Inspiring Women – 8 Female Business Owners You NEED To Know
In honour of International Women’s day, I wanted to share some amazing business women, and give you an opportunity to support them and their businesses.
So I interviewed a few women and got the inside scoop on their businesses and success. Scroll through them and have a look at some of the wonderful things that women have created around the world.
Craft Bitch by Meg
Who are you?
Hey 👋🏻 I’m Meg, I’m 25 years old from Alliston ON. I live here with my boyfriend Kyle and my cat Booger. I enjoy reading & run a weekly virtual book club, work a full-time job in the quality department of Aurora Cannabis and I’m also the proud owner of Craft Bitch!
What is your company?
Craft Bitch offers custom clothing, signs, plaques, cards, glassware, home decor & more. From personalized items to glass engraving to custom stationary, Craft Bitch can deliver.
How did you come up with your company?
I’ve always been a very creative person, and I often use that creativity as an outlet for my stress. During the pandemic isolation was very difficult for me, as I’m naturally a very social person. I found a lot of comfort in creating things, and people were requesting things on a consistent basis. Thus Craft Bitch was born.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My biggest goal for Craft Bitch is for it to never become something I am forced to do, instead of something I want to do. I believe my work is successful and I maintain repeat customers by putting in 110% while enjoying every second of it. This started as a way for me to connect with others through my art, and I would never want to lose that.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
As a female small business owner who IS just starting out, I would recommend networking as much as possible with others in your online community. The generosity of those out there who have been doing things longer & are willing to offer their experience so you can avoid making the same mistakes is invaluable. The friendships I’ve formed with other accounts are so incredible and the support is overwhelming. The opportunity for both of your accounts to grow by shoutouts, collabs, contests etc. is just a bonus on top of the connections & great advice.
Want to connect with Craft Bitch? Follow Instagram and Facebook and email her, craftb1tch@gmail.com
Fit Body Fresh Mind by Madeleine
Who are you?
My name is Madeleine Karlsson and I’m a Pilates teacher, Yoga Instructor and Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach from Sweden living in Costa Rica.
What is your company?
Fit Body Fresh Mind is a Food, Fitness & Mindfulness program supporting women who want to get into their best physical & mental shape from home in a way that is kind on their body and that makes them feel empowered
How did you come up with your company?
I spent years working out like crazy doing exercise I didn’t enjoy only to feel bloated, swollen and depressed. I followed every diet under the sun and tried every fitness frenzy and by the end of it I felt completely depleted, both physically & mentally. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why getting into shape and feeling good in my body could be so hard. It’s around this time that I discovered Pilates and the benefits of learning to work WITH MY BODY instead of mindlessly burning calories and beating myself up. I finally got the results I had been longing for and truly started feeling good in my body.
I also finally got the professional guidance I needed to completely overhaul my diet and got rid of the bloating, the acne, the constant hunger and get lean. I experienced the benefits of learning to LISTEN TO MY BODY & to trust it and I realized that most of what is being preached by the fitness industry goes against this. It’s all ”no pain no gain”, beating yourself up with exercise and ignoring your hunger and starving yourself in an effort to get fit.
I wanted to show women that there was another way and support them in taking charge of their wellbeing in a way that felt empowering, uplifting, positive and that is actually good for their health. So I qualified as a Pilates Instructor and later on as a Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach and a Yoga Instructor and started working one on one with clients as a Private Coach in Monaco. As the demand for my services increase, in all parts of the World, I decided to go virtual and create a full program online including all pillars of my work namely Food, Fitness & Mindfulness.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
At the moment my biggest goal is to reach over 1000 subscribers. We already have people from over 25 countries following the program and all growth so far has been organic, through word of mouth or via social media. My goal is to continue growing this way and to create a ripple effect transforming the way we care for our bodies and our minds, making kindness, compassion and self-love essential ingredients in our approach to fitness.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
No one is you and that is your superpower. Choose something you truly love and believe in and are passionate about sharing. Share your story about why it is important to you and why you want others to experience it too. Be vulnerable. Be real. Don’t worry about things being perfect, prioritize being real. Be honest with your followers and clients and share your journey with them. Keep going no matter what but learn to pivot and adapt when you feel the need for it. Being an entrepreneur is about being strong and determined but also about being flexible and able to adapt.
Trust your gut and keep fighting for what you believe in. Starting a business is not easy but if you love what you do and build a strong team of support around you, you will get there. Surround yourself with people who are a step ahead of you in the game, who can inspire and guide you, who show you that it’s possible. And hire a Business Coach or a Mentor. If you work with someone good you will make up the money you invested in no time! I would never have gotten to where I am today without the support of my Business Coach and the mentors I have met along the way. You’ll need those people to fall back on when shit hits the fan, because it will, but that’s part of the journey. Having your own business is worth fighting for.
