Startup Women Podcast

A number of key barriers remain for rural entrepreneurs, especially those with disabilities. But together, we can challenge exclusionary attitudes and work towards building a much more inclusive ecosystem – just ask Susan Bater, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program Manager for Community Futures Manitoba and Saskatchewan!

Susan Bater is the manager of the Community Futures Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program in rural Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She assists 29 Community Futures offices in supporting the success of rural entrepreneurs that are managing health issues. Susan values rural living and feels fortunate to work, live and raise her family in rural Manitoba. Susan comes from a family of entrepreneurs and was previously self-employed for 10 years as a sign language interpreter and a consultant.   

“Anyone can be an entrepreneur, regardless of their location or disability. If you want to be your own boss, go for it.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Susan discusses why entrepreneurship is a good fit for people with disabilities, key barriers for founders with disabilities, and the support available in the rural business ecosystem.

The post Support for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities with Susan Bater – April 15, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

With Canadian SMEs representing over 50% of our national economy and providing much needed community support, small business recovery is at the top of everyone’s mind in our post-pandemic world. Angela Groenveld, Founder and CEO of EmergeAgency, is leading the way!

As one of the leading business and disaster recovery consultants in Canada, Angela Groeneveld credits her inner passion and core values to a piece of advice she received from her earliest role models: “Angela, walk tall and be strong, you are who you are.”

The simple yet profound wisdom of her parents, whose strength, confidence, and independence laid the groundwork for her entrepreneurial spirit, was directed towards a young woman full of doubts. However, like all good advice, it resounds because it expresses a universal message of hope, faith, and commitment to presenting your best possible self to the world.

 Angela loves helping entrepreneurs because she is one. Her vast experience ranges from the cattle industry to the fashion and health & wellness industries and beyond. There isn’t an area of business that she hasn’t achieved success in, both as a business owner and as a mentor and coach.

Angela’s unique insight has allowed her to assume a critical leadership position for governments and communities seeking effective economic and disaster recovery guidelines. As evidenced by her integral role in the aftermath the 2013 High River floods and the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires, as well as the success of the ongoing recoveries of both communities, Angela’s passion and drive has helped countless businesses, organizations, and individuals to meet their challenges head-on and emerge more confident, disciplined, and stronger than ever before.  

“Do a business pulse test immediately – what are your physical and emotional limits right now. Sometimes it is just as successful to close the doors as to keep them open.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Angela discusses how we can better prepare for disasters, business recovery in rural ecosystems, and her change of heart with COVID-19.

The post Recovering From Economic Disaster with Angela Groenveld – April 8, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

We often assume urban centres are home to the most innovative, versatile business ecosystems. Shauna Rae, Communications and Project Coordinator for Community Futures Ontario and co-host of the Kitchen Confessionals Podcast, sees rural startup ecosystems as a hub for innovation and reinvention. 

Shauna Rae is currently the Communications and Project Coordinator at Community Futures Ontario. She is the co-host of the popular podcast, Kitchen Confessionals, which she and Leah Hunt started during the pandemic. Shauna currently writes a column for Business London Magazine called “The Broad Perspective” about women in the workplace. Her specialty is shedding light on shared, collective experiences. 

Before Community Futures, Shauna was tasked with raising the profile of the non-profit organization, the Southwest Economic Alliance and their Intelligent Region Project, building a case for accessible and affordable high-speed internet in rural, remote and under-serviced areas of Ontario. She has also worked with a number of nonprofit and for-profit organizations, in communications, community engagement and PR. 

Shauna is a graduate of the Journalism Broadcast program at Fanshawe College and she enjoyed a decade-long radio and television broadcasting career.

She is a member of Canadian Women in Communications and Technology, loves creative writing, tinkering with technology and is fascinated by the shifting landscapes of both journalism and social media. She grew up in a small town and now lives outside a small hamlet in Southwestern Ontario. Her interests lie in advocacy, and in action, in the pursuit of justice and empowerment for all.  

“Don’t put your worth in the hands of other people. Your values and the morals you bring to your own life are all that matter, nothing else.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Shauna discusses the art of reinvention, community-based journalism, and rural towns as a hub for innovation!

The post Rural Reinvention with Shauna Rae – April 1, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

The hustle mentality is deeply ingrained in the startup community, but at times it can take its toll on a founder’s confidence and mental health. Michelle Lalonde, president and chief growth officer of Tiber River Inc., thinks it’s all about finding your “imperfect balance”. 

