Jenn Harper didn’t always have the goal of becoming the first Indigenous woman to have a business worth $1 billion, but today, she’s well on her way to making her dream a reality. 

Meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work isn't just about doing the right thing—it's about unlocking the full potential of your teams and serving your communities more effectively. 

For Chloe Beaudoin and Jessica Miao, entrepreneurship didn’t begin in a boardroom–it began in the lingerie aisle. What started as a shared frustration with teen bra shopping sparked a bold mission to reinvent an overlooked category and ultimately led to the creation of Apricotton.

Bronwyn Bridges' journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to enhance the lives of individuals with Parkinson's disease.

We're sharing the journeys of three inspiring women entrepreneurs who are navigating the complexities of scaling their businesses. Each brings a unique perspective from different industries and stages of growth, offering valuable insights for fellow entrepreneurs contemplating their next phase of expansion.

At the intersection where motherhood meets entrepreneurship, there’s a powerful group of business leaders who’ve found their unique skill sets have made them stronger, more resilient, and increasingly influential.

Heading into The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale, our largest annual fundraiser and celebration, we set an ambitious fundraising goal of $1.2 million. We're thrilled to announce that with the tremendous support of our community, we surpassed this milestone, raising a record-breaking $1.3 million! This funding will play a critical role in expanding The Forum's reach and deploying programming that helps entrepreneurs overcome systemic barriers.

When Brianna Blaney and Aria Hahn found themselves on Brianna's couch in September 2020—drinking wine, eating pizza, and having the difficult conversation about shutting down their first software venture—they had no idea that this moment would spark an idea that would go on to help thousands of entrepreneurs secure over $200 million in funding.

Ahead of The Odlum Brown Forum Pitch Finale on April 25, we caught up with the 2024/25 Finalists to learn what motivated them to tackle the challenges they're addressing, how The Forum has impacted their businesses, what wisdom they've gained from mentors, what they hope audiences take away from their pitches.

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straightforward path, and for Connie Stacey, Founder & CEO of Grengine, the journey began with an idea she carried for nearly two years. In 2013, she recognized the potential of battery technology, but stepping into battery manufacturing—a highly technical, capital-intensive, and male-dominated industry—was daunting.

When 22-year-old Tara Bosch stood in her kitchen experimenting with sugar-free gummy bears, she had a vision that would transform the candy industry. Just a few years later, Tara had created a revolutionary brand that would ultimately reach $125 million in annual sales and exit for $360 million.

Dionne Laslo-Baker never set out to become an entrepreneur. It wasn’t until a serendipitous moment in her kitchen that she realized she could create something truly impactful: organic, clean-label treats that parents could trust. This idea sparked what would become DeeBee’s Organics.

For Cassandra Hui, entrepreneurship wasn’t a lifelong ambition—it was a necessity. Frustrated by the complexity of the healthcare system and the lack of patient-friendly resources, Cassandra set out to build Heal Mary—an AI-driven platform that simplifies clinical trial matching for patients and caregivers.

Across Canada, people are increasingly choosing to support homegrown businesses, fueling the growth of the "Buy Canadian" movement. This shift has been driven by U.S. tariffs, but more importantly, it reflects a long-overdue moment of national pride—Canadians coming together to strengthen the economy by supporting local businesses.

This International Women's Day, as we embrace 2025’s theme of "Accelerate Action," The Forum continues its mission to unlock access to wisdom, financial, and social capital for women entrepreneurs across Canada.

At The Art of Entrepreneurship—an insightful gathering of women entrepreneurs, artists, funders, and supporters held in Vancouver's beautiful Parker Street Studios—renowned artist Carla Tak shared her remarkable journey of transformation, resilience, and creative awakening.