An avatar of the modern warrior woman
The charismatic Christiane Constantineau is an avatar of the modern warrior woman. She is a Top 10 Cash Flow Advisor and CFO; Business Coach; Motivational Speaker; Author; Globetrotter and Cultural Explorer. She’s also a Cancer Survivor and mother to 2 sons, one of whom underwent chemotherapy for 5 years. Yet decades later, the bold and beautiful Christiane continues to inspire and empower people all over the world.
“Despite facing adversities early in life, I’ve always embraced a philosophy of living life to the fullest. This mindset propelled me to pursue various interests. Even when unexpected challenges arose, like becoming pregnant during my undergraduate studies, I remained committed to my goals.”
Christiane, who is from Canada, was diagnosed with rheumatic fever when she was little. This caused damage to her heart. Despite this, she chose to become a mother in her early twenties, giving birth to her sons, Benoît and Mathieu. Simultaneously, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Administration and a Post-Graduate Diplomas (DESS) in Finance, in addition to completing an Executive MBA.
Over the next couple of years, she transitioned from being a Human Resources Assistant to co-leading a project in Africa. Later, she dove into the financial sector within a government agency, aiding startups and other companies with growth projects.
In 2014, she started her first company called Turbulence. From 2015 to 2016, she assisted on creating the first electric airport shuttle and semi-autonomous vehicles as part of a private project. This period also afforded her the opportunity to negotiate contracts in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
Two years later, she founded her second company – 6DT Consulting, which has since become the fastest-growing and lucrative cloud bookkeeping firm in Canada. Christiane became an expert in using financial software like Quickbooks and Helm, specializing in cash flow management. She now assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in financing their projects and effectively managing their finance departments.
In the ebb and flow of life, Christiane faced another significant challenge in 2002 when her younger son fell seriously ill and underwent five years of chemotherapy for granulomatosis. “Thankfully, my future husband and friends stepped in to support us until my son recovered, showcasing the importance of a strong support network.” Seventeen years later, Christiane herself was diagnosed with Stage 3C breast cancer, and her son’s resilience served as a guiding light throughout her own battle with the illness.
Ever since, helping others became an end in itself for Christiane. Her passion for making a difference drives her to set ambitious goals, pursue continuous growth and learning, and actively seek out opportunities to positively impact the lives of others.
One such endeavor was her book ‘Cancer Sucks…: The Journey of an Entrepreneur and Her Fight Against Cancer While Running Her Business’, published in 2023 to great acclaim. It shares her personal story and proposes a strategy that combines business management with healing. Her unique perspective has seen Christiane invited as a conference guest speaker/workshop facilitator, focusing on entrepreneurship, resilience, and the power of small businesses.
“As someone who understands the struggles of small business owners without a safety net, I am passionate about sharing my experiences and insights with decision-makers and aspiring entrepreneurs.”
The year 2023 saw Christiane embark on a new venture close to her heart – an e-commerce boutique that serves as a gift shop dedicated to women facing the challenges of breast cancer. In addition, it brought home the ‘Top 10 CashFlow Advisor’ award issued by Helm Cash Flow.
A respected strategic leader, Christiane knows that even in organizations with a strong commitment to gender equity, external societal norms and biases can pose significant challenges. She shares some strategies to overcome this:
- Access Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs
- Become part of a Leadership Development Initiative
- Make Flexible Work Arrangements with your Staff
- Implement Gender Bias Training
- Create a Supportive Culture
- Always get involved in Networking Opportunities.
Inspired by two strong women in the Canadian business world: Michele Romanow – Co-founder of Clearbanc, and Arlene Dickinson – CEO of Venture Communications, Christiane advocates that a work-life balance is the key to harmonious living.
Thus, blessed with an artistic streak, she loves to indulge in her three hobbies – painting, cooking and jewelry making. “I find immense satisfaction and fulfillment in creating delicious meals, there’s something special about the warmth and connection that comes from sharing a homemade meal with loved ones. I also have a creative flair for painting and jewelry making, where I channel my imagination and dexterity into crafting unique pieces that reflect my personal style. My hobbies bring me joy, fulfillment, and a sense of creative expression that enriches my life in countless ways.”
