Divas That Care Network
The #DivasThatCare movement is a dynamic force of positivity and progress. It's a collective of empowered women united by a shared vision: to pave the way for future generations. These women are not only breaking barriers—they’re also committed to equipping the next generation with the tools, resources, and confidence to lead with purpose.
By discovering and defining your purpose, you unlock the power to uplift those around you and contribute to a better world—every single day.
The Divas That Care Change Makers lead by example. They’ve walked the path, and now they’re using their voices to inspire others—one intentional day at a time.
Divas That Care Network
Embracing Your Authentic Self
What does it look like when we embrace our authentic selves, both in business and in life? Jacqueline Bialo offers a masterclass in this journey as she joins the Divas that Care Network to share her multifaceted career and philosophy.
At 47, this Edmonton-based entrepreneur defies conventional modeling standards as a successful full-figured model with 35 years in the arts and culture industry. "It was really from awareness out in the community of body positivity," Jacqueline explains about her modeling career. Her mission transcends the runway – advocating that fashion should embrace every body shape while encouraging everyone to love themselves authentically.
The conversation takes a deeper dive into business consulting, where Jacqueline's approach centers on relationship building and creating strategic connections. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all methodology, she works intimately with clients to uncover their passions and potential. "My strength is really relationship building," she shares, whether helping an equine center expand operations or guiding established organizations through innovation roadblocks. Her collaborative approach opens doors for entrepreneurs feeling constrained by limited time, resources, or fear of failure.
Philanthropy forms the third pillar of Jacqueline's impact through her non-profit Art Start, introducing inner-city children to various artistic expressions. Her community engagement philosophy extends beyond financial contributions: "It's not always money... it's your time, energy and resources." She champions starting locally, emphasizing that community involvement builds essential networks while developing personal skills and creating meaningful change.
Guided by her personal mantra of "people, possibility, and potential," Jacqueline exemplifies how authentic success stems from embracing one's unique qualities and using them to forge meaningful connections. Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking growth, someone struggling with body image, or simply looking to make a difference in your community, her insights offer a refreshing perspective on creating impact on your own terms.
Discover more inspiring conversations by visiting DivasThatCare.com or following the Divas that Care Network on social media.
For more Divas That Care Network Episodes visit www.divasthatcare.com
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Speaker 1:SmartVoice works seamlessly across any device with your entire team. Even when you're not together, I'm still here. Discover all the benefits of smart voice at shopbusinessca Blog Talk Radio. Well, good morning divas, and welcome to the Divas that Care Network. My name is Candice Gish and I am so excited and honored to be your host today. For any of you that have just tuned in today, the Divas at Care Network started seven years ago. We're really excited. We've had the opportunity to interview amazing women around the globe and just this year in 2018, we've expanded and now we have eight amazing women that are now hosting their own shows. So we're so excited to be able to host amazing shows so that you can listen to them Today.
Speaker 1:I have an amazing new woman and I would like to welcome her to our family. She's going to be our newest diva. Her name is Jacqueline Bialo. Jacqueline just came onto the show, so I'm going to welcome her onto the show and let's learn all about you. So welcome to the show. Jacqueline came onto the show, so I'm going to welcome her onto the show and let's learn all about you. So welcome to the show, jacqueline. I'm so excited.
Speaker 2:Great. Well, thank you and hello to all your listeners. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:Well, we're very excited to have you on our show today, Jacqueline. You are from Edmonton, Alberta, and I just want you to spend a little bit of time telling us a little bit about yourself so that we can get to know you better.
Speaker 2:Sure, well, you're correct. So I live just outside of Edmonton, in a smaller community. So even learning to understand and appreciate, I guess, the dynamics of a smaller community and how you can foster not only your personal self-growth but that of entrepreneurialism as well, but a little bit about myself. So I'm very passionate about life and entrepreneurialism, giving back to the community, which are some of the things that you and I will discuss, obviously, as we go forward in this show.
Speaker 1:Well, that's exciting. Well, jacqueline, as I said, we were so excited. Usually I have a couple moments to chat with our amazing divas, so this is brand new. I haven't had the opportunity to really chat with you, so this is going to be exciting for both of us. So, Jacqueline, I know a little bit about your story, I've read a little bit about you and I'm excited because you have an amazing background in the things that you are doing. You are an entrepreneur, but I want to kind of dive a little bit more. You are also a model. You're a business consultant, so let's talk a little bit about that. Let's talk about how you got into becoming a model. How did you become the entrepreneur that you are today, becoming a model?
Speaker 2:How did you become the entrepreneur that you are today? Sure, well, I've been in the arts and culture industry for about 35 years, which ages me, but tomorrow I will celebrate my 47th birthday and I'm really happy about that, because not only health and wellness plays into life as we age, but being, I guess, aware of the body that we've presented and how you go about loving yourself. So you know, if we build on how I became a model, it was really from the awareness out in the community of body positivity. So I am a full-figured model, mature and definitely not something that you would see in the typical genre of runway models, but it is about sort of being able to articulate that not only do we need to love ourselves, but you know fashion forward, there are clothes that not only can fit every body shape type, but that you should feel and love yourself in whatever you're wearing. So a lot of sort of who I am stems from confidence, self-confidence, relationship building and just being innovative in kind of what life presents for yourself.
Speaker 1:Well, I just want to wish you a happy early birthday. I think that's absolutely beautiful, and you know what an?
Speaker 1:inspiration that is.
Speaker 1:You know, I think in society today, you know we are overwhelmed with what the media portrays, as you know, a beautiful woman, and I love that.
Speaker 1:You know you're standing up for the fact that you know we can be beautiful in our skin, for who we are, and you're portraying that in a very positive light. And I love that because it's amazing that you are on our show One of our newest hosts, lavesha. She is also an amazing, beautiful model, a plus-size model, and she does very similar things to you and I just love that we are able to do that and that society is now becoming more welcoming and more loving in that aspect, and I want to talk about that because I think it's important. And how are you dealing with societies to change that mindset? Because I think that's important. You know we have a lot of young listeners that do tune into our show and I want you to. Maybe can you share a little bit of your thought process so that they can, you know, accept their body, so that they know that they're beautiful the way that they are.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely. Well, I mean, I will start by saying that I am a mother of two teenage children and you know we certainly have tried to embrace wellness or fitness, but also acceptability. So you know whether it's just people that you would assume look different, have different goals and aspirations than you. So it starts with a foundation of not only your home unit and being open to other opportunities. But then the second is having that foundation of support, Because, let me tell you, as a public figure, you're always scrutinized.
Speaker 2:Being a woman, you know, my background has been very public. I was a politician previously, I'm a community leader, social advocate, and I'm always sort of pushing the envelope, but there are dark days. And so, to your listeners and to the younger generation, I think that it really starts with not only knowing and appreciating yourself, but then realizing that there are others that want to support and see you succeed. And then, finally, I guess that old adage of you know, putting yourself in other people's shoes. So if you don't like how it feels, then certainly lifting people up, which I know that your women sort of focused environment is really about that looking at the unique tools and techniques that we each have and building them up so that we can all be successful.
Speaker 1:And that is so true. You know, we are definitely all about linking arms with one another and having that support network and that's why I said it's such a great thing and a great tool to have you on our show. You know, talking about positivity, talk about body image positivity, because I think that's really important. You know, we all have that. You know, probably those moments of insecurity that, okay, am I feeling good, am I looking right? And, as I said, I really admire everything that you are doing because I think it's really important. It's important to see that and not just be seeing one aspect of things. It's funny. It was a topic that actually came up in our household on the weekend because I have our show.
Speaker 1:My show started because of my four I call them my young divas, the four women in my life, my four daughters that have always inspired me and seeing them grow up in today's society. I think before I never really thought of things. I'm like, oh, you know, I think before I was never, I never really thought of things. I'm like, oh yeah, I just kind of did my thing and never really thought of it. But now it's so overwhelming with the Internet and so we do.
Speaker 1:We definitely have those conversations on. You know how they present themselves and how they look and how you know how they feel about themselves, and I think it's important because they're probably not the typical girls that you'd see in a magazine. They are strong and they're healthy and they are beautiful and they are very comfortable within their skin and I just love that. But you talk about that and you meet people that are in the industry and they say that when you look at a model in a magazine and they're portraying a person that is actually older than what they are and that actually changed my perspective because I didn't realize at the time that, you know, I thought when you're portraying a woman, that those are women, but actually they were a lot younger than what they were portraying. So how do you deal with that when you're in the industry and how is that affecting people?
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, again, I think that some of the learnings that I've had, not only as a model and using your voice and perhaps your positivity for advancement, but I've translated that into my business world as well.
Speaker 2:So there's innovation, there's research, there's development, there's forward thinking, but at the end of the day it's also learning from sort of your struggles or your setbacks.
Speaker 2:So, both on the runway, there have certainly been opportunities where I've engaged and, you know, not had a positive end result, with designers or photographers, and unfortunately it continues to be an evolution of learning for everybody. But if we remain open to that, then we certainly will be forward thinking and more successful in the future. But again, in my business environment, where I'm working with individuals or smaller organizations that want to make positive change, it's about being somewhat of a risk taker. So, whether it's in choosing the clothing that you love to wear and, you know, rocking it for the day or in business, doing your research and finding sort of where your niche market might be, identifying those gaps and having the confidence to not only sort of forge ahead but to learn from those setbacks or mistakes that you've made, and I really truly live that. All of my successes have come from relationship building, having a strong network behind me, and then really reflecting on sort of where I can continue to improve.
