Reviving Purpose: The Journey to She Did It! Collectives

As I sit down to write this, I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that She Did It! has been on since its inception in 2018. It has been a path marked by growth, transformation, and at times, profound loss. Like any journey worth taking, it has had its share of both triumphs and challenges. Today, I want to share some of the lessons learned along the way and how they’ve shaped the next chapter of our movement: She Did It! Collectives.

The Winding Path of Growth

When I first started She Did It!, I was filled with passion and a clear vision: to create a space where women could connect, grow, and empower one another. Over the years, this vision has been expressed in many forms—some successful, others less so. I experimented with different initiatives, trying to serve our community while also building a viable business. But in the process, I sometimes lost sight of the core purpose that brought us all together in the first place.

This journey has not been without its challenges. There were times when the obstacles seemed insurmountable. I faced the loss of key people and resources, and there were moments when I questioned whether it was all worth it. The temptation to give up was strong, but something inside me kept pushing forward. And in those moments of doubt, it was the support and encouragement from many of you that reminded me why I started this movement in the first place.

A Time for Reflection and Renewal

In the midst of these challenges, I found myself going back to the drawing board. I had to strip everything down to its essence and rediscover the heart of She Did It!. This period of reflection was both painful and necessary. It forced me to confront the areas where I had lost my way and to find a path forward that was true to our mission.

During this time, I was incredibly fortunate to receive guidance and support from the Centre for Social Enterprise Development (CSED)and mentors from HUB Ottawa. Their insights helped me see that what we had built was indeed valuable, but it needed to be materialized in a way that stayed true to our core values. With their help, I was able to breathe new life into the movement, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Returning to Our Roots

This journey of rediscovery brought me back to the original intent of She Did It!—to create a community where women can build meaningful relationships, actualize their purpose, and secure their legacy. In 2023, we saw this vision come to life through two successful events focused on the authors within our community. These events reminded me of the power of community and the importance of supporting each other’s journeys.

It became clear that the next step for our movement needed to be something that would bring women together in a more intimate and focused way. And so, the idea for She Did It! Collectiveswas born.

Introducing She Did It! Collectives

She Did It! Collectives is a new initiative designed to bring women together in groups to experience the 5 C's: Co-creation, Cooperation, Collaboration, Celebration, and Community. Over the course of 12 weeks, groups of 12 women will journey together, building relationships, discovering their purpose, and working towards securing their legacy.

These collectives are about more than just professional development; they’re about creating a supportive environment where women can grow both personally and professionally, surrounded by a community that believes in their potential.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare to launch the first of many She Did It! Collectives, I find myself filled with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for what lies ahead. This movement has always been about more than just business—it’s about empowering women to step into their full potential and make a lasting impact on the world.

I invite you to join us in this new chapter. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just now discovering She Did It!, there’s a place for you in this community. Together, we can build something truly extraordinary.

Stay tuned for more details about the She Did It! Collectives, and check out my blog postwhere I dive into the lessons I’ve learned over the past two years..

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support means the world to me, and I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together in the days ahead.

With gratitude and hope,

Kareen Aristide