9 Canadian Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day

Roll out the red carpet for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day! Let’s give a standing ovation this November 19th to all women entrepreneurs driving change in their communities and beyond. Despite representing only 19% of business ownership in Canada, women entrepreneurs play a critical role in advancing our economy, with the potential to add up to $150 billion to the country’s GDP.

Women entrepreneurs are not only creating businesses they’re also redefining workplace culture and promoting more women than their male counterparts, serving as powerful role models for the next generation. Yet, systemic challenges such as gender bias, pay disparity, unequal access to capital, childcare expectations, and inadequate training opportunities continue to hinder progress, highlighting the importance of continued advocacy to ensure future generations of women entrepreneurs have the support they need to thrive. In this feature, we spotlight nine inspiring women entrepreneurs from our community who are breaking barriers, driving innovation, and building sustainable businesses.

1. Joella Hogan

About: Joella Hogan is a member of the Northern Tutchone First Nation and comes from a long line of strong, vibrant, Indigenous women. She’s the founder of the Yukon Soaps Company whose mission is to empower, nurture, and elevate Northern Indigenous cultures, communities, and people. The Yukon Soaps Company specializes in handcrafted soaps and bath products. They also offer soap and other natural wellness products workshops. Through the Yukon Soaps Company, Joella has been able to incorporate local plants in her formulations like rose petals and juniper berries, employ community, share Indigenous beadwork and plant knowledge, and sprinkle in Northern Tutchone language wherever she can.

Impact: Along with creating handcrafted products, Joella promotes community wellness and supports people along their journey through cultural programs, small business mentorships, and advocates for clean rivers and acts of resilience. She’s also a passionate advocate for her First Nation and a committed community builder. With the guidance of her Elders Circle, they’ve contributed to preserving Indigenous oral history and knowledge, aiming to empower Northern communities and strengthen their (re)connection to the land. Through our Intrapreneurship Program, Joella has also supported entrepreneurial youth by offering them opportunities to thrive.

Connect: Check out Joella’s handcrafted products (which make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season) and connect with her and her business on social media:

LI: Joella Hogan

IG: @yukonsoapscompany

FB: @theyukonsoapscompany

2. Chantal Brine

About: Chantal Brine believes that life is too short to do something that you’re not passionate about and understands that figuring it out isn’t an easy but worthwhile journey. She’s passionate about working with young professionals and women and believes that when people can connect their purpose and passion to making a living, they’re more productive, motivated community members and leaders. In 2018 she founded EnPoint to help people connect their passion to their career, with the goal of helping one million individuals through the power of mentorship. EnPoint helps organizations create and maintain high-impact mentorship programs with consultations and through their online mentorship platform.      

Impact: To date, EnPoint has helped over 45,000 professionals connect their purpose and passion to make a living. Some of their clients include the Black Business Initiative, Nova Scotia Community College, and YWCA. Chantal frequently speaks on a number of topics, including Getting Out of Your Own Way, Finding your Passion, and Building Your Personal Brand. Through our Intrapreneurship Program, students got to work on a part-time project for this innovative entrepreneur.    

Connect: Check out their mentorship solutions and connect with her and her business on social media:  

LI (personal): Chantal Brine 

LI (business): EnPoint

X: @YouEnPoint

IG: @youenpoint

FB: @youenpoint

3. Lulu Mashonganyika

About: Lulu Mashonganyika is eager to change the status quo by not only coming up with new ideas but bringing them to life through innovation, collaboration, and access to the right resources. She believes that parenting is not practice – it’s a daily learning experience, and as a wife, mother, and childcare provider, she wants to reinvent the interactions between parents and service providers to provide an optimal and exclusive experience. Which is why in 2021, she founded LiiT Care Connect Inc., an online community that connects parents with trusted service providers for a safe and convenient childcare finding experience. 

Impact: Lulu created Canada’s first virtual marketplace connecting parents with various  child-related services like babysitters, instructors, nannies, tutors, etc. Lulu was named the “Top 100 Total Pitch 2022 Start-up Founder.” Lulu has overcome many challenges as a woman of colour and Canadian immigrant, yet persevered by building a business during the pandemic. Lulu has also helped our students develop real-world entrepreneurial skills through our Intrapreneurship Program.   

