Empowering Women: RevolutionHer's Inspiring Journey of Support and Success

"As a new product-based entrepreneur navigating the depths of building a new brand and business amidst the whirlwind of child-rearing during a pandemic, I'd embarked on a quest for knowledge. Signing up to countless webinars, seminars, newsletters and memberships in hopes to absorb wisdom and guidance between baby gurgles, cheerio necklaces and nursery rhymes.

 

Among the myriad of memberships I'd stumbled upon in my 4 a.m. Google rabbit hole, one name stood out - RevolutionHER™. Their welcome box, brimming with gorgeous goodies from women-owned businesses, may have had something to do with it..."

The movement is undeniable. 

As "Women Supporting Women" takes over our social medias, we're seeing signs, shirts, mugs and more with the popular slogan - but sometimes, we're left to wonder...

What does that even mean?

Sometimes, the phrase "Women Supporting Women" can sound like a trendy catchphrase and might even trigger a well-practiced eye roll from some, like they've stumbled into a feminist parade they hadn't planned to attend (if that sounds like you, no judgement here - the ambiguity is understandable). 

If you're in that camp, I invite you to pause, open your heart and mind and read on to learn more about what it's all about because something that feels this good can't be overlooked in clear conscience. What's brewing here might just be the "AHA" moment you've been secretly hoping for all along. 

 

The Prelude - My Personal Experience

A trip to Toronto for an overnight visit, a birthday gift to myself - a Mom to three very young tornadoes seeking both an oasis of solitude and adult conversation, to see the new pop up shop carrying my products, turned out to be an inspiring and powerful discovery, begging to be shared.

 "As I stepped through the doors, I was not met with formality, but with warm smiles and an inviting embrace. The two women greeted me with a familiarity which best described, felt like favorite aunts - and I realized this was no ordinary pop up shop..."

As a fellow traveler on this wild journey called life, I can't help but chuckle at the chaos of early motherhood and life with toddlers - the endless feedings, cocomelon marathons, diaper change Olympics, burp symphonies, naptime countdowns, "where are your pants" on repeat, precise identification you acquire for the face made exactly 5 seconds before a poop, and late-night/early-morning milking sessions that put a farmer to shame.

As a new product-based entrepreneur navigating the depths of building a new brand and business amidst the whirlwind of child-rearing during a pandemic, I'd embarked on a quest for knowledge. Signing up to countless webinars, seminars, newsletters and memberships in hopes to absorb wisdom and guidance between baby gurgles, cheerio necklaces and nursery rhymes.

Among the myriad of memberships I'd stumbled upon in my 4 a.m. Google rabbit hole, one name stood out - RevolutionHER™. Their welcome box, brimming with gorgeous goodies from women-owned businesses, may have had something to do with it.

Admittedly, it languished unopened in my basement for the better part of a year. A forgotten treasure chest waiting to be discovered.

Fast forward to an email regarding a new pop up shop which would be featuring women-owned brands in Toronto, I found myself pondering, "when did I sign up for this newsletter?"

Nevertheless,

I arrived in Toronto and made arrangements to visit the store that evening, expecting to be greeted by a staff member who perhaps knew of the founders, yet likely hadn't met them. Given my corporate background, I anticipated a certain vibe.

As I stepped through the doors, I was not met with formality, but with warm smiles and an inviting embrace. The two women greeted me with a familiarity which best described, felt like favorite aunts - and I realized this was no ordinary pop up shop...

To my surprise, they introduced themselves as Maria and Grace - the Founder and Co-Founder of RevolutionHER™. We chatted a while, gushed about our families and businesses, things in between and I got to know (and adore) them both.

As I sauntered through the stunning and meticulously curated store, I could see the passion and personal touch in every product's placement. 

Grace eagerly shared stories of each brands origin, founder journeys, missions, visions and intricate details behind each product and brand.

Both Maria and Grace beamed with pride as they spoke of the brands they were so proudly showcasing and it was evident that this store held a special place in their hearts, just as my products did for me.

But that was just the tip of the iceberg.

I could write volumes about the entire experience, but for the sake of brevity, I fast forward.

After a beautiful visit, I arrived home and immediately started to research RevolutionHER™ for an Instagram post I wanted to share regarding my experience.

A few pages into their website, I discovered the colossal impact the two humble women I'd just spent time with have made (though they'd never let on when you meet them in person). I pried my jaw up off the floor, knowing I had to share their powerful mission with my circle.

So,

If you're here, reading this blog in search of support, community, empowerment or just want to know more about why the whole, Women Supporting Women movement has gained such traction, buckle your seatbelt, because you're in for an inspiring ride.

This seems like a good time to mention that this is not in any way a paid promotion, affiliation or anything of the like - it is simply a spotlight on a truly impactful organization, providing our readers with details about life-changing support and resources available to them, and speaking to the power of what happens when women support women.

RevolutionHER™: A Beacon of Empowerment from Humble Beginnings

In a world that constantly evolves, the power of unity and women supporting women has proven to be an unstoppable force. And at the forefront of this movement stand Maria Locker and Grace Moores, dedicated advocates for the progress of women and female businesses in North America.

