Five minutes with Kate Ross LeBlanc, Winner of the 2016 RBC Momentum Award

Kate Ross LeBlanc, Co-Founder and CEO
Saje Natural Wellness
RBC Momentum Award Winner

About Her Business

Saje Natural Wellness was born when Kate decided to combine her passion for retail with her mission to alleviate the chronic pain symptoms experienced by her husband. She’s now inspiring global wellness with over 50 stores throughout Canada and the United States, offering 100%-natural products that help the body detoxify and recover from the elements’ harmful effects. The Saje mission is to connect people with the healing power of plants, through living, sharing and inspiring holistic wellness daily.

What does winning this award mean to you?

“It’s so important for us as women to support one another, to rally behind each other, and to cheer our fellow females on. I am still so humbled and honoured to have received this award. For me, the most impactful takeaway was having the award serve as a reminder to pause more often, and take a moment to celebrate and be proud of our accomplishments. As entrepreneurs, it’s in our bones to create and move forward, and sometimes we move so quickly onto the next challenge, the next endeavor, the next idea – that we don’t take the time to celebrate our accomplishments, which can help fuel us even further. Moments like these allow us to come together, be among incredible women, and to truly share in each other’s successes now and into the future. I’ll always be grateful for this experience.”

What do you wish you knew at the beginning?

“That it’s okay to be a leader. Growing up in a small town, I had a few painful experiences early on around standing out too much, and in many ways I resisted my own growth into leadership. I wish I had known earlier that it could be so incredibly rewarding – that “boss” and “bossy” are not the same thing.” 

What do you think is the key to positioning your business for continued success and future growth?

“100% it is the people.  Come what may, if you have the right people in place then you can handle whatever comes your way.”

About the RBC Momentum Award

This entrepreneur has successfully capitalized on opportunities to deliver 10% or more growth, year-over-year for three years or more. Through expanded management, empowered employees, and demonstrated excellence, she has created a flexible and responsive business that is able to adapt to changing market environments and leverage opportunities for continued growth.

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Other Awards

Micro Business Award: This entrepreneur owns a small business that generates annual revenues under $1 million.

Staples Start-up Award: For an entrepreneur who, in a minimum of three years and maximum of five years, has prepped her company for the next level of growth.

Social Change Award: This entrepreneur is an exceptional leader of a non-profit or charitable organization dedicated to helping others.

TELUS Trailblazer Award: This entrepreneur has recognized a new market, product, service, technological advancement or opportunity and led the way.

TEC Canada Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship: This entrepreneur has launched and built one or more successful companies with a track record of growth and profitability over a period of at least 10 years.