146 | How Building a Supportive Community Can Help You Thrive in Business with Asha Wheeldon of Kula Foods

Asha at a fireside chat for the full day “Dream Big Conference” hosted by Vancity Business Babes, March 2023 📸 @hannershannah with @allinpnw

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE:

We get the chance to introduce to the podcast, our new friend Asha, the founder of Kula foods!

Kula is a sustainable plant-based food company that was created based on Asha's diverse cultural experiences. Raised in Kenya, her journey led her through Toronto and to British Columbia. After moving to Vancouver, she was looking for food, flavours, and spaces that reminded her of home. Inspired by her East-African family recipes, she aimed to share something unique that not only offered delicious nourishment, but created spaces and stories for inclusion, representation, and community connections through food. And KULA Foods was born!

Ashsa shares her journey of becoming an entrepreneur when she was a new mom. She also shares how she felt imposter syndrome when she first launched her food company as she didn’t have a background in the industry. We also dive into the power of community and creating connections with other entrepreneurs, and how it’s so important to be able to step outside your comfort zone!

We can’t wait for you to tune into this episode! 

Connect with Asha:

Instagram & tik tok: kula foods, Chop It Up

Kula foods.ca

LinkedIn: Asha Wheeldon


Key Takeaways:

The Birth of Kula Foods

After moving to Vancouver and transitioning into a plant-based diet, Asha's passion for food and community led her to start Kula Foods in 2018. Beginning with sauces and stews at farmers' markets, the business has grown to serve larger markets and food service establishments.

Navigating the Challenges

Asha faced several challenges during her entrepreneurial journey, especially as a new mom. Leaving a secure job and adjusting to the uncertainty of income were major adjustments. However, the support of a like-minded community and her burning drive to succeed kept her going.

Embracing Community

Asha values the power of community, which stems from her upbringing in a large family and her roots in Kenya. Community support and togetherness have always been integral to her life and work. Surrounding herself with entrepreneurs and collaborating with them has been invaluable in overcoming challenges and finding inspiration.

The Importance of Vulnerability

Asha emphasizes the significance of being vulnerable and willing to ask for help. Building a supportive community means sharing strengths and weaknesses, and learning from one another. By being open about her struggles and needs, Asha has attracted the right people who have provided resources and guidance.

Sharing and Collaborating

Asha finds joy in sharing her knowledge and experiences with others, particularly with new and underrepresented businesses. She actively engages in supporting fellow entrepreneurs, especially women-owned and Black-owned businesses. Collaborating and creating a network of shared resources and opportunities has been a rewarding part of her journey.

Building a supportive community is crucial for entrepreneurial success. Asha's story demonstrates the power of community in overcoming challenges, finding inspiration, and creating opportunities for growth. By embracing vulnerability and fostering collaboration, entrepreneurs can thrive together and make a positive impact in their industries.


Our Top Business Resources to Support Female Entrepreneurs:

Connect on Instagram:

Connect with Danielle Wiebe @danilivinglife

Connect with Business Babes Collective @businessbabesco

Have a Question & Want to be Featured on The Podcast?

Ask us a Question

Apply to be a Guest

transcript

[00:00:00] Danielle: Welcome back to the podcast. I'm so excited for today's episode because it is with my new friend Asha, who is the founder of Kula Foods. Kula is a sustainable plant-based food company that was created based on ASHA's diverse cultural experiences. She was raised in Kenya and her journey led her through Toronto and British Columbia.

[00:00:24] Danielle: And then after moving to Vancouver, she was looking for food. Flavors and spices that reminded her of home. So that inspired her brand Kula, and that's when that was born. So I am so excited for you to tune into this episode. In this episode we talk about ASHA's journey of how she became an entrepreneur when she was a new mom.

[00:00:45] Danielle: She also shares how she felt. Imposter syndrome when she first launched her food company as she didn't have a background in the industry. We also dive into topics in this episode like community and creating [00:01:00] connections with other entrepreneurs, which all of you know how passionate I am about that. And we also talk about how important it is to be vulnerable and step outside of your comfort zone when it comes to building your.

