International Women’s Day Archives

Female Founders Series: Sahajan

March 7, 2025March 6, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Lisa Mattam, founder of Sahajan.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Lisa Mattam, founder of Sahajan, a natural skincare brand from Toronto offering high-performance, clean skincare based on the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda. Derived from the Hindi word for “intuitive” – Sahajan brings you the evidence to follow your intuition and choose clean beauty.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

Sahajan began with a simple yet profound moment—finding my daughter covered in my skincare. It made me question what was truly “good enough” for her and, in turn, for me. That moment sparked a journey into Ayurveda, a tradition deeply rooted in my family’s heritage. As a former pharmaceutical executive, I realized I could bridge ancient wisdom with modern science to create something both effective and clean. Partnering with Ayurvedic doctors and pharmaceutical chemists, I built Sahajan to honour tradition while delivering real, proven results.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

I always knew, intuitively, from my heritage that these ingredients worked, and I felt compelled to bring that wisdom forward. Hearing how Sahajan is transforming people’s skin—and even their lives—is incredible, but for me, it’s also a way to honour my roots and share the power of Ayurveda with the world.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

I believe the biggest impact I can have is in growing Sahajan in a way that allows the brand to do good—both for people and for the world. That means helping people nurture their wellness, but also giving back in meaningful ways. Through Lip Karma, we support girls in developing countries as they navigate their futures. We donate products to women’s shelters and programs that help women re-enter or begin their careers. On a more personal level, I’m passionate about supporting my team and fostering an environment where women can thrive.

Beyond that, representation matters. I recently had the opportunity to speak at a high school in the city where I grew up, and seeing young people connect with me, someone, who shares their background was incredibly powerful. I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire other women to pursue their ambitions—whatever they may be.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

I actually don’t believe in the concept of balance. Running my own business while raising children, supporting aging parents, and maintaining a full life means that sometimes work requires more of me, and sometimes life does. I lean into whatever needs my attention most at any given time—that’s how I manage.

This year, I’ve made a real commitment to taking better care of myself. I’ve prioritized working out, but I’ve also put a huge emphasis on family and community. Last year was an incredible year for the business, but I had my head down the whole time. This year, I want to be more present—to spend more time with friends and family, because as much as wellness, exercise, and meditation are important, I know that people are what truly make me happy.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

In my personal life, my mom has always been a huge inspiration. She immigrated here and built a life from nothing, demonstrating resilience and determination in ways I can only aspire to demonstrate. Both of my parents are warriors from my point of view.

And in a more fun way, I’ve always been inspired by Olivia Pope from Scandal—specifically, season one Olivia Pope. I watched the show a few years after it aired, and maybe it resonated because, at one point in my career in pharma, I dressed like her and had a similar hairstyle. But more than that, she represented an incredibly intelligent, no-nonsense woman in a way I hadn’t seen before. I am sometimes shy to admit it, but I have often rewatched season 1 to inspire me.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges?

Absolutely. Women entrepreneurs continue to face unique challenges, and the data reflects that. Less than 2% of VC funding goes to women-led businesses, and we’re still breaking the mold of what entrepreneurship looks like.

One of the most striking examples of bias I’ve faced happened last year. I sat on a panel, then did a fireside chat at a company’s town hall. I was excited to share my journey, talk about my incredible investors—Rupi Kaur, Yvonne Strahovski, the president of Lululemon—and celebrate the achievements of our brand. At the very end, after discussing all of these milestones, the final question I received was: Is this what you do full time?

That moment summed up the underlying bias women entrepreneurs face every day. I’ve built a company with a growing team, operating in two countries, with strong retail presence, yet there’s still this disbelief that this level of scale is complicated. Perhaps the bias is augmented because I run a beauty business but that moment became a reminder of how much work still needs to be done.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

There’s no better time for women to step into entrepreneurship than right now. The fears and barriers will always be there, but once you take the first step, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

We now have so many relatable role models—women who have paved the way and shown us what’s possible. In beauty, founders like Tata Harper have set the standard. In Canada, we see incredible success stories in brands like Jenny Bird and Knix. These brands remind us that success is achievable.

More than ever, women entrepreneurs have access to networks and support systems that didn’t exist before. Possibility is right in front of us—so go for it.

8. How do you define success?

Success is difficult to define because, for me, it’s more of a feeling than a specific milestone. But if I can raise kind, happy children, maintain meaningful relationships with my family and friends, contribute to my community, and run a thriving business—that is success.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

Raising our first round of equity funding was a defining moment for me.

