Episode 20: Building a Creative Life Together | Rachel Rivera & Claire Ouchi | Co-Founders of The WKNDRS
Rachel Rivera and Claire Ouchi didn’t just start a business. They built a creative playground. As co-founders of The WKNDRS, an art and design lifestyle brand, they’ve turned their friendship into a thriving collaboration that’s equal parts work and play. From their first venture selling vintage clothing to partnering with artists and brands they love, Rachel and Claire have made joy a business priority. We talk about finding the right creative partner, building community, and why the best work comes when you’re having fun.
“Don’t dip your toe. Cannonball into your next endeavor.”
“The hardest thing is to start. Just start.”
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Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters:
00:00 Meet Rachel & Claire of The WKNDRS
01:20 From Alberta to Vancouver: Their creative path
03:15 How friendship became a business partnership
05:05 Lessons from their first vintage clothing business
07:30 Launching The WKNDRS art and design brand
09:50 Collaborating with artists and favorite brands
12:10 Why fun is essential to their creative process
14:20 The role of community in building a business
16:15 Balancing work and personal life as entrepreneurs
18:30 Overcoming creative and business challenges
21:00 Advice for finding the right creative partner
23:15 Building a brand with personality and heart
25:00 Designing a business around your values
27:15 Their favorite projects and collaborations so far
Don't dip your toe cannonball into your next endeavor. 'cause you get at this, the hardest thing is just to
start. Mm-hmm And so just, that's huge. Just start.
That's Rachel Rivera and Claire Ouchi of the Weekenders and this is The Powerful Ladies podcast.
Hey guys, I'm your host, Kara Duffy and this is The Powerful Ladies Podcast where I invite my favorite humans, the awesome, the up to something. And the extraordinary to come and share their story. I hope that you'll be left, entertained, inspired, and moved to take action towards living your most powerful life.
Rachel and Claire are artists, designers, and entrepreneurs based in Vancouver, Canada. They've been friends since college, and their first business together was a vintage clothing shop. Today, they're equal artists and entrepreneurs behind the weekenders, an art and design lifestyle brand. It's super lighthearted and where they get to express their fun side, plus they get to collaborate with their favorite artists and brands.
On this episode, we discuss the value of having a creative partner, what it means to build a creative community around you, and why having fun should always be a priority. All that coming up. But first, Hey guys. This episode is brought to you by the powerful ladies.com shop where we are featuring the weak enders pins.
You can get all of my favorites from the Man Witch. Yes, exactly what you could imagine. A naked man in a hamburger sandwich, the karma pin, as well as really fun things like the Suck It Popsicle pin. They're all awesome and whimsical, and for sure to be conversation starters no matter where you wear them.
Go to the powerful ladies.com/shop to buy yours now.
Well, thank you for being on The Powerful Ladies podcast. Um, let's thanks for
having this.
Of course, of course. Um, let's start by you guys introducing yourselves and what you do.
Cool. Um, so my name's Rachel Rivera. And I'm Claire Ouchi and we have a brand together called The Weekenders.
And what is the weekenders for those that dunno?
Um, it's an art and design lifestyle brand that's, um, driven more so by our kind of artistic wiles.
We love to keep it super lighthearted and our, our fun side for sure.
Mm-hmm. Uh, I met you guys at Agenda, the trade show in Long Beach years ago. At this point, I don't even remember how many, and I was drawn to your booth because you had such fun pins.
Like, I really appreciate when people bring. Their sense of humor and personality into their work. And the fact that you have everything from, my new favorite is the karma coin, but there's also a man witch, which literally has like a naked man in the sandwich. And there is the everything pizza that says everything's gonna be fine.
Like, they're all cute and whimsical, but um, like not childlike at the same time. So I just love them. Like, everyone always asks where I get them.
That's awesome.
Well, I'm always surprised too, that like I went into my yoga studio and you had done a pin for them. I'm like, what, like is happening? Yeah,
actually, uh, one of the major things that we also do on top of our own personal line is collaborate with a lot of like-minded businesses and other artists to create something really cool together.
And we've really appreciated and enjoyed that process throughout the whole time we've had, we've done weekenders, so that was super cool that you got to see that as well for yourself.
Yeah. That's awesome. And how did you guys meet and how did Weekenders get started?
All right. The story starts, uh, we met at art school and we were taking the same program together, visual communications.
And it was the, what, what do you like to call it? Mecu. It was a mecu, yes. That's a great term.
We had a total mecu, it was in typography class, and I had, uh, her desk was in front of mine, or, yeah, it was in front of mine. And I had dropped my pencil and then she picked it up and it was an exchange, and it was like, oh, thanks.
And then from then on in fourth year, we were beside each other, just working along, and it was just such good chemistry and, uh, just really fun. And then. We lived together and we did actually have another business together. Yes. Um,
we, we really, um, not only did we, um, have an attraction toward the same types of things, like in the realm of art, but we also were addicted to, um, thrifting and vintage clothing.
Mm-hmm. And so we would do that on a weekly basis and go thrifting. And then we started a business together while we were still in school, um, a vintage clothing company. Um, that kind of was the first business that we've, we've carried toward, uh, together mm-hmm. Before starting weekenders. Yeah.
And, um, you guys are in Vancouver right now?
Yes. Are you from Vancouver originally? Like where did you guys grow up and how did you become designers?
Well, I grew up, um, well we're both from Alberta and I grew up in this small mountain town, um, called Canmore Alberta, and it's right by beside Banff. A lot of people dunno about Canmore, but they know about Banff.
So I would say that. And then I basically, I went to high school there and then I went to, um, I, I moved to Calgary to go to Acad art school. Um, and then,
um, my story is I kind of have a anomaly of a family. They're very art centric, so, um, both my parents and a lot of my family members are all in, invested in art in some different ways.
So we have art teachers. My dad's an abstract painter. Um, my mom, uh, managed a graphics group. My uncle's an art teacher. Um, so it just is just a part of who I and how I grew up.
Mm-hmm.
We had videos and paints, um, in my world. Yeah.
Very cool. And which school was it that you guys met at?
At the Alberta College of Art and Design, we would highly recommend it for anyone that would wanna get into the, um, graphic design world.
'cause it's actually very, it's great. It's super great. It's like focuses on your technical drawing skills first before getting into the ideation of a project. So I think you
just come out really well
rounded
so you can Yeah.
Do anything you want. Create
and like have the vision and understand like the whole process.
Mm-hmm. So we found and work ethic, they really, they really, if you're late for one thing, they fail you. So Yeah. They really made you Yeah. A strong person.
Yeah. And then after you guys, um, left university, did you immediately start doing your own projects? Did you work anywhere else? Like, have you always been entrepreneurs or have you also gone into the corporate world?
Um, so for me, when we graduated from art school, I immediately went into, um, an advertising agency as a designer. So I initially, for me, my, my story, um, starts in graphic design and advertising in print. Um, we still were doing our vintage clothing together, and Claire was also her, her agency.
I was working at a digital agency, so mine was more brand and web focused.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And then, um, I received, um, a job to move to Vancouver and that was kinda like the catalyst to come to Vancouver, um, super randomly, but in the realm of fashion. Um, through just one night out meeting a friend, meeting a new friend that lived in Vancouver while still in Calgary. And then they had sent my portfolio to their company without me knowing.
And then it kind of. Um, they were into my style of work and offered a position, and so I took it and then had been at that company for four years and then, um, we're, we're pretty parallel actually. Yeah. So whatever she says, just take that. And then, and then what happened was, um, I was, they were looking for someone else, and I highly recommended Claire because of the, um, aesthetics and world that she lives in, in terms of like design and graphics.
Mm-hmm. And so she came then to Vancouver on board, and then we pretty much like worked in the corporate fashion world, um, in Vancouver for almost 10 years. Mm-hmm. Um, what was that like? It's pretty, I mean, this is such a good learning experience of course. And.
I really loved falling into fashion 'cause definitely didn't learn it at school.
And I just find it really exciting. Always learning and totally different from the digital and agency world. Yeah. So I'm actually very thankful. Um, it came into, to my life.
So it was, it was really funny for me as, as a transition from advertising into fashion, because where I used to work was mostly male-centric.
Mm-hmm. And all of the, um, you know, all the brands that we used to work for were for beer or high-end cars or high-end watches. Yeah. And then, so when I moved to this, um, when I went to that one fashion company that was like very woman, girl centric, I'd be like, oh, everyone, how about beer Fridays? Are we doing that here?
And everyone's like, no, just kidding. Just kidding. You know, and in meetings, like in big meetings where the, the big boss is there, um, it'd get catered and everyone would have like salads, but I was, I ordered a cheeseburger once and then no one would like, let, let that go. It's just, it's crazy the difference, but Yeah.
No, it's good.
It is shocking how, you know, 'cause being in the sports world for such a long time, it was almost predominantly men, especially the action sports side. Yeah. And we always had to take notes of like, who was a vegetarian or vegan, because it was the anomaly. Like a lot of our business lunches would be like.
Barbecue, and then the entire room would smell like barbecue and everyone would have like the meat sweats and be barely conscious for the afternoon. But it was a lot of like eating meat and drinking beer and let's go skateboarding, which nothing wrong with those things. Mm-hmm. Um, but it's very different.
