Startup Women Podcast

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work, play and interact with each other. Kelly Woods, Founder of Brujera Elixirs Inc. and winner of the 2020 CANIE Woman Entrepreneur Award for the British Columbia region, believes the key to thriving during the pandemic is surrounding yourself with fierce women and being gentle with yourself. 

Growing up connected to the land and community, Kelly’s heritage and upbringing in the forest of western Quebec has greatly influenced who she is as a business woman today. Creating potions and herbal remedies from an early age, it is not hard to believe that she is a Descendant of the Early Witches and a Daughter of the American Revolution. 

Although theatre school was her primary education, Kelly is also a certified Sommelier. Perhaps her grittiest education was the school of hard knocks hospitality world where she evolved as an award winning mixologist, master formulator and respected industry maven. 

In the last eight months she has been awarded three awards for business: RBC Canadian Woman of Influence Award, BC Business Woman of the Year and the Western Canada CANIE Woman Entrepreneur award. She has founded and led two community organizations and continues to be one of the most innovative minds in beverage formulation in North America. Currently penning “The Boozewitch Guide for the Sober Curious” and growing Brujera Elixirs House of Brands, Kelly lives in Squamish BC and is the proud mother of a four year old boy.

“This pandemic has brought a massive shift to how we are all living and working. You need to be gentle with yourself, gentle with others, and realize that the expectations you set for yourself will look different during COVID.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kelly discusses surrounding yourself with a circle of fierce women and finding a way to be gentle with yourself and others throughout COVID-19.

The post Surrounding Yourself with Fierce Women with Kelly Woods – September 17, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Entrepreneurs often feel like they aren’t doing enough when implementing social impact programs in their start-up. Katie Boothby-Kung, Senior Manager of Social Impact for Shopify, thinks entrepreneurs need to own their imperfections. 

From 9-5, Katie is a Senior Manager of Social Impact at Shopify. By working closely with social impact businesses around the world, she is able to build educational tools and  provide platform support to launch and grow a successful social enterprise. Prior to Shopify, Katie worked for the Prime Minister and other federal ministers in policy and communications. 

Outside of work, Katie is the founder of Copper Root Collective, an eco conscious bath and skincare company based in Ottawa with 100% of the profits from Copper Root Collective going directly to water projects in Zambia. On the weekends Katie can be found hiking with her puppy or playing board games with her hubby.

“There is no such thing as a 100 percent sustainable business. If you’re looking to have more social impact, done is better than perfect,” explained Boothby-Kung. “Doing one thing is better than doing nothing. Own those imperfections.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Katie discusses integrating social impact programs into your start-up.

The post Building a Socially Responsible Business with Katie Boothby-Kung – September 10, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

In entrepreneurship, so much of your time gets spent on your business and there can be very little left for yourself. Jessica Keats, President of the Women’s Business Network of the National Capital Region, wants to flip that dynamic.

Jessica Keats is an International Healer, Intuitive and Medium known for her ability to make profound change in her clients’ mind, body and soul within 2-3 sessions. Jessica is renowned for healing limiting beliefs, fears and past traumas so her clients improve physically and emotionally while reaching new heights professionally. 

Jessica Keats is the President of the Women’s Business Network of the National Capital Region, a Not For Profit, Corporation established in 1981. Today the WBN proudly provides opportunities to support, promote and empower Ottawa Business Women to reach their full potential and create success on their own terms.

Jessica is passionate about women embracing their full potential, finding their inner power and becoming the leaders they are meant to be. 

“As entrepreneurs we’re often putting our business or families first, and we often forget ourselves.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Jessica discusses putting yourself first as an entrepreneur.

The post Putting Yourself First with Jessica Keats – September 3, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, life is full of challenges and opportunities for start-ups. Leaning on your women entrepreneur community is one way of navigating adversity and celebrating success – just ask Theresa Laurico, Founder of SocialLIGHT and panelist for Startup Canada’s 2020 Canadian Export Challenge.    

Theresa Laurico is a passionate entrepreneur & founder of SociaLIGHT, a company focused on empowering and inspiring startups, entrepreneurs and small business owners with an emphasis on the triple bottom line “People. Planet. Profit.” The annual SociaLIGHT Conference attracts more than 1,000 national delegates and past speakers and contributors include Sir Richard Branson, Seth Godin, Tony Hsieh and more.

Theresa is also a seasoned media producer and personality with several national television series, commercials, music videos and international broadcast experience for clients like CTV, Muchmusic, HGTV, Rogers and Citytv. She holds a Broadcast Journalism degree from Ryerson University where she graduated as President, and an Executive Media Leadership MPP from Schulich School of Business.  

“Let yourself feel the pain and uncertainty of being knocked down, but also know the tools that will help you press reset and get back up. There’s no flowers without rain.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Theresa Laurico, CXC 2020 panelist and entrepreneur, discusses leaning into adversity, finding your community and cultivating a bounceback game. 

The post Finding Community Through Adversity with Theresa Laurico – August 27, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Inventors and developers are time and time again urged to stay away from the start-up world, especially if they are women. Ilana Ben-Ari, Founder of Twenty One Toys and winner of Startup Canada’s 2019 Mississauga Canadian Export Challenge, thinks creating a sustainable business with a social purpose is for everyone. 

Ilana Ben-Ari is a multiple-award-winning design entrepreneur, TEDx Speaker, and Ariane de Rothschild Fellow. She has been working at the intersection of design and social innovation for over a decade.

Her company Twenty One Toys has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Bloomberg, and her invention, The Empathy Toy, was praised by TIME magazine as a “technology that is reshaping the future”. Her company has brought the transformative power of play into 1000s of boardrooms and classrooms worldwide through an expanding collection of toys, workshops, and training programs that prepare teams to unlock skills like empathy and failure.

