For our career series “How I Got My Job,” we’ll be talking to real people, working real jobs across a variety of industries. These people are pushing boundaries and have made their mark. They’ve found success on their own terms, and now we’re extracting their advice on how to carve out your own career path.
As the the president and founder of Toronto-based public relations company Matte PR, Heidi Ruggier has worked with a lot of great clients. From the Toronto Entertainment District to Hillcrest Mall and Malia Indigo, there’s never a dull moment.
But her success doesn’t stop there. She also finds success in mentorship and amplifying the messages of others she believes in, and currently sits as a mentor on the Toronto Fashion Incubator, and the advisory councils for Ryerson’s School of Fashion, Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario, and Toronto Entertainment District’s John St. Cultural Corridor.
In her free time (if you can believe she has any!), you can find her at TIFF for a film, meandering around 401 Richmond‘s gallery spaces, or picking up boxing and Tabata classes at BOLO.
We had the opportunity to talk to Heidi Ruggier about how she got her start, her advice to entrepreneurs, and more. Take a peek below.
What was your very first job and how did it help mold you into the person you are today?
First job? I was a soccer referee with Glen Shields Soccer Club. I refereed two nights a week, the kids were under six-years-old. They were like little bees swarming at the ball. So cute! I also played REP soccer for Glen Shields, so soccer culture was really a lifestyle for me back then. I would play and practice three nights a week, referee two and then watch Serie A soccer on TeleLatino with Alf DeBlasis. Obsessed. Our family loved Glen Shields because its jerseys were the same colourways as A.C. Milan, our team. I played defence. Paolo Maldini was my fave player. My Michael Jordan.
Refereeing and playing soccer taught me the importance of integrity, hustle, and consistency. It taught me that courage — and the practice of making the right call even though it might be unpopular — is part of the game.
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My next job was at my neighbourhood’s local grocery spot, Concord Food Centre. The place is still a local destination, known for its amazing deli, bakery fresh fish and meat. I started in the bakery and café, learning how to make a flawless espresso, creamy cappuccino foam and pastries like Zeppole and Rhum Baba. After a couple of years, I started working in the deli too. There, I got to work with and learn about all the different imported cheeses and deli meats from Italy. I tasted Bresaola for the first time and Auricchio provolone. And different varieties of olives, anchovies, and giardiniera. I learned why certain products were considered “real” or “authentic” and how to spot the designations marking them as such.
This has now come full circle, and this passion is playing out in new ways through my work with the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario. In partnership with them, Matte PR helps raise awareness for authentic Italian regional food products. Items with heritage, that are regulated by special consortiums who ensure that each product is being produced in a traditional way. Region by region, we introduce DOC wines and DOP and IGP food products to Canadians. Last year, we featured Val D’Aosta, and this year we’re featuring food products Emiglia Romagna and Calabria.
In September, I’ll be visiting Tuscany to explore the process behind Pecorino Toscano DOP, a regional cheese that has similar qualities to other faves like Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano. Beyond excited! Pecorino Toscano is a hard cheese made of ewe’s milk cheese. It has 2500 years of history behind it and has enjoyed DOP status since 1996. I encourage you all to seek it out and give it a taste. Perfect with honey and fruit, salumi misti, or grated on pasta.
My third job was at Blacks Photography at Promenade. It was the early days of digital, but most people still used film. So, I got to spend my days developing film. I always had a disposable camera on me. It was the best. The team who worked at Blacks was super eclectic and artistic. It was that crew that inspired me to go on and study communications, focussing on film and journalism. Frank, Solomon, Josie, I’ll never forget you.
What does your day-to-day look like?
My day starts with flipping through the major daily newspapers. I’m looking for potential media opportunities for clients, keeping up with news and stories by the journalists we pitch, and any potential new business opportunities.
Then, my day is usually made up of back-to-back meetings with my staff and clients. I work in tandem with them on all execution, acting as a guide and mentor. I feel such pride and joy in watching my team grow as professionals and kill it for our clients. My team is such a source of pride. Watching each of them come in at intern level and mature into productive, creative, and happy professionals is super rewarding. I’m grateful to them every day.