Like that would be like the DC team. And then if you went to a Roxy meeting, it would be salads and yoga and completely different worlds. Yeah. Uh, even if they were in the same building. Mm-hmm.
It's, it's so true. It's so true. It's so interesting. You know, the how, how different companies, and it just cultivates a different culture for sure.
Yeah. Values and yeah, the set of values and how, and how we would just meander through it, you know? Mm-hmm. Yeah. Because, because I think it's, I think, I mean, you agree, like we're all feel, we all like all of it. Yeah. Right. Not just funny, just one. Yeah,
yeah, yeah.
Direction.
Yeah. The contrast is very evident.
Yeah. Yes. Yeah. And we would even have like a cross brands, um, like a Christmas party or something, and you could tell like who worked for the skate company, who worked for the surf company, who worked for the girls surf company, like what people wore. And totally like the DC team, we'd all roll in and we're like black, head to toe, like didn't matter.
Male, female, it didn't matter. And then there, you know. The Roxy group was definitely more of like a boho beach chic look. And you're like, how does this happen? Like, it's such an interesting study on communities and cultures that just kind of happen on their own
For sure. It's so intriguing. I, I'm so, I'm so fascinated by that.
And I love it. I love it so much.
I think our, our true seltzer, like who we are now is we kind of like to be a bit more weird and Yeah. Just weirdos, I think just with who we are. Just okay with being different. Mm-hmm. And just being ourselves. So it's, it's a fun. To be from for sure. The beginning of like, when you're starting out, you're like, how do I fit in?
Or How does this work? And yeah. We're just on the other side now, so it's great.
Well, well, I think that definitely, I mean, it comes through experience and self-confidence mm-hmm. And like getting things under your belt. But I think it also allows you to have the space you need to really be creatives.
Mm-hmm. Like, like, I can't, I mentioned this a few podcasts back, how I can't wait until like, we're, we have the nineties, like apparel trend covered. Mm-hmm. But I really want the nineties, um, cultural trend to be back of how it, you were only cool if you looked different. Like, I miss Yeah. Yeah,
yeah, yeah. So true.
There's so much uniformity right now, and I, I miss that time period where. People were really pushing and experimenting and, and trying to look different and to really say how they had a different voice. So I encourage that to come back, and I think it might be soon just based on the cycle of culture.
Mm-hmm. Um, it's usually a reaction to all the things that are being talked about now in regards to like status and wealth and those things. So
yeah. I feel like it's percolating. Yes. It's around the corner. I'm excited for it too.
Yeah. Well, because it, it's so creative and fun and it causes different people in music and just stuff to, to come together.
Yeah. What's the, what's the creative and entrepreneurial scene like in Vancouver?
It's, it's interesting because, um, for us, like how we mentioned before a big, a big thing that we want to do with weekenders and because. Initially we felt there was, that was slightly lacking, was cultivate more of a community, um, of, or creating, um, events or opportunities where other creatives can come together and, and, and do something really interesting.
So for instance, we've, we've really also not just like tied to specifically only art, but other forms of creativity like music, um, and, and food like, or you know, like anything in the realm of, of that. So creating these events where we combine all of that is something that we're super keen on. And. We successfully did one an event last month that was art music, where we had local, um, musicians come and play, and, um, other artists as well as our, our brand, um, uh, be there as like a little popup and, and then there'd be live art painting as well.
Just an all encompassing event. Like we had a, our artist friend, she, um, she had created these amazing phone booths that she like painted all psychedelic. And there were on two, there's two of them on two floors. And essentially if you would pick one, one, um, of the phones up, the other one would ring and then some other person would answer it and it'd be a random human and you wouldn't know and you just get into a conversation.
Very cool.
Um, and then we're doing another one actually, uh, this coming Thursday. And, um, in the theme of, because it's getting hotter out here, so it's kind of like a west coast surf theme and it's all about surfy music. Um, some local bands as well as another like popup and then a live West coast mural painting.
So it's kind of just really fun that people are, are digging these types of events that we're doing. It's fun for us to mm-hmm. To kind of curate that.
Are you, are people paying to come to these events? Yeah. Yeah. So Very cool.
Yeah, they're, they're ticketed for sure. Yeah. Yeah.
And are you guys doing like one a month or what's the frequency?
Well, this one because the last one was, was it last month or two? Two months? I feel like it
was maybe two months ago. Okay. Two months ago.
So this will be our second one. Um,
but we do have popups as well. Yeah.
Our studio. Yeah. So that, that's more just in the realm of like our music art kind of popups.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Or nights we call them, like, um, blank Folk Night Uhhuh. So first it was dreamy folk night, and then this one's surf folk night. Um, because the, in the realm of music, it's easier to have, like, you can shop and look at art when the music's Yeah. Not super intense, you know. Um, but we, uh, like Claire was saying, we also have, in, in our, our studio, we do, um, have popups where we curate like 30 plus local artists and designers and do a little like weekend popup.
Mm-hmm. And it's been
super fun. I definitely found once we started, we kinders was the best thing to connect with our community before, when. We moved here. It was kind of like we had our group of friends, but it was hard to like expand that, that group. Mm-hmm. And once we started Weekend Weekenders, it's been amazing like that so many people, artists, just local rad people.
So we wanna take this and like go else, like go to la we'd love to like come and hang out and just like keep this world growing and meeting great people. So yeah, that's our goal for sure.
Mm-hmm. When did you guys start weekenders?
I'm like, is it four years ago?
It might, it might have been four years ago.
We should know that. Um, well
the thing is, the first year was more just, um, an experiment almost. Mm-hmm. Because it's like, it just happened. Yeah. It just, it just naturally happened. And, um. We knew that we wanted to build, like, create another company or a brand together after we moved away from our vintage clothing.
Um, and we was creative just trying to figure it out. Creative. Yeah. Creative.
We were like, why we stopped So pea was, we love vintage, but it wasn't creative enough. Mm-hmm. So definitely that was important for our next project
together. And the way that weekenders happened was, um, like for me, I, I used to collect, like, I used to go out, um, uh, to do road trips and travel a lot just for fun.
And, um, going to different cities and, you know, you get those pins mm-hmm. Like at the city pins, um, it's like collecting spoons. Yeah. Spoons. And, um, and then I had my, my kind of like my. I had a dog and he passed, um, during like my formidable teenage years and I was gonna get a tattoo of him and then Claire was like, maybe let's just make a him, or you don't wanna tattoo even.
I even talked to my mom about it and she was like, well, what if you get another dog? And then I was like, well, I'll just, I'll just start a sleeve. Yeah,
that would be adorable. A, a sleeve of puppies.
Um, and then, yeah, so instead we made a pin and the first pin was our all dogs go to heaven pin. And that was a Todd.
And, um, he's got, like, on our website, it has a little story of him and like a little photo of him as well. This is like his homage. Mm-hmm. And that's what was a catalyst
he lived on forever. Not on my body. Yeah.
Your mother is relieved. Yeah.
And so many people listening are in the process of starting their own thing or thinking about it from when you guys started to, when it started being like profitable. Like how long did it take and what was that like for you guys?
Just uh, it's a lot of work. Yeah. I don't think people realize all the different spaces you have to actually touch to make a business work.
So definitely, uh, was a growing, um, time for us as well as just like making it creative, but then make covering with boxes.
Mm-hmm. I think too. So we're both coming from an artistic background. Mm-hmm. Right. And then that's different having, you know, the corporate design experience that we've had mm-hmm.
Really has helped in the, in the realm of timelines and realistic, um, you know, um, scheduling in terms of working with vendors and their capabilities and those needs. Um, and just, just in the realm of product and supply. Mm-hmm. And, you know, you like how Claire was saying, you, you wear all the hats, you know, it's just the two of us.
And not only are we creating the, um, the, the content and the artwork and the product, but we're also our own, you know, we're, we're own producers and, and managing the, the vendors and working with, um, our shops and working on the marketing. So it's kind of like you're literally every aspect of, of a business and yeah.
It's just very, um, that's I think the part that a lot of, I would take it from the perspective of an artist. 'cause that's how we frame ourselves is, is knowing that if you're wanting to create a business like similar or like what we have, it's a lot of, um, definite, like fitting in multiple hats. Yeah.
I think why it works so much though is we're both obsessive with work.
We're both work obsessive, we're both love the same stuff, same pace, and mm-hmm. Really best hats. Um, so mm-hmm.
I
think also if you're gonna find a partner to work with, which is hard to find. Yeah. Just making sure those like really important things are aligned.
What would those things be?
Work ethic, I think,
I think knowing that there's a balance, a balance.
And for real, I think a lot of it lies in the complete a hundred percent respect of the other person. Mm-hmm. Because I do know some other people that are in a similar situation. Like they, they started their own brand and, um, they have a partner and then you, you kind of hear like certain stories about mm-hmm.
How there's maybe an imbalance of, of work or et cetera, and it causes, you know, issues obviously. And just being really real and hyper aware of those things and, and not beating around the bush. Mm-hmm. And just being like, oh, we gotta, let's balance this out.
Definitely. Where we have like those convers tough conversations that we need to have.
