pursuit365 Issue 4 2025 by pursuit365

STEPHANSKI

The Future is Human

Are you

AI Ready?

Beauty after Forty

MICHAEL

FOUNDER'S NOTE

As I sit down to write this, it’s hard to believe that 2025 is already behind us.

What a year.

If I had to sum up 2025 in one word, it would be community.

This year proved—again and again—that when people come together with intention, incredible things happen. Ideas turned into action. Conversations turned into collaborations. Dreams that once felt quiet or uncertain found their voice through shared support and belief.

At pursuit:365, we didn’t just build projects—we built people. We ampliﬁed stories. We created platforms. We celebrated wins both big and small. And most importantly, we showed up for one another.

I watched entrepreneurs take brave leaps. Authors become best sellers. Leaders step into rooms they once doubted they belonged in. I saw women and men choose growth over comfort, alignment over noise, and purpose over fear. That’s powerful.

2025 also reminded me that success isn’t built alone. It’s built in conversations, in late-night messages of encouragement, in introductions made without expectation, and in communities that choose collaboration over competition.

A year of growth, courage, connection, and community. A year that stretched many of us, challenged us, and ultimately reminded us why we do what we do in the ﬁrst place. SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTACT DETAILS

www.pusuit365.com @pursuit_365 www.facebook.com/pursuit365

For media inquiries and Co-author interviews, please contact: aloha@pursuit365.com www.pursuit365.com

To every member, partner, sponsor, contributor, and supporter—thank you. You are the heartbeat of everything we do. Your trust, your energy, and your willingness to believe in something bigger than yourself is what fuels this movement.

As we close this chapter and look ahead, I do so with immense gratitude and excitement. The foundation laid in 2025 sets the stage for what’s next—and I can conﬁdently say, we’re just getting started.

Here’s to growth. Here’s to bold visions. Here’s to community.

With gratitude,

Shelly Lynn Hughes Founder &CEO

pursuit:365

THE HARMONIC EGG

Daniela Fisher

AGING ISN'T DECLINE: IT'S CHANGE

LeiLani Kopp

THE FUTURE IS HUMAN: WHY AI WILL ELEVATE OUR WORK

Teresa Lambert

ZOOM OUT: LOVINGKINDNESS, LONGEVITY, AND LEGACY

Catherine Roscoe Barr

IS YOUR WEBSITE AI READY?

Anahita Shahrvini

Q&A WITH MICHAEL STEPHANSKI

CONFESSIONS OF AN INTROVERT

Mandeep Fontaine

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: SUSAN SHEEHAN

WHEN DECEMBER MAGIC MEETS MELTDOWNS

Nadine Hope

FROM JADED TO JUMPING BACK IN

Jonica van Rikxoort

HOW SHARP™ REPLACES TOXIC LEADERSHIP

Simer Dhillon

WOMEN WHO RISE TOGETHER

Jennifer Dawn

FOUNDER

Shelly Lynn Hughes aloha@pursuit365.com

EDITOR

Megan Ashby Sewell megan@pursuit365.com

COPY EDITOR

Ainslee Nellis aloha@pursuit365.com

ART DIRECTOR & GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Devon Adamson dadamsondesigns@gmail.com

COVER PHOTO CREDIT

Amy Williams Photography

CONTRIBUTORS

Daniela Fisher

LeiLani Kopp

Teresa Lambert

Catherine Roscoe Barr

Anahita Shahrvini

Michael Stephanski

Mandeep Fontaine

Nadine Hope

Jonica van Rikxoort

Simer Dillon

Jennifer Dawn

PURSUIT:365

THE MAGAZINE

White Rock, BC aloha@pursuit365.com www.pursuit365.com

pursuit:365 The Magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and advertisers and do not necessarily reﬂect those of pursuit:365

The Magazine publishers, editors, and staﬀ. Contents of pursuit:365 The Magazine are copyright 2024, all rights reserved. pursuit:365 The Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in any part by any means without the written permission of the publisher

THE HARMONIC EGG: A CU ING-EDGE APPROACH TO ENERGY HEALING

by Daniela Fisher

For centuries, energy healing has been a foundational practice in holistic wellness, based on the belief that disruptions in life energy can contribute to mental, emotional, and physical distress. Ancient healing methods such as sound therapy, color therapy, and vibrational healing were developed to restore balance and promote well-being.

Today, advancements in technology have allowed us to re ne these ancient techniques, making them more accessible and e ective. One such innovation is the Harmonic Egg— an advanced energy technology that utilizes light, color, sound, frequency, and vibration to create a deeply relaxing experience and stimulate the body's natural healing abilities.

How Does the Harmonic Egg Work?

e Harmonic Egg is a uniquely designed chamber that provides a multi-sensory healing experience. A person reclines in a zero-gravity chair, allowing their body to fully relax. Once inside, they are immersed in carefully curated resonant music and customized colored light, both of which can be tailored to address speci c emotional or physical concerns.

e therapy is based on the principle that the body, when placed in the right energetic environment, has the ability to self-heal. e combination of frequencies and vibrations helps the brain enter a state of coherence, where energy ow is harmonized and natural restoration can occur.

is state of deep relaxation is similar to the e ects of meditation, where stress is reduced, and the body's healing mechanisms are activated. By aligning energy frequencies within the body, the Harmonic Egg allows for a holistic approach to mental, emotional, and physical balance.

The Science Behind Light and Sound Healing

Light and sound have profound e ects on the human body, in uencing everything from mood to cellular activity. Scienti c research suggests that di erent colors and frequencies can impact our brain waves, emotional states, and overall health.

Sound Therapy and Healing Frequencies

Sound therapy has been used in cultures around the world to promote relaxation and healing. Studies have shown that certain sound frequencies can:

• Calm the nervous system – Reducing stress and lowering cortisol levels

• Improve sleep – Encouraging deep rest by in uencing brain wave patterns

• Stimulate cellular repair – Enhancing regeneration at a biological level

e Harmonic Egg utilizes speci c sound frequencies to help guide the brain into a deeply relaxed state, allowing for greater clarity, focus, and emotional balance.

The Power of Color Therapy

Color therapy, also known as chromotherapy, works by stimulating energy centers (chakras) within the body. Each color carries a unique frequency that resonates with di erent parts of the body:

Green – Associated with healing, balance, and emotional harmony

Blue – Promotes calmness, mental clarity, and relaxation

Red – Energizes and stimulates circulation

Purple – Enhances intuition and spiritual awareness

Since light moves at the speed of light, its e ects on the body can be fast and powerful, o ering a rapid and e ective therapeutic experience compared to other modalities.

The Benefits of the Harmonic Egg

is non-invasive therapy is gaining popularity for its ability to support a variety of wellness goals. Reported bene ts include:

• Stress and Anxiety Reduction – e calming combination of sound and light promotes deep relaxation, lowering stress hormones.

• Improved Sleep – Frequencies help regulate circadian rhythms, encouraging restorative sleep.

• Pain Relief – Vibrational therapy may help reduce in ammation and support pain management.

• Enhanced Mental Clarity – Coherent brainwave patterns lead to sharper focus and improved cognitive function.

• Emotional Healing – e therapy helps release stored emotions, fostering inner peace and well-being.

• Increased Energy and Vitality – e balancing of energy centers allows for a refreshed and renewed sense of well-being.

Aligning with Your Higher Self

e ultimate purpose of the Harmonic Egg is to realign you with your higher self—helping you tap into your body’s natural ability to heal, energize, and thrive. By immersing yourself in the right energy environment, you can cultivate a life lled with health, clarity, and joy.

Many people who have experienced the Harmonic Egg describe it as a transformative journey, allowing them to release stress, regain balance, and improve their overall sense of well-being. Whether you are looking to improve your physical health, support emotional healing, or simply deepen your relaxation practice, this advanced energy technology o ers a unique and e ective path to wellness.

If you’re seeking a modern yet holistic approach to healing, the Harmonic Egg could be the powerful and restorative experience you’ve been searching for.

Daniela is a Certi ed Energy & Crystal Healer, Reiki Master, Wellbeing Coach, a Conscious Entrepreneur, Co-author (Pursuit 365 Amazon Top Seller), Worldwide Pro/ Am Competitive Rythm & Smooth Champion, Second Dan Black Belt in Kickboxing Martial Arts and a blessed mom and wife to a beautiful family.

AGING ISN’T DECLINE—IT’S CHANGE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN’S

NEW CHAPTER

by LeiLani Kopp

There’s a quiet shift that happens as women move into their forties, and beyond. It’s not sudden, and it’s not negative—it’s simply nature rebalancing itself. But for many women, the change shows up in the mirror long before they’re prepared for it. Color looks uneven where it once looked radiant, and the skin no longer holds moisture the way it once did.

The products that once worked flawlessly start se ling into fine lines. The fact is simple: after 40, our skin needs a different kind of support, and our beauty routines must evolve with us.