Sometimes my days include coffee or cocktail dates, catching up with friends, colleagues, and journalists working in the industry. These are super important for keeping tabs on what’s happening at ground level.
Wendy So, Heidi Ruggier, Ellyssa Gandhi (Photo by Abigail Lomboy)
You’ve had the privilege to work with a lot of cool brands and companies. What has the proudest moment in your career been so far?
The proudest moment? Being asked to be on Ryerson’s advisory for the School of Fashion is a big one. My parents were so proud.
I am also incredibly proud of our #HillcrestGlowUp campaign, which earned it a Global ICSC Maxi Award in Las Vegas this year. To be awarded alongside campaigns from across the U.S. and Canada was truly humbling. I point to my incredible team who brought that campaign to life.
Generally speaking, I think most PR people will agree that the best feeling in the world is opening the paper and seeing that headline you envisioned with your client. That’s what makes me tick.
If you could go back and give your 18-year-old self advice, what would it be?
Go with it! Your gut, I mean. The biggest piece of advice I would have is to follow the things you’re passionate about, without worrying about career prospects. I never thought of PR as a career option. It was only through listening to my gut and paying attention to the things I care about that I eventually found myself here. As a kid, fashion was the dream, but I put that on the back-burner as I never saw it as a viable option.
Today, I’m working in the industry, but there’s a lot of work to be done. Fashion is art. It’s design. But, unfortunately, it gets written off as frivolity. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Fashion has the power to fundamentally and positively change minds. It’s a conduit for ideas and is a key part of how human beings see themselves and express themselves.
It is also a significant contributor to the Canadian economy. But we need to nurture it. It must be funded and supported alongside other arts and culture verticals. I truly believe Toronto will never actualize as a “global city” until it develops a mature, productive and supported fashion economy. Yes, until it’s seen and respected as a global fashion capital, we’re not a global city. And that will take government intervention, just like the government supports music, film and other arts and culture economies. So, my advice to my 18-year-old self would be not to worry about what will make the most viable career, but to follow my passions and trust that things will work themselves out.
Heidi Ruggier (Photo by Kosta Kolev)
What do you think is the biggest misconception about your job?
That PR is simply about partying and schmoozing. Bleh.
PR is about writing, storytelling, and strategy. It’s about details, a strong eye for sharp visuals and the tech-savvy know-how to create for various platforms. It’s about creating catchy copy and communicating in short staccato sentences that stick.
It’s also about the chase. About finding the right people and places for a story you’re pitching. The most successful PR people truly enjoy the process of pitching and developing relationships with media.
So, if you’re a strong and talented writer, who enjoys reading the news and the process of creating tailored ideas for individual journalists and clients, you’ll love PR. If you’re imagining a Samantha Jones existence made up of drinking cocktails and going to parties all day everyday, you’re off base.
Heidi Ruggier and Tricia McQuilllan, Salon Director at Sassoon Salon (Photo by Abigail Lomboy)
What are three things every entrepreneur should focus on when growing their own business?
- Building the right team. My staff is eclectic, diverse, and each person brings their own perspective. We challenge each other around the creative table, and that makes for excellent strategy development. Diversity is also extremely important, especially since PR is often the last checkpoint before a story or project hits the media. We will ask ourselves, is anything within this campaign problematic? If yes, how and why? This is majorly important, especially in the current environment. Diversity within my team helps to further ensure that things aren’t slipping through the cracks. Each person brings their own lived experience to the table, meaning they may see things that others don’t see. It makes us stronger.
- Choosing which clients you work with. This is paramount to building the kind of business and client roster I want to see. I recently turned down a client opportunity because of outdated policies rooted in patriarchy and sexism. It was a big one, a globally known brand. But, if the brand doesn’t align with my values as a human, then it’s not for me. It’s not for Matte PR.
- Brand and visuals. Often, we see entrepreneurs get their business model, product, location, and other items in check but leave out investing in brand. Big mistake. Big. Design of creative assets, business development tools, decks, and other brand visuals are currency in this hyper-digital world. Good design can’t be underestimated. It’s an asset.
Heidi Ruggier (Photo by Kosta Kolev)
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to get into the PR industry?
