Startup Canada: Recent Episodes
Startup Canada
Discover how Shayla is indigenizing plant spaces by incorporating native plants and Indigenous knowledge into urban landscapes. Learn about her mission to heal the land and reconnect communities with their cultural roots through sustainable stewardship and the power of native flora. Check out Shaylish Plants.
In this episode, Andrew Karesa, CEO of blueBell Village shares insights into his innovative approach, blending technology with personalized care, and discusses the challenges and triumphs of being an Indigenous entrepreneur in the health tech sector.
Discover how Cole Chauvin is transforming local businesses into vibrant comedy venues, creating unique experiences that break down barriers and bring communities together. From his journey in improv to founding a pop-up comedy series, Cole shares insights on creativity, entrepreneurship, and the power of humor in today’s world.
In this episode of the Startup Canada podcast, Natasha Walji, Managing Director at Google Canada, shares insights on leveraging AI for business growth. She emphasizes the transformative power of AI in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and discusses her journey in technology and community service.
Key Resources for Canadian Small Businesses
- Google’s AI Essentials Course: Check out this generative AI course on Coursera. Learn how to use prompting to enhance your creativity, save time, and accomplish everyday tasks. This course is an ideal starting point for anyone looking to understand AI’s practical applications, no experience required.
- AI for SMBs Course: Tailored specifically for small businesses, this resource provides actionable skills to simplify work, save time, and put AI to work for them.
- NotebookLM: As a thinking partner powered by AI, NotebookLM helps users analyze sources, turn complex information into clear insights, and transform content.
- Grow with Google: Explore free training, tools, and courses to help you expand your digital presence and build key business skills.
- Google Canada’s Economic Impact Report: This report provides a look at how Google’s innovations and products are helping Canadians, workers and businesses, and explores the future potential of AI for Canada.
Karly Heffernan shares her journey from being an elite hockey player for Team Canada to co-founding Hardline, an AI-driven solution for the construction industry. She explains how Hardline captures and documents critical conversations to prevent costly mistakes and highlights the challenges and strategies of fundraising in the tech space.
Rhiannon Rosalind is the former CEO of the Economic Club of Canada. She shares her journey from leading a national platform to founding Conscious Economics, a nonprofit focused on financial therapy and systemic change. We talk about financial trauma and the importance of inner work for entrepreneurs.
In this Startup Podcast episode, our host Rick Spence speaks to Kathleen Chan, Founder and CEO of Calico AI. Kathleen discusses the the role of AI in streamlining supply chains, and the impressive growth of Calico. Kathleen also offers valuable advice for first-time founders and emerging brands, highlighting the significance of understanding customer needs and the evolving landscape of supply chain management.
In this episode, Amanda Parker, the Country Manager for Canada at Constant Contact, shares valuable insights on email marketing and its relevance for small businesses. Amanda emphasizes the importance of clarity in marketing strategies, and how entrepreneurs can leverage email to build strong connections with their customers.
Constant Contact is offering 30% off of their services for 3 months to our listeners!
Sarah Blackmore is the VP of Operations and Head of People and Culture at Riipen. In this epiosde we discuss the importance of scaling businesses, engaging talent, and the unique marketplace model of Riipen that connects students with real-world projects. Sarah shares insights on the impact of Ripen’s programs on students and employers, the significance of feedback loops in operations, and the future direction of the organization, including expansion into the U.S. market. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and the value of diverse talent in the workforce.
Learn more about Riipen
Mandy Potter, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Misfit Ventures shares her journey as an entrepreneur, her experiences in the startup ecosystem, and her passion for inclusivity in venture capital. She discusses the importance of being a ‘misfit’ and how it can be a strength in entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Derrick Emsley, Founder and CEO of veritree and tentree emphasizes the need for transparency and verification in tree planting initiatives and shares insights on building a restorative business model that goes beyond mere sustainability.
In this episode, hear from Maureen Ngo, Founder and Owner of East Van Laundry and Coastal Waves Swim School. Discover how Maureen’s journey from university dropout to successful entrepreneur was fuelled by her fascination with non-sexy, yet profitable ventures like laundromat.
Dive into the world of up-skilling and learning with Sarah Stockdale, Founder and CEO of Growclass. Hear about the power of community, the importance of staying scrappy, and the mantra that kept her going: “Just don’t die.”
Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise and all businesses need to adopt a proactive mindset to protect themselves. Amanda Swain is the Director of Engineering at CIRA.
Being cybersafe on a budget
Paul is a seasoned international business professional with a deep interest in connecting the dots between natural human creativity, technology, and business to inspire and bring out the best that exists in all of us. As CEO and Founder at Creatubbles, he has overseen the development and launch of the SuperCode app, which he is striving to make the most amazing way to learn to code.
Jessica Nielson is the Owner of Chews Me Chewlery, where she creates handmade chewable jewelry and other sensory items. Jessica began creating these products when she realized they just weren’t accessible in rural Alberta.
Darryl is the founder + CEO of tili, an emerging beverage brand that produces a better-for-you, low-sugar juice box packed with 2 servings of organic veggies. Started in 2024, tili’s mission is to provide people of all ages a tasty and convenient way to consume more veggies while disrupting a sleepy, shelf-stable juice category.
Steve’s entrepreneurial flame was ignited at a young age growing up in a family of entrepreneurs. When he and his best friend, just two guys from Canada, wanted to bring a little fun to the garnish world, they founded Matt and Steve’s and introduced The Extreme Bean.
As Chief Brand Officer, Steve is in charge of the look and feel of the brand. Steve’s ability to connect with people has contributed to the undeniable success of Matt and Steve’s.
Jackson Wyatt is the founder and CEO of CABN, a company offering net-zero housing for everyone to live anywhere, live sustainably, and live connected. He builds upon immense success as founder and previous head of design and manufacturing for a sustainable products company, Greenlid, for which he built 50+ innovative products distributed in 10,000+ stores across North America and 25 countries worldwide. Greenlid makes compostable, sustainable products and was featured on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
Kane Willmott is a visionary entrepreneur and a recognized authority on the future of work. As the Co-Founder and CEO of iQ Offices, Canada’s largest independent, Canadian-owned coworking operator, Kane has skillfully managed more than 350 private offices across Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Montreal.
Constanza is the Founder of Newbornlander. Newbornlander is a premium baby & parents manufacturing company and a social enterprise located in Newfoundland.
Constanza and her team work with eco-friendly fabrics and create handmade products like rain hats, baseball caps, bibs, clothing, car seat covers and more in St John’s, NL. While ensuring the endurance of extreme weather conditions of Newfoundland itself, their products are perfectly suitable and comfortable for the entire Canadian climate.
Constanza is committed to employing immigrant women on her team, easing the path to better careers for them.
Roxanne Pettipas and John Haslam are the Founders of Buddy Belts – the stylish and safe harness for dogs.
Roxanne conceptualized and designed the first Buddy Belt out of necessity for her miniature dachshund named Buddy. John has over 25 years of business ownership experience and excels at establishing and managing key relationships that are essential to growing a business. Since bootstrapping the company in 2001, Buddy Belts is now a million-dollar, international business with product sold in 20+ countries, and a dedicated Buddy Belts Team.
Jake is a different type of business leader – unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of BS. His product, Mid-Day Squares, are functional chocolate squares that satisfy sweet cravings. Jake and his team are leading the disruption of an extremely competitive vertical with an innovative marketing strategy and a fearless spirit.
Richard is the Founder and CEO of 10Adventures, a platform to book customizable and private active vacations. With trips in 85+ countries and travellers from 35+ countries, 10Adventures is a global platform that enables people to create meaningful travel experiences with the people that matter most in their lives. These shared experiences end up as the photos on their walls, the stories that are told at family reunions, and the memories that last a lifetime.
Nesreen is the Founder of WUD Chocolate and Gifts. Nesreen’s journey is one of passion, innovation, resilience and offers valuable lessons in caring and love, while giving back to community.
As a resilient refugee, a mother, and an entrepreneur, Nesreen has embedded a mission of giving back and supporting refugees into her business.
Shrad Rao is the CEO and co-founder of Wagepoint – a simple payroll software built just for small businesses and backed by the world’s friendliest team. Wagepoint has grown to serve 25,000 small businesses in Canada paying about 200,000 teammates each month. Shrad jokes that building a company is like going to a ridiculously hard school – you are taught lessons every day and the only question is whether you learn them today or tomorrow.
Fatima Zaidi is the Founder and CEO at Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency specializing in corporate audio, and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool. With Quill, brands, businesses and people can tell their story through compelling audio.
Athanasius “Tanas” Sylliboy, warmly self-proclaimed as “Your favourite auntie’s favourite auntie”, Anita LandBack, originates from the Eskasoni First Nation in Mi’kma’ki. As a devoted Two Spirit Lnu (Mi’kmaw) Nurse Practitioner and talented Drag Artist, Tanas/Anita is driven by a passion for fostering acceptance, visibility, and representation for marginalized communities. They masterfully balance their careers in nursing and drag to break down barriers and amplify the voices of Indigenous, Black, Asian, 2SLGBTQ+, and other underrepresented groups.
Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
Martin Straathof is the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to the long-term protection of Ontario’s food producing landscapes. Martin displays their steadfast advocacy for sustainable agriculture by actively engaging with stakeholders and fostering partnerships to advance community-based solutions – including the diversification of both thought and representation across the industry’s workforce.
Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
Judith Kasiama is the Founder and CEO of Colour The Trails, a collective of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ adventure seekers who are radically amplifying the voices that are missing in this space. With a core belief that nature is for everyone, the company has initiated the participation of more than 750 equity-deserving individuals in backpacking, ice climbing, trail running, and more. The organization has also facilitated the certification of participants in things like Leave No Trace, Métis Plant Identification, Lead Climbing, and Avalanche Skills Training.
Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
At Ivy + Dean Consulting, Jacq Brasseur (CEO) and Risa Payant (COO) focus on providing support to small and medium-sized non-profits through an equity, social justice, and anti-oppression lens. Founded after experiencing a decade of difficulties finding consultants who shared Jacq’s values and approach to non-profit leadership, and who understood local realities in the Prairies and Northern Canada, the team is dedicated to redefining what is possible in consulting across the country – all while being guided by queerness.
Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.
Dedicated to getting more people outside, easily, Guita created Campertunity. Campertunity is an online marketplace where people can book a campsite on private land, nationwide. Campertunity is the first to bring camping to the shared economy in Canada.
While offering unique camping experiences, Campertunity builds community and helps sustain land. Promoting environmentally friendly travel, agri-tourism, and the maintenance of mental and physical health, Campertunity is fast growing with campers and picturesque campsites are joining the platform, every day.
Pok Pok is an award-winning digital play company redefining how kids play and learn on devices. Melissa previously served as a Product Designer for The Walt Disney Company, was Head of Operations at renowned game studio Snowman and has led marketing and PR at start-ups both in Canada and Europe. She’s also an advocate and start-up mentor for women in tech and underrepresented founders.
Cat Adalay is an experienced entrepreneur and business executive with a background in engineering, product design, and hardware development. This background was the perfect foundation to begin Aurea Technologies in 2017.
Rachel Carr joined Cat and Aurea when Cat was prototyping a wind energy system for residential applications. Together, Rachel and Cat saw an opportunity to scale down this innovation and this is when the Shine turbine began – a portable wind turbine that can fit in your backpack!
Jessica is the CEO and co-founder of Apricotton, the only bra brand globally that designs bras that “grow” as girls grow, so girls can fit into the same bra when they develop from an A to D cup, helping the 90% of girls embarrassed to wear their first bra. She’s personally leading Apricotton’s Gen Z community, growing it to 170,000 followers and 30 million organic views on TikTok and Instagram by becoming girls’ online big sister. Apricotton has been featured in Global News, CTV Television News, BuzzFeed, and Seventeen Magazine, and is the top Google search result for “teen bra”.
As the CEO and Founder of Loba, Kate is innovating health and wellness by taking pill and supplement management from routine to ritual. Kate’s own health journey led her to to search for a solution that combined sleek organization, convenient reminders, and a positive sentiment around taking her pills. Finding nothing that resonated, Kate took the reins and created a platform for pill and supplement management that empowers rather than stigmatizes.
Inspired by his own experience with a tutor, Will realized the power of a great tutor and started TutorOcean in 2018. Just one year later, Will was approached by a university to offer the platform as a solution which led him to launch QuadC. Today, Will and his team support more than 50 higher institutions across North America and have more than 250,000 users across both products.
David Souaid is the Chief Revenue Officer and member of the board of directors at Journey Capital (formerly OnDeck Canada,) a leader in online small business lending. Journey Capital offers fast and flexible financing to founders so they can refuel their business. Journey Capital uses technology and also the guidance and advice of real business loan advisors to evaluate the financial needs of entrepreneurs and founders.