Speaker 1:I think that's absolutely fantastic. So, Jacqueline tell us a little bit about what it is that you're doing with people, how you're helping them. So if somebody comes in and contacts you I know a lot of our listeners are always looking for somebody to work with Tell us some of the things that if a lady were to contact you, what kind of things can you do with them.
Speaker 2:Yeah, well, I would say that my strength is really relationship building.
Speaker 2:So usually I'm engaging with a client that wants to do some collaboration with someone else, whether it's the government, whether it's other not-for-profits, whether it's a branch into a new industry, and so for me it's starting the conversation.
Speaker 2:You're doing some research, obviously, about either who your competition is or what else is out there where the gaps might exist, and then really honing in on the passion of my clients and I'm sort of that positive motivator, so just being there to help them walk that path of of taking a little bit of a risk and feeling comfortable and confident about being innovative. Clients were to contact me, it's really because maybe they are an equine center and they love being hands-on with the horses, but all of a sudden they want to grow and they're becoming more successful, but they don't know how to, either, you know, set up sort of their marketing communications plan or they don't know how to seek out grants that could help them, you know, expand, or maybe they now need to look at hiring people. So what policies and procedures do you have to put in place? So, again, it is really a one-on-one conversation with clients and, you know, just helping them to identify a strategic plan to move them forward.
Speaker 1:I think that is fantastic. So you work. You can work a lot with a group. I know a lot of our divas that have come on to our show. You know that's something that they talk about is how they like to work with others in like a group setting. You know, so if one person, if the client, is requiring this part, and then they need this part, and I think, working together with a whole bunch of different people based on what that individual need is, I think that's fantastic because you're working on strategy. Some people might need other things. And do you work a lot, do you link arms with a lot of other professionals out there?
Speaker 2:Yes, and I think that that's where my strength lies is identifying certainly what your main passion or drive and determination is and then introducing you through relationship building or opening those doors to possibilities to be collaborative with others. That certainly has been the success for you know, whether it's smaller organizations that are looking to grow and or larger, more established organizations that seem sort of stuck in their thinking. So it's myself coming in and saying, well, gee, have you thought of? And just opening up their possibilities and potentials.
Speaker 1:Well, and that's something that a lot of people probably don't think about, do they? It's not something that it's an automatic. Okay, what's the plan? You know, a lot of people might start their business and kind of, let's go for it. You know, they do have a small plan, but they don't realize the impact that they could do with their business as it grows. How is that conversation started? How did a person that's listening today know that it's time to reach out to somebody like yourself, to start doing this?
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's a great question because it is very personal and unique, as you can imagine. With smaller entrepreneurs, the concern that they have is I don't have the time, I don't have the money, I don't have the resources. And although they're excited about exploring expansion, oftentimes entrepreneurs are either doing this at the side of their desk of many other initiatives or simply there's that fear of failure. So many of my opportunities are simply through referral. So many of my opportunities are simply through referral. Again, it's networking, it's building those relationships, that trajectory of success, and I would just say that individuals are sort of thinking about the what ifs. What if I was more successful? What if I was to explore expanding my market?
Speaker 1:Then that's an opportunity at least for them to approach me and have a conversation. That's perfect. So I'm going to kind of dive off a little bit here. I want to talk a little bit more about the things that you've done in the past, or actually no, I want to dive into philanthropy. I know that you were obviously a politician, you said in your past, and community is really important to you. What kind of things do you do with philanthropy? Is there something out there that is so passionate to you that you are really involved in that we can learn more about?
Speaker 2:Well, thank you. I am the founder of a not-for-profit called Art Start and it really was the vision of bringing inner-sitter children and exposing them to all aspects of the art, whether it's dance, visual art, painting, drawing, speaking, music lessons. So that continues and it's run out of E4C in Edmonton. But from a philanthropy perspective, I really embrace that. It's not always money. Money helps to move initiatives forward, but it's your time, energy and resources. So I'm passionate about many things, whether it's just simply being a participant at community-driven events. So, either before or after, can you help plan, can you be sort of the champion of advertising that initiative? You be sort of the champion of advertising that initiative, or use some boots on the ground that are helping to, you know, make sure that it's executed correctly. But right now, believe it or not, with arts and culture I mean, I spend a lot of time behind the scenes on set helping individual directors or producers get their productions up and into sort of mainstream media for those to be seen.
Speaker 1:What fun. That sounds absolutely amazing.
