The Brand is Female

This episode highlights a true pioneer when it comes to science-forward skincare that transforms everyday life. JJ Walsh founded Formula Fig, inspired by her rich background in the world of fashion and experiential design. She began her career working under the British editor Isabella Blow at Tatler, eventually becoming a fashion editor herself. JJ’s creative journey included writing for British Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler, later founding her own design firm to work with some of fashion’s most prominent brands. She transitioned her focus to wellness and skincare after relocating to Vancouver, establishing Formula Fig in 2019, a skincare company known for its luxurious facial bars offering high-tech facials, vitamin shots, and clean beauty products, all in an inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment.Her mission with Formula Fig is to make expert skincare accessible through innovative, design-led experiences. Uniquely female-founded and operated, Formula Fig emphasizes community, design, and service, helping customers #GiveAFig about their skin. 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 spotlights a fascinating succession story, featuring Andreea Crisan, who’s become a leader in the transportation industry, a space where women tend to be under-represented to say the least.From the age of 11, Andreea worked in some capacity or another alongside her father, navigating the challenges of immigration and unemployment to ultimately see him establish Andy Transport. After her business studies, Andreea chose to eventually take over the role of CEO from her father, expanding the company’s operations and diversifying its business units. Today, Andy Transport has one of North America's Top 250 largest fleets and earned recognition as one of Canada's fastest-growing companies.As President and CEO, Andreea carries forward a legacy of excellence and empowerment, guided by the wisdom imparted by her father. Through her example, she inspires others to embrace curiosity, embrace uncertainty, and pursue their passions with courage and conviction. There are so many amazing businesses in need of a good succession in Canada, and we hope this conversation inspires you to consider this model as an option, whether you’re a new entrepreneur looking for a fresh project, or an established one, looking for a successor. 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

Felicia Snyder is Co-Founder of arcana - a literal sanctuary in the hospitality industry that offers guests, specifically those living in cities, a transformative space to reconnect with nature and themselves.Located in the woods just under two hours northwest of Toronto, arcana is a hidden retreat featuring mystical mirrored cabins that seamlessly blend with the environment year-round. Once guests book, they are given the precise location, granting access to this wellness hideaway. Each cabin includes a queen bed, kitchenette, private fire pit, sauna, and access to 15 kilometers of marked trails.With a background in corporate leadership and growth, Felicia's journey to entrepreneurship has been nothing short of remarkable, including as a founding executive of cannabis brand Tokyo Smoke, which was acquired by Canopy Growth in 2018. Inspired by her maternity leave experience, Felicia seized the opportunity to create arcana where she not only reimagines hospitality but also champions sustainable design and responsible business practices. Her dedication to environmental preservation extends beyond the walls of arcana, as she continues to advocate for sustainable living and innovation in her community.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 special episode features an engaging conversation with Anick Beaulieu, the CEO of C2 Montréal, a premier annual event that draws over 5,000 participants from more than 60 countries and 30 industries. As C2 Montréal prepares for its 13th edition from May 21-23, 2024, this internationally acclaimed forum will spotlight entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity again. Over 100 global experts will convene for more than 40 conferences, labs, and coaching sessions, fostering transformative discussions that extend beyond the three-day experience.Anick Beaulieu, with her entrepreneurial background, leads the C2 Montréal team in orchestrating impactful conversations and building lasting partnerships with industry leaders worldwide. Her efforts have significantly enhanced the event's global standing.Deeply embedded in Montreal's business community, Anick is a staunch advocate for innovation and serves on the board of directors of Zú, an incubator for creative entrepreneurs founded by Cirque du Soleil's Guy Laliberté.Tune in to hear Anick's insights on driving innovation, building international networks, and the future of entrepreneurial ecosystems.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

As we celebrate Women’s Health Week, we’re exploring the topic of sexual wellness in this episode, featuring a visionary leader, Victoria Lyons. Victoria is the founder and CEO of Slipp, a groundbreaking condom company challenging the status quo and empowering all individuals to prioritize their sexual health.Victoria's journey into the world of sexual wellness began when she noticed a glaring gap in the market. While wandering the aisles of drugstores, she couldn't help but notice the lack of products designed with women in mind. Determined to change the narrative, Victoria embarked on a mission to create a condom brand that not only prioritizes safety but also embraces pleasure and empowerment for all.Fueled by her passion for reproductive rights and a desire to challenge outdated norms, Victoria launched Slipp. Since then, the brand has gained momentum, sparking important conversations and shifting paradigms around safe sex. But for Victoria, Slipp is more than just a business—it's a movement towards inclusivity, education, and self-care, allowing us to redefine the conversation around condoms and sexual health. 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 diving into the world of holistic nutrition and entrepreneurship with a visionary in the field, Kate Taylor Martin. Kate is the founder and CEO of Nutbar, a Toronto-based healthy cafe redefining the concept of on-the-go nourishment.Kate's journey into the realm of holistic nutrition began during her time working in PR at a Toronto hospital. Struck by the fragility of health, she embarked on a journey to explore the healing potential of food and nutrition. This passion led her to enroll in the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, where she discovered the power of superfoods. She then found her calling: to educate and inspire people to feel their best through wholesome, nourishing foods.Fuelled by her newfound knowledge and a desire to revolutionize the coffee shop experience, Kate conceptualized Nutbar. Her vision was to replace the typical sugary, processed foods with delicious alternatives packed with nutrients and flavour. Since opening its doors in 2016, Nutbar has blossomed into a thriving enterprise, boasting multiple locations and a growing line of consumer packaged goods, including innovative products like their frozen nut milk launch.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