Together, Berto, Phil, Anthony and Robert are creating products that men can start celebrating, instead of tolerating. When searching for a comfortable pair of boxers and finding nothing … they created their own and began Manmade.
The card aisle doesn’t often represent queer folks, so Heather decided to do something about it and create her own products for herself and her community.
Today, Little Rainbow Paper Co is a shop filled with cards, pins, mugs, ornaments, notepads and more that celebrate the queer and the quirky! Heather designs every product in her shop and the products exist to provide opportunities for members of the queer community to show love, affection, and joy for each other.
Katie Young is the Founder of Klondike Kettle Corn. Katie blends her culinary expertise with a passion for community. With a background in restaurants and catering, Katie found her calling in crafting fresh, ready-to-eat popcorn experiences. As a devoted mom, outdoor enthusiast, and food lover, she sees popcorn as more than a snack—it’s a vehicle for connection and joy. Whether summiting mountains or gathering around a campfire, Katie’s dedication to family, friends, and community shines through in every kernel!
Jackie Rhind is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ovry, a brand of Canadian reproductive care products that includes pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, and an at-home male fertility test. Ovry tests are better alternatives to store-bought pregnancy and ovulation tests, which are wasteful, inconvenient, overpriced, and can often feel awkward or intimidating to buy. Compared to traditional tests, Ovry strip tests are tiny, discreet, just as accurate as any leading brand, much more affordable and each test uses 90% less single-use plastic.
Amber Mac is President of AmberMac Media, Inc., an award-winning content development agency. In 2021, Amber was named one of the Bay Street Bull Women of the Year for her leadership in the technology sector. Amber has keynoted more than 500 events around the world, co-hosted a variety of podcast series, is a best selling author and more. Most recently, Amber is the host of Success in 7,an interview series featuring Canadian small business owners to learn their story, their challenges, and their approaches to reaching success, presented by Intuit Quickbooks.
Guests:
Jaclyn Patterson is the Founder of Shopwise, an online sustainable fashion marketplace, making it easier for people to discover and shop smarter from more than 30 purpose driven brands that prioritize both people and the planet.
Christal Duncan Earle founded Brave Soles in 2017. Brave Soles creates handcrafted shoes with upcycled tire soles and is focused on providing opportunities for their customers and fans to love the story behind what they own.
Resources:Connect with Jaclyn on LinkedIn
Connect with Christal on LinkedIn
Learn more about Shopwise and purpose driven brands and apparel
Get started with Ownr
Learn more about where clothing, apparel comes from in The True Cost documentary
Ange Paye is a tech entrepreneur wth a background in product management and is passionate about building tech that helps businesses give back. VOTO is about community building, charitable giving and digital engagement, all in one platform.
Katie MacMillan is the Founder of Kello Inclusive – a talent agency that exclusively represents disabled and visibly different talent. Kello is the first agency of its kind in Canada!
In this episode, we will explore Brood’s story, one that came to be through a passion for babies, friendship, and families. Emma Devin and Lizzy Karp have developed a language of care and through this conversation we are able to learn how the words we use affect the experience people can have. This conversation reminds us to look at parents and caretakers as whole beings, highlights the need for better education around setting up parental leave systems and brings awareness to creating workplaces that are safe and inclusive for all kinds of parents, caretakers and families.
Guests:
Emma Devin is Co-Founder and Chief People and Product Officer at Brood Care Inc.
Lizzy Karp is Co-Founder and CEO of Brood Care Inc.
ResourcesUse code STARTUP for 25% off all Brood courses at www.broodcare.com
Check out this paid family leave guide.
A great read on using gender neutral language
Ren Navarro is addressing the lack of diversity in the beer industry. Ren has become a known name in breweries, wineries, distilleries, and beyond. She has given talks on diversity and inclusion at several colleges and countless festivals, panels, radio shows, and podcasts throughout North America.
”AI can help with automating tasks and taking some of the workload off of a busy entrepreneur’s plate.”
Emily Baillie is the Founder of Compass Content Marketing. Emily approaches consulting and training through collaboration and strives to be inclusive and practical. She also specializes in breaking down complex topics into accessible, easy-to-understand language.
“Lawyers are good, but law firms break them. That is why we built something better with Goodlawyer. We want to create an environment where entrepreneurs and founders want to talk to their lawyers.”
Brett Colvin is Goodlawyer’s Co-founder and CEO. Brett has overseen Goodlawyer’s growth from inception to a 25+ person team that was named Small Business of the Year by the Calgary Chamber. Brett was a corporate lawyer for 4+ years, where he experienced firsthand that most business owners can't afford the legal help they need.
"I have big dreams. I think kids don't see challenges as challenges, they seem them as ways to learn and not as barriers."
Lily Harper is a 9 year old entrepreneur and the founder of her very own small business, Lily Lou’s Aromas. During the pandemic when schools were shut down and students were sent to learn from home, Lily found a passion in creating beautiful, amazing scented products that are sustainable and cruelty-free.
Ivy Wong is the Founder of Ripple Foundation, a non-profit created to inspire imaginations, and foster creativity and literacy for children in Canada. Today, Ripple Foundation serves communities across the country and children and youth at various stages of their writing journeys. Megan Poole is the Manager of Community and Community Relations at The 519 in Toronto. The 519 is a registered charity dedicated to the health, happiness and full participation of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Resources: Connect with Ivy Wong, of Ripple Foundation Connect with Megan Poole, of The 519 Donate to Ripple Foundation Donate to The 519 Check out Canada Helps to donate Explore non-profit discounts through Tech Soup
Giancarlo Sessa is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Blade Air. Aeden is Co-Founder and CEO of Blade Air. Together, they founded Blade Air, where smashing the status quo has always been their focus. Blade offers a suite of products including HEP, electrostatic filters, and carbon filters, and this team delivers air quality solutions unique to each of their clients.
“Having a portfolio of technology differentiates us. It allows us to be very customer-focused.”
“The vicarious experience of working with an entrepreneur teaches you what it truly takes to build something from the ground up.”
Scott is the Founder and CEO of Venture for Canada, a national charity that is driven to foster entrepreneurial skills and mindsets of young Canadaians. Venture for Canada accelerates careers through training and community. Their programs help young minds kick start their careers and allow Canada’s budding companies to work with eager talent. Scott, I am so excited to learn more about Venture for Canada and talk about something we both live and breathe everyday, entrepreneurship.
Bradley Daye is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Placemaking 4G, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.Bradley is on a mission to co-create a more socially conscious recruiting industry and wants more people to embrace the vulnerabilities that come with being human at work. Bradley leads with empathy and wants to inspire workplaces to embrace cultural differences and unique lived experiences.
"For my whole life I have code-switched, changing things about myself, in order to fit in. That isn’t belonging."
"The number of women getting into cycling is increasing. Women are racing and competing and there is so much mentorship, inclusivity and encouragement happening there."
Janet Hiebert is the Founder and CEO at Samsara Cycle. Frustrated with the lack of flattering clothing options for women, she created cycling clothing and kits that she wanted to wear. Soon, others were asking where she got them and Samsara was born.
"We do work in 5 minutes that would take a team of analysts to do in 90 days.”
Kevin Collins is the Founder and CEO of Charli AI, a leading Intelligent Content Services Platform provider that is driving the transformation of human decision-making. Its suite of products helps businesses accelerate growth, dramatically reduce costs, streamline operations, and enable employees to focus on high-value activities that have real and recognizable impacts on the business.
Kevin has more than 30 years of experience and extensive knowledge in artificial intelligence and machine learning, both as an entrepreneur and a corporate executive. At Charli AI, he oversees a team of expert scientists that are pushing the boundaries of innovation in the AI-driven intelligent content management space.
Money matters for entrepreneurs and for business owners. It can also be a source of stress, shame and overwhelm. Chris and Melissa have advice for you to feel more comfortable with making and managing money as a women entrepreneur.
Guests: Chris McMartin is our Topic Expert. Chris leads The Scotiabank Women Initiative Small Business Strategy across Canada. In this role, Chris is committed to building a program that helps women overcome the challenges they face on their path to success when starting, sustaining, and growing a business.
Melissa Houston is our Featured Founder. Melissa is the author of Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Creating a Profitable Business. Melissa is passionate about helping business owners optimize the profit of their businesses so they can keep more money in their pockets. Melissa is a CPA with over two decades of experience and loves to share her knowledge.
Resources
Connect with Chris McMartin Access to The Scotiabank Women Initiative Connect with Melissa Houston Learn from Melissa and her book Cash Confident Listen to the The Finance Cafe podcast
"We raise girls who are skillful, fierce, resilient and hopeful to be a part of the future."
What started with a game of chess has ignited a movement and a revolution that young girls today need more than ever. Ingrid Gayle is empowering girls to level up and grow resilient enough to smash through the patriarchally-imposed glass ceilings that have long kept them out of STEM fields. STEM The Gap Academy is on a mission to eliminate the gender gap in STEM, by teaching girls chess, math, science, and digital skills.
"My response to hate is that you are not on the right side of history. What I teach is that everyone deserves to be loved, and everyone deserves equal rights.”
In this episode we speak to Ian Burns, based in Kingston Ontario. Ian is one of Kingston's premiere drag entertainers, known as Rowena Whey. Since 2016 he has brought his energetic, funny, soulful, and always entertaining performances across Canada. With talents ranging from live singing, dancing, fashion, hosting, makeup, and lip-syncing, he does it all.
Ian's accolades include being the first drag queen ever pictured on a piece of alcohol sold in the LCBO, with his beer partnership Queen of Wheat with Spearhead Brewing, and being voted “Best Theatre in Kingston” in 2021 and 2022.
Ian is also responsible for multiple large-scale drag productions and events in Kingston, Ontario. His shows have entertained thousands, and enlisted stars from such television shows as Rupaul’s Drag Race, Canada’s Drag Race, and Call Me Mother, plus many local and visiting drag performers.
Ian is actively involved in the Kingston community and with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations across Canada. He has organized multiple Drag Queen storytime events in Southeastern Ontario, to teach children and families about acceptance and equality. Ian has also spearheaded events for various charities/non-profits including Kingston Pride, Dawn House, Rainbow Railroad, the ISCWR, Trellis HIV & Community Care, and the CCGSD.
This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business.
“As marginalized folks, as those who walk at the intersection of multiple identities, we often feel like imposters in the room. My advice is to know that you already are an expert if you are living those identities - trust yourself and your brilliance.”
In this episode we sat down with Fae Johnstone, a leading voice on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in Canada. She is the Executive Director and Co-Owner of Wisdom2Action Consulting Ltd., a social enterprise and consulting firm that provides a range of services and supports to non-profit organisations, health and social services and government agencies.
Fae is a sought-after public speaker, facilitator and media commentator on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, mental health and gender justice. Her words regularly appear in the Ottawa Citizen, Toronto Star and other major media publications.
As an advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, Fae played a role in the fight to protect transgender rights and ban conversion practices in Canada. Fae was the 2019 recipient of LGBT Youth Line's Trans Activism award, and currently serves on the Boards of Directors for YWCA Canada and Oxfam Canada.
This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business.
Ready to start right now and help Fae in fighting gender-based violence against 2SLGBTQ+ youth? Take the SAFER Project pledge: https://saferproject.ca/
“As a person who is queer, with disabilities, and as a female-presenting person, people need to see people who look like me being successful, and doing cool things. I too am allowed to be successful - there is power in that.” - Joline Beauregard at Startup Canada Tour 2023 in Whitehorse, YK.
This episode’s guest is Joline Beauregard, a Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, and the Owner of Sunrise Nutrition - an organization helping people achieve life-long health by building healthy relationships with food and their bodies.
Now based in the Yukon, Joline has a bachelor's in human nutrition from Toronto Metropolitan University and completed a dietetic internship centred on rural, remote, and First Nations health through the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business.
Chelsea Howard is the Founder of Drift Employer Brand Consulting. Chelsea is a workforce strategist, partnering with companies from a range of industries to build human-centric culture and employee experience strategies. Mary Wildman is a First Nations Indigenous woman from Curve Lake First Nation. Mary is a vibrant warrior who works to build relationships and form connections, is a motivational speaker and and Indigenous influencer with a mission to advocate for Indigenous People and also help diverse groups become great allies and make an impact in our communities.
Resources:
Check out Chelsea Howard and Drift's Resource Hub Connect with Mary Wildman for speaking and consulting Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Report Learn from Indigenomics Institute
”As entrepreneurs we fall in love with our products, and the problems that we are solving. We [the RUBIES team] celebrate trans kids and trans families - it’s infectious.”
Every girl deserves to shine. That’s the mission behind RUBIES - a Toronto-based business led by this episode’s guest, Jamie Alexander, alongside his daughter, Ruby. RUBIES is creating form-fitting clothing - everything from bikini bottoms and underwear, to bras and active wear - for trans girls so they can feel comfortable and confident doing what they love to do.
