Meet Inga Avedyan, RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards Ones to Watch Finalist

Inga Avedyan, Founder of TEMPÊTE, is a 2025 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards finalist whose journey blends creativity, entrepreneurship, and a reimagining of bridal fashion. Inspired by her mother’s self-expression through clothing and her father’s entrepreneurial drive, Inga grew up with a vision that fashion could be both art and enterprise.

With a background spanning photography, film, marketing, and branding, she launched TEMPÊTE to offer modern bridal pieces designed to be styled, mixed, and re-worn with intention. From sketches at her school desk to leading a Vancouver-based team, Inga has built a brand that celebrates individuality, craftsmanship, and sustainability in equal measure.

Meet Inga and discover how she is transforming the bridal industry with designs made to last far beyond the wedding day.

I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur when…

I honestly didn’t even know that’s what it was called. Whether it was starting a photography business, a studio, or my bridal brand, I did it because I didn’t see any other way of living. Creating and building have always felt like the only path forward.  

Entrepreneurship is made for me because…

I’ve never seen another way of living—I’m wired to create, build, and push ideas forward. The challenges fuel me as much as the wins, and I thrive in the freedom to shape my own path.  

The impact I hope to make through my work…

To empower women to embrace their individuality and choose a path that feels authentic, even if it goes against the grain. Through TEMPÊTE, I aim to inspire others to pursue their passions while minimizing waste by reimagining bridal fashion in a more sustainable and meaningful way.  

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned on my entrepreneurial journey…

Good things truly take time. I’ve realized that building a meaningful brand is much like personal growth; it requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the non-linear path.  

My proudest accomplishment is…

Growing TEMPÊTE entirely on my own—without investors, only bootstrapped. I’ve learned to be resourceful and find creative solutions while operating with limited resources, which has shaped both my resilience and the brand’s identity.  

The biggest risk I took that paid off was…

Starting a company in an industry I wasn’t formally trained in. I trusted my vision more than my experience, and through persistence and learning along the way, I built TEMPÊTE into a brand that reflects both innovation and authenticity.  

The best advice I’ve received as an entrepreneur was…

Bet on yourself. No one else will believe in your vision more than you do, and that confidence is often what turns risks into opportunities.  

I surprise people when I tell them…

I’m building a brand while raising two kids. Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood surprises me every day, and it’s both the most challenging and most rewarding role I’ve ever taken on. It continues to shape who I am as a founder and as a person.

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would use it to…

Work, take a cold plunge, or read a physical book.  

If you Googled me, you still wouldn’t know…

I can hold a cold plunge for 10 minutes. 

The future excites me because…

That’s where growth happens—both for my brand and for myself. It’s also where I get to watch my kids grow and experience the joy of building a life alongside them. And maybe one day, I’ll even be making bridal wear for them as well.

Connect with Inga Avedyan on LinkedIn.