Go for it! Find a good internship where the company you’re working for is truly teaching you and mentoring you. At Matte PR, we give our interns an intensive experience in a collaborative environment that fosters learning and friendships. Yep, you’ll leave with a new set of homies too. Be prepared to put in the hours and to do whatever it takes to make things happen for your clients. If you’re looking for a 9-5 type thing, this isn’t for you. If you’re looking for glitz and glam, rethink your choice. But, if you’re going into it for the right reasons, PR can be the most fulfilling line of work.
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Let’s face it…being an adult is expensive! The costs associated with being independent and indulgent sure can add up. To help pay the bills, you can find relief by picking up a “side hustle” in addition to your regular day job.
A side hustle is a flexible second job that allows you to make extra money by doing something that you really enjoy. Some side hustles can take on the form of a small business if you’re willing to embrace your entrepreneurial side. While other side hustles require less commitment and allow you to earn extra cash on a more casual basis.
Think you’re ready to take one on? We’re here to help you get started! Below are seven simple ways to start making extra cash.
Pick Up A Delivery Gig
Make your own schedule and some extra cash by becoming an Uber or Lyft driving-partner. No access to a vehicle? Become a rider for a food delivery service like UberEats or Foodora to earn some extra money and keep fit while working. Either service is a great side hustle for those working irregular hours and living in the downtown core. This option is especially great for those who love to ride their bike, it’ll barely feel like work!
Rent Your Car
Owning a car isn’t exactly cheap, especially if it spends a lot of time sitting unused in your driveway or parking spot. Luckily, Turo is here to help you pay for it and all the other things you love! Like Airbnb but for cars, Turo allows you to rent yours to others who might need it. All you’ve gotta do is make a profile, upload some sweet photos of your ride, set your price, and wait for the requests to roll in. The insurance is covered by Turo and you get full control of when and who you rent the car to, so the risk is pretty low — why not let your car start earning money for you?
Instagram/@x742617000027x
Get Paid To Help Others With Everyday Tasks
Ask for Task is a genius way to make some extra money for doing small jobs that others in your area just can’t tackle themselves. Do you have amazing painting skills or impressive cleaning skills? Make extra cash fast with a side hustle as your neighbourhood’s go-to painter or cleaning person.
Sell Beauty Products Online
A great side hustle for those with a beauty obsession is selling products as an Avon or Arbonne representative. You can easily earn extra cash by selling these beauty lines from the comfort of your own home when it’s convenient for you. Bonus – score freebies like product samples and discounts off your own beauty purchases with each company.
Instagram/@myavoninsider
Get Paid For Taking Care Of Others
Sharing is caring and we love Care.com – an online community that connects families and caregivers. As a caregiver, you can register online to connect with households in your area seeking any type of assistance from babysitting to dog walking. Use your skills working with others to make extra cash in your community with a fun (and possibly furry) side hustle as a caregiver.
Dog Sit
If you love animals, this is the perfect side gig for you. Through Rover, you can get paid to play with dogs all day! And that’s not even the best part about it! There’s so much flexibility in this kind of job — you get to pick your own schedule, the services you offer — whether that be boarding, walking, house calls, or daycare — and your dog preference.
Instagram/@roverdotcom
Sell Your Stuff
While this option isn’t something you can do on the regular, it is a great way to earn a little extra cash and clean your house while you’re at it. Almost everything you have can be sold – think gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, and even electronics. Take your gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to consignment stores in the city and sell your old furniture on websites like Kijiji or Craigslist.
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For our career series “How I Got My Job,” we’ll be talking to real people, working real jobs across a variety of industries. These people are pushing boundaries and have made their mark. They’ve found success on their own terms, and now we’re extracting their advice on how to carve out your own career path.
From the outside, practicing law is a cut and dried career path, but our next “How I Got My Job” spotlight has used her entrepreneurial spirit to turn her career in law into something uniquely her own.
After a decade of law on Bay Street, Ashlee Froese is the proud owner of Froese Law, a firm that works with some of the biggest financial, pharmaceutical, cannabis, celebrity, and fashion names.
And her accomplishments don’t stop there. For the past three years, Ashlee has been ranked in the top 1000 trademark lawyers globally by the World Trademark Review, is a former chair of Fashion Group International, and a mentor for a number of Toronto-based start-up incubators.
