MY NAME IS CATHERINE.

My career journey has been a rollercoaster. Coming from the Philippines, I had established myself in business development, marketing and research. However, when I moved to Canada, I had to start anew. I started from scratch, working as an administrative assistant, then worked my way up to becoming a guest services supervisor. Eventually, I found myself in specialty leasing, which has given me the opportunity to provide a platform for small businesses to showcase their products and services.

In my day job as a specialty leasing manager, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many inspiring entrepreneurs. Witnessing their courage and passion to start and grow their own businesses has always left me in awe. I’ve also loved how my job has allowed me to create events and experiences that bring people together, which I find incredibly fulfilling.

Despite the joys of my current job, I have always felt the limitations of working for someone else's business. The financial returns and creative freedom can be limited. That's why I decided to partner with Iris to start our own event planning business. This new venture gives me the chance to overcome these limitations, and it's been an incredibly rewarding experience so far.

As an individual, I thrive on challenges and being creative. I am resourceful and calm under pressure, which has helped me overcome obstacles in my career and in life. I am grateful for my journey so far and excited for what the future holds.