It felt incredibly daunting, but I knew it was necessary—not just for the financial support, but for the strategic partnerships, mentorship, and doors it could open. Now, having successfully raised funding and brought on investors including Ridgeline Ventures, Top Knot Ventures and also notables including Rupi Kaur, Yvonne Strahovski and Celeste Burgoyne, President, Americas and global guest innovation at Lululemon, I am incredibly proud that I not only faced that mountain but that I was able to recruit an incredibly engaged group of investors who believe in Sahajan. The raise was invaluable and I hold that milestone close to my heart.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

Know that it takes a village to grow a business.

You don’t have to do it alone, and in fact, you won’t be able to. Surround yourself with people who will support and uplift you—whether that’s emotional support, business advice, or hands-on help. When you build that kind of network, anything is possible.

Female Founders Series: Bite

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Jaime Hackett and Erin Prohaska, founders of Bite.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Jaime Hackett and Erin Prohaska, founders of Canadian brand Bite. Their mission was simple: to create a natural, effective solution to keep pesky bugs at bay. Their Insect Repellent is not only clean and non-toxic and approved by Health Canada but also highly effective and desirable.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

J: We love to spend time outdoors but have always found ourselves being cautious in the summer months because we’re allergic to mosquitoes. The only alternative was to spray ourselves with toxic chemicals and it just never felt like it was worth it.

When we dove deeper into the research and we started to see the effects of climate change on rising tick and mosquito populations, it became a no-brainer.

E: Looking at the products on the market, we couldn’t believe that nothing had changed since we were kids. Insect repellent has historically been relegated to the back of cupboards because no one wants to use it (yet we know we need to) and this made us realize that mass change was needed! We wanted to create a product that not only worked, but was safe, felt nice, and looked nice on vanities and elsewhere. Everyone should be able to spend time outdoors with peace of mind.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

J: I have never really fit the 9-5 mold. I have always found myself throughout my career consulting and working on projects. All these years of experience truly led me to take the official leap and launch Bite with Erin.

E: I like the idea of living and dying by my own decisions. I grew up in a household of entrepreneurs and I have always wanted to build something meaningful while staying true to my values.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

J: I hope to inspire others—especially women—to take control of their ideas and turn them into reality. Erin and I are so proud to say that our company is 100% owned and led by women.

E: Not everyone thought an upmarket, plant-based repellent was a good idea. But Jaime and I trusted our convictions, stayed true to our values, and believed in the vision. If I can empower women to take risks and bet on themselves, I’ll consider that a huge success.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

J: It’s all about boundaries. I try to set clear work hours and make sure to prioritize self-care and family time. It’s definitely a learning process, but trying to find balance is key.

E: Delegation is huge. Knowing when to step back and recharge is just as important as pushing forward. I also find that staying active helps me manage my stress.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

J: There isn’t just one specific woman who inspires me—rather, I find inspiration in every woman-owned brand I come across. Seeing local female entrepreneurs behind brands like Three Ships, Paume, Everist, and so many others doing incredible things motivates me to be part of this movement.

E: I’m with Jaime on this one. There are so many women out there, pushing boundaries, giving back to the next generation and absolutely killing it with their initiatives. I’m inspired daily to do my part.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges? (This could be related to gender, stereotypes, or social and economic barriers).

J: Breaking into the market and being taken seriously, especially in a space dominated by long-standing brands, was a challenge, especially since our goal was to change the way that people see insect repellent.

E: Being an entrepreneur is hard, regardless of gender. I’ve learned that my weaknesses can be my strengths and that instead of apologizing for various traits, I should lean into them. There is a place for humility and empathy in business and leadership and there is a lid for every pot. I don’t spend time thinking about challenges; my time is better spent focused on opportunities and solutions.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

J: Being afraid and uncomfortable is part of the process. Don’t wait until you feel ‘ready’—just start. You’ll learn as you go.

E: Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Having a strong support system makes all the difference.

8. How do you define success?

J: Success is making a positive impact while staying true to your values. It’s not just about revenue—it’s about building something that you love and are proud of.

E: Success is freedom—it’s the ability to create, innovate, and live life on my terms.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

J: We had a really clear vision of how and where we wanted to see the product. Seeing our product on those shelves for the first time was an unforgettable moment. It made all the hard work feel real.