Would you let go of your career in a cushy Government position to risk it all for your true passion? And what if you had children? Well, this is exactly what Rachel Fox did when she launched Renard & Co, a sought-after interior design company based in Toronto. Rachel has been a trailblazer in the home décor industry even before launching Renard & Co. Her vision when it comes to contemporary design caught the eye of publications like House & Home, and of several prominent homeowners in the GTA. With Renard & Company's evolution from a dynamic startup to an established industry reference, Rachel faces a new landscape of challenges and breakthroughs. This week on 'The Brand is Female,' I invite you to hear Rachel Fox share her journey and talk about the ups and downs of running a services business that still very much depends on her. If you’re a solopreneur or a founder in a creative industry, you will especially enjoy this one. Here is our conversation.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 a bold response to the scarcity of eco-friendly menstrual products in public venues, Roxane Champagne-Duval established Alea Protection in 2022. With a passionate commitment to sustainability and ending period stigma, her company provides organic and biodegradable tampons and pads and champions a revolution in menstrual health. Alea Protection has pioneered a comprehensive solution that empowers businesses to offer these vital products to their employees, supporting new federal mandates for free menstrual access in workplaces since December last year. In this inspiring episode, we delve into how Alea’s products have entered and transformed over 400 company bathrooms across Canada, including prestigious corporate firms and government institutions. We also explore Roxane’s ongoing efforts to extend these services into educational environments, driving forward a future where menstrual health is not a privilege but a right. Join us to discover the transformative power of inclusive workplace practices and envision a future where menstrual health accessibility is universal.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

Growing up, Whitney Westwood’s family retreats to their home in the South of France not only offered her a picturesque backdrop but also shaped her essence of style and comfort, marked in part by the omnipresence of linen. From an early age, Whitney was steeped in a culture of travel, design, and the art of living well, walking through the cobblestone streets of Southern Europe and basking in the atmosphere and people of Cannes and St Tropez.It was this lifestyle—marked by its effortless elegance and joie de vivre—that inspired Whitney to launch her own lifestyle brand, Whitney Linen. Using the relaxed yet chic vibe of the Cote D’Azur as her muse, Whitney designed a collection that captures the spirit of the Riviera: casual, stylish, and deeply woven into the fabric of everyday luxury. Linen, the cornerstone of her brand, is more than just a material—it's a reminder of her sun-soaked, joyful summers and a symbol of timeless, seasonless style.In this week’s episode, Whitney joins us to discuss how her scenic childhood and international modelling career for designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Calvin Klein influenced her entrepreneurial journey. She'll share insights into how she captured the essence of Riviera elegance to build a brand that transcends traditional fashion seasons, making linen an everyday luxury — a stark contrast to fast fashion’s influence on global shopping patterns. Plus, Whitney reveals how embracing the lifestyle of gracious living can inspire creativity and timeless style in all aspects of life. Join us as we explore how Whitney Linen is weaving the fabric of a well-lived life, one elegant piece at a time.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

When they realized that the average garment gets worn 7 times before being tossed and the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse emissions, Justine and Kendall Barber, co-founders of Poppy Barley, a Canadian slow fashion company focused on quality, sustainability and ethical production decided to create a new kind of luxury in fashion. And that they did — today, the brand is thriving and meeting the needs of consumers in search of responsible accessories.Kendall has always been committed time to giving back to the community, as a member of the 1000 Women Advisory Committee for Norquest College, a board member for YWCA Edmonton, a run ambassador for Lululemon, and a supporter of Hope Mission’s Kids in Action program. She was selected as one of Avenue magazine’s 2014 Top 40 under 40 for her work at Poppy Barley, and Western Living’s list for the “Ones to Watch” round-up at the 2014 Designers of the Year Awards.Justine’s work history, with time spent working in consulting, conflict prevention, and Alberta’s 10 Year Plan to end Homelessness, reflects her commitment to social change. She has won the Alumni Innovation award from the U of A and was named one of Western Living Designers of the Year, “Ones to Watch,” and Global Edmonton Woman of Vision. This episode originally aired last season.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