How 2026 Became a Yes Year
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Laila Belabbas is the Founder of Splish Splash Handmade Products & Executive Coach In Your Corner. With over 15 years as a Human Resources Leader and Leadership Coach, she holds a Bachelor's in Commerce Entrepreneurial Management-Finance, is a Certified Executive Coach and a member of the International Coaching Federation
After a year marked by personal loss, career uncertainty, and overwhelming grief, one simple decision to say yes opened the door to healing, connection, and unexpected new beginnings. What started as a Hot Chocolate Chat became a journey of friendship, community, and the creation of Besties Beyond Borders, proving that meaningful connections can grow far beyond borders.
When life doesn’t go according to plan
Last year, I was working full-time as a Senior Human Resources Professional while completing a post-graduate certificate in Executive Coaching. Work was very busy, with frequent business trips, constant jet lag, and the large time zone difference between Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and my colleagues in eastern Canada, which made work more taxing. Attending school under these conditions was very challenging.
When sickness hits your family
I was feeling grateful for the growth opportunity and for learning new skills through my program, coaching phenomenal executives and leaders. I thought to myself, 2025 was starting on such a positive note. I had new plans for my career and was looking forward to where life would take me next.
Then my father was diagnosed with colon cancer. The news hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt hopeless for a moment, then I put myself back together and decided to be strong for my father and the family. He was suffering more than I was and needed me more than ever. I was helping him while in school, travelling for work, and working full-time on a national level with all the provinces in Canada. However, I worked hard to keep everything going, spent as much time as I could with him, and supported him during his most difficult time. I had difficulty focusing during my school program, however, despite it all, I managed to graduate from my executive coaching program.
Then I lost my job due to budget cuts. At that time, I decided not to say anything to my family, especially my dad. I didn't want to add stress to his situation or to everyone else in the family.
The unexpected happened
I was with him every day at the hospital, talking to his medical team, and they were very optimistic about his recovery. I was spending 12 hours a day at the hospital beside my dad, only leaving when he would fall asleep. I didn't want him to be alone, and I wanted to be there when he woke up every day. Then one morning, someone knocked at my door at my parents' house. It was my older brother. I remember telling him, "Gosh, I overslept," and I gave myself a few minutes to get ready. However, my brother responded that Dad had passed away from cardiac arrest that morning.
The news was devastating. I didn't eat for four days and had to go through the motions to support my mother and make all the arrangements because she couldn’t do it, and neither could my four brothers. The shock was greater than anyone expected at that time. I couldn’t grieve and had to support the family during the most difficult time.
The grieving process was very difficult
When I returned to Vancouver several months later, I didn’t have the energy to see friends. I was crying and not responding to phone calls or text messages. I lost my appetite and was sleep deprived, having nightmares and reliving the event, the hospital environment, and my dad being in a hospital bed. I just couldn’t shake the feeling of loss. I was also learning things about my father that I couldn’t reconcile, and the devastation became greater than I imagined. I needed to find a job, however, I couldn't find the motivation to figure out what was going to be next.
No one around me could find a way to get me out of that space until one day, I had had enough. I decided I needed to try something new and meet new people who didn’t know me. They wouldn't ask the dreaded question, "How are you doing?" which automatically made me emotional.
From hot chocolate chat to connecting with new people
2026 became my yes year. I decided to start a hot chocolate chat, as I don’t drink coffee. I made a post on LinkedIn to open my calendar for no pressure, no pitch decks, just real conversations about ideas, growth, challenges, and what’s next. Honestly, I wasn’t sure anyone would be interested, however, I was pleasantly surprised. Just being open and curious to hear people’s journeys turned into meaningful conversations about collaboration, support, and building community. I was meeting really interesting and fascinating people doing great things in their community, which I believe brought a positive note and gave a shoutout by writing articles about who they are and what they do. It brought me so much joy to focus on other people and show the world that they deserved to be celebrated. I saw them as celebrities making a positive impact on the world and in their local communities.
Meeting people for new and exciting opportunities
I had no reason to wake up in the morning and focus on anything other than my grief. Through meeting new people, I said yes to being invited to podcasts, yes to more speaking engagements, and yes to writing business articles and coaching people in entrepreneurship. By appearing on podcasts as a guest, I was meeting more and more interesting people from around the world, including the USA, the UK, Australia, Asia, Africa, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. My network started asking me about starting a podcast. My response was no. I was new to the podcast world, and it wasn't something I was interested in doing. I preferred to be a guest, as it felt like less pressure. I could show up, do my thing, and then move on.
Then I met Coach Carrie, who was doing No Pitch Coffee Chat, and I was doing Hot Chocolate Chat. The conversation went so well that we continued to stay in touch. I am in Vancouver, Canada, and she’s from the South Side of Chicago, USA.
We started talking every day and doing live shows on Substack for fun, with no pressure. Carrie was already a podcast host for her show, Carrie Connects™, and is a licensed financial coach at Clarity From The Heart™. In addition to being a teacher for over 20 years, her show demystifies financial literacy. Her motto is, "Confusion is expensive, clarity pays for life." Through her coffee chats, she was inspired to start a new podcast, Carrie Connects™, where she showcases really interesting guests she met through her no-pitch coffee chats. She brings together guests from health care, education, entrepreneurship, women in leadership roles, and more.
When one conversation led to the Besties Beyond Borders Podcast
Carrie and I were doing a live show on her Substack, and she turned the tables on me, saying it was now my turn to ask the question. During her live show, she said to me, "You’re asking great questions that I was never asked before." She then asked me when I was starting a podcast. I responded that I was not interested and that it was not something I would be ready for.
Next thing you know, I said yes to Coach Carrie and started a podcast as a co-host called Besties Beyond Borders. Coach Carrie’s favourite colour is pink, and mine is blue, we combined them to represent our different styles. Visit here.
Through my 2025 challenges and the loss of community during COVID, which Coach Carrie also experienced, we both found a best friend, a business partner, and a sense of building a new community. From opposite sides of the border, a friendship was born from a simple coffee and hot chocolate chat to saying yes to things that would empower and energize me. I found so much support from Carrie through her positive energy and our shared belief that we can accomplish anything together. There’s not a day we don’t speak.
We created a space to build an authentic community beyond borders while growing personally and professionally. Regardless of where you are located, we can still build a mindful relationship. That’s the message we want to spread, that borders don't limit opportunities to connect with amazing people and build a supportive, limitless community. We have big plans for Besties Beyond Borders and can’t wait to share them.
Read more from Laila Belabbas
Laila Belabbas, Splish Splash Handmade Products & Executive Coach
Laila Belabbas is an Executive Coach, Human Resources Leader, and Entrepreneur passionate about helping people and organizations reach their full potential. With over 15 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and business growth, she brings a human-centered approach to performance and purpose. As the Founder of Splish Splash Handmade Products and Executive Coach In Your Corner, Laila blends strategy with empathy to inspire conscious, authentic leadership. Her articles explore coaching, leadership, entrepreneurship, human resources, and wellness, empowering readers to lead with confidence, purpose, and live with intention.
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