The ONSIDE Podcast

Your host, Alex McCann talks about Season 3 of The Onside Podcast. She recaps the discussions explored including the range of topics with inspiring guests, including beauty industry insights from Amy Gordinier Founder of SkinFix, social enterprise strategies from Constanza Safatle, Founder of Newbornlander, and cultural taboo discussions with Rashmi Prakash, Founder of Aruna Revolution. This season was also a delve into innovative financing methods with Vicky Saunders, Founder of Coralus, and the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs. The season emphasized sustainability, cultural respect, and innovation, attracting 80% of new listeners. Having live discussions added engagement, and highlighted the growing visibility and support for women entrepreneurs. Alex encourages all women with business ideas to start small and persistently pursue their goals.For more information:https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Joella Hogan, founder of Yukon Soaps Company, discusses her journey as an entrepreneur in the Yukon, emphasizing the importance of community, culture, and sustainability. Her business, which has been operating for over 20 years, creates handcrafted soaps and shampoo bars using local ingredients and Indigenous art. Joella highlights the challenges of shipping in remote areas and the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and traditions into her products. She also stresses the significance of economic empowerment and community support, particularly for Indigenous women. Her advice to entrepreneurs includes staying true to one's vision and understanding financial metrics.For more information:https://www.yukonsoaps.comhttps://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Alex McCann hosts Jah'Mila, a Juno-nominated reggae artist, for this episode of The Onside Podcast. Jah'Mila discusses her journey from Kingston, Jamaica, to Nova Scotia, where she blends traditional Roots Reggae with Jazz and Soul. She highlights her collaboration with prestigious orchestras and her Juno-nominated album "Roots Girl." Jah'Mila emphasizes the importance of community, self-value, and authenticity in her music. She also mentions her educational program for Canadian students and the challenges of being an independent artist. Jah'Mila advises emerging artists to track their live shows, join local arts advocacy groups, and build solid relationships. She concludes by sharing her upcoming performances and the significance of her album "Woman of the Sun."Follow Jah’Mila Music on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content:LinkTreeWebsiteYouTubeFacebookInstagramReggae Roots Educational ProgramFor more information:https://www.jahmilamusic.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Chantal Brine, CEO and founder of EnPoint, discusses her journey from Bermuda to Nova Scotia, where she studied at St. Mary's University and discovered her passion for mentorship!Chantal's pivotal moment came during her tenure at a tech company, where a mentor helped her realize the importance of career fulfillment. Chantal emphasizes the transformative power of mentorship, particularly for women entrepreneurs, highlighting its role in building confidence, skills, and networks. She shares insights on creating a mentorship program, the benefits of both formal and informal mentorship, and the importance of finding objective mentors. Chantal also touches on the challenges of starting her business and the rewarding stories of those she's helped through mentorship.For more information:https://www.getenpoint.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Allison Gibson, Chief Program Officer at Spring, discusses her journey from the food and hospitality industry to her current role, emphasizing the importance of community and social entrepreneurship!Allison highlights her experience in transitioning a business to a grocery delivery service during COVID-19 and her work with Spring, which supports impact-focused founders and investors. Allison stresses the need for investment in underrepresented founders, particularly black women, and the importance of impact investing. She shares Spring's initiatives, including the Rise Connection Series and the Invest Together Program, which aims to provide real investment opportunities for women-led businesses.For more information:http://spring.is/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Your host Alex McCann sits down with Jayne Akinyi, CEO and founder of Dada Dunia, a business connecting African women with socially responsible Canadian companies. Jayne, a social entrepreneur from Kenya, discusses her journey from teaching in China to founding Dada Dunia in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She highlights the challenges of integrating into Canadian society and the importance of community support from organizations like Tribe Network. Jayne emphasizes the significance of cultural exchange and intentional business practices, aiming to empower her team and clients. She also shares insights from the Start Now Incubator program, which helped refine her business strategy and operations.For more information:https://dadadunia.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Constanza Safatle, CEO and founder of Newbornlander, a social enterprise in Newfoundland, discusses her journey from Chile to Canada, her unexpected challenges as an immigrant, and the creation of her business. Constanza describes herself as a passionate entrepreneur and advocate dedicated to empowering newcomers and driving social impact. Founder and CEO of Newbornlander, a successful for-profit social enterprise specializing in slow-fashion baby accessories, employing immigrant and refugee women, and advocating for policy changes to support immigrant entrepreneurs. Constanza highlights the importance of storytelling and innovative hiring practices. She also shares her experience on Dragon's Den and her plans to launch a settlement employment program for refugee women, emphasizing the social impact of her business.For more information:https://newbornlander.ca/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Rashmi Prakash is a deeply passionate biomedical engineer with a vision for sustainably leveraging technology to enhance the quality of life and ensure an equitable future!Rashmi's background in electrical & biomedical engineering and extensive skills in C/C++/C#, ARM/VHDL, rapid prototyping, 3D modelling/printing, and PCB/circuit design, are complemented by proficiency in ISO compliance, medical device development, project management, and clinical regulations.Rashmi sits down with your host, Alex McCann to discuss her company Aruna Revolution, and their development of compostable menstrual products using natural fibre technology, that are good for the body and the planet. Rashmi shares on her entrepreneurial spirit and experience and emphasizes the importance of problem-solving, taking risks, and considering diverse backgrounds and perspectives in product development. She also discussed the challenges and limitations of menstrual health and hygiene products, particularly for immigrant women. Rashmi highlights the need for innovative solutions to address the accumulation of waste and promotes free access to menstrual products to ensure dignity and ease for individuals worldwide.For more information:https://www.arunarevolution.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Amy Gordinier is a skincare entrepreneur obsessed with healthy skin! Amy describes herself as a believer in quantitative clinical proof as a moral imperative in skincare, a believer in the power of clean ingredients to deliver clinical results and healthy skin outcomes, and a believer that healthy skin is connected to healthy body, mind and spirit. In this episode, Amy discusses her experiences as a woman in a leadership role in the beauty industry. Amy shares her journey from religious studies to founding Skin Fix, a clean and clinically proven skincare brand. Amy highlights Skin Fix's focus on skin barrier health as they introduce their patented complex. Amy also emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven businesses that prioritize people's well-being over profit and discusses the emotional impact of skin issues on people's lives.For more information:https://ca.skinfix.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

