Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Before we dive in today's episode, I want to take a moment to share something that's been on my heart, something I've been working on behind the scenes for a while now. I'm officially writing a book. This book is called let's Be A Practical Guide to Leading Through Change. And it's deeply personal to me. It's built from real experiences. The uncertainty, the challenges, the moments where I didn't have the answers but had to lead. This isn't just a leadership book filled with theory. It's about navigating uncertainty when there's no clear direction, building internal clarity when everything around us feels unclear, having courageous conversations, even when they're uncomfortable, and leading with value, especially when it's the hardest to do so. I'm also going into topics that don't get talked about enough, like what it feels like to be challenged, overlooked, and even bullied as an adult in a workplace. And how those moments shape the kind of leader you become. This book is for anyone who's ever thought, how do I lead when I don't feel ready? How do I show up when I don't have all the answers? And how do I stay true to myself in environments that challenge me? If this is you, this book is for you. I'll be sharing more about the journey behind the scenes moments, and opportunities for you to be part of it as we go. So stay tuned, because this is more than just a book. It's a movement around how we lead through change together. All right, let's get to today's episode.
[00:01:25] Speaker B: Opinions expressed in this episode are personal. They do not necessarily reflect the views of this streaming platform.
[00:01:35] Speaker C: Good day, wonderful people, and welcome to another edition of let's Be Diverse. I am your host, Andrew Stout. This episode is dedicated to all my loved ones who supported me through this journey.
[00:01:44] Speaker D: Those who have left us will always be in our hearts and will never be forgotten. Today our topic is the entrepreneurial mindset turning passion into purpose. My guest today is one awesome human.
Her name is Leslie Geniway. Leslie, thank you so much for joining us today.
[00:02:01] Speaker E: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.
[00:02:03] Speaker D: You're very welcome. What's been energizing you these days? Give us the tea, give us the deets, give us it all. What's going on?
[00:02:09] Speaker E: Energizing me. Coffee, Caffeine.
I'm a busy mom of two Littles, 5 and 3, so I definitely have to stay caffeinated, but it's energizing me. I'm.
I'm in a really great spot in my life, and I'm loving where I, where I am. So just keeping moving forward is a part of that process. There's been a lot of change in my life in the last five years, so we're getting to a spot that I'm feeling that momentum really pick up. So I think that's kind of what's driving me.
[00:02:44] Speaker D: Awesome. And I think we all go through
[00:02:46] Speaker C: some sort of changes where it be
[00:02:49] Speaker D: personally, professionally in our lives and I think the main thing is how we come out of it.
[00:02:54] Speaker C: I heard somebody mention something to me in a previous podcast, flowing with the Current. So how we flow with the current is where we're going to end up and how we're going to end up to the top or how we're going to move to the top or where
[00:03:06] Speaker D: we want to be.
[00:03:06] Speaker C: It's kind of, it's kind of where I'm going.
[00:03:10] Speaker E: Yeah. Can't change it. So you might as well make the best of it.
[00:03:13] Speaker D: Absolutely. For sure.
[00:03:14] Speaker C: Well, thanks for sharing that and love the fact that you mentioned coffee and everybody has their little drink and beverages that they enjoy.
[00:03:21] Speaker D: So that's super awesome.
[00:03:23] Speaker C: So before we get going here, I
[00:03:24] Speaker D: always have a fun, thought provoking question that I ask all my guests to get things going.
[00:03:30] Speaker C: Are you ready for yours today?
[00:03:31] Speaker E: I mean, ready as I'm going to be ready.
[00:03:36] Speaker C: So my question to you is, if you were to give a message to your 15 year old self, what message would you give to her and why?
[00:03:46] Speaker E: Hmm, good question. I mean, if I would give her anything, like let, let her be, let her live her life and figure it out as she goes, everything's going to be okay. Keep your core values steadfast in all aspects of your life, whether that's friendships, intimate, personal relationships, work, goal setting. Be true to who you are. But I don't know, I think I really believe that you can give, you can give someone advice, but it's up to them whether or not they'll take it. So let her be and let her. Let her own it.
[00:04:19] Speaker C: I love that answer and that's something that I live by as well.
