About us
✨ A People Skills Lab Meets Bookstore Social — for Kind Humans Building Community
Looking for deeper conversations, meaningful connections, and a space to intentionally grow your people skills alongside a professional coach? You’re in the right place.
We’re part cozy bookstore social, part people skills lab—a welcoming space for kind, curious humans to connect, practice authentic communication, and build friendships that feel good and real.
This is for you if you’re:
- A natural connector curious about social presence design ✨
- A socially anxious (or awkward) queen/king 👑
- A newcomer to Montreal craving intentional community
You’ll be welcome here.
✨ What to Expect at Events✨:
- Charisma Workshops
Led by an ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach, these workshops help you design people skills that actually matter—like presence, reading social cues, and navigating awkward moments with confidence, rooted in your personal values.
You’ll walk away with:
- A values-based design of your ideal social presence & a playbook of how to embody it
- 'Market research' on how others perceive you now (anonymous, only for you)
- A safe, guided simulation to try out your new social energy with kind support
- A bump-up of your social confidence :)
- Bookstore Socials
Stick around to connect more casually. There is a beautiful authenticity to people interested in taking care of their social health and who are thoughtful about their presence and how they show up in the world. They're the kind of people I love being friends with!
You might leave with:
- A smile
- A new friend (or two)
- A book that starts a conversation
Your Host: Amy Zhou
Amy is an ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach who supports professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs go from self-doubt to self-aligned. She's hosted Friend Meet Cutes around the world inspired by the search for our truest selves & closest friends, and believes friendship is a radical & needed act of care.
She’s also a newcomer to Montreal, a fan of big ideas, and a Swiftie who once nearly died getting to a Taylor Swift concert in Brazil. (True story.)
Follow Amy:
Upcoming events
8
💬 Shy girls night! | A Conversation Confidence Workshop & Bookstore Social
Phoenix Books, 5928 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, CAWhat Do I Say? Conversations Made Simple for Shy and Introverted Women
This is an interactive, introvert-friendly workshop designed to help shy women approach conversations with strangers with more ease, authenticity, and self-trust.
Want a built-in buddy? Pay in advance by April 19 and we’ll match you with someone else attending so you can connect beforehand and meet a friendly face at the workshop.
Coming solo? You’re more than welcome - this is totally optional, and everyone at the workshop is friendly.
🧠 In a Nutshell
A 60–90 minute confidence workshop led by a professional coach - including a live coaching demo - followed by a relaxed bookstore social.
✨ Led by Linda Cajuste, ICF-Certified Confidence Coach
💪 Topic: What Do I Say? Conversations Made Simple for Shy and Introverted Women
Focused on starting, maintaining, and exiting conversations in a simple, practical way, with lots of guided practice.📍 Phoenix Books (NDG)
🎟️ By Contribution · Sliding scale available👀 This Might Be For You If…
- You’re thoughtful about the art of conversation
- You’re curious about your “human design” and social patterns
- You want to know others - and be known - without performing
- You’re navigating adult friendships, social anxiety, or awkward silences
- You believe depth > small talk (but don’t always know how to get there)
---
✨ How It Works
🎉 1. Confidence Workshop (60–90 mins)
Led by a Professional Coach certified by the ICF (or equivalent) with verified training credentials.
You’ll experience:
- A gentle warm-up to ease into connection
- A bite-sized masterclass with a clear framework
- Guided practice in a safe, low-pressure space
- A confidence boost rooted in who you actually are
🖊️ Optional: bring a pen & notebook
📚 2. Bookstore Social (30–60 mins)
Slow, simple integration.
Chat with someone from the workshop, browse books, or sit in shared presence. No expectations. Just human connection.
---
✨Welcome Back!
I'm excited to welcome you back to the Charismagic Lab's Spring Season - our third-ever! The stories of how this group has supported you through divorce, changed your view on "awkward" silences, and unlocked curiosity where there was an impenetrable wall were inspiring. I have gratitude for all who brought their whole selves last year.
This season I'm excited to bring on guest coaches, all ICF-Certified & hand-selected by me, to join me in delivering workshops on more areas of social intelligence & charisma. Excited for you to meet them!
- Amy
---
✨The Charismagic Lab
What would the world be like if we were stewards of the social atmosphere?
If we could transform small talk into moments of authentic connection - through powerful conversational workshops
... led by trained professional coaches,
... hosted in beautiful independent bookstores?That’s the Charismagic Lab ✨
Charisma workshops + bookstore socials, building a more socially intelligent world.
---
❓ FAQs
How much does it cost?
- This workshop is offered on a contribution basis. We put our heart (and hours of work) into putting together these events and your support helps keep these events possible and accessible.