[00:01:14] Danielle: So I'm really excited for you to listen in to Ash and i's convers. , and I'm also so excited to be announcing that Asha is one of our speakers for our Dream Big conference happening this Friday. So picture this, enjoying a full day of inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, delicious food and drinks, music, photo opportunities, surprises, everything that is going to make you feel not only inspired, but.

[00:01:48] Danielle: Spoiled at the same time . So our lineup of inspiring speakers are gonna be sharing their experiences and insights with you, and we are gonna be wrapping up the day [00:02:00] with an epic after party featuring a dj, refreshing drinks and goodies, all while you network with your new found business besties. I'm so excited to have you join us this Friday.

[00:02:13] Danielle: If you have not grabbed your ticket yet at the time of recording this, we are over 60% sold out, so don't wait to grab your tickets. We also only have five v i p tickets left, so join us in over 200 fellow entrepreneurs at the gorgeous Sky Hangar, which is only 45 minutes outside of Vancouver. On March 10th, which is this Friday.

[00:02:36] Danielle: So if you wanna grab your ticket, you haven't secured your ticket yet, you can go to business babes collective.com and there'll be a button right in the middle there, and you can grab your ticket there. And if you have any questions at all about the conference, you can send me a dm, Danny Living Life on Instagram, or you can email.

[00:02:57] Danielle: At info business [00:03:00] vapes collective.com. So now let's go ahead and get started with today's episode. Welcome to the Business Babes Collective podcast. I'm your host, Danielle Weep. In this podcast, you'll learn tangible business tips and strategies. On how to grow successfully and sustainably. We'll also interview seasoned entrepreneurs so you can listen in on their stories and see behind the scenes of what it took to grow and scale their businesses.

[00:03:28] Danielle: Let's dive in as we discuss the wild, exciting, crazy challenging, rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship. Welcome, Ashton. I'm so excited to have you on the podcast today. Can you just share with us a little bit more about yourself? Tell us a little bit more about you, your business, and how did you get started in the entrepreneurial space?

[00:03:52] Asha: Thank you so much for having me, Danielle. Yeah, I got into telecom for about 15 years. That was the industry that I worked in and I learned [00:04:00] a lot. It was quite interesting. So many challenges did come up as someone who was really trying to move up the ladder. And in 2015 I moved to Vancouver, uh, on a project for this company that I worked for.

[00:04:11] Asha: And yeah, I was really interested in what I was experiencing in Vancouver and I made a decision to move here and I, about a year and a half later, We found out we were having a child, and I think that's what kicked off this interest in more entrepreneurial experience. One of the first things I had to start thinking about is how am I gonna use my time?

[00:04:30] Asha: My time is no longer a hundred percent free. And then also I had this inkling for some time in terms of wanting to do something that was really close to me, more valuable, and that's how cool it started. So I'm a. at heart. So one of the ways that I bring people into my life is introducing food. And so being in a new environment, I found myself introducing some of my traditional foods, but also just foods I love.

[00:04:54] Asha: And I was also transitioning into a plant-based diet and I had a really good opportunity and met some incredible [00:05:00] folks and. , uh, the idea of starting a food business kind of came up from, you know, interacting with some of my friends that are in this industry. And so in 2018 I officially launched in farmer's markets offering sauces and stews.

[00:05:13] Asha: And then organically we've been able to grow into more of a bigger markets and like groceries and food service. Yeah, I think the big change in the shift for me was that universal indicator of. . I wanted to do more things that felt good. And um, my first child was daughter, you know, ha Halima was born. I had to like really think, I'm like, here's the time, but then how are we, how is she gonna view how I use my time?

[00:05:37] Asha: And like many mothers, many parents, you start to think about what's the value of work, right? You gotta consider a childcare if you're going back to work. And so all of these things were coming to light and I had to really dig and ensure that I was a little more intentional in terms of how I would. . Wow.

