Shauna Allan is the founding entrepreneur of Modern Match Lingerie. She supports and empowers women to step into their confidence, one bra at a time. She has surrounded herself with powerful mentors and colleagues who have dedicated themselves to making a change in the world.

She started her entrepreneurial journey in early 2019 and spent the next year designing and developing her lingerie line, building up her community and learning about e-commerce. Her lingerie line officially launched in October 2020.

Just after finding a great manufacturer, she was about to start production on her lingerie line when everything was shut down by the pandemic. Despite this unexpected delay, Shauna was able to turn the situation around, choosing to use the time to redesign her launch strategy and deepen her community roots.

Shawna is expanding her product lines to include larger sizes and hopes to become a mentor for other women, giving them permission to be bold!

Shauna believes that no matter what path you choose in life, being a woman gets you there. Your personal or professional roles in life do not define you. YOU define you. 

Mentee Q&A

Q. What’s one piece of advice you have for new business owners?

I think when we do bold things in life, it’s scary. It’s really scary. And you might not be getting the support that you expected. People don’t always understand your vision or where you want to take things. When I hear that, I remind myself that my business is not about me. It’s about the woman I’m serving.

This bigger picture is about building confidence in women on a global scale, not just in the confines of my four walls. It’s about leaning on your community for that piece to find your permission.

Q. Tell us about a networking experience that really helped you and your business.

The WeBC peer mentoring group is a great example of being in a container of other women who are not necessarily in your industry or creating what you’re creating, but they “get it.” They are riding the entrepreneurial wave, facing the challenges, going through the trials and tribulations of their mindset and limiting beliefs too.

Being in a container where women are just supporting one another is invaluable. It’s an experience I should have taken advantage of much sooner in my entrepreneurial journey because it’s about creating a sense of community.

Q. What is your biggest takeaway from the Taking The Stage program with WeBC?

I enjoyed learning the way women speak that’s different than the way men speak. About how to use phrases like “I’m confident” and “I believe,” and to really stand in your power and believe in what you’re doing and what you’re taking a stand for.

Often as women, we are people pleasers and we use words like “I think it should be like this,” or, “Excuse me, can I just ask you a question?” I learned that I have the power and the permission to step forward and be confident when speaking and delivering my message.

Q. Why did you choose to start this business?

My mom, like most moms, showed me what it looked like to put everyone before herself and what it costs when you do not add the balance of self-care. That when we show up for ourselves, we can then better show up for those around us. I chose the items that sit closest to our skin because it does not get more personal than that.

Lingerie is nothing short of a confidence boost when we buy it with ourselves in mind first. It is our armour empowering us to tackle our day.

Q. What’s the biggest lesson you have learned while being in business for yourself?

Vulnerability is the key to connection. From years of working in a corporate job, I was so buttoned up and unwilling to let people truly see me. This was my first step as a business owner: learning to be vulnerable. It sounds funny to say that but it is true!

In the beginning, I started a blog to learn how to be vulnerable. I would write about “what makes Shauna… well… Shauna.” I was SO scared to publish my first blog. But the more I wrote the easier it got. And just when I thought no one wants to come to a site and read about a woman from Northern BC, I opened the doors to invite other women to share their stories.

This is the soul of my business; this is where it all began! I was able to create a safe place for women, from all walks of life, to share their journeys, challenges, and successes. We all share the same ingredient in this recipe – we write to inspire and provoke thought in others.

Q. When has a mentor had an impact or influenced your life or business?

When I think of the beginning of my entrepreneur journey, a time when I was experiencing imposter syndrome, fear of judgement, and people-pleasing, my first business coach would say, “It’s not about you Shauna, it’s about them.” I still repeat these words today!

When I get to public speaking and I start to get nervous when I feel the emotion of fear of judgement bubble up or at times when I experience imposter syndrome. It’s a mind shift that reminds me, to be impactful means I get to be seen and heard.

Where to Find Modern Match Inc.

ModernMatch.com

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