We had the opportunity to chat about how Ashlee Froese got to where she is, the best part about her job, her advice to aspiring lawyers, and more. Take a peek below.
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First thing’s first, what was the first job you ever had? The job after that? And how did it lead you to where you are today?
When I was an undergrad student at U of T, I worked part time at a law firm. I worked there throughout undergrad. During law school, I interned with the United Nations in the Middle East. Once I completed law school, I decided to focus on branding law and worked at a number of firms before launching my own firm.
I fast tracked to partner on Bay Street within six years, which is pretty quick, and had my own client base pretty early on in my career. As much as I loved working at my previous law firms, I think I always had an entrepreneurial spirit and, at 10 years in the industry, I decided to launch my own firm. Law is a very traditional industry, and although I truly believe in the benefit of gaining Bay Street experience to hone legal skills, it does not have to be the only way to practice law.
Gooseberry Studios
In launching Froese Law, I’ve been very purposeful on how we service our clients and what we stand for. For example, we are a completely paperless office, our business cards are made from recycled clothing and our systems are entirely on the cloud. Our lawyers have the flexibility to seamlessly work from wherever in the world they’d like.
For our clients, our business model is a hybrid of billable hours and flat rates. We host monthly free legal seminars to help our clients become educated on the law. We issue out weekly newsletters that provide tips on the law. We also bring a business savvy to how we apply the law to our clients’ situation. Also, given that we focus on a type of client (the B2C business), we have a good handle on the legal issues that they may run into, perhaps before they are aware of them.
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What’s a typical day at work for you?
There’s no typical day per se, but I do try to have consistency in my schedule. For example, I work from home on Mondays, which allows me to work completely uninterrupted. The rest of the week, I’m in the office and my day is filled with a lot of meetings, a lot of computer time, and oftentimes sprinkled with speaking engagements or business development activities in the evening.
Why did you start an all female legal firm?
I didn’t start off with that as my concept, but that is the current situation. Law is a very challenging industry and retention of women in law is a SIGNIFICANT issue. I wanted to create a law firm that enables lawyers to live a balanced life, which is oftentimes a struggle for lawyers.
I do love the fact that Froese Law is a certified woman-owned business and that, currently, all of our professionals are women. And I love that it resonates with our clients. But I’m certainly not closed to having male lawyers join the team. My overarching mandate is that we provide Bay Street calibre legal services, without the Bay Street bull. Our lawyers must have fantastic legal skills and business savvy that assists our client in a real and meaningful way.
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How do you balance your career and personal life?
I’ve always had the mentality that work must fit into your life and not the other way around. Your working lifespan is long and if you find something you’re passionate about and are able to also live your off-duty life, you’re bound to be more happy and fulfilled. But you also have to make a concerted effort to live a balanced life and set boundaries.
Law is not an easy career path. Statistics demonstrate that lawyers have higher rates of depression and anxiety than the average population. I’ve built a law firm where work-life balance is not an either or proposition. You can be an excellent lawyer, with a dynamic client base and still have a life.
Why is mentorship important to you?
Volunteerism and mentorship are fundamental tenets of my career and, consequently, of Froese Law. On a personal note, one of my mantras is “kindness begets kindness.” I’ve been a mentor to start up incubators for the past eight years. Law is not intuitive but it impacts everything. If you’re a start up, having access to a lawyer helps with understanding fundamental principles of law and that goes a long way.
From my own career, I have not had mentors, per se. But I’ve been exposed to professionals that inspire me and also those that inspire what I don’t want to be. For the most part, I’m purposeful about giving back to the next generation of lawyers. I had the unfortunate experience of coming across senior lawyers (who happened to be female) that were the anti-thesis of mentors and they certainly made life more challenging. It doesn’t have to be like that, so I also provide mentorship to young lawyers as well.
Gooseberry Studios
In your time working, what do you think has been the most important thing that you’ve learned?
Maintaining good relationships and working with integrity are so important. Also, you’re never done learning. I may be a Certified Specialist in Trademarks Law, but I’m always reading up on the law to ensure that my skills and knowledge are on point.
What’s your advice to someone looking to get into your line of work?