[00:05:54] Asha: So that's, that's cooler. That's how Coola started, and that's what drives me personally. That's so, [00:06:00]

[00:06:00] Danielle: so amazing. Tell me a little bit more about. That transitional period. What was that like for you as a new mom and getting into this entrepreneurial space? What kind of challenges did you face, whether that be actual tangible challenges or even just mindset?

[00:06:16] Danielle: Where did that have to be to make that transition and really be able to grow your business while also having a family and all the things that come along with. . It was wild.

[00:06:28] Asha: It was, yeah. I, when I think back, I just don't understand how it was possible. You know, my daughter was, I think seven months, eight months old when we were physically out and about.

[00:06:39] Asha: It becomes blurry a bit, but I just remember doing the planning phase at do my mat leave. I took a lot of time just to plan out and do a bit of research to see where do we start? How do we start, what made sense? What is the market saying? And then all of a sudden, the moment we launched there was no stopping.

[00:06:56] Asha: So I think I was. Delusional in terms of what I thought [00:07:00] entrepreneurship would look like. , starting a business would look like leaving a cushy job. That's probably like the first shock into my system was like not seeing income that you are used to for many years come through. Yeah. So I had to really get.

[00:07:13] Asha: Very comfortable with that, which is quite uncomfortable for some time. And then it's just the nine to five letting go of this idea of nine to five had to shift as well. So what was very exciting was the amount of people we were meeting. So I was meeting a lot of folks and like you start to, you just start to build these com communities of folks that are in.

[00:07:31] Asha: Not in the same situation, but very similar drive. And so that was very exciting to me. But I would say it was, it was, it was crazy. My daughter was with me at work. I was known as the mom at Farmer's Market, like, you know, holstered on my back or the front. But there was like, there's this burning drive that you feel, and of course there are times that I had to kind of question, what am I doing?

[00:07:52] Asha: Yeah. What is going on here? This is wild. Like packing the car. , all these equipments and there's a car seat there, but at the end [00:08:00] you also see the results and the feedback that comes in. So my mindset really had to shift from being comfortable. I think that's what stood out for me and not necessarily having that clear path of this is what I'm gonna do and this is what, this is what the outcome would look like.

[00:08:14] Asha: And yeah, I think I had to really embrace that and that really was very helpful in that journey. Being surrounded with entrepreneurs has been so helpful. And I think what's really unique above Vancouver is there's so many of. Who have started business, small businesses and just trying to figure it out and that willingness to, to connect and share and collaborate.

[00:08:32] Asha: I think that first two years, that's what I remember most.

[00:08:35] Danielle: Yeah, that's amazing. And yeah, I love that you mentioned community. We're so passionate about community, getting people together to absolutely connect, collaborate, and cuz entrepreneurship can be really lonely. And especially when you're first getting started, there's all these things you have to learn and you feel like, am I the only one that feels super overwhelmed with all of the things,

[00:08:58] Danielle: And then you realize, right, [00:09:00] I'm not alone. There's other people like me who are just figuring it out basically as they go. So to have those people to bounce ideas off of or ask questions too, is so, so valuable. So was that something that you just naturally. I guess valued was community. And cuz I know a lot of people, they try to do it on their own for a long time and then they're to this point where they're like, okay, I need support, I need help, or I need just community around me.

[00:09:30] Danielle: So was that sort of right when you started, you just felt, okay, I need a community. Where are my people and went and found them? Or what was that?

[00:09:39] Asha: Yeah, so I come from a pretty big family. My mom has 11 of us, and so wow. Community . It's wild, but it's, you learn to share and you learn to be with others. Very early on, I'm a middle child.

[00:09:53] Asha: I definitely had no choice, , and I think that sort of shaped, shaped the way I am just, and it was also relevant to where I come [00:10:00] from. Mm-hmm. . Um, so I'm from Kenya, like, you know, a very small rural town and northeast of Nairobi. And oftentimes just again, you're sharing a lot of re. Resources. And so in terms of community and togetherness is just ingrained in me.

