The Woman Behind the Fire

I have been through a lot. I am still here. That is the whole point.

My name is Inez and I am a white immigrant woman with ADHD. I have a wicked sense of humor, I have colorful hair, and I was always the one standing up to the bullies at school. I still am.

I am proud to call Canada my home and it has been quite the journey getting here. I have decades of experience helping others and I love mentoring the underdog. I am creative. I meet people where they are at, because no person is the same and no situation is the same either.

Inez Ashworth standing with arms crossed in striped jacket and black pants, smiling

Here is what most people do not know about me

Artistic expression of weathering grief, resilience, and surviving the storm

The last couple of years have been the hardest of my life. I lost my mum, which destroyed me. And shortly after, I lost my heart boy Erik, my dog of 12 years, the one who had been by my side through everything. Losing them both was the kind of grief that changes you.

I went through all of it while trying to hold my business and my family together, navigating menopause, anxiety, and the kind of exhaustion that comes from giving everything to others for a very long time.

And through all of it, I kept showing up. Not because I had it together, but because I genuinely believe that the women I work with deserve someone who gets it from the inside out, not someone who read about it in a book.

I am a domestic violence survivor. I know what it is to start over. I know what it is to feel invisible in spaces that are supposed to include you. And I know what it feels like when someone finally sees you and says, I have got you.

That is what I am here to do.

A little bit more about me

When I am not working, you will find me with my four fur babies, Ollie, Steve, Kevin, and Finn. Yes, four. Yes, it is exactly as chaotic and awesome as it sounds.

I am a wife, and I am lucky enough to have a small circle of truly wonderful women around me who have shown up for me in ways I will never take for granted. They are the reason I know what real friendship and real support actually feel like, and they are a big part of why I build the spaces I build.

I also know what it is like to not have that. To feel invisible, unsupported, and like you are carrying everything alone. That is the version of me that shows up in this work every single day.

Kevin

Kevin

Ollie

Ollie

Finn

Finn

Steve

Steve

Why women entrepreneurs, why now

💖

I spent 15 years in the DEI space helping organizations build belonging. I am proud of that work. But somewhere along the way I realized I was giving the spotlight to everyone else while quietly disappearing from my own story.

The women I want to work with are the ones doing exactly the same thing. Running businesses, supporting everyone around them, and quietly carrying everything they are not supposed to talk about.

This chapter is for us. All of us.

Inez and women entrepreneurs smiling together around the table over coffee
Our Community & Sisterhood

Women in My Community

The fierce, generous, brilliant women who make this community a sanctuary. Browse moments of gathering, mentorship, and solidarity.

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Sisterhood, Smiles & Collective PowerSisterhood

Sisterhood, Smiles & Collective Power

Dressed up, showing up, and standing proud side-by-side — women leading and lifting each other up.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Unbreakable Bonds & Warm SisterhoodSisterhood

Unbreakable Bonds & Warm Sisterhood

Heartfelt hugs, fierce loyalty, and the magic of showing up for each other through thick and thin.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Courtyard Sisterhood & LeadershipLeadership

Courtyard Sisterhood & Leadership

Women leaders gathered together in the sunshine, sharing laughter, strength, and mutual encouragement.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Kitchen Connection & Real LaughterSisterhood

Kitchen Connection & Real Laughter

Nicky and Inez cooking, smiling, and sharing the unvarnished joy of everyday connection.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Allies in Business & TruthAllies

Allies in Business & Truth

Standing strong together as entrepreneurs rewriting what leadership and partnership look like.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Four Hearts, Zero FilterSisterhood

Four Hearts, Zero Filter

Lifelong friendships built on trust, laughter, and holding each other through it all.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Sunny Retreat & Shared JoyRetreat

Sunny Retreat & Shared Joy

Genuine smiles, laughter, and building lifelong alliances in community.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Breaking Barriers & Standing TallTrailblazers

Breaking Barriers & Standing Tall

Hard hats, high-vis, and unapologetic leadership taking up space in every industry.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Leadership in the SunLeadership

Leadership in the Sun

Courageous, colorful, and united leaders taking up space together.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Evening Gathering & TogethernessTogetherness

Evening Gathering & Togetherness

Warmth, friendship, and authentic belonging in every conversation.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Pride, Solidarity & Shared HeartPride & Joy

Pride, Solidarity & Shared Heart

Love is love, vibrant joy, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Connection & Fierce SupportSisterhood

Connection & Fierce Support

Standing side by side with the incredible women of our circle.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Creative Energy & Shared JoyCommunity

Creative Energy & Shared Joy

Women showing up fully, boldly, and without corporate armor.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Inclusive Spaces & Shared HeartInclusion

Inclusive Spaces & Shared Heart

Deep connection, inclusion, and authentic sisterhood in action.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Celebration Under the CanopyCelebration

Celebration Under the Canopy

Pure celebration, laughter, and pride holding space for each other.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Sunny Meadow RetreatRetreat

Sunny Meadow Retreat

Golden hour sunshine, sparkling conversations, and sisterhood in nature.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Leading with Heart & Genuine ConnectionLeading with Heart

Leading with Heart & Genuine Connection

Conferences, awards, and the irreplaceable power of women who champion one another.

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Warm Embrace & Deep LoveBelonging

Warm Embrace & Deep Love

The moment of breakthrough and genuine belonging when someone says 'I got you.'

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Sisterhood & Shared SmilesSisterhood

Sisterhood & Shared Smiles

Five powerful women connected by laughter, honesty, and mutual respect.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Outdoor Gathering & Radiant SmilesSolidarity

Outdoor Gathering & Radiant Smiles

Laughter, sunshine, and the magic of uplifting one another in real time.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Heartfelt Allies & Bold VoicesAllies

Heartfelt Allies & Bold Voices

Real friendships where each woman is celebrated for showing up as herself.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Unapologetic Truth & LaughterFire Circle

Unapologetic Truth & Laughter

Women coming together with fierce love, laughter, and courage.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Evening Radiance & Deep BondsCelebration

Evening Radiance & Deep Bonds

Moments of warmth, gratitude, and fierce loyalty across the years.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Unfiltered Joy & Deep LaughterJoy

Unfiltered Joy & Deep Laughter

The joy of being completely, unapologetically ourselves with zero judgment.

Women, Truth & FireCommunity
Recognition & Impact

Awards, Honors & Features

Standing up for equity, inclusion, and the underdog isn't just words — it's recognized advocacy across business communities and human rights organizations.

2024 Finalist

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award

Calgary Chamber · Small Business Week

Proud finalist recognized for transformative DEI leadership and unwavering advocacy.

2024 DEI Award Calgary Chamber - Finalist
2024 Nominee

AWE Award Nominee

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Connections, Capacity & Capital — honoring impactful women leaders in business.

Alberta Women Entrepreneurs 2024 Award Nominee
Human Rights Partner

Peace & Human Rights Advocacy

John Humphrey Centre

Dedicated collaboration championing human dignity, systemic equity, and inclusion.

John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
Published Author

"Landed" Book Feature

Curiosity Starts with a Beer · Campfire Kinship

Featured chapter author in LANDED: Transformative Stories of Canadian Immigrant Women.

Landed book feature - Curiosity Starts with a Beer by Inez Ashworth

Ready to stop carrying it all alone?

Let's have a real conversation with zero corporate posturing.