Along with apparel, Jamie and Ruby have ignited a powerful community online and across the world to support, celebrate and connect trans kids and their families.
This episode is part of the 2023 Startup Canada Podcast Pride Takeover. Today and everyday, we can all do our part to make Canada a better, more inclusive place to start and grow a business.
Ready to start right now and help Ruby and Jamie #spreadtransjoy? Consider donating a pair of bottoms to a girl in need:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/cd94e5-help-me-send-form-fitting-swimwear-to-trans-girls
“Create opportunities in order for opportunities to come to you.”
Sarah Syed is a climate activist, researcher, innovator, and poet from Toronto who has taken stage around the world. Her research and work have been recognized by leaders of parliament, David Suzuki, and other influential activists.
Sarah has volunteered more than 1000 hours and her work has been published in The Toronto Star, Yahoo News, The Weather Network, and more. Sarah has been named a Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist in Canada by Starfish Canada, Top 20 Under 20 in the World by Diversity in Action, and an Ontario Junior Citizen.
“Like a house, your brand is one of the biggest assets you own. If you don’t have a strong foundation to start with, you might have to knock it all down.”
Christine Lieu is the expert behind CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast, a show to energize entrepreneurs to invest in their brands.
She is a graphic designer who’s traded climbing the corporate ladder for climbing mountains around the world. Christine helps purpose-driven businesses create a cohesive branding, web design, and social content to drive their impact and sales. As featured in Top 10 Canada Design, the Brand Party Podcast delivers fun, honest, to-the-point advice that you can implement RIGHT AWAY in your entrepreneurial journey.
“The digital divide has created a wider gap between leadership and management. It has created a lot of problems for people with disabilities.”
David Best is persistent in seeking out best practises for more accessible businesses. At the age of five, David developed glaucoma and by age twenty, lost all of his vision.
David believes people with disabilities can achieve a satisfying and quality life. David was the first blind individual to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in computer science at Western University in 1978 and while there, established the first Canadian Braille facility and digital information research centre for people experiencing vision loss. David also enjoys hiking and canoeing in Nothern Ontario and the Canada’s wild Rockies.
David began his career working with Air Canada as a systems application designer and spent years at IBM immersed in software development, technical support, product design, project management and was actively involved in supporting the IBM Accessibility Team. David formed BEST Consulting in 1985 to meet the growing demand for accessibility employment issues and creates education and accommodation strategies for business and non-profit organizations.
“When change happens, we become resilient. I believe pursuing a side hustle allows us to learn this and thrive.”
Jeff has enjoyed a winding pathway through the gig and creator economies. A former English teacher, Jeff dove into entrepreneurship in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. Early in his journey he started an education technology company, led innovation training at various Canadian Innovation Centres, and did freelance curriculum development for a range of post-secondary institutions.
Today, Jeff has a portfolio of work that includes being a freelance innovation coach and consultant for big brands, co-owning Lane Two Learning Inc, where he builds & launches courses for large organizations like Canon Canada, and is the co-owner of The Maker’s Collective. With The Maker’s Collective, Jeff has become a thought leader in the Future of Work, Side Hustling, and the Gig Economy, having designed and delivered side hustle 101 – an online course that has helped over 450 people to thrive in the gig and creator economies.
Your venture needs funding, how you get there can be up to you.
In this episode, Kailey shares NONA Vegan’s fundraising journey while Shelley chimes in with insight and advice for funding your business so you can grow.
“Founders should put themselves first. I want to understand their judgment, I need to see that they are coachable. I love companies who marry a social impact to their business and it isn’t a trade off.”
Guests:
Shelley Kuipers is Co-CEO, General Partner and Growth Officer at The51, where she is transforming the status quo to create a more equitable, feminist and ecologically sustainable business.
Kailey Gilchrist is the Founder of NONA Vegan, where she brings the comfort and nourishment of an Italian mamma’s home cooking to your meals.
Resources:To learn more from Shelley Kuipers, check out The51
Check out The51’s Financial Feminist Lab
Explore the Financial Feminist Dictionary
Connect with Ellen Farrell, Investor Ready
Connect with the Trade Commissioner Service for funding, exporting advice and more
“We showcase the Yukon’s extraordinary people, culture, and places through our magazines, podcast, and retail store.”
Karen McColl is the editor of Yukon, North of Ordinary, and produces two podcasts: Yukon, North of Ordinary, the podcast; and Frisky North of 60. She is also working with a local legend on a book about ski trekking.
Reporting has taken Karen to the Arctic, down the Mackenzie River, and into the Yukon backcountry.
Karen graduated from the University of King’s College with a bachelor of journalism in 2014 and that year was the recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Roving Reporter Bursary.
“I see confidence increase in the folks of our programs, and identity shifts. We had one woman identify as a refugee and domestic abuse surivivor. Now, she identifies as a business woman.”
Christina Wong is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Employ to Empower, a registered charitable organization that empowers people who face barriers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). We use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to cultivate community, a sense of belonging, and confidence for people facing work and social barriers. We provide free access to skills training resources like business planning, mentorship, and education opportunities to empower people who face barriers to become the resource themselves and help others, creating a ripple effect of impact.
Christina created the Cardboard Project, which seeks to engage local entrepreneurs in the Downtown Eastside with the other members of the public to raise awareness and showcase artists’ voices. Recently, she was nominated for the 2020 YWCA Women of Distinction in the Non-Profit category, a recipient of the 2021 Globe and Mail’s top 50 Business Changemakers in Canada, and selected as a recipient for the VISA Canada She’s Next Grant recipient
“Networking is not just about business. Ask them ‘how can I help you’ and write this on their business card, so you remember.”
Known by his signature fedora, Jarrod Goldsmith is a Canadian community builder, avid networker, past archaeologist, YouTuber, podcaster, and professional musician who founded Sax Appeal Ottawa. Using an interactive and novel virtual event platform, his other business is eSAX (The Entrepreneur Social Advantage Experience) Virtual Events which hosts exciting virtual experiences for others.
He is the embodiment of the small business spirit and has more than 700 videos on the eSAX YouTube channel covering entrepreneurship, networking, and virtual event resources. Jarrod Goldsmith is a true small business success story.
Bronwyn Bridges is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pragmaclin, and is transforming the ways we assess, diagnose and treat people with Parkinson’s Disease. Bronwyn has helped to leverage over one million dollars in non-dilutive government funding and received over two hundred thousand dollars through pitch competition wins.
A big thank you to Export Development Canada for powering this episode of the Startup Canada Podcast. Without EDC, we could not support the growth of entrepreneurs like Bronwyn to take their businesses to the next level and find success on the world stage. For more information and resources, visit w w w dot E D C dot ca.
Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster, with high highs and low lows. Add in navigating a new country and all of the emotions and learnings that come along with it, that is a whole new rollercoaster.
In this episode, we hear from two women entrepreneurs who left home and came to Canada for a new life. Through their journeys, we quickly learn that newcomer entrepreneurs are the biggest risk takers of all.
Guests:
Karla Briones is a proud Mexican-Canadian entrepreneur with retail, food and online businesses such as Global Pet Foods and Freshii. She is also the Founder of KB Consulting.
Vanessa Teran is a Digital Product Marketer and Clean-tech entrepreneur. Vanessa is co-founder of AQUA Preserve.
Resources:To learn more from Karla Briones, check out her blog and website
To connect with Vanessa, view her LinkedIn
Check out Pocketed for grants and funding opportunities
Check out Access Capital Fund, an accelerator program for women
Learn more about BDC’s Newcomer Entrepreneur programs
If you are under 39, check out Futurpreneur
If you live in Canada, check out our own Startup Global program
On the show today, we are excited to speak with Matt Mizzi, Co-Founder and CEO of Drinkable, in Dartmouth Nova Scotia.
“I really embrace pivots, it means it was a decision we always had to make, we just didn’t know it yet.”
Matt Mizzi is an environmental scientist and venture capital enthusiast. His vision is to enable water literacy at the press of a button. Matt is building the world’s first accurate, easy-to-use, and affordable water test device for consumers.
Matt has a Bachelor of Science with a focus on biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental assessment and policy. As CEO and Co-Founder at Drinkable, Matt leads a team of researchers strategists, technologists, and engineers.
Co-founders, moteliers, and best friends, April and Sarah created The June Motel, now with two locations and guests who can’t get enough.
April has a decade of experience creating successful PR campaigns and a great eye for design which has helped The June gain traction through social media and online spaces. Sarah’s previous experience working in public service has allowed her to keep operations running smoothly.
“We see our work pay off when we observe guests and see them making friends with one another. We get to witness the highlights of their summer.”
Lesley Hamptonn is an Anishinaabe Artist and Fashion Designer. Her pieces and designs focus on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation in fashion, film, and media.
Vogue has called her the “number one Canadian designer to keep your eye on”, and The Globe and Mail describe Lesley as ‘an important Indigenous face in the Canadian fashion landscape.”
“I founded my brand on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation. I use this to align myself with opportunities that come my way.”
Tina Singh is the Founder of Bold Helmets, the first safety-certified helmet for Sikh kids.
“I knew I had to be bold. Our helmets are new to the market, and something not everyone might understand.”
For years, Tina worked as an occupational therapist with patients who have suffered brain injuries, an experience that has shown her the importance of protecting your head and having a safe and well-fitted helmet. But as a mom of three children who wear patkas, a Sikh head covering, finding helmets that fit her children properly was a true challenge.
Bold Helmets is the answer for safety and inclusion for Sikh children so they can participate in play and sport.
In this episode, we speak with Liz Mok, Founder of Moo Shu Ice Cream, a small-batch ice cream shop in the Centertown neighborhood of Ottawa, Ontario.
Beginning in 2015, Liz started selling her ice cream at local farmers’ markets and just one year later, she opened her brick-and-mortar location.
Among the shop’s offerings is an eclectic mix of ice cream flavours including those that are inspired by local seasonal produce and by East Asian ingredients. They are also well-known for their allergen-conscious menu, which includes gluten-free waffle cones and several vegan ice cream flavours. Moo Shu Ice Cream believes in investing in its team and is a certified Living Wage Employer. Drawing from Liz’s design education, she has an affinity for making bold decisions and takes a fail-forward approach to developing her small business.
When entrepreneurs hear Make Lemonade, they likely think of Rachel Kelly – but what is the secret to achieving this and how do you do it?
Reagan Bradley, is a personal brand strategist, or in her words ‘a part time investigator, and part time storyteller’, guiding entrepreneurs to find their authenticity, and curate the right story so they can clearly express who they are, what they do, and how they do it.
Rachel’s Make Lemonade began as a vibrant co-working space in Toronto, and today it is a boutique floral studio that blossomed out of her desire for change and a pivot she knew she needed to make. In this episode, Reagan draws on Rachel’s experience to illustrate what a brand is, and what is is not, and the tactics that will help you build a strong brand for both you and your business.
Guests:
Rachel Kelly is a motorcycle riding, community builder creating floral art in the heart of Toronto through Make Lemonade.
Reagan Bradley is part investigator, part storyteller who helps service-based businesses become known through strong personal brands.
Resources:To learn more from Reagan, check out her website
Need flowers? Connect with Rachel at Make Lemonade
Read Careergasm by Sarah Vermunt
Learn from Meg Lewis of Full Time You
Read Storyategy by Matt Davies
“When I show up in a space, I show other Black girls that there is nothing wrong with being loud, being outspoken, and with wanting to lead.”
Keosha Love is an award-winning artist, activist, and educator who creates spaces for wellness and collection liberation in marginalized communities. She is a poet and a writer and explores the diverse narratives and identities of Black and racialized people to promote liberation and empowerment. Her poem ‘A Prayer for Black Women’ has been shared nationally and featured in CBC’s Poetic License.
Keosha founded Our Women’s Voices in 2016, a Toronto-based non-profit focused on amplifying the voices of women and making social change through art, education, and community organization. Her debut interview video series Black & Vulnerable explores Black vulnerability to promote wellness, collective power, and social awareness.
Keosha is a well recognized voice and has collaborated with Facebook, Nike, The Raptors, the Art Gallery of York University, and Never Apart Magazine in 2019, she was the recipient of the RISE Community Award for her contributions towards her community.
“To all Black entrepreneurs, the one thing you can do is recognize and honour that every door, every stage, and every opportunity, has been opened from the Black ancestors before you”.
Cheyenne Jones is Cheyenne Jones is the Assistant Property Manager of Akoma Holdings. Akoma is a Black Owned, Black Run, and Black Serving organization with the goal of creating economic prosperity for people of African descent in Nova Scotia. Akoma recently completed its first major development project with the renovation and opening of Kinney Place, an intergenerational centre and Black business incubator.
