Worthy founder Kelsey Pringle, Jordan Sandhu and Suzanne Hedges
By Mark MacDonald, Business Examiner
PARKSVILLE –Kelsey Pringle, Jordan Sandhu and Suzanne Hedges want women to feel Worthy.
That’s the goal of events that are filling venues on Vancouver Island and the Okanagan, and are heading north and east across Canada.
The day-long Worthy seminars provide a space where women feel seen, heard and truly supported through dynamic workshops and engaging sessions that focus on mental and physical health as well as business development.
The trio created Worthy through their company Empower Women Canada to encourage women across all facets of life, from business success to personal well-being. The inaugural Worthy event at Tigh Na Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre in Parksville August 12 sold out a month before, with over 200 women attending. On October 1, The Block on Bernard in downtown Kelowna was sold out for the second Worthy, and the third, Worthy South Island, is set for February 10 at Brentwood College in Mill Bay.
Worthy, it seems, is an idea whose time has come. Their mandate is simple: To inspire and uplift women through education, community support, and open discussions on the challenges they all face.
“Our events provide practical tools and insights that help women navigate the unique, often silent struggles that can accompany the journey to reaching our highest potential,” says Pringle. “From the pressures of balancing personal life with professional growth to the sometimes-unspoken hurdles in health and wellness, we’re here to address it all—together.
“I had no idea that Worthy would resonate with women in the way we wanted it to,” she adds. “We didn’t know if we would have women take it on and understand what we’re doing. We kept going back and forth to see if we could fit another person in the room. I would have been happy if we sold 100 tickets.”
A sell-out crowd attended the Worthy event in Parksville in August
The South Island Worthy event is preceded by “The Flip Side of Failure” the night before. Kelsey states it will celebrate the resilience required in business by spotlighting stories of unexpected turns and setbacks that led to valuable lessons and newfound success. Through open dialogue, guests will reflect on the pivots, breakthroughs, and growth that arise from the moments that don’t go as planned.
The $179 tickets include lunch, cocktail hour and a full-day of events featuring guest speakers on a variety of topics. In February it will include doctors and counsellors sharing their knowledge, with technology and AI automation leading the afternoon sessions.
“Our mandate is to be acceptable and inclusive,” she points out. “We don’t want to have price points that prevent women from being in that room, especially when they need to be in that room. Our sponsors help us keep it affordable.”
Their target is rural communities, so next year they’ll be adding events in Whitehorse, Yukon, and Red Deer, Alberta. Kelsey already has her sights set on points east, aiming to host four Worthy events each year.
Kelsey got into the events business for over a decade while working with Maximum Yield, who produced magazines and trade shows throughout North America. She co-owns 5 Star Media with her husband Wade Pringle, partnering with Bravenet Marketing in Parksville to provide online marketing services. Additionally, her ventures include Motivation Monday Automation, an agency focused on automating communications with new and existing clients.
Empower Women Canada has also built another platform, the Women Owned Network (WON) (www.theone.ca), designed to give women-owned businesses visibility and support. WON connects businesses with consumers eager to support women entrepreneurs, creating an ecosystem of mutual growth and support.
“We run ad campaigns that direct consumers to a platform to find women-owned businesses,” she notes. “It’s more than a network – it’s a community. We provide members access to complementary courses, a book club and exclusive educational webinars, and . extended medical benefits for as low as $69 per month.
“It’s been incredibly exciting, and our plan is to expand this across Canada to connect more people.”
To learn more or connect for Worthy events, visit www.empowerwomencanada.com
