“Create opportunities in order for opportunities to come to you.” Sarah Syed is a climate activist, researcher, innovator, and poet from Toronto who has taken stage around the world. Her research and work have been recognized by leaders of parliament, David Suzuki, and other influential activists.  Sarah has volunteered more than 1000 hours and her work has been published in The Toronto Star, Yahoo News, The Weather Network, and more. Sarah has been named a Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist in Canada by Starfish Canada, Top 20 Under 20 in the World by Diversity in Action, and an Ontario Ju ..read more

“Like a house, your brand is one of the biggest assets you own. If you don’t have a strong foundation to start with, you might have to knock it all down.” Christine Lieu is the expert behind CL Designs and the Brand Party Podcast, a show to energize entrepreneurs to invest in their brands.  She is a graphic designer who’s traded climbing the corporate ladder for climbing mountains around the world. Christine helps purpose-driven businesses create a cohesive branding, web design, and social content to drive their impact and sales. As featured in Top 10 Canada Design, the Brand Party Podcas ..read more

“The digital divide has created a wider gap between leadership and management. It has created a lot of problems for people with disabilities.” David Best is persistent in seeking out best practises for more accessible businesses. At the age of five, David developed glaucoma and by age twenty, lost all of his vision.  David believes people with disabilities can achieve a satisfying and quality life. David was the first blind individual to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in computer science at Western University in 1978 and while there, established the first Canadian Braille facility an ..read more

“When change happens, we become resilient. I believe pursuing a side hustle allows us to learn this and thrive.” Jeff has enjoyed a winding pathway through the gig and creator economies. A former English teacher, Jeff dove into entrepreneurship in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. Early in his journey he started an education technology company, led innovation training at various Canadian Innovation Centres, and did freelance curriculum development for a range of post-secondary institutions.  Today, Jeff has a portfolio of work that includes being a freelance innovation coach and consultant for ..read more

Your venture needs funding, how you get there can be up to you. In this episode, Kailey shares NONA Vegan’s fundraising journey while Shelley chimes in with insight and advice for funding your business so you can grow. “Founders should put themselves first. I want to understand their judgment, I need to see that they are coachable. I love companies who marry a social impact to their business and it isn’t a trade off.” Guests: Shelley Kuipers is Co-CEO, General Partner and Growth Officer at The51, where she is transforming the status quo to create a more equitable, feminist and ecologically sus ..read more

“We showcase the Yukon’s extraordinary people, culture, and places through our magazines, podcast, and retail store.” Karen McColl is the editor of Yukon, North of Ordinary, and produces two podcasts: Yukon, North of Ordinary, the podcast; and Frisky North of 60. She is also working with a local legend on a book about ski trekking. Reporting has taken Karen to the Arctic, down the Mackenzie River, and into the Yukon backcountry. Karen graduated from the University of King’s College with a bachelor of journalism in 2014 and that year was the recipient of the Gordon Sinclair Roving Reporter Burs ..read more

“I see confidence increase in the folks of our programs, and identity shifts. We had one woman identify as a refugee and domestic abuse surivivor. Now, she identifies as a business woman.” Christina Wong is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Employ to Empower, a registered charitable organization that empowers people who face barriers in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). We use entrepreneurship as a vehicle to cultivate community, a sense of belonging, and confidence for people facing work and social barriers. We provide free access to skills training resources like business planning ..read more

“Networking is not just about business. Ask them ‘how can I help you’ and write this on their business card, so you remember.” Known by his signature fedora, Jarrod Goldsmith is a Canadian community builder, avid networker, past archaeologist, YouTuber, podcaster, and professional musician who founded Sax Appeal Ottawa. Using an interactive and novel virtual event platform, his other business is eSAX (The Entrepreneur Social Advantage Experience) Virtual Events which hosts exciting virtual experiences for others. He is the embodiment of the small business spirit and has more than 700 videos on ..read more

Bronwyn Bridges is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pragmaclin, and is transforming the ways we assess, diagnose and treat people with Parkinson’s Disease. Bronwyn has helped to leverage over one million dollars in non-dilutive government funding and received over two hundred thousand dollars through pitch competition wins. A big thank you to Export Development Canada for powering this episode of the Startup Canada Podcast. Without EDC, we could not support the growth of entrepreneurs like Bronwyn to take their businesses to the next level and find success on the world stage. For more information and ..read more

Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster, with high highs and low lows. Add in navigating a new country and all of the emotions and learnings that come along with it, that is a whole new rollercoaster. In this episode, we hear from two women entrepreneurs who left home and came to Canada for a new life. Through their journeys, we quickly learn that newcomer entrepreneurs are the biggest risk takers of all. Guests:  Karla Briones is a proud Mexican-Canadian entrepreneur with retail, food and online businesses such as Global Pet Foods and Freshii. She is also the Founder of KB Consulting. Vaness ..read more