Connect: Check out their services here and connect with Lulu and her business on social media: 

LI (personal):  Lulu Mashonganyika

LI (business): LiiT Care Connect Inc. 

IG: @liitcareconnect

FB: @liitcareconnect

4. Wendy Wong

About: Wendy Wong’s dream is to create a better world for everyone, one where it’s 1% brighter for all. Wendy is the founder of June Adaptive, inspired by her aunt June, whose life drastically changed after an accident left her with limited mobility in her arms and legs. Wendy saw how difficult it was for her aunt to find clothing that was both functional and stylish, and this sparked a mission to make a difference. June Adaptive designs clothing and footwear specifically for people with mobility challenges, whether due to disabilities or recovery from medical treatments. Their products, which include sneakers with adjustable velcro fastenings and garments with magnetic buttons and easy-touch closures, are designed with functionality and inclusivity in mind. 

Impact: June Adaptive is trusted by prominent names like The Globe and Mail, AMEX, TMU, and countless individuals who face daily challenges with mobility. June Adaptive was recently featured in Fashion Magazine’s “Adaptive Fashion Brands You Should Know About.” With our Intrapreneurship Program, students got to work on a part-time project for this trailblazing entrepreneur. 

Connect: Discover June Adaptive’s community, browse their inclusive fashion solutions, and connect with Wendy and her business on social media: 

LI (personal): Wendy Wong

LI (business): June Adaptive

IG: @juneadaptive

FB: @juneadaptive

5. Isabelle Lopez

About: What sets Isabelle Lopez apart? Having a strategic vision and a capacity to transform plans into concrete tools and actions. She’s also full of curiosity, audacity, and energy. Oh and she’s perfectly trilingual – in French, English, and Spanish! Isabelle is the founder of MySmartJourney, a platform used for the creation and design of multimedia digital journeys. MySmartJourney empowers organizations to build quick, contactless, interactive web experiences in physical spaces in a matter of minutes, while gathering precious data points. Users can create unique and fun experiences like educational quizzes, QR codes, courses, and games.       

Impact: MySmartJourney has created 80+ projects for a variety of industries, like hotel and traveler services, municipal parks, walking trails, and resorts, and for museums, art galleries, and historical sites. MySmartJourney won the 2022 Award of Excellence from MT Lab and the Québec tourism ministry – recognizing this business as an actor of change and innovation, producing a positive impact for tourist organizations. Speaking of innovation, our students in the Internship Program have been privy to the behind the scenes action of entrepreneurship by working for Isabelle.  

Connect: Check out this innovative tool here and make sure to follow Isabelle Lopez and her business on social media: 

LI (personal): Isabelle Lopez

LI (business): MySmartJourney

X: @MSJwebapp

IG: @mysmartjourney_com

FB: @mysmartjourney.co

6. Lyne Maurier

About: Lyne Maurier is passionate about creating environments where people and businesses thrive. With expertise in business start-ups, strategic planning, and business development, she champions happiness at work as a key to success. Lyne co-founded Élo with her long-time collaborator, Catherine Légaré, president and founder of Academos. Élo is a platform designed to simplify workplace mentoring, making professional development more accessible and empowering talent to reach their full potential. By providing software, training programs, and consulting services, Élo fosters a culture of growth and support in the workplace.

Impact: Élo’s innovative approach to mentoring is reshaping professional development in organizations by offering tools and programs that are simple, engaging, and effective. Élo supports thousands of mentors, mentees, and mentoring program managers at organizations like the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR), the city of Montréal, Quartier Artisan, and Cascades. Through our Intrapreneurship Program, students got to work on a part-time project for this innovative entrepreneur.  

