Meet Geena Jackson, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Ones to Watch Recipient

Geena Jackson is the Creator and Executive Producer of Bears’ Lair TV and the Founder and President of Sparkly Frog Clan Productions Inc. With over 25 years of experience, she is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and economic development. As a member of the Shíshálh Nation (Sechelt), she has empowered over 800 Indigenous entrepreneurs through Bears’ Lair TV, a competition show on APTN and CBC Gem.

Geena also founded Bears’ Lair Dream Camps, inspiring over 1,200 Indigenous youth across Canada with lessons in entrepreneurship and life skills. Geena’s initiatives foster future leaders and vibrant Indigenous economies. Her work continues to drive positive change, empowering communities and creating opportunities for growth and success.

I always knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur because… when I was 8-years-old, I had a paper route. During my door-to-door collections for payment, I developed relationships with my customers and started identifying gaps in their additional needs, such as their lawns mowed or their groceries picked up. I started my own business then! 

Entrepreneurship is made for me because… it provides me the opportunity to grow as a person, value what I work for, and make a difference in everything I do. Social impact is the purpose of my entrepreneurial journey. 

The impact I hope to make through my work is… to inspire, educate, elevate, and celebrate Indigenous entrepreneurship, which is growing nine times faster than any other demographic. Not only do I want to raise awareness of our talents as Indigenous people, but I also want to educate Indigenous youth across Canada about possible opportunities.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey is… to be passionate and love what you are doing. Believe in yourself, ask for help when you need it, have some balance, and be kind to yourself. 

My proudest accomplishment is… my 2 beautiful boys, Easton and Hudson. 

The biggest risk I took that paid off was… starting a National TV show at 52 years old with zero production or TV experience. I had a dream to elevate Indigenous entrepreneurship with a show about co-opetition, not competition. I wanted Canada to see who we are as people, and the differences we are making to make the world a better place. 

My biggest setback has been… consistent cash flow, access to funds, and capacity. As entrepreneurs, we wear so many hats, and we need to find the right support. 

I overcame it by… being resilient, creating something impactful, and meeting incredible people and organizations to support our initiatives. 

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was… to find something that you are passionate about and that you love. Secondly, your network is your net worth. Surround yourself with people that are smarter, faster and stronger — they are the ones that will inspire you. 

I surprise people when I tell them… I have a National TV show, teach kids all over Canada, have a podcast, and 4 other businesses. Time is very limited! 

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to… spend time with my family, snuggle my children, and tell them a thousand times how much I love them. 

If you googled me, you still wouldn’t know… all the exciting initiatives that our team is working on for the future of Indigenous entrepreneurship! Stay tuned! 

The future excites me because… this is the time for Indigenous people in Canada to shine and collaborate with business leaders, government, industry, and each other to make a positive impact. This is our moment to be proud, to share our culture, to demonstrate how much we care, how deeply we want to preserve our lands and environment, how we respect our Elders, and how we are committed to educating and empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we are making the world a better place.

Connect with Geena on LinkedIn and learn more about Bears’ Lair TV on Facebook.