As estrogen begins to naturally decline, the skin becomes thinner and more delicate. Cell turnover slows, collagen production decreases, and the lipid barrier—the protective layer that keeps our skin soft and supple—starts to weaken. is isn’t aging “gone wrong.” It’s biology doing what biology does. But it means that heavy, full-coverage makeup can enhance our wrinkles, they can exaggerate texture or dryness. What worked at 25 doesn’t always serve us in our forties, fties, and beyond.

is shift isn’t just about vanity; it’s about recognizing the connection between skin health and overall well-being. Women today are more informed than ever. ey understand that hormones, stress, sleep, in ammation, and even what they eat in uence the condition of their skin. As a result, the modern woman over 40 is looking for formulas that multitask—products that o er real skin bene ts, not just temporary coverage.

is is where cleaner, plant-based formulations become especially powerful. Instead of coating the skin, they work with it. Instead of clogging pores, they support the barrier. High-performing natural pigments, botanicals, and breathable textures allow mature skin to look luminous without masking its natural beauty. Hydrating complexion products with skincare ingredients are no longer a luxury; for women over 40, they’re essential. Lightweight mineral bases, tinted moisturizers, water-creams, and exible concealers move with the skin instead of settling into it.

But evolving beauty after 40 isn’t just about product— it’s also about mindset. Women in this season of life are embracing authenticity more than ever. ey want a routine that feels good, not heavy or complicated. ey want makeup that re ects who they are now,

not who they used to be. Con dence becomes the real highlight, and makeup becomes a tool for enhancing, not hiding.

e most important shift is understanding that “less” doesn’t mean giving up; it means choosing better. Choosing products that nurture the skin. Choosing formulas that respect hormonal changes. Choosing routines that t a busy, full life. Beauty after 40 is not about reversing time—it’s about aligning with it gracefully.

With healthier formulations, simpli ed routines, and ingredients designed to support the skin rather than ght it, women can experience their most con dent, radiant years yet. Because beauty doesn’t fade with age—it evolves. And when we evolve our approach with it, everything starts to feel fresh again.

Beauty created with purpose. Powered by true clean beauty.

Clinically mindful, ethically sourced, vegan, gluten, cruelty free, sustainable cosmetics and skincare- LeiLani’s journey inspired products that nurture, and protect skin naturally.

sweetleilani.com

LeiLani is the founder and formulator for Sweet LeiLani Cosmetics.

Executive Function Support for Kids.

THE FUTURE IS HUMAN: WHY AI WILL ELEVATE, NOT ERASE, OUR MOST IMPORTANT WORK

by eresa Lambert

For the last year, the conversation around AI has been loud, polarized, and often rooted in fear.

“Will AI take our jobs?”

“Is AI replacing creatives?”

“Will businesses still need people?”

I understand the fear.

I’ve worked in hospitality, experience design, and humancentered business for 15+ years, industries where connection, service, and emotional intelligence matter as much as skill.

What I see unfolding behind the scenes is this:

AI isn’t replacing humans.

AI is replacing the parts of our work we were never meant to hold alone.

AI doesn’t replace warmth.

It doesn’t replace presence.

It doesn’t replace the look in someone’s eyes when they feel cared for, understood, or supported.

What it can replace are the tasks that drain us, distract us, and keep us from doing the work that actually requires us: the fully expressed, intuitive, aware, emotionally intelligent humans that we are.

And that’s exactly where the opportunity lies.

We Are Entering the Era of Human-First E ciency

In hospitality and service-based businesses, hotels, retreat centers, clinics, agencies, creative studios, the heartbeat is still human.

Service is human.

Connection is human. Leadership is human. Experience is human.

But the operations, the repetitive tasks, the administrative load, the systems behind the scenes?

ose are precisely the areas where AI becomes a powerful ally.

AI can: • Automate onboarding

• Answer repetitive questions

• Draft communication

• Track operations

• Support data analysis

• Reduce workload

• Streamline decision-making

• Help teams stay aligned

It gives people back the bandwidth to lead, connect, and serve.

AI gives leaders more time to be present. AI gives teams more freedom to do meaningful work.

AI gives founders the space to think strategically instead of re ghting daily operations. It returns us to the things that make businesses extraordinary, the emotional, intuitive, human layers.

e Fear Isn’t Really About

AI. It’s

About Identity

When people fear AI “taking their job,” what they’re actually afraid of is becoming irrelevant. But irrelevance happens when we stop evolving, not when technology evolves.

Your humanity is not replaceable. Your presence is not replaceable. Your ability to read a room, hold space, navigate con ict, elevate team culture, or design meaningful experiences… none of that can be automated.

What can be automated are the parts that were always meant to be optimized.

AI frees us to be more human, not less.

Bringing AI Into Human-Centered Businesses Without Losing the Heart

is is the question I get from founders and leaders most often:

“How do we bring in AI without losing the human experience?”

Here’s the combination that lets you leverage both::

You keep the soul human. You let the system be smart. You design experiences intentionally, with AI supporting, not replacing.

In hotels and retreat centers, this might look like:

• AI helping streamline guest communication while sta focus on building relationships

• Automated work ows freeing managers to lead instead of micromanage

• Less time spent “in the weeds,” more time spent improving service

In therapy clinics, or multi-location service brands:

• AI helping teams stay organized

• Automations reducing admin load

• Sta having more energy for client care

In small service-based businesses:

• AI supporting marketing and systems

• Founders having more time to innovate, create, and lead

It’s not about removing the human touch, it’s about elevating it.

Experience Design Is the Heart of the Future

AI can process information. Humans can process emotion. AI can automate systems. Humans can architect experiences.

And the businesses that thrive in the next decade will be the ones that understand this dance.

Founders who blend strategy + soul. Leaders who build e cient systems + emotionally intelligent teams.

Businesses that work smarter behind the scenes, so the human touches can shine.

We don’t need to fear AI. We need to learn how to lead with it, consciously, creatively, and courageously. Because the future isn’t AI replacing humans. e future is AI supporting humans to become better leaders, creators, innovators, and visionaries.

And that’s a future I’m excited to help build.

eresa Lambert is a fractional COO and strategic mentor supporting founders in building resilient, human-centric businesses. rough operational clarity, leadership development, and experience design, she helps companies scale with stability, presence, and purpose.

ZOOM OUT: LOVINGKINDNESS, LONGEVITY, AND LEGACY

by Catherine Roscoe Barr

An excerpt from chapter 9 of her new book, Feel Better Now: The Life Saving Power of Simple Pleasures

We only have this one life, and I know if I don’t make these changes now, I’m going to look back and regret it,” said my client Claire, an entrepreneur and mother of two young children. “What this experience has taught me is that life is so short, but there’s so much we can do to have this rich, beautiful, juicy life — and it takes work like everything else. But if you put in the work, the beauty that can come from that is going to be magniﬁed by a thousand. And I want that. I don’t want a minute of my life to go wasted. I want to do the most I can do with this short time on Earth."

How rich, beautiful, and juicy could your life get? Close your eyes and imagine what it feels like to live as your truest self. Vibrant, happy, ful lled. Love is the solution to this reunion with the true you! Do you love yourself enough to really do this — to invest in this quest and experience how good it can get?

Lovingkindness is a practice of directing good wishes to ourselves and others, of holding reverence for the preciousness of life, of accepting that we matter just because we exist. It’s a trait that you can strengthen inside yourself to fuel forward motion.

Earlier in the book, I explained how what you focus on shapes your brain (chapter 3). Meditation is the practice of training your attention, of expanding the quality of your awareness, of maintaining a point of focus. Lovingkindness meditation is the practice of focusing on a few phrases that state what you most wish for yourself, such as “May I be safe, may I be happy, may I be healthy.” is practice can help transform your inner dialogue, which can often be a roadblock to living the life you desire.

Everyone has an inner critic and an inner cheerleader. Our inner critic — also known as self-

doubt, self-criticism, and self-sabotage — is the voice of fear. Our inner cheerleader — also known as self-trust, self-forgiveness, and self-leadership — is the voice of love. ere is only love or fear. Notice which energy you’re operating from and choose to pass the microphone from your inner critic to your inner cheerleader.

Lovingkindness meditation is one of the practices I used to ip the script on my nasty inner narrative and respond to my mistakes with the gentleness and grace I’d give my own sweet child or best friend. It’s really powerful when you notice that there’s suddenly a positive voice cheering you on inside your head. You can do this for yourself in just a few minutes of practice per day.

Neuroscience-Based Wellness Coach & Bestselling Author of FEEL BETTER NOW.

Catherine Roscoe Barr is a Keynote Speaker,

A revolutionary approach to reclaim your wellbeing!

IS YOUR WEBSITE AI-READY? OR JUST AI-SEO OPTIMIZED?

The Critical Question for 2026 and Beyond

by Anahita Shahrvini

As the calendar ﬂips to the new year, the smart entrepreneur is already looking ahead to 2026, and Artiﬁcial Intelligence dominates the horizon.

In the rush to adopt AI, most businesses are making a critical error. Confusing AI-SEO optimized with truly AI-ready. The ﬁrst is about playing the old game faster; the second is about fundamentally changing the game itself.

