Find Your People

Devastating news…  Kate Spade passes away of apparent suicide.

As I hustle in my Moxie Trades world, I am in constant reflection of my values. I have struggled with a (not severe) type of depression and anxiety – I have only been in that dark place a couple of times and that was 3 years ago with the divorce from my sister, niece and two nephews. In addition to my family break-up, this amazing empire at Moxie Trades can certainly kick my ass at times. My saving grace has been my life-saver Traci Trimble who coached me out of darkness with coping skills. I now take what I call my daily happy pill and…. I studied Robin Sharma and affirmed my values and intentions. They have been tested but life is easier with these rules I live by.
I bought Frankie her first Kate Spade purse and wallet last week for her 13th Birthday. Sad that Kate’s daughter is 13 at the time of her passing. For any of you suffering… please do not. Please seek immediate help.
1. Know your values – everything else can take a running leap off a tall bridge. (Family, friends, career, legacy, health, adventure, spirituality, and economics)
2. prioritize these values
3. assign rules to them
4. assign mentors to them (alive or dead)
5. Surround yourself with love and nothing else.
6. Find your people – your Traci, your Angela, your Catherine, your Tanya, your Jackie… your….. people, your 911.

Take the Moxie Pledge For a Chance to Win $1000 Moxie Trades Grant

Support for women in businessThe founder of Moxie Trades slayed a Dragon on CBC, wore pink work boots, stripped down on TV, and ten years later is daring women to take on their own fearless adventures. Marissa McTasney launches the Moxie Pledge and a chance to win grant for tackling fearless initiatives.

Marissa McTasney; Founder and CEO of Moxie Trades celebrates the Original Pink Work Boot’s ten year anniversary by observing March 27th as National Day of Moxie – daring women to find and celebrate their “inner moxie”, or the ability to face fear with spirit and courage.2017-03-22_11-05-26

Moxie women can take the pledge confirming their inner moxie by visiting www.moxieday.com and enter for a chance to win $1,000 grant towards their goal of facing their individual fearless adventures.

Moxie Trades, the maker of the now infamous pink work boot “Betsy”, had humble beginnings as a small Canadian startup. They said it would never work, but “they” were wrong. Through her distribution partner TT Group, Moxie Trades now ships worldwide and can be found in over 500 retail outlets across North America.

McTasney famously ditched her high heels for work boots and she’s been knocking down walls and pounding the pavement with Moxie Trades ever since. McTasney even stripped down on the set of The Naked Entrepreneurhosted by Sean Wise which can be seen on the Oprah Network this month. Her latest activities include marching with the Women’s March Global Team and she strives to highlight the importance of economic prosperity for women.

“Our company has never been about the work boots; it’s always been about the women who wear them” says McTasney; Chief Work Boot Wearer.

With every purchase of the 10th Anniversary Special Edition Pink Work Boot, Moxie shoppers receive a Raglan Shirt and Key chain to mark the occasion. Ten percent of online sales at www.moxietrades.com for the Pink Promo pack will go towards grants for women who wear work boots.

If you would like more information, please contact Barbara Munshaw email social@moxietrades.com.

About Moxie Trades

Founded in 2006, Moxie Trades began with the goal of providing home renovation services primarily by teams of women. Fate intervened as the brand grew and it direction changed to suit the needs of the market. Through sheer grit and determination, Moxie Trades has evolved into the most recognized brand of safety footwear for women in Canada. We strive to deliver the best product with the best customer service for women who work in the trades. Our products – ranging from work boots to protective eye wear can be found in retailers across North America.

Check out this #StartupDay lineup sneak peek…

More speakers added daily! Startup Canada Day on the Hill

The Hon. Bill Morneau Minister of Finance

The Hon. Bill Morneau Minister of Finance

Keynote Speaker Business

Marissa McTasney Founder & CEO, MoxieTrades

The Hon. Bardish Chagger

The Hon. Bardish Chagger
Minister of Small Business & Tourism

Speaker entrepreneurs

Jonathon Ortmans President of Global Entrepreneurship Week and advisor to U.S. President Obama

His Excellency Rafael Barak Israeli Ambassador to Canada

His Excellency Rafael Barak Israeli Ambassador to Canada

Allen Lau Co-Founder of Wattpad

Allen Lau
Co-Founder of Wattpad

Remembering You Are A Coach, Not A Player

Coaching Pod Cast

Download the latest Startup Canada Podcast!

