In this edition of Women in Business, women were interviewed who are employed in typically male-dominated industries or in a position that was historically filled by a man.
These women share their stories of being underrepresented in their field and leadership roles ѻý in the hope that their perseverance and success become the guiding light for the next generation of women in business, so they continue to break glass ceilings and meet their goals.
Women in Business shows who the movers and the shakers are in Kelowna and that there is always a space to share stories of successful women.
Pete the Cat, Hotel Transylvania animated series or Max and Ruby might sound familiar as programs you or someone younger than yourself watches, but did you know that these shows were made and produced right here in Kelowna by Okanagan artists at a local animation firm?
Ashley Ramsayѻýs Yeti Farm Creative, based in downtown Kelowna, has produced internationally-recognized childrenѻýs shows and is poised to do more. As the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, people stayed home and used streaming services more, which Ramsay said increased the demand for content resulting in Yeti Farm thriving rather than diving.
But before it became a success, Yeti Farm actually started out as a ѻýside hustleѻý, according to Ramsay.
ѻýMy husband was doing freelance animation work at different agencies, and I was on maternity leave for our first child,ѻý she said.
ѻýI had started a baby product business at the same time, and so it started out as our side hustle and over the years, we were able to grow it here at home in Kelowna.ѻý
Founded in 2007, Yeti Farm didnѻýt fully take off until 2013, beginning with five employees and now, the studio employs 175 producers and animators. As a woman leading a team in a traditionally male-dominated, Ramsay said it has had its challenges.
ѻýI think thereѻýs always a struggle when youѻýre a female entrepreneur, especially when youѻýre trying to raise capital. Thereѻýs a lot of preconceived notions about womenѻýs roles as a natural bias when we walk into a room with a company thatѻýs got a kickass balance sheet and revenue thatѻýs going up 300 pre cent,ѻý she said.
ѻýI sometimes wonder what is the biased lens that theyѻýre looking through. Sometimes you canѻýt even really put your finger on it, but thatѻýs been the most challenging thing. But as a woman leader, I donѻýt really walk in the door every day and think ѻýoh Iѻým a womanѻý, I just feel like Iѻým doing the best I can as a leader for the company no matter my gender.ѻý
Ramsay said one of the keys to her success is persistence.
ѻýI honestly think itѻýs persistence. When you have a vision and a goal, which for us was to create as many jobs as possible in this industry and being able to put Kelowna on the map, you just have to keep going. You donѻýt really overcome something unless you see a goal through and you see it happening. You just got to keep going. You canѻýt let anything take you down.ѻý