➕ Follow along while I build my second startup Doozi publicly... The next Tiktok for travel.

I’m Erica — a creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller helping people break the rules they were taught to follow… and build lives that actually feel like theirs.

Over the past 4 years, I’ve created raw, real, and radically honest content that’s generated nearly 1 billion impressions, built a community of over 300,000, and sparked conversations around self-worth, shame, failure, and freedom.

In 2020, I met my now co-founder Gillian on Bumble BFF (true story). 

Our friendship & love for travel took us all over the world.

We both lost our businesses last year, and this brought us closer. We bonded over loss, reinvention, and the fire to build something better. 

Now we’re building doozi — the next big social media app for travellers and creators. 👀

We’re building in public. Sharing the messy middle. And showing up every day to create something that gives people — especially creators — the power, opportunity, and visibility they’ve earned.

This isn’t just a business. It’s a movement.

If you’ve ever felt like you needed permission to post, speak up, or live your life differently, I’m here to say: you don’t.

💌 My content is about starting before you’re ready, rewriting your story, and overcoming adversity.

Entrepreneurship is a ✨doozi✨

With love,
Erica

📬 Sponsorships + collabs: hello@ericarankin.com
➕ Follow me everywhere @acceptingerica

Erica Rankin

I started my first business in 2019 with zero business experience.

No background. 
No roadmap. 
Just a lot of belief and a lot of fear.

Back then, I hated being seen.
If someone pulled out a camera, I’d shrink.

I thought it was better to be seen as capable but never actually heard.

I had no idea that building a business would completely change who I am as a person.

Entrepreneurship gave me a voice.
It forced me to speak up.
To make decisions.
To be visible- even when it was uncomfortable.

It built my self-confidence in ways nothing else ever has.

But the biggest thing it taught me?

That every single one of us matters.

You don’t need a massive audience or a huge exit to make an impact.

You can change lives through conversations, vulnerability, leadership, and simply showing up as yourself.

Yes, I respect the wins.

But what I respect even more is the inner work it takes to get there.

The resilience.
The self-awareness.
The growth required when things don’t go as planned.

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about paving your own way.

It’s about becoming someone who can walk that path.

And that version of you?
That’s the real reward.

- a girl who doesn’t hate being seen anymore

🫶

Disrupting the creator economy. | Content Creator | Co-Founder of Doozi & Doozi Marketing ✈️📱

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I don’t brag often on here but I wanna brag for a second ;)

We have over 1300 users and our app isn’t even launched.

And over 5000 people on our email list who want to be creators.

We have worked really hard these past few months to onboard travel creators, and I just want to slow down and acknowledge these numbers.

We had the idea of doozi exactly a year ago.

Now we have a full-time tech team, an investor, and community of creators & users who are helping us build from the ground up.

And the app is launching THIS MONTH.

I think my favourite part of entrepreneurship is seeing the evolution of an idea, into an actual product.

Let this be a brag post, drop something in comments you’re proud of!!!! 

🫶🫶🥳🥳

I love Canada BUT I CAN’T STAND WINTER! 🥶

I must escape!!!!

First flight of 2026 (of many). ✈️

Headed to Mexico for the next month to continue building doozi with my co-founder Gillian.

We’ve been working remotely over the holidays but it’s so much better to be in person building.

We’re testing our app internally right now and it’ll be pushed publicly THIS MONTH!!!!

We also invited one of our creators to spend a week with us which is going to be so fun - she’s been like a friend to us as we’ve been building.

It’s early AF but I am soooooo stoked for this year, it feels like last year was the warm up.

This year is go time.

Happy weekend!!!!!!! ❤️

(And yes, I’m rocking a full hot pink doozi sweatsuit, LMK if you want one maybe we’ll drop some 😉)

I made a big mistake when I was building my first business:

Prioritizing the business.

…and nothing else.

Skipped meals.
Minimal movement (besides 10 hour kitchen days).
Ate poorly.
No morning routine.
No night time routine.
Abusing caffeine pills.
Neglecting relationships.

All of this did eventually lead to me hitting a wall.

I don’t regret it; because it’s the only way I could learn that it wasn’t sustainable.

Building my second startup, I now:

Get in movement everyday.
Eat mostly whole foods (but still get in a sweet treat every now and then). 
Don’t skip meals.
Don’t abuse caffeine (although, I do have more on some days than others).
Take time to myself each morning & before bed.
Make time for the people in my life.

You don’t have to sacrifice your health to be successful.

Some seasons are going to be busier than others - no doubt.

But you can’t take care of business if you aren’t maintaining the engine that runs it (aka YOU).

We’re trying to get rejected 1000 times this year.

