Lesley Hamptonn is an Anishinaabe Artist and Fashion Designer. Her pieces and designs focus on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation in fashion, film, and media. Vogue has called her the “number one Canadian designer to keep your eye on”, and The Globe and Mail describe Lesley as ‘an important Indigenous face in the Canadian fashion landscape.”  “I founded my brand on mental health awareness, body positivity, and authentic representation. I use this to align myself with opportunities that come my way.”The post Representation on the Runway with Lesley Hampton first appeared on Startup Canada.

Tina Singh is the Founder of Bold Helmets, the first safety-certified helmet for Sikh kids.  “I knew I had to be bold. Our helmets are new to the market, and something not everyone might understand.” For years, Tina worked as an occupational therapist with patients who have suffered brain injuries, an experience that has shown her the importance of protecting your head and having a safe and well-fitted helmet. But as a mom of three children who wear patkas, a Sikh head covering, finding helmets that fit her children properly was a true challenge. Bold Helmets is the answer for safety and inclusion for Sikh children so they can participate in play and sport. The post Helmets as a Tool for Inclusion with Tina Singh first appeared on Startup Canada.

In this episode, we speak with Liz Mok, Founder of Moo Shu Ice Cream, a small-batch ice cream shop in the Centertown neighborhood of Ottawa, Ontario.  Beginning in 2015, Liz started selling her ice cream at local farmers’ markets and just one year later, she opened her brick-and-mortar location.   Among the shop’s offerings is an eclectic mix of ice cream flavours including those that are inspired by local seasonal produce and by East Asian ingredients. They are also well-known for their allergen-conscious menu, which includes gluten-free waffle cones and several vegan ice cream flavours. Moo Shu Ice Cream believes in investing in its team and is a certified Living Wage Employer. Drawing from Liz’s design education, she has an affinity for making bold decisions and takes a fail-forward approach to developing her small business. The post Bold Flavours and Fair Team Wages with Liz Mok first appeared on Startup Canada.

“When I show up in a space, I show other Black girls that there is nothing wrong with being loud, being outspoken, and with wanting to lead.” Keosha Love is an award-winning artist, activist, and educator who creates spaces for wellness and collection liberation in marginalized communities. She is a poet and a writer and explores the diverse narratives and identities of Black and racialized people to promote liberation and empowerment. Her poem ‘A Prayer for Black Women’ has been shared nationally and featured in CBC’s Poetic License. Keosha founded Our Women’s Voices in 2016, a Toronto-based non-profit focused on amplifying the voices of women and making social change through art, education, and community organization. Her debut interview video series Black & Vulnerable explores Black vulnerability to promote wellness, collective power, and social awareness.  Keosha is a well recognized voice and has collaborated with Facebook, Nike, The Raptors, the Art Gallery of York University, and Never Apart Magazine in 2019, she was the recipient of the RISE Community Award for her contributions towards her community. The post Black Women and Creative Entrepreneurship with Keosha Love first appeared on Startup Canada.

“To all Black entrepreneurs, the one thing you can do is recognize and honour that every door, every stage, and every opportunity, has been opened from the Black ancestors before you”. Cheyenne Jones is Cheyenne Jones is the Assistant Property Manager of Akoma Holdings. Akoma is a Black Owned, Black Run, and Black Serving organization with the goal of creating economic prosperity for people of African descent in Nova Scotia. Akoma recently completed its first major development project with the renovation and opening of Kinney Place, an intergenerational centre and Black business incubator. As Assistant Property Manager, Cheyenne brings her community knowledge and experience of community engagement to various committees that she is engaged in such as: Interim Board Member Nova Scotia Non-Profit Housing Association; ANS (African Nova Scotian) Food Justice and Sovereignty Working Group and the Road to Economic Prosperity for African Nova Scotians. Cheyenne’s passion is to assist people of African descent to understand the various levels of systemic oppression and help them achieve generational wealth which can be achieved through equity opportunities and property acquisition and management.The post Building up Black Businesses in Atlantic Canada with Cheyenne Jones first appeared on Startup Canada.

“Fashion in Nova Scotia wasn’t diverse. I wanted to bring afro-centric designs to the space.” Funmi is the Owner and Creative Designer of MichNat Fashion, a business she created to meet the demand for Afro designs mixed with Western flair. Funmi’s designs are bright, they are electric and her custom pieces include everything from dresses for baby showers, Bridgerton-inspired gowns, colourful pant suits, and elegant birthday dresses to casual bomber jackets and sweaters. Funmi’s design brings colour to an industry that can often be bland. Funmi and MichNat Fashion have received multiple awards including the Award of Excellence from Black Designers of Canada, Entrepreneur of the Year from the Immigration Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), and Fashionpreneur of the Year from Canada Vendors. The post Bringing Afro-Flair Fashion to Canada with Funmilayo Odeniyi first appeared on Startup Canada.

“If you think I can’t do it, that will give me fuel for a year.” Building three businesses from the ground up has given Marc Lafleur a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive business landscape. As the Co-Founder and Former CEO of truLOCAL, he’s built it into a team of 60+ people, expanded across Canada and the US, and successfully led its $16.7 million acquisition — all within five years.  Most recently, Marc is celebrating the launch of his first book with Forbes, True Founder: What No one Else Has the Guts to Teach You About Starting Your First Business, available everywhere today! And of course, for fun, Marc is currently racing a Mercedes AMG GT4 in Canada’s professional sportscar racing series, FEL. The post Two Failed Startups Before Acquisition with Marc Lafleur first appeared on Startup Canada.

“I see a place where Indigenous values, and practises are in every organization, that’s my grandest ambition.” Michael is Mohawk, Bear Clan with Ancestry in Tyendinaga on his mother’s side and Polish on his father’s side.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors at Glooscap Ventures, is Executive Director at Pictou Landing First Nation, is President of Akewkon Enterprises, and is Co-Founder of Starberry Drink Co.  Michael is a person of principles, passionate about solving problems, innovation, design, and traditional teachings. Persistently curious, Michael enjoys attempting to understand the mechanics of human-made systems and how to align them better with nature-made systems.The post Indigenous Pathways with Michael Maracle Polak first appeared on Startup Canada.

“We offer more materials as an option than any other brand in the market, globally. We offer five different options, and consumers can make their own choice.” Marina Tran Vu knows that sugar cane straws are a sweet and sustainable alternative to plastic. She also knows they can create more jobs for farmers in Southeast Asia and Vietnam while challenging the status quo of single-use plastics. Marina is the Founder and CEO of EQUO. Marina and EQUO have been featured in Forbes, and Shark Tank Vietnam, and she was the first Canadian-Vietnamese startup to be admitted into Techstars Toronto in 2021.The post Sweet Sweet Sustainability with Marina Tran Vu first appeared on Startup Canada.

“I want to hire as many folks with disabilities as possible. ”I also hope we inspire other small businesses to hire folks with a disability.” William Wells is the Founder and Head Roster at Artery Roastery based in Ottawa, Ontario. William and the Artery team know what a positive impact can do to a person living with a disability, a farmer defending their land in Guatemala, and a single mother living in Rwanda – and their actions and products give back to these groups every day.  Artery Coffee Roasters know their farmers and producers on a first-name basis. They provide stable and worthwhile employment to people living with disabilities and they know that consumers want to support businesses that give, and don’t just take.  William is a volunteer and Board Director of ABLE2 and in August of 2022, Artery won Best Drip Coffee for Ottawa. The post Business From the Heart with William Wells first appeared on Startup Canada.