Jill Butler’s Post

Spent today in a room full of women sharing stories about wellness, leadership, and building purpose-driven impact in our communities. This was the first event I've attended hosted by Community Futures Middlesex - The Business Help Centre and it left me with so many meaningful takeaways. Four women shared their journeys, about leadership, wellness, change, and success. What struck me most was how human their journeys were. Not linear. Not polished. But deeply real. Here's what stuck with me: Leigh Shand reminded us that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish, it’s essential. Sleep, stress management, and simply being present shape how we show up. For ourselves, for our people, in our lives and our work. Jodi Pendry shared how powerful it can be when we truly listen and care for the people around us. Our clients, our teams, our communities... Sometimes the impact we have on someone’s life is far bigger than we realize. Janelle Coultes, BSc/C.Ped(C) spoke about pivoting careers and leaning into change in the pursuit of happiness and wellness. Success isn’t one fixed destination, and everyone’s version of it looks different. And keynote speaker Michelle Cederberg, CSP offered a perspective that really stayed with me: success isn’t a straight path. It’s forward motion… interrupted by reality. There will always be twists, setbacks, distractions, and moments of doubt. But there are also beautiful views along the way if we remember to look for them. One question she asked keeps echoing in my mind: What does success actually look like for you? Not the version we’re told to chase. Not the highlight reel we see online. But the one that genuinely feels like enough. For me, it looks like building something meaningful alongside people I care about, creating experiences that help others feel seen and supported, and moving through business and life with intention. With International Women’s Day around the corner, I’m especially grateful for spaces that bring women together to share stories, lift each other up, and remind us of what’s possible. And grateful, as always, to share afternoons like this with my Lume Creative business partner Kerri Tomljenovic 🤍 #GivetoGain #IWD26 #WomeninBusiness #InternationalWomensDay #WomenSupportingWomen