It’s our 26th year of recognizing the top women entrepreneurs in Canada — and we’re excited to be celebrating another dynamic group of business owners. Representing diverse industries and business sizes, and hailing from across the country — from the Yukon to Newfoundland — here are the 2018 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award Finalists. […]
The first year for any business owner is bound to be full of ups and downs. Co-founders of Eivey, an online marketplace for luxury, pre-worn fashion, share their best tips for surviving year one without losing it all – including your mind. Entrepreneurs and friends Maryna deLannoy and Laura Sim decided to enter […]
Jennifer Stewart’s entrepreneurial drive and self-proclaimed “overconfidence” led to her opening her own PR and government relations firm at just 25 years old. Through vision, leadership, and a whole lot of hustle, she’s built Syntax Strategic into an internationally recognized communications and business strategy firm and stands tall as one of Canada’s top communication-leaders. […]
Paige Viggiani is the Co-Founder, and lead Lash Extension Artist at Studio Eighty Seven. Before entering the beauty industry, Paige received an honours degree from York University in Communication Studies and a Diploma from Humber College in Fashion Business, and served Women of Influence as our Events and Marketing Manager. With a passion for beauty, […]
Melissa Sariffodeen is the co-founder and CEO of Ladies Learning Code, which has taught over 100,000 individuals skills in HTML, CSS, WordPress, Python, Ruby, artificial intelligence, web design, and more. Her impact was recognized with the 2017 Social Change Award at the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards — an accomplishment she humbly credits to the […]
Whether you know it as income sprinkling or income splitting, as of January 1, 2018, the rules have changed. There is still lots of uncertainty that exists surrounding the interpretation of the proposed federal legislation but here is what you need to know as a business owner. By Shauna Forret, Tax Partner, […]
by Viviana Kohon, Namita Tandon-Walsh, and Caitie Yue All entrepreneurs enjoy the independence and thrill of working for themselves and creating something new. Having partners or co-founders is an added bonus, giving you the option to consult with each other, and to ensure multiple areas of the business are covered through different […]
As the Director of the Queen’s Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Smith School of Business, Shari Hughson interviews hundreds of entrepreneurial-minded candidates each year. About half intend to pursue careers in corporate innovation. by Shari Hughson CEOs seem to lack the confidence in their organizations’ ability to innovate. In […]
by Robin Behrstock The flexibility that comes from being self-employed is undeniable. Add to that the freedom to work from wherever you choose (including your bed) and it comes as no surprise that more and more people — especially women — are foregoing the typical office environment for the comfort and adaptability […]
As the President and CEO of Jobs in Education and Viewpoint Leadership, Rumeet works to enable opportunities in education, learning and development. She was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women by WXN and have been featured in Forbes.com as a ‘Generation Entrepreneur’. Rumeet has also given two TEDx talks and addressed the […]
Women entrepreneurs represent just a small segment of business owners in Canada, but their numbers and impact are growing — and their potential is even greater. Cisco and the Business Development Bank of Canada have partnered to unlock it, using a unique internship program that’s now in its third successful year. By […]
Roz Tamblyn spent most of her adult life in a corporate environment, where she struggled with finding the perfect dress shirt — one that was perspiration-proof, didn’t gape at the bust, and allowed enough range of motion — all while still being chic and professional. Unable to find an alternative, in 2016 she launched her […]
Chanèle McFarlane is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Do Well Dress Well, a platform dedicated to bridging the gap between competence and confidence for millennial women. Through content, community and opportunities centered around personal branding, networking, style and professional development, her goal is for every woman to live confidently and remarkably. Chanèle also founded “Confidence […]
If you’re an entrepreneur, the question of how to make more money is one you probably ask yourself every week. It’s common, and I highly suggest this type of self-talk, because it means that you’re on route to helping more people and growing your business as a result. The problem is, most entrepreneurs […]
Born and raised in France, Isabelle Fish practiced law in in the US, UK and South Africa before moving to Calgary in 2002 — and changing to a career in fashion retail. Another move to Toronto a few years later led to the opening of her by-appointment fashion boutique, Rue Pigalle, where she styles clients […]
As a law student, Stephanie Ray couldn’t find work-appropriate clothing that was comfortable, affordable, and stylish enough to carry her from day to night. So she started her own fashion line, Grayes, to fill the gap. By Sarah Kelsey Stephanie Ray, the founder of Grayes clothing, had an inkling she […]
It all began when Queenie received her first Valentine in kindergarten. This sparked her love of snail mail and passion for paper goods, and queenie’s cards was created. The cute, cartoony designs are inspired by everyday life, puns and inside jokes. After experiencing continued success on her Etsy store and at events such as the […]
Recognizing the need for a marketing agency dedicated exclusively to the arts and culture sector, Laura Murray launched Laura Murray Public Relations in 2011. As the principal of what is now known as Murray Paterson Marketing Group (MPMG), Laura has built a company founded on the passion, creativity, and integrity that define the artistic process. […]
Deborah Assaly and Adriana De Luca have both been leading thriving entrepreneurial ventures since the late nineties. Brought together by the Cisco Women Entrepreneurs’ Circle initiative, we spoke to them about what has enabled their long-term success — from teamwork to technological investments — and their advice for other women looking to follow in […]
How does a young, hardworking Maritimer become one of Canada’s most powerful entrepreneurs? By turning a lifelong passion and her unique personality into a brand, and building a business around it. By Marie Moore On the wall in her office, you will find Mandy Rennehan’s slogan: Energy is everything. It’s fitting. […]
Rosanne Hertogh is the founder and designer of Sololu, a lifestyle brand that specializes in ethically made, seasonless women’s clothing. As an avid traveler, Rosanne’s mission is to inspire women to live life to the fullest and empower them to feel beautiful and confident while doing so, all while making ethical and sustainable clothing choices. […]
Despite the increased demand for farmers’ and micro-produced crops, logistical challenges have prevented farmers from entering the commercial market, forcing buyers to pay high prices for imported items. Marcia Woods is addressing that problem as Founder and CEO of FreshSpoke, a innovative new platform that is disrupting the traditional food distribution process by connecting producers and wholesale buyers using […]
Since launching her Turbine by Lisa Drader-Murphy label in 1997, Lisa’s company, Lisa Drader-Murphy Designs, has grown to operate eponymous boutiques in three provinces — all while manufacturing designs under a vertical model on a private heritage estate in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. As one of the last vertical fashion houses in the country, they […]
Shira Yoskovitch’s experience as a busy executive and caregiver — paired with her passion and talent for finding “that right thing” — inspired her to create a personal shopping concierge service, Handled Concierge Services. She shares the lessons she learned in the process, and her best advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs. By Marie Moore […]
Gaby Bayona was born and raised in Vancouver, BC into a household filled with sewing machines, wedding gowns and constant creation. Her mother was a bridal seamstress, and it was this early exposure, a childhood laced with full skirts and fleeting veils, that inspired Gaby to begin designing and constructing her own dresses, at first […]
Shay Lowe’s ambition and genuine passion for her craft has taken her from a small town to one of Toronto’s Top Ten Jewellery Designers, whose designs have been seen on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and A-list celebrities. She was noted as a ‘Designer on the Rise’ and one of the Top 15 Designers […]
Kathy Gregory, Founding President & CEO Paradigm Quest Inc. Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship About Her Business Founded by Gregory after being let go from her position in the world of finance, Paradigm Quest Inc. is the fastest growing mortgage company in Canada, providing a one-stop solution from origination to providing cost effective back […]
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