[00:04:22] Speaker D: I will always take advice from anyone if they're willing to give it. But you're absolutely right.
[00:04:27] Speaker C: It's my choice to decide do I
[00:04:29] Speaker D: want to take that advice or what do I want to use with that advice. But I will never turn anybody wanting to give my advice to me.
[00:04:36] Speaker C: I will never turn it down ever.
[00:04:37] Speaker E: I'm the same way. Like I'm, I, my ears are open and I'm. My mind is, is, is wide and my, my come from a family, family of very strong shoulda people. And so we have to be cautious of making sure that you know, there's a difference between solicited and unsolicited advice. But I'm, I'm always there to, to hear what someone has to say. But at the end of the day it's gonna be. It's my, it's my decision and I'm gonna collect the information as I will and make the decision that I still feel feels best for me. So.
[00:05:11] Speaker D: Well, thanks very much for having fun with me. I love your answer.
[00:05:14] Speaker C: So to get us started here, who are you and what really drives you
[00:05:18] Speaker D: to do the work that you do?
[00:05:19] Speaker E: Leslie, who am I? Who am I in. In what regard? Like what do I do on a regular basis or. Yeah, well, currently I do business development for a multi discipline engineering firm. So it's my. The first time or sorry the second. Second big girl job is what I kind of say. Like I, I was, I've been self employed for my whole adult life and in 2023 or 2022, sorry I took a role with, to set some roots down and figure out what would be my next step. Amongst the businesses that we owned at that time. I was there for about two years and then, and then almost two years ago, just shy of two years ago I was contacted by this company to, that was new to Regina but across Canada and they asked if I would, if I would join the team. So that's what I'm currently doing. Like I said earlier, who am I as well, big part of that is my kids. So I have two, my son's five, my daughter's two later in life. Mom. So we, we kind of, we're, we're constantly go, go, go, go, go. But I, I have the fortitude and mindset to be able to keep, keep going with them because they definitely keep me on my toes and then I'm very close with my family. So I just recently purchased a house across the street from my parents which some people would say is insane but it's working out really well and it's a very. Our street is very wholesome so we spend a lot of time with all of the people on the block and that's kind of who I am. I'm not right know if I would really identify much more than that just because of the place I am in my life.
[00:06:59] Speaker C: I love that. And you're absolutely right. You talked about choices before but I think we also have to make the decisions that I think they're best for ourselves and, and I am huge on surrounding myself with people who are going to be a good support system. So there's a lot of people in my life that are support systems for me personally and professionally. So people that I would lean on, people that I would contact and say, hey, can I, can I throw this idea at you or can I get your advice on something? What's your, what's your thoughts on this? And there's a few people that I can contact and ask them that stuff.
[00:07:36] Speaker D: So.
[00:07:37] Speaker C: And I think that's important to have. So I don't think that it's crazy that you did what you did and bought a house where you did because there's that support system and because you're close with your family.
[00:07:48] Speaker D: Yeah, that's great.
[00:07:49] Speaker C: And that's a good thing. Not everybody is close with their family. There's a number of people who are not closer with their family and don't have that option. So if you have that option, I would say good for you for, for taking advantage of it.
[00:08:02] Speaker E: Yeah, it's been, it's been a blessing for sure.
I mean, all families have their, have their issue. Every once in a while we can get a little bit feisty with each other, but we, we have a pretty good open communication on like, okay, I need to take a beat, we need some time, give me a day.
But otherwise my parents are just, they're so involved with my kids and when the kids get home from daycare, right away they're saying, can we go see grandma and grandpa? So they'll run across the street, I come home, make supper and everyone walks over together and we all have supper together. So we do a lot of like big family, not big family, but family dinners like that. And at this, like I had said earlier, this stage in my life, I'm really kind of reflective about the stages that I've gone through and identifying where you're at in each of those stages. But this stage, it's been needed, it's been welcomed and it's been amazing. So I'm, I'm happy about it.
[00:08:56] Speaker A: Sure.
[00:08:56] Speaker C: So, Leslie, many people have passions, but not everyone turns them into purpose driven businesses.
