"It forced me to learn on the fly and pivot when I needed to, and you learn just to rely on yourself a little bit more - okay, we got through that; what's the next step?"
Katie Carpenter, fiancée of Winnipeg Jets defenceman Nathan Beaulieu, couldn't agree more on the importance of being accountable to yourself by taking that first, albeit scary step.
Inspired by her seamstress grandmother, she grew up creating patterns, pinning them on mannequins and wearing her own designs, and always dreamed of having a brand. She knew it may not be her forever venture, but she started a necktie label to bring practical experience to her marketing and ecommerce degree, learn firsthand about manufacturing and importing, and get her foot in the door.
"It's starting somewhere and taking that first step, even if it does seem ridiculous - like making neckties," she laughed.
In all seriousness, Carpenter's necktie venture was a success and even allowed her to give back by helping to send kids to summer camp.
It was also the first step that led to her next bigger and better thing. Seeing a marketing opportunity that aligned with her existing male following, Carpenter reset her focus on men's swimwear.
"Men's swimsuits are really far behind - no one's really improved the design. So, I took the old classic and flipped it into something even better that's also affordable," she said of her design that improves on comfort and functionality.
With a men's line, and now women's line as of last summer, Carpenter has a vision to expand into all things beach and summer wear, including accessories and even a children's line. Her Fyn and Fia label is now reflective of the dream she had for herself and her business, and her line was even picked up by Hudson's Bay online marketplace where her 2021 collection will soon launch.
For McMaster too, her business now looks more like the complete picture she was striving for.
"Peckish is a different business now than six months ago," McMaster said. "It wasn't until I started Peckish that I learned how much goes into the business behind the scenes, how many hats you have to wear," she said listing food safety regulations, accounting software and even hiring among her new considerations.
"I'm more capable and probably more resilient than I thought I knew and when I'm passionate about something, I am able to problem-solve through those harder periods of growth."
Carpenter is putting in 12-hour days to talk sales with potential clients and investors, ensure her website is running properly, oversee marketing efforts and, of course, design her swimsuits, including hand-sewing all the samples to ensure they have the perfect fit.
"My favourite thing in the world is drawing something and making it and seeing people wear it all over the world; there's no better feeling and nothing really excites and inspires me more than that," she said.
Growing up, Carpenter never felt like she was treated any differently than her brother. She felt supported in her goals and empowered by those around her, including the men in her life.
"Being a woman in the workforce is very powerful. Don't give them a chance to treat you any differently. It's all about confidence and who you are regardless of your gender."
Carpenter's 84-year-old grandmother Wanda is her number one employee, consulting with her over Facetime from New Brunswick on sizing and fit. When Carpenter does grow her team, she believes diversity will only strengthen her business and her designs.
"I want it to be male and female, different cultures and body types so we can come together and build something even greater as one."
McMaster has enjoyed becoming part of an entrepreneurial network on Instagram that has allowed her to collaborate with other Manitoba makers, many of whom are female, and bring them exposure alongside of her.
"Including their creations in my boxes makes Peckish better and it's pretty amazing."
With ups and downs, frequent travel and moves, the lives of hockey families can be unconventional, making it hard to simultaneously support their partners and pursue their own passions and careers.
Carpenter feels blessed to be equally supported in her career by Beaulieu, and has even found aspects of the business that they can both share in. For instance, he helps to name the trunk styles in the men's line.
"It is very important for women to stand together as a team and support one another," she said on fostering gender inclusivity. "But I do also believe real change will happen when we all stand together, female and male as one entity, as one team."