With both a degree and diploma in business administration, Michelle has over 10 years of experience in corporate sales and marketing. Michelle partnered with Adriana De Luca in 2005 to rebrand and relaunch Tiber River. Tiber River offers customers natural, eco-friendly bath, body & home products free of phosphates, parabens, petroleums & palm oil. The company has a vision of there being a Tiber product in every home in the world. They also have goals of becoming a B Corporation and being recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers – and then every country’s Top Employer. 

Michelle has spent the past 16 years growing the business, focusing on increasing revenue, marketing initiatives, strategic direction and developing new sales channels.

“We need to realize we can do it all, but not all at the same time – and we need to be okay with that.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Michelle discusses navigating Tiber River’s relaunch, the importance of personal values in business, and finding your imperfect balance!

The post Finding Your Imperfect Balance with Michelle Lalonde – March 25, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Today, women account for only 4.5 per cent of skilled trades workers across Canada. Kendall Ansell, owner of Belle Construction, is trying to change that. 

Kendall has always believed that happiness starts at home. Growing up, she spent most of her weekends helping her Dad, a contractor, with family projects. This influenced and shaped her passion for exploring how people live, one nail and paint swatch at a time. It’s unsurprising that those childhood experiences developed into a promising career. 

Kendall studied architectural drafting at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, then completed the Interior Design Management Program at the BCIT. This background, coupled with her inclusive approach, allows Kendall to create homes and office spaces that really do bring her clients’ dreams to life. When she’s not being a Fairy Design mother, gender-smashing business owner, Kendall loves to spend time with her family, at home reading and cooking (between working on home projects of her own) or hiking and biking in BC’s beautiful outdoors.

“I got a text from a client saying her young boys were seriously impressed with our all-women team and that they now only used the term women when chatting about construction – that’s why we do what we do.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Kendall discusses her journey founding BC’s first women-lead construction company, the importance of bridging more women into the trades, and the many supports that are available.

The post Empowering Women in the Trades with Kendall Ansell – March 18, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

When gearing up to launch a venture, worry and perfectionism can prolong the process of opening the doors. Jess Mantell, Co-Founder of Abokichi, thinks the answer is easy – just start!

Jess Mantell is the co-founder of Abokichi, Inc., makers of the gold Sofi Award winning OKAZU miso chili oil sauce, and food-waste diverting instant miso soup. Jess grew up in a Toronto suburb, and earned a Bachelor of Design from York University and Sheridan College, and a  Masters in Media Design from Keio (Kayo) University in Tokyo. While in Japan, Jess worked as a graphic designer and reported on technology for The Japan Times newspaper; developed a fondness for trying new foods; and ultimately caught the entrepreneurship bug. 

Abokichi was born out of a desire to share some culinary delight with western consumers, and to create a company with super high standards of quality, customer service, employee satisfaction, and social responsibility. When not sitting at her desk with her Abokichi hat on, Jess enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, hiking, and playing with her toddler.

She was also recently recognized as a Changemaker as part of the Inniskillin Changemaker Initiative, in partnership with Startup Canada. 

“Just starting is critical – but do it lean. You don’t need to put thousands into a website or hire expensive consultants at the beginning.”

On this week’s StartupWomen Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Jess discusses the many pivots of Abokichi, her customer education journey, and the importance of taking action to start your entrepreneurial dream.

The post Taking Action and Starting Up with Jess Mantell – March 11, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Women-only networks and mentorship opportunities are vital in leveling the playing field and building a more gender-balanced world – but Aja Horsley, CEO of Drizzle Honey, thinks women belong at every table where decisions are made.   

With a background in Environmental Science and Urban Agriculture development, Aja has led research projects and start-ups in this space with her passion for sustainable food production. She is currently the CEO of Drizzle Honey, a honey products company sold across North America that focuses on changing how the world uses honey. Aja is enthusiastic about bringing innovation to market and bolstering   female entrepreneurship.

She was also recently recognized as a Changemaker as part of the Inniskillin Changemaker Initiative, in partnership with Startup Canada. 

“As women, we need to join male networking circles. Don’t be afraid to join, sit at the table, and lean in. Make your business known.”

On this week’s Startup Women Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Aja discusses navigating B-Corp and Women-Owned Certifications, flexible work schedules as support for new mothers, and perfecting her “nap time hustle”.

