When You're Recognized

Recently I was recognized as the Businesswoman of the Year in the Established Entrepreneur category by the Women’s Business Network here in my hometown of Ottawa.

In this post, I would like to unpack for you what the journey looked like to get there.??

Fifteen Years in the Making

This award feels like the surprise announcement that was 15 years in the making. I have been a business person for over 15 years. I have been working on myself, on my brand, on my visibility for many years. The Women’s Business Network (WBN) had been one of the first organizations I had volunteered with to meet like minded women, and network. I had been on the volunteer marketing committee and had been involved in the Businesswoman of the Year awards along the way.? So I want you to know that receiving this award was an evolution. My presence, and my skills have evolved over time. But most importantly, I started taking myself and my work seriously. I started appreciating myself. (more on that below)

So why now? Why did I receive this recognition this year??

I put my name forward

My dear friend and fellow businessperson Karen Wilson had graciously nominated me this year. She had also patiently nominated me multiple other years. But I had never completed the application. I always had an excuse – time, expectations, not feeling right. I decided this time that I was going to follow through. And I invested in getting the help I needed to get the application completed. Yes, I hired someone work with me to write the application. (So much easier than talking about yourself! And she was really focused on the questions, what they were asking). The process of self-reflection and describing to someone else what my business was about, and what mattered to me was very cathartic. I highly recommend doing a bit of a “work/life audit” every few years. The accountability of hiring someone to help me directly impacted my success. (lesson #1 – you can’t do it all by yourself)

I planned to celebrate

As soon as I was nominated, I did two things: I booked an up-doo at my salon? and a makeup artist. For context, the last time I sat for an up-doo was at my wedding 20 years earlier. I wanted the moment to feel special. And yes, it was really uncomfortable booking the whole afternoon off work (did I mention I am a workaholic) to get ready for the event. I did this for me: to celebrate me. It was quite uncomfortable: I rarely focus on my looks, or my physical appearance. I was raised in a house where brains and smarts were rewarded. Good looks? Those were for movie stars.

In addition to booking the salon, I started a curated list of “people who have been a part of my business journey who I would love to spend time with at my table.” My business besties. My friends who always say YES to my ideas. Regardless of how the night went down – and honestly, being nominated and the experience that the organizers provided, was such a huge honour – I was going to have FUN. I savoured filling those 10 spots around the table. I included my patient husband, because he had listened to all my wild ideas for the past 15 years. That earned him a seat at the table. (lesson #2 – surround yourself with people who you enjoy, who challenge you and who are doing interesting things themselves!)

I decided I was going to let myself enjoy the spotlight

It’s so easy to deflect, defer, deny that you had anything to do with your own success (is that called personal gaslighting?). In the past, when I was in the public eye, I was so uncomfortable that I would just shine the light on someone else. This time, I decided I was going to enjoy it and remind myself that the more light I shine on me, the more light is available for everyone else to enjoy and share. Light is not a finite resource! Just because I have it does not mean that someone else doesn’t. In fact, having extra light means I can share the light with others who also deserve it. No more scarcity mindset thinking!

I plan on leveraging this milestone moment

I have started thinking about how I can maximize the impact of this amazing milestone in my life. What doors are now open that were not before? Who can I connect with to further my personal and professional mission? My five minutes of fame are upon me! What will I choose to do with them???

SIDEBAR: If you are looking for an inspiration speaker (that’s me!) to present a curated experience for your women leadership teams, please reach out to me. I am planning my speaking engagements for 2025 and I always include copies of my book, Embracing Ambition: empowering women to step out, be seen, and lead, as part of the experience. It’s book club with benefits!

(lesson #3 – When an opportunity happens, double down and maximize it.)

My goal in sharing this post is to reveal the fact that we are ALL on our own journeys. There is no reason to compare my experience with yours: your mission, your gifts, your special combination of attributes makes your voice valuable. No one else speaks like you. And when women’s voices are at the table, the conversation changes.?

Thank you again to all the volunteers from the Women's Business Network of Ottawa (WBN) and the Businesswoman of the Year Awards . This milestone is very much appreciated, and will be put to good use in my mission to change the paradigm of leadership towards a more inclusive, compassionate and ambitious style that invites everyone into the tent.

Jenny Mitchell is an executive coach, podcaster and published author on a mission to have meaningful conversations with others. Through one-on-one coaching and group programs for women executives, she helps #2s become #1s in work and life. You can connect with Jenny through her website at chavender.com.