After years of designing and building digital foundations for successful entrepreneurs, I have witnessed the signiﬁcant impact that strategic foresight can make. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to understand this distinction, as it determines whether your website will weather a decline in traﬃc or thrive as a recognized authority in the realm of AI.

e AI-SEO Trap

When most people talk about "AI for SEO," they mean using AI tools to automate traditional processes: generating content, drafting meta descriptions, and nding keywords to rank on Google's rst page. is strategy is built on the fading reality of users clicking a blue link. e reality is that AI is triggering a ZeroClick Crisis for traditional search results. Google's AI Overviews and Learning AI engines like Gemini

and ChatGPT now provide answers directly on the results page, eliminating the need to click.

Studies show that approximately 60% of Google searches now end without a single click to a website. On mobile, that gure soars to around 77%. When an AI Overview appears, the Click- rough Rate (CTR) for the rst traditional organic result can drop by up to 47%.

If your strategy focuses only on ranking for clicks, you are optimizing for a rapidly diminishing pool of tra c. is is the AI-SEO Trap.

Becoming the AI's Trusted Source in 2026

e AI-ready website is designed for a new metric called Citation Share. e aim is not just to attract clicks; instead, your content should be so authoritative, clear, and technically superior that AI selects it as the primary source for its curated answers. is way, your website becomes the standard rather than just one of many options.

is strategic shift relies on three foundational pillars:

1. Firsthand Authority (E-E-A-T)

In an era where AI can produce endless volumes of generic content, the ultimate competitive advantage is human expertise. AI systems are trained to prioritize content that demonstrates veri able experience.

Your website should prominently display the qualities of Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). Content that e ectively demonstrates strong E-E-A-T signals is more likely to be featured in AI Overviews and is better equipped to withstand signi cant Google Core Updates.

Additionally, AI has a preference for recent content, favoring information that is regularly updated and considered current. To set your content apart from AI-generated material, include original research, case studies, and clear expert author bios that link to your veri able credentials. Remember, the photo album on your phone holds more value than curated stock photos or AI-generated images.

2. Technical Structure and Clarity

AI doesn't read your page like a human; it reads code. For your content to be instantly digestible and easily pulled for a citation, it must speak the language of the machine.

Implementing Structured Data (Schema Markup) awlessly is essential. For example this technical language signals to AI, " is section is an FAQ," or " is is a Product Review." Well-structured content is more easily retrievable by generative AI systems, increasing the likelihood of your content being featured in AI-generated answers and rich snippets. Use structured data to clearly and directly address common customer questions. Additionally, ensure that your site loads quickly; AI models tend to favor fast and responsive sites as indicators of quality.

3. Conversational Architecture

As search becomes more conversational (via voice assistants and chatbots), your content needs to be optimized for natural language queries, not just short keyword phrases.

Lead your content with the answer to the user's question, followed by the supporting evidence, rather than burying the lede.

Structure your pages with clear, question-based headings and use bulleted or numbered lists. is is the format that AI models nd easiest to extract and use for generating summaries.

Anahita Shahrvini is a seasoned WordPress expert and digital strategist with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. From running her own businesses to mastering sales funnels and website optimization, Anahita combines her passion for technology and marketing to help business owners create websites that truly convert.

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&

Q A with Michael Staphanski

Founder, Sin City Custom Suits and VonSte en Clothiers

What inspired you to launch Sin City Custom Suits and VonSte en Clothiers?

After being employed with a number of custom clothiers and learning the craft, I wanted to build my own company that was aligned with my ethics and principles. e companies I'd worked for were run to their founders standards. I needed to express my own standards. Sin City Custom Suits was a nod to the fun side of my adopted home and VonSte en Clothiers was borne of my desire to create a brand that speaks to legacy and re nement.

Was there a de ning moment that pushed you into entrepreneurship?

A client and I were talking about my process as I was conducting our tting. After I outlined how I source potential clients, qualify leads, set appointments, complete the measurements and fabric selection, customizations, collect payment, shepherd the orders, deliver product and have necessary alterations done he asked what my percentage of all that was. He then politely asked why I was giving away most of the pro t when I did most of the work. I was stunned silent. at was my 'ah ha' moment.

How did your early experiences shape your approach to style, craftsmanship, and business?

My Mom bought my brother and I Tough Skins jeans and Keds growing up. e cool kids wore 501's and Chuck Taylor's. My competitiveness was red. I saw that the way we're perceived starts with how we dress. My Dad was navy. O cers dress better than enlisted men. Game on!

What gap did you see in the menswear market that your brands uniquely ll today?

THE BUSINESS OF CUSTOM SUITS

What does “custom” mean to you beyond measurements?

Custom to me means the collaboration with my client as we decide how many sleeve buttons or how deep his inside jacket pockets are, or what color thread we use to accent the button holes.

How do you balance luxury craftsmanship with modern trends and customer preferences?

Every individual garment is meticulously sewn. at's the luxury. Customer preferences are the elevation of luxury.

What has been the biggest turning point in your business growth so far?

e biggest turning point was when I pushed my outsized ego aside and asked for help and guidance. I was placed in the path of a caring and thoughtful entrepreneur who challenged my ideas and pointed the way to growth. She started as my social media manager, and through trust and patience, became a business partner and indescribable friend.

What’s a common misconception people have about custom suits?

at they cost too much. I challenge skeptics to source a quality retail suit with alterations and compare it to my price point.

You work with clients for weddings, red carpets, and corporate events. How do you tailor your process for di erent personalities and needs?

Every single appointment is a di erent process. Listening and asking questions is the only consistent process. I allow my clients to begin where they are most comfortable whether its fabric selection rst, measurements rst, or simply describing their perfect suit while wearing their favorite one. 2 1 3 4 6 5 8 9 7

I've had many clients comment on the personalized experience I bring. My value proposition is the convenience I create for my clients to shop for custom clothing without leaving home.

VONSTEFFEN CLOTHIERS BRAND PHILOSOPHY

Describe the personality of the VonSte en client.

e commonality all my clients share is understanding the importance of personal presentation. A properly tted suit give o incharge energy. My clients know they are the leader without opening their mouths and most people recognize that before a word is said even though they may not know why consciously.

What story do you want every suit to tell about the man wearing it?

I AM A LEADER. Maybe not the boss, necessarily, but de nitely the go-to guy.

INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

Your suit linings have become a signature element. How did the idea of integrating personal memories, photos, and artwork come to life?

Like most good ideas, I stole it...lol. A company I worked for had a client request something simple for his wedding. e result was breathtaking.

How do you stay inspired creatively in such a fast-evolving industry?

Mens fashion is fast evolving. Lapels are super wide this year and pencil thin next year. Pants hems show ankles in spring and cover the shoe laces in the fall. Regular guys don't have time or the budget for that. I guide my clients on their personal style. If he wants pleats on his trousers, get them. If French cu s are his signature, every shirt will have them. One of my clients insists on a chest pocket for his dress shirts. I suggested get the pockets monogrammed rather than the sleeve cu like JFK did. He loved it. Its HIS signature, now.

THE LAS VEGAS MEN’S FASHION SCENE

How does being based in Las Vegas in uence your style, strategy, and clientele?

Vegas is a di erent market speci cally for Suits in one stand out area. We do not wear pinstripes. Ever. It's seen as connected to the legacy of e Ma a to do so. ere are still small pockets of that organizations in uence here. Best not to attach yourself to something that you haven't been invited to.

What makes the Vegas market unique compared to other fashion hubs?

e most unique thing Vegas has vs any other city is its size relative to its reputation. People from all over the world make up 1/3 of the people in the city at any given moment and they are all concentrated into 20 hotels all within 8 miles of each other. e spectrum of acceptable attire runs to opposite extremes. 10 11 13 14 12 15

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

What were the biggest challenges you faced starting out, and how did you overcome them?

My biggest challenges when I rst started were from my friends and colleagues I'd worked with in the food and beverage industry. ere was a sentiment that I belonged in FnB, not clothes. I overcame those challenges by simply ignoring the negative voices and seeking out the encouraging and supporting ones.

What business lesson took the longest to learn — but changed everything once you learned it?

Asking for help marketing. e Universe sent my dear friend and business partner to rescue me from being in my own way.

If you could go back to day one of your business, what advice would you give yourself?

Make more mistakes and take more risks. Success comes from looking squarely at bad decisions and correcting their outcomes.

What does success look like for you now compared to when you rst began?

