In this episode of This Mother Means Business, Laura sits down with Stephanie Fournier, founder + CEO of People Agency, to talk about what it really looks like to build a fast-growing agency—without trying to do everything for everyone. They dig into long-term client relationships, referrals, reputation, leadership as a woman in male-dominated rooms, and the real sacrifices that come with building something big (while still being a present mom). It’s honest, scrappy, and full of “this is what it actually takes” energy.In this episode you will hear:(01:35) Who Stephanie is (and why intros are hard)(02:03) The moment she decided to change her career path(03:07) Corporate vs owning an agency(04:55) Why staying in your lane matters(05:51) Move one: resign + set up the business(07:22) Long sales cycles in this industry(08:45) Growth through long-term clients(09:14) Full-circle relationships + peers becoming decision-makers(11:59) Laura on sponsors: you’re always talking to humans(14:01) Where Laura finds relationships (events + intentional follow-up)(15:52) Reputation + integrity as the foundation(16:35) Laura’s referral rule: protect your name(18:44) Don’t burn bridges (your network comes back around)(21:32) Women in leadership: “aggressive” double standards(24:23) Women-owned business stats + male-dominated spaces(26:52) Training women (especially moms) to sell(27:35) The routines, the grind, and not unplugging(29:22) The trade-offs (and how she stays connected to her son)(30:40) Vision: incubating women-led businesses + fractional support(34:06) Where to find Stephanie + People Agency Stephanie's Links:Website: https://peopleagency.ca/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pplagency Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here:https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026 Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com Laura's Links:• Website • Laura's Instagram • LJSocial Instagram • LinkedIn • Facebook • Pinterest • TikTok

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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