E: We received a note from a young woman going through chemotherapy. She said Bite gave her the confidence to go outside and enjoy time with friends. She kept in contact with us throughout the summer, including sending pics with her friends, all with Bite in tow. This continues to be a defining moment for me.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

J: Be confident and always trust your gut (it’s rarely wrong!)

E: Say less; Do more. Ideas are great, but execution is everything.

Female Founders Series: SIDIA

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Erin Kleinberg, founder of SIDIA.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Erin Kleinberg, founder of SIDIA, a Toronto-born and based body care and fine fragrance brand inspired by the timeless feeling of comfort at home, the beauty that surrounds us every day, and the multi-generational legacy of the family matriarch.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

After building brands with many founders and helping legacy and luxury brands with new launches and moments at my agency Métier, I felt inspired to create a brand of my own, in my grandmother’s name and honour. She passed away too young, and when that happened, I felt like I needed to share the self-care and priority on personal rituals she always instilled in me. Our tagline, ‘come home to yourself,’ reflects this essence. I’ve studied luxury brands for so many years, and, that felt like the right moment to take a leap of my own. Through my time running Coveteur I also spent so much intimate time with tastemakers in their spaces and learned how people create comfort, hygge and ambience through gorgeous bougies and hand and body care and always dreamed of creating these products in my own special way.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

At a young age, I knew my path would be unconventional. My parents always knew my brother would be a doctor (veterinarian), and they always looked at me with a bit of a sweet and loving question mark lol. I never did that well in school, always schmoozing for grades and excelling with my social life. When I was a kid, I crafted bead jewellery and sold it to friends and family. And then in university, I started making tops from scarves that gained popularity. That was when I realized I could create and share products with the world. As a serial entrepreneur, starting at the age of 21, I successfully launched a clothing line sold in Barneys, Nordstrom, Lane Crawford, and 80 stores worldwide within a few years. This early success paved the way for co-founding The Coveteur.

Since selling garments out of my dorm room, it has felt natural to build and share—it’s truly my passion! Graduating from university in Toronto’s limited fashion job market compelled me to forge my own path. During university, directing a large charity fashion show taught me valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, from fundraising to showcasing designs. Managing everything with my oversized navy BlackBerry phone, that experience shaped my entrepreneurial journey and fueled my ambitions.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

I want to inspire people—especially women—to embrace what makes them unique rather than chasing a mold that was never meant to fit everyone. There’s this illusion of progress in beauty standards, but so often, it’s just the same unattainable ideal repackaged. The pressure to conform, to smooth out every imperfection until we all look like variations of the same face, is exhausting. True beauty lies in individuality, in the quirks and differences that make us human.

I hope we’re moving toward a future where trends don’t dictate self-worth, where creativity and authenticity take the lead again. The world doesn’t need another copy-paste version of what’s “in” right now—it needs people who are unapologetically themselves.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

Sustainability practices are part of how we scale our team and organization. There’s no use in advocating for a healthy, harmonious community if we don’t practice what we preach. In an effort to create work-life harmony, we forgo meetings on Fridays, support Summer Fridays and extra long weekends when possible, and make pains to keep working hours only 9-5. It means a lot to me to nurture a team that feels balanced and creates a culture of openness, passion, and collaboration.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

My grandmother acts as our blueprint. Deeply ingrained in our ethos is a penchant to interweave and connect tradition and modernity. So many women can resonate with this feeling of celebrating their matriarchs. We hope, as you enjoy the brand, you feel a sense of ease, comfort, hygiene, and home.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges?

There’s the way success is framed. Men are seen as visionaries, while women are often called “lucky” or assumed to have had help. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, it fuels me. Because every time a woman carves out space for herself, without apologizing for it, it chips away at those outdated mindsets. The goal isn’t just to succeed within the system but to reshape it entirely.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

Embrace your failures as opportunities. Each time I fail, I internalize it – I’m only human. Take the time to absorb, and wake up the next morning and turn your mistakes into lessons; if we don’t win, we learn. You will be hit with failures and crises along the way, be it internal or external, but it’s how you come back from them that makes or breaks a business.