Success when I rst began was a client buying a suit and liking it. Success today is having 3 di erent manufacturers so I'm able to craft the perfect piece in the right price point for clients across a wide range of needs and wants.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

Walk us through what a client experiences when they come to you for a custom suit.

determine if we match his needs to the timeline to complete, we set an appointment. He'll get a con rmation the day or so before and again an hour before. I show up at his home or o ce with the appropriate fabric books, order pad, measuring tape, and payment processing. He'll have roughly an hour of my undivided attention to get measurements taken, fabrics and customizations selected, and payment processed. He'll get periodic updates as we're in production and when items ship to schedule a our tting where I deliver clothes for a try on. Alterations are normally not needed but when they are i complete them abd deliver

What moment in the tting or design process feels most meaningful for you?

ere is usually a point when I'm measuring his shoulders for our most important measurement, that I describe why I don't look at the tape but feel where the measurements are that the client relaxes because he becomes con dent that I am an experienced professional. 16 18 17 19 21 20

Each client wanting a custom suit experiences a clothier who listens rst, then asks questions. When he says he needs a tux for a wedding, I have a laundry list of questions to ask. As I listen to each response I'm taking notes and asking follow up questions if necessary. Once I

What’s one client transformation story you’ll never forget?

A woman approached me at a networking event and asked if I could t very large men. I said that I could and we set an appointment for her husband who ran his own IT rm that did business with Microsoft so he needed to look his best for their meetings. When I got to their home for our appointment I discovered he was 6'5" and 430 pounds. He was very skeptical that I could get him looking professional. I was de nitely over my head but moved forward. When the clothes were being delivered I brought my local tailor with me to shorten the alterations process and ensure it was accurate. A week later I returned with his clothes. He went into the bedroom to change. When he came out the wife cried happy tears because of how nice he looked in his suit.

PERSONAL & BEHIND-THE-SCENES

What do you do to recharge when you’re not designing or running the businesses?

In my down time I read, cook, and take frequent road trips around the Desert Southwest and California.

What’s a personal value or mantra you live by?

We become what we focus on. We become kind when we look for kindness around us.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

My age. Its always a surprise to people that I'm much older than I look.

What is your favourite suit you've ever designed — and why?

at changes. As I continue to expand my wardrobe to brighter colors and more intricate patterns, my favorite changes.

FUN + PERSONAL QUESTIONS

Style & Fashion Personality

If you could design a suit for any celebrity— past or present—who would it be and what would it look like?

I would choose the late Charlie Watts, the drummer for e Rolling Stones. He embodied the classic English gentleman. e suit would be a dark cream fabric with light red/pink large window pane print, double-breasted 3x3 buttons, super wide peak lapels, a 7 button waistcoat, single pleat trousers and light brown braces.

What fashion trend do you hope never comes back?

I'm waiting for grown men to wear pants long enough to cover their socks...

VEGAS LIFE

What’s your favourite hidden gem in Las Vegas that only locals know about?

2 restaurants pop up immediately...Herbs n Rye for steaks and Mastrioni's for Italian

If Vegas were a suit, what fabric, colour, and details would it have?

As was described earlier, a 3-piece, dark gray pinstripe suit.

BEHIND THE BRAND

What’s the funniest or most unexpected request you’ve ever had for a custom suit lining?

A client many years ago had a smoke-show wife who also happened to be a very kind and sweet person. He had numerous R-rated photos of her he wanted inside his jacket. We got some push back from the manufacturer, but got it done. He sent me a picture of her with the jacket barley covering her...

What’s your go-to “signature touch” when styling yourself for a big event?

A white pocket square with a complimentary color thread on the edge.

JUST FOR FUN

Co ee order — or are you an energy-drinkuntil-midnight type?

At Starbucks - grande nitro cold brew, add 2 shots w/ half n half

If you had one week with no work and no phone, where are you going?

Big Bend State Park in west Texas. Its the darkest place in the lower 48 and pristine star gazing.

What’s one personal item you’d never part with?

I'm not that attached to material things. e single most important piece of who I am is my continued sobriety since November of 1995.

PERSONALITY & PREFERENCES

Are you more inspired at 6 AM or 1 AM?

Which movie or TV character’s style do you respect the most?

Don Draper

What’s your guilty-pleasure show or snack?

I'm a glutton for really high-quality ice cream.

RAPID FIRE

Pinstripes or solids? Have you been paying attention? LOL

Oxford shoes or loafers? Oxford

Classic black suit or bold colour? Depends on the event

Studio playlist: hip hop, jazz, or silence? Combination of 70s and 80s rock n roll and classical

Early bird or night owl? Night, please

Vegas Strip or o -Strip? Never on the Strip unless we're going to Nobu at Caesars

Most likely to be found: designing, travelling, or people-watching? Travel 32 33 34 36 35

De nitely 1am

CONFESSIONS OF AN INTROVERT: THRIVING WITHOUT BURNING OUT

by Mandeep Fontaine, MSW, RSW

Networking events. Meetings. Social gatherings. Open-concept oﬃces where you’re soaking up everyone’s energy whether you want to or not. For introverts, that’s the stuﬀ nightmares are made of. Add a dash of high sensitivity, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for feeling overwhelmed.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. My own survival tactics have included beelining to the bathroom for a few minutes of solitude or pretending to check my phone while quietly panicking.

Extroverts refuel by being around people. Introverts? We recharge alone. If we skip that much needed solo time, we drain faster than the battery on an old iPhone.

For the record, I’d call myself an introvert with extroverted tendencies. Put me in a one-on-one conversation or a small group, and I’ll happily engage. Around family and friends, I might even be the one talking everyone’s ear o . But being in a large room full of strangers? Or amongst a lot of noise? Game over.

An introvert living in an extroverted world has to learn how to manage their energy. e emphasis is always on showing your “big personality.” If you’re quiet, people assume something’s wrong with you or worse, that you’re not smart.

e truth is, introverts aren’t broken extroverts. We’re just wired di erently. And once you stop trying to “ x” yourself, life gets a whole lot easier. Here’s how I learned to survive, and even thrive, without running o to hide under my weighted blanket.

1. Treat Your Energy Like Phone Data

Introverts don’t run out of social energy gradually. We crash. If you have a big meeting or a loud party coming up, schedule downtime before and after to protect your bandwidth. And yes, you are absolutely allowed to leave the party early.

2. Rede ne Networking

Successful networking doesn’t mean meeting everyone in the room. For introverts, it’s about depth over breadth and nding one genuine connection instead of fteen forgettable ones.

One of my quiet superpowers? People watching. While others dive straight into conversation, I take a moment to observe who’s genuinely engaged, who’s approachable, where the energy feels right. For introverts, observation isn’t hesitation; it’s strategy.

People will remember your connection, not how many cards you handed out.

3. Cheat Small Talk with Cheat Codes

Since small talk can be painful, prepare a few go-to questions that go deeper than “How are you?” or “What do you do?”

Try:

“What’s keeping you busy these days?” “What’s been the highlight of your week?”

Keep it real, not super cial.

4. Build Introvert-Friendly Zones

Introverts need a home base - a place to recharge. At work, sharing an open o ce space can fry my brain, so my go-to tool is listening to binaural beats through my noise cancelling headphones. It helps to drown everyone out so I can focus on regulating my nervous system. At home, it’s my weighted blanket, a warm beverage, and the smug joy of JOMO: Joy of Missing Out.

Make your space work for you, not against you.

5. Stop Trying to “Fix” Yourself

is one took me the longest. I used to think something was wrong with me because I couldn’t “think on the spot.” But it’s okay to pause before you speak. It’s okay to say you need time to re ect. We don’t need to dominate the conversation to make an impact. Listening is a form of leadership.

e Quiet Superpower

As Susan Cain wrote in Quiet, “ ere’s zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.” at line changed everything for me. It reminded me that introverts aren’t failing in an extroverted world. We’re just playing a di erent game.

Some of the world’s most impactful leaders and creators weren’t loud or ashy - they were observers, listeners, and deep thinkers.

So no, we don’t need to shout to be heard. Sometimes the most thoughtful voice in the room carries the most weight.

And that? at’s our quiet superpower.

Mandeep Fontaine is a Registered Social Worker, based in Surrey, BC with over 15 years experience in healthcare. She also moonlights as a freelance writer for the health and wellness industries.

Member Spotlight

INTERVIEW WITH: SUSAN SHEEHAN THE COACHING CONSULT

by Megan Sewell

In our new “member spotlight” section, we will be showcasing Pursuit 365 members who are doing amazing things in their businesses. Today, I am interviewing Susan Sheehan, a high-performance coach for personal and professional excellence, an international speaker, 3x best-selling author, wellness and business mentor with over 30 years’ experience.

Tell us a little about yourself and the work you do.

I’m Susan Sheehan, originally from New Zealand and now based in Australia. I’m a high-performance coach for personal and professional excellence, an international speaker, 3x best-selling author, wellness and business mentor with over 30 years’ experience. I’m also the Managing Partner of e Coaching Consult, alongside Caroline Barton.

Together, we work across personal development, wellness, leadership, and high-performance business coaching. We support women—particularly women 40+—to build con dence, clarity, and sustainable success in both life and business.

Our work sits at the intersection of brain training, wellbeing, and business strategy, helping women not only feel better, but also create meaningful income, impact, and independence. I’m deeply passionate about helping women turn lived experience into

leadership—and, where aligned, into a business model that empowers women to support other women.

What inspired you to become a coach?