And, and it's not, it's not, yeah. It's not even, it's not tough almost. It's almost know like, you know what I'm saying? It's like how our collaboration is, it's kind of like just real me. Yeah. She's like, Hey, let's do this. And then it's like, yeah, you are right. Let's, but say
all the things you say, you have to say it.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. 'cause whether you have one pin or a thousand SKUs mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. You still need to do all the same steps Oh yeah. To sell the one. Yes, exactly. So it's, there's a, to your point, there's so much work and so much steps. And I'm realizing also within Powerful Ladies, and a lot of the feedback and research I've been doing more and more about like the first six months to a year of a business, that the PR becomes the most important thing that you can do because you just need people to know you exist.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah. And if I, I, oh, sorry, go ahead. No, no, no. Go ahead.
Well, I, I wanted to just jump in on, on that in the realms of like, um, you know, what the visual representation of what your brand is and how your guests see it is so. It's so important. It's, I'm like, how do you, um, it's everything. It's, it kind of is, it's just, it's, it's so interesting the role that social media plays in that respect.
Mm-hmm. Like, you know, Instagram or, or Facebook. Um, just having the cons, you know, your content out there. In that way. It's, it's crazy how many people can find you, um, in the world of marketing. Just we've, you know, we've had so many interesting creatives and individuals find us through our social media and, um mm-hmm.
Yeah. I love, I love it.
Well, and you guys have done a lot of artist collaborations as well. Mm-hmm. How did those come about? What is it like to be working with a third person or another group on top of the, you know, you guys working together already? Well, a
lot. I think a lot of, um, that, that push for us to collaborate with other artists is what we mentioned before, is really creating those opportunities for working with artists.
Not only that we've just liked, um, and have been fans of in the past, but just, you know, um, seeing what their take would be, um, on, on like the types of, uh, styles that we have, like our pins products. Yeah. Yeah. You know, and, um, what, what those types of capsule collections could look like. And then really building it out in an artistic way.
Um, yeah. And definitely
happens organically in different ways. So it's like, could be an artist that we meet, uh, or we are searching out certain artists 'cause we love them. Uh, and we're totally open to both ways. Mm-hmm. Just as long as we're vibing and it's, yeah, we can see that the potential,
like we worked with, um, some artists that are.
Not from Canada. Mm-hmm. Um, and we worked with local artists on doing a whole, we did, we worked with 11 artists locally, um, to create a group show. It was like pin and poster show last summer. Mm-hmm. Um, called no Bad Days. And it was this epic, you know, so fun, epic event and just having to have the opportunity to collaborate.
Like we worked with a local screen printer to create the posters and worked with our friend's, um, store here who's like, has, they have an amazing store slash kind of gallery space, um, to have the event and just having all the artists be a part of it was seriously so fun.
Well, and when you get all that energy and momentum going and people all coming together, there's something that's just a, it's so nice to be collaborating with the big creative group, but there's also more fun when you don't feel like all the pressure's on you.
Yeah. Yeah, totally. It's like we're all in it together. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. I think, I think a big drive for us too. Like, it's interesting that you, you say, say that just because when you create your own collection Yeah. It is a little bit more, um, it's a little bit more, yeah. Pers it's obviously more personal or, you know, but for us, I think everything, no, I know.
Everything that we met with, um, we're super proud of because our muses are us two. Mm-hmm. So it's kind of like when we're in these crazy brainstorm sessions together, like weirdo late night, you know, sessions, you just say, just say all the things. All the things. But it's kind of like, it's more like, would you wear that?
Would you wear that? And if someone's like, no, I wouldn't or whatever, it's like it really helps drive what is we're actually gonna create for our own brand. 'cause it's more like if, if no one else likes to sing, but I super like it. That's, that's, that's cool. You know? Yeah. So it's almost as if, um. Well, I mean, realistically knowing what's, what's trending of 2020 of course.
Like that kind of stuff. Just having that be on the sideline. Mm-hmm. Whereas the main focus is really creating something that we really wanna make so that, like
the man witch was invented through that. I just like, not overthinking it, just being like, really like it, there's so much women stuff out there, we wanna see some naked do this.
It's, it's more like bringing equality Yeah. Equality to the realm
of like, like, yes. Body positivity. Mm-hmm. I love, I love, you know, obviously like there's so great to see a lot of like beautiful figure drawings and, and you know, illustrations that are out there right now, so prevalent mm-hmm. Um, in the realm of the, the woman form.
But it's, it's just we wanted to bring more like, um, an equal footing kind of like, you know, and like ladies making naked dude. Um. You know, forms Well, it's, it's,
and what I love about it is that it's not just like you made a naked guy pin, you put 'em in a sandwich. Like it, there's something that's so much more approachable about the entire conversation about the women's movement and equality and what's happening when you're like, yeah, but it's just a guy in a sandwich.
Like it's no matter what, where it's at, it's, it's funny. Completely love it. Yes.
And it's a, it was more also an appreciation for Yes. The male form and also hogie two things are that are great, you know? Yes, yes.
And now great together. Yeah.
And incidentally enough actually that that pin's very popular with, with men for sure.
Over, over ladies. And I was actually surprised because that's just, that's just something you, you know, you never know until you put things out there and then. Yeah.
Yes. And it applies to, I'm sure every sexual identity, because you might wanna be, you know, the man that you wanted in the sandwich. You might want a man in your own sandwich.
Who knows? I love that. Who knows? Jordan's laughing at us in the background.
I mean, these are the real
conversations people. Yeah, exactly. This is what's gonna make the world go around. Yeah.
Oh, and it's so interesting too, because why we're really proud of, you know, um. Say all the, like our different pins that come out mm-hmm.
Is because they actually, a lot of them, you know, come from a story mm-hmm. Um, or experience that we've had. And so it's kind of like when we see those things and how people, you know, interpret or appreciate them for themselves mm-hmm. It makes us happy. But also we are, we're both just happy because of where the idea came from.
Mm-hmm. Kind thing. Like for instance that everything pizza. Mm-hmm. Um, I was once, like, I had a super bummer day and I ordered this large pizza to myself and then I like had a first bite and I was like, everything is gonna be okay.
And it's the best
pizza. Yeah. And it's the best pizza in town and it was okay.
Everything was okay.
It makes me wish that the pizza arrived too. Shaped like a heart, like self self care in the form of pizza. Yes. Mm-hmm. Oh
my God. That should be an option on pizza brands where they're like the self-care pizza. Yes. You're onto something. Yeah.
Feel free to take that into its own pin direction.
I love that.
Actually, I have a pin request because
Yes,
my, um, one of my oldest and dearest friends, I've known him since I was like 11. He was living in Tampa, Florida, and I went to visit him for spring break and he was in like the skate community there and the bike community and there was a house there called the Rock and Roll House.
And whenever they threw a party, they would make their own pins. Like not the enamel kind, but the um, I don't know what the button, the button pin. Yeah, thank you. And it was like a one, maybe a half inch to three quarter inch round button pin. And it was for their Valentine's Day party. And it was just a conversation heart that said, fuck you.
And it said, love the rock and roll house. And in really tiny scripts going around it because from far away it looked like you were just wearing this like cute heart button. And then people would get closer and be like, wait, what? And I loved that feeling about it. And that's actually what I love about the pins you guys make too, because from you don't know always what message you're getting based on the perspective, right?
It changes. And I wore that on my denim jacket. For decades. Then that jacket got stolen because it was in the trunk of a car when we were on vacation in Poland and the whole car got stolen. So the jacket went with it, and I really just wanted the jacket back because I wanted the pins. So I've had to rebuild my entire PIN collection.
Um. Oh man. So sad. Yeah. Of all of them. Like, I forget what was on there except the fuck you pin was there. And I'm like, no.
And I know we wrote it. We wrote, yes.
Well, and I've had, I used to wear it to work all the time. Right. Because everyone
Oh, isn't that nice?
Right. And I wouldn't think twice about it because it was just on my jacket.
And I remember having a few senior people be like, uh, what are you wearing right now? And I was like, oh, isn't it great? And I would tell 'em the whole story and they would be like, you're ridiculous. Okay, fine. Yeah. And it was much more conservative workplaces than in action sports, so it probably wasn't appropriate, but Oh
well.
Yeah.
That's so great. Also super sad about the loss of that jacket, but I love that idea.
Yeah. Well, and I also just had to get a new denim jacket. I was, I got one for Christmas because my previous one was literally falling apart in my body. So I've turned it into a vest and I've left all the pins on it, and I'm like adding more patches.
And so my new denim jacket right now is just like me. So I need to like be run over by a car a couple times and start getting its own personality.
Totally. Totally.
Mm-hmm. It's hard. It's like getting a pair of new chucks. I know you love them and you're like, you're really clean right now. It's totally,
it's true.
Yeah. A lot of, like in the US a lot of people get stuck starting their own business or becoming entrepreneurs because there's not a lot of support to, to start a small business. Like you usually don't have healthcare unless it's provided by a corporate job. Um, it's really hard to get any funding or support.
Um, and people just don't really know how to begin all the time because the more common approach is to go into a corporate type of career. What is it like in Canada or in Vancouver in general and like, does it allow, does it, is it a good incubator for startups and people who wanna spend their life being freelance or creative?
Mm-hmm. Just trying to think about this for a sec. I think there. There's a couple perks of living in Canada. We do have healthcare that is not overly expensive. So we do have like certain nets that are there to protect us. Uh, I think it's just doing it the, like the, the way to build it. Any business up, it takes time.