8. How do you define success?

Feeling like I’m continually learning, having growth, and being content with the everyday. Feeling grateful and excited about the future.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

My biggest win is my team. That goes without saying. There’s almost 20 individuals who work across both my companies and a lot of them have been here for a long time. I think that’s a true testament to what we’re building and how we’re constantly growing together. It takes a village. If I don’t have the team, then I don’t have anything. I can’t do anything by myself. People always say this, but hire people who are smarter than you. Make sure they have different strengths than you. My M.O. is like, communication is collaboration, it’s community, and it’s really just trying to get to higher heights together.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

Just go for it and don’t be afraid what people might think. It’s easier said than done but get comfortable with being uncomfortable and constant change. Seek advice from others, but ultimately make decisions based on your own judgment. Listen to your gut—intuition and instinct rule everything. Expect setbacks; its all about resilience, grit, collaboration, and resourcefulness. Remember your purpose of why you’re doing what you’re doing and what sets you apart. Once you are ready get people around you that are smarter than you and show them your vision daily. It takes a village! Launch now, perfect later!

Female Founders Series: DEALBODIES

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Krys Lunardo, founder of DEALBODIES.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Krys Lunardo, founder of Toronto-based DEALBODIES, a body care line with effective active concentrates for active skin that aren’t derailed by dilution.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

After selling my previous brand, I wanted my next venture to be more intentional. I was shocked to learn that 90% of body care brands use water as the main ingredient, often making up 85% of the formula. DEALBODIES eliminates fillers, offering clinically-driven concentrates that target skin conditions with precision—without dilution.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

For me, it was all about carving out my own niche. I drew a lot of inspiration from my childhood—like when I’d tweak my Barbie playsets because I thought they were missing something, or when I’d create new cardboard contraptions, convinced that kids would love them more. Even back then, I was always looking to fill a gap. Though I spent time in the corporate world, my mind was constantly focused on innovation, on finding solutions, and on figuring out how to fill those voids.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

I often reflect on how others view my work and efforts. As a Bahamian-born woman raised with a deep respect for reputation, I’d like to be known for my intentionality and forward-thinking. I want to be recognized for adding substance, not just for fitting into the status quo.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

My kids’ schedules help keep me grounded. That’s not to say I’ve perfected time management—I still find myself catching up on work during after-bedtime tuck-ins. But making sure they don’t feel my absence or lack of attention is what keeps me balanced. Stress is inevitable as an entrepreneur. Honestly, my way of coping is by sitting in silence and pausing the doom-scrolling. I need that stillness to calm my overactive thoughts.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

Watching my grandmother juggle her corporate job while selling women’s suits in her spare time gave me my first real glimpse into the CPG space. She exposed me to the ins and outs of the business—everything from the buying process and inventory to variants, profit margins, quality control, client care, and brand image—all while knowing I was a sponge ready to soak it all up.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges?

My unfortunate reality, like many women, began at a young age. I vividly remember interviewing and working through internships, where my credentials often surpassed those of my male counterparts. Yet, they were always given the more prominent roles and received multiple callbacks—I mean it was the commercial construction industry, which was predominantly male, but I quickly realized that even women in HR overlooked me by habit. That was the first time I truly felt the weight of being a woman in the workplace.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

We are in a time—women can be so much louder now. While the work is still continuing, my advice would be to make as much noise as you can. Stand firm with conviction in your business efforts, knowing that you’ll at least have the support of Canadian women—who make up over 50% of the population—behind you.

8. How do you define success?

I define success as outgrowing spaces, and getting comfortable with uncomfortability—because that’s what ultimately drives growth.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

I’m proud of my humility. While many brands boast of being “first of its kind” in the industry, I acknowledge that these practices have deep roots in various cultures. My goal is to honor and elevate these time-honored traditions.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

Stick to your own roadmap—you’re free to adjust your own course, but never follow someone else’s path.

Female Founders Series: Monsillage

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Isabelle Michaud, founder of Monsillage.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Isabelle Michaud, founder of Montreal-based brand Monsillage, who finds inspiration in past travels, one-of-a-kind experiences, personal impressions and glimpses of grace to create her fragrances.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

A desire to create something of my own that would marry my love of fragrance, life and freedom.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

To take control of my destiny.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

The extraordinary is often hidden in so-called ordinary lives. If we tap into our uniqueness with intention and perseverance, we can achieve beautiful things.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

My life is centered on my business, and I draw my happiness from it. My slower pace is my balance.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

All the public women who stand their ground and stay the course while carrying the burdens of judgment and misogyny in disguise.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges?

My own insecurities. Getting out of my comfort zone.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

The desire for self-fulfillment through a business project often comes after having gone through work experiences that didn’t fully satisfy us. This desire becomes greater than the fear. If that isn’t the case, you’re not ready for entrepreneurship.

8. How do you define success?

Pride.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

The day I was able to quit my second job and live fully off my business income.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

Go ahead and take that leap! Action is the key to success!