As Assistant Property Manager, Cheyenne brings her community knowledge and experience of community engagement to various committees that she is engaged in such as: Interim Board Member Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association; ANS (African Nova Scotian) Food Justice and Sovereignty Working Group and the Road to Economic Prosperity for African Nova Scotians. Cheyenne’s passion is to assist people of African descent to understand the various levels of systemic oppression and help them achieve generational wealth which can be achieved through equity opportunities and property acquisition and management.
“Fashion in Nova Scotia wasn’t diverse. I wanted to bring afro-centric designs to the space.”
Funmi is the Owner and Creative Designer of MichNat Fashion, a business she created to meet the demand for Afro designs mixed with Western flair.
Funmi’s designs are bright, they are electric and her custom pieces include everything from dresses for baby showers, Bridgerton-inspired gowns, colourful pant suits, and elegant birthday dresses to casual bomber jackets and sweaters. Funmi’s design brings colour to an industry that can often be bland.
Funmi and MichNat Fashion have received multiple awards including the Award of Excellence from Black Designers of Canada, Entrepreneur of the Year from the Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), and Fashionpreneur of the Year from Canada Vendors.
Expressing our emotions at work is not always easy, but what if paying more attention to our behaviours and emotional needs made us better leaders? Leaders who could hire according to their emotional inventory, operate in a more self aware state and create emotionally in tuned and strong teams that support business growth.
Daisy Wright, who supports folks as they transition in their careers and guides them as they enter leadership roles, discusses how emotions show up at work for first time leaders – providing examples we can all learn from. Carolyn Stern, an emotional intelligence instructor and expert, draws on Daisy’s experience to illustrate principles and tactics that will encourage you to feel what you feel, deeply, so you can be an emotionally strong leader.
Guests:
Daisy Wright is the Founder and Chief Encouragement Officer of The Wright Career Solution and an award-winning executive career coach.
Carolyn Stern is the author of The Emotionally Strong Leader and is the President and CEO of EI Experience, an executive leadership development, and emotional intelligence training firm.
Resources:
Check out more resources from Carolyn: https://eiexperience.com/resources/emotional-intelligence-tools/
Check out Carolyn’s book
Check out Daisy’s services and Daisy’s books
The Gottman Institute’s Feelings Wheel
Book: How to be an Inclusive Leader by Jennifer Brown
Book: Expect to Win: 10 Proven Strategies for Thriving in the Workplace by Carla Harris
Book: The Little Black Book of Success – Laws of Leadership for Black Women by Elaine Meryl Brown, Marsha Haygood and Rhonda Joy McLean
Book: Better Allies – Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces by Karen CatlinBook: TRUST – Twenty Ways to Build a Better Country by Rt. Hon. David Johnston (Former Governor General of Canada)
Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck
Book: No Limits, How to Blow the Cap off Your Capacity by John Maxwell
“If you think I can’t do it, that will give me fuel for a year.”
Building three businesses from the ground up has given Marc Lafleur a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape. As the Co-Founder and Former CEO of truLOCAL, he’s built it into a team of 60+ people, expanded across Canada and the US, and successfully led its $16.7 million acquisition — all within five years.
Most recently, Marc is celebrating the launch of his first book with Forbes, True Founder: What No one Else Has the Guts to Teach You About Starting Your First Business, available everywhere today! And of course, for fun, Marc is currently racing a Mercedes AMG GT4 in Canada’s professional sportscar racing series, FEL.
“I see a place where Indigenous values, and practises are in every organization, that’s my grandest ambition.”
Michael is Mohawk, Bear Clan with Ancestry in Tyendinaga on his mother’s side and Polish on his father’s side.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Glooscap Ventures, is Executive Director at Pictou Landing First Nation, is President of Akewkon Enterprises, and is Co-Founder of Starberry Drink Co.
Michael is a person of principles, passionate about solving problems, innovation, design, and traditional teachings. Persistently curious, Michael enjoys attempting to understand the mechanics of human-made systems and how to align them better with nature-made systems.
“We offer more materials as an option than any other brand in the market, globally. We offer five different options, and consumers can make their own choice.”
Marina Tran Vu knows that sugar cane straws are a sweet and sustainable alternative to plastic. She also knows they can create more jobs for farmers in Southeast Asia and Vietnam while challenging the status quo of single-use plastics.
Marina is the Founder and CEO of EQUO. Marina and EQUO have been featured in Forbes, and Shark Tank Vietnam, and she was the first Canadian-Vietnamese startup to be admitted into Techstars Toronto in 2021.
“I want to hire as many folks with disabilities as possible. ”I also hope we inspire other small businesses to hire folks with a disability.”
William Wells is the Founder and Head Roster at Artery Roastery based in Ottawa, Ontario. William and the Artery team know what a positive impact can do to a person living with a disability, a farmer defending their land in Guatemala, and a single mother living in Rwanda – and their actions and products give back to these groups every day.
Artery Coffee Roasters know their farmers and producers on a first-name basis. They provide stable and worthwhile employment to people living with disabilities and they know that consumers want to support businesses that give, and don’t just take.
William is a volunteer and Board Director of ABLE2 and in August of 2022, Artery won Best Drip Coffee for Ottawa.
Monique Hutson is the Founder and Lead Content Producer of Dom Productions. After running the business for 6 years, her mindset and missions have changed and evolved, they have had to. Cheryl Sutherland is the Founder of PleaseNotes, a business she has built to help women step into their power by building confidence, clarity, and creativity. Together, we talk about the mindsets we must adopt to integrate new things into business, and practise being the person we want to become for ourselves, and for our companies.
Resources:
Use code StartupWomen for 15% off Cheryl’s courses, journals and products
Read Happy Money by Ken Honda , a book about making peace with your money
Read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, a book on ideas and creativity
Read Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, a book on negotiation and Chris Voss’s masterclass
“Entrepreneurship can be done at your own pace. It doesn’t have to be a huge million-dollar company – the most important thing is just to take the leap.”
Scientists by training, Stephanie and Kristina are the right minds to innovate in the space of sun protection. After one too many sunburns on their scalps, this duo knew they needed to create a product to protect delicate skin, without the mess and grease that is left behind by traditional sun creams.
With impact in mind, Arbre Inc. is committed to developing SPF products that are safe for your skin and our earth. Together, Kristina and Stephanie are educating folks about understanding SPF, decoding sunscreen labels, and recently received Health Canada approval for their products.
Is diversity, equity and inclusion a destination or a journey?
Jess Dassanayake is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of BinoBooks. BinoBooks exists to help children understand important topics like the COVID-19 pandemic, gender, body image, and more, through personalized e-books. With representation at its center, BinoBooks is reinventing reading. Camille Dundas is a Racial Equity Educator at The IDEA Practice, and also is the Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Canada's largest Black online magazine ByBlacks.com. Together, we explore the behaviors and systems that must be in place to ensure folks feel represented, respected, appreciated, and safe.
Guests:
Jess Dassanayake is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at BinoBooks.
Camille Dundas is a Racial Equity Educator at The IDEA Practice, and also is the Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of ByBlacks.com
Resources: Diversity and Inclusion as Outcomes, Learn more from Lily Zheng Building psychological safety with Madison Butler Cultivating Safe and Inclusive spaces with Teneile Warren Learn more from Camille Dundas Check out BinoBooks and Jess's work
“If employees feel unseen or under-appreciated, it can have devastating effects.”
With over 20 years of experience as a founder, leader, and innovator, Muni is passionate about pushing the boundaries of technology to advance the human experience. Kudos allows teams to provide peer-to-peer recognition to acknowledge contributions, accomplishments, and behaviours that align with their culture and values. In 2022, Kudos was named the best place to work in Canada by Human Resources Director (HRD) Canada.
Prior to Kudos, Muni led the creation of award-winning technology and design solutions for clients throughout Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and Mexico. Muni has been listed as the lead inventor on numerous international patents, including the Digital Vinyl® CD that was acquired by Verbatim. A background in architecture was the spark that ignited Muni’s professional career specializing in product, user experience, brand, and strategy. His dedication to creating innovations and models, which embrace diversity; foster unity and culture; and enhance human performance, has led Kudos to be a disruptive force in the employee engagement industry.
This week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, is part of our mental health takeover for mental health awareness month. In this episode, we discuss employee engagement, empowering your team, and how to recognize and celebrate your teams to prevent burn out.
”University of Toronto is where Insulin was discovered. I believe we can find the same discoveries for the brain too! Why not?”
Dr. Daphne Voineskos is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto and is a Clinician Scientist and psychiatrist at the Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention at CAMH. She also is the Medical Lead of the rTMS Clinic at the Poul Hansen Family Depression Centre at UHN. Dr. Voineskos’ scientific impact is advancing and personalizing investigational and therapeutic brain stimulation techniques in treatment-refractory psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Voineskos has recently been named the Labatt Family Professor in Depression Biology at the University of Toronto. Her early international reputation for her research and scientific potential has been recognized locally, by the Department of Psychiatry, provincially by the prestigious John C. Polanyi Prize in Physiology/Medicine, and internationally by the American Psychiatric Association. She is principal investigator or co-investigator on multiple federally and philanthropically funded studies to optimize and personalize brain stimulation delivery and is a committed mentor and supervisor to graduate students and medical trainees. Dr. Voineskos’ research program is focused on the neurobiological mechanisms and abnormalities in depression, with the translational goal of integrating these scientific findings into clinical care
This week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, is part of our mental health takeover for mental health awareness month. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Voineskos’ work and research in mental health and how she sees the mental health landscape evolving in the coming years for Canadians.
“Once I realized that music was such a healing force for myself, I dug into that. Our goal and dream are to unlock every benefit that music can bring to the mental health space.”
Aaron Labbé is the Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of LUCID, an AI digital music therapy startup. He is a Canada Council award-winning artist with a background in psychoacoustics research & audio engineering.
After facing severe mental health battles in his youth, Aaron developed the initial concept for LUCID during his thesis in New Media and Computational Art at Ryerson University. LUCID is working to revolutionize mental health through the power of music and machine learning. Their mission is to transform music into medicine, and create a more empathetic approach to mental health care through personalized music-based interventions.
Aaron is the recipient of several Canada Council awards. He has guest lectured at Ryerson University, and spoken at the Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto, Dutch Design Week, Toronto Interior Design Show, and Wallifornia Music Tech.
This week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, is part of our mental health takeover for mental health awareness month! In this episode, we discuss unlocking the power of music to achieve positive mental health outcomes.
“When it comes to mental health and entrepreneurship, the people you surround yourself with are critical. Are they positive influences?”
Purdeep Sangha is a business and personal advisor to top CEOs and entrepreneurs around the world. He’s considered a top authority in business and personal performance enhancement as he shares his expertise as the cohost of the newest TV show “Mind Your Own Business.”
Ryan Benoit is the owner of The Positive Inception, a clothing brand he created to allow people to be more positive and to help them gain a different perspective on life. The goal and mission of The Positive Inception is to remind people about the amazing things in life and to try and make the world we live in easier for people and more positive.
This week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, is part of our mental health takeover for mental health awareness month! In this episode we discuss how both of their businesses are opening up the conversation around mental health and their advice for entrepreneurs when navigating mental health.
Impact isn’t always a number or a dollar amount. Often it is a story.
Jacqueline Sofia and Noora Sharrab are the founders of SITTI Social Enterprise, a venture that exists to improve the lives of refugees and displaced communities. Sagal Dualeh is the Senior Director of the Investment Readiness Program at Canada’s Women Foundation, supporting women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs to fund their impact-first businesses. Together, we discuss how to navigate operating as a social enterprise and how to acquire funding for important missions like this.
Guests:
Jacquline Sofia and Noora Sharrab are the founders of SITTI Social Enterprise, a venture that exists to improve the lives of refugees and displaced communities. SITTI received funding from the Investment Readiness Program in 2020.
Sagal Dualeh is the Senior Director of the Investment Readiness Program at Canada Women’s Foundation where she supports women and gender-diverse founders to access government funding so they can scale their social ventures.
Resources:
Startup Canada: Startup Women Advisory Program Applications for the Investment Readiness Program open November 30th - Learn more Tips for Communicating Your Impact The Common Approach - Measuring Your Impact Learn more about Social Finance and Social Innovation through SETSI
“I did not want to be tokenized. I wanted to be utilized for my brain, my capacity, and my experiences. I wanted to help him achieve the agenda we had set for Canadians.”
Celina Caesar-Chavannes is a business consultant, coach and international speaker, who currently serves part time as the Senior Advisor of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives and Adjunct Lecturer at Queen’s University. Celina is an author and her memoir ‘Can You Hear Me Now?” was selected as a finalist for the 2021 Shaughnessy Cohen prize for political writing and a book award finalist for the Speaker of Ontario Legislature.
Celina was the former Member of Parliament for Whitby, Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Parliamentary Secretary for International Development. During her term as a Member of Parliament, Celina was awarded several distinctions including a feature in the April 2018 edition of O (Oprah Winfrey) Magazine entitled, “What would you stand up for and named Chatelaine Magazine’s Woman of the Year (2019).