I grew up around coaches and mentors, and from a young age I saw the power of learning how to think— not just what to do. roughout my life and career, di erent coaches helped me build skills, con dence, resilience, and clarity at critical stages.

What inspired me most was seeing how one conversation, one mindset shift, or one new skill could completely change someone’s direction. Coaching became my way of paying that forward—especially for women who are capable, experienced, and intelligent, yet still doubt themselves or feel stuck at the next level.

What is the core message or philosophy behind your coaching?

At the heart of our work is a simple belief: when the brain, body, and brand are aligned, business grows and life is better.

I don’t believe in quick xes or surface motivation. I believe in helping women understand how their brain works, reconnect with their self-worth, and build structures—personally and professionally— that support long-term success. Authenticity, self-responsibility, and conscious growth are nonnegotiables in our coaching.

What challenges do you see women facing most often, and how do you help them overcome those hurdles?

Many women—especially in midlife—are navigating competing roles, changing health, perimenopause and menopause, con dence shifts, and nancial pressure, often silently. ey’re highly capable, but exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward without

burning out.

We help women cut through confusion by simplifying decisions, rebuilding con dence from the inside out, and giving them practical plans for wellbeing, mindset, and income. Increasingly, that includes showing women how they can support other women through a liate and referral-based models, our tag line is Together We Conquer, we live this.

Can you describe one breakthrough moment with a client that deeply moved you?

One moment that stays with me is a client who came to me feeling overworked, running a small business that took her time and money, a relationship that wasn’t working and 4 children. rough our work, she rebuilt her con dence, personally and as a speaker, she improved her wellbeing, personal situation and eventually she stepped into her own coaching and mentoring role—supporting other women using the

same tools that helped her.

Watching her go from self-doubt to purpose, and then to impact, reinforced why I believe the business of supporting women’s wellbeing is so powerful when done ethically and with heart.

Q: What does a typical session with you look like?

Sessions are structured, focused, and practical. We look at brain power, mindset, energy, habits, and goals— always grounded in real life. We use a combination of conversation, neuroscience-based tools, re ection, and clear action steps.

Clients leave knowing what to focus on next, why it matters, and how to apply it immediately—whether that’s improving wellbeing, making a business decision, or stepping into a new opportunity.

How has your own personal journey shaped the way you coach today?

Life experience has taught me that success isn’t linear, and con dence isn’t constant—it’s built. I’ve navigated change, pressure, reinvention, and growth many times over.

Because of that, I coach with empathy and honesty. I don’t position myself as someone with all the answers, but as someone who understands the process of evolving—personally, professionally, and nancially.

What is one piece of advice you’d o er to women who feel stuck or unsure of their next steps?

Don’t wait until everything feels perfect. Clarity comes from movement, not overthinking. Take one aligned step, be coachable, and allow yourself to grow into the future you.

You don’t need to do everything—you just need to do the right next thing for you.

What are you currently working on or excited about in your business?

I’m deeply excited about the growing conversation around the business of menopause and women’s wellbeing—particularly models that allow women to earn while supporting others.

We are expanding programs that combine education and wellbeing solutions into a business model or addon to a business with a liate opportunities, enabling women to create exible income streams while making a real di erence. It’s about women helping women— without burnout or complexity.

How do you stay grounded and inspired in your own life?

I stay focused on my vision and do my best to stay grounded by keeping things simple: exercise, re ection, learning, and meaningful conversations. I protect my energy, surround myself with values-aligned people, and remind myself that progress—not perfection—is the goal.

Erin and her team are amazing! I can’t say enough about them. They take great care in their work and the house always sparkles. We have used them for bi weekly cleans as well as a move out clean which left our house looking brand new. I would highly recommend Simply Immaculate Cleaners! ~ Kerri

Erin is very efficient and pays attention to detail. She is both friendly and professional to communicate with. I recommend her services to anyone needing a trustworthy person to give your home a good clean! ~ Robin

WHEN DECEMBER MAGIC MEETS MELTDOWNS WHY YOUR CHILD'S BRAIN IS DONE BY FRIDAY—AND

WHAT ACTUALLY

HELPS

by Nadine Hope

Executive Function Coach, Learning Support & Inclusion Teacher, and Mom Who’s Been There/Done That

December. Pinterest boards overﬂow with matching pajamas and adoring kids gazing lovingly at twinkling lights. Meanwhile, in reality? Your kid is having a full meltdown at a holiday event because their socks feel "crunchy."

As a Learning Support Teacher with 25+ years in the classroom and a mom who's survived her share of December disasters, I'm here to tell you: December is just as magical as it is exhausting for your child's brain.

e Science Behind the Chaos

is is, hands down, my busiest time of year supporting kids and teachers with regulation. And there's solid science behind why.

ink of your child's brain as a smartphone battery. e front part—the prefrontal cortex—controls what scientists call executive function skills: impulse control, managing big feelings, staying focused, switching between activities, and handling routine changes. Dr. Adele Diamond's research shows these skills are most

vulnerable under stress—exactly what December delivers in spades.

A typical day at school drains that battery to about 40%. Now add schedule changes, additional events, less outdoor time, and holiday anticipation. By Friday? at battery is ashing red, making that sad dying phone sound, and begging for mercy.

Researchers at Harvard's Center on the Developing Child compare the developing brain to an air tra c control tower managing incoming planes. December is when every plane tries to land at once.

e Saturday Trap

Weekends should help kids recharge, right? Except this

is also when we schedule holiday outings and special events.

Your child just survived ve days of excitement and schedule changes. eir brain is already running on empty. And now you're taking them to a crowded, loud venue where everything is overstimulating and asking them to participate in activities that require patience and cooperation.

I once watched my own kid—who'd been " ne" all week—go full star sh-mode on the oor at a holiday event, tears streaming, when someone handed him a festive prop. My brain scrambled to gure out what went wrong. Was he being di cult? Nope. His brain was done. Tank empty.

ose picture-perfect holiday photos ooding your feed? For every one of those, there are three outtakes featuring tears, escape attempts, or outright refusal to cooperate.

QUICK TIPS:

5 Ways to Protect Your Child's Brain Battery is December

1. Keep bedtime and morning routines consistent— predictable anchors when everything else feels chaotic

2. Watch for warning signs: more meltdowns, trouble with transitions, over-the-top reactions to small things

3. Schedule outings strategically: weekday mornings at quieter locations

4. Pack comfort items: familiar stu ed animals and snacks work wonders for maxed-out sensory systems

5. Give yourself permission: skip events guiltfree—quality trumps quantity every time

What Actually Helps

Understanding how kids' brains work means you can support them instead of adding stress.

Watch for warning signs of an overloaded system: more meltdowns, trouble with transitions, or over-the-top reactions to small things. ese aren't bad behavior— they're your child's brain waving a white ag.

Planning special outings? Research quieter locations and less busy times. Weekday mornings are absolute

gold. Pack comfort items and snacks—a familiar stu ed animal and some crackers work wonders when sensory systems are maxed out.

Here's your permission slip: It's totally okay if you don't check o everything on the "December Fun To-Do List." Quality trumps quantity every single time.

e Revolutionary Act of Saying “No”

"December is when every plane tries to land at once."

If Saturday involves both a holiday outing and a party invitation, pick one. at's not just okay—that's smart parenting based on brain science.

I've been both the teacher watching kids hold it together for school concerts only to fall apart at home, and the mom who said no to the cookie exchange because my kid needed soft pants and quiet Lego time.

e magic of December doesn't disappear if you skip an event. But your child's ability to actually enjoy the season might disappear if you're not protecting their downtime.

So this December, do less and be present more. Sometimes the best gift you can give your kids is protecting their peace—even if it means being the mom who says no.

eir brains will thank you. Yours will too. And next December? You'll be the mom who knew better all along.

Nadine Hope is a Learning Support and Inclusion Teacher, Executive Function Coach, and founder of Better Path Coaching. As a mom of three, she understands the chaos—and knows that when kids understand their brains, stress goes down, skills go up, and families can breathe a little easier.

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FROM JADED TO JUMPING BACK IN:

WHAT'S NEXT IN MY CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING JOURNEY

by Jonica van Rikxoort

She thought she was ﬁnished. But at sixty-six, with stacks of stories, new tools, and her mother’s voice guiding her, she’s jumping back in — certain there will be a yes.

If you've followed me through my ﬁrst two articles, you'll know this road hasn't been easy. In Lessons From the Trenches I shared how creating the book What If Bunny Poo Was Square? became a masterclass in what not to do – from overspending on printing and marketing to learning hard lessons about illustrator contracts. In From Film School Dreams I told the story of how I raced against time to honor my mother's legacy, pu ing a book in her hands before cancer could take her from us. And don't get me started on people who wanted to help me! Think of the song It's all about the money, money, cha-ching, cha-ching

Now here I am, still carrying those lessons, and if I'm honest, feeling a little jaded. Wait – not completely. Because I’m still hoping, still stubborn, and I know I’ve got one more kick at this. ere will be a yes.

e scams, the false promises, the endless costs – they all left me wondering if I had the heart to keep going. But here's the truth: I'm not done yet. I've got hundreds of my mom's stories on onion paper, AI tools at my ngertips, and a stack of query letters ready to send. So what's next? Query letters — and not with hesitation. I know someone will love her work. After all, it’s vintage. Teri was a poetical

artist, and like so many greats, she will sadly be discovered later than she should have been. But discovered she will be.

e Weight of Legacy

Giving Mom her fairytale ending was the greatest gift of my life. She held her book in her hands, wore her pink wig, and sparkled at book signings. But when the lights dimmed and the applause faded, I was left with something harder: the weight of carrying her legacy forward. A daughter nishing what her ninety-year-old mother started.