Want to connect with Fit Body Fresh Mind? Find information about her program on her website, and enjoy a 10-day free trial – sign up here.
Talk Therapy with Vera
Who are you and what is your business?
My name is Vera Cheng and I’m a Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist in Toronto. I was born in Hong Kong, and immigrated to Canada when I was 12. This experience was a challenging one, and in many ways has shaped my life, and informs my practice.
How did you come up with your company?
I have over 15 years of clinical experience working in medical and social service settings. I started my private practice Talk Therapy with Vera in March 2020 of where I provide virtual/phone counselling for individuals who struggle with mental health. I enjoy working with newcomers, and those looking to work with a therapist with first-hand experience of immigration and living as a racialized person. I’ve always wanted to start my private practice and I thought it would be a great time to start in 2020. When the pandemic hit, I had to switch everything online/phone from in person.
It was not easy to start a business, I rented an office space to see clients and I had to give it up because I didn’t feel comfortable seeing clients in person when things opened up. I continue to learn every day about how I can better my practice, whether it is promoting my business through different platforms or setting boundaries for self care.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My biggest goal for my company is to continue to bring in new clients to work and be able to help as many people as I can.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
One tip that I would share with other female small business owners is to be patient with yourself because it takes time to build your business or have clients. Also, be able to recognize that every month is different because some months are better than others.
Want to connect with Vera? Check our her website, Instagram and Facebook page.
KLMA Makeup Academy & Rise Alchemy by Kiera-louise
Who are you?
I’m Kiera-louise Harrison, Founder & CEO of KLMA Makeup Academy & Rise Alchemy. I am an award winning Entrepreneur, Makeup Artist, Educator and Conscious life & Business coach. I stand for female empowerment. I am Unapologetically ambitious and aim to pave the way for myself and other women to rise. Although makeup and business is my technical background.
The Self development side of my biz is my souls work, my contract, and combining all three together is my mission. I coach (mainly) women, who were where I once was. And I feel my superpower is helping women become the best version of themselves while pursuing the kind of life and career they actually want….
What is your company?
KLMA is an award winning makeup school offering courses in Hair, Makeup, Lash & Business acceleration.
We offer the vocational qualifications, leading industry advice and business support to help equip students with the skills they need in order to succeed. Unlike many other beauty academies catering for all levels, at KLMA we make it our priority to ensure each person can overcome their inner struggles and realize their full potential whilst creating a career they are truly passionate about. My guiding philosophy for this is – Helping you grow your career from the inside-out!
Rise Alchemy is a master coaching business specializing in transformation again from the inside-out. I use a unique blend of spiritual psychology, mindset, various healing modalities and my own energetic gifts to help others up-level their lives, move past blocks and step into their most aligned & magnetic self.
How did you come up with your company?
I was a freelance Makeup artist for 6 years first and worked in a vast array of sectors – TV, Celebrity, Ecom & Fashion. During this time I was asked to become a product educator at Mac cosmetics which opened my eyes to teaching, (something I had never considered before) but found myself incredibly fond of! I have always been very entrepreneurial and dreamt of having my own makeup school in the future, but imagined I’d be well into my 50’s before that dream came to light. I decided I wanted to get the right credentials in order to do so and went back to university to get my PGCE (Teaching qual).
Whilst doing so I got offered a part time position teaching media hair and makeup for a local government funded college. This was a real eye opener for me. I think having had such extensive industry experience and being so aware of my own passions & desires to get ahead, teaching here enabled me to see a gap in the market for a cutting edge curriculum that was tailored towards the needs of the industry rather than outdated textbook modules. I wanted to actually help students stop looking for a job and start building a career! It was a now or never moment for me & KLMA was born.
For my coaching business Rise Alchemy, this was a passion project that expanded rapidly. I have always been highly intuitive, and loved helping others. I began to do women’s share circles and gained feedback that those who were not in the beauty sector also wanted to work with me and I was glad to be of service.
When lockdown 2020 hit, I undertook a mastery method life coaching course, which on top of other healing modalities I had already acquired, this enabled me to become a trauma informed coach. My gift is in helping others transform and step into their power, unlocking blocks and releasing limitations. I specialize in encouraging them to celebrate all they uniquely are and embody their soul’s inherent worth and value.
For those that are aspiring female entrepreneurs we do this whilst building authentically aligned businesses and most importantly – I show them how to have fun whilst doing it!