[00:10:15] Asha: I love that and whatever it is that I do, and I realize even the work that I was doing prior to being an entrepreneur. . It was always like the people that drove it. It wasn't the product that we were working on. It wasn't the project necessarily, it was the people. That's what I was looking forward to daily, and that's what I loved about my work the most.

[00:10:32] Asha: And so I knew that's, it's the first thing. If I'm moving to a new place, I was, I was going through a whole life change. Right? I know I was not trying to be alone here in terms of personal life and then, . Beyond that, it does also show up in, in my business and to this day, I think with Cula, we are a food brand, but we are a community brand.

[00:10:49] Asha: Mm-hmm. . So we are often involved in a lot of collaboration and projects that, with the goal of bringing folks together. And so for me, I think realizing that food was just [00:11:00] a vehicle for allowing that opportunity for folks to. . It's obviously one of the most organic, natural way of doing that, and it became easier for me.

[00:11:09] Asha: But community was everything. I definitely, loneliness comes up when you have different challenges of projects that come up or just day-to day business solutioning and operations. It still shows up every day for us. And on the other end, I do struggle with imposter syndrome. And so with that, sometimes it is a practice to remember, okay, I can reach out to this person that I trust, and those are the things that.

[00:11:31] Asha: I actively have to work on beyond working on projects is when you need help reaching out. And that's a big lesson. . Yes. That I'm definitely, yes, I've learned and I encourage anyone surrounding yourself with that supportive community, um, helps for

[00:11:45] Danielle: sure. So good. So good. I love you. You mentioned a couple things there that I wanted to kind of.

[00:11:49] Danielle: Touch on. So I mean, one of those things is yeah, actually being willing to ask for help, right? And yes, and being like vulnerable to say, Hey, I don't know how to do [00:12:00] this, or I need support here. And that sometimes it's a hard thing to do when you are someone growing a brand, growing a business, just admitting, Hey, this is.

[00:12:10] Danielle: This is a struggle that I'm having. This is something that I need help with. And I know for me too, like in my journey, I feel like over the past few years I've really tried to just push myself and like you said at the beginning of the interview, like getting outside your comfort zone. Yeah. And like showing up.

[00:12:25] Danielle: And a lot of times showing up is being vulnerable and admitting what you need, support with what you need help. . And so how have you found that even with the communities that you're a part of and supporting each other? Because I think the beautiful thing about being together and building those collaborations and community is that everyone has different strengths and everyone has different weaknesses.

[00:12:49] Danielle: So like leaning on each other for those things is so important cuz we can all learn from one another and gain valuable insights from each other's businesses and each other's [00:13:00] lives as well. So how have you found. .

[00:13:03] Asha: Yeah. I love what you said about being able to be vulnerable and, and honest and. Putting it out there.

[00:13:10] Asha: And I think when you put it out there, you get the right people coming to you. And so often, like they're, they're, I sit in the middle. So when a new, a newer business comes up often, especially if it's a black owned business, woman owned business, some, sometimes I do, someone reaches out and. , I get excited cuz it's like, okay, I've learned this so far.

[00:13:28] Asha: I don't know what's next after where I'm at, but the, you know, I can, I can help you with registration and, and I actually get it really excited with being able to share that kind of resource and making it as simple as possible. And then on the other end, it's really incredible to like, to be honest with you, the f.

[00:13:45] Asha: Those first two years, I had no idea in terms of the business side of things, who to go to. I didn't even know there were certain groups that I can reach out to. And I often, and I found out in 2020 there were some incredible resources and specifically women that are doing amazing [00:14:00] things to support our communities.

[00:14:01] Asha: And so I'm amazed by the skills that they carry, but then the willingness specifically that they've been able to share and even creating incubators. That's been something that I've been like really leaning on. And then, Progressed, and I think it's like a fine line. You said there's a give and take, but I personally enjoy, I enjoy sharing and I love hearing what others are up to.

[00:14:21] Asha: One of the spaces that we operate out of is a shared space. And so really cool because you are in front of, you're beside a business that's potentially, maybe they were developing a new recipe and they're asking your opinion and vice versa or even sharing resources. And so that kind of goes around beyond skills.

[00:14:38] Asha: It's what do I have and. , maybe someone else needs it and or I need something that they have, we're able to collaborate and, and create, uh, a more easier route for ourselves. But I'm really grateful. I'm really grateful for the women that are around who are just doing some incredible, amazing things. Some of them are on the panel next week, so very excited to be sharing that [00:15:00] space with them.

[00:15:00] Asha: But yeah, I'm just grateful for the openness, I think. And a lot of that is a recent yeah, friend that I really admire and what she does. We just had a great vulnerable moment of. , does this happen to you? ? Yeah. Is this just me? What is going on? Like, how do we make this easier? And I was, I've been thinking about this subject for a while and I was really struggling with it and it just helped to have someone in front of me who I can relate to who is experiencing that.

[00:15:26] Asha: And then we just have that moment. A solution did not appear out of it, but like just to know someone. , that's close to me. But you're not alone is experiencing that. I'm not alone. Mm-hmm. , sometimes it's just that, it's that word of encouragement and like affirmation or thought that Yeah, we're, I'm in the same boat.

[00:15:42] Asha: Me too. . Yeah. Yeah. I can, I'm rambling on, but I can't, I cannot stress the value of just being able to show up as yourself. . Right. And And being able to put yourself out there as

[00:15:54] Danielle: much as possible. Yeah. That's so great. Yeah. Cuz you also mentioned like imposter syndrome and [00:16:00] I think Yes. It's so important to talk about that because there's a lot of people that are looking to you and thinking, wow, so incredible what you've been able to create yet you still struggle with it.

[00:16:13] Danielle: And so it's so interesting. Yes. When like we start to talk about these things because. . I don't think it really matters necessarily, like what stage of business that you're at or where you're at in your journey. , you'll always kind of struggle with that. So how has that impacted, because I, cuz I love that you're, that you talked about getting outside of your comfort zone.

[00:16:32] Danielle: If that's something we talk about in our community all the time, is doing things that scare you. Like the quicker that you can just get over that and just be like, yeah, this is really terrifying, but I'm gonna do it anyways. , the faster you're gonna grow, whether that be like investing in your business, absolutely.

[00:16:49] Danielle: Whether that talking to someone that maybe you're nervous to talk to or pitching yourself for an opportunity, whatever that is, is the quicker that you're gonna be able to grow is the faster you're gonna be able to get over [00:17:00] that. So what has that been like for you as far as, do you feel that. early on, you held yourself back from opportunities because of that feeling of who am I to do this?

[00:17:12] Danielle: Or who am I to be in this space? Tell us a little bit about that journey, cuz I know a lot of us can really

[00:17:17] Asha: relate to it. Oh, for sure. I'm not a trained chef. I didn't come from the food industry. . Yeah. Um, . And so that was one of the first things that popped up. I remember our first day with our production, I literally stared at this burner, which is like this industrial burner, and it took me an hour to officially get started.

[00:17:38] Asha: I'm just like, considering, what am I doing? Am I gonna burn this place down? As simple as that, and I have to like, I think so. So yes, absolutely shows up. Now at this stage, the imposter syndrome shows up when I need to pitch my. . And so I'm working through the stage now of trying to get more buy-ins, whether it's with, with retailers or potential future investors, someone that I'm trying to [00:18:00] bring on.

[00:18:00] Asha: I'm always like, oh, I don't think so. And so I think where the process is, is on, on a personal note, is I had to recognize where it's coming from, right? And I have a conversation happening on Monday at ubc. What I would tell my younger self. And so knowing that it's rooted from right where it's rooted is, is what you've been told as a kid and it becomes a part of you and you start to really doubt a lot of, I have, my daughter is six years old and like she can do anything right.