[00:09:03] Speaker D: What mindset shifts need to happen for someone to move from simply having an idea to taking intentional action?
[00:09:10] Speaker E: Yeah, I think that that's, that's a great question. A lot of individuals will do have those ideas and are, and great ideas and amazing ideas. But I think that first step of action is really needed. And someone told me once, many, many years ago is just to tell someone. Tell someone what your next step is. Because then it's almost like it's out there in the universe that you'll do it or you. You feel the need that you have to. So I think going from the idea of just a concept into what are some steps to make, to move forward. So whether that's. Do I. Am I looking for partnership?
Am I looking for, you know, education? So do you need to get certified in something to be able to. To. To get to that goal or that business or however that is? So it's starting to really pick apart. This is my end goal. But let's work it backwards into, like, what are those steps that need to get you there. So I think that was kind of a roundabout way of basically saying, like, make a decision and do it. Pull the trigger.
[00:10:11] Speaker D: Yeah. And it's okay, I think, to speak with people or like you said, everyone has great ideas. Tell someone.
I think people are afraid to tell people sometimes things and communicate with them because they're afraid that someone's gonna steal their idea or whatever.
[00:10:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:10:29] Speaker D: And I get that. But you want to talk with people and you want to. I think it's kind of starting to brand yourself and trying to get yourself out there. And I. I think when you have the right people that surrounding you, not only are they going to support you, but you're gonna. They're gonna market you without you even being in the room if you have. If you talk to the right people. So I agree with you 100% there.
[00:10:50] Speaker E: Yeah. I get the idea of people, like, being protective of their. Of their concept. I think that there's very few situations that, that, that that extends into, you know, when you're inventing something and you're giving away the molecular design or however that is that. I understand. But I mean, there's a thousand different restaurants in Regina. So it's like, hey, I have this idea for a restaurant. Well, you're the person that's driving that force. You're the person that's driving that concept. And so people aren't going to be able to steal the essence of who you are and what you're. What you're putting into whatever your business is. So you can tell someone, I'm going to start a tire shop, but it's going to be the coolest tire shop in the world because it's going to have X, Y and Z. You're the one. You're the heart of that. And so I think that by talking more about it, like we talked about earlier, of Collecting opinions or collecting suggestions. It helps to that brainstorming process of building out what that concept may be in the future.
[00:11:51] Speaker C: LESLIE Entrepreneurship is often portrayed as freedom and success, but behind the scenes it requires resilience, uncertainty, and the ability to keep moving forward. What have you learned about navigating doubt, setbacks and moments when the vision feels unclear?
[00:12:08] Speaker E: Setbacks and unclear vision, my accountant from day one had said, was very steadfast in ensuring that I had a healthy business plan identified. And he also gave me the suggestion that every year you revisit that because it can evolve. However, your guiding sense or your Northern star really came from this business plan that you put on paper that you put so much work into that was identified. What your clear, your goals, your structure, your processes, how does that, how does that work out? So I think that when I was feeling in moments of uncertainty, I would reflect back on where do we start and what are, what has changed or what are we, what are we seeing that's working and what's not? And then how do I identify? I'm a very, I, I think this plays into my entrepreneurship. I, I'm, I don't work well in limbo, so I, if there's a problem, you identify the problem, you figure out a solution and you implement it.
I think that that is what I would do in those moments or, or have done in those moments of the uncertainty or the doubt. When you're talking about resiliency, I think that that's a thing, that's a skill that can be built, can be grown and improved on. However, there, there is some individuals in the world that just adaptability is second nature to them. And I think that I had businesses throughout Global Pandemic, and that was like the perfect example of resiliency for all entrepreneurs and people in general, of course. But for here in Regina, it seemed like every single day there was a new rule, there was a new implementation, there was a guideline that was being placed on businesses in Regina that you had to adapt to. And so it was communication that was being sent out to your, your community or your clients that were changing things slightly, little bit by little, bit by little bit. But that was really like the adaptability component of resiliency is really important to lean onto bringing out the, the concept of the only thing that you can control is how you act and react. And I truly believe that in all parts of my life.
