Celebrating International Women's Day in Westboro Village

March 8th marks International Women’s Day (IWD), when people and organizations celebrate the achievements of women and work to lay a foundation for the future. This year, the IWD theme is give to gain.

Women-owned and women-led businesses make up over 44% of the businesses in Westboro Village – more than double the national average. The “Women in Westboro” campaign aims to highlight these women who cross all sectors, including dining, retail, health and wellness, professional services and more! As a community, we want to amplify their work and celebrate their successes – not just for one day or month, but year-round.

What does Give to Gain mean in Westboro Village?

Aryn Pepper, Wine & Spirit Director of Split Tree Cocktail Co.

“As a woman in a *very* male-dominated industry (sommelier, bartending, hospitality management), I am delighted to offer mentorship, guidance, and prioritize a platform for other women in my field. Split Tree supports this goal through our bar master takeover series All Our Friends (often featuring women from local bar management), and by having me as an instructor, therefore seeing women in positions of expertise and leadership for the ‘hospitality generation’ after myself.

Give to Gain, to me, ultimately means prioritizing a platform for the spectrum of genders outside of the patriarchal norm, and watching the world around that space flourish.”

Meera Thomas, Development and Design Associate of Azure Developments & Elise

“Give to Gain is the understanding that collaboration and altruism are mutually beneficial practices that strengthen businesses and relationships while also advancing gender equality and inclusion across a broader professional landscape. As a woman working in a male dominated field, I have seen firsthand how access, support, and visibility can make a meaningful difference. Supporting other women, whether as business owners, team members, or creatives within my community, helps create a more inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow. I truly believe the most successful people and businesses are those that lead with generosity and remain deeply committed to giving back to the communities they are part of.”

Janice Nieva, General Manager of Vitality Fitness Studio

“True meaningful success starts with genuine contribution. When you lead with heart by uplifting & empowering others, sharing your gifts, and creating supportive spaces for people to grow, the real gain is impact knowing that you helped someone step into their own strength while continuously evolving into your own.”

Tamara Reljic, Owner and Optician of IRIS Optometrists

“Give to gain resonates with me on a profound level. I believe that genuine success and lasting abundance come from a willingness to share what we have. Whenever I experience achievement, I make it a priority to give back, both to my community and to the people I work with. I’ve learned that generosity creates a powerful flow of energy: the more we contribute, the more we receive in return. It’s a yin-yang balance, a natural flow of energy that reminds us that prosperity expands when it’s shared.”

Kate Laird, Owner of Love Your Body Fitness

“Early in my journey as a business owner, women who were a few steps ahead of me were incredibly generous with their time, honesty, and encouragement. They shared lessons learned, talked openly about challenges, and helped normalize the realities of building a business as a woman. That experience deeply influenced the way I now support other women. I make a conscious effort to connect women, support women-owned businesses, and help create opportunities wherever I can. Supporting other women has also been a core part of how I’ve built my business and my community.”

Nicole Sebarenzi, Founder & Head Coach of ELVT Studio

“To me, Give to Gain means leading with generosity — offering the support I once needed when I was starting out, without expecting anything in return. When you share knowledge, open doors, and support others wholeheartedly, you don’t just grow a business; you build trust, community, and real impact.”

Tara Sevigny, Director of Contact Centre Operations of Alterna Savings

“What I give:

  • Clarity over control – I invest time in explaining “why” we do things, choosing to lead rather than simply direct.
  • Trust before it’s earned – I believe in my team’s potential so they can feel truly empowered to excel.
  • Psychological safety – I create spaces where it’s safe to speak up, learn from mistakes, and grow together.
  • Amplified voices – I use my position to elevate my team, share credit generously, and help build their confidence and visibility.
  • Unwavering consistency – I bring the same supportive energy every day, so they always know I have their backs.

What I gain:

  • Extraordinary effort – People go above and beyond because they genuinely want to, not because they feel watched.
  • Outstanding performance – Their engagement becomes the driving force behind our collective success.
  • Deep loyalty – They choose to stay, grow, and follow through change because we’ve built something meaningful together.”

Sabrina Clark, Co-owner & Co-founder of Verve Movement

“Give to Gain reflects a philosophy I’ve lived by throughout my career: when you invest in others, you strengthen the entire ecosystem around you. To me, it means sharing knowledge, offering support, and celebrating the successes of fellow women entrepreneurs. When we lift each other up — whether through mentorship, collaboration, or simply showing up — we all rise. The gains aren’t just financial; they’re relational, communal, and deeply fulfilling.”

Hear the stories of the Women in Westboro on the channels below