In the eyes of Boris Wertz, founder of Version One Ventures, being a successful venture capitalist means, “remembering you are a coach, not a player.” Hear more from Wertz in the latest Startup Canada Podcast, brought to you by .CAQuickbooks OnlineSteadfastbeta, and TruShield. New episodes go live every Tuesday at 10am ET!

Starup Canada Youth

Startup Canada partners with the Startup Youth movement 

Jenny Hua, the creator of an app that connects parents to babysitters, won a pitch competition organized by Startup Youth during a March Break Bootcamp for high-school aged entrepreneurs in Ottawa. Click here to see what these talented young innovators got up to!

Startup Canada Award

Canada Business features success stories of 2015 Startup Canada Award Winners

Read these inspiring success stories of women entrepreneurs, featured on the Canada Business Network! From a health startup to a clothing empire, these women entrepreneurs have grown socially-conscience and innovative business worth celebrating.

Startup Canada Federal Budget & UberPitch

Kathy

Startup Canada deconstructs the 2016 Federal Budget 

The Government of Canada will table an Innovation Agenda within the year, Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced during his 2016 Budget Speech last month. Startup Canada’s Kathryn Forrest reports on 10 ways the 2016 Federal Budget will affect Canadian entrepreneurs. 
Uber pitch

UberPITCH connects entrepreneurs and investors on April 7

Victoria Lennox, CEO and Co-Founder of Startup Canada as well as Stephen Partridge, investor, advisor, and Startup Canada Board Member are riding along with UberPITCH to hear entrepreneurs pitch their startup! Entrepreneurs are invited to use a promo code to find investors driving around their city – secure your ride in your city here!

Be Inspired, Grow & Inovate with 1,500 Entrepreneurs

Startup Canada Hill Day

Be INSPIRED, GROW & INNOVATE with 1,500 entrepreneurs, innovators & policy makers at Startup Canada Day on the Hill!

We just announced a great lineup for Startup Canada Day on the Hill including leading Canadian entrepreneurs like Tony Lacavera, Chairman of Globalive and former CEO of WIND Mobile, Jonathon Ortmans, a top advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama, and the Hon. Bill Morneau, Canada’s Federal Finance Minister.

Get your tickets today to exchange business cards with over 1,500 entrepreneurs and fellow business visionaries, walk away with cutting-edge insights from those working to build Canada into the innovation nation of the future, receive invaluable mentorship advice, participate in policy hack-a-thons and pitch competitions, and connect with the who’s who of entrepreneurship and innovation during a Startup Soiree overlooking the iconic Parliament Hill.

The action happens May 5. Join us!

Calling All Entrepreneurs!

May 5th Startup Canada

Join us for Canada’s BIGGEST gathering of entrepreneurs, innovators & policy makers.

Couldn’t make it to that once-in-a-lifetime conference in Silicon Valley?

Startup Canada and Marissa McTasney owner of Moxie Trades have you covered. Get your business cards ready!

We’re inviting you to shake hands with Canada’s top entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, politicians, and government decision-makers at Startup Canada Day on the Hill. Instead of beefing up your Linkedin and attending countless networking events, we’re giving you the chance to meet with over 1,500 entrepreneurs and fellow business-visionaries in one shot.

You’ll walk away with cutting-edge insights from those working to build Canada into the innovation-nation of the future. It’s your opportunity to connect with leaders, receive invaluable mentorship advice, participate in policy hack-a-thons and pitch competitions, and connect with the who’s who of entrepreneurship and innovation during a Startup Soiree overlooking the iconic Parliament Hill.

The action happens at the Shaw Centre in Ottawa on May 5, 2016 from 9am – 7.30pm. Register today at www.startupday.ca using promo code STARTUPDAY25 to receive 25% off your tickets!

Why attend?

  • Connect with 1,500 entrepreneurs and leading anchor companies.
  • Gain valuable mentorship, inspiration and cutting-edge insights from Canada’s top entrepreneurs like Tony Lacavera, founder of Wind Mobile.
  • Contribute YOUR voice to the Government of Canada on creating the conditions for entrepreneurial success.
  • Pitch to win, get noticed and get plugged in.
  • Find a mentor to champion you and be mentor to pay it forward.

JOIN US!

#FEMCapital Campaign: Celebrating Women’s Entrepreneurship

Today is the day! Purchase our book, Feminine Capital ‘Unlocking the Power of Women Entrepreneurs’, through Amazon and receive a collection of FREE gifts that include:

  • 2 interactive webinars with authors Barbara Orser and Catherine Elliott.
  • 6 personalized tools to help you apply the principles of Feminine Capital to your business or organization.
  • Exclusive access to a Knowledge Exchange Library of training webinars, templates, eBooks, resources and articles.

