114. The Courage to Create & Connect: How Women Build Success Together with Bella Onay

In this empowering episode of She Flourishes, host Brenda welcomes Bella Onay, founder of Mom2Mom Biz. Bella shares her journey from a 20-year banking career to starting her own business and building an entrepreneurial community for women. She provides invaluable insights into overcoming fears, the importance of creating supportive networks, and the personal growth that comes with entrepreneurship.Listeners will gain valuable insights on overcoming entrepreneurial fears, the power of networking, and the balance of personal and professional growth. Bella's story offers inspiration and practical advice on flourishing both in business and life.In this episode we discuss:The Birth of Mom2Mom BizBella’s Journey from Corporate to EntrepreneurshipWomen Supporting Each Other and Building CommunityAdvice for Aspiring EntrepreneursAbout Bella Onay, Founder MOM2MOM BIZBella Onay believes in the power of thinking globally and acting locally. Following a 20-year successful International Banking career in Europe and Canada, she became an entrepreneur. While building her business, she realized the importance of peer support and founded MOM2MOM BIZ. Bella is a business leader, a trusted advisor, and a community-builder in Oakville. Since 2017, MOM2MOM BIZ has connected hundreds of women entrepreneurs online and in-person at networking events, seminars, and self-development workshops helping them grow their businesses through meaningful connections, referrals and collaborations. She mentored new and established small business women in her community, helping them reach their full potential. She built the Online Business Directory during the pandemic to highlight women-owned businesses. Currently, the MOM2MOM BIZ Facebook Community has over 4K members who come from diverse cultures and backgrounds.Bella believes in giving back to the community. She is a board member of Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, a volunteer in Kerr Street Mission – Cobs Bread end-of-day bread giving program, and a mentor for the Women Entrepreneurship Hub (We-Hub) in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University’s Diversity Institute.Clothing and food drives, silent auctions, fundraisers, tree planting events are some of the ways MOM2MOM BIZ gives back to Oakville. MOM2MOM BIZ members have collectively supported Halton Women’s Place, Girls Inc. of Halton, Oakville-Milton Humane Society, SafetyNet, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association and Rotary Club of Oakville raising more than $20,000 and planting 260 trees.Here's how you can connect with Bella:Website: www.mom2mombiz.caInstagram: @mom2mombizFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mom2MomBiz/Here’s how you can connect with Brenda Jasmin:Instagram: @_brendajasminGet Brenda’s Guide on “How to Be Happier in Uncertain Times”: https://brendajasmin.kartra.com/page/happierWebsite: www.brendajasmin.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendajasmin/Original music composed by Leah Hidalgowww.leahhidalgo.com