Natalie Odd and Jessica Jacobs shared their insight and advice at the Calgary momcafe September 25th event “Helping Future Generations”

Natalie Odd – Executive Director, Clean Calgary Association

- Calgarian since 6 years old.
- U of C Graduate, French and Spanish.
- Started out with small environmental consulting firm while taking her Masters.
- Worked on a project regarding Industrial Ecology whereby the waste of one company is used by another.
- This led to the executive position with Clean Calgary in charge of finances in 2003.
- Challenged to bring company around; put in lots of hours.
- Had son, Mateo, and took one year maternity leave.
- Went back after mat leave with support of Mother In-Law as caregiver to son.
- Also supported by husband who is at home with son one day a week.
- In 2008 ran for Green Party.
- Aspired by the opportunities she has had and how to give back.
- Mentors include Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, a female leader tirelessly fighting the fight.
- Challenges include a brother with Cerebral Palsy which puts things into perspective.
- Going back to work was also a challenge trying to balance her job and time with son
and family.
- What she would do differently: be more organized at home.

How to help Future Generations

- A Social Enterprise is a company that is in business for a social purpose.
- A lot of businesses contribute to social issues but Social Enterprises have at their core social issues that drive them. Clean Calgary is one of these companies.
- We must be very aware that there are limits to the growth of our planet and we must value non renewable resources.
- Need to live within our needs.
- Healthy Home Program: Go out to homes and provide ideas for reducing toxins and energy use.
- Homes are a thousand times more toxic after cleaning due to the products we use.
- Bring fewer products into the home and take a closer look at the cosmetics you use.
- Don’t assume Health Canada will protect us.
- Clean Calgary Association for 30 years has been providing educational tools and resources for people to reduce their ecological footprint.
- Delivering education to homes, businesses and schools.
- Trying to raise $50,000 this year; go to www.cleancargary.org to donate.

Jessica Jacobs – President and Designer, Little Soles Inc.

- Shoes are her passion.
- After kids, focus changed and her passion became things for kids therefore passion for shoes became finding shoes for kids.
- Found that while travelling saw amazing shoe colours and designs, but nothing in Calgary. This is how Little Soles was born.
- Biggest Challenge - wanted to offer products that were fashion forward, comfortable and set them apart. How to keep the company evolving to reflect her values. There are no regulations in footwear, even for infant footwear.
- 2 years ago refreshed all product lines to evolve company and change ways regarding toxicity in the product and how the company was run.
- Started to source materials without toxins and formaldehyde free.
- Ensured no lead in the products.
- A big challenge was that no one in the industry has done this and she was therefore challenged to gain respect from consumers and the industry.
- Make decisions based on moral responsibility.
- Consumers are changing and becoming more aware and asking more questions.
- We need to be asking the questions of retailers and manufacturers then they will start to be held accountable and the laws will change.
- Just because there are no regulations we all need to take the initiative to change.
- Jessica is inspired by people who get excited about the changes we are all making.
- Another challenge was to find a way to be OK with the fact that she’s not perfect – there will be bad days. Balance at all times is not realistic.
- Everybody struggles the same; some just cover it up better.
- As women we need to stop judging each other and rather embrace each other. It is important to share the fact that we don’t always succeed.
- There are always sacrifices either at home, work, family or yourself, but this is OK.
- Realize you will have hard days and it’s important to share these with your mentor and have them say this is OK – you are no less a Mom or business woman.