Meet Chris/teen Salik, Founder & Chief Accessibility Consultant, HELD Agency Inc. – startGBC October 2024 #WhyNotMe GBC Entrepreneur Spotlight
About Chris/teen Salik
Through Chris/teen's many roles: Mental Health Worker, multiple-founder, Mindfulness Facilitator, Anti-Oppression Moderator, Spoken Word Artist, Wellness Podcaster & Motivational Speaker, among others – Chris/teen’s favourite title is “Peer.”
Her podcast The 90% Living (@90percentliving) shares the truth of living within an equity-seeking body given multiple diagnoses. Her educational tidbits empower listeners to move from a place of surviving to thriving. She’s in the weeds with you, which means you’ll see her faults and failures displayed proudly in everything she does – and "tests" are what eventually led to Chris founding HELD Agency.
Now, you can find Chris keynoting on immigrant mental health at your local fundraising gala, training Peer Workers & Active Listeners on how to hold space, or mentoring other youth interested in business -- Oh, and, attending classes within the GBC Deafblind & Intervenor Studies program!
Chris/teen hopes to help other youth with multiple diagnoses achieve the courage & creativity that entrepreneurship brings. She believes business is an act of self- and community care if spearheaded with inspiration, intention, and dedication. Chris invites any conversations on mental health, social impact, and accessibility from all those who learn about her work.
About HELD Agency Inc.
HELD Agency increases access to creative, cultural, and corporate spaces. In a society where 1/3 of Canadians experience mental health challenges, the agency's signature "Held Spaces" provides designated decompression rooms - creating a safe space for those with mental illness, neurodivergence, and/or disability.
These "Held Spaces" are staffed by professional Active Listeners, trained & ready to discuss, distract, and de-escalate conversation-seekers using a Peer-based approach. HELD Agency thus creates intentional, anti-colonial, & de-medicalized spaces of community care.
Their clients are major events, conferences, and festivals that experience the benefits of increased attendance, mitigated risk, and becoming Industry Leaders in accessibility.
HELD's mission is clear: Come as you are. Engage as you like. Rest as you please. We've made the space for you.
Academic Background
GBC Certificate in Deafblind & Intervenor Studies
UofT - B.A. Social Sciences
What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
I always was one. I remember hand-drawing business cards in grade 2, after the "Jigsaw Jones" children's series inspired me to start my own detective agency! Now I own & operate an agency and solve problems for people, but in the mental health and accessibility spaces.
Why did you create your business?
I believe business is the pathway to greater wellness for people living with mental illnesses and/or disabilities. This became abundantly clear through my own mental health journey, and I decided that I would create the workplace and society that I sought so deeply to be a part of.
Now, I supervise Active Listeners and students of Mental Health & Addictions in a company culture that I love. In this way, business brought me agency & independence, along with a sense of purpose and belonging.
What successes have you enjoyed so far with building your company?
I have worked with some of the largest film festivals in Toronto, and connected with numerous champions in the field of access and peer work.
HELD has been part of multiple business incubators and I'm privileged with the mentorship of phenomenal entrepreneurs -- they've transformed the possibilities and pathways open for HELD Agency, and for my own professional and personal life!
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
My youth is synonymous to my entrepreneurship. It's the best time to take risks, and build a life worth living!
Any organisations or learning resources you would recommend?
Rise Helps Women+ Entrepreneurship Program: https://www.risehelps.ca/women-plus-entrepreneurship-program
Sheridan EDGE Programs: https://edge.sheridancollege.ca/programs/
All the incubators and mentors you can find!
Any books or podcasts you would recommend?
Book: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert: It taught me that creativity is a way of living. The magic doesn't disappear; Your "big idea" simply waits for you to prepare your skillsets before it reveals itself to you. So don't give up on your art, whatever that may be!
Podcasts: My own, The 90% Living Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/688r2uIeZCL7Td46neBJAa
Dopamine Dollars by Ellyce Fulmore: https://queerdco.com/podcast/
Anything else you would like to share?
In the "hustle culture" of entrepreneurship, remember that stopping doesn't mean you're giving up. Sometimes, you're charging for your next big sprint! Take care of yourself, so you can take care of the business that will grow to take care of you.
Website and Socials
Website: https://www.heldagency.ca
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heldagency.ca/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/held-agency/