While building our startup, doozi.

Why?

Because rejection means you’re trying. 

And the higher that number is, the more likely you are to reach your goals. 

We called 6 different people asking to go on their yachts for free (to make videos). 

5 of them said no… and one actually got angry 😅

But the sixth one was a maybe.

That maybe led us to a yacht.

… we also got to drive a rolls Royce by having the ~audacity~ to ask.

All I want to do is inspire others to go after their dreams no matter how ‘crazy’ they may be.

We had investors belittle us and tell us what we’re doing is impossible.

But we’re going to show them how wrong they are.

 Right, Gillian Gallant?

“You’re not crazy, you’re just first” - Jamie Kern Lima 🫶

I’m gonna ruffle some feathers with this post…

We could have made a 100,000 dollar mistake last year.

(Well not actually because we didn’t have 100k LOL)

An agency was quoting us over 100k to develop the most BASIC version of our app doozi. 

If you’re a startup, spending this much money on your MVP is duuuumb.

Frankly, I don’t think agencies should even be creating MVPs.

I think so many founders (not just in tech, but many industries) waste so much money trying to perfect their first product. 

Truth is, you’re going to pivot so many times and your MVP will evolve as you obtain product market fit.

Be scrappy and get that first product out into the market.

Hear back from customers/users and make sure you are NAILING what it is they want/need.

Once it’s solid, then you can reinvest.

Just my 2c.

What do you think?? 

(And yes that’s real money I’m holding definitely not fake money with emojis lol) 😎

Apple rejected us.

… and it delayed our entire launch.

It wasn’t the WORST thing but it was definitely frustrating (especially around the holidays lol).

What was supposed to take a few days took over a month.

We're been pretty quiet on social media.

We didn't want to be promoting an app that wasn’t available, or spend all our time in marketing instead of the tech/app itself.

It's been a grind building our first tech company doozi BUT after six months of putting our heads down, it's almost here. 

Gillian and I cannot wait to unveil doozi to the world in the coming weeks. 😱🫣

Let’s dooz this. ✌🏼

As a digital nomad, I’d rather spend time on a beach than fighting with a wonky platform.
 
Wix just dropped Wix Harmony, their new website builder that combines AI and manual editing all in one place.

It builds an ENTIRE WEBSITE with just one prompt - business functionality, infrastructure, security and all.

Then you can take over and customize as much as you want, with additional help from AI when you need it.

If you want to see for yourself, you can try it here: wix.com/harmony 

#WixPartner

Conestoga College

Instructor

Hanson Canada

Algoma University

Sessional Instructional Assistant

University of Technology and Applied Sciences

✅ Headhunted by senior management for a role of a Lecturer at the Department of Business Studies – developed innovative syllabus, administered coursework, designed alternative assignments, graded all written and oral work. Instructed Human Resource Management, Performance Appraisal and Productivity, Practical HR Training, and Principles of Management

➡️	Engaged the student body thorough the use of student-centered learning approach and interactive procedures like case studies, business role plays, speech competitions, management games & group discussions.
➡️	Presented complex quantitative and qualitative information in technologically enhanced environment.
➡️	Developed study programs, lectured, and led seminars, teaching and mentoring a diverse student body; mentored students to achieve results and secure government scholarships and graduate school admission.
➡️	Designed and developed curriculum; analyzed and presented latest academic research findings to diverse audiences. 
➡️	Provided instructional and administrative leadership to attain the program goal of enlisting students as mentors and resources to encourage problem solving, critical thinking and research. Coached faculty for online course development.
➡️	Guided students of in the Entrepreneurship Studies program in the preparation of business plans.

📌 Key Impact: Developed several courses; organizer of Technical Cultural Week; member of Risk Management Committee; member of Media Committee; member of Student Survey Committee, member of Curriculum Review Committee.

📌 Introduced practicing teachers and graduate students to disruptive pedagogies that put the classroom in the real world, helping students secure employment. Implemented creative methods using new technologies to enhance learning experiences.

LECTURER (Department of Business Studies) 

Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology and Science 

✅ Handpicked to teach and supervise graduate students with specialization in Human Resources and General Management – prepared lectures, planned class activities, and taught a variety of courses. Evaluated research proposals; trained and mentored students in problem solving. An integral member of the Curriculum Development Team for HR Management courses

➡️	Facilitated administration, assessment, and evaluation of students’ scholarships’ applications; assisted in grant writing.
➡️	Provided instructional and administrative leadership to attain the program goal of enlisting students as mentors and resources to encourage problem solving, critical thinking and research. Coached on course development and instruction. 
➡️	Handled administrative duties, dealing with preparation of students’ returns, registration of students, examinations matters, results, while representing the institute in academic matters, and handling university correspondence.

