Two Entrepreneurs, One Family

& A Whole Lot of Lessons

Some people are born into success, and others build it from scratch. We’re the second kind. Our journey started with more struggles than successes, but through grit, determination, and a healthy dose of humor, we turned life’s challenges into stepping stones. If you’re looking for a story about overnight success, this isn’t it. But if you want proof that anyone—no matter where they start—can create a life they love, stick around. We didn’t set out to become business owners, mentors, or speakers—it just kind of… happened. One moment, we were juggling kids, full-time jobs, and a photography side hustle; the next, we were running multiple businesses and figuring out how to work together without killing each other. Spoiler alert: We are still here together growing, and now we help others do the same.

Darryl’s Story: From Rock Bottom to Reinvention

Darryl’s childhood was tough—losing his mother at a young age, surviving an abusive home, and even digging through garbage just to survive. But if there's one thing he learned, it was strength and resilience. That grit carried him into a successful 20-year career in the energy industry, where he built a solid foundation of leadership and business. Life threw a few more curveballs his way, but instead of staying down, he rebuilt—again and again. Rock bottom tends to be a great foundation to build success.

Chyanne’s Story: Finding Strength in the Chaos

School was never her thing, and neither was an easy childhood. Her parents’ messy divorce meant growing up fast, working from a young age to help with living expenses. By 19, she had already launched her hairstyling career, but her 20s weren’t smooth sailing either. Moving to southern Alberta to manage a spa, she ended up blindsided when the owner skipped town overnight, leaving her (and everyone else) unpaid. That meant starting over—again—this time back in Sexsmith, juggling a retail management job while rebuilding her hairstyling career on the side.

Together: Building a Life & Business

We got married in our 30s, and to say it’s been a whirlwind would be an understatement. We juggled raising kids, working full-time jobs, and growing what started as a photography hobby into one of the area’s top photography businesses. It wasn’t easy, but we tackled every challenge head-on.

Then, The Barn on 42 happened—our dream wedding venue business that turned into an absolute disaster and business failure. That experience made us a little gun-shy on starting and putting more money into new businesses, but it also taught us invaluable lessons in resilience and adaptability. We could’ve stopped there, but instead, we pivoted and took a leap of faith.

During COVID, we opened Don’t Be Chy Boutique, a space designed not just for us but for other entrepreneurs. We became the first in our area to offer a retail space where local businesses could sell their products when trade shows and markets were shut down. That leap of faith paid off, and our vision kept growing. We now have a team of hair stylists and continue to grow our offerings.

Most recently came Strike the Pose in Osoyoos, another expansion that pushed us to new heights and at a time that was not ideal. Purchasing an existing business comes with its own challenges and having your Mother run it and being 12 hours away doesn’t help.

And the biggest shift? Darryl leaving the oilfield to join the business full-time. Going from working separate jobs to being together pretty much ALL the time was an adjustment, to say the least, but we are figuring it out—just like we always do.

Why We Do What We Do

We wouldn’t be where we are today without the help and mentorship of others. That’s why giving back is at the core of everything we do. From mentoring up-and-coming entrepreneurs to helping our community thrive, our goal is simple: to show that success isn’t about luck—it’s about grit, adaptability, and taking the leap even when it’s scary.

Want to Work With Us?

Whether you’re looking for mentorship, guest speakers for your podcast, or keynote speakers for your event, we bring real-life experience, no fluff, and strategies you can actually use.

Our story proves that no matter your background, success is possible. Let’s inspire, empower, and grow—together.