“I grew up in a not-so-nice area as a kid, but I know that it has made me who I am today because if I was raised anywhere else, I don’t think I would have as thick of skin today as a mom of three.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: My biggest passion has been and still is helping people. I have been a registered massage therapist for the past 13 years and this was my goal when I was in high school as I had taken a course on the body and fell in love with what I would be able to help with.
I am loving what I do and, over the early part of the pandemic, I got my life license. I had no idea what I was going to get out of it, but WOW! I was shocked at all that I learned and now could educate others and help plan/protect their families.
Then I started an online business in the essential services industry. This is where I have been able to provide my customers with better rates on services, they pay for in the home such as natural gas, electricity, internet, mobile, home phone, travel, and health care.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: My younger years were amazing because I was always out and about playing, or we were at the Boys and Girls Club after school and evenings program where we went on many fun outings and once took a Tim Hortons camp trip to Alberta.
We often traveled back to Jamaica and the US for a few weeks and see family. I played many, if all the sports I could in school, up until high school, as I then became focused on my studies.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: I grew up in a not-so-nice area as a kid, but I know that it has made me who I am today because if I was raised anywhere else, I don’t think I would have as thick of skin today as a mom of three.
I don’t look at where I came from as a bad thing because I know it gave me humble beginnings and some to look back and see how far I’ve come. Even though many kids didn’t end up in a good place as an adult, I can safely say my siblings and I all went on the great things in life.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism to means….to be honest, I don’t give it much thought because I teach all three of my kids to not think they can or can’t do anything because of their size and sex.
Yes, the world doesn’t see a woman as equal to a man in some cases, but [it’s important to] know that we can do anything they can do if not do it better.
“I kept thinking, ‘When I’m 80, will I regret not trying to open this place?’ And the answer was yes, every time. If we opened, and it closed in a year, at least I can say I tried.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: This sounds petty and silly, but I’m passionate about having fun! And I want others around me to have fun!
I’ve always been the socializer, the party planner, the gathering of people for a good time. I just took that passion a step further to open a permanent structure for all people to have a good time!
Because we live in rural Kansas, fun isn’t always prominent all around us in the form of concerts, activities, and shops like in bigger cities. So, I’m also passionate about finding fun and beauty in the little things all around us and bringing activities to rural north/central Kansas.
Kettle hosts 2-4 activities every month, most of them free. This is in the form of live music, wine and beer tastings, street dances, art classes, private themed dinners, and murder mystery nights.
Our family also loves to support those around us who bring fun to our area like festivals, music, pottery and paint classes, reading programs, fun walks, etc. If you look in unfamiliar, non-obvious places, there is always fun to be had no matter where you live!
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in rural western Kansas. My brother and I grew up in a special small town where everyone knew everyone and we had two supportive parents.
We grew up with my parents hosting block parties, sports parties after big sporting events, and summer days outside with our friends—maybe that’s where my love of fun and socializing came from!
We also had to find our own fun in our small town, which instilled in me a passion to not be complacent with “a boring day.” If you wanted to do something, you had to go out and find something to do!
Before my senior year of high school, my family moved to Iowa, two states and about 10 hours away from the town I grew up in Kansas.
The town was by no means big, but about five times bigger than the town I grew up in. This was hard. And it really forced me to grow up and make good decisions for myself.
I could have moped around and just skirted by until I got done with my senior year. But I made the decision to play in the band, do school activities and make friends.
I’m certain this helped my maturity level and personal drive immensely before I headed to college, where I completed a bachelor’s degree of the arts in corporate communication at Simpson College in Iowa.
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?
A: When my husband and I were thinking about opening Kettle, we researched for about a year. Talked to other restaurant owners; went to every coffee shop when we traveled; looked at every price imaginable; talked to financial services and looked at our own finances; talked to other downtown business owners, beer distributors, and countless other people to do our due diligence on what we were jumping into.
I wrote a very detailed business plan and talked to every bank in town. And although all of this was helpful, you can never FULLY prepare yourself for owning a business. It’s hard, but it’s fulfilling as well. Prepare to cry, laugh, pull your hair out, be humbled, be irate, be exhausted, be exhilarated, and all the emotions in between! It’s a serious up-and-down journey!
But you know what ultimately led to me quitting my very stable paycheck at a great job and opening a completely weird restaurant in a small rural town in Kansas? YOLO. You only live once. I kept thinking, “When I’m 80, will I regret not trying to open this place?”
And the answer was yes, every time. If we opened, and it closed in a year, at least I can say I tried. At least it wouldn’t be eating at me every day with a cloud of regret hanging over my head. I’m one of the brave ones. I took that leap of faith, and so far, we’re still in business and people seem to like us! And if we close tomorrow, I’d have no regrets. And that makes for a more fulfilling life.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: The respect, appreciation, and love of women. Most everyone loves and appreciates a woman in their life. Whether that’s your mom, a friend, or sister. But respect is the key word here. Are women respected enough for them to be “trusted” with a hard job?
Are they respected enough to be paid equally? Are they respected enough for their wisdom that they are offered positions over a man? And will they be respected enough so they don’t have to worry about sexual advances and being uncomfortable in the workplace and beyond? We’ve come a long way, baby, but we have so far to go!
Support your fellow sisters, ladies! There is no room for hate, pettiness, jealousy, or sabotage in feminism.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and I’d love to know you and any comments you may have for me!
“One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that sometimes we need to realize that when we look for the smart person who knows all the answers and can lead us through the challenges, we need to look in the mirror.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I’m passionate about women having it all.
I believe that we shouldn’t have to choose between having a thriving career or a thriving family.
My maid company, Superb Maids, focuses on providing women (and men) free time so they can spend it on their personal or professional growth or something they enjoy—like spending time with their children or a spouse.
We are about to launch a national franchise, and we want to specifically make it affordable to make it accessible to women—who are traditionally overlooked by big businesses and have lesser access to achieving their American dream.
My other business, MommyGO, combines the powerful energy of Japanese matcha with the convenience of a shot for the modern mom’s lifestyle.
You can double your productivity and have enough energy to be able to meaningfully interact with your family after a full day of work.
Nearly every day I hear from women who had to give up on their beloved career because they had no support while raising young children. That’s appalling and we as a society need to do a much better job supporting mothers.
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?
A: One of the most valuable things I’ve learned is that sometimes we need to realize that when we look for the smart person who knows all the answers and can lead us through the challenges, we need to look in the mirror.
Many times, we rely on someone else because we don’t believe in ourselves enough and the results we get are subpar or terrible. At some point, we get to realize that we ourselves actually know better and can do better than anyone else can on our behalf!
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in the former Soviet Union and had a quiet, idyllic childhood.
However, in a way, living in a snow globe and being sheltered made me wonder what it would be like to just go out there and see what’s possible.
Everything was perfectly controlled and isolated.
And one day, the globe burst and it was total chaos.
I remember it very well.
I wanted to explore my full potential as a human. Immigrating to the United States felt intoxicating—all this freedom and all these opportunities!
I was able to go to law school and practice law for over a decade in Honolulu.
Subsequently, I started a business and turned it into a multi-million dollar company within a few years. I was able to realize my potential, and I feel strongly about other women having the same opportunity.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism for me is an equalizer.
It’s about fundamental fairness to have the same starting position regardless of your gender.
Going back to my greatest passion—why should women be forced to choose between family and career while men rarely have to do so?
“I took a leap of faith two years back, and today, I am living the life I want.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I have been working remotely as a lead generation expert, appointment setter, and a supportive manager team lead with a seven-figure marketing agency. I’m passionate about the opportunities working from home, raising my kids, and being financially independent. I am grateful for the ability to serve people with my skills.
I lead a team of 20+ setters around the globe for a marketing agency, helping my clients in business strategies to upscale and manage stuff.
