Some stories carry such depth and humanity that they stay with you long after they are told. Paula's is one of those stories.
We first connected online through Threads, where Paula had posted about an upcoming women's empowerment event she was planning in Niagara. Her words stopped me mid-scroll. I replied to her post, and what followed was an exchange that led to us meeting for coffee. That conversation turned into hours of storytelling, laughter, and shared dreams, and eventually, a powerful branding session that captured the heart of who she is.
From the moment I shot her her branding session, something clicked. Her energy was electric, her story captivating, and the way she carried herself, rooted in both humility and strength, left a lasting impression.
Paula was born in Poland during a time of political unrest and scarcity. Her parents, driven by an unwavering desire to give their children a better life, made the courageous decision to flee the country. What followed was a journey marked by uncertainty, resilience, and extraordinary courage.
Paula singing in Poland, 1985.
The family fled through Europe and landed in Italy, where they lived in refugee tents for a year before moving into a hotel in Rome. It was in Italy, at just five years old, that Paula began school and quickly picked up the Italian language, her first lesson in adaptability.
Honouring Paula’s birthday in a refugee tent in Italy, 1987.
Paula in class in Italy, 1988.
Eventually, her family settled in Toronto, Canada. They arrived with no knowledge of English, no financial security, and very little understanding of the culture they were stepping into. And yet, they moved forward. Paula stepped into a nurturing role at a young age, helping to raise her younger sister and contribute to the family’s livelihood. These early years shaped her into someone who knew the value of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance.
Her career journey is equally inspiring. Paula began working at the deli counter at Loblaws while still in school. She saved every penny, eventually applying for a credit card that would help fund her education. She later took a job at a call center and, at just 19, became an HR manager, all while attending college at night. That blend of ambition and grit became a defining theme in Paula’s life.
When Paula and her family moved to Kitchener, she found a new opportunity working for Rogers. It was here she won a travel voucher that helped fund her wedding, just one of many instances where her hard work came full circle. Family, she told me, remained a central anchor through it all. Her choices were always informed by her desire to give back and uplift the people who had supported her.
Then came the leap that would change everything. At 24, with no formal business training or culinary experience, Paula and her husband opened a restaurant, Lisboa Bakery & Grill. They borrowed money, maxed out lines of credit, and learned everything on the fly. But what they lacked in experience, they made up for in vision and heart. The restaurant served primarily Portuguese cuisine, honouring her husband’s heritage, while weaving in Polish dishes that nodded to her own roots.
Opening in December 2009, a time when most businesses brace for slow traffic, might have seemed risky. But Paula never let fear dictate her decisions. The restaurant made over $100,000 in its first two months, and by the end of its first year, it had grossed over one million dollars. Customers came not just for the food, but for the atmosphere Paula cultivated: warm, inviting, and full of soul. The business thrived through word of mouth alone, proof that authenticity is a powerful magnet.
Eventually, Paula shifted her focus to a new venture: her sauce business. What started as a passion project quickly gained traction, supported by a community that believed in her. After selling the restaurant in 2014, she and her husband reinvested in a manufacturing warehouse. He took over production and delivery while Paula handled marketing and brand development. Her sauces began appearing on the shelves of major retailers like Canadian Tire and Lowe’s, a remarkable feat for a family-run operation.
But Paula’s story does not stop at entrepreneurial success. In fact, it has only gotten more layered. What began as an Instagram page where she showcased her love for grilling evolved into something far more expansive. She became a cookbook author, a media personality, and most recently, a women’s empowerment coach. She has appeared on countless television segments, authored three books, and received accolades for her work in the culinary and entrepreneurial space.
Yet, even Paula is not immune to burnout. The pace, the pressure, and the many hats she wore eventually took a toll. It was in that stillness, however, that a new calling emerged, one rooted in guiding other women through their own journeys. She began hosting workshops, offering coaching sessions, and most recently, planning a large-scale event, Rise Together: Empowering Women in Business. This event, fueled by her heart and vision, is set to uplift and inspire women from all walks of life. Proceeds will go to charity, which will be a joint partnership, reflecting both Paula and my lifelong commitment to giving back.
What is perhaps most admirable about Paula is her honesty. She does not claim to have all the answers. She openly shares that she has never planned an event of this scale before. But that transparency has only drawn more people to her. Support, encouragement, and partnerships have poured in, not because she is perfect, but because she is real.
Our conversation also touched on something deeply personal: the importance of self-care and mental wellness, especially for women. Paula and I talked about the book Burnout by Emily Nagoski and the role of physical movement in managing stress. We spoke about the importance of educating children on nutrition and the value of showing up for yourself, even when life gets busy.
In every chapter of Paula’s story, one thing remains constant: her desire to use what she has learned to help others. Whether it is through a jar of sauce, a page in her cookbook, or a microphone at her event, Paula’s mission is clear. She wants to empower, uplift, and remind women that they are capable of more than they ever imagined.
If you are looking for a space to be inspired, to be reminded of your own power, and to connect with a community of women who believe in rising together, Paula’s event is where you will want to be.
You will feel it the moment you walk in. This is what carrying resilience looks like.
Join the event below and use the discount code to save $100 per ticket: ascp100
