In this episode, Laura chats with Canadian designer Heather Bolt, founder of Dotty, a Toronto-made clothing brand designing “real clothes for real bodies” for women in midlife. They cover local manufacturing, fit-first design (sleeves, tummy-friendly cuts, inclusive sizing), micro-influencer strategy, and the honest realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship. If you care about made-in-Canada fashion, body-confident style, and community-first brand building, this one’s for you.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & guest intro (Heather Bolt, Dotty)

01:14 – Dotty: Toronto manufacturing (Scarborough & North Toronto)

02:22 – Canadian story & starting point

05:46 – The nudge that changed everything

07:20 – Early entrepreneur doubts; designing for real bodies

09:09 – Loyal customers & product thoughtfulness

12:31 – Showing up on camera; relatable founder

15:39 – Word of mouth, One of a Kind Show, micro-influencers

18:15 – Founder values, authenticity, buyer trust

25:18 – “Remember who the F you are”

27:18 – Midlife energy & the freedom of not people-pleasing

31:39 – Seasons of business & motherhood

34:36 – Presence over hustle; what matters at 80

Heather's Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottyclothing/

Website: https://www.dotty.ca/

Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok