Startup Canada Podcast

Roxanne Pettipas and John Haslam are the Founders of Buddy Belts – the stylish and safe harness for dogs.   Roxanne conceptualized and designed the first Buddy Belt out of necessity for her miniature dachshund named Buddy. John has over 25 years of business ownership experience and excels at establishing and managing key relationships that are essential to growing a business. Since bootstrapping the company in 2001, Buddy Belts is now a million-dollar, international business with product sold in 20+ countries, and a dedicated Buddy Belts Team.The post Harnessing Trust: Products with a Promise with Roxanne Pettipas and John Haslam first appeared on Startup Canada.

Jake is a different type of business leader – unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of BS. His product, Mid-Day Squares, are functional chocolate squares that satisfy sweet cravings. Jake and his team are leading the disruption of an extremely competitive vertical with an innovative marketing strategy and a fearless spirit.The post Trust, Therapy and Transparency with Jake Karls first appeared on Startup Canada.

Richard is the Founder and CEO of 10Adventures, a platform to book customizable and private active vacations. With trips in 85+ countries and travellers from 35+ countries, 10Adventures is a global platform that enables people to create meaningful travel experiences with the people that matter most in their lives. These shared experiences end up as the photos on their walls, the stories that are told at family reunions, and the memories that last a lifetime. The post The Future of Adventure Holidays with Richard Campbell first appeared on Startup Canada.

Nesreen is the Founder of WUD Chocolate and Gifts. Nesreen’s journey is one of passion, innovation, resilience and offers valuable lessons in caring and love, while giving back to community.  As a resilient refugee, a mother, and an entrepreneur, Nesreen has embedded a mission of giving back and supporting refugees into her business. The post Chocolate with Commitment with Nesreen Abusultan first appeared on Startup Canada.

Shrad Rao is the CEO and co-founder of Wagepoint – a simple payroll software built just for small businesses and backed by the world’s friendliest team. Wagepoint has grown to serve 25,000 small businesses in Canada paying about 200,000 teammates each month. Shrad jokes that building a company is like going to a ridiculously hard school – you are taught lessons every day and the only question is whether you learn them today or tomorrow.The post Paying Canada’s Workforce with Shrad Rao first appeared on Startup Canada.

Fatima Zaidi is the Founder and CEO at Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency specializing in corporate audio, and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool. With Quill, brands, businesses and people can tell their story through compelling audio. The post Take the Mic: Telling Your Story through Audio with Fatima Zaidi first appeared on Startup Canada.

Athanasius “Tanas” Sylliboy, warmly self-proclaimed as “Your favourite auntie’s favourite auntie”, Anita LandBack, originates from the Eskasoni First Nation in Mi’kma’ki. As a devoted Two Spirit Lnu (Mi’kmaw) Nurse Practitioner and talented Drag Artist, Tanas/Anita is driven by a passion for fostering acceptance, visibility, and representation for marginalized communities. They masterfully balance their careers in nursing and drag to break down barriers and amplify the voices of Indigenous, Black, Asian, 2SLGBTQ+, and other underrepresented groups. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.The post Refusing to Be Invisible: A Lesson in Unapologetic Care & Identity with Anita Landback first appeared on Startup Canada.

Martin Straathof is the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to the long-term protection of Ontario’s food producing landscapes. Martin displays their steadfast advocacy for sustainable agriculture by actively engaging with stakeholders and fostering partnerships to advance community-based solutions – including the diversification of both thought and representation across the industry’s workforce. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.The post Farming Queer Representation, and Leadership, into Agriculture with Martin Straathof first appeared on Startup Canada.

Judith Kasiama is the Founder and CEO of Colour The Trails, a collective of BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ adventure seekers who are radically amplifying the voices that are missing in this space. With a core belief that nature is for everyone, the company has initiated the participation of more than 750 equity-deserving individuals in backpacking, ice climbing, trail running, and more. The organization has also facilitated the certification of participants in things like Leave No Trace, Métis Plant Identification, Lead Climbing, and Avalanche Skills Training. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.The post Creating Inclusive Experiences and Authentic Community with Judith Kasiama first appeared on Startup Canada.

At Ivy + Dean Consulting, Jacq Brasseur (CEO) and Risa Payant (COO) focus on providing support to small and medium-sized non-profits through an equity, social justice, and anti-oppression lens. Founded after experiencing a decade of difficulties finding consultants who shared Jacq’s values and approach to non-profit leadership, and who understood local realities in the Prairies and Northern Canada, the team is dedicated to redefining what is possible in consulting  across the country – all while being guided by queerness. Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.The post Consulting Guided by Queerness with Jacq Brasseur and Risa Payant first appeared on Startup Canada.