Ashley Cruz Events

04/02/2022

Thanks for the feature MAPS Global Events! In my personal and professional life, I am always exploring the intersection of self care and community care. This is my life’s work - and my life’s lesson! ⁣
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Going through burnout, I’ve had to accept that I need to spend more time on self care when I’m used to giving every spare minute to my community. At the same time, it’s been tough to watch the self care movement (which is now a multi-billion dollar industry) lose sight of community care.⁣
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BOTH are needed for individuals and communities to thrive. Community care without self care is unsustainable; self care without community care is meaningless. You will never hear me talk about self care without community care. They are two sides of the same coin when it comes to holistic care.

24/01/2022

Did you hear that Sherrie Cameron from The Pathway to MORE is back with her completely rebranded and reimagined ?

Sherrie is known for her sold-out virtual summits that bring together topics and experts to improve your life and help you create M.O.R.E. Money, Opportunities, Results, and Experiences. If you’ve been longing for MORE, this FREE virtual event is for you!

The MOREathon is 3 full days featuring 24+ expert speakers/panel discussions/interactive sessions discussing everything from money and business to s*x and relationships! This event is free to attend, and the best part is one lucky registered guest will win $500 CASH to spend with an expert of their choice!

Everything kicks off at the opening party at 9:00am MST this Thursday, January 27th. Will I see you there?

Link in comments.

19/01/2022

The last of my 3 big events in fall 2021 was the Business from the Heart Conference & Awards Gala with Your Holistic Earth Inc. This one was definitely a highlight of the year!

We had an entire day of experiential, heart-centered, business-focused education with 8 incredible speakers and 4 wellness spotlights, followed by an evening of celebration with our extraordinary nominees and award winners. Notably, this is the first time that this event was fully online, so we had attendees and speakers from all over Canada and beyond!

The best part was all the amazing feedback we received. The most common words to describe how people felt during the event were inspired, grateful, and full of love. Many people even told us it was the best virtual conference they ever attended! I was honoured to bring my skillset to this event where I felt like I took as much as I gave because I learned so much in the process!

Make sure to save the date for October 21, 2022 if you want to join us for an even more elevated experience! In the meantime, you can join Your Holistic Earth Inc. as a FREE Wellness Seeker or Professional Member to find out what we’re all about 🍃

18/01/2022

In October, I had the pleasure of collaborating with CASA Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health to host an event for the ILEA Edmonton Chapter focused on wellness and mental health for event professionals. This was our second year doing this event, and we knew that it was more important than ever to provide tools for self-care, positive mindset, and overall hope after another rough year for the live events industry.

We had a lovely evening reflecting on what it means to be a caregiver (hint: we are all caregivers!) and learning about radical self-accountability with Candace Fehr from CASA. I also shared my own story of moving through burnout, which was a vulnerable yet important story to share with my peers.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful mindfulness/breathwork session with local yoga teacher Stephanie MacDonald, who is also the owner of Unforgettable days as well as a fellow ILEA Edmonton board member and my co-lead for this event.

To top off our inspirational evening, we enjoyed charcuterie and hot chocolate from Mercer's Catering at our beautiful host venue Tangled Roots. I’m grateful that we were able to continue this event in 2021 (while following all AHS guidelines) as these conversations around mental health and wellness are critical during these times.

Of course, if you’ve been following along on my personal page, you know that I just joined the team at CASA! For me, this is such a meaningful way to come full-circle with my work to advocate for mental health in the community. As for what this means for my business, there will definitely be some changes coming as I refocus my energy into my full-time work with CASA. Stay tuned!