Celina has a Bachelor of Science, an MBA in Healthcare Management, an Executive MBA from the Rotman School of Management and is currently enrolled in a neuroscience PhD program at Queen’s University exploring the intersection of empathy, leadership and equity.
This week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, is part of our mental health takeover for mental health awareness month! We will discuss Celina’s journey with mental health, her passion for diversity and inclusion, and experience working in politics and writing her book.
“The number one myth we are presented with is that the government doesn't buy from SMEs, and that isn’t true.”
Chantal has been a member of the federal public service since 2010. She has held many roles
with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Health Canada related to issues management and strategic advice, including one year as Senior Advisor to the Deputy Minister of PSPC.
Chantal has been called to work on some of the Government's most urgent and emerging files such as management of the Phoenix Pay System and within the Health Canada/PHAC internal services Covid-19 Response Team.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into supporting startups through government procurement, how Procurement Assistance Canada (PAC) within PSPC is championing diversity and inclusion, and the plans they have to support more small businesses than ever before.
“You have to have a product or service that is going to resonate globally, outside of your borders. What are customers looking for and willing to invest in?”
After founding the acclaimed bags and accessories brand WANT les Essentiels in 2007, renowned designers, curators, and brothers Byron and Dexter Peart set out on a new mission, to work exclusively with products and items that make a strong social or environmental impact. Launching in 2019, GOODEE was born, a curated e-commerce marketplace offering sustainable homeware and lifestyle products for better living. GOODEE is a certified B Corp company leading the charge in curating a marketplace that brings together the values of good design and good purpose.
With a fast-growing team based in Montreal, Byron and Dexter act as the lead curators for the global e-commerce platform and storytelling destination. In 2020, GOODEE joined 1% For The Planet, whose members contribute at least 1% of annual sales to environmental causes, and were most recently recognized by Fast Company’s 2021 World’s Most Innovative Companies.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into what it means to truly do business with purpose, how they’ve built an engaged community of customers, and how the twins work together to build their rapidly growing business. This podcast is powered by Export Development Canada.
“When you have the right brand, you’re doing the right work, and you have the right reasons, the work will come to you.”
Janelle is a Michif and French-Canadian Two-Spirit artist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Bloom + Brilliance, a queer, feminist and Indigenous-led branding and web design studio, creator of the Creative Catalyst coaching program, and co-founder of the womOwned Enterprises. A born entrepreneur and naturally creative, she specializes in helping feminist business owners, community leaders and organizations focus on growth and impact with branding, website design and strategy.
Janelle brings an intuitive, collaborative and passionate touch to brand and web design services. Her in-depth approach reflects her values of relationship building, community spirit, and positive impact. As your brand partner, she believes that your vision and involvement are integral to the success of your projects. With her impressive ability to capture and refine your vision, Janelle develops effective and impactful brands and websites to help you create meaningful connections, increase awareness and encourage engagement.
Along with over 18 years of experience in visual and new media, Janelle’s extensive project management experience includes design, restructuring and adaptation for various levels of both the private and public sectors. Janelle has worked with a diverse client base, local, national, and international; corporate, non-profit, government and Indigenous organizations; small business owners and entrepreneurs. She has long been a supporter of progressive movements and social justice.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into the power of team culture, your mental health as a founder, and working with value-aligned clients.
Entrepreneurship is a world of opportunity, of brilliance, of hard work. It’s also a world of loneliness, of sacrifice and of deep challenge and we must include these experiences in our conversations about entrepreneurship.
Komal Minhas is the Founder of Karseva, a company focused on building individual and societal resilience through training programs, media productions and investing. Elaisha Jade is the Founder of Your Mindful, mental health advocate and certified meditation coach. Together, both women share the hard moments that built their resilience and we talk about how to build resilience and invite support and celebration into your entrepreneurial journey.
Guests:
Elaisha Jade is the Founder of Your Mindful, an advocate for mental health and a certified meditation coach working to support healthier minds and lives for entrepreneurs and professionals in today’s world of work.
Komal Minhas is the Founder of Karseva, a company focused on building individual and societal resilience through training programs, media productions and investing. As a coach, Komal works at the intersect of women of colour founders, resiliency and business strategy.
Resources:
Startup Canada: Startup Women Advisory Program Resources to build your resilience with Komal Experience Elaisha’s 30 Day Meditation challenge Experience Elaisha’s 5 minute Body Scan Meditation for Entrepreneurs Listen to Lessons Learned, Komal’s podcast
Nishant Raina is the Director of Small Business Lead at Mastercard Canada.
As a product leader, Nishant develops and oversees the Small Business segment strategy by commercializing new products and services and supporting new product development with partners. With a strong passion for helping small businesses, Nishant drives the growth of the Small Business segment at Mastercard and within the entire payments ecosystem.
Since joining Mastercard in 2022, Nishant has made a measurable impact on strengthening the Small Business segment within Canada and leading key strategy development projects, supporting partners in product development initiatives, and working with regional and global teams to drive thought leadership.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Their success is our collective success.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk about the state of the small business landscape in Canada, the trends, pain points, and exciting opportunities ahead.
Resources in this epiosde:
Learn more about Digital Main St Learn more about the shopHERE program Learn about Mastercard Changeworks Learn more about Mastercard Trust Centre Learn more about Mastercard Cybersecurity
Christina Gwira is the Founder and CEO of NOYADESIGNS, a Toronto, Ontario-based web design firm for nonprofits and solopreneurs who have social good baked into their offerings. Christina and her team offer a one-stop-design-shop offering everything from web design service to online marketing, and from videography to consulting. At its heart, NOYADESIGNS promises to create beautiful, quality solutions to your marketing problems.
Sheila Hawkins-Bucklew is the Founder and CEO of Hawkins Bucklew Jewelry Designs, an Austin, Texas-based venture creating ‘Women’s Ethos-Chic Statement Jewellery’. The wearable works of art were designed to help customers express their unique voices as well as to empower the collective voice of female creatives, artisans, and entrepreneurs. Sheila is also the founder of Hawkins Bucklew Realty and Showroom 808.
“If we could find a way to make Canadian entrepreneurs feel more comfortable across the border, we could build back better in a more impactful way.”
In partnership with The U.S Embassy in Canada, we are celebrating and spotlighting women founders in Canada and the US to learn more about their journeys and the vital role of cross-border collaboration in their entrepreneurial success.
As a well-known serial entrepreneur, Sherry Shannon-Vanstone has made a significant contribution to the spectrum of digital industries from information security to telecommunications and technology, while also making a major contribution to the advancement of all women. She is an extraordinary leader and visionary who has made a material difference to the roles women play and their influence in the digital economy. Throughout Sherry's career, she has been a trailblazer in the fields of STEM, business, and philanthropy.
In honour of her late husband, Scott A. Vanstone, Sherry founded Profound Impact in 2018 — a data driven platform for use by organizations and their stakeholders including alumni, researchers, and students to engage, discover, and measure the worldwide impact that the institution and its community have on technology and the world. It also aims to build a sense of community for a global audience of affinity groups such as women in STEM and entrepreneurs.
“There is a talent battle today. We are seeing digital transformation across every industry and with that, there is a huge opportunity and challenge.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk about Sherry’s entrepreneurship journey, how she leverages data with her clients, and the importance of empowering women in STEM.
Serial entrepreneur and author Brian Scudamore has always taken the road less traveled. At just 19 years old, he pioneered the industry of professional junk removal with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, turning a chore people avoid into an exceptional customer service experience. Then he scaled that success into two more home-service brands, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING and Shack Shine, under the O2E Brands banner.
Brian learned the ins and outs of business by running his own, and believes that anyone with a fire in their gut and a vision for doing something incredible can do the same. His philosophy, WTF (Willing To Fail), stems from his belief in the power of dreaming big, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. Through franchising, he’s giving thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to BYOB (Build Your Own Business, Be Your Own Boss), and live their dream of business ownership.
“The best way to see the future is to first create it in your mind”.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk about hiring mistakes, treating people well, and the growth and scaling of Brian’s 1800 got junk brand.
Demand for your product or service in a new market is exciting but it doesn’t make the ins and outs of exporting and operating globally any easier.
BE Alink is the Founder and Inventor of the Alinker, a bright yellow, radically different walking bike and vehicle for change. With support from Tamaïka Jumelle, Regional Director of Quebec for Invest in Canada, we capture the Alinker’s global journey and showcase resources and support organizations that exist to support you to become export-ready.
Guests:
BE Alink is the Founder and Inventor of the Alinker, a bright yellow, radically different walking bike and vehicle for change.
Tamaïka Jumelle is the Regional Director of Quebec for Invest in Canada, supporting entrepreneurs to find global opportunities to expand their companies.
Resources:
Startup Canada: Startup Women Advisory Program Trade Comissioner Services for funding and support, export guides and finding a trade commissioner Connect with Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Women’s Busness Missions Coralus (formerly SheEO) for funding, network and community Explore Module 9, Shipping in our Business Owner’s Toolbox Explore more resources for your business in our Business Owner’s Toolbox
Reena Khullar Sharma is the Founder and CEO of Agilis Executive Consulting, a management consulting firm that offers HR partnerships and executive coaching to organizations across the globe. With a background in leadership strategy and professional development, Reena has specialized in developing and implementing business strategies unique to an organization’s corporate culture, providing a competitive advantage for its people, business and strategic success.
In 2020 and during the midst of the pandemic, Reena launched her firm in Calgary and in just under one year, she led the firm to success across 6 continents and 10 countries through a storytelling series about executives which we will learn more about today. Reena has been featured in Forbes through the Forbes Council to share her professional journey spanning 20 years, and how Calgary has been foundational to her entrepreneurial success.
“People and workplace cultures really interested me. Specifically, how we can design an environment and culture for folks to succeed.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into the traits that make an effective leader, executive coaching, and building a strong culture and workplace.
Brianna Blaney believes money is a leading barrier to innovation and entrepreneurship, especially for women and equity-seeking groups. As an experienced founder, Brianna has lived this pain. Brianna co-founded Pocketed to level the playing field, helping Canadian businesses easily access over $5.9B annually in free government money including grants, tax credits, and other business incentives. To date, more than 8,000 companies have used Pocketed to apply for over $80M in government funding. Together with her team, Brianna is on a mission to eliminate barriers for businesses. Brianna is recognized as an Emerging Leader by The Peak and 30 Under 30 by BC Business.
Aria Hahn is passionate about data and believes that combined with intelligent statistical and computational technologies, data hold the answers to many burgeoning questions facing multiple industries today. Aria has built tech to solve technical challenges for multiple industries and is now helping to scale technology for Pocketed, a company focused on democratizing access to over $5.9B annually in grant funding in Canada. Since 2021, Pocketed has been named a 2021 ‘Emerging Rocket (ICT)', featured in The Globe & Mail, interviewed by CBC Radio, and recognized as a Fast Growing BC Business by The Peak.
Hundreds of entrepreneurs said “it’s hard to find the right grant funding program and it’s even more painful to apply”. This is what inspired Brianna and Aria to start Pocketed.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into grant funding, co-founder relationships, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Joel Boyd is the Director of SMB Solutions at Fortinet, keeping his finger on the pulse of SMB trends, buyer influences, and evangelizing the capabilities SMBs bring to the market. Working on both sides of the fence, technology sales, and product marketing for nearly twenty years, he translates confusing technology into easily understood concepts enabling sellers to communicate value to their prospects and grow their businesses.
“At Fortinet, we have a mission to protect the world’s data. Fortinet makes sure we are bringing affordable prices and performance to the market, and ensuring all of the products are doing the integration and automation.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into all things cybersecurity, data protection, and understanding your target audience.
“We are all about changing the narrative, and we do that by talking, and talking and educating.”
Dr. Laurie L.J. Samuel is a criminologist, an author, a former professor, and an entrepreneur.
Dr. Samuel is the Founder and Executive Director of Cupid's Sting, a non-profit organization that looks to mitigate interpersonal violence towards women. Cupid’s Sting’s mission is to teach women life-saving skills by spreading awareness and facilitating safety training through different workshops.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Dr. Laurie Samuel, talks about how she’s combating domestic violence through education and self defense training.
“The best part of this job is helping entrepreneurs win with technology. In Canada, we are a large SMB community, and that’s what motivates me the most.”
Wade McFarland is the Vice President for Distribution Sales business at Dell Technologies. Previously, he served as the Vice President for Sales Execution business in North America. Prior to that he served as the National Sales Director for the DELL Large VAR business in North America.
Anthony Martiniello joined Dell Technologies in 2013 and was named the Channel Sales Leader for Canada over 2 years ago. Prior, he was responsible for the National partners across Canada and the US. Anthony has a current mandate to grow distribution together as one.
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Dell distribution leaders Wade McFarland and Anthony Martiniello, dive into how Dell is providing entrepreneurs and SMBs with winning technology to transform their markets.
