Tweet/Post why you love our fragrances that empower for a chance to win…
February 29, 2012Tweet @the7virtues or post here or on FB or email info@the7virtues.com for a chance to win a signed copy of The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen (book is for women and men)
and one of our uplifting fragrances. Our company’s philosophy is to do trade with suppliers with nations that are rebuilding to empower. We love to engage citizens who will join us in this mission. We love beautiful stories and we love to hear yours. One tweet/post/email per day from March 1 – 7 will win a book and fragrance.
It’s nearly harvest time again and we want to purchase more oils to support the farmers who are rebuilding their communities. This is our call to action and your stories will help us to reach more people and shine light on these communities together. Anyone can destroy, but it takes real courage to rebuild. Our suppliers are rebuilding their communities in Afghanistan and Haiti and we are shining light on them. Thank you Abdullah Arsala of Gulestan Essential oils in Jalalabad Afghanistan and Gilbert Assad of Arrome et Essence D’Haiti in Haiti. Together we can make a difference.
Peace,
Barb Stegemann
Author, The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen
A woman’s guide to Living & Leading in an illogical world
CEO, The 7 Virtues Beauty Inc.
Feb 29th – Anti-bullying day – wearing my pink with pride!
February 29, 2012Tonight we air on CBC’s Dragons’ Den – the follow up show, I am so grateful. It’s the where are they now show. Today is also Anti-bullying day, and we wear pink with pride today to let everyone know we won’t tolerate bullying. We have all been bullied. It’s not fair. But that’s life. The main thing is to stick up for the people we see being bullied. Bullies whether they are children or adults are hurting, somebody hurt them. It’s our job not to let it affect us and rub off on us. We must not wear their bullying. So today, a bright day of joy and so much possibility, I will wear pink. Again.
I wore pink on the original Dragons’ Den show. I was so scared. But I got over my fear because the chance to share with millions of Canadians that we must do trade to empower people in nations living in war or strife I was able to do it. I donated that pink shirt and outfit to Dress for Success. I imagine a woman who is rebuilding her life after the stress of bullying/wife battery or mental strife could use the boost and feel good wearing the outfit that I wore to Dragons Den. I believe this life is about giving one another confidence. I try in everything I do to support those around me. I am human, I am not perfect, but I try. Every day I try to be a little bit better than I was the day before.
Your support for us on this journey helps us to support our suppliers living in Afghanistan and Haiti and beyond. Please do share with your friends our story. Many hands makes like work. No one makes it alone. We must lift one another up.
Peace,
Barb Stegemann
Author
Colonel, Royal Canadian Air Force (Hon)
Dragons’ Den Follow up Show – Airs February 29, 2012
February 24, 2012
It’s amazing what can happen in a year. On Feb 9th, 2011 Dragons Den aired and took a dream of mine to reality. I am so grateful to my business partner, W. Brett Wilson and all of the Dragons Den producers and team for their support. Our company is young, but in less than two years we have launched nationally at The Bay across Canada. And launched our third fragrance! You can find The 7 Virtues fragrance collection at The Bay beauty counter. Just ask for The 7 Virtues. Embrace the uplifting Afghanistan Orange Blossom Eau de Parfum with notes of jasmine and freesia to compliment the orange blossom oil sourced from our amazing supplier, Abdullah Arsala who owns Gulestan Essential Oils in Jalalabad Afghanistan. Abdullah is a wise man and supports his tribe with seasonal employment harvesting the orange blossoms and rose crops instead of the illegal poppy crop. His vision is our vision and together we are working hard to make this world a better place for all. His oils are considered exquisite by our perfumer and everyone loves “the juice” – the oils. Our second fragrance is Noble Rose of Afghanistan. It’s a spicy blend layered with peppercorn, carnation and clove with the precious rose oil. And our third scent a way for every man or woman to own a little piece of Haiti. We source the best vetiver oil in the world from our supplier through Peace Dividend Trust, an incredible group that helps buyers and suppliers match up to rebuild nations that have experienced war or strife. I got to meet my supplier, Gilbert Assad and his wife and children when they came to our launch in Montreal at The Bay on Saint Catherine’s Street of our warm Vetiver of Haiti Eau de Parfum. It’s scent for both men and women and very sexy. So please tune in and see how far we have come in a short amount of time with the support of consumers who understand our vision.
Navigating Through Uncertain Times – Follow your internal compass
February 8, 2012I am giving a talk today to employees in the Nova Scotia federal government. They are facing change. Cutbacks are coming. How does one prepare? I sincerely hope that after their conference today on change some of them will live their dream of becoming an entrepreneur, or perhaps others will stretch way out of their comfort zone to land a new career. And for those remaining, I believe they can build a stronger culture inside the federal government, one that ensures change is embraced and the folks that remain in their work place are happy so they may serve the people of Nova Scotia in the best way possible.
Long before motivational speakers and psychology, there was philosophy. When people lived in uncertain times, they would pluck a quote from a great philosopher and draw strength. Marcus Aurelius, the greatest soldier, philosopher who led his people through war and strife wrote “The Meditations”, a book that sits on the bedside tables of the greatest presidents and world leaders. For they too need to draw strength. Everyone needs strength in challenging, uncertain times. These words of wisdom could be considered the greatest coping mechanism through change, to not only get through, but to come out stronger and happier.
Aurelius says, “When you toss a pebble into a moving river, in the few moments it takes to turn and pick up another pebble, the water you had just tossed that first pebble into has gone, never to come back. Life is always changing, like that river whether we like it or not. So we must adapt, go with the change or we will be left behind.” Not accepting change isn’t an option, that river is flowing, regardless of how we wish to see it.
The philosophers believe there are only four things that can make you happy:
1. LOVE your job! If you no longer like the job you are in or the work environment you are in, change it or change jobs. It’s your life to design.
2. Walk with people who support you and believe in you. If you have people in your world who undermine your confidence, it’s time to do some housecleaning in the friend department.
3. Volunteer. This is the fastest way to forget your issues and think of something BIGGER than YOU! Very powerful healing and life giving in volunteering.
4. Take nothing personally. This is a big one that will gives strength always. Daily practice, daily practice, daily practice….
Whenever I am facing change, a move, a decision to change jobs or launch my company I always hold on to the great words of Viktor Frankl who wrote “Man’s Search for Meaning”. He said two important things that can help all of us navigate through change. He said, “No one can take your joy from you.” And he said, “Always follow your ethics.” I believe firmly that one must protect these two things, your joy and your ethics, they are your compass in life, they will always guide you. Without joy or ethics, there is no compass. And regardless of how it looks in a situation, protect your joy and ethics. No one can take those two things from you. They will be your guide in navigating through uncertain times.
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