Spotlight Member Cathy Nesbitt
Cathy Nesbitt is a Health and Wellness Advocate. Founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters (est 2002), Cathy’s Sprouters and Cathy’s Laughter Club. She is a multi award-winning environmental innovator who uses workshops and inspirational speaking to motivate people to live a more sustainable life. Cathy is a certified Laughter Yoga Teacher. Appointed Laughter Ambassador in 2017 by Dr. Madan Kataria, founder of Laughter Yoga. Cathy is an avid cyclist and gardener.
What is your definition of a Woman of Inspiration?
A woman of inspiration lives a life of integrity. She is strong, determined and stays true to her aspirations while
assisting others along the way. She stands in her power regardless of the detractors.
Everyone woman has a story. Why did you start your business or choose your career path?
In 1993 I moved from Toronto to Bradford and couldn't wait to start to compost and garden.
When you compost, the more you put in, the more you get out.
In 2002 the landfill for the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) closed and we started to export garbage to the United States – 1000 trucks per week! 6 million people live in the GTA. Half live in condos and townhouses without space to do outdoor composting. I had a solution. Indoor composting with worms. I exhibited wherever I could have a table. I quickly realized that people do not buy what they need, they buy what they want.
We were told worms live outside. Even the word worm is a bad word: tapeworm, computer virus (worm), can of worms expression connotates something negative.
My goal is to raise awareness about the benefit of using red wiggler worms to convert food scraps and paper into nature's finest fertilizer. Worms are going to play an ever-increasing role in waste management and soil production. The solution to the garbage crisis is several solutions, one of which is vermicomposting. Great option for anywhere without space for traditional outdoor composting or without access to an organic collection program. We have diverted several tonnes from landfill with composting and worm composting. With every worm or worm bin purchase, more organic matter is diverted from landfill. This sustainable, socially responsible organization provides a leading edge answer to one of today's most pressing issues.
When you were growing up, who were the female role models you look up to?
Jane Goodall - I was inspired by her love of chimps and courage to live in Africa as a young woman in 1960.
What is the best advice you were ever given?
Best advice I was given when I started Cathy's Crawly Composters was to get branded t-shirts.
Exhibiting, speaking and vending at events was a big part of my marketing strategy. I never had to figure out what to wear to these events. Before covid, I was doing 100-200 gigs/year.
What is the worst advice you were even given?
It is important to be at all the events. I realized that not all events are equal. It is essential to know your market. Will they be at this event? How will the event be marketed? Sometimes, the event organizers are so excited about the concept of their event that they forget to market it and no one shows up.
Know how an event will be marketed. What is the history of the organizers? Is this their first event? What is their history?
This is the decade for women to drive change. Why is now so important to empower women to be seen, heard and valued?
For women to have a bigger impact on the world, it is essential that we are seen, heard and valued. When we see successful women as leaders in industry, countries and all areas of life, we are inspired. Women and men offer different perspectives. For too long, women have been living in the shadows.
Your win is our win. What achievement are you most proud of?
Over 75,000 students have seen my organic magic presentation. At events, former students have told me that they took Environmental Studies because of me.
"You came into my grade 3 class and taught me about vermicomposting. Because of you, I am an Environmental Lawyer.
We rarely know the impact that we make on others. Sometimes, we get the gift.
What would you like to achieve in the next five years?
In 5 years, I will have an online portal for ongoing health and wellness, courses, videos, inspirations and connection.
I will have a corporate laughter yoga training program.
When we laugh, we change. When we change, the world changes.
A daily non-negotiable for me is....
Missing my morning joy routine. Energy work, mini meditation, stretching then 5 minutes of deep wonderful belly laugh.
I cannot live without my....
potatoes. Potatoes are nature's perfect food and daily indulgence.
Outside of work, I love to....
Garden, cycle and spend time in nature.
As a life long learner, I also thrive when expanding my mind with new experiences.
My power song is.....
Let it Shine - Karen Drucker