📸 Grant Cree

17/01/2022

Hi there! Happy New Year! It has certainly been a while since I’ve shown up here.⁣⁣⁣
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I’ll admit that the last few months of 2021 were a blur. Between an extremely busy fall followed by some extended time off to recover from my subsequent burnout, it’s been difficult to show up in my business and community the way I wanted to.⁣⁣⁣
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While I am still a long way from feeling fully “recovered”, I did want to pop in and provide a recap of some of the exciting events I did in the fall of 2021. I think it’s important to celebrate our successes, which is something I didn’t have capacity to do as they were happening. I’m only human, and the reason why I chose to dedicate my business to holistic wellness-centered events is because I’m still learning the same lessons that I wish to share with the world.⁣⁣⁣
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So this week, I will be highlighting the 3 big events I did in fall 2021, starting with the incredible MAPS Global Events “Mental Wellness & Positivity Experience” that I co-hosted with Your Holistic Earth Inc. in September. ⁣⁣⁣
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This virtual conference was a joy to be a part of. Not only did I get to co-host with the lovely Jenny Ryce, but I also presented my own talk titled “Radical Self-Care for Changemakers”. ⁣⁣⁣
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In the presentation, I talked about how taking care of community starts with taking care of ourselves. I also talked about how burnout and fatigue keep us from sharing the full magnitude of our gifts with others. Clearly, I need a dose of my own medicine, so I’m sharing the key takeaways here for both you and me!⁣⁣⁣
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1) Time management and boundaries are critical to implement self-care.⁣⁣⁣
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2) As human beings, we need to take care of our physical bodies and minds as well as our spirits.⁣⁣⁣
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3) Taking better care of ourselves allows us to take better care of our communities. 𝘚𝘦𝘭𝘧-𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦.⁣⁣⁣
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4) This is how we create true, lasting change in the world for ourselves and our communities.⁣⁣⁣
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So there you have it. My lifelong lesson is to learn how to balance self-care with community care as a Changemaker so that I don’t burn out. If you have thoughts on this topic, I’d love to hear them below!

21/10/2021

Tomorrow is the Business from the Heart Conference & Awards Gala with Your Holistic Earth Inc.!

This event took many months and an incredible team to put together. I’m honoured to be a part of it and I hope you’ll join us for a full day of heart-centered business education followed by the awards and entertainment in the evening!

The entire event is online this year so you can join us from wherever you are. Recordings of the educational portions will be provided - we have sessions ranging from writing to websites to sacred economics and more!

Ticket link in comments.

18/10/2021

Can you believe that it’s nearly time for the Business from the Heart Conference & Awards Gala? I am thrilled to be powering this event alongside Your Holistic Earth Inc.!⁣
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𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟐!⁣
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We are excited to provide a day that will fuel the mind.⁣
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The primary focus of this event is to support and honour wellness, holistic and heart-centered business.⁣
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We are so jazzed to bring you a unique spin on the dull old Zoom Conference.⁣
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𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝟗:𝟑𝟎𝐚𝐦-𝟒:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞), enjoy business focused education, breakout rooms, wellness breaks, and networking opportunities. This conference is designed to be educational AND experiential! ⁣
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𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚 (𝟔:𝟑𝟎-𝟖:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞), it is time to CELEBRATE!⁣
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At Your Holistic Earth Inc., we believe now, more than ever, is a time to celebrate business heroes. Over the last year, we have been inspired by the resiliency and adaptability that business owners have shown to not only survive but thrive.⁣
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This evening event is all about having fun, honoring and rejoicing others. Also expect to have a few laughs, we are thrilled to be able to present you with award-winning comedian Sterling Scott for some amazing entertainment!⁣
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I hope to see you at the Conference or Gala - or maybe both? The entire event is online this year so it’s accessible for everyone to attend no matter where you are! Recordings will also be available for 30 days after the event. Link in comments to register ⬇️

13/10/2021

On this , feast your eyes on all the beautiful details from Sanjana & Matt’s wedding reception on October 2.

Vendor Dream Team:

Venue: The Olive Grove
Rentals: Special Event Rentals
Signage: Custom Designs By A
Seating chart: Andrea Stenger Photo + Design
Menu printing: Wedding Design By Anika
Floral decor: Flowers by Merle
Wedding party flowers: HdK Floral
Ceremony hair & makeup: B'Natural Artistry
Reception hair & makeup: Studio XO
Henna design: Elegance Henna by simi
Caterer: Stir Catering
Cake & dessert: Wild Rose Cakes
Late night snack: Coast Lunch Box
Photographer: ENV Photography
Videographer: Kite Films
DJ: Str84ward Entertainment Ltd.