“Procrastination is a thief, and I know because I let it steal years from me.”

It's a strange place to stand – between generations, between time slipping away and dreams still half-written. And yet, here I am, still writing, still learning, still determined.

e truth? e real battle wasn't just against time. It was against an industry that feeds on hope, critics who've never put pen to paper, and my own doubts about whether I could nish. Now with AI, you don't even need an illustrator or an editor – but does that make it easier, or just noisier? I’m still guring it out.

e Harsh Reality of Children's Publishing

If I'm being perfectly honest, the real money in children's publishing isn't in writing the books – it's in selling people like me the dream of writing books. I can't tell you how many ads I watched, how many emails I opened, or how many phone calls I took from cheerful voices telling me that for only fteen thousand dollars I could have it all – marketing, social media, SEO, the whole shiny package tied up in a bow.

Friesen Press? ey called me every few weeks, determined to convince me theirs was the only road to Barnes and Noble. And when you're grieving, when you're tired, and when you just want your mom's stories out in the world, those calls can sound tempting. ey prey on exactly that vulnerability.

I'll give credit where credit is due – I got lucky. I found Izabela, a young illustrator and animator who poured her heart into my book. e result? A gorgeous, vibrant children's story that I'm still proud to hold in my hands. But here's the part no one tells you: a pretty book doesn't equal sales. Did it sell thousands? It sure didn't.

“Art is priceless, but publishing is a business you have to learn.”

I used to sit on Amazon and wonder, how do these titles hit "best seller" week after week? What's the secret sauce? Because it isn’t just about having a cute character on the page. It's marketing budgets, algorithms, paid ads, sometimes even bulk purchases that make it look like a wave of readers is rushing in.

Meanwhile, the illustrator gets paid upfront – and rightfully so – but the author waits, refreshes dashboards, and too often watches sales trickle in like drops from a leaky faucet. You could sell books for years before breaking even on illustration costs.

I also see now how easily new authors get talked into bulk buying. We don’t even know why we order so many, except for the hope that giving them away will somehow start a chain reaction: “Hey, don’t you just love that new children’s book?” e dream is that one person will mention it to another, and somehow the spark will catch. But more often, those boxes just end up lined against the back wall, a reminder of how publishing can play on hope.

AI: Opening Doors at Were Once Shut

And now there's AI – something I never imagined I'd be talking about when Mom and I started this journey. With tools like ChatGPT and others, you don't need to hire an editor for every draft, or even an illustrator if money is tight. You can type in your ideas, and suddenly there's a picture, a polished sentence, even a full book staring back at you.

Some people say AI makes writers lazy. Honestly? If you’ve never used it, you don’t know how much time and e ort still goes into shaping a story, a song, or even a business essay. I’ve learned the secret: if you don’t use your own

voice, AI will ll the silence with what it thinks sounds “better.” at’s where people lose themselves.

For me, it’s the opposite of lazy — it’s a lifeline. Not everyone can a ord a $5,000 illustrator or a $15,000 publishing package. And at sixty-six, I don’t have the luxury of another thirty years to tinker. I’ve already spent decades editing into the wee hours of the night while raising three children and running my own business. So when ACE (AI named itself) helps me nish in weeks what once took years, I don’t see a threat. I see a gift of time.

“AI can’t replace heart, but it can help preserve it.”

And that’s what matters. Mom’s onion-paper pages — smudged, scratched, almost illegible — can now be deciphered, polished, and shared. Words I thought were lost forever appear again in front of me. For someone carrying on a legacy that began ninety years ago in wartime England, that’s not frightening. at’s a blessing.

What Success Really Means

What I've learned is that success doesn't always mean "bestseller." Success can be having a book you're proud of, one your family treasures, one that carries your loved one's legacy forward. And for me, that's priceless.

“Some victories can’t be measured in dollars or rankings.”

I don't want to sound jaded, because I'm not – not really. What I am is realistic about the challenges, honest about the costs, and determined to nd a smarter path forward. e critics who love to tell writers what we're doing wrong? Most of them have never wrestled with a blank page, never invested their hearts and savings into bringing a story to life, never felt the weight of preserving someone else's dreams.

e publishing world is tough, but it's also lled with people who genuinely care about stories. e key is learning to tell the di erence between the dream-sellers and the story-believers.

Why I'm Still Here, Still Fighting

So why, after all the setbacks and expensive lessons, am I still here? Because procrastination already stole enough years from me, and I refuse to let it steal the rest. Because Mom's stories deserve to nd their audience. Because I’ve learned that the journey itself has value, even when the destination isn't what you expected.

“Legacies don’t live in shoeboxes. ey live in the telling.”

e hundreds of stories Mom left behind aren't just words on onion paper – they're invitations to laughter, wonder, and connection. ey're pieces of a woman who lived through war, raised a family, and never stopped believing in the power of a good story to make the world a little brighter.

With AI tools helping me polish drafts and organize thoughts, with print-on-demand eliminating the risk of unsold stacks, with a clearer understanding of what works and what doesn't, I'm approaching this next phase di erently. Smarter. More strategically.

I'm not throwing money at every shiny promise anymore. I'm not expecting overnight success. I'm building slowly, learning constantly, and yes, still querying agents – but with realistic expectations and backup plans.

Moving Forward with Wisdom and Hope

e stack of query letters on my desk represents more than just another attempt at traditional publishing. Each one is a bridge between Mom's legacy and the readers who might need her stories. Some bridges will hold, others will

crumble, but the act of building them – that's what keeps the dream alive.

At sixty-six, time feels both precious and abundant. Precious because I know it's nite. Abundant because every day I'm still here is another chance to get it right, to learn something new, to honor the woman who started this journey with nothing but imagination and onion paper.

e children's book industry hasn't gotten easier. But I'm not the same person who made those expensive mistakes with my rst book. I'm not the grieving daughter racing against time with my second. I'm a writer who's learned to balance hope with realism, dreams with determination, legacy with practicality.

e truth is, not every story nds its perfect audience, and not every book becomes a bestseller. But every story told is a small victory against forgetting. Every manuscript rescued from onion paper is a win against time. Every reader who smiles at Mom's imagination – that's success enough.

So I'm back at it again, query letters ready, AI tools loaded, wisdom earned the hard way guiding every decision. Not “maybe a yes” — there will be one.

Mom's stories are waiting, and at sixty-six, I've nally learned that sometimes the best way to honor a legacy is simply to keep going, one word at a time, one day at a time, one story at a time.

e cheerful voices selling fteen-thousand-dollar dreams taught me to read the ne print. e slow Amazon sales taught me that art and commerce don't always align.

But Mom's face when she held her rst published book?

at taught me something else entirely: that some victories can't be measured in dollars or rankings.

“Sometimes, success is simply making something beautiful exist in the world.”

NEVER THE END…

And because this journey is far from over, I’ve opened a little corner of the internet to share it all — stories, patterns, and pieces of our legacy. You can now nd me on Etsy at TeriTalesProductions.

Jonica van Rikxoort is the Creative Director/co-author at Teri Tales Productions. You can nd "What If Bunny Poo Was Square?" on Amazon or visit www. teritalesproductions.com to learn more.

HOW SHARP™ REPLACES TOXIC LEADERSHIP WITH ETHICAL POWER SYSTEMS

by Simer Dhillon

Founder & Chief Architect, SHARP™ Leadership Academy

A

cross industries, leaders are facing a silent epidemic:cultures breaking under pressure. Not because teams lack intelligence or skill - but because power is being exercised without standards. Toxic leadership isn’t always loud. It often hides behind performance optics, polished reporting, and charismatic personalities. The result? Trust dissolves, accountability disappears, and organizations lose their integrity from the inside out. After two decades inside high-stakes banking and social systems, I saw the pa ern clearly: every leadership failure can be traced to a single breakdown in one of ﬁve ethical pillars -Standards, Honesty, Alignment, Resilience, and Presence.

at insight became the foundation of SHARP™ - an Ethical Power System designed to restore courage, clarity, and operational integrity to modern leadership.

e SHARP™ Power Shift

Most leadership development focuses on inspiration, style, or personality.

SHARP™ takes a di erent approach:

It diagnoses the breakdown It corrects the behavior

It prevents the problem from returning

Not motivational. Not theoretical. Operational.