Mm-hmm. Like we started it a little slow at the beginning and then really while still working at Yeah. Um, you know, the, the corporate jobs Yeah. Jumped off in a place where we had footing and we had a, a big enough where we felt good. Uh, and then I feel like there's a lot of, just our world is design and art.
There is tons of people doing what we're doing and I do wish there was a bit more communication about business 'cause there's just so much to know and learn. Mm-hmm. So we're definitely open to sharing what we know and, um, we're hoping to like to talk to our friends and. Learn more that way too. Yeah.
Because yeah, there's just so much about it. Mm-hmm. Yeah,
definitely. Definitely in the, in the realm of, um, I think we touched on this a little bit earlier as, as. You know, focusing on, on the art side, um, and even going to art school or design school. Yeah. There is really not that, um, business part of it, of, of it that you just, you're kind of, uh, you're thrown into and have to be realistic and figure out all those, all those things that are important to maintain the business and also have it continue for more than one year, two years.
Mm-hmm. And Yeah. In, in terms of the support systems, I, I think it's like if you cultivate an openness in sharing with other, you know, you know, other entrepreneurs that'll then feel like they can then be open and sharing their findings and you're building like a real community, not just something, um, protective or competitive.
Yep. You know? Yeah. And that's something we definitely, were not in that game at all. It's like share the wealth.
Yeah. We all can rise together. Yeah. Rise together.
Yes. That is such a big mission on Powerful Ladies. And with you guys sharing that, I see an opportunity for us to come up and do a, like Powerful Ladies for Business for Creatives workshop.
That would be so fun. Yeah.
Yeah, more of that. Love that all the time. For sure. And you know, it's, it's super great. I mean, even you can see, you know, there's certain workshops that I've seen pop up, like just here in Vancouver. Mm-hmm. Like, like grant writing workshops or like for the artist or, you know, business specific, um, for the artist type workshops, it's just mm-hmm.
It's great to see that those opportunities are, are popping up. I'd left and right a little bit, and I think that's so integral for what we do.
Yeah. I, I feel like there, you know, there used to be a lot more resources and expectation that you would join a family business or a small business or have a trade.
And because so much of it in the past couple of decades has translated into corporate world, I think we lost a little bit of the knowledge of what it looks like to just generate income from nothing. So I'm glad that there's more of these resources coming out. And it's similar to like forgetting what it's like to eat real food, right?
We're finally coming back to what it's like to to eat things that you can identify. And I think we're doing the same thing about like how to make money that you can identify the steps to, because part of the reason I started doing business consulting was because so many of these awesome startups just thought there was this magical formula that big corporations had.
And I'm like, well, they're, I mean, they have a lot of great things that are hard to get, like mostly funding and, and the people resources. But other than that, like you have to play the same, it's the same game. Like everyone has to follow mostly the same rules. So yeah, like, and they make a lot of mistakes, so how about we avoid those and just do the basics?
Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Like cut the fat. Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. Like, I, I joke and I think it's gonna become a reality. 'cause I, I put into existence the other day that I'll start writing a book by the end of the year. But I think, I'm just gonna call it like lemonade stand business because if you can run a successful lemonade stand, you can run a successful business.
Yeah. We make it, I mean, we make it so hard, and sure there are things that require expertise, but there are a lot of successful knuckleheads out there. So, yep. Anyone who has, uh, has some intelligence and drive and creativity, like you can do it too.
And I know this sounds super, what's a word term, like, um.
Keep going. Like, not generic, but like, yeah, you've heard this before, you know? Okay. But seriously, a lot of it is just the, the gungho drive. Like you can believe in yourself. Yeah. I, I And keep on keeping on.
Yeah. I
call it
grit.
Grit
get Yes.
Despite anyone else's, you know, comments or, you know, just even your own inside voice.
Um mm-hmm. If you're, if you're super passionate about something, there's, there's a million times in even your own life or in your friend group where you're like, you see or hear about an idea and you're like, oh, I could have done that, but No, you didn't. You know what I mean? Like, just do it. Yeah. And. Be passionate about it and it'll, it's crazy how far that can get you
when you put the blinders on.
It's sometimes the best thing to do. Like there's all these stories of bands that go in to create their new album where they don't listen to music that's not theirs for six months because you don't wanna be distracted. You want to come from your source and not care about what's trending and not care about what's happening.
Exactly. I really loved when we were, when I was working at Puma. We weren't allowed to have WGSN accounts. Whoa. And it drove us crazy. 'cause I'm sure part of it was like saving money 'cause it was such a huge company. Mm-hmm. But there were like a few people that were allowed to have one and you always had to ask them for like the city guides.
That's when that was like the thing to do because there weren't apps yet.
Yeah. Yeah. And,
um, but I liked the, the, the principle behind if we're following WGSN, then we're not actually being creative. And it changed how a lot of things happened and Sure. You like, it was more valuable for the product managers than the designers, I think, because you need to know what's happening and price points and what's coming next.
And it's always good to go know the competition, the industry, but at some point you gotta say like, I don't care. Like totally,
fully agree with that. That's like the mantra. Yeah. Yeah. It's kind of like, it's almost like the 10%, just because in the realm of we are realistically in that world, yes, we should know what's going on, but then just push it aside and then be like, okay, there's that bubble over there, and then like, what's, what's, what's our bubble where we
Yeah.
Yeah. Especially when you're looking at different tiers of customers. Also, like if you know that you're on the adoption curve that's on like more to the right and it's, it's later adopters, like you need to know what's happening, like you're gonna live and breathe in that. But if you're, if you're trying to be influencing the influencers or the, yeah, like you, it's worse to know what's over there because it'll just distract you.
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
And it's so interesting too, like when you think of the realm of fashion and just drops and how it's a year, a year from now and you know, all that, all like all that stuff. And it's just kind of like, well, why don't we just think about what's gonna be two years from now and then mm-hmm. Just do drop that a year earlier.
Yeah. You know,
there have been so many moments when amazing products have failed because they came out six months too soon. I know, I know. S so true. It's so frustrating. Yeah. And that's why like, I remember having so many battles with. The, like regional merchandisers or sales guys mm-hmm. To be like, we're like, we, I like enforcing the rule.
Like, we're not gonna drop a skew for 18 months because we can scale it back. We can reduce the units, but like, let it incubate.
Mm-hmm. Like,
there's been, I, I saw so many things go away, like the next season you're like, oh, look. The same brief we already did.
Yeah. Yeah. Maybe we
just bring it back to life.
Yeah. It's, it's, it's so frustrating, you know, the, the realm of trend and, and actually a lot of it just happens to be timing.
Yeah. You know,
and. Just what your perspective is in that moment. If it's, it's, it's always gonna be like the right perspective, but it's like when, what, at what point is it? Mm-hmm.
Yeah. It's, there's such, such a science to it, and it's just really annoying.
It is. It is because like yeah. Especially when it's way more fun to live in the world of, if we like it, everyone else will too. Which is unfortunately not, not the way that it all works.
Yeah. That's not the real business. No,
no, no.
Not at all. When, when you guys look at how you're spending your days, are you like super scheduled about how you organize your days to be, to get things done? Are you more free flowing? Like what routines or rituals do you guys have together individually to like live your best life and keep growing your business?
Well, for me, I definitely, um, I'm obsessed with my calendar. I really, I really love my calendar and it's color coded and everything. Claire's seen it. It's, it's, it's great for me. It's great. But I think for someone else, some, some people have been like, whoa. Okay.
Is it digital or like a tangible Oh, yes.
A digital one.
Yeah. Because I can then, you know, shift blocks around.
Yes. No, I am a complete nerd in the same respect. Like live and die by it. Mm-hmm.
Yes. Um, so I think what, in terms of like, uh, there's a parallel that we have that we're both hyper organized. Mm-hmm. Um, and there's a lot of different projects going on at all the time.
So for me, like having a very, um, uh, a very clear schedule for not only my day, but my week and then the month, it's kind of like mm-hmm. That's what helps drive like the workflow throughout, you know, um, uh, throughout the week. Mm-hmm. I feel like that's, that's my, my main thing.
Usually people don't say that they are creative and hyper organized. It's like a mixing of left brain, right brain. Totally. Is that something that you learned or that's just who you guys have been? Always.
I mean, I'm super weird a weirdo with that kind of like collection, I like to collect. Mm-hmm. You know, like before Pinterest I was collecting, I don't know.
Your own version. Yeah. My own versions. And before Instagram I was, I had like a collection of albums and Yeah. You know, be with, with magazines, I would just cut up certain things and literally say they were all gray pictures. I'd put them in a gray, um, sleeve. Yeah. And just, they would go nowhere. They were just, I, I just need personally, I don't know.
Yeah. Um. I'm a weird collector of a need, need to organize in a sense.
I have whole binders of magazine tear outs and notebooks and journals.
Yeah, I miss it a little bit. It's, it's, it's that, well, it's that, well, I like the digital thing because then you can,
I like both endless. I, yeah.
I like both.
I still, I still end up doing both.
Like I, I get stressed out when I find piles of magazine bits all over like my workspace. But I do like having visual boards in front of me. Like I like, like, um, I often will take a huge post-it. Like the sticker kind you can put on your wall and I'll divide it up into blocks and have smaller post-its.
