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13 | The IFP -H alton H ills | T hursday,M arch 4,2021 theifp.ca #ChooseToChallenge International Women'sDay Leadingbyexample Rajkumarie Seegobin is passionate about making women feel their best. For her, International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the strong and influential women in her life and her clients that make her work worthwhile. "Every day, I look forward to coming into the clinic. I look forward to meeting my clients and making them feel a little bit happier than when they first came in," says Rajkumarie. Her clients can experience services with many non-surgical cosmetic treat- ments, including botox, lip fillers, hydra facials, chemical peels, photo facials, der- mal fillers and much more. "They leave our medspa feeling happier and more rejuvenated. I get to meet amazing women and men. I get to make them feel and look better." Rajkumarie's entrepreneurial success and dedication to her craft is owed to her hard work, but most importantly, the women in her life that have mentored her. "My greatest inspiration was my mother," explains Rajkumarie. "She was a woman of faith, a seamstress, had eight children and was a single mother. I've seen how persistent my mother was to live life with a purpose." Rajkumarie will always remember the lessons her strong and independent mother passed along, "she taught her children that whatever we do, we should do with purpose." Rajkumarie leads with respect, love and kindness which are the lessons her mother instilled in her. As a young adult, Rajkumarie was for- tunate enough to encounter another positive role model. "My mother-in-law, similar to my mother, was a woman of great faith and a hard-working mother." She is a dedicated entrepreneur whose greatest success was sending her son, Dr. Seegobin, to medical school. The strong, female-led entrepreneurial spirit Rajkumarie experienced in her life has led her to become a successful busi- nesswoman today. She hopes her story can inspire her daughter and others this International Women's Day. 99SinclairAve. 647-244-5574 Georgetown On International Women's Day, Jasmine Sweatman takes time to reflect on her journey to open Sweatman Law. The law firm now encompasses four offices located throughout Halton, which Sweatman explains as one of her biggest accomplishments. "When I started out as a junior lawyer I noticed that women in the workplace were treated differently", Sweatman stated. "After working at a large firm in Toronto, I made it my goal to open my own firm. Since our first location opened in Oakville we have opened three additional offices located in Milton, Georgetown and most recently Mississauga." Sweatman also recognizes the influence that her family and other women mentors have had on her success in life and career. They have continuously supported and motivated her to reach for more. She also explains that working alongside independent and successful women has helped her see her worth as a young lawyer. "Strong female partners and co-workers were critical in my early years as a lawyer, and now I continue to see how critical it is for the young women to see accomplishments of women," Sweatman said. "Hopefully my journey of opening a successful firm will empower girls and women." She explains that independence and interdependence are both important when finding your way in the business world. Sweatman urges aspiring lawyers and businesswomen to surround themselves with quality people, while continuing to follow their passions and goals. *Sweatman Law Professional Corporation SweatmanLaw * Jasmine Sweatman, lawyer & founder 145MillStreet,Georgetown 905-877-0121 When Anna Barkhouse and Linda Pidzamecky launched their Georgetown Sewing Cafe almost eight years ago, they had a feeling they wouldn't only be teach- ing sewing. "What has most amazed us are the ways we've seen students grow -- their self- esteem, their patience, their sense of accomplishment," Anna says. "Sewing," Linda agrees, "can enrich you in all kinds of surprising ways." She should know; as former Director of Education at Janome Canada, Linda has taught sewing throughout the world while Anna, an accountant inspired by her mother's sewing, brings her lifelong love to the business. This year has brought its challenges, but Anna and Linda have also seen students flourish: launching businesses, tackling dream projects and learning new skills. Their store has expanded to meet the demand. On International Women's Day, Anna and Linda's message for women is root- ed in the triumphs of their own custom- ers: Keep going. Keep pushing. Do what you love most. TheSewingCafe 118MillStreet,Georgetown 905-873-0043Anna Barkhouse (left) and Linda Pidzamecky InternationalWomen'sDay2021 #ChooseToChallenge