We sat down with Christina Disler and Courtney Chew of Werklab to talk about their experience as female entrepreneurs and what babes supporting babes means to them. Courtney worked in the Vancouver fashion industry for over 10 years, and now runs a brand strategy and marketing company along with her own fashion brand. For Christina, who has a background in Organizational Coaching and HR, human engagement and business were a natural marriage for her. In early 2016, Christina opened Werklab, a members-only community designed to offer resources and support to innovators, creators, and the curious who are pursuing their own hustle. The intention is to make the world a smaller place by fostering real relationships both locally and globally through the power of human connection and experiences.
Why is your partner a babe?
Courtney: Christina has this amazing trait that’s so rare these days…to be totally present and to make people feel heard. She’s able to get to the core of who you are as a person. In a world where surface-level conversations have become standard, to know someone that’s committed to shifting the way we connect as human beings is super special.
Christina: Courtney has this effortlessly cool energy that turns heads and inspires me daily.
What does babes supporting babes mean to you?
Courtney: It means being egoless and vulnerable in a way that allows you to truly collaborate with those that share the same values as you do, and to collectively create a greater impact. It’s something powerful for sure.
Christina: It means a meaningful movement.
If you could choose your nickname, what would it be?
Christina: Smartina.
What’s your spirit animal?
Courtney: Maybe a seahorse. I honestly don’t know. Or a dolphin, ‘cause who doesn’t love dolphins?
What’s your proudest babe moment or achievement?
Courtney: Taking the opportunity (and risk!) to go off on my own after 11 years working in the corporate world.
Christina: Becoming a Lululemon ambassador.
What’s the most unexpected thing you have in your purse or wallet?
Courtney: My LEGO Darth Vader flashlight key chain.
Christina: Citrine Crystal to manifest abundance.
Tell us about a time where you were faced with a situation that you could have been unkind, but chose to be a babe instead?
Christina: There has been quite a few scenarios where I’ve had to regroup, breathe and choose to not react emotionally. I always remember that it’s a choice to carry my head high.
What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren’t selling it anymore?
Courtney: My perfume by Le Labo.
Christina: 1996 – Byredo Perfume.
If you had a yacht, what would be the name of it?
Christina: Sparkle.
What was the best piece of advice you received when you were first starting your career?
Courtney: The best piece early on was to say yes to every opportunity because you never know what will come out of it. And a few more… re-frame challenges as a chance to see things through a new lens. Be curious, brave, and gracious to everyone and everything, even during the hard times. The way you handle the tough situations sticks with you forever.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received now that you’re in your career?
Christina: If you’re at a crossroads and are challenged with a decision between two options, choose the more uncomfortable one. With discomfort comes growth.
Red, white, or rose?
Christina: Spritz.
When I dance I look…
Courtney: FREE.
Who do you channel when you’re about to do something that scares you?
Christina: Oprah.
What’s your favourite destination to visit?
Courtney: Hawaii.
Christina: Anywhere with delicious cuisine and culture
What’s your favourite meal to eat?
Courtney: Sushi! But I’m also a sucker for dumplings and pizza. Not together, although I heard Mimi Cheng’s in NYC made a pizza dumpling recently.
What’s the most fulfilling part of your career?
Courtney: Being able to connect with people, connect people to others, and to just do the coolest things with individuals that inspire me.
Christina: To connect with others, create a-ha moments, and being a part of something bigger than myself.
Where’s your favourite place to draw inspiration from?
Courtney: In conversations with the people around me.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Courtney: Ice cream for sure.
Christina: KUWTK!
What quality are you working on yourself right now?
Courtney: Being present and setting boundaries to ensure balance in my life.
Christina: To get out of my head and into my body / intuition.
What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in business?
Courtney: Closed minds and incompatible values.
Christina: Limiting beliefs.
Coffee meeting or drinks meeting?
Courtney: Coffee.
Christina: Ice cream.
If you’re going out for a cocktail you’d order…
Courtney: I don’t drink anymore. Sparkling water is my ‘drink of choice’. On super rare occasions I’ll have a whisky on the rocks.
Christina: Spritz.
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Keep up with the Werklab babes by visiting them on Instagram @werklab.
Introduction
Photography by Ryan Pugsley.