And like, that's how my brain works. Like mm-hmm. I'm, yeah. I think we're cut from the same cloth of totally. Of weirdos in that sense, but like, that's how it works. And once I map it out in real life, then I can, it's easier for me to map out into a deck or a spreadsheet or something else. 'cause I, I need to, otherwise I would cut and paste in a spreadsheet to the point where I would like go insane.
Or in a deck or in Illustrator and it's not as easy. Um, it's, and there's something really satisfying, if it's like a to-do list where you can take that post-it off and like crinkle it up and throw it away.
Yes. The check mark. I'm all about the Trello. Yeah. Trello. Trello.
Yeah. I'm a, I'm check days. I'm a sauna Obsessed, so.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. But Trello's,
oh, sorry, go ahead.
No, but Trello is better. Is that the one that allows you to. Um, like do your invoicing and things through it as well, or like track client information?
I've never done that through Trello. Okay. I've mostly just created like group boards and lists and
Yeah.
All that jazz.
Mm-hmm.
I think there's definitely that aspect to it though, but I've personally never used it that way.
Um, I'm looking for one that combines Pinterest and
Ooh.
One of those together.
It's a dangerous game. I feel like it, it must exist. I hope it does.
I don't dunno if it does. It's so like two worlds colliding.
It's so funny. I think it's really important to be organized.
Uh, it's super important to be organiz. Yeah. And so that you can like really focus on the, the,
we always work back backwards from a timeline and really always logically space it out and mm-hmm. Have those deadlines for like when we need stuff.
So,
because then when you work on something you're not thinking about. Oh, is this the actual thing I should be working on? It's like, no, this is the thing I need to be working on because of, based on its timeline and mm-hmm. This, it's so easy to stay focused like that. You check mark it off, and
I think it's the next
block.
Yeah, exactly. And I think it's so important when you're an entrepreneur because the structure keeps you sane a little bit. Yeah. Completely. Yeah.
There, there are times when I haven't referred to my calendar, like oftentimes on, on a Sunday I'll, I'll like look for what my week looks like and um, like I'll maintain, you know, the Monday to Friday and mm-hmm.
And just for the sake of everyone else in my life, that really healthy entrepreneur. Yeah. Yeah. And, and kind of, you know, working that, that regular schedule, so mm-hmm. It helps to, yeah, it does help to maintain some sanity
because it's easy. You could just work all day, all night. Yeah, for sure. Like, sometimes it happens, but like, yeah.
To maintain balance. It's like very important.
It's super important
for
sure. Yeah. Having the fitness, but in the realm of, um, what you're saying about the right brain, left brain. Mm-hmm. I, I think it's interesting actually too because, you know, before, before going into the visual communication program, um, at art school, I actually was going in to be a fine artist.
Mm-hmm. And then because I was kind of, I was paying for it on my own, I realized that those are some skills as I was going through the classes that I've kind of already learned on my own, but knew nothing really about the graphic design world. So that is what drove me to get, go into graphic design and then realize how much I loved it, because it really does use both sides.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's like using your creativity and your like analytical. Yeah. Analytical brain. And I think that's. Why we, I think that's also like what's great about being an entrepreneur. You're not just focused on one part of it. You're kind of having to do mm-hmm. You know, there's always a different day.
Every day's different. Yeah. Yes. It's, I, I like that part of it for sure.
Yeah. And, and I, um, I felt the same way working in product, but, and as I do now, but being someone who is 50 50 left brain, right brain, I'm glad that there's a place where I can do both. Be. Yes. Yes, exactly. 'cause if I had, like, whenever my job is brought, had me like get sucked more into just looking at spreadsheets and calendars and operational stuff, I'm not as happy.
And then similarly, if all I do is create for a while mm-hmm. Then my brain starts to say like, you're not getting anything done. This isn't serious. What are you doing?
Like Yeah.
And I, I get
create all the time, you know? No, it's
so, yeah. It's tough, you know? Honestly, like, for, for me, yeah. Like, I'm, I'm most creative, like, weirdly late at night.
Yeah. You know, and you're just like, oh, you'll wake up at, or you're, you'll be up at 10. And I'm kinda like a night owl too. But that's when it's like weird art, creative, not, yeah. You know, organizing or whatever. No, that
would be, if we switched it, it would be horrendous. Organizing at night would just be like my pins, I organize my pins.
You
kind of in a different territory. Yeah. Definitely know who like when you're good at something part of the day. Yes. Totally hone in on that. Yeah. I feel like a huge part of, as I get older, I listen to my intuition more and it's the best guidance for anything, like a project people, whatever. And I really encourage yeah, people to harness their own intuition and really listen to it.
'cause it, it knows before you even know. Mm-hmm. Yeah. So
what does intuition mean for you?
Oh, it's just like, it knows everything, man. Like it like third eye. Yeah. It like knows when a pro, a piece of artwork is done, it knows when, like, man, I really love this person. I wanna work with them. It knows when, like just something is on or off.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Just it's guidance. I don't know. You can feel it. Mm-hmm. I don't know how to explain it.
There's this, uh, I was just saying there's this book, I forget the title and I forget, um, the quote or, I mean, I forget who wrote it, but, and the message landed for me. Mm-hmm. And it was, um, your body knows like around 30 to 40 minutes before your brain knows like the actual feelings.
And o oftentimes you do, your brain does acknowledge that that's happening, you know, and you choose to ignore it. And it's kind of practicing. The choice of accepting and following through with that feeling mm-hmm. Versus going to something inside of your brain. Mm-hmm. Because that's just something that an outward force Yeah.
Or you know, yourself is telling you versus your body, which is the truth.
Yeah. Like, it's like sometimes you're thinking too logically like, well, this will be really important if we did this for our business, but like deep down we know it's not the right move or something. Mm-hmm. Like really listening to, to that feeling and processing and be like, why that's coming up.
Mm-hmm. Well, and I think too that there's, you know, a whole, um, it's not just the external cultural questions, but it's the self-doubt and the ego talking. Like your intuition doesn't have an ego, so your intuition never tells you that you're a jerk or you're an idiot, or, yeah. So
that's your brain.
Yeah.
Yeah, there's definitely a Jekyll and a Hyde. Mm-hmm. Inside that you have to listen a little bit more to because it's been, it surprised me how people, part of what I want the powerful ladies overall to deliver is that there's a lot of things talking about the woo woo side of like finding your purpose and what you care about.
And all of that has a place, and I think that we often forget to tell people, like the zero to five steps, we just talk about the five to 10. Yeah. And that's why I asked you to explain the intuition a little bit more, because there's some people who don't feel like they have intuition or can't separate their intuition from the other noise in their head.
And when you haven't. Taking the risk to trust it and to get the reward and like you have to train yourself
mm-hmm.
To, to hear it. Like, I think you hear it when you're little and then through adolescence and growing up. Like you tell it to shut up because it's not cool or whatever, and then you, yeah. You have to turn it back on again.
Sometimes. It's so true. Like literally
think like a kid again.
Yeah. Kids just
ask humans any questions. Not thinking it's offensive, but just more like thinking objectively.
Yeah. When you look at, um, the women's movement overall that's happening and you look at what's happening in your local community, do you see big differences or like what is it like for people who aren't in Canada or aren't in Vancouver?
What's happening there?
I definitely care for equality. I want the options for both genders to have the same experiences and, um, opportunity for sure. Mm-hmm. Um, but it, it is a really censored time and I don't, I'm not okay with censorship. Yeah. Personally, so.
Well, I mean, I think it's interesting because the voice is, the voice is definitely out there right now.
Mm-hmm. You know, like we're seeing it out there and it's amazing. And just having representation in all, in all forms of, you know, coming through in media and coming through in, um, in all aspects, like in, in the creative world, in the political world, um, even in like the entertainment world. Mm-hmm. It's all, it's all everywhere.
You're seeing it now come to the forefront and it's super great. And right now, you know, it's a, it's a big deal because that that wasn't the case and I just cannot wait until it's not a big deal. Yeah. It's just normal and every, you know, that's, that's really, it's, we're in the growing pains right now.
Yeah. Yeah. And it's, it's funny because like for me. We all have experienced those types of things where you are just living your life and then someone's like, you are a woman. You are like, yes. Yes. Okay.
Thank you for noticing. Mm-hmm.
Thanks for noticing. Yeah. Um, and, and it's funny because like say for instance with weekenders mm-hmm.
Um, because say on our, in our website, we call out what we do and what we're all about, but we don't necessarily say like that we are, we're Yeah. Who we are. Mm-hmm. And it's been an interesting experience, you know, meandering through that realm because the, the interesting thing is, is a lot of people actually think that weak weekenders is run by men.
Mm-hmm. Um, just based on the, I don't know, the aesthetic, the, something, something about weakers relates more to men than. So, which is interesting because for us, we're just kind of doing us. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah.
And it's, it's more just like we muse about it a lot and we're like, oh, I wonder. Yeah. It makes us just question like, where's it coming from, or mm-hmm.
Yeah. Why, why do they think we're men versus women? Oh, yeah. Yeah.