To be honest, law schools don’t teach you how to be a lawyer. They teach you about the academics of law. Learning under the wing of a senior lawyer as a junior associate is critical. So first thing’s first, be the best lawyer you can be. Learn the law. Learn the practical application of the law. Learn business savvy to compliment those honed legal skills. Understand the business nuances of the industries that your client operates in.
What’s the best part of your job?
It sounds so cheesy but I love it when a client comes to me with a concept and I work with them and they reach a level of success where they become a household name. It’s extremely gratifying to be a small part of helping someone achieve their dream.
To keep up with Ashlee Froese, follow her on Instagram and Twitter, or check out Froese Law on the website and Facebook.
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For our career series “How I Got My Job,” we’ll be talking to real people, working real jobs across a variety of industries. These people are pushing boundaries and have made their mark. They’ve found success on their own terms, and now we’re extracting their advice on how to carve out your own career path.
Getting into the world of public relations isn’t always easy — and getting to work as a publicist for some of your favourite musicians? Even harder. But for our next “How I Got My Job” spotlight, it’s not just a pipe dream, it’s a reality.
Today, Julia Pittman is the manager of Artist & Media Relations at Sony Music Entertainment Canada, but her career path wasn’t always so clear. Julia’s journey actually started as a student of the University of Guelph-Humber as a Photography/Photo Studies major. But after some doubt, she discovered the school’s media studies program, which, in her eyes, sounded like a much viable career option.
After a few years of gaining experience in public relations for fashion, travel, and even finance, she landed an internship at Sony Music Canada, and the rest is history.
Day-to-day, she works behind the scenes to secure Sony Music Artists media coverage like album reviews, interviews, premieres, and more. Throughout the year, you’ll find her at photoshoots, award shows, music festivals, and TV shows for a roster of artists that include Travis Scott, Vampire Weekend, The Chainsmokers, Meghan Trainor, First Aid Kit, and many, many more.
We spoke with Julia Pittman about how she got her start, the most important things she’s learned on the job, and her tips on how you can score your dream job. Take a peek below.
Julia Pittman (centre) with Sony Music artist Meghan Trainor
First thing’s first, what was the first job you ever had? The job after that? And how did it lead you to where you are today?
The very first “real job” I had was a receptionist at an eye doctor’s office while in high school. I quickly got bored of that and moved onto the world of retail. Most notably I worked at Abercrombie & Fitch when it first opened in Canada, then I moved onto work at BCBG, and finally Urban Outfitters. I only wanted to work at places where I could get a discount on clothes that I liked.
While at Urban Outfitters (and still in school) I landed my internship at Sony Music in the publicity department. After my internship, I moved on to work at a few PR agencies (one in fashion, then one in travel, and lastly one in consumer goods and finance). One day (about three years later) I received a call from my current Sony Music boss asking if I was interested in coming back to a full-time position. The rest is history.
Presenting DJ Khaled with a platinum plaque
What’s a typical day at work for you?
Not one day is the same! But if I’m in the office, I am usually trying to book interviews or coverage for my artists when they’re either coming to cities in Canada for a tour or if they’re putting out a new body of work – i.e. an album or EP. I may be connecting phone interviews while the artist is overseas, or I’m in meetings brainstorming upcoming events and campaigns with my team.
If I’m not in the office, I’m usually with the artist on the road, accompanying them to the promo I’ve scheduled at either morning shows (super early mornings!), entertainment shows, streaming partners like Apple or Spotify, or sometimes we do everything at the venue.
It all depends on the artist’s schedule. At night, you can usually catch me at one of their shows across the city. Lately I’ve been frequenting the Velvet Underground, but in the summer you can find me at Budweiser Stage, sometimes three times a week.
Behind the scenes of a FASHION magazine photo shoot with First Aid Kit
What has been the most fulfilling project you’ve worked on so far?
That’s really tough. There’s so many. It’s been really great to see The Chainsmokers grow from when I first starting working with them around 2015, right after their track “Roses” skyrocketed. It’s awesome to feel like you made a small difference in getting artists’ careers to where it is today, and watching that transition happen over the years.
In your time working, what do you think has been the most important thing that you’ve learned?
