Niki Papaioannou makes the case for building diverse teams.
Niki Papaioannou makes the case for building diverse teams.
Before the pandemic, there was a constant need to keep going. When we weren’t sleeping, we were either working, going to work, or too busy with everything else after work. But as the world was put into a standstill because of quarantine, we had a pause like we have never seen before. All of the time we took doing all the things we have packed our schedule with was opened up, leading to an overwhelming sense of, “what now?”. I think COVID-19 has asked us all to go inward. When you go inward you cannot help but face the stuff you often push aside because life is busy.
Unfortunately, being able to face all that stuff that has been ignored has been difficult for some. I remember asking people, “how are you,” and the answer always being, “fine”. I cringed at how fake it all felt but I never really knew how to challenge someone to be more honest. I’m not saying we aren’t fine, I’m saying I would listen if you weren’t.
My dear friend, God bless his soul, passed away after a battle with alcoholism. During conversations where I reached out to see how he was, he was always ok and asking me how I was. I wish we had gotten real. I wish I could have gotten him to feel vulnerable enough to tell me about his heart’s pain.
What if COVID-19 was about chaining the surface way of life? I don’t know who needs to hear this, but one check-in per day is my goal these days, no body is telling me they are ‘great’ so I’m motivated to continue checking in with people. There is a lot of power in being vulnerable, but some people think it is the opposite. The truth is, being able to recognize that you aren’t doing well takes way more strength than turning a blind eye to it.
Make the decision to show other people the importance of being vulnerable by taking time to pause, and check in with them. When they say they’re “fine”, I encourage you to tune into their emotions and truly analyze if they are okay. At the end of the day, everyone wants to feel seen and heard!
Everyone has those days when you wake up and wonder how you’re going to possibly fit everything into your schedule with only 24 hours. Whether it’s running errands, finishing that report you’ve been putting off, or getting dinner cooked, it can seem like there is no end in sight. I’m here to let you know that you WILL get through it, and you CAN make it easier, and even enjoyable! It all begins with setting your intentions for the day. With a few easy steps, you will be able to feel your best as you take on the tasks that you want to accomplish!
Something that is easy to forget is how much of a blessing it is to wake up in the morning. It’s good practice to take a beat and just appreciate the ability to see another day, another sunset, and more opportunities to chase what you think is meant for you in life! Before you roll out of bed, think of all of the people and things you are grateful for, and you are setting yourself up for success.
I know it may seem like this will just tire you out more, but there have been studies that show that it actually is a great way to kick start your day! I find so much strength in being able to get up in the morning and move my body. Working out will make you feel refreshed and ready to take on the day, and also doesn’t hurt when it comes to self-confidence. So whether it’s going for a jog or walking on your treadmill, any movement can help start your day off with determination and strength on top of your mind.
Knowledge is power, and a lot of the knowledge we can receive is from listening to other people’s perspectives. One of my favourite ways to do that is through reading and educational podcasts! This can create healthy habits of actively listening, learning, and growing as an open and welcoming person. There are also podcasts out there for absolutely any interests you have, so you don’t ever have to worry about not finding something that suits you. The great thing about this is that you can listen to them while you’re working out!
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This has been how I have been starting my days for a while, and I have never looked back. As long as I start my mornings this way, the days go well. I’m a big believer in setting the standard for what my day can be, while also making sure to stop and enjoy the moments. Life is more than just getting the checklist done. It’s about taking in all of the blessings that we have, and appreciating the ability to do all the things that we have to do. So make sure to breathe, smile, and move forth in your day with confidence and gratitude.
Can you believe it’s already fall? It feels as if New Year’s Day was just yesterday! Nevertheless, autumn is here, which brings lots of change in weather, leaves, and our schedules. Something that always stays constant through the change is the fact that you are loved and appreciated, and here at Niki Inc., we want you to know we are thinking of you during this Thanksgiving season.
There is so much to be thankful for, and my family is always at the top of my list. It is such a blessing to be a mommy to my amazing kids, and a wife to my awesome husband. Family isn’t just blood though; it extends to the family that you choose, and that’s where all of you come in! I am so honoured to share such a wonderful space with you through these blogs, my Instagram page, and through the work I get to do with my superstars. We have celebrated so many wins this year, and I cannot stress enough how every single one of you has a part to play in that. For that, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Make sure you take some time today to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them! There is a special kind of magic that comes with acknowledging how much love and blessings you have around you!
With all of that said, I hope you all have a lovely long weekend. Hopefully there is some turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing in your near future. We are sending all of our love to you and your families, and wish you a wholesome, loved-filled, experience.
Cheers to giving thanks!
Love, Niki
There are major congratulations in place for one of our Superstars, Josie Ho! She was recently featured in Fashion Magazine’s September issue. Take a look here!
Josie has such an amazing personality with quite the eye for all things creative. Josie is also very passionate about fashion and is one of the many things that makes her stand out from the crowd. In her interview, they spoke about her love for vintage hats. Josie has quite the collection (she has a whole hat display wall!), and her unique taste makes her stand out from the crowd. She looks absolutely radiant.
The feature story was written by a brilliant Fashion Magazine journalist, Odessa Paloma Parker. The photography was by the talented Kiu Shya-la-la, her hair was made to perfection by Ben Lee, and her makeup was done by the brilliant Zing of @zingmakeup. Her team was phenomenal and truly made her natural beauty shine.
There are so many more things coming up for Josie. Her movie, Habit, featuring Bella Thorne and Paris Jackson, is set to hit theatres August 20th, 2021! She’s also celebrating the successful debut of her movie, Edge Of The World, which was released this past June. Josie was featured in The Kit in May where she spoke about her Hollywood takeover. Josie has done so much this year, and there is only more to come in her future. It is fascinating to see her rise to the challenge and let her talent shine.
We can’t wait for all of the exciting things coming up for Josie, and we look forward to sharing her journey with you along the way. It was great getting to work with the team at Fashion Mag, and we are so honoured to be a part of such a great milestone. Congratulations Josie! Here’s to many more wins to come.
Don’t forget to check out her newest project, Habit, on Apple TV!
What a busy month in pop culture! The Toronto International Film festival just wrapped up, and it was such an awesome experience to see so many talented women make such a splash! In celebration of a successful run, I’d love to highlight some of TIFF’s Rising Stars. These young actresses have been recognized for their budding talent. women have such pure talent for film, and I cannot wait to see them shine in the next few years!
Arooj Azeem is a Canadian actress. Her debut performance was in Haya Waseem’s Quickening, which had its world premiere at this year’s TIFF. What a great way to get a career started!
Emma Ferreira is a Canadian actress who trained at York University. Her gesture-film debut was in Learn To Swim, which premiered at TIFF 2021. She was also cast as Juliet in Measure for Measure, and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, in High Park’s Shakespeare event. Way to go Emma!
Amber Midthunder has quite the resume. She is the lead in Netflix’s The Ice Road with Liam Neesan, and is also on CW’s reboot of Roswell, New Mexico. Amber also has a role in Marvel series, Legion, for FX. She also has a passion for speaking about representation in the industry, environmentalism, and how we treat animals.
Karam Taher may be young, but she’s got quite the talent! The actress born in 2004 had her first onscreen appearance in Darin J. Sallam’s Farha, which premiered at TIFF this year. She went through a lot of training to prepare for this role; she did intense acting training with the director, which helped her transform into the character she played. Job well done!
Make sure to keep tabs on these talented women so you can watch their journey as they rise to the top!