I started from scratch in this digital space being an engineer from NED and transformed into an online entrepreneur. Here’s a glimpse of my journey:
I am a mom of two, an engineer by education, and ranked on Google as the best appointment setter in Karachi, Pakistan. Back in 2021, when COVID hit, I had to close my clothing business. Then I moved into freelancing and started with content and script writing. I invested in myself and learned this skill and started working as an appointment setter, and now, as a supportive manager team lead with a seven-figure marketing agency, Alhamdulilah, along with teaching individuals this skill to get a remote job with 50% advance salary through my setter agency.
I’m a certified member of PAFLA, attended an event as a guest speaker, and recently, I was invited by FPCCI Karachi to speak about lead generation organically. I was featured by TOK, the no#1 digital channel of Karachi. Also, I have represented Pakistan in the international podcast various times. I have been elected as a Karachi Head of Change Makers Summit 2025. If you ask me how? I would say by consistently doing hard work and taking actions. If you want to learn more, you can message me directly on WhatsApp +92-333-3278862. [Also, see social media links and more below.]
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I am an engineer because of my [formal] education [in my younger years] and an appointment setter by profession. I believe education is never a waste; although, I learned a lot through experience of being an engineer and working in the sales and marketing niche, but still, education has helped me in many ways. I have achieved so much in life through my remote job and personal brand that wouldn’t be possible if I was stuck in a 9-5 job. My family is my strength. It’s for them I juggle between home chores and work.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Taking the first step to invest in a valuable skill is important. I took a leap of faith two years back, and today, I am living the life I want.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: Feminism is all about equality, equal rights, opportunities, and respect for all individuals regardless of gender.
Let’s connect! Comment below!
You can message me directly on WhatsApp +92-333-3278862.
Q and A with Emilee from Fayetteville, North Carolina (moving to Grand Junction, Colorado soon!)
“The data shows that the small changes add up to something huge and you never know what is waiting for you around the bend.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about data. I know, sounds weird, right? Well, growing up, I have always loved data and spreadsheets and numbers. (Can you tell I LOVED my statistics class? Lol.) I enjoy seeing how one little variable can have a HUGE impact. Even in our personal lives, small changes can have big outcomes. So, when I saw that a single subject line or where the button sits in an email can change the conversion rate…I said count me in! So, now I own my own business, Emailing with Emilee, where I handle the tech and automations for other service providers so they can find success in emailing.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I grew up in a single parent household. My parents separated before I was born and were officially divorced before I turned one. We lived below the poverty line most of the time.
My mom was a teaching assistant and her income was enough to eat or keep the lights on, but not both. We did get to live with my grandparents for awhile, which was great. My grandma was truly my best friend. I bowled from the time I was four years old until I as 18; it was my favorite sport and is still so fun to play because again, one small step to the left or right can determine if you get a strike or not.
In high school, I joined marching band, and my band family saved me more times than I can count. Due to a lot of family troubles and bullying, I developed depression and my band family kept me alive until I had a reason to live and that reason was born when I was just 15.
My niece is the one who saved me, ultimately, because I always wondered how they would tell her and I never wanted that to happen. I am here because of her. I also escaped domestic violence, which occurred between the ages of 16 to 18. I got lucky and made it out so that I could be with the wonderful man I am with today and have my beautiful God-loving family.
When I hit college, I changed my major three times until, finally, I was going to drop out because nothing sounded good. My counselor told me I needed one more semester to get my business administration degree, so I said, “Why the f*** not?” I got that degree and decided to start my own business so I could stay home and watch my babies grow up.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: Something I have learned is that you are one small change away from something big. When you feel like you have given it your all, or something isn’t meant for you, PIVOT (as Ross would say). The data shows that the small changes add up to something huge and you never know what is waiting for you around the bend.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means the ability to make a choice and be respected for it. To not have to justify my personal liberties. I believe all women should be able to take up space, be loud and proud, and to do what they love. If you love being a housewife and honoring your husband, AWESOME. If you love fighting the man and being independent, AWESOME. Feminism is not being forced into any single category.
MORE FROM EMILEE: I am the most hockey obsessed person you will meet. You can catch me at the rink, watching the game, or playing floor hockey with my boys. I love the cold and curling up on the couch with my laptop and blanket. Stay cozy friends! 🧣☕
The Woman Wednesday Blog 