“As women, we are often expected to be empathetic and put other people first. Use that empathy to connect with your audience and create a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Know that you have the tools and skills to create a sustainable business right now.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Ilana discusses using word of mouth marketing to break into new markets and the importance of community in the start-up world.

The post Combining Design and Social Impact with Ilana Ben-Ari – August 20, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

For entrepreneurs to succeed, adaptability and resilience are paramount when faced with sudden change. Michelle Williams, Change Strategy Lead for Sovereign Insurance, believes we need to embrace change and work together through adversity.  

Michelle Williams is a Change Strategy Lead who works with individuals and teams across Sovereign’s six national offices to elevate their strategic plans to achieve enhanced results and build a strong culture – which is the heart and soul of an organization. Michelle believes that by fostering safe spaces for people to be heard, we support and illuminate courage, growth and action that may not otherwise be possible. Ultimately, this creates an environment that inspires leadership, performance and joy. As a certified life coach, Michelle has a genuine interest and curiosity about what matters and is important to people. Michelle is eager to partner with individuals who are open and willing to discover new opportunities, embrace change and overcome barriers to achieve their goals.

Michelle is passionate about creating families and communities that thrive. A life-long learner, she enjoys reading, listening to thought provoking podcasts or exploring activities to support both her personal and professional growth. Michelle values laughter and adventures with her family, including long walks with their energetic dog Cali. 

“We live in a volatile and complex world. Change is constant and it is not going away anytime soon,” she says. “We are all challenged to embrace change and refine our approach as we go.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Michelle discusses the benefits and challenges of navigating organizational change.

The post Leading Through Change with Michelle Williams – August 13, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Amidst a new era of human development brought on by COVID-19, rural businesses and communities play a key role in solving issues of remote work and wellness – just ask Mary Doyle, Founder of Rural on Purpose.

Mary describes herself as a crystal ball engineer – equal parts futurist and problem solver. She is a writer/speaker/program developer and consultant with over 28 years of experience working in all three sectors, private, non-profit and government as a teacher, business owner and economic developer. 

She has been recognized in all areas of her professional development, being named Business Person of the Year, A Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Icon and receiving a top teaching award for the most outstanding qualities of Scholarship, Teaching Ability and Character. 

“Resilience is the key to our future. Practice fearless optimism as much as you can and just keep moving if you find yourself stuck – an object in motion stays in motion and I find it works the same way for entrepreneurs.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Mary discusses what it takes to create dynamic rural communities and facing adversity through innovation and flexibility.

The post Navigating Adversity With Fearless Optimism with Mary Doyle – August 6, 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Sales are less about transactions and more about the relationships you build, and Kim Orlesky, President, KO Advantage Group Ltd., will be the first to tell you.

Kim is the President of KO Advantage Group and author of Sell More. Faster. She’s listed as one of LinkedIn’s top sales influencers and is the host of the web series Project: Knockout. She’s Startup Canada’s Woman Entrepreneur and Success Magazine’s most inspirational blogger. 

She speaks internationally, including at North America’s largest entrepreneurial event, Inbound, alongside Michelle Obama, Brené Brown, and Dan Pink. In 2014 Kim quit her life to backpack solo around the world. When she returned she turned her passion for sales into one of the fastest growing sales training programs, KO Sales U. 

“Now is more of a time than ever to reach out to your clients and prospects – they’re going to remember you because you reached out in their time of need.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kim discusses putting the human back into sales.

The post The Human Part of Sales with Kim Orlesky – July 30th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Now, more than ever, resilience is necessary for success as a woman entrepreneur, and Sloane Muldoon, Senior Vice President, Prairie Region, is here to help!

Sloane Muldoon is the Scotiabank Senior Vice President, Prairie Region. Sloane was appointed to this role in May 2017, with responsibility for providing leadership and driving results in Retail and Small Business. Sloane is an active member of The Scotiabank Women Initiative Advisory Board.

Sloane has been with Scotiabank since 1991 and has held progressively more senior roles in the Bank. Most recently, Managing Director for the Caribbean East Region and Country Head & Managing Director, Cayman Islands & British Virgin Islands.

Prior to this, Sloane assisted in developing the Bank’s long term strategies relative to strategic planning for the year 2020 and has held a number of Senior Management positions within the bank including District Vice-President, Alberta South, Vice President, Agriculture, Commercial Banking.

“Now is the time to build resilience into your DNA. It will serve you during #COVID-19 and beyond.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Sloane discusses resilience and recuperation through proper planning.

The post Resilience in Entrepreneurship with Sloane Muldoon – July 23rd 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s easy to chase help from above, but there’s a way to ensure it comes your way and Jess Joss, CEO (on leave) of Equation is here to share it!

Jess Joss is the CEO (on leave) of Equation, a joint venture that brings together three angel investment networks, Co-founder of Insiteful Solutions, and Partner in Spyder Capital Corporation. Leveraging more than 20 years of business leadership, entrepreneurial expertise and investment experience, she played a pivotal role in the realization of Equation, and its impactful investment collaboration.

A passionate connector of people, technology and opportunity, and fueled by a love of entrepreneurship, mentorship and angel investing, Jess works closely with ecosystem partners, dedicated angels and game-changing young companies looking to grow. She is committed to driving growth, customer, revenue and capital acquisition, exceptional exits, community and economic development.  Building directly on these objectives, she maintains the transparency of the angel investment process, while cultivating collaboration, community engagement and deals.

“This is an opportunity for one to share personal experiences and the journey I’ve had so people can see everyone’s roots are perhaps different, but they can get you to great endings.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Jess discusses how to set yourself up for investment.

The post Being Your Best for Investment with Jess Joss – July 16th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.