📌 Key Impact: implemented innovative and creative methods using new technologies to enhance learning experiences.

Assistant Professor (Department of Management) 

IMS UNISON UNIVERSITY

✅ Brought on board to devise and direct experimental learning for Management Studies students at both graduate and undergraduate levels – developed, designed and maintained learning content and programs; managed and implemented innovative programs in Human Resource Management and General Management. Part of the Curriculum Development Team

➡️	Managed and assisted in the preparation and delivery of course material. Conducted periodic assessments of teaching program effectiveness and made recommendations for improvement. Created and delivered customized teaching programs based on student needs. Researched and incorporated case studies and examples into experimental learning programs.
➡️	Provided advice and recommendations on how to augment class enrolment and enrich student academic experience. 
➡️	Evaluated and reported the impact of newly designed curriculums; reported to senior management, made recommendations.
➡️	Inspired students to translate their academic interests into the real world by taking positive actions.

Key Contributions: mentored students through complex academic projects as well as through Personality Development Classes with a focus on development of soft & inter-personal skills. Inspired students to translate their academic interests into the real world by taking positive actions. Provided strategic advice on the development of infrastructure of the Institute.

Orison Pharmaceutical

✅ Handpicked to lead strategic initiatives to drive branding, marketing, and sales efforts – exponentially contributed to the overall success of sales by meeting and exceeding sales goals while consistently exceeding customer service experience goals. Achieved monthly and yearly business plans. Helped identify objectives, strategies and action plans to improve sales, earnings

➡️	Offered strategic recommendations on how to sell and market pharmaceutical products to doctors, chemists & wholesalers.
➡️	Managed channel marketing programs ensuring flawless execution through strong project management and budgeting.
➡️	Developed targeted marketing campaigns, showcasing the company’s reputation for quality and reliability, and promoting the identification of the corporate brand. Helped identify objectives, strategies and action plans to improve sales and earnings.

📌 Key Impact: analyzed sales and submitted action plans that maximized down-market development and value brand growth.

Sales & Marketing Representative 

Yash Pharma Laboratories Private Limited

✅ Handpicked to lead go-to-market implementation and commercialization plans in order to increase product availability and accessibility. Facilitated profitability across all channels through analysis of sales trends and marketing plans; promoted brand standard and developed broad customer relationships. Identified objectives, strategies and action plans to improve sales

➡️	Developed customer loyalty and brand advocacy programs that leveraged distributor sell-in and sell through levels.
➡️	Implemented trade marketing and sales strategies that increased share, business profitability and retailer sell through.
➡️	Generated innovative ideas and solutions to contribute to brand recognition, increased business and company profitability.

📌 Key Impact: championed effective business relationships and communications with customers and service partners.

Sales & Marketing Specialist 

📌 Innovative academic and inspirational lecturer with strong teaching skills and a promising research agenda

📌 Talent Acquisition specialist and HR consultant who increases employee engagement and manager effectiveness 

☑️ Award-winning, widely-published, analytical, and student-centered College Professor and Human Resources Specialist with an all-embracing theoretical and practical, progressive experience delivering inspiring teaching programs, developing curriculums, and mentoring students to improve their perceptions, awareness, and imagination. 

☑️ Expert in employee relations, business administration, office management, training and coordination, customer service excellence, and multilevel communications drawn from education in Human Resources Management, Business Administration and Commerce. 

☑️ An innate ability to educate and inspire, coupled with a proven track record in collaborating with education coordinators, instructors, students, and other academic staff to create a creative and technologically advanced learning environment. 

☑️ A natural ability to cultivate high-performing staff, and a proven capacity to analyze situations and effect operational change leading to improved business performance, reduction of cost and maximization of profitability. 

☑️ Dr. Hatwal commands an impressive publication record, and possesses outstanding research, analytical, and advisory attributes, with ability to explain complex problems to a range of audiences. 

✏️	Human Resources Management
✏️	Program Formulation & Development
✏️	Curriculum Planning & Delivery
✏️	Innovative Instructional Design	
✏️	Academic Leadership
✏️	Administrative Management
✏️	Proficient Public Speaker
✏️	Budget & Resource Management
✏️	Employee & Labor Relations
✏️	Top Talent Acquisition
✏️	Performance Management	
✏️	Cross-Cultural Communication
✏️	Labor Relations Management




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Erica Rankin

Vinod Hatwal PhD, MBA, MCom, CHRP

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The Battle

Erica Rankin

Vinod Hatwal PhD, MBA, MCom, CHRP

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Likes

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