ATHABASCA — As many entrepreneurs already know, striking out on a business venture isn’t a calling for the faint of heart. The risks and uncertainties involved in being one’s own boss are high, as are the rewards.
Women in business can face their own set of unique challenges, but two successful Athabasca-area businesswomen said forging their own paths as entrepreneurs was a clear choice for them, and well-worth the balancing act.
While the pair have both parallels and differences in their stories, they agree on one truth in particular: they could not have done it alone.
40 years in business
Penny Semashkewich, owner and operator of Penny’s Headquarters hair salon in Athabasca, marked a major milestone in 2024: this year will be Penny’s 40th year in business, and she said she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I always knew I wanted to be in business. My father was in business, and my grandfather was a doctor in our community,” said Semashkewich. She grew up in Athabasca, and after completing her hairstylist licence, Semashkewich returned to the community to start her career.
She began working under an established hairstylist in town, Donna Guay. “She was my mentor, and I worked with her for three years,” said Semashkewich.
“She showed me how to not skip corners, and do the foundation of everything that I did,” she said. “That always stuck with me, because if you have a good foundation, everything else will hold together.”
Semashkewich said being a business owner was a long-term goal from jump, and credits this to lessons instilled by her parents. “They always taught us to serve, and one of the greatest things my dad ever told me was you will never please anyone, and what you need to do is try to please as many as you can.”
Her desire to make a difference, and make others feel good at the same time, coalesced into the business many Athabascans continue to enjoy today. Semashkewich cited many of her long-time employees — also women —, as factors in the success the salon enjoys today, and noted a sense of belonging goes a long way in keeping both staff and clients.
A mother of one, Semashkewich said at times when her son was young, the balancing act of managing a business was overwhelming. She recalled a recent conversation with him, now grown with his own child.
“My son said, ‘Man, mom, how did you do it? We didn’t sleep for the last few days.’ I went to work the week after I had my son because I had no choice. We had payments, and I had a business started,” said Semashkewich.
But she said the best tool in her kit to deal with the balancing act was her network of support. “I had a lot of help. They say a community raises a child, they do,” said Semashkewich.
“Honestly, I think most women would have to say that we didn’t get here on our own. I have a husband that supported me, maybe not with financial support, but he always supported me and allowed me to do all that I needed to do,” she said. “That’s a huge asset.”
New ventures
Rachael Hemmons, young mother of two and relatively new addition to the team at Royal LePage Realty, has spent the last year making a name for herself in the Athabasca real estate market after starting a family of her own.
“I knew I wanted to do something to keep my mind busy, to keep busy as well besides looking after kids,” said Hemmons. “I talked to Tamara and Trevor at Royal LePage and just decided to try it out and see if that was the right fit for me.”
Hemmons said her year in the business has come with its fair share of learning experiences.
“(I’ve) definitely encountered a few challenges, and still encountering challenges everyday,” she said. “A lot of it is trying to balance everything.”
Still a full-time mom to a four-year-old and nine-month-old, Hemmons said she also works close to full time in realty and takes enjoyment out of her always-on-the-go lifestyle. “I’m one of the people that thrive under pressure and thrive with too many things on my plate, and I’ve always just kind of made it work that way, so that’s worked out well for me.”
But, like Semashkewich, Hemmons noted none of that would be possible without her wider community. “My parents, they have always been incredibly supportive, my family has been supportive, and my husband has been supportive,” she said. “They’ve been absolutely instrumental in making this career move for me.”
Last-minute child care from friends and family has allowed her to dedicate time to both her family and new profession, and she said the town on a larger scale has been a helpful foundation for her journey.
“Even as a greater community, we just have people that we can really lean on in this community, whether they know us or not. They’re just so supportive of families trying to make things work, and people trying to make things work, and supporting businesses. We are really lucky to live in this community,” she added.
Words of Wisdom
When asked what piece of advice she would give a young woman, or anyone, looking to enter the world of business, Semashkewich answered with one comment: “Don’t go looking for a job that makes money, but go looking for a job that makes a difference, and the money will come.
Hemmons’ words of wisdom are for the other mothers looking to start a new venture: “Really try to focus on maintaining that balance,” she said. “If you’ve given up a career to be with your kids, really do try to maintain that. I know it’s not realistic for everybody, I’m seeing how fast these days fly by with my young babies, and I wouldn’t miss that for the world either. I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I’m in.”
