thanks to the bad ass Arlene Dickinson (she's a Dragon, CEO of Venture Communications, mom and grandma in case you were in the don't know). Did I ever tell you about the time she was being recognized at the AWE Awards and I was the first person who got to ask her a question so I asked, "Do you ever feel like you are the token female on the Dragons' Den?" The look she gave me made me cringe and I'm not easily intimidated but holy hell I felt stupid. Her response was a very clear, "No." However I felt much better when the last question was, "If you were a car what car would you be?" SMH. 

Anyway, Arlene launched YouInc.com and I am really excited to have a place to visit where I can connect with other entrepreneurs in a mutually-empowering environment. And you KNOW that if Arlene is behind this it will attract the kind of people you want to be around.

"I've had a front row seat to the rise of the entrepreneurial movement in the world, which is why I created this online community for entrepreneurs to come together, collaborate, and embrace the entrepreneurial lifestyle. 

Because it is a lifestyle. There's so much more to entrepreneurship than owning your own business. It’s a part of who you are. This site is about all aspects of the entrepreneur’s life, both at work and at home. 

You could be looking for backing for your next great idea. You could just want to connect with other people who see the world the way you do. Whatever your reason, this site is for you." 

~ Arlene Dickinson

 If you're an entrepreneur and looking for a place to learn, connect, share and empower, this is the place for you. Check it out, sign up and enjoy!!

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It Matters: Why you need to give back

Growing up in the inner city shaped who I am today and I can't remember one Christmas that didn't involve donations from the Christmas Bureau and Santas Anonymous.

Even though it was something my mom needed to do, I knew that when I was able to, I would find a way to give back to those charities because I remember how she went from shame to a sense of entitlement when it came to applying for hampers and presents. For her, it was, and still is, a way of life.

But it's not that way for thousands of other people who need these services and giving back, in my opinion, starts at home. Breaking the kind of cycle that I did - abusive relationships and living on welfare - wasn't really an option for me; I just never wanted to end up like my mother.

Delivering toys for Santas Anonymous our dropping off a donation for the Christmas Bureau doesn't take a lot of effort or time but it makes a difference to so many people who truly rely on these initiatives during the holidays. It made a difference when I was a kid and I never forgot it.

This year, 65,000 Edmontonians need the support of the Christmas Bureau and in order to help them the Christmas Bureau needs to raise $1.8M.

In order to do this, they are having a series of campaigns running Nov. 17 until Dec. 24:
Nov. 17-Dec.24 Lite the Trees Campaign
LOCATION: Kingsway Garden Mall, 109 street & Kingsway Ave
PRICE: Donation to the Christmas Bureau
CONTACT: Darlene Kowalchuk 780 414 7681

Dec. 7, 8, 20, 21 and 22 Edmonton Symphony Orchestra

Dec. 12 Christmas Bureau Breakfast
TIME: 7 am to 8:30 am
LOCATION: Westin Edmonton Ballroom - 10135 100 Street
PRICE: $750 for a table of 10; $75 for individual tickets
TICKETS: Gail Pharand - 780 423 7223
CONTACT: Gail Pharand - gail.pharand@fmc-law.com

Dec. 14 Face Off Against hunger Luncheon
TIME: 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
LOCATION: Hall D, Shaw Conference Centre
PRICE: Single Tickets $100; Table of 10 - $1,000.
TICKETS: Lauren Gilley at 780 409 5820
CONTACT: Lauren Gilley at 780 409 5820

Dec. 14 Christmas Bureau Caroling Sing-Along
TIME: 12 pm to 1 pm
LOCATION: Winspear Centre
PRICE: Donation to the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton
TICKETS: 780 454 6074
CONTACT: Darlene at 780 414 7681 or darlene.kowalchuk@christmasbureau.ca

Dec. 21 Christmas Bureau Radiothon
TIME: 7 am to 7 pm
LOCATION: Broadcast on up!99.3. Live at Kingsway Mall, main level by the food court
PRICE: Donation to the Christmas Bureau of Edmonton
CONTACT: Darlene at 780 414 7681 or darlene.kowalchuk@christmasbureau.ca

Santas Anonymous also requires volunteers and donations (especia. Delivery of the toys is Dec. 15 & 16 this year. The depot opens at 10 am but if you plan on delivering toys, be sure to be there early as there is always a long line of people who help out for this event. That doesn't mean they have enough volunteers either so don't  use waiting in line as an excuse not to help out either. Santa is watching....

How will you give back this year?

**update** If you're tweeting about Santas Anonymous or the Christmas Bureau, be sure to use the hashtag #musthavegifts Follow them on twitter, too... @SantasAnonymous and @ChristmasBureau #yeg

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Girls Gone Glam

Who's coming? 

FIERCE & Fascinating: Dana McCauley

Photo by Jenn Bartoli

This is the first in our FIERCE & Fascinating series which spotlights the amazing people I have come to know and adore online. Get to know someone new each week as I profile some of Social Media's most FASCINATING people! ~ tamara

Name: Dana McCauley

Job/Business: Director of Product Development and Innovation at janes Family Food/ Judge on Recipe to Riches


Get to know her on Twitter and Facebook 


Quick bio: Everyday Innovator. Food product development expert both in real life and on TV. Kitchen widow to chef Martin Kouprie and mom to a giant.

What’s the biggest misconception about you: That I’m classy and proper. Although I love nice clothes and fancy purses and cars, I’m actually pretty crass (I have a terrible potty mouth) and I love shocking people by quoting gangster rap lyrics. I think the fact that I have a good vocabulary and read a lot makes many people think that I’m boring. The truth is that when I call home from a business trip and tell my husband that I arm wrestled one of my male colleagues in the fine dining room at the resort, his first response isn't shock but "please tell me you kept your shirt on". Sad but true. OMG I fell in love a little more with  you Dana!! Who knew??

If you could tell your 16-year old self something what would it be: I’d tell her to relax and let life have a life of its own. I was so busy trying to plan my life and be cool that I often didn't really enjoy what was happening around me. Fortunately I out grew that problem and now I can look back and see that saying ‘yes’ to new things and new opportunities is probably the best career skill I've developed.


What are you doing to make a difference? Hopefully enough! I try to support sustainable seafood whenever I can by developing MSC fish products at work at Janes and by cooking only sustainable fish in my own home. It’s not always easy to make the right choices for the lakes and oceans. For instance, I love authentic Chinese food but because my husband and I have decided to boycott any restaurant or business that supports shark-finning, we have to make our own Chinese food even though we live near some of the best Chinese food restaurants in the country. We have had to stop going for Dim Sum because Oz has been blogging about the shark finning industry since he was 8 years old (he's 10 now). It's a big deal and an important topic that I am GLAD to see Jane's Family Foods on board with the Sustainable Seafood program. It's important to put an end to the shark-finning industry, WAY TO GO DANA!!!!!

What’s your belief when it comes to death? I’m not a religious person. None of the options others find so comforting make sense to me. I don’t see why people are any different than trees and flowers which grow, die and then decay into the earth. As a result, I treat this as my one and only life; That’s why I need to live it well and with honour and kindness. For me, I don’t think there is going to be a second chance to do the things I really want to do or to make amends for being a jerk to people. It’s a one shot deal.

Is there someone  you think should be featured for FIERCE & Fascinating? Let me know! 

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