Startup Women Podcast

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. 

The post Doing Both: Classic and Trendy with Nisha Grewal first appeared on Startup Canada.

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. 

The post Aligning Business with a Cause with Lotte Davis first appeared on Startup Canada.

Nikki Wiart is a florist, farmer and writer. Her farming journey began in the winter of 2017 when she moved back to her hometown of Castor, Alberta to work under open prairie skies, grow food and raise animals – and do so in a sustainable and ecological way. Since then, she’s dabbled in a bit of everything, from bees to pigs, chickens, lambs, vegetables and flowers. Now, she’s narrowed in her focus, growing seasonal and sustainable flowers and raising grass-fed and finished lamb.

Lady’s Hat Farm is named after the Lady’s Hat – a hill in a piece of badlands owned by Nikki’s mom. This spot was always special to her family – it is still somewhere they gather, celebrate and grieve. It’s where Nikki collects crocuses in the Spring and sage in the Fall; where she climbs to see the sun set and admire the prickly pear cacti.

“I want other young women to be able to see themselves in roles of agriculture.”

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Nikki Wiart speaks about being a role model for women in the agriculture and farming space and how she has been able to achieve transparency through storytelling. 

The post Transparency Through Storytelling with Nikki Wiart first appeared on Startup Canada.

Tune in for a bonus episode to look back at all that we covered on the Startup Women Podcast in 2021 with the producers who bring this show to life, Lauren Hicks and Maddie Stiles. 

Lauren Hicks is our Digital Production and Content Manager at Startup Canada. Lauren spends her time and energy elevating and executing Startup Canada’s digital programs, working behind the scenes of both the Startup Women Podcast and the Startup Canada Podcast with Rick Spence. As well, Lauren is committed to telling the stories of Canadian entrepreneurs by working with media outlets and publications. Lauren is also the Founder and CEO of New River Media Productions, a content production company that specializes in Marcom contracts and multimedia content production. 

Lauren’s work has appeared in the Toronto Star, the Hill Times, the National Observer, and Maclean’s Magazine. She has experience as the Head of Marketing and Communications for the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario where she founded their podcast series ‘The Dish’. Lauren was recently recognized by the CGLCC as a finalist for the LGBT+ Business Advocate of the Year Award for her work on the Startup Canada Podcast Network takeover in June.

Maddie Stiles is our Digital Production and Communications Coordinator.  Maddie works behind the scenes to produce podcast episodes for both shows and focuses her energy on creating engaging content for both digital programs and Startup Canada flagship programs, including running our monthly #StartupChats program.  Maddie is also a freelance podcast producer and editor where she empowers entrepreneurs and startups to share their stories through audio. She has helped bring shows to life such as Lessons Learned, hosted by Komal Minhas, and works behind the scenes of Fellow’s Supermanagers and Your Girl Karly’s weekly podcasts. Maddie is motivated by people, stories and the lessons that arise when we tell them through audio. 

“We want to dive deeper, add more perspectives and deliver tactical and true advice to Canada’s women entrepreneurs.”

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, we are joined by the producers of the Startup Canada Podcast Network to reflect on all of the great episodes that aired this year on the Startup Women Podcast and to learn about what is coming next for the podcast.

The post 2021 Wrap Up: Producer’s Corner with Lauren Hicks and Maddie Stiles first appeared on Startup Canada.

Corinne is the daughter of a teacher and a lawyer – which probably explains a lot about her desire to share and explain the legal stuff.

After escaping many years of the big law firm life (aka the “soul-sucking situation”), Corinne started her entrepreneurial legal journey in 2012. What started as a 40-hour in-person legal course developed for small business owners has now also turned into guided legal templates for Canadians doing business online.

Corinne has a knack for making things practical and easy to implement. Being a lawyer since 2002 has given her perspective and experience to boil things down to the essentials.

“Don’t hide from the legal stuff, it’s doable. I want to make it more accessible and bring it to the front of people’s minds. One of my purposes is to be a resource for Canadian entrepreneurs.”

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Corinne Boudreau shares how she is bringing mindset shifts and innovation to the legal space for business owners, and what you need to consider when it comes to protecting your content.   

The post Canadian Legal Resources 101 with Corinne Boudreau first appeared on Startup Canada.

*Before listening to this episode, please know that this conversations references end of life for animals and pets and talks about the experiences of pet owners during these difficult times. We know this can be difficult to listen to. Please keep this in mind before listening to this episode if these topics are challenging for you. 

Celine was frustrated and unable to find a dignified alternative to the garbage bag often used for the disposal of deceased animals, this led her to create EUTHABAG. EUTHABAG honours the bond we have with our pets and ensures they depart with dignity. Designed in Canada, EUTHABAG is made with non-toxic materials, is tear-resistant, leakproof and adjustable and is used in 25 countries by thousands of owners and veterinarians. 

Celine is committed to improving the euthanasia experience for animals, their families and veterinary teams and professionals. In May 2021, Celine delivered a Tedx Talk in Montreal on the hidden face of veterinary medicine, shedding light on the financial costs of pet health.

Celine and her team are the winners of the 2021 Startup Global People’s Choice Award, presented by UPS. Based in Hemmingford, Quebec, Celine continues to work hard because she knows our pets deserve the best. 

“If you think something is not right, follow that instinct and listen to your gut. My values have become a guide for me to make decisions, otherwise, it is too complicated.” 

