This week, we’re thinking about what it really takes to build a brand that stands out – one rooted in transparency, community, and real results.

In this episode of Thinking About, I’m sitting down with Connie Lo and Laura Thompson, the co-founders of Three Ships, an all-natural skincare brand working to turn radical transparency into the industry standard. What started with just $4,000 in savings and a DIY formulation in their apartment kitchens has grown into a thriving beauty brand stocked in major retailers like Whole Foods and Indigo.

Beyond their clean skincare formulas, what truly sets Three Ships apart is how they’ve built an engaged, loyal community by prioritizing real customer feedback, education, and ingredient transparency. In this episode, Connie and Laura pull back the curtain on how they scaled Three Ships without sacrificing their values, what it takes to run a business as co-founders, and why staying connected to their community has been key to their success.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The origin story of Three Ships and how they turned a kitchen experiment into a thriving skincare brand.
• How radical transparency, community, and real customer feedback have set them apart.
• The realities of scaling a business while staying true to your values.
• Their biggest lessons as co-founders, from decision-making to navigating challenges together.
• The power of brand storytelling, product education, and authenticity in an industry full of marketing gimmicks.

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a business, want a behind-the-scenes look at how to scale a brand with integrity, or just love hearing inspiring founder stories, this episode is for you.

Let's Connect

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals.

Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking.

Connect with Connie Lo and Laura Thompson, the co-founders of Three Ships

Visit https://www.threeshipsbeauty.ca/

Laura on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laura.athompson

Connie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/itsconnielo

Three Ships on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/threeshipsbeauty

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This week, we’re thinking about what happens when you stop chasing opportunities and start attracting them by fully embracing who you are.

In this episode of Thinking About, I’m catching up with Rachel Kelly, a Toronto-based floral artist, designer, and community builder who made the leap from running a coworking space to creating stunning floral installations and large-scale art pieces. Rachel’s journey has been anything but linear, but what’s made her business thrive is her deep understanding of magnetism, energy, and trusting her intuition.

We dive into what it means to flow instead of force when it comes to creative work, why saying yes before you have it all figured out can lead to the best opportunities, and how she balances real-life creativity with the pressures of showing up online.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• How Rachel built a creative business that attracts aligned opportunities rather than chasing them.
• The shift from pushing in business to embracing flow and trusting what’s meant for you.
• Her evolving relationship with social media, online presence, and creative energy.
• Why prioritizing real-life experiences over digital content has been a game-changer.
• The lessons she’s learned about boundaries, burnout, and making space for joy.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re forcing things instead of allowing them to unfold, or if you’re looking for inspiration to follow your unique path, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to go for it.

Let's Connect

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals.

Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking.

Connect with Rachel:

On Instagram @makelemonadeco

Visit https://www.makelemonade.ca/

Send us a text

This week, we’re thinking about what it really means to show up as your full, unapologetic self – online, in business, and in life.

In this episode of Thinking About, I’m joined by Puja Malhotra, a branding strategist and founder of Roop Creative Agency, where she helps entrepreneurs build authentic, impactful brands that attract dream clients with confidence. With nearly a decade of experience in branding, website design, and strategy, Puja offers personalized services, including full-service design, intensives, and audits – all with a strong focus on making businesses feel like a true reflection of the people behind them.

She’s also the creator of Corporate Dropout: Mentorship for Creatives, a 6-month program empowering entrepreneurs to leave the 9-to-5 grind and build sustainable, scalable businesses.

We dive into the power of authenticity in branding and business, why showing up fully as yourself is the key to creating meaningful connections, and how stepping outside the box leads to more aligned opportunities.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

• The truth about authentic branding – what it really means and why so many people get it wrong.
• The permission we need to show up fully as ourselves and how to start practicing that daily.
• Overcoming self-doubt & imposter syndrome when building a brand that truly reflects you.
• How growing up in an immigrant household shaped Puja’s approach to identity, belonging, and business.
• The unlearning required after leaving the corporate world and why true success looks different than what we’ve been sold.
• Finding community, balance, and self-trust in an online world that constantly tells us to do more.
• Why branding is more than just a logo and how to build a business that actually feels like you.
• The mindset shifts that help you attract the right clients and opportunities without forcing it.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, showing up online, or feeling like you have to fit into a certain box, Puja’s insights will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to step into your most magnetic, fully you version of success.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of Thinking About wherever you get your podcasts.

Let's Connect

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals.

Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking.

Connect with Puja:

On Instagram and threads Roop Creative Agency

Visti Puja's website https://www.roopcreativeagency.com

Read Puja's newsletter https://www.roopcreativeagency.com/newsletter

Send us a text