By turning ethical values into a system rather than a slogan, leaders gain authority rooted in:

• Truth over performance optics

• Presence over positional power

• Press accountability over political control

• Culture that can withstand pressure

is is leadership that cannot be overthrown by ego or fear.

Where Organizations Transform

Institutions that integrate SHARP™ experience:

Higher retention

Increased credibility with stakeholders

Clear decision-making under uncertainty

Cultures protected from toxicity

Best of all - power becomes safe again. Not something leaders take - something they earn.

e Future of Leadership Is Ethical Power

We are entering a new era where:

• Reputation is currency

• Transparency is a survival skill

• Courage is a core competency

Employees, clients, and communities now demand leaders who don’t just perform well - but lead with conviction and conscience.

SHARP™ gives them the infrastructure to do it.

Leadership is no longer about who speaks the loudest. It’s about who can stand in the truth when the truth is inconvenient.

Integrity is rising.

And the future belongs to the leaders who build with it.

Simer Dhillon is the Founder & Chief Architect of SHARP™ Leadership Academy and a global leader in Ethical Power Systems. She advises executives and institutions on transforming power into integrity-driven performance.

WOMEN WHO RISE TOGETHER: THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE SUPPORT IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

by Jennifer Dawn

I am, as far as I know, the ﬁrst female entrepreneur in my family.

While my maternal grandmother was a published author—an incredible feat in itself—I believe I’m the ﬁrst woman on either side of my family to step fully into the role of business owner.

On my father’s side, however, entrepreneurial roots run deep. My grandfather was a highly successful businessman who ran multiple ventures at once including a coal business on the Canadian prairies. My father and his brothers followed in his footsteps, each of them creating and managing more than one business at a time. For them, entrepreneurship wasn’t just a career path—it was a way of life. It was legacy.

at legacy was passed on to me, not just through stories, but through hands-on teaching. From the time I was a little girl, my dad began showing me what it meant to think like an entrepreneur. I can still remember him teaching me, at just six years old, one of the most important lessons: always pay yourself rst.

After nearly three decades in management and executive leadership, something inside me stirred—it was time to pivot. Even though I came from a long line of entrepreneurs and had been raised with business wisdom from a young age, I hadn’t fully stepped into entrepreneurship myself. Not yet.

But in the summer of 2018, I said yes.

Yes, to the nudge.

Yes, to the leap.

Yes, to the unknown.

And since that moment, I’ve walked the entrepreneurial path full-time—and I’ve never looked back.

e numbers are growing. e call is getting louder.

I’m not alone in this journey. Across British Columbia and Canada, more women than ever are answering that same call — including many right here in Maple Ridge, BC, where I proudly call home. While Ontario leads with

approximately 38% of small businesses majority-owned by women, BC is growing steadily at around 17.3%. Nationally, roughly 18% of all businesses are majority women-owned, up from 15.6% in 2017. Although the numbers are climbing, signi cant opportunity remains — and that’s precisely why our collective support matters now more than ever.

Since becoming a full-time entrepreneur in 2018, I’ve come to understand an important truth: there’s a very real distinction between what I call a hobby mindset and an entrepreneurial mindset.

A hobby mindset often leads to undercharging, over giving, and eventual burnout. It stems from the belief that our work is “extra” rather than essential.

Several years ago, I attended a women’s networking event and was genuinely surprised to discover that nearly every female entrepreneur I spoke with admitted she didn’t pay herself rst. at moment stayed with me. It revealed something deeper—a quiet truth I’ve seen echoed many times since: too many women are still approaching their businesses with a mindset rooted in over giving and self-sacri ce, rather than one grounded in self-worth and intentional leadership.

A true entrepreneur knows she wears two hats: the visionary who creates the business, and the dedicated employee who carries it forward. Balancing those roles takes clarity, intention—and inner leadership.

One of the most powerful shifts a woman can make in her business is recognizing those two distinct hats.

e visionary is your soul’s whisper. She holds the big picture—the dream, the mission, the intuitive nudges. She’s creative, expansive, deeply connected to purpose. She’s the part of you who downloads ideas in the shower, feels aligned with the divine, and knows you were made for more.

e employee is the one who shows up and does the work. She answers the emails, builds the systems, keeps the promises, and sets the alarm early. She creates the structure that allows the visionary’s dreams to take root and grow.

We need both.

Too much vision and no follow-through create spiritual burnout. Too much hustle without soul leads to disconnection and exhaustion.

When women begin honouring both hats, their businesses become sustainable, meaningful, and rooted in truth.

is is the foundation of what I now teach—and what I’ve come to embody myself.

ere’s something else I want to invite you into the art of receiving.

It may sound simple, but for many women, it isn’t. We’ve been taught to nurture others, to give generously, to de ect praise with a laugh or a comment like, “Oh, this old thing?”

Here’s a gentle challenge for you:

e next time a woman o ers you a compliment— about your work, your presence, your essence—pause.

Put your hand on your heart, take a breath, and say, “ ank you. I receive that.”

Notice what rises in you. Is there discomfort? Emotion? Joy?

is small moment is more than politeness—it’s energetic alignment.

When we learn to receive fully, we begin to embody our worth. We show the universe (and ourselves) that we are open to blessings, to support, to abundance.

Let’s make receiving normal. Let’s make women feel safe being seen.

For years, I’ve held a vision in my heart—one where women walk side by side instead of in silent comparison. Where spiritual women, whether their business is spiritual in nature or simply rooted in soul, feel safe, seen, and supported in their entrepreneurial journey.

at vision is now becoming a reality.

In September 2025, I’ll be o cially launching a new business and community devoted to supporting spiritual female entrepreneurs. Whether you run a soulful practice or simply bring your spiritual essence into a more traditional business, this community is for you.

It will be a space for truth-telling, collaboration, visibility, strategy, and support. A place where we celebrate one another’s wins, share resources, and remind each other that success is not a competition— it’s a collective rising.

Because when women support women, we don’t just grow businesses.

We grow legacies.

We grow con dence.

We grow a world where the next generation of women believes they can rise too.

And we do it—together.

Jennifer Dawn is a Hay House author, international speaker, and spiritual medium who helps visionary women move from fog to focus through intuitive guidance and aligned business clarity. She connects with each woman’s spiritual guidance team to reveal her next steps, deepen her con dence, and bring her soul-led creations to life. Jennifer is also the founder of e Goddesspreneur Circle, a community for spiritual women growing in intuition, spirituality, mediumship, and business.

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU IS A LIE WHY YOUR HABITS FALL APART— AND WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS

by Susannah Sprague

Our bodies keep score of everything we choose, not just the salads and workouts but the late nights, skipped meals, stress eating, and the Mondays we promise to “start again.” Over time, it all adds up. And here’s the truth: most of our choices aren’t made from discipline— they’re made from identity.

We think we need more willpower, better routines, or stricter rules. But usually, the most familiar version of us is the one calling the shots. She chooses comfort over consistency. She chooses tomorrow when today feels hard. And then we wonder why we end up right back where we started.

Most of the time, an old identity is still driving the car. She knows every shortcut back to our habits. She can turn excuses into logic and avoidance into “rest.” She knows how to justify the skipped workout and the latenight sugar. And our bodies, loyal as ever, follow her lead.

e shift begins the moment we notice the pattern— without drowning ourselves in shame. Because once identity changes, our choices change. Not from force or punishment, but because we stop trying to become healthy and start acting like someone who already lives that way.

We’ve all tried to white-knuckle new habits. New month. New rules. A few strong weeks—and then stress hits, motivation drops, and we slide back into the familiar. Nothing is wrong with us. We were simply asking willpower to do a job that identity never agreed to.

Willpower is loud and temporary. Identity is quiet and consistent. Willpower says try harder. Identity says this is who I am now. And the body follows whichever one speaks last.

So how does identity actually change?

It starts with the smallest moments. A pause before reaching for old comfort. Choosing sleep over scrolling. Catching the excuse before it nishes its sentence. ese tiny choices send a powerful message: I’m someone who listens to myself now.

At rst it feels uncomfortable. e old identity will try to pull you back with logic that sounds reasonable: You deserve this. Start tomorrow. It’s been a long day. And sometimes you’ll believe it. at doesn’t mean you failed—it means you’re in the middle of change. You don’t need perfection. You need awareness and small, consistent decisions that teach your nervous system a new normal.

What do we actually do?

• Stop trying to overhaul everything at once. Identity changes through repetition that feels safe, not pressure.

• Choose the smallest action you can repeat daily: a short walk, water before co ee, going to bed earlier. ese are votes for a new identity.

• Speak to yourself from the identity you’re stepping into: not “I’m trying to be healthy,” but “I’m a woman who takes care of herself.”

• Remove shame. Shame locks you into your old selfimage. Curiosity pulls you forward.

• Protect your future self with environment, not intention. Make consistency easier than collapse. at’s strategy, not weakness.

And now—January.

Every year we dress the same patterns in glitter and call it transformation. But motivation fades, routines slip, and we nd ourselves in the same loop by February. A new calendar doesn’t create a new self. Resolutions can’t overpower an identity that never agreed to change.