12/10/2021

It’s no secret that everyone is going through a lot right now. Now more than ever, self-care is necessary not only to take care of ourselves but to provide a strong mindset to deal with everything going on around us. On October 21, join ILEA Edmonton Chapter for an evening of wellness and mental health awareness in person. During this event, we will foster a safe place to learn some important tools to utilize in your everyday life. These tools will include accessible relaxation techniques, guided meditation, and breathwork.⁣
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During this evening wellness workshop at Tangled Roots, you will get valuable information from CASA Foundation while enjoying food from Mercer's Catering. You will also learn accessible relaxation techniques from local yoga teacher Stephanie MacDonald, owner of Unforgettable days, and we will finish off the night around a beautiful campfire while enjoying warm drinks together. Although this event is designed for event professionals, everyone is welcome.⁣
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While this event will be in person at Tangled Roots, online access is available (courtesy of Encore Canada) for those who cannot attend or are not comfortable attending in person. The online portion will include the mental health talk from CASA and accessible relaxation techniques from Stephanie MacDonald. ⁣
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$25 Members | $45 Non-Members⁣
Registration link in comments
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𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘈𝘏𝘚 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺. 𝘛𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮 𝘴𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨: ⁣
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- Proof of vaccination (paper copy or digital)⁣
- Negative PCR or rapid test results within 72 hours of the event ⁣
- Medical exemption letter from a doctor

05/10/2021

Congratulations to Sanjana & Matt! Let’s talk about these two beauties for a minute:⁣
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I’ve known Sanjana since 2015 after being introduced through a mutual friend. From the very beginning, I’ve known her as someone who is endlessly kind, caring, and thoughtful. When it came time to start planning her dream wedding, I was honoured to come on board as her wedding coordinator. Who knew it would be such a wild ride from our initial planning meeting in the summer of 2019!⁣
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It turns out her soul mate, Matthew, is her equal in every single way. Listening to the speeches throughout the evening, where all their loved ones gushed about how gosh-darn NICE they are, I realized just how lucky I was to have them as my clients and friends. These two are truly some of the kindest people I’ve ever known - not to mention patient and level-headed as we planned (and re-planned) their wedding throughout a global pandemic!⁣
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Thankfully, these lovebirds did get married on their original wedding date of June 27, 2020, but they waited a long time for their wedding reception which finally took place this past weekend on October 2, 2021. And what a party it was! ⁣
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Sanjana & Matt, thank you for trusting me to bring your vision to life. Your calm demeanor and meticulous organization throughout the entire process made my job easy!

23/09/2021

Are you an employee who wants to learn how to receive funding for ALL types of holistic and “alternative” healthcare, including yoga, supplements, mental health, energy healing, and much more?

Are you ready to take charge of your health and the health of your loved ones, instead of becoming a statistic?

Are you an impact-driven business owner, executive, HR professional, or other type of leader, who is ready to discover a revolutionary, cost-saving approach that empowers true healthcare, promotes workplace diversity-equity-inclusion, increases your profitability, and creates lasting, positive social impact?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, I invite you to join me on Tuesday, September 28 at 12pm PDT at LivingWell Healthcare Funding Solutions' dynamic 45-minute webinar:

“How to get holistic healthcare covered under your benefits plan (and why your company will love it!)”

Register today at https://www.livingwellsolutions.ca/webinar

21/09/2021

Absolutely honoured to be nominated for the Up and Comer Award for Your Holistic Earth Inc.’s Business from the Heart Awards. ⁣
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“The Up and Comer Award is for a business owner who has been in business for less than two years and is learning as much as possible to have the tools they need for success. This individual is doing all the right things to get momentum in their business.”⁣
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Even though I’m unable to accept the nomination since I’m producing the event, it warms my heart that this amazing community believes I’m worthy of the award! THANK YOU 💗

01/09/2021

I’m excited to announce that Your Holistic Earth Inc. and I have partnered with MAPS Global Events to co-host the 2021 Global Mental Wellness & Positivity Experience on September 13. This worldwide online event is filled with opportunities to explore mental wellness, stress relief, and self care for all ages.⁣
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Note that the event runs all week from September 12-18, but the lovely Jenny Ryce and I are co-hosting the program on September 13.⁣
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In addition to co-hosting, I’m ALSO excited to be a featured speaker! I’ll be giving a presentation titled “Radical Self-Care for Changemakers” that I can’t wait to share with you. Here’s a teaser:⁣
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“If you want to change the world, you need to start with self-care. After all, taking care of community starts with taking care of ourselves, and it’s in this way that self-care fuels community care. Unfortunately, burnout and fatigue keep many of us from sharing the full magnitude of our gifts with others. How would you take care of yourself differently if you knew it would help you shine brighter and make the world a better place?”⁣
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I’ll be presenting at 9:30am Mountain Time, but I hope you’ll join us for the whole day of incredible speakers, and of course check out the rest of the event all week from September 12-18!⁣
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Here's the link to register. Let me know if I’ll see you there! https://mapsglobalevents.com/

