Trust in your visions, bet on yourself

Standing in the spotlight. Taking up space. Speaking with confidence to thousands.

While the idea makes most people nervous, it’s exactly what Anita Parker has always envisioned herself doing.

It should have been no surprise that, at nineteen years old, Anita received a prestigious scholarship to chase that vision at a performing arts school. She had talent, passion and an unstoppable work ethic.

But instead of accepting the scholarship, she became a dental hygienist.

“I’d had a lot of uncertainty in my life already,” she explains. “Even though I had these powerful visions of being onstage in front of thousands of people, I decided I just needed stability.”

A child of immigrants, Anita was not born into financial stability. The idea of entering a career without a guarantee of steady employment was understandably terrifying. But, while she was grateful to enjoy a comfortable career, Anita never forgot her dreams.

“I just knew I was meant for something more,” she reflects. “I wanted to be of service. To bring people together to create impact as a community.”

Fast forward to 2017, when Anita met her now husband, Andy.

“He was a successful business owner in the food and beverage industry, and when he introduced me to that world, I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of purpose,” she says. “I realized that entrepreneurship is really a platform for giving back to the community.”

Although she was still working as a dental hygienist, Anita became more involved in her husband’s businesses and her identity as an entrepreneur gradually started to take root. And then, in 2020, a global pandemic gave Anita the push she needed to make a change.

“I had been thinking about leaving that career behind for a while, as it was taking a toll on my health,” Anita explains. “So I started an online business which quickly became a success. That was the launching pad for the career I’ve built today.”

Anita now owns a number of businesses in the Fort McMurray area, runs her own coaching business and is a sought after speaker for business and leadership events. She also sits on the Board of Directors for the Central Okanagan Foundation.

But all her skills and passions really came together when she discovered Wine, Women & Wellbeing.

“When I first went to a Wine, Women & Wellbeing event in 2022, I immediately knew I had to get involved,” Anita remembers. “First, I started a branch in Fort McMurray and later, I took over as director of the branch in my hometown of Kelowna as well.”

Wine, Women & Wellbeing strives to offer women in business a safe space for community, belonging and connection. Not only does Anita bring this vision to life in both her branches, but she has been formally recognized for her work with the organization, winning the Female Leadership Award from the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce for her exceptional contributions to the community.

But, perhaps most importantly for Anita, she finally gets to be the person she saw in her visions all those years ago.

“I thought at the time I was meant to be onstage as a performer,” she says. “But now I realize I’m meant to be onstage helping people achieve their own visions of success and happiness. I stand in the spotlight because everyone deserves a spotlight. I let my voice be heard so I can help others be heard. This is my calling.”