As a publicist, I’ve learned that having great communication skills is really important as well as hyper-organization! There’s so many projects I work at the same time, and staying on top of everything is always a big challenge. Also, treating everyone you work with and meet with the same respect and kindness across the board, whether you’re a CEO, an artist, or an intern. That’s really important to me, and I implement that daily.
Behind the scenes with The Chainsmokers at The iHeart Radio Jingle Ball
Creative industries are notorious for unpaid internships or pay via “exposure.” How do you feel about this? Are you for or against unpaid internships?
I think everyone should be paid for their time, so I’m against it. Especially in a creative industry or field, there has been a way of thinking that if you work for free, your return is that you get to put it in your portfolio or resume. I’m sure there’s still some improvement that needs to be done as it pertains to this, but I’m noticing that lately – in the last couple years – there’s been a huge shift in this mindset and interns are getting compensated. I’m glad to see that it’s changing for the better.
How did you turn your dream job into a reality and get paid to do it?
I worked a bunch of jobs that I didn’t necessarily love to get as much experience as I could. To learn from all types of industries, all types of people. Even if it’s something that I was unsure about, I would do it because then at least I would have the experience to say whether it was for me or not.
What’s your advice to someone looking to get into your line of work?
The above! Truly. I get asked this all the time from students aspiring to do PR. If you really want to do music, that’s cool, but you should learn the ropes in other fields such as fashion, tech, finance, etc., too because you will learn valuable skills that may not seem transferrable, but totally are.
And network — especially in person.
From behind the scenes: Presenting a plaque to Meghan Trainor LIVE on Breakfast Television!
What’s one aspect about your job that you wish that you’d been taught in school?
I’m a firm believer that some things just can’t be taught, and you just have to do it. I think my program was on the cusp of social media when most PR pros weren’t really sure how to use it for business (this was at a time when Twitter had just launched, and Instagram was non-existent).
My program also taught me the critical writing, time management, and communication skills that I still use to this day, but I don’t think they could have ever taught me the reputation and personality management skills that being on the job does.
What’s the best thing about working for Sony?
The music, of course!
I get to listen to a lot of my favourite bands (I’m really, really excited for the new Vampire Weekend album out May 3!) and see them live in concert. I’m really lucky.
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I’ve struggled with the idea of a 9-5 job for a large part of my adult life. I’ve tried it before, but I just don’t think it’s for me. When you don’t have a steady income, it’s imperative to work as much as possible so you can financially support yourself. Since returning from my 6-month journey to South America and Southeast Asia, I have been predominantly working part-time at a restaurant so I can direct my energy on other passions such as my personal finance blog The Budget Babes.
With this choice I had to figure out alternative ways to supplement my income as the restaurant gig was only bringing in $2000-$2500 each month. I’d like to share those alternative streams of income with you now in case you’re looking to make a couple extra bucks to help with bills, savings, or anything else you’re interested in purchasing.
Maybe It’s Time For A Cleanse
Have you ever taken a step back and thought about how much stuff you have but never use? When I got back from my trip, I went through everything I owned and put a ton of stuff up on Craigslist, LetGo, Kijiji, Bunz, Facebook Marketplace, and took part in a sidewalk sale that my street was hosting. I sold clothes, kitchen supplies, electronics, sports memorabilia, candles, toiletries, and jewelry. Not only did it feel amazing to get rid of everything, I also made $500 in 2 months. One person’s trash really is another person’s treasure!
Freelance
I’ve been working on-and-off in the live events industry ever since graduating from George Brown College with a Sports and Events Marketing certificate. The events industry is small, and I now have an awesome network of connections that can often find me weekend work or smaller contracts. Although the hours are usually long, the money is quite good and the people you work with are great. And there are always events going on in every city. My advice? Reach out to the organizers to see if they need any help with ticketing or backstage work. It’s a great way to make some extra coin, and you’ll get to work in a new field that’s fun and exciting.
Sell Things
I know someone whose 18-year-old cousin went to Thailand last year and bought a ton of fidget spinners for 10 cents each. He then created a Shopify account, sold those fidget spinners for $4.00 each, and is now sipping Pina Coladas on the shores of Tahiti. Ok, the last part isn’t true, but still! He found a product that he believed in, bought in bulk, and created a small side business that made him some serious extra cash. I wasn’t that thrifty, but I did make an extra $600 this year selling new electronics that I bought in bulk.