And so I can't control what's going on around me, but I can control how I adapt to it or how I react to that, surrounding that situation, that statement, however it is. And so I think that that's, that's probably, I'm where I kind of lean into a lot with, with resiliency when it came to entrepreneurship.
[00:14:41] Speaker C: I've been to a conference where the moderator gave us for each a plate
[00:14:46] Speaker D: and they gave us a hammer and
[00:14:48] Speaker C: then they said to break the plate. So everyone broke the plate with the hammer. And then she gave us some glue and we started putting together and then she asked us remember or think back how easy it was when something is broken and how difficult it is to put something back together.
So when you're talking about identifying the problem and talking about setbacks, it's, it's key to, to communicate but also to, to, to flow. I talked about flowing with the, with the current earlier. Flowing with the current, dealing with the setbacks and dealing with the chaos around us. And I think that's, that, that those are key things in order to, to be successful.
[00:15:30] Speaker E: Yeah, for sure. I think that, that it's a, it's a skill to be able to allow yourself to, to go with the flow because some people and some people are a little bit more in that controlling have that, that sense to that need to control things. And like I said you could, you can only control how, how, who you are and how you behave.
[00:15:50] Speaker A: For sure.
[00:15:51] Speaker C: Leslie Purpose is often what keeps entrepreneurs from going when challenges arise. How can business owners stay connected to their why while also making practical decisions needed to grow and sustain their vision?
[00:16:06] Speaker E: Great question.
I think staying invested in your, in your community that you serve is a really important part of that. Seeing the successes that are coming from that. So whether you're a service based company or you sell items retail wise, I think seeing the end result.
So for me, one of my most successful company was my personal training facility and being seen the people walk out of the gym and just watch them walk out of the gym and there's two people that had never met before prior to being in a group together or training together for the last 18 months and they're chit chatting and they're smiling and they look like they just had a great workout and they're giving each other a high five. That is a success in itself. Whether or not they're seeing gains or improvements in their training journey.
They've been socially stimulated, they're happy, their endorphins are going like they're. That is a success. And being removed from that and not seeing that on a daily basis. I could have lost the why behind why am I doing this, what's the reason behind it? So I would say for those entrepreneurs, staying connected to the people that you're serving or the why you're doing what you're doing brings you purpose. Unless you're there just to make billions of dollars because you're an Amazon and it's just out the door.
I don't know if I can speak to that yet because, or I don't have that kind of experience but for myself of being connected to the purpose, it's still being able to, to see what the successes that came out of my business were and that driving me to continue on and to keep doing what I was doing.
[00:17:52] Speaker C: So you did two things there from what you're talking about.
You created a connection and collaboration. And you also created an opportunity where people are feeling seen, heard, valued and understood. Those are keys right there, Leslie. And those are things that I think everyone, all of us, including myself, continue to strive for personally and professionally.
Yeah, Leslie, a strong entrepreneurial mindset is not just about building a business. It's about continuous growth, learning and adapting.
So we've talked about it a bit, but I want you to dive a little bit deeper here. What habits, beliefs or practices have helped you evolve as an entrepreneur and a leader?
[00:18:38] Speaker E: It's habits that I've implemented. For me, all of my, all of my businesses were all heavily, heavily service based. Relationships is my, is my jam. So as much as I have a double, I have a degree, degrees in exercise or sorry kinesiology from the University of Vagina here I'm educated, I'm passionate about human movement and biomechanics and training for activities of daily living. Really what drives me is the human connection and relationships and that's why all of my companies have been built around that.
So I think my habits more. And this goes for both my clients and any team that I've worked with or staff. There's a few key ones but they, and they evolve or they come out differently. One is acknowledgement.
