The Brand is Female

Caroline Monnet is a multidisciplinary artist of Anishinaabe and French ancestry, based in Montreal. She has carved out her own path as an artist and filmmaker, building a practice rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary expression. Her work explores identity, community, and the impact of colonialism—offering any creative entrepreneur or artist a powerful model of what it means to build a practice anchored in intention and vision.Caroline brings a rich, critical perspective to her work. Her art has been exhibited globally—from the Whitney Biennial to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the National Gallery of Canada. Her films have screened at TIFF, Sundance, Berlinale, and beyond. And she’s received major accolades, including the Prix Pierre-Ayot, a Sobey Art Award nomination, and a residency with the Cannes Film Festival’s Cinefondation.In our conversation, Caroline shares the realities of navigating the art world independently—and speaks candidly about how, as she puts it, “no one tells artists they need to be entrepreneurs too.” Her insights offer powerful takeaways not only for creatives, but for any woman building a business or forging her own path professionally.This conversation airs this week as we get ready to debut our new podcast, Collection’elle, in a few days. This new show aims to encourage women to engage in contemporary art collecting—at a time when women are rising in influence in the art world, yet women artists remain underrepresented in collections. Collection’elle highlights the voices of women artists like Caroline, while also decoding market dynamics through conversations with gallerists, curators, and art-world insiders. Her full interview will continue there, but today, you’ll get a first listen to Caroline’s story of building a creative practice that’s deeply personal, political, and visionary.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Dallas Barnes is on a mission to transform reproductive health for individuals with ovaries. As the founder and CEO of Reya Health, a digital platform offering personalized birth control support, Dallas is helping users navigate contraception with confidence and clarity. In this episode, she shares how her own experience with birth control side effects sparked the idea for Reya—and how she turned that vision into a rapidly growing femtech startup.We explore the key stages of launching a femtech company, what it takes to build in a space often overlooked by traditional healthcare, and how Dallas is preparing for her next fundraising round after a successful pre-seed. Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation on innovation, impact, and championing health equity from the ground up.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, we’re re-airing a conversation with two of our favourite beauty founders from Canada. Three Ships Beauty was founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017. What began as a kitchen experiment with just $2,000 each has grown into a thriving skincare brand known for its commitment to transparency and sustainability.Rebranded in 2020, Three Ships Beauty is now stocked in nearly 1,000 stores across North America. With a recent $3.5 million investment led by BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, they’re set to expand their product line and team, all while continuing to disrupt the beauty industry.Tune in and dive into Connie and Laura’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the advice they offer to all women entrepreneurs — including a few things that may surprise you when it comes to dealing with investors!This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Cathrine Delp is the Founder and CEO of Ekvi, and a rising force in Norway’s emerging femtech ecosystem.Norway is part of a growing wave of innovation in women's health, with more founders and startups stepping up to tackle challenges ranging from menstrual health to menopause and beyond. While the region is still catching up to countries like the UK and Sweden in terms of investment, initiatives like Femtech Studios in Oslo are helping to foster a thriving community of female-led innovation — and Cathrine is right at the heart of it.Much like Norway, Canada’s femtech ecosystem is gaining momentum but remains underfunded compared to global leaders like the US and UK. Yet, both countries are home to passionate founders working to close the health gap and bring attention to women’s unique healthcare needs.With a background in sociology, data-driven product leadership, and business development, Cathrine launched Ekvi with a clear mission: to create healthcare tools that truly meet women’s needs. Today, she brings both creativity and analytical insight to some of the most pressing issues in women's health — including endometriosis, and the broader gap in care.In this conversation, Cathrine shares how she’s building technology that embraces women’s cyclical nature, driving meaningful change in a market projected to reach $60 billion globally. We dive into her journey, the power of purpose-driven innovation, and why she believes women deserve better — and how Ekvi is here to make it happen.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

In this episode, we're exploring the intersection of design, community, and sustainability with two inspiring women who are reshaping the built environment. Tina Ranieri-D’Ovidio and Hagit Waisman are the founding Principals of ward99 architects, a firm known for creating award-winning public spaces that reflect the diverse communities they serve.With decades of experience and a shared passion for sustainable, people-centered design, Tina and Hagit are proving that architecture can be a powerful tool for connection and change. In a field where only 33% of architects in Canada are women, their leadership is not only groundbreaking—it’s helping pave the way for greater equity in the profession.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Allison Dent is an M&A and financial expert who’s passionate about helping all entrepreneurs — women included —- take control of their financial futures. We all know that starting and running a business takes vision, resilience, and a lot of hard work—but what about planning for the long-term? Whether it’s scaling your company, securing funding, or figuring out what an exit strategy should actually look like, these are questions every founder needs to think about.Allison has spent her career guiding business owners through these big decisions, helping them build businesses that are not just successful today but set up for long-term financial security. In this conversation, she shares practical advice on how to plan ahead, avoid common financial pitfalls, and make sure the business you’ve built truly works for you. If you’ve ever wondered what you should be doing now to create more financial freedom in the future, this episode is for you.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