Create a Side Business
Have you always dreamt of owning your own business? I had. So this past year, I grabbed the bull by the horns and became an Arbonne consultant to supplement my income and do something different. It’s nice to make an extra $100-$300/month working 8-10 hours on your own time when you’re passionate about a product. On top of that, I started to do social media for Minicards Toronto. This extra money can be put into my savings and invested. Which brings me to my last point…
Invest
If you’ve read any of my other articles, I am constantly talking about investing. It’s one of the most valuable tools that I’ve taken the time to learn about and has also been the most lucrative. Creating a passive income that you don’t have to work too hard for is so rewarding. For those of you who are new to the investing world and don’t know where to start, Wealthsimple is a really great platform. They will set you up on a plan that works for you depending on your goals, and will teach you the basic principles of investing along the way. If you use this link, Wealthsimple will waive the management fee for the first year, which could save you $100’s (depending on how much you’re contributing).
With all of my side businesses, freelance work, investments, and restaurant income, I’m currently sitting at just over $45,000 in after tax income as of October 2017. One of the best parts about it all is that I get to make my own hours (for the most part). You just have to be smart with your money and think of some alternatives outside of the typical 9-5 job. If you want to learn more or just reach out to say hey, you can check out my personal finance blog The Budget Babes.
Do you have any other suggestions on how to make more money now? Share them in the comment sections.
Featured Image: Flickr/Ryan Morse
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In a city like Toronto where the cost of living is so high, working multiple jobs has become the new normal for millennials. The gig economy isn’t just an optional opportunity for those who want to make some extra cash on the side, but rather the side hustle movement is the only way some people can afford to live comfortably.
Just because the clock strikes five doesn’t mean it’s quitting time. For those working multiple jobs, it’s only a brief break before one has to refocus and go to their second job for the rest of the night. And when he or she finally gets to bed around midnight or later, they only have a few short hours of rest before it is time to wake up and start the entire process all over again.
While working multiple jobs isn’t uncommon, people do it for a variety of reasons like saving money, paying off debt or gaining further experience in an industry — precarious employment isn’t necessarily easy. Between the early mornings, late nights and the overwhelming amount of responsibilities to keep track of, it’s difficult to find a balance between fulfilling your commitments to those jobs and still maintain your sanity.
With that in mind, here are a few pro tips for helping those juggling multiple jobs.
Find dissimilar jobs.
If you’re going to work multiple jobs, it makes sense to have each one different from the other. Whether it’s a different industry entirely or a slight shift in role responsibilities, working dissimilar jobs is ideal because it mixes up your routine.
When you aren’t doing the exact same thing at every job, you’ll find you’re less bored and have more energy as you transition between your gigs. Even if you work both jobs in the same day, you’ll likely have much more energy if your side hustles vary. Sometimes the mix of a physical job with a desk job is just the right combination people need in order to effectively work so many hours in a day.
Try to simplify life tasks.
When work life takes over, sometimes living a healthy, balanced life can become more of an afterthought. So find ways to simplify everyday tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry and working out.
Don’t have time to cook each day? Meal prep. Don’t have time to go to the gym? Try using a condensed workout app that’s sensitive of your time constraint. There are little ways to simplify everyday tasks that will make your schedule run much more smoothly. Staying active and filling your body with good fuel will keep you energized as you move from job to job.
Plan ahead.
If you don’t have your work schedule meticulously organized, unexpected events can easily pop up and ruin your productivity. So to help keep your priorities straight and your sanity intact, take a few moments each weekend to plan for the week ahead. For example, maybe there’s a happy hour you want to attend Wednesday night, so you’ll need to be aware of that so you can shift the majority of your evening workload to Monday and Tuesday.
Once you have your workload evenly distributed throughout the week, you’ll be able to schedule your social life accordingly and make smart decisions should anything unexpected pop up. You’ll be able to get your work done more efficiently and still maintain time for the fun stuff.
Give yourself some time off.
With working multiple jobs you’ll often hear advice to take at least one full day off during the week. And if you have that flexibility and the schedule to do so then you most definitely should! However, not everyone in precarious employment has that luxury.
Working two or more jobs may not guarantee a solid day off every week, and even if you try to, you may not be able to shake that guilty feeling that comes up when you aren’t doing something job-related. You might not be able to block out an entire day for yourself, but you should at least give yourself a couple hours off at some point during the week. Most importantly, you need to take the time to let your mind relax.
With jumping from job to job, it’s easy to forget the value of a little R&R so when you’re not working, don’t think about work. Taking regular breaks (or at least one) will leave you feeling refreshed and make for easier transitions between work.
Remain focused on your long-term goals.
Let’s face it, working multiple jobs can sometimes be a real drag. Working 100 plus hours each week is exhausting and a lack of a social life can get to a person, but keeping one’s long-term goals in sight will help to push through.
Whether you’re working precariously because you’re trying to pay off student loans or saving for a down payment on a house or working on starting your own company — whatever your reason may be, all the extra jobs are getting you a little closer to that goal. So when you’re entrenched in the mundane day-to-day routines of your multiple jobs, it’s important to keep that end goal in mind, and remember that it will all be worth it in the end.
Featured image: Instagram/ @beproductive
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Calling all fall job seekers: there’s a big retail job fair happening in Toronto this September.
On Tuesday, September 12, the Retail Council of Canada will be partnering with City of Toronto for a retail job fair for youth and adults. With over 25 different retailers in tow and over 500 opportunities up for grabs, you’re sure to find something to help pay those bills.
Retailers you can expect in attendance include Hudson’s Bay, Roots, Winners, Starbucks, H&M, Pusateri’s, Calvin Klein, Foot Locker, Town Shoes and more. Check out the full list here.
Pre-registration for the fair is required, and all attendees are advised to bring 15+ copies of resumes and to dress for success.
Get full details about the retail job fair here.
Featured Image: Flickr/WOCinTech
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With its vibrant fashion culture, some might say that Toronto is to Canada what Milan and Paris are to Europe and New York is to America. The fashion industry in Toronto is gaining notoriety around the world, and is slowly establishing itself as a leader in the fashion industry. Needless to say, there are a number of positions in the industry that get paid very well, and a career in fashion and retail in Canada’s largest city can prove to be a very promising one. While there are many designations and roles in the intricate world of fashion and retail, these are the highest paying among those job roles:
Fashion Director
Needless to say, the captain of the ship takes home the largest portion of the haul. However, this does not mean that the job of a fashion director is easy – there is a reason that they get paid so high! The position requires one to take on a leadership role and define a vision, and that takes a lot of effort, patience and hard work. However, it also is an equally rewarding position to have, because countless people look to your guidance in fashion. Besides, it is also a fulfilling feeling to know that your words today have the power to shape the fashion trends of tomorrow.
Buyer
A retail buyer has the challenging job of maintaining inventories staying abreast with the market changes, and procuring the materials and goods that are going to be sold in retail. This may sound easy, but the nuances of getting the right goods in the right quantities at the right time without incurring too much cost or losing too much money can be a very stressful task.
Merchandiser
Working closely with the retailer is the merchandiser. While the retailer is responsible for procuring the goods into the company or retail store, the merchandiser is responsible for making them visually appealing in stores to push sales. As such, the two work hand-in-hand with each other, and their co-operation is what makes the business run seamlessly and smoothly.
Marketing Manager
In the marketing department, a manager is in charge of how a brand is conveyed to the public. This means they oversee all the branding and advertising campaigns which correlate to sales. In roles with large conglomerates or corporate companies it’s not surprising to see salaries in the six-figures.
Store Manager
Having the responsibility of the entire store on his shoulders, the store manager plays a pivotal role in retail. He or she is the face of the company to the customers, and the representative of the store to the mother company. As such, he or she is also the first to take the responsibility for whatever happens in the store, good or bad. While the stress of managing numerous employees and making sure a store runs smoothly is high, a management position with a corporate retailer often results in a high five-figure salary, benefits and other perks.
Featured Image: Flickr/codnewsroom
Did we miss any of the best paying fashion jobs in Toronto? Let us know in the comment section.
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