This story is part of a series in the Summer 2026 issue This summer, plan the sleepover of your kid’s dreams It’s party time! Tracey Tong talks to a local expert on planning a shindig no child will want to […]
Mom the Entrepreneur
Tiny worlds
A local mother-daughter team leads plant lovers of all ages in terrarium workshops During the pandemic, Nadia De Santi worked from home while her daughter did online learning. Wanting to bring the connection to nature indoors, De Santi purchased […]
A novel idea
For local homeschooling mom Sarah O’Grady, a strategically chosen side hustle allows her to mix business and pleasure Sarah O’Grady is busy. As if the stay-at-home mom homeschooling four kids under the age of 11 didn’t have enough on […]
A reason to write
Her son Nolan’s life-threatening allergies inspired Michelle Nel to pen a series of books for families. Tracey Tong talks to the Ottawa author A personal support worker, Michelle Nel had yearned to be an author since childhood. For years, it […]
A labour of love
Fifteen years ago, Suzanne Smith’s newly pregnant daughter Shannon lamented that there wasn’t a maternity store in Ottawa that could outfit her in the way she wanted as a professional working woman. Unable to find anything that was suitable […]
What moves her
Earlier this year, Christine was in a bad place in her relationship. “Life with my ex-partner was horrible,” says the Ottawa mother of one, whose name Parenting Times changed to protect the privacy of all parties involved. “I got […]
Tough as nails: entrepreneurial mom opens Barrhaven spa
A Barrhaven mom’s unexpected foray into esthetics led to the opening of the Pampered Mom Spa, where parents are welcome to bring their little ones along.
Navan mom strikes work-life balance as Rainbow Play Systems dealer
When Chantal Belisle set out to find a quality play structure for her son, she had no idea she would find a great business opportunity in the process.
Mom comes full circle with ‘blooming’ new biz
There’s a sweet irony in the fact that Shawna Liao creates wreaths, considering her career path has truly come full circle.
Kanata mom designs a new life
Kanata’s Huma Syed left behind a fast-paced career in Dubai to move to Canada, where she gave birth to her first child and recently launched her own clothing line, Noura’s Couture.