In this episode, we’re tackling an issue that’s holding Canada back—our entrepreneurship gap, especially when it comes to women-led businesses. Despite years of investment, progress has been painfully slow, and the numbers tell a troubling story: entrepreneurship is in decline, self-employment has dropped, and gender-based barriers are costing the economy up to $180 billion in lost potential.To make matters worse, Canadian entrepreneurs are also navigating rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and trade barriers—including tariffs—that further limit growth. While the impact of tariffs on GDP is estimated at 2.6% annually, the entrepreneurship gap is costing us even more.Our guest on this episode helps us unpack this: meet  Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Marwa has spent her career championing financial inclusion, gender equity, and private sector growth, working with organizations like the World Bank and OECD. She’s here to break down the findings of the Chamber’s latest report, Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity, and talk about what it will take to finally move the needle.If we have the talent and resources to thrive, why are women entrepreneurs still being left behind? And what needs to happen to change that? This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Today we’re celebrating IWD with a special episode featuring a history-maker in hockey: Jessica Campbell. In July 2024, Jessica became assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, breaking barriers in a field long dominated by men. By fall, she made history as the first woman to coach behind the bench in an NHL game.Jessica’s coaching journey has been full of firsts—from coaching internationally in Sweden to becoming the first woman behind the bench at the men’s World Championships with Team Germany in 2021. She then joined the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, paving her way to the NHL.Beyond coaching, Jessica was just named a Canadian partner for L’Oréal Paris' Worth It program, recognized for her leadership, resilience, and impact in breaking barriers for women in sports. Jessica isn’t just coaching; she’s changing the game. Today's conversation with Jessica Campbell is brought to you by L'Oréal Paris Canada. This International Women’s Day, L'Oréal Paris is celebrating trailblazers who redefine what’s possible—like Jessica, the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history. From coaching internationally to making history behind the bench, Jessica’s leadership is inspiring women everywhere to believe in their worth. Learn more about L'Oréal Paris’ commitment to empowerment at lorealparis.ca. Because WE’RE WORTH IT.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Kaelen Haworth is a designer and entrepreneur who has navigated the ever-changing world of fashion with creativity and adaptability. After launching her namesake brand in 2009 and earning a spot in the CFDA Incubator program, she built a reputation for effortless, modern womenswear. She later expanded into size-inclusive fashion with Second Sight and spent time in editorial and celebrity styling.Now, after years in New York, Kaelen has moved back to Toronto—lucky us in Canada! She’s the founder of Absolutely Fabrics, a concept store that blends fashion, vintage, and creative community. In an industry where retail is tougher than ever, Kaelen has found a modern way to make it work. Her store isn’t just about selling clothes—it’s about creating an experience, hosting trunk shows, photo shoots, and designer collaborations to bring people together in a fresh, engaging way.On top of that, she’s taken a smart and personal approach to connecting with her audience through her Substack, where she shares thoughtful takes on fashion, entrepreneurship, and the realities of running a business in today’s landscape.Kaelen’s career has been defined by reinvention, and she’s proving that fashion retail can still thrive—if you do it differently. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This episode was recorded in Oslo, Norway, in conversation with the founder of sustainable fashion brand “As We Are Now” or AWAN, Anette Miwa Dimmen. AWAN is a modular fashion brand designed for women, by women. Born in Seoul and raised in Norway, Anette’s journey is anything but conventional. From chasing dreams of becoming a music star in London to launching groundbreaking businesses in Norway, her entrepreneurial spirit has never wavered. Today, with sustainability and inclusivity at the heart of her mission, Anette is leading AWAN’s international expansion, offering women a wardrobe designed for comfort, versatility, and confidence—no compromises.In this conversation, we talk about Anette’s inspiring path, from navigating the challenges of scaling a direct-to-consumer brand to redefining fashion with a purpose-driven, community-first mindset. We also address the challenges of operating a fashion brand in a small country like Norway - which, for our Canadian listeners, will sound oddly familiar. Get ready for an honest, insightful conversation about resilience, innovation, and the power of creating fashion that lets women feel their best as they are now.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale