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Our Tribe, Our Stories Compiled by Nicole Belanger, with Nadia Credico & the SheEO Team
ABOUT SheEO‌ SheEO finances, supports, and celebrates the next generation of women-led ventures on their own terms.
A Message from SheEO Founder, Vicki Saunders
Ten years ago I created the SheEO competition which was a $250,000 prize for the best business idea by a young woman under 30. It was a response to the fact that I only had 4 funding applications from women out of over 300 applications to my venture fund. I wanted to do something about that number so I got Melinda Gates and 4 other women to write a cheque for $50,000 and we had a Who’s Who list of amazing Canadian women on our Advisory Board. Today, the rise of the female entrepreneur is here!
@VickiS vickisaunders.com
Corporations like Coca-Cola and Goldman Sachs are flooding into the ‘women’ marketplace. There is a pileup of data showcasing women’s significant contribution to economies: women are more capital efficient; women reinvest 90 cents of every additional dollar of income on human resources (education, health…). But this network needs strong role models who walk the walk of boldness, passion, power and the belief that anything is possible. It is time for the re-birth of SheEO!
What change are you creating in the world with your business?
Tracy Rossetti MyBabbo
We believe everyone has a purpose here and that connecting with their own story will help them realize their purpose. Our products and services make it easy to get their memories into their hands, which get people to slow down, connect with themselves and others, reflect and gain a sense of their purpose/legacy they want to leave in this world. We believe the photograph has the power to heal, to inspire, to connect and to provide a sense of belonging.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO taught me the bigger impact that comes from being part of a tribe versus walking the road of entrepreneurship alone SheEO has provided us with a very valuable network that has given us powerful insights and knowledge as well as business connections. I also learned to try to create margin in my life so that I have room to make more connections and time for programs like this. SheEO is living example of one of my missions of servant leadership and I am thankful to be a member of this group.
Being a SheEO means... SheEO means connecting with YOUR why, thinking differently, and getting creative with your business model. It means walking alongside an impactful tribe of women entrepreneurs.
@mybabbo mybabbo.com
My advice to future SheEOs: Listen as there are many insights to be heard, follow up with connections that are made for you, and know your why!
Susie Pan Science Expo
What change are you creating in the world with your business? Science Expo empowers high school students by connecting them with opportunities in STEM and focusing on continuous learning beyond the classroom.
How has SheEO impacted you? Recently, in the face of adversity and challenges, I turned to the SheEO community for help and guidance. Through a magical spark, life suddenly became better, my problems were no longer dire, and I felt happier and calmer. SheEO rescued me from the deepest tunnels and brought me back to the light. The SheEO community is one that can pick you back up when you fall because as reality hits us, running a business is not always fun and games.
Being a SheEO means... Being a SheEO means having the courage, intuition, and conviction to create great things for the world through our own standards, regardless of other rules.
My advice to future SheEOs:
@susieshier susiepan.com
There's always light for those that seek hope. In the face of adversity and challenges, SheEOs will help you find that light.
Anne Pringle Local Buttons
What change are you creating in the world with your business? Local Buttons is trying to change the face of fashion by creating unique, beautiful, stylish, and well -made clothing that respects people and planet. We are creating avenues for conscious consumption and creating a more direct link between consumer and producer.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has made an impact on how I express myself through my business. It helped me find clarity by showing me that my business is a strong part of who I am, but does not define me. This has empowered me to be more bold with business decisions.
On a personal note, SheEO has allowed me to find a network of strong female leaders. These connections have led to professional advancement and lasting friendships.
Being a SheEO means... Having a network of woman supporting and encouraging each other to push themselves, both professionally and personally, to be the best they can be.
@localbuttons localbuttons.com
My advice to future SheEOs: Be honest to yourself and to others in the help that you need.
What change are you creating in the world with your business?
Ami Shah Peekapak
Peekapak aims to inspire children to be more imaginative and creative to help build the next generation of bold and innovative change makers. In a society that is increasingly focused on innovation, our desire is for children to kindle their creativity from a young age.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has helped me tremendously as the mentors and cohort helped me perfect my pitch. This helped me secure a spot in a leading education-focused accelerator program, as well as investment. As well, the program helped me win the top prize at the Digifest It's a Start Pitch competition, where I won $10,000. Overall SheEO helped build my confidence and provided me access to a community of like minded female entrepreneurs.
Being a SheEO means... Empowering and supporting the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
@amishahdotca peekapak.com
My advice to future SheEOs: Get to know the other women in your cohort and the mentors - they have amazing stories and hearing them will inspire you, and help you build your own path.
Jody Harbour BreastRest
What change are you creating in the world with your business? The BreastRest will bring a new found freedom and comfort for women's breasts by providing a new technology for breast support.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has impacted my business by supporting me.
The SheEO team and the women in my cohort encouraged, validated, shared knowledge and provided an environment that allowed me to be open and learn everything I was to learn. Being a part of the 2014 SheEO Cohort gave me the push I needed to move forward, and renewed the confidence of what my purpose is. I am grateful for the opportunity to be apart of an amazing movement Overall SheEO helped build my confidence and provided me access to a community of like minded female entrepreneurs.
Being a SheEO means...
@BreastRest
Powerful support. There is nothing more powerful than women supporting women and sharing knowledge and connections.
My advice to future SheEOs: Have an open heart and open mind, and expect to be empowered.
Julie Forand Sprout Guerrilla
What change are you creating in the world with your business? I want to bridge the gap between nature and urban infrastructure to create sustainable living spaces for the future.
How has SheEO impacted you? The SheEO program and network has been incredibly supportive and empowering, and I'm more confident in myself, my business, and my life choices as a result. I continue to be inspired by SheEOs' bold, "get shit done" attitude.
Being a SheEO means... Being a bold female leader and/or entrepreneur.
My advice to future SheEOs:
@sproutguerrilla sproutguerrilla.com
It's ok to do things differently. The models of the past don't apply when you're changing the game.
Jessica Ching Eve Medical
What change are you creating in the world with your business? We’re helping to save lives by making cervical cancer screening more affordable, accessible and acceptable for women around the world.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO helped me realize that to have impact, my personal strengths and passion have to be aligned with how I approach my business.
Being a SheEO means... Being bold, and knowing why you're being bold.
My advice to future SheEOs: Think about what you want for yourself, not just for your business.
@evemedical eve-medical.com
Tash Jefferies Discover Your Awesome
What change are you creating in the world with your business? We are creating an online video magazine that caters to women over 40. We want to provide diversity, choices, and energy to the marketing of products and services to this vibrant demographic. We will do so by providing content ranging from lifestyle, career, and fashion where women can see themselves represented in a positive, beautiful and classy manner.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has helped me bring out my unique abilities, and let them shine in all that I do. The support of my fellow SheEO's has also been invaluable. Knowing there are other ladies who are just as ambitious, supportive, and understanding goes a long way to getting me through the hard days.
Being a SheEO means... SheEO means moving beyond just business brilliance, and bringing style, humanity and equality to all of your successes.
My advice to future SheEOs:
@YourTash tashjefferies.ca
Failure is inevitable, so don't shy away from it. When you do fail, learn from that experience. More failure actually means more success!
Lauren Long Boxit
What change are you creating in the world with your business? Boxit enables people to recover precious time and space.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has taught me the importance of integrating my business and my life into one coherent narrative that adheres to my values.
Being a SheEO means... Never compromising who you are!
My advice to future SheEOs: It's a marathon, not a sprint.
@laurenzlong boxitnow.ca
Marissa Maislin & Michelle Organ The Shop
What change are you creating in the world with your business? We are bringing about change by making tools, equipment and studio space accessible and affordable, which in turn allows people the opportunity to explore their creativity.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has allowed us the opportunity to meet a great group of women, and find support and encouragement, especially within our cohort.
Being a SheEO means... Being part of a supportive community of strong women.
My advice to future SheEOs:
@theshoptoronto theshoptoronto.ca
If you have the courage to follow your dreams, you will find others who will stand behind you.
What change are you creating in the world with your business?
Jessica Knox Teamwave
You spend too much time at work not to feel and do your best. At Teamwave, we use design and technology for change: to make the workplace healthier, more enjoyable and ultimately to bring better results. It’s all about helping organizations reach their highest human potential.
How has SheEO impacted you? Becoming a SheEO was transformative. It had a direct impact on helping Teamwave acquire our first customers, and expanded our network exponentially. In my life, it's helped me bring everything together, to see how each piece fits to work for me.
Being a SheEO means... Having the courage to create the world as you believe it should be.
@Jess_Knox teamwave.ca
My advice to future SheEOs: Spend the time to get clear vision. It's a lot of work, and an ongoing process, but it will help you succeed in everything.
Sherene Ng
What change are you creating in the world with your business?
Adaptive Designers
To create solutions for people with disabilities in order to improve their quality of life through custom adaptive designs.
How has SheEO impacted you? SheEO has left me empowered to do the impossible. To have the confidence to do what I feel I can't, then transfer that to people who feel limited and work with them to unlock doors that seemed too difficult to open.
Being a SheEO means... Striving for what I'm passionate for, and not being afraid to do it my way.
My advice to future SheEOs:
@ShereneN
Don't allow your own fears and others’ to keep you from doing what you dream about. YOU can do anything you want, and do it the way you want to.
SHARE YOUR STORY WITH US We are always looking for more stories of women entrepreneurs working and living on their own terms. Get in touch with us by sending an email to info@iamasheeo.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or on our website!