In her own words, Maria noticed a lack of support and community as a new mom and entrepreneur, and decided to create the Mompreneurs organization as a result.

Shortly thereafter, fate, in the form of a Kindergarten drop off, introduced the now Co-Founding Partner, Grace Moores to Maria where sparks flew. Coupling both women's experience and mutual love for supporting and uplifting women, the collective mission took shape.

10 years after merging their brilliant minds, the strong community of tens of thousands of women across North America was thriving, but they knew they could increase their impact and broaden their support. 

RevolutionHER™ was born and the growth has been nothing short of monumental.

With RevolutionHER™, they have carved a path of empowerment, support, and education for women and girls from all walks of life, embodying the motto "Together We Rise."

Maria and Grace have truly dedicated themselves to generating long-term systemic change by offering support and inspiration to help women and girls unleash their potential. Since it's inception in 2010, the Mompreneurs Organization turned RevolutionHER™ has touched the lives of more than 60,000 women and young people worldwide through various avenues of support.

Their mission is to amplify women's voices on a global scale, providing a platform for women to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

They champion female representation and prioritize what women truly want and need, unapologetically defying assumptions.

A Platform for Inspiring Women

At RevolutionHER™, women can connect with like-minded individuals through a thriving community and network from all walks of life. 

Their website hosts a treasure trove of resources and support available to both members and non-members and includes things like:

• an Educational Learning Portal filled with an extensive range of video modules and resources,
• an engaging and inviting Book Club which features virtual author events and member conversations,
• access an Online Resource Centre which is a free and accessible inventory of knowledge for all women, breaking down barriers and opening doors to education and mentorship
• a Mentoring Program which provides invaluable guidance, growth and leadership for female entrepreneurs and career-driven leaders
• access to their exclusive RevolutionHER™ Event Series featuring impactful international female leaders
• access to their annual RevolutionHER™ Summit, which is their yearly, multi-day conference with eminent international speakers to motivate and enlighten
• the annual RevolutionHER™ Awards which has given back over $300,000 to successful women, women entrepreneurs and youth across North America
• access to their print and digital publication, the RevolutionHER™ Magazine, which reflects the organizations community by showcasing a diverse collection of women of all sizes, abilities and ethnicities, while revealing their compelling stories of adversity and triumph 
• barrier-free access to educational resources, mentorship, and financial support through their sister non-profit, Momentum

If you read the prelude, you can see now, why my jaw was glued to the floor...

But RevolutionHER™ is not just the female go-getters digital oasis; it's a vibrant mosaic of events, both online and in-person. These gatherings bring together influential female leaders from around the globe, fostering an environment of shared wisdom and empowerment. 

The annual RevolutionHER™ Awards, initiated in 2013, have made a significant impact by giving back over $300,000 in bursaries, services, mentorship, and promotion to exceptional women, women entrepreneurs, and youth across North America. 

Did I mention they also have a podcast? AMPLIFY, led by non other than our humble co-hosts Maria and Grace themselves, shares inspirational stories of resilience, perseverance and grit, bringing inspiration and insight to inspire and empower you to amplify your own voice EVERY.DAMN.DAY. (their words, not mine - though I'd gladly take credit for that sass).

Oh, and after all of that, they decided that they wanted to further advocate and promote their community of outstanding women and open a pop up shop so that they could feature their products (not a small undertaking). That happened in November, 2022 and was the catalyst for my own discovery of their incredible impact. The store, which was the first of it's kind, stole the hearts of many and they soon decided to host yet another one in early 2023. 

Having received immense support and interest, they decided to make it permanent and I'm happy to let you know that you can shop in person at their flagship store in Burlington, Ontario. 

The RevolutionHer™ Store features only women-owned products and is sponsored by The Scotiabank Women Initiative. Their flagship store provides shoppers in the Greater Toronto Area with a unique shopping experience, allowing for customers to consciously shop and support women-owned businesses from across North America! They have everything from housewares to health and wellness products, clothing to cosmetics and skincare, amazing, beautiful and sustainable false eyelashes (shameless QMBeautique plug) and everything in between. I made a stopover this past August (2023) to visit it and believe me when I say - you could spend hours in that store. It is incredible. 

Since QMBeautique is based in Alberta, I'm still working on manifesting via subtle (and not) hints and wishes their way to pack their bags and set up shop over here in our neck of the woods pronto. For now, I couldn't be more proud to have my products carried in their store.

A Global Community of Inspiring Women

Maria and Grace's commitment to empowering women have attracted renowned thought leaders like Dolly Parton, James Patterson, Meena Harris, Debbie Travis, Manjit Minhas, Arlene Dickinson, Jen Sincero and Dr. Shefali, to name a few. These luminaries have graced RevolutionHER™ with their wisdom.

Partnering with well-known companies and organizations, RevolutionHER™ works tirelessly to address global issues affecting women and provide the support, financing, and resources needed to implement change.

