Managing Chronic Illness as an entrepreneur

BY MICHELLE VIROG

Chronic illnesses are difficult to deal with daily, but they can be even more challenging when you are an entrepreneur. There is always the looming question of how your illness will affect your business and if you'll be able to keep up with the demands of your company.

Michelle Virog created Soteria, a safe space for entrepreneurs with chronic illnesses to gather virtually. It's a way for entrepreneurs to share tips and advice with one another and help each other gain perspective on how to balance their health and their workload.

“We work differently,” Michelle says. “Many of us have outlying symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, or chronic pain. We must be able to manage the ebbs and flows of these symptoms while keeping up with our business. Other business groups don’t have this as a focus or provide a space for us to talk about our health. That’s why I knew I had to create Soteria.”

Besides providing this virtual community, Soteria also uses innovation and interactive elements for the members involved.

“I’ve been part of hundreds of virtual courses and communities… Soteria needed to be different and it needed to be simple.” Michelle explains that while Soteria isn’t based on Virtual Reality, she still tries to make it an immersive experience. Members get their own interactive, custom Zoom Background so when we get on calls, it feels like an escape. Members are also encouraged to log in from anywhere without judgement. They can log in from bed or log in without camera if they aren’t feeling well.

The resources inside Soteria are simple too. “I didn’t want members to have to spend a lot of time watching training videos… I want them to be able to focus their energy on what counts in their business… which I’ve developed a planner for.” Michelle mentions that she’s created a planner that is available to members of Soteria and she’s hoping to launch separately this Spring 2023. “You need a separate planner for business and a separate planner to monitor health. That’s crazy. My members already have a hard time concentrating and focusing. We need everything in ONE spot.” She says that her planner is a printable document where her members can plan business goals based on how much energy they have and they can monitor their daily amount of energy with the planning sheets.

There’s a lot of other stuff too… a mobile app, resources to help members manage their brain fog, concentration and chronic pain management. “We even have a custom playlist. The playlist uses binaural beats which help members focus and be more productive as they listen to music. One benefit is that we’re proactive and prevent members from spiraling downhill… just another symptom of the chronic illness lifestyle. We want to be motivational and upbeat.”

We asked Michelle what’s in store for the future of Soteria.

“I’ve surveyed my target market and it’s shocking to see the lack of support not just within Canada, but around the world. Most of us with chronic illnesses have multiple diagnosis. And either medical appointments and/or symptoms get in the way of us holding down a typical 9 to 5 job. In a way, working for ourselves is imposed upon us because we don’t have any other choice. Part of my future is to educate more corporate businesses around this stigma as well and provide them with any educational resources or workshops they may need to help support their own employees living with a chronic illness. We also want to ensure our website and community is fully accessible to ALL individuals. We have a member who is vision impaired so it’s important that she can access all items within the website. This may involve adding additional tech and/or creating voiceovers.”

Connecting and helping you through your wellness journey.

Hi, my name is Tanya Moscall, the owner and a registered massage therapist at Serendipity Massage since 2015. I had many obstacles in my life that made it quite difficult. With guidance of my parents and friends, I overcame many obstacles that life presented to me, and from that, I have managed to create a stable business. After receiving my diploma, I aplied to MTAM for the support and guidance of offering massage therapy in Manitoba.

The first treatment in massage we do a body analysis to see if there is a dysfunction present, or if the client is wanting a relaxation massage. I ask a few questions and go through a range of motion to understand the body more. I then will examine the tissue to see if there is any tone within the tissue. After I collected the information required, I then progressed into a treatment for the client. Within the treatment provided, I require the client to be present, to provide feedback when asked on the pressure applied throughout the treatment. Stretches are also given after the treatment to help the client achieve their wellness goals. I do encourage another booking to see if the changes I implemented within the tissue have remained.

Serendipity Massage has created our very own skin care line that includes facial and body products. Giving you a holistic approach to overall wellness.

Serendipity Massage

330 St Mary Avenue, Suite 300 Winnipeg, MB 204.801.4392 www.serendipitymassagewpg.biz info@serendipitymassage.biz

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BY MELANIE GERODIAS-MITCHELL, DIRECTOR OF CATERING AND EVENTS, SPRUCE CATERING CO.

Picture this – the fast paced, fast-food environment of A&W and the love ballad “Grow Old With You” from the wedding planner – and how those two odd combinations led me to this direction in my career.

My parents immigrated to Canada from the Philippines, and I grew up in inner city Winnipeg. Taking a year after high school, to work to save for my education and to help my parents. Traditionally, as a Filipina, it’s expected to work in the medical field, but I was drawn to the hospitality industry. I graduated from Red River College with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

My heart and soul belong in the hospitality industry. It’s the first place that I found fear, and grew through the challenges. Exploring all the corners of the industry, learning and sharing stories and experiences, it is where I was able to let go of my ego, and where I found my voice as a person. Food is the heartbeat of our lives.