- A contribution between $10-20 is kindly requested.
- Contribute online here or in person with cash.
When & where?
🕕 Hosted 6x/month from March–May, Thursdays/Fridays 6–8 PM · Sundays 5–7 PM
📍 Phoenix Books, NDG
🗓️ See Meetup or my Instagram LinkTree for upcoming topics---
❤️ Your Host: Linda Cajuste
Linda Cajuste is an ICF-certified Confidence Coach, Idea Generation Strategist, and creative facilitator who specializes in helping shy and introverted women express themselves with clarity and confidence.
An accountant turned writer, performer and facilitator, Linda uses improv-inspired tools, embodied confidence practices, and playful connection exercises to help people feel more at ease being seen and heard. She is the co-founder of My Creative Break, where she designs introvert-friendly networking and connection experiences that prioritize depth over small talk.
Linda has facilitated workshops, networking events, and confidence-building experiences for entrepreneurs, creatives, and teams, creating spaces where participants feel safe, supported, and encouraged to show up as themselves no performing required.
---
Let's be (social media) friends!📸 I sometimes take photos and short videos to capture the vibe of these gatherings for social media posts promoting the events. I never post audio of attendees. If you'd rather not be in close-up shots, just let me know—I'm happy to honour that. While I do my best to be mindful, it might not be possible to exclude folks from wide group photos. Thanks so much for your understanding and presence. 💛
13 attendees
💬 FEEL BETTER, REACT LESS | A Life Transition Workshop & Bookstore Social (Sun)
Phoenix Books, 5928 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, CAMost of us were never taught how to deal with our emotions—we were taught to ignore them, push through, or stay in control.
But avoiding emotions often leads to more stress, overthinking, and reactive patterns. So what can you do?
Buddy System: Want a built-in buddy? Pay in advance by April 21 and we’ll match you with someone else attending so you can connect beforehand and meet a friendly face at the workshop.
🧠 In a Nutshell
A 60–90 minute life transition workshop led by a professional coach followed by a relaxed bookstore social.
✨ Led by Guest Coach Jacqueline Cabello, Major Life Transitions Coach with 20+ years of executive experience, John Molson Business
School trained.💪 Topic: Feel Better, React Less: Practical Tools for Everyday Emotions
During this workshop you will gain insight on:
- Understanding Your Core Emotions: A healthier relationship with your emotions instead of fearing or avoiding them
- What Triggers You and Why: Identifying your personal patterns and situations that triggers you
- Emotional Regulation Tools: Grounding techniques to calm your body in real time
📍 Phoenix Books (NDG)
🎟️ By Contribution👀 This Might Be For You If…
- You’re thoughtful about the art of conversation
- You’re curious about your “human design” and social patterns
- You want to know others - and be known - without performing
- You’re navigating adult friendships, social anxiety, or awkward silences
- You believe depth > small talk (but don’t always know how to get there)
---
✨ How It Works
🎉 1. Life Transition Workshop (60–90 mins)
Led by a Professional Coach certified by the ICF (or equivalent) with verified training credentials.You’ll experience:
- A gentle warm-up to ease into connection
- A bite-sized masterclass with a clear framework
- Guided practice in a safe, low-pressure space
- A confidence boost rooted in who you actually are
🖊️ Optional: bring a pen & notebook
📚 2. Bookstore Social (30–60 mins)
Slow, simple integration.Chat with someone from the workshop, browse books, or sit in shared presence. No expectations. Just human connection.
---
✨Welcome Back!
I'm excited to welcome you back to the Charismagic Lab's Spring Season - our third-ever! The stories of how this group has supported you through divorce, changed your view on "awkward" silences, and unlocked curiosity where there was an impenetrable wall were inspiring. I have gratitude for all who brought their whole selves last year.
This season I'm excited to bring on guest coaches, all ICF-Certified & hand-selected by me, to join me in delivering workshops on more areas of social intelligence & charisma. Excited for you to meet them!- Amy, Founder of The Charismagic Lab ❤️
---
✨The Charismagic Lab
What would the world be like if we were stewards of the social atmosphere?
If we could transform small talk into moments of authentic connection - through powerful conversational workshops
... led by trained professional coaches,
... hosted in beautiful independent bookstores?That’s the Charismagic Lab ✨
powerful workshops + bookstore socials, building a more socially intelligent world.---
❓ FAQs
How much does it cost?- This workshop is offered on a contribution basis. We put our heart (and hours of work) into putting together these events and your support helps keep these events possible and accessible.
- A contribution between $15-20 is kindly requested.
- Contribute in person with cash or online here.
When & where?
