Odette's Story: 

In 1993, at the age of 27, I started my first business. It was Canada’s worst economic crisis; I had no capital and no experience. I applied and was accepted into a Business Coaching program. One year later I was Entrepreneur of the Year, and five years later I had built a 7-figure business. I sold a service to real estate agents, the market hardest hit by the recession.   

After selling that business I wanted to give back. I went back to school and studied geriatrics and social work. I thought this was my calling but something was missing. I gave it a good effort but I could not deny how unhappy I felt stuck in a government job. In August 2010 I dumped the day job and went into full swing as a business coach entrepreneur; I started Women on Top Business Coaching.  I was super excited and scared to death!  

Thirty days later my relationship with my live-in lover and partner to a five-kid blended family home came to a screeching halt. I was devastated.  My whole future fell apart. I was in a fog but knew that I had two choices: build the business or go back and get a job. Bile rose up my throat at the thought of going back to a job I hated so I choose to hunker down and build my business, which had zero clients and zero income.  

Unfortunately my world kept hitting me over the head with the proverbial 2x4. Over the next twelve months both of my eighty-something year old parents fell, they both broke their hip and they both passed away within a few months of each other. The same weekend that we had the funeral service for Mom was the same weekend I moved out of the family home and started over in a new city with my  two teenage girls. We had borrowed furniture from my ex’s ex wife!   

Somewhere in that sea of chaos I woke up one morning completely paralyzed in my arms. The weight of the world had a stranglehold over me. I could not move for more than a year.   

But the good news in all of this was that I took my business in that first year (and we know how hard year one is) from zero to 6-figures despite all of my life circumstances. My daughters kept me going when giving in or giving up was not an option. I knew I needed to be the best damn role model for my girls.   

Then the 2x4 reality check hit: Most business owners are not successful because they are paralyzed by their life circumstances. Then they use these circumstances as an excuse to not go after their dream.  

We all know that excuses are stupid and stupid is expensive. It’s our excuses, not our circumstances, which stop us from living our dream.     

I learned that it’s more expensive to not invest in your business or your life than to stay stuck in a life you hate. The cost is your self esteem and self worth. Time is a non-renewable resource and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Money is something that can be lost then found, lost then made, money can be not earned then earned. Money is constantly flowing around us. So don’t fear the loss of money, fear the loss of time.  

I often get asked: “Odette, how did you do it? How did you get through that horrible year and come out the other side whole, complete and with a solid money making business?”  

My answer is always the same: “I harnessed the power of those that have gone before me, those that know the pain and struggle of life and business and those that have come out the other side stronger and more complete. Those that have made it their life mission to help others get what they want out of life. Here’s the thing; if I can do it, so can you.”  

I am an author of two books, I speak across North America and have built a multiple six-figure coaching business. I am on the path to 7 figures. Last winter I produced the first-ever Canadian Domination Telesummit.  

This one-of-a-kind, 40-person online summit launched in January 2015, and showcased cross-Canada business talent (including Bob Proctor!). Together we proved to the world that we are a nation of strong and respected business leaders and that Canada is the place to learn and grow a solid business.

It also gave Canadian entrepreneurs of every experience level – and thousands more who  Cont'd at Right...