Collaboration Over Competition: The Power of Women Supporting Women

As Executive Director of the Downtown Kemptville BIA, I have the distinct honour of representing six female-owned fitness centres in the downtown core, which is honestly unbelievable and something I am proud to shout from the rooftops every single day.

Congratulations to Tara Shaw (Owner) on the grand opening of Loose Grip Loft.

What made me even prouder is that recently, the newest business in the core celebrated their grand opening. The other fitness studios could have seen her arrival as competition. They could have ignored her accomplishment. They could have tried to keep her down.

But what I saw instead was the power of women coming together. They welcomed her to the community with open arms and celebrated this huge milestone. They showed up to the grand opening with flowers. They shared posts on

Instagram to help spread the word. They did everything they could to support this new member of the downtown core, and it was beautiful. It was powerful. It was uplifting, and it showed the value of collaboration over competition.

Making sure the younger generation understands the importance of supporting fellow women!

They now have someone new in the core to bounce ideas off, to turn to when they need support, and to partner with on events that will help build their brands together. There is so much they can accomplish because they understand that there is enough success out there for everyone.

So when you see a new business doing what you are doing, do not compare yourself to them or question your place. You are doing incredible things in your own right. Instead, choose to connect. Reach out. Congratulate them. Support them. Because when you lift each other up, you do not lose your place, you strengthen it. And that is where real growth happens, together.

-Talia

Follow Talia on Instagram @talia.hreljac25