05/08/2021

Wishing the happiest 3rd wedding anniversary to Shani and Jordan today! This was my very first wedding - I can’t believe that it was already 3 years ago!⁣ 💗
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Photographer: Asmartist ⁣⁣
Flowers: Flowers by Merle⁣⁣
Hair & Makeup: Sen Studios-Makeup Artists/Stylist/Educators

04/08/2021

Did you hear that I’m the new host for Your Holistic Earth Inc.’s monthly noon Growth Gatherings? They are the first Thursday of every month - which means the next one is TOMORROW at noon MST!

This hour-long virtual event provides a fantastic opportunity for holistic business owners to learn and network. Your Holistic Earth has been instrumental for my own growth this year, so I’m thrilled to be a part of the team!

If you run a holistic, heart-centered business, I sincerely hope you’ll join me tomorrow. Oh - and did I mention it’s free to attend? Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/your-holistic-earths-noon-growth-gathering-free-event-tickets-132882542261

Where like-minded people gather to evolve, elevate and expand!

28/07/2021

It’s !

Last week, I was honoured to be featured on YPF Weddings & Co.’s blog “The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Wedding Planner.”

Corina Waldie, founder of YPF Weddings & Co. and creator of the Un-Wedding Movement, writes about the 3 key areas to focus on when hiring a wedding planner:

1) Specialty & Focus
2) Service Types Offered
3) Overall Fit & Style

If you would like to learn more, head over to her blog and check her out on FB over at YPF Weddings & Co.

PS. A big thank you to Corina for suggesting the words for my specialty: “Socially conscious weddings that make your guests feel like they’re on a retreat.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!

https://www.ypfweddings.com/ultimate-guide-to-choosing-a-wedding-planner/

21/07/2021

As we’ve started planning a new exciting season over at ILEA Edmonton Chapter, I realize I never “officially” took the ILEA DEI Pledge when it launched last season. I strive to embody diversity, equity, and inclusion in the work I do every day, so while I know it goes far beyond a pretty social media post, I still think it’s important to publicly pledge my commitment to this important work. ⁣⁣
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Members of the International Live Events Association pledge to: ⁣⁣
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🤚 Consciously promote acceptance and demonstrate respect⁣⁣
🤚 Actively listen to each person’s story ⁣⁣
🤚 Learn from and embrace differences among identities ⁣⁣
🤚 Recognize commonalities and shared experiences ⁣⁣
🤚 Practice inclusive language and be open to learning ⁣⁣
🤚 Educate others to foster an inclusive community that treats every person with dignity and respect ⁣⁣
🤚 Honor this commitment during events, workplace, and all other pursuits ⁣⁣
🤚 Make everyone feel safe, valued, and part of our global community⁣⁣
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By taking this pledge, I hereby commit to these pillars, as well as uphold the strategic inclusion and diversity action plans as created and implemented within my Chapter, Region, and ILEA International to support an inclusive, international live events industry.

19/07/2021

So excited to be back on the ILEA Edmonton Chapter board for the 4th year in a row with these inspiring ! ⁣
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We have some incredible programming coming up for the 2021/2022 season with a renewed focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as mental health and wellness. ⁣
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These topics are the core of my business mission and I am thrilled that ILEA is paving the way for the events industry. Can’t wait to share more details!⁣
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📸: Grant Cree Event Media

12/07/2021

I realize I keep posting exciting things in my stories, but sometimes good news deserves its own post!

I'm absolutely honoured to have won gold in the Wedding Planners category of CommunityVotes Edmonton. Huge congrats to the other winners Sugar Plum Events, Olivia Fata Events, and Sandra Bettina Weddings & Events - I am in such great company among these powerhouse planners!