Female Founders Series: Wonderblush

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Melanie Hachey, founder of Wonderblush.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Melanie Hachey, founder of Montreal-based brand Wonderblush – a collective that creates makeup essentials designed to make everyday beauty an effortless affair. Crafted with clean, cruelty-free, vegan ingredients that are thoughtfully formulated and produced in Montreal, their products invite you to experience beauty that feels as good as it looks.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

Wonderblush was born out of my passion for makeup and my desire to create a brand that combines performance, luxury and eco-responsibility. With my team of makeup artists, we listened to our customers’ real needs and wanted to develop beauty essentials that are easy to apply and enhance their natural beauty.

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

Entrepreneurship was the chance to turn my biggest dream into reality, but also to have the flexibility and agility to evolve at my own pace. It’s this flexibility that makes entrepreneurship so exciting: every day is a new opportunity to grow and develop my business in my own way.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

I want to inspire people, especially women, to follow their own path and listen to their intuition. Too often, we stay in a situation that looks perfect on paper, but doesn’t really fulfill us. That’s exactly what I experienced: I was in a job that, on the surface, ticked all the boxes, but I didn’t feel aligned with myself. I had to make a difficult choice, question my trajectory and leave everything behind to pursue what I was really passionate about: makeup.

Through my career and Wonderblush, I want to show that it’s possible to redefine your own success and build something that’s just like you. Daring to take risks, listening to your inner voice and following your dreams to the end – that’s what I hope to convey.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

Honestly, finding balance is a constant challenge, and I don’t think there’s a magic formula that works for everyone. And let’s face it, I haven’t found it myself just yet! However, I have put in place certain habits that help me to take time for myself and avoid burning out.

Fitness is very important to me: I train five times a week and run on the weekends. It really helps me relieve stress and feel good. I’m also an early bird, so I go to bed early to get my eight hours of sleep. That way, in the morning, I’m rested and have time to myself before everyone else wakes up: I work out, take time to put on my makeup and listen to a quiet podcast.

And with four kids, of course, I have to take time off work to spend with my family! It keeps me grounded and prevents me from being absorbed by work all the time.

In short, there’s no perfect recipe, but these little tricks help me keep a semblance of balance!

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

Honestly, the women who inspire me most are my mom friends. You have to juggle so many things at once: work, kids, family, and try (as best you can) to keep a little time for yourself. It’s really not easy, and yet they always find a way to manage it all.

I admire their ability to keep going, even when it’s total chaos. They remind me that you don’t have to be perfect to do things right, that you just have to find your own rhythm and allow yourself a little kindness. It’s these women, who do their best every day, who inspire me the most.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges?

Honestly, being an entrepreneur is a big challenge in itself. One of the biggest for me has been learning to trust myself. When I worked in a corporate environment, I could rely on the experience of a colleague or the approval of a boss to validate certain decisions. But as an entrepreneur, I had to learn to take responsibility for my choices without constantly seeking external validation.

The other big challenge, of course, is balancing work and personal life. Being an entrepreneur is a huge mental burden, and with a family, it can quickly become too demanding. I’ve had to learn to set limits and, above all, to accept that I can’t do everything on my own.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

I’d say go for it, but go for it intelligently. Fear of failure is normal, and frankly, there will be difficult moments, but that’s also how we learn and grow. The important thing is to surround yourself with the right people, ask questions and seek advice from people who have been there before.

Don’t waste too much time waiting for “the right moment” or wanting everything to be perfect before you get started-just get started, adjust along the way and learn as you go. And above all, trust yourself! If you have an idea you’re passionate about, it’s worth exploring.

8. How do you define success?

For me, success means doing something that nourishes me, both personally and professionally. Whether in my family life or in my business, the important thing is to be aligned with my values, to feel motivated and stimulated on a daily basis. It’s not just a question of numbers or recognition, but rather of knowing that what I do has meaning and brings me happiness.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

It’s funny to say, but one of the most memorable moments of my entrepreneurial journey was meeting the Etiket team. When I first launched the collection, Etiket was one of the first retailers I really wanted to approach. Their brand selection, customer approach and values were a perfect match for what I was looking for in Wonderblush.

I had the chance to talk to Simon, one of the owners, and Karine, the marketing director. After our meeting, they decided to integrate Wonderblush into their store. It was a great source of pride for me, not only because it was one of my first points of sale, but also because it validated all the hard work, energy and passion I’d put into the project.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

Listen to your inner voice, your intuition. It always knows what’s right for you. There will always be outside opinions, doubts, fears… but in the end, nobody knows you better than you know yourself. And that goes for both your career and the personal aspect of life!

