HAL SOCIALS Opening Speaker Cassandra Nordell
I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know Cassandra over the last 10 years. Our paths have crossed on lots of different levels and I am so grateful, leading us to this moment here. In my opinion, Cassandra has it all together, designed and organized to perfection. In some recent stories on her Instagram she opened up about her PTSD and how she is working to break through perfection to further help others rise. She was already someone who inspired me to be better but her vulnerability has levelled up my admiration for her. I am honoured to have Cassandra Nordell as one of the opening speakers for HAL SOCIALS Oct 3, 2020. Let’s get to know Cassandra a little better.
An innovative and highly strategic entrepreneur, Cassandra forged a new path within the home design, renovations and home goods markets. Within the first three years into her entrepreneurial journey, Cassandra led her design and construction company from a one-woman show, to one of the fastest growing companies in Canada. She has been named to the Profit 50 list, Profit 500 list, and was named one of the top female entrepreneurs in Canada in 2016, ranked by Canadian Business Magazine. Cassandra also holds honours such as being named one of the top 50 innovators in the U.S and Canada in the home design industry.
Cassandra continues to be a trailblazer in her industry, innovating and building systems, products and educational courses that elevate the industry. Outside of her passion for building businesses, Cassandra knows that outward success is not the key to wholeness. She has been known to share her struggles with trauma, mental illness and failures across her social media and blogs, as a way to continue on her path to healing, and in the hopes of inspiring other women to forge their own paths to freedom + wholeness.
1. We are very excited to learn more about your story. Could you share one thing that gives your life purpose in its current season?
I find purpose through thinking big. I know that if an idea is particularly scary to me, that I must pursue it. I am not here to play small and I spent most of my life doing just that. Fading into the background, and not rocking the boat. My purpose now is to use my voice as a means to help others heal, rise to their fullest potential and fill their lives with a sense of freedom, love, and abundance.
2. Share a time when you experienced failure and what it taught you?
There are too many to list. I have had many failures along the way and each time I would let the emotions come, cry it out, and get back up again. I view life almost like a boxing match that I will continually get up and keep punching at. It will knock you down, it's how we grow, learn and prosper. It doesn't have to be painful all the time, there are lessons in every failure and so now, I see each set back as absolutely perfect and I search for the lesson in it all and then I thank God for the lessons and opportunity, send myself some love and move onward.
3. Share something about yourself that not very many people know.
I was diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2019. I keep working to learn more, dive deeper, and navigate the storms. I am seeing this darkness as a blessing and some of my most creative times and heartful realizations have come from the "storms."
4. What is your current favourite TV Show?
The Goop Lab
5. What do you love most about living in Sarnia Lambton?
The Lake! The water always bring me back to calm.
6. What is the best advice you have ever received and who offered it to you?
"that is not something I can answer. Only you can answer this." - my husband
7. What are some goals you are working toward in 2020?
Paying very close attention to where my ego is at and not making decisions from that place.
More self care and me time to refill my cup
Unplugging and taking time in nature to breathe and turn off the noise
Connect + share with people
8. What advice could you offer for a more purposeful year in 2020?
I once heard Sadhguru say in the Inner Engineering program "when there is something wrong with this one, you're ready to do the work." My advice is to always look inward in order to heal. If someone has made you angry, look at yourself and ask why. What reflections are showing up for you in the face of others. Dig below the surface of life.
9. What is your favourite food?
oat fudge bar from starbucks!
10. What is your favourite sound?
My son's voice
Tickets for HAL SOCIALS 2020 will be released to my email list first, subscribe below so you do not miss out on being a part of this empowering event.