And then, and then even like, say when we're at, um, you know, we've been to trade shows and before when we were doing like our, our few first ones, we'd just be like, Hey, we're the weekenders. We're weekenders. Um, but then actually it, it turned out people thought we were just, um, sales, sales reps for, for the brand to see your owners and we're like, oh, we should actually tell everyone that we're the owners and designers and creatives.
It's all us. Yeah. Um. So it's, that's been an interesting thing that we never once considered. It's kind of like the asking the child the question or the child asking the question versus, you know, an adult. Mm-hmm. It's kind of like, we already assume that, um, people would
think we're you're the owners. Yeah.
Yeah.
But, but actually it's, we're we're, what's it called? The, the, the girls scripts. Even the promo promo girls. Yeah. We got promo girls once and I was like, whoa. That's crazy. Okay. Nope.
Well, I wonder if that has to do with you, with your gender or the fact that you guys are young or look young. Right, right.
Yeah. Right.
There's something, there's something there. It's,
it's wild. Because it's
wild, right? It's, yeah. Yeah. It's, it's more something like we're musing about, but in the realm of we're so stoked to see, you know, like how women empowerment and just like how equality and. Being okay to do anything. Like we should all be on the same level is like so much out in the forefront.
And how that actually relates to what we do with our brand, there is definitely that correlation. Mm-hmm. And you know, sometimes you do see the discrepancies and you're like, oh no, this is actually, yeah. This is the reality of what's happening. Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Do you guys identify as powerful ladies? Or does that Yeah.
Yes. Okay. Hell
yeah. My mom, my mom's like the most powerful lady I, I know. And she's like the strongest woman ever. And from there, that was my, my hugest muse. Like she came from, you know, like the roughest kind of starting point. Mm-hmm. And having like to know where she came from and like really drives me as a powerful woman in the realm of like, not against men, but just in, in the realm of you can be a strong woman despite.
Your circumstances. Yeah. And in the realm of men versus women. Mm-hmm.
Like that.
Yeah. And I just, I don't know why it's always been hit me even as like a really young child. Uh, I wanted to prove that girls could be like boys and I would always play like the rough sports and was like one of the two who would play with soccer or football.
You were the same like that. Yeah. And I just like, I could tell from a very young age that it wasn't the same. Mm-hmm.
And
was just, I feel like I've been trying to like, not prove it, but show people like you can't see till you, you can't believe it till you see it. Yeah. That it can be like that. So I think just from the beginning it's been.
Ingrained in my personality. I don't know where it came from, but it's totally always been there. Yeah.
Full moxie and grit.
Mm-hmm. Definitely.
Yeah. I remember getting so mad when people would say like, you can start on like, like in golf, you wanna use the girls tea? And I'm like, Ew, why? And then I never understood why that ever existed because you're the same.
Right. It's like, I don't wanna win knowing I cheated. Yeah. Like that's how it occurred to me. I am like, or yeah. Or like playing basketball and like you, if we did like horse, you'd be like, here's the girls line. You're like, what? No, I'm not Well, and I don't even like, yeah. It's wild and
evenly.
Like, you're a woman. 'cause of this, it's just, yeah. It's little things that you hear. Yeah. Obviously you're gonna use
that one because you're a woman
and you're like,
what? Yeah, no, I'm gonna beat you at the boys line. And Yeah. Then it's really a victory.
I think we would all been besties. Yeah. Seriously.
We're actually gonna go play basketball later. Ooh. And we gotta play some horse, maybe some 21. We'll see. Yeah. No, I'm just kidding. This is, this is a voice sign. I'm totally kidding. Percent
equal,
but it's just funny. Yeah. No, it's, it's so interesting, right? Like for, you know, the, the, the, the thing is, you know, it's happening and you wanna pretend that it's not happening because you just want it to be just the same. Mm-hmm. It should just be the same. Yeah. And so it's kind of like, and then if you put a light on it, is that like not just lighting up.
The fact that it's different. I don't know. I I'm kind of, it's
like, how do you navigate through what's happening Yeah. In a powerful
way. Yeah. Without being
mm-hmm.
Kind of like
the Yeah. There's definitely ways of making people understand in a
Yeah.
Better way than just making feel stupid or like an asshole or something.
When you guys like, look at where you wanna go next, what, what's next for, for you guys as individuals, um, as a team and for weekenders?
Well, we definitely, um, what, like, throughout this process, we've really been enjoying the artistic collaborations that we've been experiencing. Um, not only with other artists, but just in the realm of, um, having us be the duo weekenders that then creates these artistic events.
Mm-hmm. Or um, yeah, bigger projects, bigger projects. Yeah, like for instance, we're actually going to fi fly to Calgary and um, there's this, there's this really amazing market that our friend runs, uh, for 10 years now called Market Collective. And we're gonna paint, um, the indoor skate park. Mm-hmm.
Awesome.
And then we're gonna, um, we're gonna kind of do like a cool promotion, kind of like video of some of, they're gonna, they're gonna have like, um, an exhibition I think with some, some skaters and we'll have them rep some weekenders, like while being on, um, on the, you know, um, just like being on the art
uhhuh.
And I think just getting out there more, like doing collaborations that are Oh, Kitty's back.
Um, yeah. With not just in Vancouver. We wanna get out there and do murals and connect with other artists and collaborate and mm-hmm. Bigger space. Mm-hmm. I know because like, larger,
larger movements. Yeah. Um. Yeah. Last, last year, um, with Market Collective, we, they did like an amazing musical stage and then we had, um, our jumpsuits like them.
You remember the jumpsuits? I do. They're very
fun. Yeah.
They were wearing them, um, like on the, on the stage,
the performers.
Oh. And then, and then we did like a beanbag lounge. Yeah. Um, there's like a whole area where people were, um, watching the music, lounging on these, on these bean bags that were ours and it was super cool.
Like, like those types of things.
Yeah. I'm really excited to kick off the one day of giving events again 'cause they're fun and I've been working so much that I can't wait to just be more in the community instead of Yeah. Yeah. Me behind a desk on the scenes. Yeah. Like it, I mean it's great 'cause like so much awesome stuff has been happening, but.
Just like I'm left brain, right brain. I'm 50 50 introvert, extrovert. And I definitely am like craving being with people.
Yes, yes, yes.
Mm-hmm.
Definitely gives you energy. We're so similar. Yeah. It's crazy. It's like kind of like, you know, when you love like hanging out with people.
Yep.
And then you just need like that exact time to recharge and then do it all over again.
Yeah. You know, by yourself and then with people.
Yes. Yeah. But it's so good to like get time with your people. Yeah, of course. Of course.
Mm-hmm. Very important. So fun.
I never, I moved so much that I never really got like what home feels like. And then after I left Germany, I went to visit. Um, friends of mine that had moved to Portland, who I was really close with, and we were just in their house that night, like cooking dinner together and talking, and I got like this such an overwhelming, like warm and fuzzy feeling.
I'm like, this is what it is. This is what home feels like. It's people like, it was like a kid's cartoon moment of realization.
Like a Hallmark
movie. Yes. Yeah. And you're like,
ah, like and blur turn like filter. Yes.
Yeah. Lifetime movie or Hallmark channel Plus like the Grinch when his heart grows like 10 times bigger.
Like all that happening at once. Yeah.
One single slow tear. Yeah.
Yeah. And you're
like, are you okay? Like perfect. Perfect.
Yeah. That would be another great pin. Home is where your friends are.
Aw. You're gonna write that down. That good? Yeah, it's true. I feel like, yeah. When you get, when older, you definitely, you have your family of course, but you, yeah.
Their circle of Yeah. Of family through friends. Yeah. And
yeah. You know, it's, it's so funny because basically Claire and I have been together since our school. Um, sounds like we're together. Yeah. We've been together longer than, um, our relationships with our boyfriends,
your domestic partners, and you have boyfriends.
Yeah. Yeah.
Yes, yes. And um, but it's interesting because there was that short time period of the transition of when I moved to Vancouver and then, um, Claire was still in Calgary. And I hadn't noticed that that was like, actually I needed Claire to be, we needed, I needed to her to be in the same realm.
Mm-hmm. You know, it was so much more noticeable. I was like, wow, I'm actually, I'm missing my human. This is crazy.
Yeah. Yeah, we joke like when we're really old ladies, we're gonna have like two houses right beside each other. I'm like, they better be cool with, it's happening.
You have like secret doors, you just go in between.
I got a flashback to the Babysitters Club when I think it was Maryanne and Christie with like flashlight code to each other at night from their bedroom windows. Yeah,
I that.
Why
are you learning SOS So we can do our flashlight messages.
Come on. I just need a beer to hang out with you. Come on.
What's, maybe we can upgrade it to like the LED screens. Like you just have, they face each other. You can just text your message in.
That's so funny. Or what are those things with, oh yeah.
Is that what you mean? Yeah. Yeah,
yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah,
so good. Love it.
When you guys think about being a powerful lady, where do you put yourself on the scale of zero being average, everyday human, and 10 being mega powerful lady today. And on average,
I'm gonna just go ahead and say a 10. Mm-hmm.
Ooh, I like it.
Mm-hmm.
We
mean his, we really wanna, like, we're really going for it in life. Like yeah. We're putting our hearts in it. Uh, we know we only get one life super cheesy, but that's, that's it. You know,
I'm gonna just like, like add to that real quick. Um, okay. So this might get a little cheesy or whatever, but, um,
we already went homework, so we're Okay.
So, so, so Claire and I both have had, um, kind of life. Uh, experiences that were more like health, health life experiences. And I think, I think there's like, you know, if anyone ever experiences anything like that, it's kind of, it really does hone in on what is important. Um, in your life. Life. Do you mind
sharing, uh, what that is like, or if you don't want to, you don't have to.
Um, I'm probably okay. It's just kind of like, just like, yeah. It's, it's one of those things where, you know, you, you're living a certain way mm-hmm. And then something happens and then you get
blindsided. You get blindsided by
life. Yeah. And then, and then after that you're like, wow, actually none of that stuff that I was thinking was important, is actually important.
And then it, it really does help you focus on, on the importance of. Not only what you need to do in your life, but also this, there is, this is this sense of urgency to be doing what you need to do or want to do. Mm-hmm. Because you never know what else can happen in this crazy life we live in.
Yeah. You don't, and, and I, what I love about you guys is that every area of your life you approach it with, um, a great balance of seriousness and foc focus, but also a lot of fun and play.
Like, I think people forget to incorporate the play into their life and make sure that every area has some, there's a great book and course at Stanford about, um, designing your life and the two professors who created it have you score your life in four buckets. Um, one is, uh, like love all relationships, like friends, parents, partners, everything.
And then you have your other bucket of working career, a bucket of wellness and a bucket of play. And they start by asking you to score yourself. I think it's one to four in each area based on where you're at today and what you really want. And then you look at the balance across those. And so often people who aren't happy, it's because they don't have, it's not even about the relationships, it's about the play, like missing and like, it's so important.
Like I, I, in my ideal world, there's every day there's like some element of recess, like, you guys go play basketball later. I'm like, yes. That's so inspiring. I like, it reminds me that I want a hoop in our Yeah. At our house because playing horse is fun and like it's such a good stress reliever. Yes, yes.
And because of. Our shared, uh, obsessive compulsiveness, like, you could, I will stay there until I get it, and then I can move on to like the next position. So Exactly. Exactly. It it causes you to get out of whatever you're worried about before. So true. Mm-hmm.
It's so true. And it's, it's funny because, um, how this, this forcing thing happened, we have this group, um, with like multiple friends.
It's on a, like a WhatsApp group and it's called Casual Sports Club, so it's just, yeah. So good. Whatever. Like last, last weekend, we all went and played tennis, but we played seriously and also rallied, but there was no points. Yeah. You know, and everyone had a flask, like was, and that was at 10 in the morning
balance. Yes.
You guys are slowly becoming more and more of my heroes. Yeah.
And so tonight when we play basketball, we're actually, we, we planned it so that, um, it's right by the, um, ocean at Vancouver. Yeah. There's a seawall and then we're all gonna bike to this, this one, um, court that has It's right by, yeah.
Right by the ocean. And then the, the sunset there, like that will happen maybe an hour or two later. Um, it's gonna be so epic. So that's what we all plan is to, to look at after we shoot some hoops. Yeah.
I don't know if it still exists. We'll have to look. But a couple years ago, like when I first went to California, I heard about some actresses, like cool indie ones.
Um, just wanted to have recess basically. And they organized a relaxed, like women's basketball league. Oh, that, that sounds
you dream.
It does. Well, they had all these crazy fans that, like, they had, it became like this thing where they'd have like costumes and like cheering squads and it grew to get more competitive.
So I don't know if it's still happening. I hope it is, but just hearing people doing things because they're silly and fun is my favorite because there's always, you can always find more time to do emails or to take care of other things, but you don't care about that at the end of the day.
Not at all. And it's interesting, it's, um, I used to never do this, but I started to time, well, I mean, I, I time all of my, um.
When you're working Yep. For different clients. Yeah. You know, and you put your time or whatever
for your hours, you can charge Yeah. Your
hours. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And I chart my hours and then I, I didn't do it necessarily for emails and social mm-hmm. Like marketing work. And then I started to, and then I saw the reality of my daily situation.
I was like, I gotta, I gotta nip that in the butt. Yeah. But then since, since then, now I'm like, I def definitely have a time timer for those things. Mm-hmm. To then realistically focus on the stuff that needs to happen. So you, you do often times like lose yourself in those things, like emails and mm-hmm.
And, and social media marketing, all that.
Yeah.
Even just Instagram, scroll, like, you know, like the realities. You're just mind.
Well, and one of the big things I've been talking to a business client of mine is how you don't need to respond to people right away. And she has a consulting business of her own and does a lot of freelance work.
And she's like, but what if there's an emergency? I'm like, there's no emergency that I've ever heard of in the social media world that's going to cause someone harm. So I think it's okay to set up boundaries and like do it, like do the pre-conversations. Like just set, set the boundaries for how you need to work.
Because if you're doing emails all the time, you're never getting your projects done. No. Mm-hmm. No. What advice would you guys give to people who are about to step out and do their own thing? What would you tell them? What do you want them to know? What do you wish you knew back when you were starting?
I think, um, for me, I.
What I would love to tell that person, like my myself at that stage mm-hmm. Um, was just like, relax. Mm-hmm. You don't have to do everything all in the one day, one week. Yeah. Mm-hmm. Um, it's a slow build and that's a re reality. Mm-hmm. And it'll all be okay if you stay focused and continue. Because if you have a large checklist, all you need to do is focus on the top of that list, click it, and then it'll just, you know, you'll find yourself finishing that list.
Um, if you, if you don't get too overwhelmed by, by they all encompassing thing that you need to do mm-hmm. Which is start a brand, like, what does that mean? Yeah.
I think for myself, it'd be trust. Trust myself. That'd be like, know that. You can do it. And even if things are unknown, to really trust that. And my, there was a second one I wanted to say.
Shoot. Well, you're thinking
of it.
I also wanna say,
I like that you gave yourself the one finger mic to, to announce it as well. Yeah.
Um, really though, honestly, enjoy the process. Mm-hmm. Because you'll, you'll never be in the same position that you were.
Mm-hmm.
Um, you know, a month from now, two months from now, a year from now, you're always gonna be in a different state. Mm-hmm. Um, and level, despite whether it's up or down, but mostly it's gonna be up, you know.
Yeah. Um. And yeah. Enjoy that because you are gonna find yourself on a really, really fun, cool podcast. Looking back, why did I leave my job for the, you know? Yeah. And you know, you're, you know, I think it's just one of those things, like nothing's permanent. Mm-hmm. Too, you can always, there's always things you can choose to, to go back to, or, or, or try different try.
Yeah. So it's, it's kind of like, why not? Why not do it? Mm-hmm. Yeah. I still can't remember.
It was really important. Yeah. Yeah.
We can move on. Retracted.
What do you guys do for, um, personal development, growth and learning to keep, you know, being your best at what you guys are creating.
Um, I definitely, um, I feel like I have a quite, a very active, hyperactive brain, and so I need a lot of, um, exercise to relieve all of my thoughts, which are just, they're not like, you know?
Yeah. Or if I'm not doing something, if I'm not always in motion, it feels like I, I can't, um, it's hard to to be, to be still. Mm-hmm.
I feel like it's forever learning. Yeah. I think there's always something you can get better at or learn, or new thing to get excited about, like new product that we've never done before, like, there's always mm-hmm.
Learning, so mm-hmm. Being curious is really awesome.
It's, it's really cool too because for instance, like, um, we share a studio, um, here with. Three other creatives, um, one in of which is similar to us. Um, they have their own brand and also are an artist, and also freelancers for, um, other, um, clothing companies, like similar for us.
And, and then we have another person that's in there who's just strictly a fine artist and he paints, um, oils and portraits. Realism, yeah. Realistic. Mm-hmm. Um, and then there's another person that has, you know, kind of like a similar, um, surfy kind of accessories vibe label, but also they do screen printing.
So, so seeing everyone, like doing something creative, but. You know, it's always a, a little bit different. Mm-hmm. It's also super inspiring to help drive, like, oh, I might, you know, take kind of that it's really cool, you know, what that person is doing right now. And then, you know, like be inspired by it in whatever form and then adapt it to what you're up to in a sense.
That makes sense. Mm-hmm.
Yep. Yeah, that's why I have the podcast. I mean, I look at who I'm inspired by and I'm like, let's talk to all of them. I guess there's so many people who, um, I get inspired by the people who are out and doing it and like going after what they want. Even if it's them trying it and you know, KA would be like, I'm just gonna try and see what happens.
'cause really that's what you're doing every day.
Exactly. So, yeah.
Yep.
You're just putting on a pair of pants and getting out there in the world. See what happens that day.
Yeah. Well I was doing a leadership program a couple, I think two years ago now. And one of the things I got from one of the lessons was to start each day by asking like, who, like, who can I help today?
And it was such a great thing to take on for like 30, 45 days because when you wake up and you say, who can I help? Or who am I going to help? Um, even if you don't know, like you just put it in your mind like I'm here to be of service. It changes everything because you don't mind taking the extra few minutes to hold a door, answer a question or have a conversation with somebody 'cause you're out of mind to-do list, but into like a to-do list of impact, I guess.
Hmm. I love that.
Yeah.
I think, I think to like add to that too, another big, it's almost like a mantra that we both share. Um, and I guess a value as well that we're, we're super unwavering in is, is just to be nice to other people. Mm-hmm. And. There's no reason to, to not be.