By purchasing our book today you are also participating in the #FEMCapital Campaignwhich celebrates and harnesses the power of women entrepreneurs.

Ready to participate?

Purchase Feminine Capital

#FemCapital

We have collaborated with the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) and organizing partner Women’s Enterprise Centre of British Columbia (WEC) to launch the #FEMCapital Campaign. We are delighted that the book Feminine Capital was chosen as the lead educational resource!

#FemCapital

What Do You Need?

If only the words to Justin Bieber’s song started with What do you need? I had to listen to it several times this morning to make sure I heard it right but alas, the words are What do you mean?  But, I’m still a Belieber.
I have not communicated well with our e-blast program.  Here’s why!
The marketing gurus and business financiers of the world have advised me to sell the product. Product first! Women second! Well, NOT on my watch. So I have been lazy to communicate because selling YOU just isn’t my gig. They fail to realize that my business started because I was a tradeswoman who wanted to wear well fitting and cute work boots.
I love the oxymoron of life – showing strength in a tutu.  It has served me well and truly reflects how I feel on the inside.  How I feel is never a secret to anyone; sorry to those who have witnessed my passionate pleas to make a change. If it weren’t for the tutu and the pink, people might be scared.
I have been fortunate to work with a Federal Minister as part of a panel to help determine tools needed for women to be successful in business.  I toured a second time across Canada with StartUp Canada and met with thousands of entrepreneurs.
In business, I have had the shit kicked out of me.  For the love of moxie! A gift I have been blessed and honoured with.  If only I knew the gift it would be nine years ago.
Without our pink work boot, I would not have had a voice to make a change. I do not whisper for my voice will not be heard.  I can be controversial, passionate, (a good forgiving word to describe a tiraid) and stubborn.
Now… THIS is who we are and the vision behind the brand of 
Moxie Trades:
As neighbours, supporters gather to support my cause, we celebrate and shoot the 2016 catalogue in my hometown.  How gorgeous right?
Then, the idea came to inspire the next generation of women.  Thank you to my gorgeous daughter and her fearless and moxie friends. I will protect these spirits as my life depends on it.
These two photoshoots and the girls inspired the Got Moxie Challenge where we will create a program to inspire young women and donate bursaries and grants. Please join our movement #IGOTMOXIE
Now, we have quarterly contests at Moxie where we give $1000+ in cash and prizes away to a woman with Moxie.

Monthly, we give away Auction Packs to be used to raise funds for various causes we believe in.  We call it our Pink Pack! (Not many left for 2016.)

We also have our 2016 Moxie Trades Calendar.  Each month, we choose a charity or cause to promote.  The “cause” receives $250.00 toward their charity + they received 25 calendars to sell for additional fund-raising. Each charity also received a promo code to be used on our website.  With this promo code 10% of all sales (not profits but total sales) goes to the charity.  We have already donated $500+ in 2016.

Here’s a snapshot of January;
we showcased Moxie Calendar Girl,
Angela Tristram; an entrepreneur who started
Whistle Inc. – linking skilled trades employers with skilled trades employees.

 

After nine years in the business, we continue to receive requests like “Help me find a job in the trades” to “How do I clean my pink work boots” or “I want to hire a painter, do you know anyone?”
Our work boots pay for us to do the above which is WHY we are in business, but
How can we best serve you and what do you expect from 
Moxie Trades?

From a Moxie Trades Work Boot Brand Perspective, please tell me what you need:

  • a type of work boot?  (we are developing NOW for 2017)
  • have a specific feature or style you are looking for?
  • want us to re-instate the Tradeswoman Directory?   I created this directory so I could find other women in the trades to work with. (yes, I can still swing a hammer)?
  • BLOGS – want us to talk about Safety or DIY Projects?

Other than product info and deals, how can we best serve YOU?

From an Entrepreneurship point of view, what do you need:

  • resources?
  • contacts?
  • advice?  what specifics?
Please email me or reply to this blog.  I want to do good work, not a lot of work and don’t want to be busy to be busy.  I’d rather be useful.
Email me directly and share your thoughts!  marissa@moxietrades.com
I challenge you… if we are not contributing, what the hell are we doing?  Let’s get out there and make a difference.
Do one thing or everything you can think of. It’s progress either way.