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Céline Leheurteux tells the story of euthabag, the product she designed so pets can depart with dignity. Tune in to learn how frustration fuels Céline’s innovation and ideas and why it is so important for our decisions to be backed by our values.

The post Frustration as Fuel, Values for Decisions with Céline Leheurteux first appeared on Startup Canada.

Afton Brazzoni is the Founder of Scribe National, a content marketing company that she started to help B2B companies connect with their audiences online. Scribe National is built on excellence, dedication, curiosity and authenticity to illuminate the brands they work with. 

Afton brings twelve years of experience in storytelling through marketing, communications and journalism roles. Afton and her team bring a human voice to content creation to help drive their client’s businesses forward.

Afton’s work is rooted in developing strategies and content for growth-oriented organizations around the globe, such as technology companies, professional services firms, and entrepreneurs. Through this work, Afton has helped her clients clarify their offerings online, double their conversions, launch online initiatives and elevate their websites, social media channels and media partnerships. Afton is also the author of Shop Dogs of Canmore, a book celebrating dogs who join their entrepreneurial owners at work.

“People consume content in different ways, so you want to make sure you are delivering options for your audience, and of course creating content that will resonate with them.”

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Afton shares why entrepreneurs need to own their brand story and share tips on finding your brand’s voice and putting your customer story in the spotlight.

The post Owning Your Brand Story with Afton Brazzoni first appeared on Startup Canada.

Angie Tran and Bernard Law come from a background of five years in digital marketing, a skill that has lended well to their success with Kind Laundry.

Kind Laundry is on a mission to have an impact, and that starts with our decision as consumers to choose a new way of doing laundry, a way that is plastic-free. Angie and Bernard know that when one person chooses a plastic-free item, it can be multiplied by billions – having a massive impact. 

Angie and Bernard have created laundry sheets to replace plastic jugs, creating a zero-waste, mess-free and sustainable alternative. Their product has been featured in Fast Company, Chatelaine, refinery29, The Globe and Mail and are Better Home and Gardens’ winner for the Best Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Award in 2021. The two were also winners of our Startup Global Pitch Competition, in the Scale-Up category. In addition, the two have a long list of reviews from happy customers who believe in their product and are helping move toward their mission of a plastic-free world

“Some countries have introduced plastic consumption limits – we see these places as market opportunities for our business.” 

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Angie Tran and Bernard Law tell us how their plastic free laundry solution brings innovation into the laundry room. We also talk about how to align your values and story within your business.  

The post Building a Trusted Sustainable Brand with Angie Tran and Bernard Law first appeared on Startup Canada.

Financing – it’s one of the top items on every founder’s mind. Alida Pellegrino, Vice President of Credit Adjudication Canada for Scotiabank, may be able to help you demystify bank loans and lines of credit.   

Alida Pellegrino joined the Scotiabank team in June 2017 and is responsible for leading the Credit Adjudication team in credit decisions for Canada for Retail, Small Business, Indirect Mortgage, Indirect Automotive and Private Banking segments. She provides strategic direction, leadership and oversight for this group ensuring business strategies, plans and initiatives are supported in compliance with governing regulations and internal policies.

Prior to Scotiabank, Alida worked in the financial services industry and has held executive roles in Commercial Banking, Commercial Financial Restructuring, Retail & Small Business Debt Collections & Recovery, and Product Management for Small Business & Agriculture, and both Commercial and Retail Risk Management. Alida has expertise across numerous industries, is a strong relationship builder and is well known for her passion for the customer, working on solutions to meet their needs.  

She holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. She and her husband Fernando have two daughters, and two dogs that keep life busy and fun!

“As business owners, you are all masters of your trade. But being a master of understanding your finances is also a critical factor to long term success.”

On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Alida shares what factors banks consider when assessing loan applications, how to avoid overleveraging your business, and the 5 C’s of credit.

The post Understanding Credit & Bank Loans with Alida Pellegrino first appeared on Startup Canada.

Anne De Aragon is the Vice President and Country Manager for GoDaddy Canada, the company that empowers everyday entrepreneurs. In this role, she is responsible for all GoDaddy operations in Canada, leading the charge on business strategy and growth. Throughout her tenure at GoDaddy, she has worked closely with Canadian small businesses to understand their needs to help them reap the benefits of having an online presence. Anne has also been a driving force behind GoDaddy’s partnership with the Toronto Raptors resulting in some of the most successful branding campaigns in the company’s history. This past year, she spearheaded the “Don’t Stop Being Unstoppable” campaign, highlighting real Canadian small business owners and Olympian Andre De Grasse.

Sara Koonar is the President and Founder of Platform Media and Management Inc, Canada’s leading influencer talent agency, based in Toronto. Platform is home to Canada’s top creator talent across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Platform’s team helps to broker partnerships on behalf of the creators with the world’s leading brands, executing on average 300 branded posts a month. Sara is also the host of Platform’s virtual social media workshops, helping creators, marketers and businesses make the best use of their social media platforms, teaching participants how to achieve organic growth and monetize their posts through meaningful content. 

“When you hear a story or a personal experience, customers remember that. What story are you telling?”

In this week’s #StartupWomenPodcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Anne and Sara offer tactical tips for building an online presence and the two explain how your website and social media channels can serve as an online home base for your business.

The post Creating Your Online Home Base with Anne De Aragon and Sara Koonar first appeared on Startup Canada.