30 years of family, food and refusing to cut corners. Hear the story of a family that works together, takes care of eachother and grounds the local community.

Nick and Andrew have been running Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen, a family-run Italian restaurant in Ottawa, for three decades. Their parents still show up every day to prep food. Their mom used to hum her way through the Friday dinner rush. That kind of love for food is what built this place.

In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to survive in the restaurant industry, one of the toughest small business environments out there. From working side by side as brothers without losing their minds, to why they give away so much free coffee, this conversation pulls back the curtain on life behind the line.

You’ll hear about:

• Their toughest moment, closing their original restaurant while a 100+ year-old building literally fell apart around them in the middle of winter

• How COVID forced a pivot that actually improved their quality of life

• Why “how long will it take?” is the question that drives Nick crazy

• What customers don’t see, including slow-cooked sauces, high-quality ingredients, and standards they refuse to compromise

• Their honest advice for anyone thinking about getting into the food industry (spoiler: don’t)

• What success really looks like after 30 years in a family business

This episode spotlights a family-run Italian restaurant in Ottawa and the stubborn refusal to give up when things get hard. It’s a story about Calabrian roots, generational recipes, small business ownership, and understanding that some things just can’t be rushed.

Bella’s Boys Italian Kitchen | Ottawa, ON

What if healing trauma didn't have to take years? In this episode, we sit down with Judy Hawley, a clinical social worker and trauma therapist, to explore brainspotting - a powerful therapy technique that's changing lives in just 3-8 sessions.

Brainspotting uses specific eye positions to access the deep parts of your brain where trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks are stored. Developed in 2003, this relatively new therapy isn't widely known yet, but the results speak for themselves.

In this conversation, Judy breaks down:

• What brainspotting is and how it actually works
• The neuroscience behind why it's so effective
• Real client success stories, including her daughter's premature birth trauma resolved in one session and clients breaking decades-long addictions
• What a session feels like - from finding your "brainspot" to processing with bilateral sound
• Why this therapy can heal in weeks what talk therapy takes years to address

Whether you're struggling with trauma, anxiety, addiction, or feeling stuck in life, this episode will introduce you to a therapy modality that accesses the hidden parts of your brain where healing happens.

Connect with Judy Hawley:Instagram: @ManifestationTherapyWebsite: manifestationtherapy.com

In this episode, Ashley offers an unfiltered look at the dog rescue crisis unfolding across Canada, a reality most people never see. Spoiler alert: it is not just overcrowded shelters. It is underfunded grassroots rescues, complex challenges in Northern Indigenous communities, the lasting impact of colonization, and a system that leans heavily on a small group of exhausted people trying to fill the gaps.

Ashley breaks down the history of community dogs, why certain regions face unique challenges, and how legislation, lack of resources, and geographic isolation all play a role. She also explains why rescues are constantly operating on fumes and what meaningful support actually looks like beyond the usual “adopt, foster, donate” messaging.

What we cover

The cultural history of community dogs in Indigenous communities
How colonization and government systems created long term challenges still felt today
Why shelters across Canada are overwhelmed
The financial reality behind rescue work and why organizations are always stretched thin
The difference between large shelters and small grassroots rescues
What real, practical help looks like even for people who cannot foster or volunteer
The emotional weight of rescue work and why people stay committed anyway

Whether you care deeply about animal welfare, want to understand the forces behind Canada’s growing dog crisis, or simply want a clearer picture of what rescuers face every day, this conversation shines a light on a world that is often misunderstood and rarely talked about honestly.

In this episode, Meg pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to become a licensed hairstylist. Spoiler alert: it's thousands of hours of training, deep knowledge of chemistry and color theory, and continuous education to stay current with evolving trends and techniques.

We're talking about the reality behind the misconception that hairdressers "just play with hair" - when the truth is, it's a skilled trade requiring serious dedication, artistry, and intelligence.

What we cover:

• The extensive training and certification required to become a hairstylist
• Why chemistry knowledge is essential for color work
• The ongoing education needed to keep up with industry trends
• Why this profession deserves way more respect than it gets
• The artistry and technical skill behind what looks effortless

Whether you're considering beauty school, already in the industry, or just want to appreciate the professionals who make you look and feel amazing - this conversation will change how you see hairdressing.

About the show:You Get Paid To Do What?! explores the real stories behind different careers through authentic conversations with everyday people doing extraordinary work.

Ever wonder what it's really like behind the chair? In this episode of You Get Paid To Do What?!, we sit down with Meg Patterson, a 15-year hair stylist veteran, who pulls back the curtain on the beauty industry—the good, the messy, and the emotional.

Meg breaks down the real requirements for becoming a licensed hairstylist in Ontario (spoiler: it's 4,000 total hours), why beauty school teaches you the science but not the people skills, and how she learned that 90% of hairdressing is personality. From creating accidental "baby vomit" hair colors in training to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of clients sharing everything from engagements to heartbreak—this conversation goes deep into what it actually takes to build a career cutting hair.

We also talk money. Meg explains the difference between "hobby stylists" and "career stylists" (hint: the income gap is nearly double), why she works commission-based, and how quality over quantity became her mantra after years in the industry. Plus, her advice for anyone considering cosmetology school? Shadow first, co-op if you can, and don't drop $15k until you've actually felt out salon life.

If you've ever been curious about the hairstyling profession, want to understand what your stylist is really thinking, or are considering beauty school yourself—this episode is for you.

Topics covered: Hair stylist training and education, cosmetology school experience, salon apprenticeships, commission-based pay, client relationships, emotional labor in the beauty industry, career vs. hobby hairstyling, income expectations, and real advice for aspiring stylists.

Beauty school teaches you basic cuts and basic colour... but nobody prepares you for being an emotional chameleon 8 hours a day 💇‍♀️✨
In this episode, we're talking with a hairstylist about the REAL skill they needed after graduation: matching energy with every single person who sits in their chair. One client needs therapy session vibes, the next wants complete silence, then someone wants to laugh and gossip. And you've got 15 minutes between appointments to completely reset yourself.
School taught the techniques. Life taught the people skills.
Episode dropping soon - stay tuned to hear what really happens behind the chair 🎧

EPISODE DROPPING SOON! This episode breaks down the path to becoming a hairstylist and the parts of the job most people overlook. We talk about education and licensing, building practical skills, getting experience in a salon, and the financial reality of starting out. We also touch on client relationships, the emotional labour, keeping up with trends, and how much of the job happens outside of appointments. If you’re thinking about entering the field or want a clearer picture of what the career actually involves, this is a straightforward look at what it takes.