Personal Branding – Teresa Baerg

A couple of years ago, Teresa approached me to capture some personal branding photographs. She works for Snapd Burlington, as their Content & Community Coordinator. On top of her work life she is an amazing mom, wife and athlete. She also has a fantastic story to share. As part of my personal branding photography brand I am sharing the stories of my clients. My hope is that together we will spread inspiration, hope, encouragement and positivity.

Here is Teresa’s story. Thanks for sharing so bravely Teresa – and for allowing me to capture beautiful you.

“I am the girl whose mom died when we were both much too young. This is how I’ve thought of myself for most of my life, over 30 years now. I was 13. She was 44. And now that I’ve outlived her, everything has changed. 

For so many years, I didn’t really grieve. We didn’t talk about her much and our little family did not get closer because of her absence. I did my best to “move on” and accept my reality. I figured things out the best I could, without my mother’s influence or guidance. No one really knew what to say or what to do, and any sort of professional help wasn’t talked about. In all those years, I never knew anyone like me – no one else’s parent had died. It was an incredibly lonely feeling.

Last year, as the 30th anniversary of my mom’s death approached, as well as the date that I would outlive her, I knew that it was time to properly celebrate her and remember her. It was time to create her legacy. With a local jewelry designer friend @glamjulz – we created Kathy’s Lighthouse Legacy, a beautiful bracelet which reminds me of my mom and her love of the colour purple. Money raised from the sale of this bracelet has been donated to The Lighthouse for Grieving Children, a very special organization which provides peer support to those (particularly children) who’ve lost a close family member. They are exactly what I needed when I was young. The bracelet has a lighthouse charm, which completes the story. I’ve raised over $5,000 and hope to continue to raise more. The most meaningful part of these bracelets has been the stories shared with those who’ve bought a bracelet – there have been tears shed and beautiful connections made. What I didn’t expect was the healing of my heart through these stories and through being connected to the Lighthouse.

Adding to her legacy, on my 44th birthday, I promised myself that I would move my body in healthy ways every single day until my 45th birthday, the first birthday that my mom never celebrated. It’s a healthy habit that has now continued for over a year – whether I’m running, biking, swimming, paddle boarding or doing yoga, I am honouring the gift of my healthy body, honouring her life, and creating a new legacy for my kids. While I only had my mom in my life for a few short years, I am grateful for the ways she continues to shape and inspire me.”