So acknowledging when I'm listening to someone that's struggling in a certain capacity, whether that's like I said, personal training wise or someone I'm really wanting to lose weight and this is my focus because I'm post, I'm eight months postpartum and you know, making sure that you're acknowledging where they're at, what they're looking for, how they're feeling or with a team member, you know, I'm struggling with designing this program or I really want to start working more on this in my, in my Practice acknowledging and acknowledgement of where they're at, what they're looking for, what their goal is, and how I can support that. So one, one would be the concept of acknowledgement. Another one would be the general idea of thank yous. I think like the, the, the art of a written letter is lost or has been lost or is, you know, flailing. And I really try to send, whether it's an email or it's an actual handwritten card or it's a post it note for a team member on their, in there at their desk, like giving, saying thank you for. Thank you for showing up or thank you for working so hard on this, or thank you for that great idea that you gave me. But I think that, that those also go hand in hand with like the acknowledgement concept and the thank you. I don't think we, we, we say thank you enough. And those were. So I really try to, to put that into. I send it. I try and send a thank you once a day. So whether that's to a friend, it's to my mother, it's to a colleague, it's to a client saying thank you for anything doesn't matter. It could be my mom bought me flowers yesterday, so I'll probably be sending her a thank you this morning. Just saying like that really perked me up. That was such a nice thing to wake up to in the morning. So thank you for that. So, yeah, those are two habits that I implemented intentionally in my, in my entrepreneurial journey, I guess.
[00:21:21] Speaker C: So what you're saying is, and you
[00:21:23] Speaker D: can correct me if I'm wrong, what you focus on or what, what are your core values, it sounds like, is rapport building.
[00:21:28] Speaker E: Yeah. Trust. Yeah, Trust. Yeah. I think I have a strong ability to develop trust quickly with people, and I'm proud of that.
So I lean into that quite a bit when it comes to any of my businesses or, or interactions that I have on a daily basis.
[00:21:44] Speaker A: Awesome.
[00:21:45] Speaker D: Before we wrap up here, Leslie, what advice would you give to someone listening today who has a passion, a dream, or an idea that hasn't taken the first step towards turning it into a purpose?
[00:21:56] Speaker E: What would I give them? Get a, get a really good accountant. You'll need it. That would be my first one. I've been really, really blessed and lucky to have people that have come into my life that have remained in my life for, you know, 20 years that have unintentionally become my mentors. So if you can find someone that you. And it can't be someone that's going to be passing. It can't be someone that's going to be only there for a short period of time because I still, I still reach out to those people.
And I'm evolved and have moved through my life differently than when I was, when I started everything. But find a really strong individual that you can look up to and ask those hard questions to that will also hold you accountable and give you the, give you the, the tea. Give you the truth, give you the, give you their honest opinion and that, that and also a person that would be willing to give you that time because it, it is, it is time consuming. Not, not where it's like every week, every day, anything like that. But as we all know, life, you know, there's ups and downs and it's cyclical and we come back to things, but there's going to be hard times and there's going to be times that you need someone to lean on that, that as an entrepreneur you're typically are the top of the, the, the pyramid. And so often what I always found was I was the last person to get any type of compliments or, you know, hi, good job on this. You know, I would really have to look for those like words of affirmation because I was consistently giving those to, to the, to my team around me.
But I find that in those moments when I was struggling, going, checking in with my mentors and I have two that I really lean on, they were the ones that were able to identify through the fog, through the, through the chaos, you know, what are, what am I doing well and what do I need to improve on? And that was such a breath of fresh air because often you don't get that when you're, you know, the, the top of the totem pole or however that is. So get, get a good accountant and get a mentor or look for a mentor. Don't jump the gun. Don't do it right away. It might be someone that will come along as you, as you go through that journey, but find someone that you can lean on, that will, that will hold you accountable, that will give you advice and that you can learn from.
[00:24:12] Speaker D: I love that my call to action would be to like, share and follow this episode. Leslie, I wanted to take the time to thank you for, for coming on today. Some of the things that I admire about you is your energy, your balance, your adaptability, your passion, your strength, and just your overall genuine nature. It's been a pleasure to get to know you and to have you on today as a guest. So thank you so much for for taking the time to join us today.
[00:24:41] Speaker E: Thanks for having me. I. I enjoyed myself. So you have a good day.
[00:24:45] Speaker D: You're very welcome. On behalf of myself and my guest Leslie, I'd like to thank you all for taking the time to listen today. And until next time, be safe. And remember everyone, that if we all work together, we can accomplish anything.
[00:24:58] Speaker B: You have been listening to let's Be Diverse with Andrew Stout to stay up to date with future content. Hit Subscribe.