Female Founders Series: 19/99

March 7, 2025March 5, 2025 by Natalie

An interview with Camille Katona and Stephanie Spence, founders of 19/99.

In honour of International Women’s Day, we wanted to celebrate the remarkable achievements of local female entrepreneurs. Here is our interview with Camille Katona and Stephanie Spence, founders of 19/99 – a Toronto-based brand that is inclusive of all ideals of beauty. Their mission? To tear down traditional definitions of beauty and to allow individuals to create their own, whether you’re 19 or 99, with high-quality, multi-use beauty essentials designed for building, blending, buffing, smudging, and doing what you want.

1. How did you come up with the idea for your brand?

C: In 2016, one of my professors at Parsons challenged me to define my purpose for a class assignment. Having worked in beauty and being frustrated with cookie-cutter definitions of beauty at the time, I said “I want to challenge people to see beyond the traditional conventions of beauty.” I’ve always been very close with my mom Diti – we share both clothes and makeup, as well as thoughts, opinions, and world views. It didn’t make sense that beauty brands were only speaking to me, and not to her. It didn’t make sense that there were perceived limitations on how one should look, act, or think based on age or position. I resented the fear-driven marketing that pushed wrinkles as the ultimate flaw.

With 19/99, we wanted to create a brand that is not only inclusive of all ages, but all interpretations of beauty. While makeup may seem trivial to some, it is an integral part of how we express beauty in our daily lives. And at the end of the day, it’s about having FUN!

2. What inspired you to become an entrepreneur? (What were your motivations or aspirations at the beginning?)

S: It was a pretty simple situation where we wanted something that we couldn’t find, so we made it. We wanted to bring makeup back to being makeup – about play, creativity and expression. Our aspirations in the beginning were pretty pure and focused on building something that was inspirational and exciting to us and our community. We wanted to be able to collaborate and work with people we admire and create a different industry than the one we grew up with, and do what we can to move the gaze of beauty from external to internal.

3. What impact would you like to have on people, other women, society in general?

C: We would like to help everyone be comfortable in their own skin.

S: We would like to encourage people to embrace themselves, and others, without judgement.

4. How do you manage work-life balance as an entrepreneur? (Do you have strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout?)

C: Acknowledging that work-life balance doesn’t really exist, and that being an entrepreneur involves always being absorbed in your business, and being ready to get your hands dirty at any time. Being an entrepreneur also allows you to have some flexibility with your schedule, so making time to exercise and spend time with friends and family helps prevent burnout.

S: We don’t really have work-life balance, but accepting that things are out of balance makes it a lot easier. And recognizing that we chose to do this and it is a privilege to be able to start something, so to just get on with it. Also – we try not to take ourselves too seriously.

5. Are there any women who have inspired you in your professional or personal life, and if so, why?

C: My mom and grandma were both entrepreneurs. My grandmother immigrated to Canada in 1956 and ran a convenience store with my grandfather until she retired, and my mom started her branding agency in the late 80s and is still working with amazing brands today.

S: Too many to name. We are both blessed with mums and sisters who are incredibly strong, interesting, kind and hilarious women.

6. As a woman entrepreneur, have you encountered any unique challenges? (This could be related to gender, stereotypes, or social and economic barriers).

S: Nothing terrible overt – we are fortunate to have a supportive community around us. However, it is a fact that funding to women-founded companies is less than 1%.

7. What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business but are hesitant due to fear of failure or perceived barriers?

C: You realize quickly that no one really knows what they are doing, so just go for it! You’ll learn along the way. At the same time, I think it was helpful to have industry experience and more than one company instead of starting something straight out of school.

S: Speak to as many people as you can about the business and make sure it is viable – and you can start small… everything won’t be figured out and you can adjust as you go.

8. How do you define success?

S: Freedom of choice.

C: Same.

9. Can you share a defining moment or success that you’re particularly proud of in your entrepreneurial journey?

C: Launching with some of our amazing retail partners has been surreal. I had my prom makeup done at Holt Renfrew not too far away from where our brand display is now, and I remember shopping at Space NK when it was in New York on Broadway.

10. If you could give one golden rule to an aspiring female entrepreneur, what would it be?

C: Don’t let your gender get in the way of doing what you want do. And have thick skin!