A big thank you to everyone who voted. Your unwavering belief in me lifts me higher and fuels my passion for what I do 💗

29/06/2021

Happy 2-Year Anniversary to this beautiful couple!
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Venue: Fairmont Hotel Macdonald
Photographer: Haley Erdegard
DJ and Production: Talent Productions
Decor: Grand Design Events
Flowers: Flowers by Merle⁣
Hair & Makeup: Sen Studios-Makeup Artists/Stylist/Educators

07/06/2021

Well, this is an exciting email that I missed in the busy-ness of the last few weeks! It would mean the world to me if you voted for me! https://edmonton.communityvotes.com/2021/02/services/wedding-planners

28/05/2021

Tomorrow, we are gathering on Zoom from 1:00-3:30pm for an afternoon of self-love and community care. During this free event, you can expect:⁣
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-Mindfulness & nourishing remedies from Holistic Hands
-Restorative yoga with Tanjeryne Hoffman⁣
-Relaxing meditation with Denise Walker⁣
-Reiki & energy update with Amy Quist
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We are also honoured to have Denisse from Holistic Hands facilitate a candid talk about our MMIWG2+ epidemic, and get a glimpse into what it is, how it happened, how it continues to happen, and how you can help and be a great ally. Self-care and community care go hand in hand to ensure no one is left behind. ⁣
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We still have lots of space available and all are welcome, so if you haven't already registered, make sure to grab your spot below! We are looking forward to sharing sacred space with you.⁣
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This collaborative event is brought to you by Holistic Hands, City & Soul Wellness Collective, and Ashley Cruz Events

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEude2rrTsvGdeOz9v5xwiF4rxGcdzS3I1C

18/05/2021

On May 5th, we asked you to help us raise money for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG). You doubled our goal.

As a thank you, we promised upon hitting our goal that we would host a virtual wellness experience for the entire community. We hope to use this time to offer tools for self-love and resiliency while enjoying time in community.

Please join us for this free community gathering for self-love and resiliency on May 29 from 1:00-3:30pm. You can expect an informative discussion on MMIP issues including helpful resources and how to be an ally, as well as a mindfulness activity, wellness tips, restorative yoga, meditation, Reiki, and an energy update to inspire and uplift your mind, body and soul.

Please note that this event is open to everyone, regardless of whether you made a monetary donation or not. We welcome you in your entire essence and hope you can join us live from wherever you are. This event will be recorded for replay for all those who register.

This collaborative event is brought to you by Holistic Hands, City & Soul Wellness Collective, and Ashley Cruz Events.

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEude2rrTsvGdeOz9v5xwiF4rxGcdzS3I1C

11/05/2021

Yesterday, I participated in Running for Justice virtual run/walk in honour of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls. ⁣
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In Edmonton and the surrounding area, 1-2 Indigenous women are reported missing every single day. Hundreds of women are being taken every year as a result of this human rights crisis in our own backyard.⁣
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It’s been an emotional week as I joined forces with .yeg and to raise awareness for this important cause. In an effort to find hope and joy amongst the grief, I am happy that we were able to raise $1,220 with the help of 31 team members.⁣
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But this isn’t about us, and the work is far from over. We encourage you to continue educating yourself and supporting the movement in any way you can. If you’re in Canada, is a great place to start. If you’re in Edmonton, check out . ⁣
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On behalf of Denisse and City & Soul, we look forward to bringing you a free virtual wellness experience to say thank you to the community for helping us reach (and surpass!) our fundraising goal. Stay tuned for details!

03/05/2021

Check out this post by City & Soul Wellness Collective for additional organizations to follow and support:

This week we are helping to raise awareness about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

This is a national and global crisis.

The Canadian government launched a national inquiry in 2016. However, our government has failed to act upon the recommendations of the national inquiry. We must help push for change and new policy. The situation is dire and government will not take action unless we demand it.

Please, please, please help Indigenous brothers, sisters, and relatives by following, sharing, amplifying, and donating to the voices who need to be heard right now.

A list of informative IG accounts to follow:


murdered.natives




Have we missed anyone? Please share any accounts who you think we should follow and help amplify.

And make sure to check out our last post to see how you can donate directly.

Artwork by: Danielle Fixico

02/05/2021

Calling attention to the movement here in Alberta and beyond...

(In case you didn't know, MMIWG stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls)

86% of Indigenous women will experience violence in their lifetimes. This statistic is not okay. These women deserve to be more than a statistic.