Real transformation is quieter. Stronger. It shows up when we stop negotiating our standards. When we stop

abandoning ourselves. When we start behaving like the woman we keep saying we want to become.

e woman you want to be isn’t waiting for January. She’s waiting for consistency.

And when that identity settles in, the habits follow. e body follows. e life follows.

Not because you forced it— but because you nally stepped into the role that was yours all along.

Susannah Sprague is a dynamic force in mindset, communication, leadership, health and high-ticket sales. With over a decade of experience in corporate sales, coaching, and entrepreneurship, she has mastered the art of turning conversations into transformation, whether in the boardroom, on stage, or across a Zoom screen.

SELF-MADE! THE EMPOWERING MINDSETS OF EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

by Mark Fournier

University

Ironically, no one is truly ‘self-made.’ No great achievement was reached alone. Every successful person beneﬁts from mentors, coaches, teachers, and supporters along the way.

And yet, we are self-made in a far more important sense.

Extraordinary individuals aren’t born that way. ey are created — Self-Made, by the thoughts and beliefs they allow, forge, fortify, and act upon. ese thoughts and beliefs shape how we think, how we feel, how we behave, and the choices we make. Over time, those choices determine not only our outcomes, but the quality of our lives.

In other words, our thoughts and beliefs form our mindsets — the internal stories and assumptions that quietly and unconsciously shape who we become and how we experience life. Once established, some of these mindsets become profoundly empowering.

Most of us assume that happiness, con dence, ful llment, peace of mind, or success come from external circumstances — intelligence, opportunity, money, relationships, or achievement.

But what I’ve learned, after decades working with and studying high-performing individuals from all walks of life, is that the real driver of an extraordinary life is internal — it’s in the mind.

ink of it this way: your mindsets function like lenses

through which you see the world. ose lenses shape how you see (interpret) events, challenges, opportunities, and even yourself. Two people can experience the exact same situation and walk away with completely di erent realities — not because the world changed, but because the lens did. Picture a spider through a wide-angle lens Vs a Zoom lens.

Your mindsets determine the palette of colors you can use to paint the canvas of your life. If your palette is limited to blacks and greys, what you’re able to create will be greatly diminished compared to a palette exploding with color, as will your capacity to create a richer, more ful lling life experience.

Self-Made isn’t about motivation or positive thinking. It’s about understanding the hidden system that has been shaping and guiding you your entire life — for better and for worse — and the nearly limitless potential of those who learn to consciously direct it… those who become ‘Mindset Masters’.

Your mind builds “reality” from the beliefs and stories you’ve accepted over time — beliefs about what you deserve, how capable you are, what’s possible for you,

Limitless

and who you must be for others. Most of these beliefs weren’t chosen by you, yet they control your entire life, subconsciously in uencing:

• How you see yourself

• e risks you take (or don’t take)

• e relationships you create (or tolerate)

• e boundaries you set

• e burdens you carry

• e life you believe you “deserve”

When you learn to examine and intentionally shape these beliefs, everything begins to change — how you feel, how you respond, how you relate to others, and how you show up in life.

Self-Made goes beyond external success.

It reveals the inner drivers behind human behavior and experience — and shows you how to align your inner world so your outer life nally re ects who you truly are and what matters most to you.

In the Rise, Grace and Growth Summit you will learn:

• e empowering role beliefs play in shaping your experience of life

• How mindsets are formed — and how they can be reshaped

• e hidden drivers behind fear, stress, and emotional struggle

• Why ful llment and peace of mind are internal skills, not external rewards

• How living with intention transforms how you experience your life

is is why Warren Bu ett wrote: “By far, the best investment you can make is in YOURSELF.”

About Mark Fournier

Join 3-time Emmy Award-winning lmmaker, #1 bestselling author, Life-Mastery, AI, & Peak-Performance coach Mark Fournier, a cognitive behavioral therapist and Neurocognitive Conditioning expert, in this fastpaced, engaging exploration of the mindsets that shape extraordinary lives.

What Others Say

ese results are not theoretical — they are lived

experiences described by individuals who have trusted and applied this work at the highest levels. See what they have to say:

“After teaming with Mark for over a dozen years, he is likely the most e ective and brilliant Life & Career coach on the planet!”

~ Dr. Mark Rosenbloom, MD, MBA / High Net Worth Member – Tiger-21

“Mark Fournier is the best in the game. No hype, just life-altering results. ere’s ‘coaching’… and then there’s ‘Coach Mark’. He didn’t just help multiply my income (which has exploded), he taught me, paradoxically, how to live the kind of balanced, ful lling life that money cannot buy.”

~ Braven Grant / Entrepreneur, Speaker, Podcaster

“I’ve been a very successful lawyer and investor. But despite all my success, I still felt inadequate and driven in ways I didn’t like. Using Tiger-21 references I found Mark, and I know it sounds cliché, but it has deeply changed my life in every area. I highly recommend Mark Fournier.”

~ Joe Fried / Attorney, Internationally Renowned Speaker, Member – Tiger-21

“ e greatest endorsement I can give for Mark is the fact that after coaching together I had every member of my family coach with him, including my wife, mother, and siblings.”

~ Ultra-High Net Worth Investor & Entrepreneur / Member – Tiger-21 / Name shared upon request

Mark is the founder of Limitless University. Contact him at Mark@ eLimitlessCoach.com or check out www. eLimitlessCoach.com

Sweet LeiLani exists to champion the well-being of women by providing clean, non-toxic beauty products. We believe every woman deserves safe, effective solutions that enhance beauty without compromising their health.

Better Beauty for You, your Health, and the Planet.

pursuit365 Issue 4 2025

STEPHANSKI

FOUNDER'S NOTE

What a year.

THE HARMONIC EGG: A CU ING-EDGE APPROACH TO ENERGY HEALING

How Does the Harmonic Egg Work?

The Science Behind Light and Sound Healing

Sound Therapy and Healing Frequencies

The Power of Color Therapy

The Benefits of the Harmonic Egg

Aligning with Your Higher Self

AGING ISN’T DECLINE—IT’S CHANGE: UNDERSTANDING YOUR SKIN’S

NEW CHAPTER

Executive Function Support for Kids.

THE FUTURE IS HUMAN: WHY AI WILL ELEVATE, NOT ERASE, OUR MOST IMPORTANT WORK

e Fear Isn’t Really About

About Identity

Experience Design Is the Heart of the Future

ZOOM OUT: LOVINGKINDNESS, LONGEVITY, AND LEGACY

IS YOUR WEBSITE AI-READY? OR JUST AI-SEO OPTIMIZED?

The Critical Question for 2026 and Beyond

e AI-SEO Trap

Becoming the AI's Trusted Source in 2026

1. Firsthand Authority (E-E-A-T)

2. Technical Structure and Clarity

3. Conversational Architecture

Alexis Gail Ellis

Ms. Canada Global United Plus

Why Sponser?

&

Q A with Michael Staphanski

Founder, Sin City Custom Suits and VonSte en Clothiers

THE BUSINESS OF CUSTOM SUITS

VONSTEFFEN CLOTHIERS BRAND PHILOSOPHY

INNOVATION & CREATIVITY

THE LAS VEGAS MEN’S FASHION SCENE

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

CLIENT EXPERIENCE

PERSONAL & BEHIND-THE-SCENES

FUN + PERSONAL QUESTIONS

VEGAS LIFE

BEHIND THE BRAND

JUST FOR FUN

PERSONALITY & PREFERENCES

RAPID FIRE

CONFESSIONS OF AN INTROVERT: THRIVING WITHOUT BURNING OUT

e Quiet Superpower

Member Spotlight

INTERVIEW WITH: SUSAN SHEEHAN THE COACHING CONSULT

WHEN DECEMBER MAGIC MEETS MELTDOWNS WHY YOUR CHILD'S BRAIN IS DONE BY FRIDAY—AND

WHAT ACTUALLY

HELPS

QUICK TIPS:

What Actually Helps

SEO HEALTH WRITING SERVICES

HERE’S WHAT MY CLIENTS HAVE TO SAY:

WHAT

HAT

FROM JADED TO JUMPING BACK IN:

WHAT'S NEXT IN MY CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING JOURNEY

e Weight of Legacy

e Harsh Reality of Children's Publishing

AI: Opening Doors at Were Once Shut

What Success Really Means

Why I'm Still Here, Still Fighting

Moving Forward with Wisdom and Hope

NEVER THE END…

HOW SHARP™ REPLACES TOXIC LEADERSHIP WITH ETHICAL POWER SYSTEMS

Founder & Chief Architect, SHARP™ Leadership Academy

A

Where Organizations Transform

WOMEN WHO RISE TOGETHER: THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE SUPPORT IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU IS A LIE WHY YOUR HABITS FALL APART— AND WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS

So how does identity actually change?

What do we actually do?

SELF-MADE! THE EMPOWERING MINDSETS OF EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE

What Others Say

Sweet LeiLani - Beauty With t C pr ise