43 Canadian Women-Led Businesses to Support this Small Business Month
October is Small Business Month, and it’s the perfect time to recognize and support the incredible women entrepreneurs in our network who’ve developed impactful businesses that better our day-to-day lives. At times, it may be easier to shop from a big box store or large corporation, but spending our dollars with small businesses is more than just a financial investment. Shopping from a small business is an intentional decision, a sign of support, an endorsement, and a belief in the business’s potential for growth.
In 2024, 19 percent of all businesses, including small to medium-sized businesses, were majority owned by women in Canada, up from 18.4 percent in 2023. These businesses shape our communities, provide opportunities, and often introduce an innovative approach to a common challenge or need.
This Small Business Month, we’re highlighting over 40 incredible women-led businesses that you can support. From brands that want to elevate your daily wellness rituals to purpose-led companies that seek to better your personal journey, culinary, or clothing experience, these businesses are proof that amazing things happen when you follow your curiosity and ambition.
To learn about these amazing businesses and the entrepreneurs behind them, keep reading.
Health & Wellness
Ankita Rao, Lost+Found Personal Transformation
At some point in life, we may feel stuck, uninspired, overwhelmed, or disconnected from who we truly are or what we truly want to do. Through guided mentorship facilitated by Ankita Rao, lived experience and yogic philosophy are utilized at Lost+Found Personal Transformation to provide you with the support you need to recalibrate and chart a new—or more aligned—path.
Aeryon Ashlie, Aeryon Wellness
After almost 20 years in the supplement industry, Aeryon Ashlie established Aeryon Wellness to provide women with supplements and assist them in their health and fitness journeys. From balancing hormones to helping with sleep, Aeryon Wellness’ products are formulated to address women’s needs.
Sarah Lee, VAMA Wellness
After experiencing significant hair loss after childbirth, Sarah Lee founded VAMA Wellness as a journey back to herself and hair oiling, a wellness ritual she used to practice in her childhood. Inspired by Ayurveda, VAMA centres wellness with a focus on hair and scalp care, inspiring and empowering others to prioritize caring for and making time for themselves.
Helen Yin, Inoki Bathhouse
Growing up visiting bathhouses, Helen Yin wanted to find ways to experience the restorative nature of teas, botanicals, and minerals in the comfort of her home as an adult. She created Inoki Bathouse to provide an elevated, invigorating experience as consumers prioritize their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being right at home.
Melinda Divers, Moonshine Mamas
When Melinda Divers was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, she began researching natural ways to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system, adding natural ingredients to elixirs with healing properties. Today, Moonshine Mamas creates natural turmeric elixirs that nourish, stimulate, and energize the body.
Lauren Sudeyko, Sleep or Die
Lauren founded Sleep or Die after witnessing firsthand how chronic sleep deprivation can lead people down dangerous paths in search of relief. Sleep or Die creates mouth tape to encourage nose breathing during sleep, offering a safe, effective solution that helps customers improve sleep quality before sleepless nights become sleepless years.
Nadia Ladak, Simone Godbout, Harit Sohal, and Kiara Botha, Marlow
On a mission to revolutionize menstrual health, Marlow was created to help people prioritize their menstrual and sexual health instead of being ashamed or awkward about it. By designing the first-ever tampon and lubricant made to be used together for a smoother, less painful insertion experience, Marlow is here to transform the way we experience our cycles.
Linda Biggs, joni
With one in three menstruators under the age of 25 living in period poverty, Joni was established to provide high-quality, sustainable period products that are effective, accessible to all, and support communities with the period care industry’s first-ever giveback commitment that pushes period equity initiatives forward.
Lux Perry, Aisle & somedays
As an endometriosis survivor, Lux Perry’s desire for products that provide relief from painful periods is something they understand well. With their company somedays, period relief products are safe, natural, and effective, and with their acquisition of the sustainable period product brand, Aisle, they are passionate about providing modern reusable period products for all.
Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory, JEMS
Jems is a line of sexual wellness products created to help future generations feel informed, empowered, and at ease when navigating safer sex. All products are created with only necessary and body-safe ingredients.
Kaleigh Hole, Sole to Summit Orthotics
Sole to Summit Orthotics provides clients with custom orthotics and bracing solutions specifically designed to enhance mobility, reduce pain, and support an active lifestyle.
Beauty & Personal Care
Taran and Bunny Ghatrora, Blume
When sisters Taran and Bunny wanted a solution for their sensitive, acne-prone skin, they set out to create their own brand. Today, Blume serves over 500,000 customers and focuses on clean, anti-inflammatory, high-performance ingredients.