In 2015, they founded Momentum, a sister non-profit organization that broke barriers for women and girls worldwide by providing access to educational resources, mentorship, and financial support. Momentum even became the first Canadian group to participate in the Coca-Cola 5 by 20 program, a worldwide project aimed at assisting the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs throughout the globe by 2020. As a result, 20,000 Canadian women business owners receive educational support. 

Shining a Spotlight on a Truly Beautiful Female Partnership

"In a world where unity and support are paramount, their partnership breathes life into a movement that empowers women from all walks of life, proving that when women support each other, the transformative power of collaboration, community and shared vision blows the ceiling wide open for unlimited possibilities and serves as a beautiful example for women everywhere to join forces, uplift one another and rise together."

The power of female partnership knows no bounds, and it's a testament to the incredible impact that emerges when like-minded women come together and combine their unique talents.

Maria and Grace, as the driving forces behind RevolutionHER™, exemplify this synergy, showing us the strength and dynamism that surface when two determined, diverse women unite with a common mission. 

This is the ultimate showcase of collaboration over competition, an inspiration for women everywhere to join forces, uplift one another and rise together.

Recognizing Maria Locker's Outstanding Leadership

In North America, Maria is a strong supporter and advocate for the progress of women and female businesses. She has an incredible unique gift in her ability to bring women and girls together with her authenticity and boundless determination. 

"Together We Rise" isn't just a motto at RevolutionHER™, Maria encompasses it in every sense. Bringing women and girls from all over the world together for empowerment, support, and education, she is generating the long-term systemic change that will help women and girls release their potential and live their lives to the fullest. 

Maria's incredible journey has been celebrated on numerous platforms, including The Marilyn Denis Show, Canada AM, CBC, Breakfast Television, Global News, CHCH Morning Live, Sirius XM Radio, iHeart Radio, and NewsTal.

In 2022, she earned the prestigious title of one of SUCCESS Magazine's Top 125 Leaders, which is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the cause of women's empowerment. She has also been featured by Wellness & Wisdom Magazine, Maclean's, Canadian SME, The Huffington Post, ParentsCanada, and Canadian Business.

Not just a trailblazer in the world of female entrepreneurship; she is a dedicated wife and mother of two, who has fought and triumphed over Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Thyroid Cancer, all while in the midst of running RevolutionHER™, the most significant business project of her life.

She is the living embodiment of strength and resilience and lives with a clarity and vision that is inspiring for us all. She's as down-to-earth as they come, while simultaneously transforming the world, she is what you call "the salt of the earth".

Grace Moores: The Truest Partner in Empowerment

RevolutionHer's journey of empowerment has behind it, the full, unwavering commitment of one very important person; Grace Moores, the Founding Partner and Director of Partnerships at RevolutionHER™.

Grace plays a crucial role in inspiring and empowering women through online events and activities, encouraging them to live their most meaningful life. With over 20 years of marketing expertise, and being an entrepreneur at heart, Grace understands the importance of collaboration and unity in achieving great things.

Her passion lies in those partnerships, finding fulfilment and purpose in nurturing them.

Originally from the UK, Grace has made Canada her home since 2006. She's a proud mom of two young teens and a rescue dog, avid gardener and entrepreneur and brings a brilliant and unique blend of British charm and Canadian spirit to RevolutionHER™.

Something about our shared love of puns, rescue dogs and enthusiasm for gardening made the connection undeniable. Grace's warmth and manner made me feel comfortable and instantly at ease. 

I say this with conviction, she is authentically the embodiment of the ethos she breathes; united, women can achieve so much more.

In a world where unity and support are paramount, their partnership breathes life into a movement that empowers women from all walks of life, proving that when women support each other, the transformative power of collaboration, community and shared vision blows the ceiling wide open for unlimited possibilities and serves as a beautiful example for women everywhere to join forces, uplift one another and rise together.

 

Women Supporting Women - We Conclude With a Smile

Alright dear reader, let's wrap this up with a bow.

What we've got here is a tale of diaper-changing heroics, late-night milking's that rival a dairy farm, and a quest for wisdom amidst the chaos of motherhood.

Enter Maria and Grace, a dynamic duo who turned a chance meeting into a powerhouse movement. 

They've created a haven (RevolutionHER™) where women from all walks of life gather, not just for support, but for a good dose of empowerment and a hefty serving of inspiration. Spinning more than just a company, they knit a vibrant movement dedicated to women supporting women which thrives on the principles of empowerment, love, community, inclusivity, and balance.  

Maria, a cancer-surviving, top-125 leader, mother and wife, is the living embodiment of strength and resilience, while Grace, the pun-loving, marketing maven, gardening guru, mom and wife, brings her British charm to the mix. 

Together, they're rewriting the rulebook on women supporting women, proving that when we join forces, there's no limit to what we can conquer. In an era where collaboration and solidarity reign supreme, RevolutionHER™ stands as a shining example of what can be achieved when women come together.

So, friends, grab your coffee, hold your head high, and remember - as women, we have a shared experience which unites us all and together, we rise. 

No go get your girl-power on at RevolutionHer.