Startup Women Podcast

On a journey like entrepreneurship, it’s essential to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve gotten where you are – just ask Jodi Kovitz.

Jodi Kovitz is the founder and CEO of #movethedial, a global movement and organization to advance the participation and leadership of all women in tech. 

Leveraging Jodi’s vision, leadership, wealth of experience, pioneering spirit, and passion for advancing the full talent pool in the new economy, #movethedial has touched over 60,000 people at events throughout Canada, the US, the UK and Israel. Featured in Forbes Women, Jodi was recognized as an Adweek Brandstar in Toronto in 2018, One of Canada’s 25 Women of Influence in 2018, one of WXN’s Canada’s 100 most powerful women in 2017 & 2019 and co-chaired the re-election campaign for Toronto’s Mayor in 2018, John Tory. 

Jodi sits on several tech company advisory boards, the board of Directors of Toronto Global and the Sickkids’ hospital Capital Campaign Cabinet raising $1.3B to transform paediatric health. Jodi holds an HBA from Ivey and an LLB from Osgoode Hall Law School. Jodi is a connector, problem solver, and builder. 

“From my experience, I believe that the first step in entrepreneurship comes from the conviction that you can do what you’re setting out to do.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Jodi discusses reflecting on your path.

The post Learning From Your Journey with Jodi Kovitz – July 9th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

When you can’t keep walking the same path, sometimes you just need to create your own – just ask Christine Whone.

Christine is the Owner of Actually, Communication Design Studio, Chapter Lead of Canada Learning Code in Barrie, Instructor at Ryerson University’s Chang School, and Advisory Committee Member for Graphic Design at Georgian College. 

Most recently she launched online courses and success services for creative and business professionals who want step-by-step processes and strategies to build their business, combining her experience as a Designer, Success Coach and Instructor at christinewhone.com so they are set for success running their own business

Christine has held various responsibilities in her 14 years of experience and expertise in design, communications, tech, education, and entrepreneurship while working with clients and students in a diverse range of business sectors. Her well-rounded experience helps design and build communication materials and media to suit her clients unique business needs. Today Actually consults, designs, and develops information that communicates for social good companies and organizations. Check out Actually’s portfolio at actuallywecreate.com. 

“I want women to know they’re good at solving problems, math, business, engineering, whatever it is they set out to do.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Christine discusses creating your own path as a Canadian women entrepreneur.

The post Creating Your Career with Christine Whone – July 2nd 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Innovation in sectors where there typically isn’t a lot of innovation makes for quite the opportunity – just ask Megan Cornell, CEO & Chief Ideas Officer, Momentum Business Law and Momentum Law Labs!

Megan spent the first decade of her practice working in Big Law, learning what all sizes of businesses in all types of industries need to succeed. Along the way, Megan developed a philosophy of client care, which is based on clients driving the firm and its direction. Megan kept a close eye on technology developments and knew that technology could be put to better use to provide more timely, more accurate and more affordable business law services.

In 2012, Megan decided to bring her philosophy and technology together to create Momentum – a new kind of business law firm dedicated to providing complete business law solutions to clients in a way that works for clients. Megan believes that Momentum needs to grow and evolve at the same pace as any other business, and welcomes the continuing evolution of business and the business of law.

“I knew I wanted to go out on my own, and that was driven by feeling we weren’t being very proactive with our clients. I knew I wanted to do something different than the billable hour.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Megan discusses innovating in a space not typically associated with Innovation.

The post Legal Lessons for Women Entrepreneurs with Megan Cornell – June 25th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Sometimes the things that set you apart can be your biggest advantage, and Midia Shikh Hassan would agree.

Midia studied health sciences, biochemistry, and chemical engineering from the University of Ottawa.  She is a co-founder and CEO of Dextra Innovation, which uses 3D printing technology to provide affordable prosthetics to amputees living in refugee and poverty zones as well as Makerspace technology training to communities globally to scale up the production of affordable assistive technologies.  

She is also the Manager of MakerLaunch program at the University of Ottawa that provides engineering students and recent alumni with support to fast-track the commercialization of new technology and launch new technology startups. Midia was awarded the 2018 Queen’s Young Leaders Award by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was also awarded the 2019 CBC Trailblazer award and the 2019 Facebook Social Entrepreneurship Award for her work in Dextra. Midia was also one of 145 youth accepted into the prestigious graduate fellowship Schwarzman Scholars program class 2021.

“Culture plays a huge role in what defines you and the values you have, as well as the change you want to leave behind in life.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Midia discusses using what sets you apart to your advantage.

The post Engineering Startup Solutions with Midia Shikh Hassan – June 18th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

To find your own voice you need to take a dive inside yourself, and then figure out how to shout with it from the rooftops (with a plan of course), which is where Kat Gaskin comes in.

Kat Gaskin is a graphic designer, content planning expert and creator of The Content Planner – the first and only physical planning system for your blog and social content. Kat helps discouraged business owners create a clear path towards achieving their social media goals, so they can be more abundant in wealth, prosperity and purpose. With a 6-figure e-commerce brand and a recent $100k launch in her back pocket, Kat brings results-driven expertise and step-by-step strategies to her online community every day.