[00:18:27] Asha: However, if I don't push that or my partner does not instill and continue that confidence that she's holding. over time, like you, you start to really say you doubt yourself in all parts of life. And that's what where I connected back to is like remembering that someone said, you're not good enough or you are speaking this way.

[00:18:47] Asha: Public speaking has been one of the toughest things that I had to go over because I had a lot of trouble with hearing myself or when your words are stumbling and. . Unfortunately, this is quite common with young girls and women. [00:19:00] We carry this forward and it takes us, like, for instance, those two years, I think I, I could have moved the needle faster.

[00:19:06] Asha: I'm not, again, no regrets here because that's the learnings that I took away. But definitely, and doubting myself has been some of the ways that it's shown up and yeah, working through it, still working through it, it's just a reminder. And again, being surrounded with women that are supportive has been incredible.

[00:19:23] Asha: It's just, it's that affirmation that we continuously need to A, give ourselves, but also have those folks pour to you and you pour to them. But yeah, I can go on and on about it. But yeah, if I was to, if I was to, if I was to talk to my younger self and just. Speak for future is like just you are enough.

[00:19:41] Asha: You what you are is enough and what you do is enough and you're, you are doing great things. And I think I'm really excited for our children's generation. Yeah. Cause we're, we have more tools to work with, you know, we have more tools to work with to, to move forward and Yeah. She's quite a audacious . [00:20:00] Um, my, my design is quite audacious.

[00:20:01] Asha: They have no limits. Yeah. And yeah, what I can do better as a parent is just ensuring that we keep that. Keep that fire going and that confidence because it does show up later.

[00:20:12] Danielle: And, and like, it's so cool cuz you get to show them and by being bold yourself and being like pushing past your own fears and insecurities and everything you're showing, you're modeling to them really, you know what they can, can do.

[00:20:28] Danielle: And do you find too that, you know, the more that you. Because this is what I found too, like the more that I get outside of my comfort zone, the more opportunities that I have to get outside of my comfort zone. It's like it's a snowball effect. I was talk, it's a snowball effect. Yeah. I always talk to people about this, about how they're like, oh, I want this opportunity or that opportunity.

[00:20:49] Danielle: It's like, , you just have to do it. You just have to put yourself in those situations or yeah, pitching, whatever that might look like or being involved in different communities. And then it [00:21:00] is just really this snowball of, okay, you get this opportunity and then that person, you connect with this person.

[00:21:05] Danielle: Yeah. And collaborations lead to new collaborations and it's just so cool what can happen and. . Yeah, I think it's just like encouragement to people. Like if you're trying to do business and you're just doing it on your own, like find those people, like connect with, show up. Yeah, sure. Yeah. Show up because you never know what can happen.

[00:21:28] Danielle: And I'm sure like over the years too, you've probably gotten so much more confident with speaking engagements and different things because you've. Push past those fears time, but you're probably still nervous, but then you're like, okay, I've done this before. Yeah. So I can do this again. So it becomes easier as you go.

[00:21:46] Asha: Exactly. Just get more comfortable with just even hearing your own voice. Yeah. Like I had to really get comfortable with that and, uh, it, it not to say it's ever gonna be perfect. I think that's the other thing is part of the imposter [00:22:00] syndrome is like, we expect perfection and we want perfection because that's how we measure success.

[00:22:05] Asha: Yeah. And there's no such thing .

[00:22:07] Danielle: Yeah. It's so true. There's no such thing. There's no

[00:22:09] Asha: such thing. So yeah. You've ex, I'm sure you've experienced this as well.

[00:22:13] Danielle: Yeah. And I think like your failures and the times that. Things don't go as you planned or you're embarrassed or you make a mistake. It's like you just learn from all of it.

[00:22:23] Danielle: And I think we're truly like, we're so hard on ourselves. We expect ourselves to be s like you said, expect ourselves to be so perfect. And people don't want perfection from you either. Like they, cuz they want someone to relate to. They want someone that they can say, oh, that she struggles with that. Like, I struggle with that too.