The post Taking Your Seat at the Table with Aja Horsley – March 4, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Traditional stakeholders often include customers, staff, and suppliers – but what if we all treated the land as a key stakeholder? Enter Yamila Franco, Co-Founder of Nyoka Design Labs!

Yamila is an Afro-Indigenous Womxn bringing years of experience in impact-driven entrepreneurship & clean technology. Her work is centered around empowering communities to innovate & co-create alternative solutions to solve Earth’s most-pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges. With an Honours in Biology & a background in business and finance, Yamila works on bringing Nyoka’s vision and mission to life through their circular economy design hub. Yamila believes that research, entrepreneurship, community, and identity are interconnected and therefore leverages her skills as a way to empower fellow innovators. Earlier this year she was awarded the Representation, Engagement, Participation Youth Award by HERE in Canada due to her advocacy, and anti-racism work in the community and was a recipient of both the regional and national Startup prize at the 2020 Startup Canada Canadian Export Challenge
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Yamila’s knowledge is built on wholistic enterprise design, giving back to the Land, and sustainable development goals. Outside her work with Nyoka, she is a community advocate for financial inclusion, education and empowerment of racialized women and currently supports various organizations for mobilizing knowledge and building resilient communities. 

“Sometimes becoming a better leader has to do with us becoming better people.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Yamila discusses the importance of differing perspectives in entrepreneurship, treating the land as a key stakeholder, and the road map towards true circularity in our businesses. 

The post Building the Right Legacy with Yamila Franco – February 25, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

There are a lot of myths surrounding trademark registration for small businesses in Canada, leading to many brands being at risk and unprotected – just ask Cynthia Mason, Lawyer and Trademark Agent for Mason PC Trademarks and Markably!

Cynthia Mason is a Canadian lawyer and trademark agent with a passion for helping businesses arm themselves with the information and tools necessary to protect their brands from copycats. Over the span of her near 20-year legal career, she has worked with numerous Fortune 500 companies to protect their names, logos and taglines from theft and misuse.

Cynthia is also a legal innovator and has developed an online platform for registering and monitoring trademarks, making professional brand protection accessible for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

“Weak, non-distinctive brand assets cost time and money. Having great trademarks not only makes it easier and less expensive to register them, but offers more protection in the long run.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Cynthia discusses the value of Canadian trademark registrations in protecting brands, operating under an unregistered trademark, and monitoring possible infringements once you have ownership.

The post Protecting Your Brand with Cynthia Mason – February 18, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.

Too often, creative professions like photography, music, or art in general are left out of the equation when discussing entrepreneurship. Angela Percival, professional Outdoor Photographer, believes the startup community should be embracing creativity – both as a profession and as a problem solving tool. 

Adventure and justice are the two threads that makeup Angela Percival’s creative DNA. Evident in her photography is a deep love for wild places and a genuine concern for people. Relentlessly curious, with the stamina to match, she doesn’t shrink from storms or suffering: in fact, that’s what pulls her closer. She’s drawn to the drama – in light, landscapes, or the human quest to explore the impossible and tap the joy that can be found there. National Geographic called her one of the planet’s top nine female Adventure Photographers who are pushing the limits.

Angela Percival spent 14 years shaping and shooting the signature imagery that has defined Arc’teryx, a global apparel brand with deep roots in the most extreme climates and sports. She can conjure stories out of maps and organize expeditions around shot-lists. She brings concepts and campaigns to life through her lens.

Angela’s one of the very few women to have made a career documenting the outdoor and action sports world and is utterly at home skiing, mountain biking, or dragging a team of elite athletes into spectacular and remote settings. She is passionate about catalyzing change in the world to allow women to be the center of their own stories and evolving collective story.

At the end of the day, whether she’s sitting over the lightboard building stories frame by frame, curating expeditions, or pausing chores to call a beloved friend, she’s chasing and championing the most elusive thing of all, time well spent.

“If more photographers, musicians, and creatives thought of themselves as entrepreneurs, it may help them in treating their art as a business.”

On this week’s THRIVE Podcast, sponsored by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Scotiabank, Angela discusses her photography journey, living life through the lens of ‘time well spent’, and the need to include creative professions in Canada’s entrepreneurship conversation.

The post The Creative Advantage with Angela Percival – February 11, 2021 first appeared on Startup Canada.