Charlotte St-Germain, Suntouched
Inspired by a trip to Crete, Greece, Charlotte St-Germain founded Suntouched to bring customers summer hair year-round. With clean, sustainable lightening sprays and toners for all hair types and shades, Suntouched can lighten hair up to three shades with just a few sprays.
Sarah Haaf, Flora’s Bare
Dissatisfied with the amount of chemicals and fillers in spa treatments and products used, longtime friends Dawn Wilkinson and Sarah Haaf launched Flora’s Bare, an award-winning skincare line to provide products that are good for the skin to market.
Food & Beverage
Celeste Lopriato, The Conscious Farm Kitchen
Founded by Chef Celeste Lopriato, The Conscious Farm Kitchen is a queer, BIPOC, and woman-led meal delivery service. Cooking and creating all prepared meals with ingredients from local farmers and food producers on their farm in Grey County, Ontario, The Conscious Farm Kitchen provides plant-based, organic, and sustainable meals.
Tamara Shelly, Classic Juice Co.
After struggling with a negative reaction to prescription medications, Tamara Shelly began consuming juice through a cold-pressed extraction method, eventually launching a line of beverages. Today, Classic Juice Co. creates 100% raw juices that are free of water, sugars, dyes, additives, or preservatives, supporting people with their digestion, immunity, mood, and energy.
Kate Taylor Martin, nutbar
nutbar is a Toronto, Ontario-based company and the world’s first superfood cafe with a passion for nourishing customers as they navigate their busy day-to-day lives. With 100% organic foods, nutbar prioritizes superfoods, adaptogens, and nutrient-dense ingredients.
Miki Talebi, Oomé
Founded by Miki Talebi as a means to honour her late father and Japanese heritage on her mother’s side, Oomé is a food brand that crafts several types of smoked tofu that are vegan, gluten free, and ready-to-eat.
Asha Wheeldon, KULA Foods
Launched in 2018, KULA Foods makes African, plant-based foods, sauces, and spices. It’s on a mission to provide delicious food, build community, and protect the planet’s future. Meaning “to eat” in Kiswahili, all of KULA Foods’ products are vegan, gluten-free, and made without any added sugar.
Katie Young, Klondike Kettle Corn
What started as popping small batches of kettle corn at the local farmers market in the Yukon in 2010 has since grown into Klondike Kettle Corn, founded by Katie Young. Leveraging her culinary background with her passion for community, Katie uses her kettle corn as a tool for connection and joy.
Cheryl Chang, Oh Yas Goodies
Oh Yas Goodies is a queer, asian-owned dessert company specializing in gluten-free and vegan products like donuts and cinnamon rolls. Founded by Cheryl to service the growing demand for dietary options, Oh Yas Goodies makes their handmade, artisanal treats easily accessible for people at cafes, bakeries, and grocery stores.
Andrea Grand, Barbet
Created to put non-alcoholic beverages on the same level as alcoholic drinks, Barbet makes sure you don’t compromise taste or quality for a drink without alcohol. With full-bodied, bold blends, Barbet enhances an experience with loved ones and elevates a mood or moment in time.
Aki Kaltenbach, Save Da Sea Foods
Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, Save Da Sea makes plant-based seafood made from whole foods. A purpose-led business, Save Da Sea aims to alleviate pressure on the oceans by providing alternatives to help customers make better and intentional choices.
Sheila Flaherty, sijjakkut
Founded by award-winning Inuk chef Sheila Flaherty, sijjakkut is centred on the preservation and promotion of Inuit culture through the utilization of hunted and harvested foods for its menus. Currently, Chef Sheila and sijjakkutare bringing her vision for the business to life with a 100% Inuit-owned culinary tourism initiative with a bed and breakfast and commercial kitchen.
Bilqees Grant, Helius Originals
Elevate your at-home cocktail experience with Helius Originals, an eco-luxury brand offering smoked cocktail kits. Prioritizing sustainability without sacrificing quality or luxury, Helius Originals is working to reduce landfill waste by repurposing materials used to make their kits.
Fashion & Apparel
Judy Stewart, Tresolz
Drawing from her own personal struggles to find comfortable and stylish footwear at accessible price points, Judy Steward founded Tresolz with a mission to provide women with larger feet comfort, style, and most importantly, choice.
Christina Morrow, Wicked Rose
Realizing there were no clothing brands made specifically for women in martial arts, Christina Morrow founded Wicked Rose to help women feel prioritized, capable, resilient, and strong–on and off the mat.