Connect: Explore how Élo can transform your workplace mentoring experience and connect with Lyne and her business:

LI (personal): Lyne Maurier

LI (business):  Élo Mentoring

X: @Elomentorat

FB: @Elementorat

7. Georgie Lubin

About: Georgie Lubin is fueled by a deep passion for helping people create spaces that inspire and nurture their well-being. Her love for design began in childhood, where she spent countless hours rearranging rooms at home. Today, Georgie uses her dual expertise in education and design to empower others, mentoring aspiring designers and working with clients to transform their spaces into havens of creativity and functionality. As the founder of LûDesign, she is committed to making interior design accessible to everyone, regardless of their situation. Through LûDesign, Georgie offers a wide range of services, including residential, commercial, and office design, outdoor planning, and staging consultations. She specializes in creating child-friendly study spaces and collaborates with childcare centers on tailored window treatments.   

Impact: Georgie’s also the founder of Mon Design Ma Kay (MDMK), an online platform that celebrates and uplifts Black talent in the interior design industry. MDMK is a movement that embodies Quebec’s progress toward inclusivity and innovation. Through its captivating series, MDMK showcases the creativity, diversity, and brilliance of Black designers and professionals, highlighting unique transformations where art meets passion. Each episode serves as a celebration of the present and future of inclusive design in Quebec. With our Intrapreneurship Program, students got to work on a part-time project for this trailblazing entrepreneur. 

Connect: Explore Georgie’s transformative designs and learn more about MDMK by connecting with her and her business on social media:

LI (personal): Georgie Lubin

IG: @mondesign_makay and @ludesignss

FB: @mondesignmakay

TikTok: @mondesign_makay

8. Lauren Rochat

About: Lauren Rochat is a champion of sustainability and a zero-waste advocate dedicated to making eco-friendly living more convenient for everyone. She founded BocoBoco in 2019, as Quebec’s first online zero-waste grocery store. Grounded in circular economy principles, BocoBoco collaborates with local suppliers to offer pesticide-free, high-quality products delivered in reusable, returnable containers. With a mission to simplify the transition to a zero-waste lifestyle, Lauren has built a community-focused business that allows consumers to shop sustainably without compromising on quality or convenience.

Impact: Since its launch, BocoBoco has made remarkable strides in reducing more than 50,000 pieces of waste. Over two years, BocoBoco expanded from 40 to 750 products, partnering with 85 local suppliers to provide a wide range of eco-friendly options. Lauren’s leadership and innovative approach have earned BocoBoco numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix de la Ville de Montréal at the Zero Waste Contest, the Novae 2020 award, and recognition as a laureate in multiple competitions such as Montréal Inc, Défi Osentreprendre, and the Bourse d’Honneur from the Quebec Government. Lauren also hired entrepreneurial youth through our Intrapreneurship Program!  

Connect: Discover BocoBoco and join the movement for a greener, waste-free future and make sure to follow Lauren and her business on social media: 

LI (personal): Lauren Rochat

LI (business): BocoBoco

IG: @bocoboco_ca

FB: @BocoBoco

9. Cindy Crowe 

About: Cindy Crowe is a visionary leader and dedicated community builder who has spent decades fostering connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. A proud band member of the Opwaaganisiniing (Red Rock Indian Band), Cindy is the Executive Director and Founder of Ozhaawashko-giizhig (Blue Sky) Traditional Teaching Lodge, operating as the Blue Sky Community Healing Centre. Founded in 2005, this non-profit organization promotes spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual well-being by providing a safe space for cultural exchange and personal growth. Cindy’s life purpose is rooted in love, interconnectedness, and leading by example, which she brings to all her work as a Lodge Keeper, consultant, coach, and mentor.

Impact: Cindy’s work has facilitated programs like Gitigaan Diziiaan (Planting Seeds of Self) and provided cultural support to inmates at Thunder Bay Jail. Through her ventures like Niibing Tribal Tours and Identity and Purpose Coaching, she reconnects people with their roots and purpose. Recognized for her contributions, Cindy was a finalist for the 2021 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards’ Social Change Award: Regional Impact. Cindy also connected with our students to develop real-world entrepreneurial skills through our Intrapreneurship Program.   

Connect: Connect with Cindy and the Blue Sky Community Healing Centre on social media: 

LI (personal): Cindy Crowe

LI (business): Blue Sky Community Healing Centre

X: @BlueSkyCHC

FB: @BlueSkyCHC

About Venture for Canada’s Intrapreneurship Program

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