Join us alongside Rising Hearts for their 4th annual RUNNING FOR JUSTICE - Remembering Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives virtual 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Their goal is to raise $250,000 to end the violence and systemic barriers that destroy the lives of Indigenous women and their families.

Wear red and run/walk any time between May 5-9, 2021. Take photos and post them along with your time, and be sure to tag Rising Hearts! To join our team, register at https://events.elitefeats.com/justice21 and make sure to select "Hermana's del Sol".

As a thank you for donating, running, and/or raising awareness for this important cause, Holistic Hands, City & Soul Wellness Collective, and Ashley Cruz Events are offering a virtual wellness experience on May 29 if Hermana's del Sol can hit a fundraising goal of $777. The event will include yoga, energy healing, and community care. Sign up today to get your name on the list! https://events.elitefeats.com/justice21

08/03/2021

There’s no such thing as women’s empowerment until we empower ALL women⁣ 👊
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Wishing you a Happy International Women’s Day - but remember that this day is about more than a hashtag.

05/03/2021

So today is my 1-year “business anniversary”. Suffice it to say, this first year in business was NOT what I thought it was going to be!

When I signed those papers at the registry on March 5, 2020, I had a whole vision of what the year ahead was going to look like. In fact, I had so much lined up that I actually registered my business sooner than planned, just to make sure I’d be ready to go for all the opportunities that were coming my way. I had a summer yoga festival, a fall wellness retreat, and a few other collaborations that were already in the planning stages - and then 2020 happened. And what a year of learnings and lessons it was!

On the event planning side, I learned how to put on a virtual wellness retreat - and hosted two of them before these virtual retreats/summits became a common occurrence. I co-hosted one of the city’s first virtual runs. I helped business owners bring their events to a virtual platform. When people were stressed and didn’t know how to move forward in this new virtual world, I was there to guide them through it.

On the wellness side, connecting with others across time and space was easier than ever before. I made connections with so many incredible wellness professionals across the world with whom I’ve been able to work with on my own wellness journey and/or bring in for my retreats. Personally, I’ve been working towards my advanced Reiki and crystal healing certifications, and just this week I became a certified yoga teacher! I am so excited to bring these wellness modalities into my business as I balance the roles of planner and facilitator.

So was this first year in business a total write-off? Not at all. It was different than planned, but it just meant I had different experiences and learned new things that will continue to serve my business moving forward. I know that all my original plans will come to fruition when the time is right. And they will be even better now that I can incorporate everything I’ve learned along the way.

Photography: Gabriela Cruz Bo***ir & Photography
Styling: Sugar Plum Events
Location: The Enjoy Centre

08/02/2021

Pssst… ILEA is hosting a virtual “coffee date” on Thursday and you’re invited!

We will be indulging in some self-care and meditation (led by yours truly) and learning how to make Pinterest-worthy hot chocolate bombs with Charlotte Wasylik from CW Creative. We are also excited to show off our event platform partner Rallydotvideo for an immersive virtual networking experience!

We’d love to have you join us! This event is open to all ILEA members and non-members across Canada! Register here: https://events.eply.com/ILEACdaFeb112021

18/01/2021

A big thank you to lotussearchgroup_lsg for asking me to provide some tips for businesses who are planning online conferences and events! Check out my guidelines below, and make sure to head over to their page and show them some love!
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-Know WHY you are hosting this event. There are just as many reasons to host a virtual event as any other event, so know your WHY and have your goals and objectives top of mind.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-Know your AUDIENCE. Who is this event for? Are they already familiar with virtual events? This is essential to target your marketing and programming to give your attendees the best overall experience.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-Decide on the most appropriate platform for your needs. Create your wish list for what you would like in a platform (eg. chat, live polling, breakout rooms, etc) and do your research. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-As with any event: the more interactive, the better! This becomes even more important with virtual events. Use chat, Q&A, polls, gamification, and social media challenges to engage your attendees.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-Be prepared for technical issues. The best way to reduce the risk is to run rehearsals with your speakers and send clear instructions to attendees beforehand, but there will always be a handful of people on event day who need extra support. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-One of the best things about virtual events is that content can be easily recorded and repurposed. Consider having replays available for your attendees, and using clips for future event promotion and social media content.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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-Another huge advantage of virtual events is that they are accessible to a larger audience. Don't forget about the diversity and inclusion in your overall event and marketing strategy.