Startup Canada

Dallas Barnes is the Founder of Reya Health, a digital platform aimed at empowering individuals with ovaries to take charge of their sexual health. Dallas shares her personal journey of navigating the challenges of contraceptive counseling and the stigma surrounding sexual health. The conversation explores the importance of community, asking the right questions, and the systemic inadequacies in women’s health information.

In this conversation, Kayla Alexander and Nicole Murphy, co-founders of Tall Size, share their journey of empowering tall women through fashion. They discuss the unique experiences of their pop-up shops, the metrics of their business growth, the importance of partnerships, and how they have transformed their customer base into a supportive community.

Bruce Poon Tip, Founder of G Adventures, shares his journey of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of small businesses in Canada and the transformative power of travel. He discusses the vision behind G Adventures, focusing on community tourism and cultural immersion, and reflects on the resilience required to navigate challenges in the travel industry.

In this episode, Rick Spence interviews Maiden Manzanal-Frank,  author and consultant who specializes in strategy, change, and impact. Maiden discusses the importance of entrepreneurs as change makers, the meaning of being a provocateur in business, and her journey in international development. We also talk about the need for strategic thinking over hustling in entrepreneurship.

In this episode, we speak to Sarah and Jamie of Where I Thrive. They share insights on hiring practices and reflect on their experiences, including the lessons learned from their unsuccessful cafe venture. We focus on the importance of knowing when to quit, the dynamics of decision-making in partnerships, and the significance of taking responsibility in business.

Victoria Morton is the co-founder of TSwift Dance Party Canada. In this episode, Victoria shares her journey of creating a unique event business centered around Taylor Swift’s music. Victoria emphasizes the joy and safety of their events, the significance of maintaining authenticity in a competitive market, and the operational strategies that have contributed to their success.

Get your tickets  for the Startup Canada Tour in Calgary on April 29th. For 50% off your ticket, use code Maddie50 at checkout.

In this episode of the Startup Women podcast, we speak with Rashmi Prakash and Nadia Ladak, two innovative leaders in the menstrual health space. They discuss their journeys in creating Aruna Revolution and Marlow, the challenges they face in securing investment, and the importance of community building and education around menstrual health.

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In this episode of the Startup Woman podcast, Lori Casselman discusses her journey in launching June Health, a digital health platform focused on supporting midlife women through perimenopause and menopause. She shares insights on the unique challenges women face during this transition, the spectrum of symptoms that can arise, and the importance of reframing the narrative around menopause.

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In this episode, hosts Kayla Isabelle and Melanie Ewan welcome Ella Farlinger and Serina Ahmad, the co-founders of trusti, a platform aimed at making STI testing more accessible and stigma-free. The conversation explores the founders’ backgrounds, the vision behind trusti, the challenges of sexual health education, insights into the FemTech ecosystem, and the importance of building trust and community in health.

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In this conversation, Rachel Bartholomew, founder of Femtech Canada and Hyivy Health, shares her personal journey through cancer diagnosis and treatment, which inspired her to innovate in women’s health technology. She discusses the growth of Femtech Canada, its international collaborations, and the current state of the Femtech ecosystem in Canada. Rachel emphasizes the importance of overcoming stigma in women’s health discussions and the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in securing investment.

Learn about Femtech’s 2025 budget proposal here.