In 2015, Vanessa Marshall was an aspiring dentist. After some reflection, she pivoted and decided to start her entrepreneurial journey, despite not having any formal business training. Vanessa stumbled into the world of soap-making after watching her sister create sudsy bars in her spare time. With some research in chemistry and soap-bar making, paired with her disappointment with existing bar shampoo brands; Vanessa turned her 'aha moment' into a B-Corp certified, sustainable living, Indigenous-owned and woman-led beauty brand - Jack 59.  Vanessa Marshall's story is an inspiring one, that shows entrepreneurship is possible for everyone. Your host Alex MacCann sits down with Vanessa to get more into the details of her story and chat about social entrepreneurship and the impact of Jack 59.For more information:https://www.jack59.ca/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Sheena Russell is a born-and-raised Prince Edward Islander and founder of Made with Local, a Maritimes-based snack foods company that creates simple, nourishing foods that are real & organic, for people and the planet. Made with Local was started at a Halifax farmer's market in 2012 and now their Real Food Bars can be found at over 3000 grocery stores across Canada and the US.The two chat about how Sheena started and scaled a sustainable food business. Sheena shares her challenges and priorities, including ethical and sustainable practices, diverse representation, and balancing work and family responsibilities. The two discussed the importance of gathering customer feedback and highlighted the value of having a supportive partner and taking advantage of opportunities. For more information:https://www.madewithlocal.com/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Your host Alex McCann sits down with Vicki Saunders, Founder of Coralus, for the very first Start Now Incubator, Fireside Chat of 2024!The two discuss the challenges and opportunities facing women entrepreneurs in Canada, emphasizing the need for inclusivity, mentorship, and community support. Vicki shares her personal experiences as an entrepreneur and leader, highlighting the importance of generosity and kindness in creating a safe and supportive community for women. Alex and Vicki also discuss the potential for entrepreneurship to drive positive transformation, with a focus on creating a new economic model that values different assets and supports businesses in thriving under different conditions.Vicki Saunders describes herself as an entrepreneur committed to building businesses that have a positive impact on the world. She has co-founded and run several companies; 2 in Europe, 2 in Canada (one of which went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange,) and one in Silicon Valley. Vicki identifies her strengths as integrating diverse concepts, creative problem-solving, and connecting people and ideas. For more information:https://coralus.world/https://onsidenow.ca/http://www.startnowincubator.ca/

Today, we welcome back Jennifer Angel, CEO of Evergreen, to chat about building sustainable futures. We discuss her Future Cities programs, why challenging communities to solve problems is important, what's required for sustainable living, and Indigenous co-governance.Jennifer Angel is a builder of community, momentum and places people love. As CEO of Evergreen, Jen leads the creation of inclusive public spaces that foster connection and are sustainable at their core. At Evergreen Brick Works, the organization’s headquarters and community hub in Toronto, and through national partnerships like Future Cities Canada, Jen and her collaborators are building resilience in schools, public spaces, housing and communities as a whole. Prior to Evergreen, Jen contributed to creating some of Nova Scotia’s best loved places by land and sea. Her professional portfolio includes real estate, infrastructure and program development, participatory planning and design. She was recognized in Atlantic Business Magazine's Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada in 2021 and as one of the Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada in 2022. She recently received the Inaugural Wije’winen Allyship Award 2022 – Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. For more information:https://www.evergreen.ca/https://onsidenow.ca/

"A lack of access to clean drinking water results in about 50% of the world's medical issues."In this episode we welcome back Matt Mizzi, Founder & CEO of Drinkable, the world’s first accurate, affordable, and easy to use handheld water testing device. This time, we are discussing why a lack of clean water is leading to massive world problems, the social purpose behind drinkable, working with venture capital and the landscape of sustainable technology.Matt has a degree in Environmental Science from Acadia University. Raised by electrical engineer and turned CEO of his own company, Matt is a venture capital enthusiast and is passionate about ethics, truth, environment, and humans living their best lives. For more information:https://www.drinkable.tech/https://onsidenow.ca/

Our guest today is Jennifer Angel, CEO of Evergreen, a builder of community, momentum, and places people love. Together with partners, Jen builds inclusive, sustainable places that attract people and investment, enhance resilience, and contribute to well-being for all.Jennifer Angel is a builder of community, momentum and places people love. As CEO of Evergreen, Jen leads the creation of inclusive public spaces that foster connection and are sustainable at their core. At Evergreen Brick Works, the organization’s headquarters and community hub in Toronto, and through national partnerships like Future Cities Canada, Jen and her collaborators are building resilience in schools, public spaces, housing and communities as a whole. Prior to Evergreen, Jen contributed to creating some of Nova Scotia’s best loved places by land and sea. Her professional portfolio includes real estate, infrastructure and program development, participatory planning and design. She was recognized in Atlantic Business Magazine's Top 50 CEOs in Atlantic Canada in 2021 and as one of the Most Powerful Women in Atlantic Canada in 2022. She recently received the Inaugural Wije’winen Allyship Award 2022 – Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre. For more information:https://www.evergreen.ca/https://onsidenow.ca/