It is through growth and scaling that founders continue to give their businesses life and it is how they reach the milestones they have always dreamed of. But these things can’t happen without asking yourself what you truly want and finding a sustainable pace to get there.
Jenn Harper is the Founder and CEO of Cheekbone Beauty Cosmetics Inc, a digitally native direct to consumer brand that is helping Indigenous youth see themselves in the beauty industry that has lacked this representation for too long. Mallory Rowan is a serial entrepreneur, content creator and marketing educator who helps entrepreneurs build without burnout. In this episode, we learn what Jenn was focused on in the early days and reveal some of the biggest challenges new founders face in the beginning.
Nevin Buconjic is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, author, strategic advisor, and Startup Sault Ste. Marie Community leader with degrees in marketing, computer science and an MBA.
Nevin has over 25 years of experience in business, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and economic development. He has started eight companies since the age of 12 -- including retail, web design, computer training, e-commerce and consulting, and has counselled hundreds of entrepreneurs and small businesses. Nevin is the author of two books for entrepreneurs and dozens of business articles and is currently writing his third book about business ideas for kids and teens.
Chiara Toselli is the Chief of Staff and Head of Marketing at Pavestep, a B2B SaaS solution that helps organizations develop and align their people with continuous feedback, goal management, and flexible reviews - all in one place. Chiara is also a co-founder of Broke app, a marketing solution for the food service industry. She is currently the co-community leader of Startup Vancouver.
“We are slowly showing that there is this supportive network, for anyone - entrepreneurs, innovators, anyone trying to advance their ideas.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Startup Canada community leaders, Chiara Toselli and Nevin Buconjic, dive into the highlights and challenges behind building start-up ecosystems in their respective cities and how they’re providing the tools, network, and resources for entrepreneurs to succeed.
Jonathan Friedman is the President of The Journal That Talks Back™, an accessible, affordable and unlimited journaling and coaching app that connects young professionals and post-secondary students with a certified coach so they can manage their mental health, relationships, career aspirations, personal and professional challenges and more.
After 8 years as a Child and Youth Counsellor, he has seen firsthand how important it is for young adults to have access to support and guidance. Jonathan is a mental health advocate and is passionate about journaling, coaching, metal and coffee.
"Every single day when I think about what this will be, I believe in this with every bone in my body.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we spoke with Jonathan Friedman on his journey of building The Journal that Talks Back, how he identified a problem to be solved, and his transition from child and youth care to entrepreneurship.
Julie MacDonell is the Co-Founder and CEO of Haloo Inc.
With more than twelve years of trademark prosecution experience and a registered trademark agent, Julie is a sought-after senior-level Intellectual Property lawyer. Julie is frequently quoted and has been featured in publications such as the Globe & Mail, the Toronto Star, Forbes, CBC, Global TV and more.
“We want every business to start with Haloo. We want every business to own and protect their brand.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into trademarks, the importance of protecting your brand, and what to watch out for to ensure you’re not infringing on someone else’s trademark.
Mike is CEO and co-founder of Fundica.com, an award-winning online funding tool, that evolved from his work supporting tech entrepreneurs with government and private sector funding. He previously worked in the mergers and acquisitions group at BCE, as well as in the strategy group at KPMG Consulting and with technology companies as an engineer. He has also helped secure over $300 M in government funding for entrepreneurs over the last 15 years.
Mike holds a B.A.Sc. in Engineering from the University of Waterloo, an MBA from the University of British Columbia and the CFA designation. He was selected as one of 25 emerging entrepreneurs by the Bronfman Foundation, Entrepreneur of the Year by CFO Canada, and co-winner for Quebec of the Startup Canada award for entrepreneurship promotion.
“At the end of the day, we are helping people. There are businesses and there are people behind the businesses. Helping them to find funding, is a way to help them.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Mike Lee, CEO and co-founder of Fundica dives into how he’s democratizing access to funding by enabling small businesses to find and apply for government funding.
When founders think about marketing, they often begin to visualize their websites, and social media pages but it is equally important to think about who you are, who you want to be and how you will show up for customers once they find you.
Meaghan and Marie Wright are twin sisters and co-founders of Mirror Image Media, a full-service video production company based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They wear many hats as directors, cinematographers and editors and know that their brand and customer experience is deeply felt and celebrated because of who they are as humans, first. Kelsey Reidl is a Business and Marketing Coach and the Founder and Chief Visonary Officer of Visonary Inc, helping her clients define and attract their dream clients. In this episode, we learn about authentic storytelling and its longstanding roots in the world of marketing.
An experienced, values-driven leader, Chris has diverse experiences ranging from international aid work to energy consulting for fortune 500 organizations. Early in his career, Chris recognized the broad and lasting impacts that engineers have on the built environment.
Noting that commercial buildings represent more than 1/5 of all carbon emissions worldwide, he chose to focus on mitigating this impact through his professional activities. Now the CEO of a growing startup, Audette, he leads a team of scientists and engineers towards building data-driven carbon reduction plans for some of the world's largest organizations.
“We see the market is motivated, and now all we need to do is show them the pathway to reduce their carbon footprints.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into carbon reduction, the role the startup ecosystem will play in this, and navigating through the process of testing and validating your idea.
Sarah Fodey is a Managing Partner at SandBay Entertainment, one of Canada’s foremost production houses dedicated to diverse, inclusive, and intersectional cinematic storytelling. In Sarah Fodey’s 25-year career as a film and television executive producer, writer, and director, she has developed and delivered multiple feature films and a variety of scripted and documentary series. Sarah’s passion for both historical documentaries and the telling of Canada’s queer stories has influenced her most recent work such as The Fruit Machine, a feature documentary on Canada’s decades-long purge of LGBT civil servants and military personnel, and Sex, Sin & 69, a film that unpacks Canada’s partial decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969.
Han Nguyen entered the motion picture industry in 2002 and has since garnered vital industry experience in every screen-based medium. From feature films and shorts, to scripted series and documentaries, Han has delivered content to CBC, TVO, YTV, TFO, APTN, Amazon Studios, and Lifetime. Han executive produced Noël en boîte, a Telefilm Canada feature, as well as two seasons of Qanurli for APTN, an interprovincial-territorial co-production between SandBay Entertainment and Qanukiaq Studios. Along with Sarah, she also produced the critically acclaimed documentary, The Fruit Machine, and was nominated for a 2019 Canadian Screen Award for Best Documentary Program. Han recently wrapped post-production on her directorial debut documentary “The Colour of Music” set to premiere on CBC this summer.
“Beyond desire, we feel a responsibility to tell these stories. We have the privilege of holding the microphone.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Sarah & Han dive into intersectional storytelling and the importance of contributing to the Queer Archive through their films. This episode is in partnership with Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in celebration of Pride Month.
Andrew Gurza is an award-winning Disability Awareness Consultant and the Chief Disability Officer and Co-founder of Bump’n, a sex toy company for and by disabled people. Andrew uses they/he pronouns and identifies proudly as disabled. Their work has been featured on BBC, CBC, Daily Xtra, Gay Times UK, Huffington Post, The Advocate, Everyday Feminism, Mashable, Out.com, and several anthologies. He was the subject of an award-winning National Film Board of Canada Documentary “Picture This”. Andrew has guested on a number of podcasts including Dan Savage’s Savage Love and Cameron Esposito’s Queery. He has spoken worldwide about sex, disability and what it means to be a Queer Cripple.
“Put your idea out there into the world. Even if it doesn’t go huge, if you have fun, just do it.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we dive into following your passions, building accessible spaces, and fostering a community around your brand. This episode is in partnership with Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in celebration of Pride Month.
Beginning his career in the non-profit sector as General Manager for AIESEC (PRON: eye-sek) in Morocco, Naoufel provided young people with leadership development and cross-cultural global internships. He later transferred to the AIESEC United States in New York City and managed the expansion to Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE through a US government grant of over $1 million. He then took on the interim COO's role and managed a team of 10 people with a budget of $4 million.
Naoufel joined Microsoft Middle East and Africa as Regional Program Coordinator, managing the Microsoft Software Donation Program for internet safety and security. He also managed relationships with crucial Microsoft partners in the region, like the World Bank and the United States Agency for International Development. After two years at Microsoft, Naoufel moved to Montreal to join tech startups. He started at TandemLaunch Technologies, where he built relationships with university tech transfer offices around the world. At his last company, Naoufel was Head of Business Development at Local Logic.
Today, Naoufel is the Co-Founder and CEO of QueerTech, an organization that aims to Queer The Tech Ecosystem by breaking down barriers, creating spaces, and connecting communities to support and empower LGBTQ2S+ people to thrive.
“You want to start your diversity strategy on day one.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Naoufel Testaouni tells the story of QueerTech, why he started it and where their programming is at today. Paige, Rick and Naoufel also discuss why representation is so needed in the tech industry. This episode is in partnership with Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in celebration of Pride Month
AK MacKellar is an entrepreneur, speaker and the founder of Free To Move, the body inclusive movement platform for the LGBTQ+ community. As a queer, non-binary and chronically ill person, they've felt like an outsider in most fitness spaces. AK aims to build a new type of fitness industry - one that is welcoming to beginners and marginalized people, that focuses on helping people feel good in their body, strong in their daily life and take care of their mental and physical health.
“The world needs you, not only to provide for queer folks but the world. As queer individuals, we often want to provide for our community, there is alot of opportunity.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, AK encourages you to follow your curiosity and shares how entrepreneurship allowed them to choose what to do and how to do it. This episode is in partnership with Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce in celebration of Pride Month.
When we sell a product or service, what we are really selling is an experience, feeling, or the desired outcome. Selling is a skill built on listening, emotional intelligence, and being of service to your clients and connections.
Sheen Brady is the Founder and Tea Sommelier of Tease, a well-loved line of natural and botanical wellness teas that benefit the planet and those who drink them while funding entrepreneurship and mentorship programs for ambitious women. Sheena and Tease recently went through a rebrand - something that made her rethink who she sells to, why she sells, and how she goes about doing it. Patti Pokarchak is an award-winning marketing and sales coach, who believes you can learn to sell and that being an extrovert isn’t a requirement to be able to do it well. Instead, we learn that selling is about practice, confidence and human-to-human relationships.
Born and raised on the west coast of British Columbia, Mickey McLeod has had an entrepreneurial bent since he was young. After leaving high school, Mickey worked as a tree planter for a couple of seasons before he realized that he had what it took to become a tree-planting contractor. He figured out how to get a successful bid, hired a crew and went to work – doing that on and off for the next 10 years. He then started his own sawmill business on Salt Spring Island in the mid-1980s and ran that until he started his next venture: Salt Spring Coffee.
Mickey founded Salt Spring Coffee with his wife Robbyn Scott in 1996. Growing up among the 1960s counterculture movement on Texada Island had exposed Mickey to the ideas of sustainability, organic farming and taking care of the environment – values which he brought to Salt Spring Coffee.
The company was one of the first to bring organic, fair-trade coffee to B.C. and, through initiatives like its zero-waste program and B Corp certification, continues to strive to have a positive impact on people and the planet.
“Be curious, do your research and if it feels right, go for it!”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Mickey McLeod takes us along his entrepreneurial journey and how he took the bold leap into the world and business of coffee with Salt Spring Coffee.
From a young age, Maayan challenged norms and worked within her community to increase awareness of disability issues and improve accessibility. Living with Muscular Dystrophy, Maayan is a passionate and relentless advocate for creating a more accessible world. In 2015 Maayan launched AccessNow out of the need to solve her problem. What began as a response to her frustration when trying to navigate inaccessible places, AccessNow soon grew to become a mission-oriented social start-up.
Within just a couple of years, AccessNow has vocalized a movement for inclusion, inviting people of all abilities to contribute to the platform. As the Founder and CEO of AccessNow, Maayan has created a powerful shift in thinking about the importance of accessibility in our world, from accessible technologies to infrastructure, public policy, media, and communications. She is a recognized industry expert in accessibility and inclusion; received the 2020 Governor General’s Innovation Award and the prestigious Novartis Innovation Prize, and is among Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 recipients for 2021.
“Accessibility is only touching people when they need to know about it or when it affects them personally.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Maayan Ziv shares why AccessNow is needed to look at our world through a more inclusive lens, taking her first steps into entrepreneurship and the importance of investing in accessibility.
Ryan Moreno is the CEO and Co-Founder of Joseph Richard Group, a Canadian-based collection of unique hospitality ventures featuring more than 25 establishments. Along with his co-founder, a best friend since elementary school, Ryan has always thrived in the restaurant and nightlife industry and since 2009, Joseph Richards Group has been growing and expanding.
Ryan has taken his business one step further by bringing his hospitality group virtual, establishing a series of virtual ghost kitchens. Now boasting more than 100 ghost kitchen restaurants, he continues to overcome challenges and remain a leader in his industry. “I think sometimes it’s good to take a step back and be grateful for the opportunity to actually be able to do it.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Ryan Moreno talks about his early ventures in entrepreneurship, the responsibility of businesses to impact their communities, as well as the importance of listening to what your team has to say.
Founded in 2019, Leading Lenders is an information source for lenders that are innovating and adapting to the needs of women entrepreneurs in Canada. The initiative provides a free online toolkit and blog for lending institutions that support women entrepreneurs towards success. Lyssa is a Project Agent for the organization, focusing on recruitment as well as facilitating their panel discussions. Cathy sits on the National Advisory Committee among many other prominent advisors across Canada.
Lyssa completed a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Université de Moncton. Originally from Drummond, New Brunswick, Lyssa has lived in the Campbellton region since 2003. Before joining Restigouche CBDC, Lyssa began her career at the municipal government level and then transitioned to the provincial government, where she worked as a civil servant. Lyssa thrives in an environment where she learns new skills — and she loves to overcome new challenges.
Previously CEO of her own company, Bennett Group of Companies grew from a small group of service businesses to operations in industrial construction and manufacturing, human resource support, service, retail, industrial supply, real estate investments and operations. She has served on numerous corporate boards. Currently, Cathy serves as a Director with Vigilant Management, and Business Development Bank of Canada, as well as SheEO. She is also a Managing Partner of Sandpiper Ventures and a Director with Propel – Atlantic Canada’s e-accelerator for tech start-ups. Cathy is also founder & Chair of TaskForceNL, a social enterprise initially created to support PPE manufacturing during the COVID-19 pandemic now supporting immigration.
“Financial institutions need to look at women entrepreneurs as growers, not just good risk takers.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk to Lyssa Leclerc and Cathy Bennett about activating women entrepreneurs and the bias and barriers that exist for them.
The topic of funding is one commonly associated with stress and anxiety for founders - but it doesn’t need to be. Financing your business is an exercise rooted in patience, planning, and purpose. It’s a unique opportunity to imagine, and reimagine, what our ventures can and should look like in the future.
Richa Gupta is the Founder of Good Food For Good - a CPG venture focused on crafting organic and refined sugar, soy, corn syrup, gluten, dairy, and preservative-free products and has bootstrapped her business from the beginning but she is ready to explore bringing in funding partners. Marissa Bronfman, a serial entrepreneur, impact investor and former CBO of Kizmet Impact Capital knows entrepreneurs can feel hesitant when it comes to VC funding, but through her expertise and experience she hopes founders can grow their business through funding and feel confident that what their blood, sweat and tears have built isn’t given up through a funding partnership.
Resources from this Episode: Startup Canada Business Owners Tool Box: Funding Module Arlan Hamilton at BackStage Capital Check out Grit Capital: A Platform Connecting Investors Perspectives from Kirsten Green, Partner at ForeRunner Business Development Bank of Canada Capital: Financing Your Business Business Development Bank of Canada: Money and Finance Resources Scotiabank Women Initiative: Access to Capital, Education and Mentorship
Steven Hoffman is the CEO of Founders Space, one of the world’s leading startup accelerators, with over 50 partners in 22 countries. Founders Space was ranked the #1 incubator for overseas startups by Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazines. Steven is a venture investor, serial entrepreneur and the author of ‘Make Elephants Fly’, ‘Surviving a Startup’ and ‘The Five Forces’.
Steven has a background working in TV development in Hollywood, and through his own startup, Spiderdance, he produced interactive TV shows with NBC, MTV, Turner,Warner Brothers and more. Spending time in Silicon Valley, he founded startups in the entertainment and games space and worked as Mobile Studio Head for Infospace, where he contributed to games such as Tetris, Wheel of Fortune, and Tomb Raider.
With the mission to educate and accelerate entrepreneurs, Founders Space was launched and has become one of the top startup accelerators in the world. With a focus on the art of innovation, Steven has trained hundreds of founders and executives from organizations such as Qualcomm, Huawei, Intel, Disney and more.
He currently resides in San Francisco but spends most of his time in the air, visiting startups, investors, and innovators all over the world
“If you can sell your vision to others, to your team, you have what it takes, you have overcome a huge hurdle already.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Steve Hoffman underscores the importance of including the best people to be a part of your business, and why selling your vision to your employees is a huge win.
John Cammalleri is a veteran of the Canadian IT industry, currently leading HP’s Channel and Commercial Sales organizations. He is responsible for the performance of HP’s Resellers, Managed Services Providers, Alliances and Distributors. His team is also responsible for HP’s Small and Medium Business customer segments across Canada. John held several leadership positions over his career including Oracle, Samsung Electronics, IBM and Synnex Canada.
“There has been a big change in how SMEs look at and acquire technology, and what is of priority to them. And as a community, we need to embrace it.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, and powered by HP Canada, John Cammalleri speaks to us about embracing technology while also allowing your customers to guide you and your business. We also discuss how HP puts people first and values integrity.
Steve Blank is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford and Senior Fellow for Innovation at Columbia University. He has been described as the Father of Modern Entrepreneurship. Credited with launching the Lean Startup movement and the curriculums for the National Science Foundation Innovation Corps and Hacking for Defense and Diplomacy, he’s changed how startups are built; how entrepreneurship is taught; how science is commercialized, and how companies and the government innovate.
Steve is the author of The Four Steps to the Epiphany and The Startup Owner’s Manual which revolutionized how startups were built-- and his May 2013 Harvard Business Review cover story redefined how large companies can innovate at speed.
“Founders have a view of where they see the world going, and how they are going to help it get there.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Steve Blank recognizes what happens when entrepreneurs see beyond the horizon and explains the methods that turn startups into companies with scalable and repeatable processes.
A mom of 4 kids, eleven-time Ironman competitor and yoga enthusiast, Suzie spent years adhering to a low-fat diet only for her health to hit a wall in her mid-40s. After reading Nina Teicholz’s best seller, Big Fat Surprise, she immediately shifted to a high-fat, low-carb diet, and started to feel better within a few weeks. While she loved the benefits of her new lifestyle, Suzie found it challenging to find convenient, good-fat snacks. Seeing a gap in the marketplace and a huge opportunity to help others through food, Suzie developed Love Good Fats, a company that produces low-sugar foods loaded with good fats.
Starting in 2017, Suzie led the launch and expansion of Love Good Fats to exceed $100million in Gross Revenues in a little over 3 years with sales in the largest Retailers across Canada and the US. As a 25-year veteran of the CPG industry, Suzie has worked at brand building companies such as Proctor & Gamble, PepsiCo, Weight Watchers; and at two other hyper growth brands prior to creating her own rocket ship success story brand, at age 50. She is more so a unique, later blooming entrepreneur, who utilized her accomplished marketing background, personal journey, and deep devotion and passion for health, to drive towards her Mission to spread the word that fat is back, and sugar is out! “I would go to every single store within a taxi ride to where I was. I lived in the stores.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Suzie Yorke talks about being a nervous starter and taking the first step into entrepreneurship as well as how she got closer to her Love Good Fats customers.
Hiring is so important for a venture’s success, yet the search for talent is a gargantuan challenge for most founders. Business owners need strong processes and a map to make sure their teams survive and thrive. Entrepreneurs must think of culture as a code, one that is built with intention while leaving room for behaviours and methods to reveal themselves organically.
Erin Stephenson, COO and CMO of DOZR makes sure she hires for culture and includes folks who believe in the work DOZR does - a great practice case study to discuss the ins and outs of HR and Hiring. Jamie Savage of The Leadership Agency, an expert helping build the teams of today’s greatest startups, explores Erin’s experience with us to uncover how women entrepreneurs can make sure their HR and Hiring gestures are done right.
Guests:
Erin Stephenson is the COO and CMO of DOZR, the largest online equipment rental marketplace.
Jamie Savage is the CEO and Founder of The Leadership Agency, on a mission to find and hire the best talent for the fastest-growing startups.
Resources: The Leadership Agency: The Juggle Is Real article Jamie Savage: Navigating The Uncharted Waters of Human Resources Post-Pandemic article Startup Canada: Business Owners Toolbox: Module 6 - HR MaRS: Hiring Roadmap for Startups article BDC: 5 Essential Steps: How to hire a new employee article Scotiabank Women’s Initiative: What makes a great woman leader? article
Mark Bishop and Matt Hornburg are Co-CEOs and Partners at marblemedia. Accomplished entrepreneurs, brand-builders and trusted media industry advocates, they have grown marblemedia into one of Canada’s leading independent production, distribution and digital media companies.
In addition to serving as an executive producer across marblemedia’s successful portfolio of television and interactive digital media properties, Mark leads the company’s strategic growth and management of all divisional and corporate undertakings, including global distribution and sales, finance, marketing, digital media and new business ventures.
In addition to strategic direction across the company, Matt leads creative development and production for the company’s original TV and Interactive divisions, including its most recent push into primetime with the launch of new scripted and unscripted divisions.
Mark and Matt have been honoured by Playback with the Outstanding Achievement Award, recognized as Top Next Gen Producers by The Hollywood Reporter, and have won Producer of the Year at the Canadian New Media Awards and the Lionsgate Innovative Producer’s Award in addition to many program-specific accolades from Canadian Screen Awards, Interactive Emmy Award, Gemini Awards and more.
“What is most important to us, is owning the IP and assets. So that we can leverage them in different ways.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupCanadaPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Matt and Mark, the minds behind marblemedia, share what matters most when making media in Canada and how they have taken their creations across the world.
Nerissa is the President and CEO of the Black Business Association of BC where she champions initiatives to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
After a twenty year career with the federal government, combined with her own experience as an entrepreneur, Nerissa brings a unique perspective on tackling challenges. Nerissa stays connected to her community as a director with the Barbados Cultural Association of British Columbia, allowing her to drive the community forward with a business focused lens, helping to build economic strength and sustainability.
“My wish is that we don’t have to have separate programs in order to meet the needs and break the barriers of systemic racism that is plaguing policies and institutions.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk to Nerissa Allen about why spotlighting founders is important, and how the Black Business Association of BC supports Black entrepreneurs to help them scale.
Stephany Lapierre is the Founder and CEO of Tealbook, a supplier data solution to unify systems, empower people and optimize suppliers across industries and teams. Stephany is a highly coveted supply chain thought leader and one of the most influential minds in emerging data technologies.
She has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Supply Chain and Tealbook has been named a Top 50 company to watch by Spend Matters and won the Cool Vendor Award by Gartner. Prior to Tealbook, Stephany spent 10 years building a successful strategic sourcing and procurement consulting firm focusing on large-scale sourcing optimization projects.
It is Stephany’s mission to deliver a ‘Trusted Source of Supplier Data’ to an ever-growing eProcurement space. Currently, Tealbook is the only Big Data company that provides a self-enriching and self-maintaining mechanism to improve enterprise supplier data.
‘Entrepreneurship is about having ideas that you can’t shake.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Stephany Lapierre shares how TealBook works (and why it works), and why focusing on operation and execution excellence matters for a company’s confidence and growth.
Serese is the CEO and Founder of SolusGuard, a tech company that offers a suite of workforce safety and lone worker protection solutions to help keep employees safe. From Employee Check In and Check Out software, to wearable panic buttons, Serese’s mission to keep employees safe at work hasn’t changed even though SolusGuard solutions have.
Prior to SolusGuard she worked for more than 20 years as a senior executive in the banking and financial services industry. She serves on the Board of the Saskatchewan Health Quality Council and is a fierce community advocate and mentor for numerous women-owned businesses. Serese holds an MBA and BA.
“I always looked for opportunities to interact and innovate with the government. They want to work with startups, the appetite is there.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Serese Selanders shares why she knew building SolusGuard was important and how she creates champions of her product and solutions.
Carmen Sandor is the founder and CEO of Green Owl Vodka, one of the only female owned and led spirits sold at the LCBO. Green Owl is Canada’s first sipping vodka infused with green tea extract from Japan.
Carmen started her career as a reporter for CTV News and TSN. She then switched gears and started working at RPIA as a Vice President on their Client Portfolio Management team, a Toronto-based investment management firm and was the youngest person to be promoted to Vice President at the firm. Last May, she honed in on her financial industry expertise, her entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for clean ingredients to launch Green Owl Vodka.
Carmen graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism and Sociology, and was a former professional tennis player and captain of the Penn State varsity women’s tennis team.
“It was challenging to get into the LCBO, however getting consumers comfortable with our product, a new kind of product, has been more challenging.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Carmen Sandor shares what the largest challenges have been while developing and growing Green Owl Vodka.
Mentorship is a relationship built on trust, active listening and respect. It allows founders to navigate their unique situations with guidance, allowing them to notice their inner wisdom, trust their own intuition and arrive at solutions that lead them to new growth.
Karen Danudjaja, who owns and operates a line of plant based, ethically sourced and organic blends, discusses the ups and downs of her mentorship journey – it’s an example we can all learn from. Paulina Cameron, a community builder who started Canada’s largest women’s mentorship program, draws on Karen’s experience to illustrate principles and tactics that will set us up to achieve our mentorship goals.
Guests:
Karen Danudjaja is the Founder and CEO of Blume, a line of plant based, ethically sourced and organic blends.
Paulina Cameron is the Founder and CEO of The Forum, a program that exists to leave no women behind.
Resources:
- The Forum: Mentor Program
- Startup Canada: Startup Women Advisory Program
- RevolutionHer: Mentorship Program
- Mentorly: Educational Blog
- Heidrick & Struggles: Creating a culture of mentorship report
- Harvard Business Review: Mentor People Who Aren’t Like You article
Joella Hogan will proudly tell you she is loving life in the heart of the Yukon. Based in Mayo Yukon, Joella is the Founder and CEO of The Yukon Soaps Company where she creates handcrafted soaps, shampoo bars, essential oil blends, salves, lotions and more.
For Joella and those around her, Yukon Soaps Company is about more than soap, it is an earth connecting hub. Joella partners with Indigenous beadwork artists, plant knowledge holders, and includes local youth and elders to gather wild botanicals, participate in language learning classes and even employs them to support her at farmers markets.
Joella is proud to come from a long line of strong and vibrant Indigenous women, who were teachers, healers, social advocates and cultural leaders and through her work she is committed to embodying their special talents and elements of rich Indigenous culture.
As an active advocate for her First Nation and a dedicated community builder, Joella is a professional heritage worker and brings Northern Tutchone culture to the forefront of life in the Yukon.
“When you are given cultural knowledge and teachings, you also have a responsibility to pass it on. And that is what I do with my team.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Joella Hogan shares her journey of building the Yukon Soaps Company and also the values that have allowed her to grow and thrive.
Mystery Furtado is the mother of two energetic and vibrant African Kings by the names of Kade and Kylem. She is an internationally trained Nurse, currently preparing to sit the RN Nclex exam. Mystery is passionate about Diabetes management and prevention which is why she formed a not for profit called Type Diabeat It; which is the first BIPOC led Diabetes Organization in Southwestern Ontario. This role led her to starting the first BIPOC community Garden in London Ontario which has now grown into a Green House Project.
Mystery was featured this year in the London Business Magazine; Twenty in their TWENTY’S as she also started Granny P’s, a small business that produces Sea Moss products. Her passion for health and wellness drove her to create a brand she could share her grandmother’s recipes through.
“13.3% of all Ontarians suffer from some level of food insecurity. Yes, we are primarily addressing the BIPOC community, but this stat reflects all Canadians. This impacts all of us.”
On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Mystery talks about health inequities for BIPOC communities across Canada, volunteer coordinating, and her incredibly impactful journey.
Victor Beausoleil is the CEO of Intuit Consulting and the Co-Founder and Executive Director of SETSI, The Social Economy Through Social Inclusion Coalition.
At the age of 24, Victor Beausoleil co-founded Redemption Reintegration Services, one of the largest youth-led, youth justice agencies in Canada. In 2013, Victor Beausoleil received his first public service appointment by the Premiere of Ontario Kathleen Wynne as a member of the Premiere’s Council on Youth Opportunities.
Today, Victor is on the Board of Directors for the Toronto Community Benefits Network and is the President of The Board of Directors at The Canadian Community Economic Development Network. He is also on the loan review committee for the Fair Finance Fund and a board member at the Regional Ethno-Advisory Council for Corrections Services Canada.
As a lecturer, Victor has traveled extensively throughout Canada, the United States, the UK and Africa to speak with community organizations, institutions and philanthropic foundations. Previously, Victor has been a board member of the Atkinson Charitable Foundation, a member of the grant review committee of the Laidlaw Foundation, and the Toronto Community Housing Social Investment Fund.
The Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, National Post, The Caribbean Camera (and more) have highlighted Victor’s important and impactful work for Canadian communities. In addition to all of this, Victor is a husband and a father to four brilliant children.
“I founded SETSI because a lot of the challenges my community faces have a social economic lens to them.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Victor shares why he founded The Social Economy Through Social Inclusion Coalition and why we need to actualize belonging so all folks are invited and feel welcome.
Patricia Bebia Mawa is the Executive Vice President of Silvertrust Media and Afroglobal Television. Patricia is also the host of Planet Africa, a weekly series on OMNI TV that covers topics that interest, affect and challenge African Canadian communities.
She has directed and produced over fifteen television programs including The Visionaries, The Golden Button and Standing Ovation. Patricia is the writer and director of Omobella Palace, a new drama series on Afroglobal Television, which can be viewed on Rogers Cable, Bell Fibe, Eastlink and Telus. She is also the Associate Publisher of Excellence, Envision and Destiny Magazines. In 2008 her own Silvertrust Media company, introduced the Discover magazine series, which has since released over 20 titles and editions.
Who’s Who in Black Canada lists Patricia as a recipient of the Toronto Police Community Service Award, the International Women Achievers Award, the Martin Luther King DreamKeeper Award and a Queen Elizabeth’s 11 Diamond Jubilee Medal. Patricia has also co-founded the Crossover Mentorship Program, a youth empowerment initiative. In 2018, Patricia co-authored the 150 Extraordinary Canadians Legacy book, with a foreword by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and in 2020, Patricia was appointed chair of the Reelworld Screen Institute.
“Our work is not only inspiring and entertaining for our people – it also holds others, including corporations, accountable.”
On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Patricia shares tips for getting tv coverage, funding in entertainment, and why demographic-specific content is vital for community empowerment!
Janelle Hinds is an award-winning entrepreneur, public speaker, facilitator and Diversity Equity and Inclusion and strategic consultant. Before her maternity leave, Janelle was the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Opportunity for All Youth, where the focus is creating better youth futures by helping youth who face barriers find meaningful jobs that build skills and experience. Janelle is the founder of Helping Hands, a non-profit that aims to help young people build their skills and careers through volunteer, entrepreneurship, and early career development.
As a public speaker and consultant, Janelle is an advocate for social innovation and Diversity Equity and Inclusion in various industries. Janelle sits on the Board of Directors for Futurpreneur as well as the McMaster Alumni Association Board. Recently Janelle was chosen as the only Canadian on Forbes Top 30 Under 30 list for her achievements in the Education sector.
“The amount of hurdles entrepreneurs go through, we could qualify to win some olympic medals.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk to Janelle Hinds about her journey building Helping Hands and why supporting youth to build their skills and careers matters.
Nadia is the Co-Founder and COO of Marlow, a new FemTech start-up that has developed the first-ever lubricated tampon kit.
Previously, Nadia worked as a management consultant at KPMG where she worked across a number of Fortune 500 retail clients. Nadia is committed to giving back to her community through her role as a catalyst board member at Holland Bloorview Children’s Hospital and as a mentor for the Junior Achievement Company Program where she provides weekly coaching to high school students as they operate their own small businesses.
In November of 2021, Nadia was one of four winners of our Canada and Israel joint pitch competition, recognizing Marlow for its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Nadia has spoken at universities across Canada to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing her guitar, and spending time outside biking, hiking, and backcountry camping.
“It’s important to get comfortable making decisions with imperfect information as an entrepreneur.”
On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Nadia Ladak shares how the Marlow team is erasing the stigma associated with menstruation, and why their product belongs in the wellness and health space.
Angie Schick is Executive Director and oversees the delivery of all programs at New Ventures BC. She’s been supporting technology startups for over ten years and loves working with entrepreneurs. She has worked in the technology sector for over 15 years as a project manager, strategic communicator and market researcher. Previously, she led teams and oversaw game development at Radical Entertainment.
Angie holds a Master’s of Arts in Communication from SFU, where she specialized in technology & society.
Mike Wood is the co-founder of TrafficDriven Technologies, a company using an artificial intelligence-powered, dealer-fuelled auction platform for buying, selling, and trading cars. He has decades of experience in all aspects of automotive retail and leasing, including growing new market opportunities, entrepreneurship, building teams, and fostering innovation. He is the past president, National Vehicle Leasing Association.
Mike is also the winner of New Ventures BC’s 21st annual tech startup competition.
“I always tell entrepreneurs, find the support organization that is the best fit for you.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, we talk to two guest, Angie Schick and Mike Wood about how New Ventures BC’s tech competition impacted Mike’s journey and why it exists to support entrepreneurs.
Nisha is a Vancouver based entrepreneur and is the founder of Ambari Beauty. Ambari Beauty is committed to sourcing and formulating with pure and powerful ingredients and is on a mission to provide medi spa experience and results from your own home.
Growing up in a proud Indo-Canadian home, Nisha was accustomed to a life of natural remedies and cultural rituals. Grewal and her family leaned into herbs, spices and adaptogens for skin health benefits and pain relief. In her youth, Nisha loved to indulge in skin care treatments at-home. With adaptogens specifically, she saw the healing power it had to sustain skin barrier function when applied topically. As a young adult, she transitioned to medical spas, especially chemical peels. The daily skin care routine was second nature to Nisha, however, only with regular visits to the medical spas did she notice a true transformation in her skin.
Nisha realized she needed to be the one to bring performance driven skincare to the market for all consumers. Thinking outside the box, Nisha and her team of experts created result driven formulations that would help skin tone and texture, increase glow and luminosity and help diminish fine lines, for every skin color and skin type.
“Have a good team around you. I trust my team, we all share the same vision and that is susper important.”
On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Nisha shares why it is important to be involved in all areas of your business as a founder and how to remain classic and trendy.
Lyndon Johnson is a recovering broadcaster, turned communications strategy specialist. He spent almost a decade working in radio and 20+ years in comms, first in both in-house and agency roles and for the last ten years as an entrepreneur.
Lyndon’s focus is to democratize public relations and marketing to enable any business that needs it to get help, and to help demonstrate the strategic value of communications
“We think we need to have all of the answers, but we don’t. We don’t exist without help from other people.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard and Scotiabank, Lyndon shares how communication is ingrained in business and explains the three most important things to consider when approaching a new goal or objective.
Born in South Africa, Lotte Davis moved to Canada at ten years old with her family to escape the hostility of apartheid. Her heart, though, stayed behind.
In 1989, Lotte and her husband founded AG Hair in the basement of their Vancouver home. AG Hair is built on a strong ethos to develop professional products using naturally sourced, plant-based ingredients for the professional hair care industry. Today, AG Hair operates out of a purpose built, Health Canada and FDA approved building and is committed to manufacturing products formulated with healthy, safe ingredients and packaged in reusable and refillable containers. The growth of AG Hair allowed Lotte to realize her dream to return to Africa in 2013 where she began to build her not-for-profit organization, One Girl Can.
One Girl Can is built on three important pillars they call: We Build. We Educate. We Mentor. Lotte and One Girl Can have built and renovated one hundred and thirty schools (130) in Kenya to create safe learning environments. Each year, they mentor over ten thousand (10,000) girls to teach goal setting, career development, job training and leadership skills. When One Girl Can supports One Girl, they stay with her from the start of high school, through university, and up until she has found meaningful employment and is financially independent. This is how they measure their impact on gender imbalance.
Lotte is motivated by the inequalities she witnessed growing up. Her passion for ending poverty and gender inequality is made possible by working with an aligned team and a diverse Board of Directors in Canada and Kenya. Lotte partners with corporate organizations, foundations, as well as YPO, a global leadership community, and engages in focused fundraising that fuels One Girl Can through generous donations that directly support girls in Kenya.
“If you are not aligning your business with some sort of a cause, then you are missing a key component for a successful business strategy.”
On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Lotte shares the synergies between AG Hair and One Girl Can and why giving back can be a reward of success.
Kari LaMotte is the Managing Director of entrepreneurship@UBC, UBC’s incubator and accelerator program for innovators and entrepreneurs across the University of British Columbia.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Kari has been deeply embedded in the BC technology sector for over 20 years and is passionate about the growth of BC’s innovation ecosystem. She is the Co-Founder of Women Tech Founders – a trusted peer group for ongoing support that leverages the collective expertise and experience to help each other get connected, lead, grow, and feel empowered.
Kari has a background in Team Development which stems from her decades long career as an entrepreneur and leader. She has built and managed a direct sales organization of 120 people and has also built a startup in the e-commerce space with both remote and in-person teams. She has experience as an executive search consultant, placing mid to senior management in STEM companies, and has also been a coach to choirs in Western Canada and the US for over 15 years, working with them on culture and growth.
An exceptional networker and ecosystem builder, Kari has dedicated her career to growing and developing BC’s startup landscape, making significant contributions and having a meaningful impact on our innovation ecosystem.
“The people I meet are the most fascinating part of the work I do.”
In this week’s episode of the #StartupPodcast, sponsored by Mastercard, and Scotiabank , Kari Lamotte shares how incubation and acceleration for entrepreneurs can lead to high rates of innovation and success.