I have been helping friends, family members & clients start & grow their home-based businesses for over a decade. I have had additional income streams (small, home-based businesses) of my own since I was in my 20s, and I know how challenging it can be to feel like you are on your own in managing "all the things."
You've heard the saying the "Jack" of all trades... and I like to say I'm the Jo of all trades. If I could sum up all of my life experiences and career opportunities that I've created for myself into a sentence, it's: I LOVE to challenge myself, learn new things, and inspire others.
My best friends are the ones who have this same drive or passion to do whatever it is they love. I knew in my early 20s that I would not be living a full, satisfied life doing one job for the rest of my life. And that was back when people still 'usually' were in one career forever! Each time I told friends and family members that I was trying a new job or new career or new hobby, I got comments from the nay-sayers like "can't you just be satisfied with one thing?"
Uh, no. No I can't. Life would be so boring. And life isn't meant to be boring!
I have created products and sold them online and at markets. I have imported products from overseas and sold them online and at huge trade shows. I worked 15 years in government from clerk positions to management. I have been a dog & cat groomer and owned my own very busy, successful grooming shop in Victoria BC. I have professionally photographed weddings, babies, pets, and high-speed sporting events. I have been on Boards of Directors in organizations that moved me. I have worked in banking as a mortgage specialist, in veterinary care as a vet assistant, done bookkeeping when my friend needed more hands on deck with her thriving bookkeeping business and I wanted some extra income. I have worked in dog kennels, and worked in retail stores. I have also been a rental property owner/landlord (and strongly believed in renting to tenants with pets! They are the best tenants, IMO!)
Early on, I developed a strong belief system in intentional financial independence, as well as promoting how working at home could be a huge blessing to have a flexible schedule and family time. Even when I was in government, when I worked at home my productivity was well above 'normal' compared to my office productivity, and my co-workers said the same thing about themselves when they worked from home.
Through my life I have come to realize intentional health and wellness strategies are just as critical (for mental and physical well-being). It was hard to be motivated and successful in meeting my goals when my health was failing (Lupus slowed me down for a bit, but didn't stop me).
Looking back to when I was first diagnosed, my priorities were unbalanced. I was focused heavily on financial independence and was ignoring my health and mental wellness. It took a lot of work to get that ship righted - including separating from a very unhealthy marital relationship - and now that I've turned my health around I also love to help others truly balance their lives with finance, health, and truly living life by intentional design.
Some of my favourite, home-based side businesses have been ones I've been doing the longest: web design (to help small businesses get up and running), resume-writing (to help people - usually women - who feel stuck find a more exciting job/career), and helping people see their potential and their business's potential.
Some of my most rewarding moments in providing personal & business coaching to women in particular have been when I have worked with a job-seeker, written her resume for her based on things she has done in her life, and when she reads her new resume she sees herself differently for the first time. "Wow, I sound so great!" is what I hear a lot. Yes, this has happened more than once, and notably with women (who are often passed over for promotions/career moves/loans/business ownership opportunities.)
Just having a new outlook about themselves has given so many of my clients new confidence, and they've called me later saying they aced their interview and got the job, or that they've realized they really can start the business they've been dreaming about for so long!
It's so heart-warming to me to be able to play some small part in women getting further ahead, towards where they really want to be. They suddenly see themselves as worthy, and having value (to their family, to their organization, to themselves). They re-claim their power. This gives me goosebumps. If you'd like a worksheet on goal-setting and ideas on how to mind your money more intentionally, I've got a downloadable PDF below.
3.5 years ago Mike and I started building a vacation home that we've named "Drifter's Claim." It's on a small island in the Caribbean, off the east coast of Nicaragua. Our goal is to build one at a time and eventually have a small private vacation resort with a few rentals. It's tucked away in a jungle setting, and only about a 7-10 minute walk to a gorgeous sandy beach.
When we went down to Nicaragua in 2016 to begin building on our 2 acre plot we had purchased, it was beyond exciting. We had every intention of building quickly, staying forever, and having a thriving little resort. As our expenses grew and our modest bank account drained, it became clear we needed to come back to Canada to start earning some more money before we could finish the first house.