Speaker 1:I just love it, because we have all different amazing women on the show and it's just beautiful to hear the things that they do and the things that are passionate and you can really hear that in your voice. I know that there is going to be some text coming in here right away. How does a person get involved, like if there's somebody out there that because we do. We have questions all the time on our show and people that contact us after shows and they're always looking for that thing that draws them, that is pulling those heart strings. You know there's a lot of different organizations out there, but the arts is a really great one. It's something that we don't talk a lot about on the show. But how does somebody get involved? If they want to be a part of something like this, to volunteer their time, their energy, how can they get involved in this kind of aspect with you?
Speaker 2:Well, I think that everything starts local. I mean, I talk very much about the community where you live, work, play and invest. So if you start there, there's obviously, you know, not-for-profit groups or even, you know, unfortunately, there's always crises happening. So even if it was something like that, whether it's a lost child in your community that all of a sudden the parents are, you know, needing help, for volunteers to go search, or, you know, organize that bottle drive for some more money or meal planning for a sick family, you know, maybe all of a sudden they've gone into cancer. So I think that you know the other aspect of philanthropy or giving back to the community might also be from an advocacy perspective. So if I was to put on my, you know, former political hat, I think that it is amazing when individuals become passionate about making legislative changes or using their voice for, you know, just the education and awareness of what goes on in the community where they live. Yeah, the possibilities for volunteerism are endless, but I think that it does have to start with not
Speaker 2:only you know what speaks to you, what pulled at your heartstrings today, and it could be different today than it is tomorrow, but it's putting that one foot in front of the other and actually getting involved. And you know, the reciprocal is that we all benefit and you may learn something about yourself, you may. You know the reciprocal is that we all benefit and you may learn something about yourself. You may, you know, gain additional skills. There's that networking of relationship building.
Speaker 2:So just enough can't be said about just getting out, you know, and whether it's doing it knowing yes, and knowing your neighbors and and feeling great about you know giving of your time and energy and resources.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love it and I think it's so important. You know, we always hear that people are volunteering and they get so burnt out and I think it's a need. It's a need to, you know, get out there. And I love that you're saying it's not just about giving back and getting involved and it's about community.
Speaker 1:In a lot of ways it's getting to know your neighbor and it's getting back to the basics. You know, I remember growing up and everybody was always a part of things and I think over time everybody started pulling themselves away and they were just didn't want to get involved, didn't want to get into people's business, didn't want to do anything. But I think it's really important to get back to the core and I always tell my children too it's not one person that raises a child, it's a community that raises a child. And you know, getting involved and having people hands-on and teaching our children the same thing and to really be a part of things. I think it's so important and I really respect that and I like that you really said that because and I like that you really said that because I think that's kind of the core of what the Divas that Care Network is all about is women getting involved and linking arms and really helping and supporting so many others out there. So thank you, jacqueline.
Speaker 1:I have one other question for you before we're done today. Is there a way because we do have global listeners and I know that you are in Alberta, Canada Do you work with people outside of the area? Do you work with people in other parts of Canada or the United States? Do you work with people over in Europe, Like? Is there a way that you can connect and work with others there?
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely so. I mean even from following me on Facebook, jacqueline Biolo, I put out tidbits very often that might help just trick people's thought process. I do a business partner in Manitoba, so that is definitely you know, and I have worked through North America doing some of the research and development from a community perspective, looking how to address systemic barriers in a social environment. So yes, I think that I am bilingual as well. So across Canada there's an opportunity for me to use my French skills and some of the business. I guess modules or techniques that one might use to invoke innovation and sustainability hold true across the nation.
Speaker 1:I love it. I love it. Thank you so much. So any last-minute tips, tools, things you want to leave our listeners today.
Speaker 2:Well, you know, everybody has a tagline, and mine really is people, possibility and potential. So, you know, in my business or in my life, I really think about the people that I embrace or I'm working with and working for the possibilities that are endless really, and then the potential that each of us have for success now and in the future.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much, jacqueline. It was such a pleasure to have you on today's show. You are definitely a diva and we want to welcome you to our family.
Speaker 2:So thank you again. Absolutely Well. Best of luck, and I look forward to following up with everybody.
Speaker 1:That is excellent and you know, ladies, any of you that are listening today. Thank you so much. All of our shows are recorded and we will be posting Jacqueline's show right away here on the Divas that Care network, but you can reach that at DivasThatCarecom. We'll also be posting all of the show on our social media, so I want you to make sure that you check it out and that you pass it on to your friends and family. Jacqueline, again, thank you so much. It was such a pleasure and I hope you have a wonderful day and all of our listeners. I hope that you do something and you pay it forward. Okay, so take care until next time. Bye-bye, everybody.
Speaker 2:Thank you Bye.