Carmen Kissel-Verrier - Author, The Butcher Shop Girl

Shannon McDonald

Carmen Kissel-Verrier had never left Canada before she agreed to fly to Bolivia with an opportunity to work as an international exotic dancer.

“When you’re nineteen, there’s a lot you don’t know,” she says. “But to me, fresh off the farm, Santa Cruz sounded like an oceanfront paradise. I didn’t realize until after I signed the contract that Santa Cruz is completely landlocked and poverty-ridden.”

In her meaty coming-of-age memoir, The Butcher Shop Girl , Kissel-Verrier writes with vivid detail about her experiences as an elite world-traveling entertainer, partying with the Hells Angels, falling in love with a sexy U.S. drug enforcement agent, run-ins with premium organized crime, and safely finding her way home again.

Kissel-Verrier’s story starts in rural Alberta, Canada, where she spent her childhood working in her mother’s slaughterhouse, tearing through flesh and getting into trouble. To escape a violent home, she bounced from house to house, working on the family farm, and eventually in the oil patch.

A compelling memoir of resilience and persistence, The Butcher Shop Girl captures the vivacious spirit of a small-town girl determined to succeed by any means necessary.Carmen was born in rural Alberta, Canada. These days, she is a technical writer and a graduate of Mount Royal University. Carmen still loves a wild time spent with peculiar people and appreciates a good ribeye steak. She remains fascinated by the diversity of the human spirit. Carmen lives with her husband and their two children on the shoreline of Moose Lake, Alberta.

I’m so excited for you to connect with Carmen, check out her new book, and follow along as she continues to share her inspiring and heartfelt compelling story of resilience and persistence.

I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself, what you do, and what you're working on.

Hi! I’m Carmen Kissel-Verrier or better known as “CKV”. I’m the author of The Butcher Shop Girl a memoir for Misfits & Mavericks. I’m a technical writer and principal owner of a boutique branding agency. My team and I brand new business start-ups and refresh existing or established brands. From logo design to websites, we support the business community.

We have branded many sports teams, NFPs, influencers, businesses, artists’ and more.

My day-job led me to my latest project complete, publishing my unique coming of age journey in form of memoir. This is-was a ginormous project that has literary taken off only 3 short weeks ago. We’ve been live on all major book sale platforms and published by FriesenPress Canada for only a short while and I am so excited to see the feedback from the readership.

Apparently, this book is really hard to put down once you crack the spine. The professional literary reviews are pouring in, readers are loving it—and I couldn’t be any happier. Writing a book of any kind, of any genre is a ton of work. I know we’ve all heard this before…but wow, it’s true lol!

How did you get started?

To write, complete, and publish The Butcher Shop Girl book was a combination of heavy goading from my friends and family to “get it out”. This mixed well with my experience as an entrepreneur and freelance writer. For many years, I wrote monthly contributions for energy sector magazines, industry columns and even created a weekly style column for my little hometown newspaper.

A few people knew of my incredible, peculiar coming of age journey and found it fascinating. Likely more fascinating than I did. I noticed in my mid-twenties that I had mastered the art of narrative control better than others who’d matured with that sheen of age and wisdom. Narrative control expertise was gleaned from my experiences in The Butcher Shop Girl. And in the business community, my colleagues call me Olivia Pope-ha! I will craft solutions to solve your problems.

After years of hearing: ‘“You have a great story, you should write about it”’—I wrote about it! I mixed together the ingredients of retrospect learnings, corporate ballsiness, vulnerability and my experience as a freelance writer to produce The Butcher Shop Girl.

What inspired the work that you're doing?

All the goading from well-intended loved ones aside, I would say my biggest inspiration to write this memoir was watching other people risk their necks and careers to tell their truth. Those who embraced vulnerability before me, inspired and surprised me! They didn’t die in the process or “lose it all”. Before writing this book, you’d likely never be able to tell how I truly felt about anything. I’m was a bonafide ice-queen. 

The vulnerability that it takes to OPEN up and to share hard truths about ourselves or our pasts used to mortify me. Armed with heavy doses of Brené Brown’s perspective of vulnerability, I decided to place a toe into that pool. Becoming softer and more vulnerable showed me what real courage and bravery looks like and feels like.

Once I opened up to others, I was so surprised with what they shared back! It’s wonderful! Vulnerability is strong—strong like love and promotes understanding and fosters empathy. I’m hooked now. I love it. I insist on being “real” with myself and others now, at all times. Sometimes that’s uncomfortable, but it’s worth it, every time.

What is your biggest passion? Do you feel like you're living your passion and purpose?

My biggest passion is embracing vulnerability for the sake of personal growth. 

I am also equally passionate about women in business and regard myself as a SME in grabbing control of your appropriate personal or professional narrative. How do you want to be seen by your peers or clients? I can help untangle that confusion and craft a beautiful and exciting roadmap to move forward with success in business and your life. So much in our regular lives touches on branding and narrative, and we don’t usually recognize that.

I’m thrilled to work with these concepts in my everyday life, primarily in my business. That’s “by design” too!

What is your joy blueprint? What lights you up, brings you joy, and makes you feel the most alive?

My joy blueprint will always be learning from people and helping people. I’m fascinated by people. Famous ones. Regular ones. Odd ducks (my favourites) . . .you name it! I’m forever fascinated by the diversity and tenacity of the human spirit.

How do you live intentionally? Are there tools/resources/practices that you rely on to help you stay mindful and grounded?

I live intentionally by using truth as my guiding light and ultimate north-star compass. Even if it’s hard to say your truth, I encourage everyone to just sit with that discomfort for a bit. Challenge yourself to see how long you can occupy that space. To sit in discomfort is a skill that’s developed over time and strengthened with practice.

I also recognize the value of tapping the “time out” button when you need to. Often, as we navigate the new-normal, we’re completely stressed with all the juggling. But! Covid-19 offers a fantastic cover for you to utilize at any time you like *Teehee*. No shame, take the time YOU need. That next Zoom meeting will come. Your boss will calm down. Off you go…take care of YOU.

What would your younger self think about what you're doing now?

I truly believe that younger Carmen would be amazed and expect nothing less from her adult self, all at the same time! I think she’d be so happy to see me stand up for myself with more tact and maturity.

Do you have a go-to mantra or affirmation? 

I don’t use a particular mantra daily, but I do love manifestation. I will say aloud my daily goals as if they’d be ultimately achieved before it happens. I say them aloud with ferocity! Life is unpredictable, however, manifestation (especially on-the-daily) will help stabilize your day to day. Manifestation promotes goal setting because you first have to figure out what you want. Then you can craft how you want to go about achieving those goals. 

Manifestation is a form of affirmation, and it’s remarkably effective.

What is your biggest dream?

My biggest dream is to continue to live a good life that’s filled with twists, turns and spontaneity! If The Butcher Shop Girl became a global phenomenon, well then, that’s great too!

To learn more about Carmer and The Butcher Shop Girl on her website www.TheButcherShopGirl.com and on Instagram @butcher_shop_girl Facebook @ButcherShopGirl Twitter @thebutchershop9 @Carmen.K.Verrier and via email inquire@thebutchershopgirl.com

Joy Corner is an interview-style blog series brought to you by Seek The Joy Podcast. Our mission continues to be a desire to share your stories, truths, joys and inspiration in your words. We invite you to join our corner, and share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration as we continue to seek the joy, together. Join this series here