[00:22:42] Danielle: And it's makes them feel more connected to you and. They wanna support you as well and they wanna be involved in what you're doing or support your business. Yeah, so good. Well I could talk to you for hours, . Likewise, likewise. Thank you so much for your time and [00:23:00] I'm super excited. We are going to have you a part of our dream big conference that's happening this week on.

[00:23:07] Danielle: 10th Friday, March 10th, coming up soon. Yes. So yeah. I'm so excited to have you a part of that. And yeah, we have some amazing women gonna be a part of that event. So if you are on the fence about coming maybe's outside of your comfort zone, Yes. This is your, come on through. Yeah. This is your opportunity to get out there and meet inspiring women and connect and learn.

[00:23:31] Danielle: Thank you so much for being on the podcast. Can you share with everyone where they can connect with you, where they can buy your products, all of the amazing things?

[00:23:39] Asha: Absolutely. I am so excited. I'm so excited For the 10th, I think, um, I had a really good feeling as soon as I saw a poster and then two friends reached out.

[00:23:49] Asha: So I'm really, really, yeah. I can't tell you how excited I am. I think it's needed. So yeah, the turnout will be amazing. So yes, if you have not made the decision, I think today is a good day to do that. You will not [00:24:00] regret it. You'll make some good connections. So for me, if you wanna. Stay connected. I a few ways.

[00:24:06] Asha: One on LinkedIn is Asha Wien and on Instagram, both ASHA Wien Cooler Foods, so that's K U L A and what else? Chop it up. So we do have a cooking series with communal gathering as well. But yeah, I'm usually available on an, on any of those. If you wanna have a connection or keep talking on LinkedIn, reach out and we can take it from there.

[00:24:28] Asha: But yes, on the 10th, I'm really excited to see everyone.

[00:24:31] Danielle: Amazing. I just wanna quickly talk about the power of like community and connection, because we've been following you for a while and have always been like, oh, I wanna connect. And then you know how just like when you have connections that have connections Yes.

[00:24:45] Danielle: And then finally bring it together. So Cion. Yes. And so she was the one to kind of like make that. Connection between the two of us. Yes. So I'm so grateful for her and I'm so grateful that absolutely, we got to make this happen. It's amazing. She's amazing.

[00:24:59] Asha: [00:25:00] So it just, and that's what it is. That's this is it.

[00:25:02] Asha: This is that community aspect. And it's not like a direct flow. And I also, like Natasha and I were talking and she was telling me, and then Cion reached out and then I was like, absolutely, let's do this. And yeah, it's a universal

[00:25:12] Danielle: way, right. Yeah. Yeah. And it's so powerful once you start to just put yourself out there and meet people.

[00:25:19] Danielle: Cuz again, like you never know who you're going to connect with or who you're gonna meet and how that's gonna give you other opportunities in your business too. So, . I think that's just like a perfect kind of example of, I've been wanting to connect with you, but you know when you yes. Don't have those mutual connections, you're like, how do I reach out and so how do I do this?

[00:25:38] Danielle: It's so helpful to have someone who has a mutual connection to connect people together and I just encourage like everyone do that as much as you can. Like you feel like, oh, if this person met this person, that would be so great. Make those connections cuz it's so. Powerful. When we can just bring our communities together.

[00:25:56] Danielle: It just makes it stronger, and then we all [00:26:00] can grow together. That's a beautiful thing. Exactly. Yeah. That's perfect. Thank you for being on the podcast. I loved conversation so much,

[00:26:06] Asha: Danielle. This I could talk to you forever. , I'm excited to continue that.

[00:26:10] Danielle: Likewise. Okay, we'll talk to you very soon. Talk soon.

[00:26:18] Danielle: If you love this episode, make sure you screenshot, post and tag us on Instagram at business vapes co. Want to know when the next episode goes live? Subscribe on your podcast app and while you're there, leave us a review. Until next time, keep dreaming big, setting goals and taking action.

Danielle Wiebe