We returned to Canada the following year, owing money to Mike's dad for our flights home, and with literally only a suitcase. We asked a traveler friend we had met to move into our Corn Island house for free, to look after the property and our 2 dogs.
I talk about having had rental properties and being a landlord so you may be wondering where those went - there was some equity but the properties were also mortgaged. We sold the properties, and took the relatively small amount of equity to fund our big dream in Central America.
We literally came back to Canada homeless and penniless, with zero money in the bank. In fact just before we left Corn Island we had to sell things to be able to afford our hotel room in the capital city Managua for a few few nights so that Mike could get his passport papers sorted out to fly internationally. When we got home, my mum took us in (she has a small 2 bedroom apartment) for a few months until we started getting back on our feet, with Mike driving septic trucks and me starting another self employment venture as a mortgage specialist (commission based).
Fast forward to summer 2020 and despite some trials and tribulations with more than one house-sitter, our little vacation house build is almost done, we have an amazing family living in our Caribbean home making sure projects get completed, we purchased a duplex in Ontario with my dad and step mom so that we can help each other out in all aspects of home ownership, and we have even bigger plans than we ever have before!
We didn't win the lottery to be able to do all of this. This has been a process of step-by-step, frugal financial decision making, and spending with intention on what matters most to us. Our house in Ontario cost us less than a down payment would be in British Columbia. We didn't end up in northwestern Ontario by accident!
I am proud that Mike and I have achieved a lot, despite dealing with day to day activities, work, major life events, and my autoimmune illness. Has it been easy? Hell, no! Will it be worth it? With conviction, absolutely yes it will be.
The adventures we have had in this journey to build our Caribbean dream, all the things we have learned, and the people we have met, have been life changing. A few things that have happened along the way have been heartbreaking. Most have been rewarding, and all of them have made us better people. This project has made our lives so much more enriched and we can't wait to be able to say we completed it, to enjoy the fruits of our labour, and to invite friends and family to come have an aMAIZing Corn Island vacation!
My university degree program that I did was an "all-encompassing" variety of subject matter. It suits me perfectly. I took a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Royal Roads University on Vancouver Island, BC, and I loved every single course, covering topics like: business and personal marketing, human resources, finance, corporate sustainability, communication, business plan writing, business start-ups, business expansions, and project management.
Because I also love to learn through 'formal' education as well as life experiences, I have also gone on to complete my:
Yes that's me on my boy Kazan! I'm also an equestrian and my heart-horse is my beautiful Gypsy Vanner.
Hopefully you know me a little better now. If you feel like we would be a great match to work together on achieving your goals - whether it's to start your small business, find a new job, or reach any other goals you aspire to, please email me at BoondocksEssentialWellness@outlook.com
Entrepreneurs: I will build you a great website that helps your clients get to know you & your values. This matters because consumers want to do business with like-minded people!
You control your information: I make it easy for you to manage your own GoDaddy website, once I create it. Other website companies make you pay for edits or won'
Entrepreneurs: I will build you a great website that helps your clients get to know you & your values. This matters because consumers want to do business with like-minded people!
You control your information: I make it easy for you to manage your own GoDaddy website, once I create it. Other website companies make you pay for edits or won't give you the password. I'm all about inspiring others to be in control of their life and their business, with intention. It's your site - you will have access and control.
Website design with Go Daddy software: $449*
Logo design (optional): $149
Re-Branding Package: by consultation, based on your needs
*Domain name purchase & hosting fees not included.
I can provide an affiliate link to get your domain name & hosting package - using my link doesn't cost you any extra and helps keep my web design rates affordable for small business start-ups.
I hope I am inspiring you to live your life by design and set some lofty goals! If you want to look for a more fulfilling job or brand new career, I can help with resume writing, cover letters, and mock interviews to help you prepare for your next step, whatever it may be.
Resume Writing: $75
Cover Letters: $25
I hope I am inspiring you to live your life by design and set some lofty goals! If you want to look for a more fulfilling job or brand new career, I can help with resume writing, cover letters, and mock interviews to help you prepare for your next step, whatever it may be.