🕕 Hosted 6x/month from March–May, Thursdays/Fridays 6–8 PM · Sundays 5–7 PM
📍 Phoenix Books, NDG
🗓️ See Meetup or my calendar for upcoming topics
---
❤️ Your Host: Jacqueline Cabello
I’m Jacqueline Cabello, a transformation coach, speaker, and former strategic marketing leader. My work is rooted in my own life transformation—navigating divorce, single motherhood, immigration, career reinvention, and a health crisis that taught me the power of turning inward.Through those chapters, I learned what creates real, lasting change: self-awareness, mental fitness, emotional strength, aligned actions and the courage to begin again. Today, I support women through major life transitions to move from fear and uncertainty to clarity and courageous action—so they can create a confident, fulfilling new life.
---
Let's be (social media) friends!📸 I sometimes take photos and short videos to capture the vibe of these gatherings for social media posts promoting the events. I never post audio of attendees. If you'd rather not be in close-up shots, just let me know—I'm happy to honour that. While I do my best to be mindful, it might not be possible to exclude folks from wide group photos. Thanks so much for your understanding and presence. 💛
5 attendees
👂 ART OF EMPATHY IN PRACTICE | A Charisma Workshop & Bookstore Social (Fri)
Phoenix Books, 5928 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, CAWhen someone tells you they’re struggling, how do you respond? How do you want to respond?
Do you try to fix it? Reassure them? Change the subject?
If you’ve ever felt unsure how to respond when someone opens up, this workshop explores showing up with empathy - in alignment with your values, and in authenticity with who you are.
BUDDY SYSTEM: Want a built-in buddy? Pay in advance by April 26 and we’ll match you with someone else attending so you can connect beforehand and meet a friendly face at the workshop.
🧠 In a Nutshell
A 60–90 minute charisma workshop led by a professional coach - including a live coaching demo - followed by a relaxed bookstore social.
✨ Led by Amy Zhou, ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach
💪 Topic: The Art of Empathy in Practice
We’ll explore why some responses create closeness while others unintentionally distance, supporting someone without rushing to fix or minimize, and what might be getting in the way of you showing up with steady, grounded empathy.📍 Phoenix Books (NDG)
🎟️ Ticketed · Sliding scale available👀 This Might Be For You If…
- You’re thoughtful about the art of conversation
- You’re curious about your “human design” and social patterns
- You want to know others - and be known - without performing
- You’re navigating adult friendships, social anxiety, or awkward silences
- You believe depth > small talk (but don’t always know how to get there)
---
✨ How It Works
🎉 1. Charisma Workshop (60–90 mins)
Led by a Professional Coach certified by the ICF (or equivalent) with verified training credentials.
You’ll experience:
- A gentle warm-up to ease into connection
- A bite-sized masterclass with a clear framework
- Guided practice in a safe, low-pressure space
- A live coaching demo (observe real growth & courage)
- A confidence boost rooted in who you actually are
🖊️ Optional: bring a pen & notebook
📚 2. Bookstore Social (30–60 mins)
Slow, simple integration.
Chat with someone from the workshop, browse books, or sit in shared presence. No expectations. Just human connection.
---
✨Welcome Back!
I'm excited to welcome you back to the Charismagic Lab's Spring Season - our third-ever! The stories of how this group has supported you through divorce, changed your view on "awkward" silences, and unlocked curiosity where there was an impenetrable wall were inspiring. I have gratitude for all who brought their whole selves last year.
This season I'm excited to bring on guest coaches, all ICF-Certified & hand-selected by me, to join me in delivering workshops on more areas of social intelligence & charisma. Excited for you to meet them!
- Amy
---
✨The Charismagic Lab
What would the world be like if we were stewards of the social atmosphere?
If we could transform small talk into moments of authentic connection - through powerful conversational workshops
... led by trained professional coaches,
... hosted in beautiful independent bookstores?That’s the Charismagic Lab ✨
Charisma workshops + bookstore socials, building a more socially intelligent world.
---
❓ FAQs
How much does it cost?
- $15 advance online · $20 in person (cash, card, or e-transfer)
- This covers bookstore rental, supplies, and Meetup platform fees.
- If cost is a barrier, please reach out - community is for everyone.
- Purchase tickets here.
When & where?
🕕 Hosted 6x/month from March–May, Thursdays/Fridays 6–8 PM · Sundays 5–7 PM
📍 Phoenix Books, NDG
🗓️ See Meetup or my Instagram LinkTree for upcoming topics---
❤️ Your Host: Amy Zhou
Amy Zhou is an ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach who supports professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs going from self-doubt to self-aligned. She's hosted Friend Meet Cutes around the world inspired by the search for our truest selves & closest friends, and believes friendship is a radical & needed act of care.
