Create & INSPIRE The Journey So Far For Cat McGuire, founder of WholeHearted, a milestone anniversary became an opportunity to reflect on entrepreneurship, gratitude and the power of staying aligned with the values that guide the work Earlier this year, I gathered industry partners and clients to celebrate five years of good as an agency dedicated to social care through business event activations. We reflected on the journey of entrepreneurship, laughed at the ups and downs and celebrated the collective impact our programs have made on communities. The event wasn’t designed for me, it was a way to say thank you to those who trusted me, cheered me on and believed in the vision. That being said, the time of reflection did serve me well. As I look back on the past five years, the theme of alignment continues to appear. It’s not always easy to navigate a new role, a new team or a new environment, regardless of where you sit in an organization or industry. We’re consistently fed new information online, managing the opinions and influence of others, all while trying to give the best versions of ourselves to the work we set out to do. When I think about what the past five years have taught me, I think about growth at work, growth in life and, most important, growth in self. It’s taught me to listen to my intuition, to pay attention to what feels right, to trust my gut and to say yes only when there’s true alignment. For me, the magic was in authenticity. When decisions, big and small, were made with heart, that’s when things really started to take off. Growth typically only comes with lessons, doesn’t it? Here’s a little snippet of how that push and pull played out for me: Making the wrong hire (more than once): If it doesn’t feel 100% right from the beginning, it rarely gets better. Sometimes, things just don’t work out, and that’s OK. But when it comes to people, hesitation is a clear sign. Turning down business when the definition of success is different for both parties: We work with people who share our mission. If the outcome doesn’t align, it puts our reputation at risk and lowers our impact. Human first. Technology second: While there’s significant pressure to scale with AI, right now it’s low on the list. Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but in a business that is so highly driven by relationships, our voice matters. Digital tools have their place, but they don’t replace our ideas, communications or brand voice. Creativity and customer service are skills I want to keep and to build, not replace. Protecting our capacity: It’s easy to feel pressure to be on the road and attend every event, but we’ve learned what rooms we need to be in, and we also know when we need to be home. With every experience, we learn. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing. But the more you listen to what holds your values, the more magic you’ll see. Driven by a desire to make a positive impact, Cat McGuire transitioned from a successful corporate career in hospitality to establish WholeHearted following a notable non-profit initiative during the pandemic. Whether it’s teambuilding, a social impact break or a standalone activation, WholeHearted helps companies give back through programming that meets their corporate objectives and serves local community needs. givewholehearted.com Fall 2026 | Ignitemag.ca | 47 GREAT MINDS Share your thoughts on the Ignite LinkedIn page!