Resume Writing: $75
Cover Letters: $25
Mock Interview & Coaching: $67
If you would rather start your own business (full time or part time) and need guidance with that, it's another area I know a lot about. I also write business plans (for start-ups to apply for loans/funding.)
We built a home in the Caribbean which is a challenge in and of itself. The fact that we also did it while on a shoe-string budget leveled-up our biggest personal challenge we've ever taken on! We are intentional about how we spend & save, and we hope to inspire others to DREAM BIG.
If we can make this happen, you can achieve your biggest
We built a home in the Caribbean which is a challenge in and of itself. The fact that we also did it while on a shoe-string budget leveled-up our biggest personal challenge we've ever taken on! We are intentional about how we spend & save, and we hope to inspire others to DREAM BIG.
If we can make this happen, you can achieve your biggest goals too! Mindset is everything. Setting small goals to help you reach your big goals really makes a difference.
Financial coaching: ask me about package options.
We have experience being landlords and know what it takes to properly manage a rental property, starting with great ads that attract great tenants! Mike is also very "handy" and can fix almost anything, so if you want help managing your rental property, or look after your home while you are away on holidays, please get in touch.
More of our property management services are here.
I built the Corn Island Vacations website to help encourage travelers to visit the Corn Islands, in Nicaragua. The big island is where we built our vacation home!
One of my other passions - horses. I created Boondocks Equestrian and with the help of a friend we designed a custom bareback pad that can't be found anywhere else!
Christina at CLC Bookkeeping Solutions is one of the most knowledgeable bookkeepers I know! She not only found a major mistake that my accountant had made on my taxes, which saved me thousands of dollars, she's a wonderful, heart-centered small business owner.
Mike Boone's side hustle... Boondocks Rustic Revival. Mike has been into wood working since high school, is diligent and particular in what he creates, and his one-of-a-kind home decor projects will absolutely WOW you!
And of course, I built the site you're on right now! I also run our social media pages for all things Boondocks (Essential Wellness, Equestrian, Rustic Revival) and manage other social media pages for small business owners who are too busy and want some help!
Cowichan Power Washing is undergoing some re-branding and had a previous website that they didn't have personal access to. I'm all about giving the business owner all-access to their own information! I am pleased to have been asked to build Cowichan Power Washing this website. Business-owner Andrew leads by example, not only doing all it takes to effectively run a very busy company 24/7 but he's out in the trucks day in and day out! A true leader by example.
Jennifer Caie is a well known and extremely talented local artist in Dryden, Ontario. Her small business focuses on acrylic painting of mainly landscapes and wildlife, and she also does commissions by request. Her previous website needed updates & she wanted something easier to manage herself so I am grateful she asked me to help! Go Daddy sites are easy to learn which I why I recommend them.
Got a Facebook page or Instagram account for your small business and don't have time to post things? Or perhaps you just don't like spending time on social media but you KNOW how important it is to establish your presence?
I can help! Whether you want a little humour for your followers to get a chuckle from, or you want to keep it "all business," I love helping small business owners see growth!
I've been doing social media for business for many years. Let me help you with package rates for posting on your business pages on your behalf, so you can focus on what you love to do best! I'm still not a fan of pumpkin spice but I love being active on social media and I love helping small business owners grow. Working with me is a win-win.
I created this and other graphics for Lianne Waters, of Edward Jones in Mill Bay, BC to use on Facebook. Lianne is a caring, heart-centered business owner who specializes in helping women with their financial management and investments.
Please tell her you found her through me! I highly recommend her services because she really knows her stuff and it's obvious when you meet her that she genuinely cares about your financial well-being. She also brings her dogs to work, which tells me a lot about her as a person. :)
Some businesses can get away with cute, funny posts. Ecstatic Lash & Brows in Victoria BC is one of them!
Actually I think many businesses (other than funeral homes perhaps) could do with some added humour and cute photos.
So don't be afraid to "be real" on your social media!
Speaking of keeping it real, it's a great idea to mix things up on your business social media page. Some fun, some serious, some showing how you manage your business, some showing your employees and/or processes ... keep it interesting for your followers, keep them engaged and keep them coming back to see more!
When I'm managing your pages for you, I'll ask you to send me pictures, and I'll create the posts.
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Website by Jo. Want me to build you one too?