In her former career as a product manager, Amy worked with Fortune 500 companies, $1B startups, and award-winning nonprofits. After a yearlong sabbatical to heal burnout and confront some hard truths, she chose a path centered on authenticity, connection, and human flourishing.
---
Let's be (social media) friends!📸 I sometimes take photos and short videos to capture the vibe of these gatherings for social media posts promoting the events. I never post audio of attendees. If you'd rather not be in close-up shots, just let me know—I'm happy to honour that. While I do my best to be mindful, it might not be possible to exclude folks from wide group photos. Thanks so much for your understanding and presence. 💛
4 attendees💬 ART OF (TO BE REVEALED) | A Charisma Workshop & Bookstore Social (Sun)
Phoenix Books, 5928 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC, CAWhen was the last time you had a conversation that moved something in you?
One that lingered. One that made you feel seen - and bonded. If you’re curious about how those conversations happen (and how to invite more of them into your life), this is for you.
🧠 In a Nutshell
A 60–90 minute charisma workshop led by a professional coach - including a live coaching demo - followed by a relaxed bookstore social.
✨ Led by Amy Zhou, ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach
💪 Topic: The Art of (to be Revealed)
Every conversation is a surprise waiting for you to experience it. So is this workshop! Stay tuned for the guest coach and the experience they'll guide you through. Reveals will be made on Instagram @FriendMeetCutes.📍 Phoenix Books (NDG)
🎟️ Ticketed · Sliding scale available👀 This Might Be For You If…
- You’re thoughtful about the art of conversation
- You’re curious about your “human design” and social patterns
- You want to know others - and be known - without performing
- You’re navigating adult friendships, social anxiety, or awkward silences
- You believe depth > small talk (but don’t always know how to get there)
---
✨ How It Works
🎉 1. Charisma Workshop (60–90 mins)
Led by a Professional Coach certified by the ICF (or equivalent) with verified training credentials.
You’ll experience:
- A gentle warm-up to ease into connection
- A bite-sized masterclass with a clear framework
- Guided practice in a safe, low-pressure space
- A live coaching demo (observe real growth & courage)
- A confidence boost rooted in who you actually are
🖊️ Optional: bring a pen & notebook
📚 2. Bookstore Social (30–60 mins)
Slow, simple integration.
Chat with someone from the workshop, browse books, or sit in shared presence. No expectations. Just human connection.
---
✨Welcome Back!
I'm excited to welcome you back to the Charismagic Lab's Spring Season - our third-ever! The stories of how this group has supported you through divorce, changed your view on "awkward" silences, and unlocked curiosity where there was an impenetrable wall were inspiring. I have gratitude for all who brought their whole selves last year.
This season I'm excited to bring on guest coaches, all ICF-Certified & hand-selected by me, to join me in delivering workshops on more areas of social intelligence & charisma. Excited for you to meet them!
- Amy
---
✨The Charismagic Lab
What would the world be like if we were stewards of the social atmosphere?
If we could transform small talk into moments of authentic connection - through powerful conversational workshops
... led by trained professional coaches,
... hosted in beautiful independent bookstores?That’s the Charismagic Lab ✨
Charisma workshops + bookstore socials, building a more socially intelligent world.
---
❓ FAQs
How much does it cost?
- $15 advance online · $20 in person (cash, card, or e-transfer)
- This covers bookstore rental, supplies, and Meetup platform fees.
- If cost is a barrier, please reach out - community is for everyone.
- Purchase tickets here.
When & where?
🕕 Hosted 6x/month from March–May, Thursdays/Fridays 6–8 PM · Sundays 5–7 PM
📍 Phoenix Books, NDG
🗓️ See Meetup or my Instagram LinkTree for upcoming topics---
❤️ Your Host: Amy Zhou
Amy Zhou is an ICF-Certified Authenticity Coach who supports professionals, creatives, and entrepreneurs going from self-doubt to self-aligned. She's hosted Friend Meet Cutes around the world inspired by the search for our truest selves & closest friends, and believes friendship is a radical & needed act of care.
In her former career as a product manager, Amy worked with Fortune 500 companies, $1B startups, and award-winning nonprofits. After a yearlong sabbatical to heal burnout and confront some hard truths, she chose a path centered on authenticity, connection, and human flourishing.
---
Let's be (social media) friends!📸 I sometimes take photos and short videos to capture the vibe of these gatherings for social media posts promoting the events. I never post audio of attendees. If you'd rather not be in close-up shots, just let me know—I'm happy to honour that. While I do my best to be mindful, it might not be possible to exclude folks from wide group photos. Thanks so much for your understanding and presence. 💛
2 attendees
Past events
21