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My mission for both companies is the same – to positively impact at least 1 million women by empowering and inspiring transformation from the inside-out, so they can stand in their power, own their worth and build a life they are truly proud of.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
Dream big, Believe in yourself, & Let your desires be your signposts. Don’t be afraid to EVOLVE & choose who you want to BE at each next level. Your dream has been assigned to you for a reason. It’s important to remember there are seasons & phases to EVERYTHING. Our job is to be patient, trust the process & most importantly, LOVE THE JOURNEY.
Want to connect with Kiera-louise? Visit her website!
Cassandra Moy
Who are you?
My name is Cassandra Moy, and I am a Toronto-based fashion designer, and slow fashion advocate.
Cultivating my skillset through local internships and other points of inspiration, I am well-versed in handling a range of materials from silk to leather. Having previously offered bespoke designing services, I worked one-on-one with clients to create goods and garments that catered to their individual styles and occasions, covering wedding gowns to leather bags.
Currently, I am developing my online boutique focusing on limited edition bags and accessories.
What is your company?
My namesake brand, Cassandra Moy, aims to create pieces that are beautiful, unique, and functional without impacting the environment negatively. Our clientele value exclusivity, limited editions, and handmade goods. As strong believers in the slow fashion movement, many items are made-to-order, and all are handcrafted with care in our Toronto studio.
All products are made from locally sourced, hand selected materials, with off-cuts from previous projects upcycled into new designs. Every effort is made to keep waste to an absolute minimum. Even our too-small scraps have a purpose and are donated to local artisans so that they can find a second life.
How did you come up with your company?
My business and my brand have been built upon a lifetime of having to alter clothing and accessories to fit my own personal needs and wants. As someone who has never fit into the mould of fashion, I wanted to create products that celebrated peoples’ uniqueness, instead of making them feel left out because of it. When I created bespoke clothing, it was all about achieving that perfect fit, and emulating clients’ radiances through my designs. Now that I’m focusing on bags, my aim is to create products that can make their lives easier, while continuing to evoke an unshakable confidence.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My biggest goal for the company is to create a world where fast-fashion can soon be forgotten; where everyone can learn to enjoy and appreciate the artistry that goes into every design and into every build of every piece. I want to continue building a team of artisans that can thrive together in a community that understands and values the importance of functional and sustainable design.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
Just one? I’ve got a few.
Doing builds motivation.
What you put in is what you get out.
Start now. Don’t wait.
It’s better to have a work in progress that is imperfect and incomplete, so you can have something to work with, than nothing at all.
You WILL get better over time. Evolution with practice is inevitable.
Want to connect with Cassandra? Check out her website, and follower her on Instagram, Facebook, and Tik Tok.
The Vanilla Bite Bakery by Dannah
Who are you?
My name is Dannah Melad. I’m 22 years old and I studied culinary arts at George Brown College. I have been working in the hospitality industry for over 6 years. Starting off as a veg prep cook for Pusateris to being on line working the grill at King Taps. I’ve also switched from working back-of-house to front-of-house in the past year. Had to get some experience there!
What is your company?
My company is The Vanilla Bite Bakery. We are a new online bakeshop specializing in simple, delicious, and beautiful sweets. We make sure to carefully source out our ingredients for the best quality of baked goods we can offer. We believe that simplicity is beauty. We don’t need fancy ingredients, or 20 different elements to make a beautiful cake. We want every single ingredient to be seen and tasted. We aim to be completely transparent with what we use and we want our customers to savour every ingredient.
How did you come up with your company?
I’ve always loved baking. When I was young I told myself I was going to make a cook book one day. But this pandemic has really brought out my love for sweets. This whole idea was actually based off a gluten-free cookie. My boyfriend’s dad is celiac so we’ve spent A LOT of time perfecting a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie. From there we thought, “well if we made an amazing GF cookie, why can’t we make a regular one?” And that’s how I branched out and started making more sweets and voila!
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My biggest goal for the company is definitely to have a successful physical location up and running by the end of this year. I want to be able to build relationships with customers, have our regulars coming in and just hang out in my store!
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
TRY. There are going to be countless people in this world trying to tell you how to run your business and trying to scare you into thinking that you’re not going to be successful. And yeah hey, you never truly know how successful it’s going to be. But i believe that if you truly want it, I know you’ll find a way to get it. And don’t forget, there is always a community of strong female leaders that we can look up to and ask for advice. Screw everyone who doubts your capabilities, let’s prove them wrong!
Want to connect with Dannah and order some baked goods? Follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Massage Therapy With Nicki
Who are you? What is your company?
My name is Nicki Iskander and I’m a registered massage therapist with a women-focused home studio in Toronto. My practice is body-positive and trans-friendly. I donate $5 from every massage to local charities. As a bonus, I play Otis Redding instead of spa music!
How did you come up with your company?