Yeah.
No ego man. No ego. So, because, you know, this industry has a, a fair share of that.
Um, which is so crazy to me. I don't understand where it comes from and the industry in the, in the realm of fashion, lifestyle, just like apparel, but also in art and yeah. Design. It's all about who you are and what you do. And I think that's, I think it's so irrelevant, like mm-hmm. Why can't we just, you know, be humans?
Yeah. And then, and then what you do is secondary in a sense. So it's, it's interesting. Yeah. That's definitely something that we, we Yeah. Totally. Are on that same page
about
Just be nice.
Yeah.
It's free. It's free. It's free. And it actually makes your life easier. Yeah.
And more fun. And did you know that you, um, what is it, you, you use less muscles to, to smile than you do to frown?
Yeah. Yeah, for anyone that looks good,
the PSA of the day,
nature's Botox.
Don't TM that and make it in.
What are podcast books or people that you guys are following right now that are getting you excited?
Hmm. I don't, I actually don't do podcasts personally. Well, I love podcast. You're, you're now
gonna start
horrible with me. Yes, I know. So I'm a music
when I work, I'm mu I'm strictly music, so. Mm-hmm. Oh, I, uh, I guess I listen to a lot of comedy.
Mm-hmm.
Random. Um, but I also, I can't remember what it's called. I do like to listen to buildup, um, business, small Business buildups. I can't remember. It was like Patagonia was his, um, story and how did he get where he was? I find 'em very inspirational and it makes me wanna keep like doing what I'm doing.
Me too. Uh,
yeah. And then as for books I'm reading, um, also don't remember the name, but it's about, um, taking, like looking at your life and just doing your essential essentialist. Okay. So essentialist. Yeah. Um, and yeah, I just like to always. Reflect on my life. It's like the square box you're talking about.
It's like
mm-hmm.
Is every thing balanced? Could I be doing things in a better way, smarter way? So it's, it's probably a combination of like business and inspiration that I like to listen to. So yeah, I've got, um,
two books that I always just go back and forth on, and then just my rotation, um, one is The Hedonist Handbook.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love that one. And then the second one, it is just like a small business guidelines book. Yeah. And it's, it's just like a little handbook as well, but it's, they're just kind of, you know, it's, it's, it's fun to keep yourself grounded, like in that world and mm-hmm. Um, yeah. Those are my two,
I think, for us.
And it's our constant battle. And it's not bad, it's just we're totally Yes. Men. Yeah. And so we say yes to so much stuff, and that's why I am reading the Centralist because it's just like, wanna keep focused. On our dream. Mm-hmm. But also seeing what, what's around
thing is like when I think the term yes, men has, has kind of a negative connotation, but I don't necessarily agree only in the, the respect that it's like we're seeing the opportunity mm-hmm.
That we could do with that project that's being mm-hmm. You know, put forth in front of us. And it's, it's kind of like, wow. Yeah. There's so much we could do with that. And then there's so many of these opportunities. I mean, it's a good thing I think that, that are coming up to like, that are being put in front of us that we're just excited to Yeah.
Wanna be a part of it. But then the, on the other end of that, then it's kind of like the timelines are all similar.
Yeah. And so
we're putting ourselves in a situation where if we had just like pulled or pushed out one of the timelines to, to like give ourselves enough time to properly work on something, you know, like, I think.
I think that's where it is. It's just more in the timelines. Yeah. She
explained it way better, but yeah, that's exactly, it's, we're totally, yeah, hundred percent. It's just like being strategic. Yeah,
yeah, yeah, yeah. Building out the calendar in a proper, proper way, realistic way. Yeah. Yeah, yeah,
yeah. Well, 'cause it's so easy to get excited when somebody wants to do a project or collaboration or there is an opportunity, and I think it's different when you're saying yes to everything because there's a coming from a lack of like income or lack of something else.
But when you're
saying Yes all the time because you're like, that would be super awesome. It's different and it still needs to be managed because mm-hmm. So there's so much Awesome. It's like traveling, like I could travel every day of the year and still not see everything in the whole world. Totally, totally.
So I would keep saying yes, and then a year go by, I'd be like, oh, I didn't see my family at all. Shoot. Like,
yeah, no, it totally, totally.
So even, even the good stuff can, like, needs to be managed that you kind of keep that balance.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. It's so major. Mm-hmm. Again, it's like going back to the calendar.
I mean, like, I, I never talk with anyone about schedules unless I have it pulled up. I'm like, okay, well, we'll just, I have to be in a space. Like I can't do it if I'm out. I'm like, no, I gotta be in front of my computer looking at my calendar. Mm-hmm. See, we can commit to that time and yeah. We we're getting, we're getting there with that.
Mm-hmm. In terms of that,
I even schedule my friend time. Yeah. 'cause then I know it actually gets to happen and then I don't fill it up with work on accident. Yeah.
Mm-hmm. I definitely have color codes for friend hangs. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You're like, is it orange and Yep, it's the orange one.
I don't color code. I just have it all in there.
Maybe I should color code. I love the I color
code. I think I just know I have to do it all, so it's all there.
You wanna that out? Jordan,
you I get a screen
cap now. That's good.
No, no, I'm, I'm, I'm shaking my head and laughing because about a month ago, uh, we've been recording powerful ladies like almost every weekend, and it came to the point where I had to start putting in my friend time and I literally be started to become the person that's like, I need to check my schedule.
And I never wanted to be that person, but I'm doing so much that I have to do it. That person are awesome.
People like us.
Yes, but no, I, I think color coding is very beneficial.
It totally is. You know, you can look forward to a color that you see coming up on your
Yeah. But then you put in, you put in like the worst color for when you have to work out and you're like, ah,
that's so
great.
That's my workout color. Oh, that's great.
I'm wasting Oh man.
Well, as we're you, get it.
You get it.
As we're wrapping up today, what are some last words of wisdoms or insight you wanna share with the listeners?
Don't dip your toe cannonball into your next endeavor. 'cause you got this
Ooh, cannonball.
Okay. That, um, because mine was like, the hardest thing is just to start and so just, that's huge to start. It's just
it is.
Mm-hmm.
Once you start, keep going. Like,
keep going. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And, and listen to your intuition. Mm-hmm. It's real, it's there for you to guide you. It's like, it's, it's, it knows more than you do.
Totally. Well, guys, I have had so much fun. Thank you for Oh, thank
you so much
for having us. Of course. Thank you for being on the podcast. Thank you for being a yes for me. Um, thank you for just, you know, being awesome and up to something. That's what this game is all about.
Love it. Love what you're up to.
Yeah. Seriously. So inspired. Always inspired.
We wanna support, so yay. I'm just so happy we could have we met. I know. Yes. I would've thought that agenda just, you know, it's Yeah. Unexpected and great. It's
the best thing ever. Another meet. Cute. It's just how it happens. It's a meet. Cute. That's a meet.
Cute.
Yes. Yes. I love it.
Rachel and Claire are two of my favorite designers and people. They're so fun, talented, and are great examples of one of my favorite quotes. Let your mind me focus and your spirit free. Visit the powerful ladies.com/events to learn more and buy your tickets. Also, my favorite pins from the enders are available@thepowerfulladies.com slash shop.
If you like to connect with the weekenders to say hello or hire them to collaborate on design projects, which I highly recommend, you can. Visit their website, the weekenders shop.com. You can go to their individual websites, rad castle.com and clair uci.com. You can email them. Welcome to the weekend@gmail.com.
Follow them on Instagram weekenders for life, rad castle claire uci. You can follow them on Facebook, facebook.com/weekenders for life, and check them out on LinkedIn, Rachel Riviera and Claire Ouchi. See all of the correct spelling for Weekenders 'cause it's W-K-N-D-R-S and all of their names in our show notes@thepowerfulladies.com slash podcast.
If you'd like to support the work that we're doing here at Powerful Ladies, there's a couple of ways you can do that. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Leave a review on any of these platforms. Share the show with all the powerful ladies and gentlemen in your life.
Join our Patreon account. Check out the website, the powerful ladies.com to hear more inspiring stories. Get practical tools to be your most powerful. Get 15% off your first order in The Powerful Ladies Shop, or donate to the Powerful Ladies one Day of Giving campaign. And of course, follow us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies for show notes and to get the links to the books, podcasts, and people we talk about.
Go to the powerful ladies.com. I'd like to thank our producer, composer, and audio engineer Jordan Duffy. She's one of the first female audio engineers in the podcast team world, if not the first. And she also happens to be the best. We're very lucky to have her. She's a powerful lady in her own right, in addition to taking over the podcasting world.
She's a singer songwriter working on our next album, and she's one of my sisters. So it's amazing to be creating this with her, and I'm so thankful that she finds time and her crazy busy schedule to make this happen. It's a testament to her belief in what we're creating through powerful ladies. And I'm honored that she shares my vision.
Thank you all so much for listening. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. I can't wait for you to hear it. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
Related Episodes
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Visit their websites: www.wkndrsshop.com, www.radcastle.com, www.claireouchi.com
Email them welcometothewknd@gmail.com
Follow them on Instagram: @wkndrsforlife, @radcastle, @claireouchi
Follow them on Facebook
Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud
