Key TakeawaysFinding Wellness in a Bustling World: How a high-stress career fueled Sheena's search for personal well-being, leading her to discover the power of tea.More Than Just a Tea Company: Tease Wellness offers functional tea blends designed to seamlessly integrate into everyday life. Overcoming Barriers as a Woman Entrepreneur: Sheena sheds light on the challenges women face in accessing capital.Debt Financing for Growth: Sheena shares her experience using debt financing, an ofte...

In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we’re joined by Lisa Curtis, the dynamic founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. Lisa’s journey began during her Peace Corps service in Niger, where she struggled with finding nutritious food. A group of local women introduced her to moringa, a superfood that helped tackle malnutrition—and that simple solution later became the foundation of her thriving business. Recognizing the potential of moringa as both a powerful source of nutrition and a way to suppo...

Key TakeawaysThe Importance of Financial Planning: While Sarah enjoys branding and marketing, her experience highlights how vital financial planning is to long-term success. Early lessons from fundraising helped her keep profitability front and center as she built Chiwis.Understanding the CPG Landscape: Entering the CPG industry comes with its own set of challenges. Sarah delves into the importance of knowing your margins, pricing strategies, and building strong relationships with key players...

In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we sit down with Venessa Stonehouse, the founder of Mindful FÜD. Venessa’s journey from running a food truck to creating a successful plant-based brand is nothing short of inspiring. Mindful FÜD isn’t just about tasty vegan products—it’s about making a positive impact with every bite, including their unique honey alternative made from upcycled apples. Join us as Venessa shares her insights on scaling a business in the CPG industry, building a bra...

The Power of Upcycling: Kimberle Lau on Sustainable Food ProductionIn this episode of Her CEO Journey, we sit down with Kimberle Lau, the inspiring founder of Bake Me Healthy. Kimberle shares her journey from management consulting to the beauty industry and ultimately, her passion project of creating a sustainable, plant-based baking company.Key TakeawaysSustainable Entrepreneurship: Kimberle's journey demonstrates how personal experiences can fuel entrepreneurial ventures with a sustainable ...

Welcome back to Her CEO Journey, the podcast empowering women entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses that make a difference!Throughout this season's Finance for Change series,our host Christina Sjahli has been breaking down complex financial concepts and translating them into actionable strategies for mission-driven founders like yourself. As a founder with a social impact mission, you understand the importance of financial health. It's the foundation that allows you to turn your pas...

Forecasting is naturally imperfect.It is imperfect because businesses are always changing, and economic conditions are always shifting.So, as a founder, you have to be ready to adapt and deal with uncertainty.Today, our host Christina Sjahli will take you into the world of forecasting.In this episode, Christina will guide you through the art of forecasting by breaking down the key steps to creating an intentional forecast, even with the understanding that things can change along the way. &nbs...

If you're building a mission-driven business, there's one particular number you definitely need to check. Understanding this number will quickly pinpoint any issues in your business and determine if you're building a sustainable, profitable venture.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we demystify the significance of this essential metric for business vitality: Gross Margin.Join our host Christina Sjahli as she unveils the power of this metric, teaches you how to calculate it in minutes, and e...

Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious, even though your business is profitable? Perhaps this unease stems from uncertainties about your cash flow – a crucial financial aspect that often confuses many mission-driven CEOs. Fear not! This episode of Her CEO Journey serves as your comprehensive cash flow masterclass, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to confidently manage your business's financial health.Join our founder, Christina Sjahli, as she delves into pra...

Imagine this: You've built a thriving business, your sales are climbing, and on paper, you're incredibly profitable. But then, reality hits. Payroll day arrives, and suddenly you're scrambling to find the cash to cover it. Does this scenario sound familiar? It's what many founders experience—the profit versus cash flow paradox. While profit might seem promising, cash flow tells the real story about your business's financial health.In this episode, our founder and host of ...

Patrice's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs, showcasing the profound impact of blending passion, purpose, and strategic planning to build a successful and meaningful business.In this episode of Her CEO Journey, our host Christina Sjahli welcomes Patrice Mousseau, founder and CEO of Satya Organics, a company dedicated to creating effective and sustainable skincare products. Patrice unfolds her inspiring journey from media personality to entrepreneur, driven...

Dionne Laslo-Baker, the founder and CEO of Deebee’s Organics, is a fellow certified B Corp dedicated to revolutionizing snacks. With a background in medical science and as a mother, she embarked on a mission to provide organic, flavorful, and nutritious snacks for families.In this episode, Dionne delves into the highs and lows of growing a business from scratch. She offers valuable insights into overcoming regulatory hurdles, embracing cultural diversity, and the pivotal role of advisors in b...

Amanda Klucowicz serves as a Senior Relationship Manager at Export Development Canada. She is dedicated to helping Canadian businesses break into international markets. With EDC's tailored tools and solutions, navigating global waters becomes more manageable, ensuring not only profitability but also the long-term security of your company.In this episode, Amanda delves into crucial topics such as EDC's criteria for Canadian companies, the customized solutions they offer, and essential preparat...

Meet Ashlee Froese, the driving force behind Froese Law, serving as its Founder and CEO. Leading this cross-border legal firm, Ashlee adeptly steers through diverse industries, specializing in key areas like branding, corporate, and commercial law.Ashlee embarked on her legal journey with a clear mission: to empower clients with comprehensive information for informed business decisions and to demystify the legal space, making it accessible to a broader audience.In this episode of Her CEO Jour...

Navigating the global landscape is crucial for Canadian businesses due to the country's relatively small population — which means that most of your customers and clients are outside the country.In this episode, Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada, shares her expertise in guiding local companies towards international success. She sheds light on leveraging the Trade Commission Service for market entry beyond Canada.Whether you're a Canadian or international company, ...

Ever wondered where your money really goes?As a purpose-driven business, you do your best to put your money toward your mission and the world you envision. But every business relies on money, and that involves systems, like processing fees.A virtual CFO can help track every cent of your business's finances. You might be surprised to find a significant percentage going to something as ordinary as processing fees.That's where Shizuka Buckley of Giv Local steps in. Processing fees are okay—they'...

In many companies, the main goal is to maximize profits, often overlooking the needs of people and the environment. But that's neither sustainable nor ethical. Liz Rojic experienced this in the fashion industry and bravely decided to challenge the norm. With MZ Made, she crafted a business model that prioritizes mutually beneficial relationships for both the company and its artisans. As entrepreneurs, our focus should be on creating a positive impact rather than just chasing the hig...

In a world filled with plastic and single-use packaging, how can we reduce our impact on the environment? We often purchase, use, and discard products daily, but the zero-waste movement encourages both consumers and business owners to be more environmentally responsible.This reflects the values that Allisha Heidts aimed to promote when she founded Chickpeace, a zero-waste refillery. This holiday season, join our special holiday series on Her CEO Journey to embrace mindful gift-givin...

Every founder has a team behind them, working together to make the whole business successful. If you're a business owner, you care not only about growing your company but also about your employees' well-being. This includes making sure they earn a living wage and have the support they need. But to make such a big change, you must first ensure your business is prepared. That's where financial planning comes in, a crucial part of building a sustainable business.Over the past four episodes, the ...

Creating positive change sounds like a good idea — and one effective way to achieve it within your company is by implementing a living wage. However, like any worthwhile endeavor, it requires careful planning. Good intentions are a starting point, but thoughtless action can lead to unintended consequences.In the fourth episode of our Living Wage series, we delve into Mari Parker's experiences as the COO of Boldr, where they raised baseline pay to a living wage. We've discussed the importance ...