Faces of Entrepreneurship ft. Gabrielle Gatling

Gabrielle Gatling is a mother of two children who are six and eight years old. She is in her final year at the University of Ottawa studying to obtain a BA in Communication. She fell in love with a company called Fanair Cosmetiques while opening her own small at-home nail business and is now their Manufacturing Agent. Gabrielle is also a Content Creator at the Entrepreneurship Hub where she was introduced to tools, knowledge and resources to help with her entrepreneurial endeavours!

What does entrepreneurship mean to you?

Entrepreneurship to me is carving your own path and following your dreams. Doing what you love and inspires you. Having a positive mental outlook helps you achieve anything you want in life. I feel like this is why some people thrive so well because they don’t allow challenges and setbacks to keep them from their hopes and dreams.

How are you entrepreneurial?

The most obvious characteristic that makes me entrepreneurial is my persuasive communication style. I am naturally a positive and joyful person so I feel this gives me an advantage because people enjoy speaking with me because I am accepting and honest to a fault.

How does an entrepreneurial mindset contribute to your life?

I have not allowed any setbacks in my life to keep me down for long, when things get hard my intrinsic motivation takes over and helps me to push forward and achieve what I want. This mindset has helped me teach my children to be independent, they think I’m rich but it’s only due to the fact that since they were born I always have some sort of side business to make money and ensure they have extra things that they love.

I am extremely grateful for the learning opportunities I’ve had at the Entrepreneurship Hub, I never realized I was meant to eventually be my own boss. Now that I know this is my long-term goal I will continue to acquire vital skills and utilize my strengths to be able to not only have a successful business of my own but to mentor and help others as well.

*This feature was published as a part of the Faces of Entrepreneurship Campaign, 2021.