Image via Complex Original
Some good news—women entrepreneurs are on the rise in Canada. There are currently over 360,000 self-employed women in the Great White North—that’s an increase of about 30 percent over the last decade. Not only is that encouraging for women looking to get into business, it’s encouraging for the economy—research shows boosting the number of women entrepreneurs in the country could result in an estimated potential $150 billion GDP economic gain.
Of course, owning and operating a business isn’t exactly easy work, especially over the last couple of years. Recent research by FreshBooks says women-owned businesses across all industries are taking almost twice as long to recover from the financial blows served by COVID-19 compared with businesses owned by men. That’s just one of many studies that have found women to bear most of the domestic burden from the pandemic—a trend that’s impacting women’s paid work.
It’s also harder for women-led startups to get off the ground. While billions of dollars in global venture capital funds were handed out in 2020, female founders received just 2.3 percent of the pie, according to Crunchbase. It doesn’t help that only 12 percent of decision makers at VC firms are women.
So, in the spirit of International Women’s Day, let’s recognize women entrepreneurs around the country for their incredible resilience and for adding such value to our lives in so many areas. The next time you want to treat yourself or someone else, consider doing so from the below list. If for nothing else, do it for the country’s economic wellbeing.
GreenPort Cannabis
Founder: Vivianne Wilson
Location: Toronto
Website: greenport.store
GreenPort is the first Canadian cannabis company owned by a Black woman. The Little Italy dispensary aims to destigmatize cannabis use so everyone regardless of race, age, or gender can reap its benefits. Owner Vivianne Wilson has used her platform to talk about the injustices in the weed industry, calling for cannabis users still in prison to be granted clemency. GreenPort is also passionate about uplifting small business owners in the industry, and they proudly showcase their small but mighty list of suppliers on their website. —Sydney Brasil
The Give and Grow
Founder: Olivia Ho
Location: Toronto
Website: thegiveandgrow.com
Rooted in the idea of growth, this Toronto-based company brings together basketball, plants, and community outreach. The Give and Grow sells basketball planters while offering workshops that inspire women to challenge themselves and get creative. Recently, the company headed to Cleveland for the 2022 All-Star Weekend NBA Crossover to host community workshops across the border. A portion of each planter goes towards youth programming in Toronto, so you can feel good showing off your houseplants in a Give and Grow planter. —Sydney Brasil
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Makeway
Founders: Abby Albino and Shelby Weaver
Location: Toronto
Website: shopmakeway.co
Makeway is North America’s first and only sneaker shop for women. Co-founded by Abby Albino and Shelby Weaver (whose day job is the Toronto Raptors’ Director of Basketball Advancement), the boutique strives to establish equity in the sneaker industry and ‘make way’ in sneaker culture for women and members of the LGBTQ2s+ community. Makeway carries major brands like Jordan, Nike, Reebok, Puma, UGG, and Converse, as well as a swath of local accessories brands, many of which are owned by women of colour. They only launched in Toronto less than two years ago, but the store has already become an institution in the Canadian streetwear scene, and a community space where like-minded women can link up and dream big. —Alex Nino Gheciu
Lesley Hampton
MIX6IX
Founder: Sharon Miao
Location: Toronto
Website: mix6ixtoronto.com
Whether you’re looking for cocktail kits, mixology classes, or flair bartenders, MIX6IX has you covered. This multifaceted mixology company pulls out all the stops, sharing their cocktail knowledge in workshops, private lessons, and in making custom cocktail menus. If you’d rather leave the mixing to the professionals, MIX6IX has a full staff they send out to all kinds of events, taking the pressure off of you while you sip a stiff drink. —Sydney Brasil
Ruru Baked
Founder: Luanne Ronquillo
Location: Toronto
Website: rurubaked.com
Ruru Baked brings custard-based ice cream to Toronto’s west end. Offering mouth-watering flavours like carrot cake, buttered popcorn, and miso butterscotch, Ruru changes up their menu daily, even offering baked goods on weekends. The creamery is also known for its killer brand collabs. Last fall, the ice cream shop was enlisted to make a custom flavour for adidas to promote the CONFIRMED app in Canada. They also offer delivery across the GTA, meaning Torontonians are never too far away from their next pint of ice cream. —Sydney Brasil
Formation Studio
Sade Baron
Yute
Founders: Christina Cheng and Elijah Cheng-Harbans
Location: Toronto
Website: fortheyute.com
Taking parent-child bonding a step further than the lemonade stand, Christina Cheng and her son Elijah decided to launch an entire apparel brand and creative agency. Yute’s M.O. is to empower youth to impact their communities by creating transformative experiences. They also make built-to-last streetwear staples and seasonal pieces, with a portion of their profits going into youth-focused Canadian programs, initiatives, and organizations. Last fall, the company recruited local BIPOC youth to lead the set design, cinematography, and photography for Fred VanVleet’s UGG campaign. —Alex Nino Gheciu
SmollStuffCo
Founders: Vivian Yau and Lyris Tsang
Location: Scarborough
Website: etsy.com/ca/shop/smollstuffco
Puns and paper have never been better together. Inspired by the two owners’ Chinese-Canadian culture, SmollStuffCo makes stickers, greeting cards, and other paper goods. Cute illustrations of food, sneakers, and other pop culture phenomena meet one-lined wordplay, and with over 130 designs, there’s a little something for everyone. SmollStuffCo has even garnered the attention of MLSE, who tapped them to make the card for Toronto Raptor Dalano Banton’s birthday party. To sweeten the deal, if you’re in Scarborough, you can pick up some Japanese cheesecake with your order at Oishii Sweets. —Sydney Brasil
Kokom Scrunchies
Knix
Neverland Knots
STIL
LOHN
Spice Girl Eats
mdw Jewelry
Makeup for Melanin Girls
Sunday Soy Candle Co.
Undrcard Boxing Studio
4th Quarter Vintage
Founder: Tina Tran and Kyle Marud
Location: Saskatoon
Website:etsy.com
Tucked in the downstairs of Saskatoon hidden gem Drinkle Mall lies 4th Quarter Vintage. Catering to lovers of vintage band tees, sports jerseys, and sitcom-core sweaters, it’s no wonder this shop says they specialize in ’80s and ’90s pop culture. If you can’t make it out to Saskatoon, don’t worry; most of their inventory can be found on their Etsy. —Sydney Brasil