Spruce Catering Co is operated by Diversity Foods Services – a four-pillar sustainable social enterprise that services markets throughout Manitoba. I bring to the team 20 year of experience in the industry, where, together, we are dedicated to redefining food services to capture an ecologically sustainable framework.

They say great things in business are never done by one person, they are done by a team of people. I am grateful to lead a team of excellent individuals who have been by my side since the early days of my career.

Spruce Catering Co. has participated in community events such as Taste The Nation and Women’s Wine Food for International Women’s Day. We are a recent committee member of FortWhyte Alive Sunset BBQ that raised almost $300,000 for school funds and equipment for school programs. In 2018 and 2020 Diversity Foods Services received LEAF – Greenest Restaurant.

Spruce Catering Co. caters to a wide range of events, from, local business catering, to corporate events, galas, weddings, and fundraisers. We have catered intimate events for 2 people, to large gatherings of 1500. When you are planning your next event, contact me to create an exceptional tasting experience.

The Pennyloaf is an artisan bakery on Corydon Ave. in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Vanessa and Pepper Foster along with partner James Fiebelkorn acquired the 7 year old bakery in July of 2022.

The Fosters were drawn to the bakery for the same reason as The Pennyloafs clientele. The amazing handmade breads and pastries are outstanding. Residing in River Heights from Los Angeles, a friend brought over some Pennyloaf treats. The croissants tasted just like they came out of a Parisian patisserie, they just couldn’t get enough. Needless to say, they were hooked so much so that they pursued and acquired the bakery.

The Pennyloaf is special not only because every one of the breads is made from an 8-year-old sourdough starter, each item is handmade by talented bakers and then baked in a wood-fired oven.

This isn’t an easy process. The Pennyloaf’s dough goes through a 3 day process allowing the the dough to rest and rise so it can then be shaped and baked. The amount of time and effort that goes into each loaf as well as getting the oven fired up to the right temperature is what it takes to bake the bread perfectly soft on the inside with the perfect crust on the outside.

The pastries are top notch and go through a similar process before they can be baked. They offer a wide variety of items from morning buns, cruffins, Croissants, cookies, cakes and so much more. They are always adding new offerings to keep the menu fresh and interesting.

During the week they offer some of their most popular loafs, Country, Multigrain, French and Rustic White. They offer pizza dough and fine foods daily. The weekends are exciting with a larger variety from lavender honey, fennel and sesame, olives and herbs sauerkraut and many more. In fact, the sauerkraut comes from Pepper’s family’s local business, Elmans who are very well known for their pickles sauerkraut and mustards.

The Pennyloaf is no longer just a Bakery, it offers fine foods, using the freshest ingredients all made by their in-house chef. like pesto, olive tapenade, garlic spread, olive oil, granola, croutons, and more. They have slowly been implementing a home aspect to The Pennyloaf as well with cozy Turkish blankets and candles made under the growing brand and look to continue evolving both those areas with branded Pennyloaf products, aiming to be a lifestyle experience.

They offer an extensive espresso menu made with love by a gifted local barista. Returning customers come in just to get the beverages he offers plus enjoy their morning chats with his warm and enthusiastic character. Everyone on the Pennyloaf team tries their very best to ensure a pleasurable experience for the clientele. “We feel blessed to have the team that we do. They take pride in their jobs.”

In fact the whole team is like family, spending long days connecting over baking and creating which only enforces the bonds they all share.

The Pennyloaf Is authentic and old world but contemporary in its offerings. There is a true tradition in the way they bake. “There is nothing automated in the kitchen everything sold has been painstakingly made by the bakers. Coming into the Pennyloaf we only looked to contemporize the brand but not the kitchen. Changing the logo but not the recipes, adding new offerings but keeping the same brilliant bakers”.

The future of the Pennyloaf is to expand the shop, adding seating and a larger area for new items to come. Starting with panini sandwiches towards the end of March and adding catering as well as baskets for every occasion.

This summer the herb garden will be in full bloom, adding a farmer’s market on the weekends. With the goal of becoming a one stop shop with cheeses, deli meats, organic veggies, herbs as well as flowers. Future expansion will include home/kitchen, outdoor baking items, clothing and even pet items.

The Pennyloaf is also entering the wholesale market. They are in the beginning stages of setting up distribution of all their fine foods and bread throughout Manitoba and across Canada.

Follow them on Instagram @thepennyloaf and/or visit them on their website thepennyloaf.com as it expands to offer you more items and easier ordering with the order for pick up button you can just pre-order any of the daily offerings before they run out!

Treat yourselves to the the first tastes of 2023 Vintage Reserve Ciders, food, fun, and nature of the farm and cidery. Purchase your tickets at: www.woodengatecider.brownpapertickets.com