“My main goal was to find my own unique creative voice, and when I dove into my own creativity I found my personal brand.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kat talks about planning your social content, and growing a product-based business from a service-based background.

The post Planning Your Content with Kat Gaskin – June 11th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s hard being in a new country, starting a business in one even more so – but it would be much harder without Karla Briones, Founder of Karla Briones Consulting

Karla is a Mexican-Canadian serial entrepreneur with a passion for helping others succeed in their business journey.

Karla uses her 10-year business experience to mentor, coach and help new immigrants become successful entrepreneurs in their adopted country. Currently, she is honoured to be part of the team of independent business advisors at Invest Ottawa (IO) – where she provides strategy services to local aspiring and current entrepreneurs. 

“As immigrants, unfortunately our credit history doesn’t migrate with us, so it can limit newcomers in contributing to the economy.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Karla talks about supporting newcomer entrepreneurs to flourish and grow.

The post Supporting Newcomer Entrepreneurs with Karla Briones – June 4th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Sometimes talking the talk is just as important as walking the walk, and Jennifer Stewart knows how to do both!

Jennifer Stewart is the founder and owner of Syntax Strategic, a leading communications, media and public affairs firm based in Ottawa. She has been named one of the top 25 people in the nation’s capital by Ottawa Life magazine, top 40 under forty by the Ottawa Business Journal and has been a finalist for Ottawa’s female entrepreneur of the year. 

She is also a regular communications commentator on CTV and CBC. Committed to empowering women in their careers and personal lives, Jennifer employs 10 female employees at Syntax, and is committed to doing work differently. Along this vein, she is a founding member of the 21st Century Workplace Initiative, which brings together a group of business leaders to truly impact the workplace and introduce and reinforce practices that create a truly equal and equitable professional environment.

“If you have that business idea, make the leap, try it out, ask for support, seek mentors, but now is the time.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Jennifer talks about trusting your entrepreneurial instinct and putting it to words that work for you.

The post Strategic Communications With Style with Jennifer Stewart – May 28th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Being an entrepreneur is hard enough, especially without systemic barriers. But good thing women entrepreneurs have Nancy Wilson in their corner!

Nancy Wilson is the founder and CEO of the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC), a national, not-for-profit organization that advocates for women-identified business

owners in Canada. Nancy is a Chartered Professional Accountant, with over a decade of accounting and finance experience in the private sector. Prior to CanWCC, she ran an accounting and advisory firm specializing in women business owners and entrepreneurs.

After experiencing a lack of resources, difficulty finding connection, and numerous barriers, both as a business owner and indirectly through her clients, Nancy launched the Canadian Women’s Chamber of Commerce in January 2018.

“When I had my first taste of running my own business and saw a lot of the gender issues I had faced working in corporate roles echoed back to me by my clients, I knew something bigger had to change.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Nancy talks about breaking through barriers to help all entrepreneurs reach their full potential.

The post Women Entrepreneurs, Now and Next with Nancy Wilson – May 21st 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

It’s easy to get into a cognitive rut as an entrepreneur, but if you’re looking to bump yourself out Kim Hendi, the founder, CEO and Senior Coach of Disruptive Art, wants to talk!

Kim’s broad experience in digital adoption, ICT program and policies, digital adoption, intellectual property literacy has been instrumental in empowering women and youth; engaging multi-stakeholders, and promoting creativity and innovation of individuals and teams with disruptive.art sessions that combine mindfulness, art and science.

In her previous position as Senior Officer, Partnership Development with Canada’s Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Kim promoted intellectual property (IP) literacy to support SMEs and innovators. She continues to contribute expertise to multi-stakeholder task forces on the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain.

Previously Dr. Hendi led the transfer of Connectivity policies and programs to the Americas and conducted research on the digital economy, green technologies, e-Health, skills development, Internet policies and international development.

“Not all artists are entrepreneurs. But all entrepreneurs are artists.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kim talks about how to maintain balance in your brain, as well as promote creativity. 

The post The Art of Disruption with Kim Hendi – May 14th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.

When there’s a lot of outside noise, sometimes the best thing you can do is listen to your inside voice – just ask Fiona Gilligan.

Fiona is a trauma specialist, author and female founder. She’s the former founder CEO of the trauma Management Group TMG, the industry leading company in Canada, which dealt with the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks, the Dawson college shootings and the SARS breakout. In 2002. She authored one of Canada’s first critical incident group crisis training programs called the critical incident stress management from theory to practice that is still widely used for training purposes. 

Her career started over 20 years ago with a BA in psychology and a Master’s of social work. Since the sale of the trauma management group in 2007. She has continued to specialize in clinical intervention, training and organizational development with military, veterans and emergency medical services to effectively respond to mental health issues within the workplace. She’s also a social entrepreneur and female founder who actively gives her time to various ecosystems to encourage entry and growth.

“Women can very quickly push away from their intuitive voice. I say trust that voice and know it’s there to help you pivot, grow, and become resilient.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Fiona talks about trusting yourself to be your own best advice.

The post Following Your Intuition with Fiona Gilligan – May 7th 2020 first appeared on Startup Canada.