After a decade of working in the music industry, I grew tired of working for The Man (and working for men!). Now I’m a proud entrepreneur, contributing to the female-dominated industry of massage therapy, with a focus on empowering women to put themselves first. There’s a lot of body-shaming and misgendering in the healthcare industry and I’m on a mission to change that, one massage at a time.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My goal is to create a safe space for women and members of the genderqueer community. I want them to know that my home practice is a place where they can feel welcome and unjudged, where their health concerns will be taken seriously, and where their gender identity will be respected. My clients know they can leave their insecurities at the door and shut off the noise from the outside world.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
Your boundaries will be pushed. Don’t be afraid to push back.
Want to connect with Nicki? Visit her website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook
The Creative Atelier by Akshayaa
Who are you?
I am Akshayaa Selvaraj from the City of Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. An Architect, dreamer by default and a curious seeker of the magical experiences woven inside our Universe through Art and Illustration.
What is your company?
The Creative Atelier
How did you come up with your company?
Art beyond the canvas or medium imprints a powerful conversation onto the observer’s mind which can heal, inspire and profoundly affect a person’s life in a positive way which ignited my first step of starting up my Facebook page called “Undelivered Letters – P.S Returned with Love” for sending “gratitude doodles” for people whom we want to express our gratitude and love creatively, starting with my circle of loved ones and with many beautiful requests.
This evolved to my brand / Company ,” Akshayaa ” – The Creative Atelier, birthed as a result of my natural yearning to create “Tangible Art “ with a niche of exploring and elevating the simplicity of daily products like Calendars and postcards into natural and creative conduits of tuning into your heart space.
Ranging from Themed Calendars, Postcards, Wall arts , clay dolls , doodled art prints based on quotes ,bookmarks , Book Illustrations and Wedding cards to inviting everyone to share their trauma memories into transforming them into inspiration through Illustrations and animated gifs, this space is a reflection of myself.
My first project was very sensitive, tender and beautiful with restoring and recreating antique products of high heritage and personal values. Renovating a 100 year old wooden inkwell, cloth hanger and book rack hand-painted based on a concept that transfers down the memories and passes down the history to the future generations and also to use it adaptively was my first level of following my instincts and trusting it strongly.
My first community project was about creating awareness and spreading the importance of gratitude which grew very interesting and heart touching. It started by expressing my gratitude to my bestie with doodling tales about her and I started receiving many requests from people to doodle gratitude to their loved ones and that’s how my Facebook page Undelivered letters – P.S returned with love started. It evolved to doodling around 25 Rumi quotes to spread on positivity which created a lot of happy hearts. I then had the opportunity of illustrating the cover page of a heritage and cycling related book and it kept evolving to children books.
Multipurpose themed Calendars was my first baby that evolved into the strong feeling of ” Tangible Art products “, supporting local artisans and take conscious sustainable choices as much as possible. That’s the start of my brand and identity that naturally happened. From heritage sites of India with colouring postcards depicting 12 heritage sites of India, Rumi bookmarks and little tasks every day of A3 size unconventional heavy-duty calendars to a compact mini Art kit box of Storybook Calendars, Movie illustrated Greeting Calendars, complete evolving of supporting Rural artisans and choosing sustainable and creative choices of Toran Calendar with many avenues opening up to new ways of gifting and home decor, I have stepped up in this fifth year of launching the ” Embrace – Journal Calendar with the Goddesses ” which is a safe space and community effort in sharing and expressing the trauma feelings through Journalling and monthly prompts and virtual meets.
What is your biggest goal for your company?
My biggest goal is to keep creating endless possibilities of unique tangible Art products and community projects that’s accessible and available to everyone, to every home and keep the creativity and awakening through Art transforming human lives to love.
What is one tip you would share with other female small business owners who are just starting out?
I always believe your soul purpose chooses you and it’s a journey of becoming and being yourself in the process 💜Show up as yourself, doing what you exactly love to do for yourself and not for the external validation from sucking algorithms, comparisons and conditioning of social media! Open up yourself to experiencing much creativity, inspiration and wonderful connections. Never be afraid to be yourself and always show up Authentically and your work evolves into a magical masterpiece! Believe and follow your dreams as much as you believe in your next breath!
Want to connect with Akshayaa? You can email her, akshayaa.selvaraj@gmail.com, or find her on Instagram and Facebook.
How awesome are all of these female business owners?! I loved getting to learn about these women’s businesses and felt so inspired by reading their top goals and tips.
Are you a female business owner who wants to be featured on Loving Life With Cass? Let me know in the comments – I would love to feature your brand next!
Sending you love and light,
Its wonderful to share this space along with the other wonderful women! Thank you Cass 🙂
Thank you for participating in this project!