Cheryl Bond, MADE Outdoor
MADE Outdoor is a custom outdoor apparel brand that believes every customer deserves a custom-made outfit that fits their bodies so they can perform at their best. With the brand’s made-to-order manufacturing, responsible materials sourcing, and direct shipping, MADE offers bespoke designs while reducing their impact on the planet.
Jessica Bosman, DOUBL
DOUBL was founded to provide women with a sustainable solution for finding a bra that actually fits, with fabrics sourced from North American suppliers instead of using petroleum to produce conventional polyester. DOUBL makes each bra custom, so customers and brands aren’t dealing with products they can’t wear or inventory waste.
Creative & Media Services
Brittney Ashley, Creative Dynamics
Initially created as a platform to provide flexible work options for mothers, Creative Dynamics has since evolved into a 10-person, award-winning platform offering a holistic, tailored approach to supporting businesses and entrepreneurs in their respective business journeys.
Monique Hutson, Dom Productions
Dom Productions is a content production agency specializing in photography, videography, and editorial services, helping small to medium-sized businesses bring their brand and story to life. From professional brand photos, company headshots, event coverage, promotional videos for social media, or content writing services, Dom Productions has you covered.
Nadiya Marwah, Photo Poet Society
With 12 years of experience capturing beautiful and authentic wedding moments, Nadiya Marwah is the Founder of Photo Poet Society. Based between Toronto and Vancouver, Photo Poet Society serves Canada, the U.S., and destinations worldwide.
Erica Daniels, Kejic Productions
Kejic Productions is a Winnipeg-based production company founded by Cree and Ojibway producer and director Erica Daniels. Founded in 2017, Kejic Productions focuses on heart-centred storytelling with services ranging from development to production and post-production for film and video.
Professional Services & Education
Lindsay Johnson, The Radical Connector
Lindsay Johnson of The Radical Connector is a business coach and ethical sales trainer helping entrepreneurs who want to run their businesses with integrity, deep care for their community, and operate a business that helps them put their lives first. The Radical Connector uses an anti-hustle approach to getting sales, growing a brand, and scaling up your offers.
Aileen Agada, BeBlended
For many Black customers, finding hairstylists who know how to care for and style their hair is an ongoing challenge. BeBlended is a purpose-led digital marketplace that connects clients to hairstylists who specialize in afro-curly hair textures and supports independent hairstylists in growing their businesses.
Priya Tronsgard, Edify Learning Spaces
A leading tutoring agency for neurodivergent children, Edify Learning Spaces is an accredited and inclusive organization that connects families with tutors trained to support focus, confidence, and growth in children across Canada and internationally.
Avery Swartz, Camp Tech
Founded by Avery Swartz in 2012, Camp Tech was created to help teach beginner-friendly, practical tech skills. Today, Camp Tech is a leader in tech and AI skills training, offering training for townships, municipalities, small business centres, and working with partners that create new opportunities for women, Indigenous peoples, and Canadians from rural and remote regions in the digital economy.
Nicole and April Hughes, Sunhouse Outdoor Academy
Sisters Nicole and April Hughes created Sunhouse Outdoor Academy to create unique outdoor learning experiences for children. With a passion for holistic childhood development, Sunhouse Outdoor Academy provides hands-on STEM experiences for children, with the belief that nature is the most significant teacher.
Cheryl Sutherland, PleaseNotes
Passionate about personal growth, Cheryl Sutherland founded PleaseNotes to help others build their confidence and create fulfilling lives for themselves. With guided journals, planners, affirmation cards, and positive gifts, PleaseNotes supports individuals on their personal quest for a more aligned life.
Home & Lifestyle
Tiffany Mah, Plant Mahmah
Founded by former Environmental Engineer Tiffany Mah, Plant Mahmah is a full-service plantscaping studio that creates sustainable, aesthetically pleasing greenery for residential, commercial, and event spaces in Toronto, Ontario, and the GTA.
Kirsten van Breevoort, Confluence Heating and Cooling Ltd.
Founded by Kirsten van Breevoort, Confluence Heating and Cooling Ltd. is a women-run business specializing in heating, cooling, air quality, and gas quality needs for residential and commercial properties servicing the Castlegar, British Columbia, area.
Guita Yazdani, Campertunity
Believing that everyone deserves easy access to nature, Camperunity is a Canadian platform that invites landowners to open their backyards to campers. Helping landowners and campers, Camperunity provides campers with more campsite options, builds community, increases ecotourism, and connects people to nature.
Tasha Nathanson, 7 Leagues Leather
7 Leagues Leather is a woman-led bio-based tannery and wholesale fish leather manufacturer that uses plant compounds and fish skins with a vocation to contribute to circular economy production, positive environmental and social impact, and high-quality goods.