Defying critics and shattering ceilings for all women, with BDC's Isabelle Hudon

As we approach the end of our season, we are airing a fave from earlier in the year. In this episode, we shine a light on Whitney Geller and Yasemin Emory, co-founders of Jems, a non-toxic condom company with gender-inclusive packaging and language.Yasemin and Whitney, who had already been operating their own design agency, noticed a gap in the market while searching for contraception options between their pregnancies. The condom aisle lacked appeal due to its outdated packaging and language – the category was targeting straight men only, with products that hadn’t been updated in decades, and left women and gay folks out of the conversation altogether. As a result, they embarked on a mission to revolutionize the industry. Jems isn't just about condoms; it's a platform for expansive education, sparking conversations on everything from sexual health to love, power, and beyond. With a commitment to simplicity and transparency, Jems is normalizing safer sex with condoms that are healthier and cater to everyone’s needs.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Dr. Talia Varley didn’t just follow a traditional path in medicine—she redefined it. Now leading corporate health strategy at Cleveland Clinic Canada, she talks about creating a groundbreaking role that helps businesses take employee health seriously. In this episode, she unpacks the "3Ms"—menstruation, maternity, and menopause—and how these often-overlooked factors impact women’s careers, workplace equity, and organizational success. From revealing the hidden costs of neglecting women’s health in the workplace to explaining why companies with more women in leadership drive radical innovation, Dr. Varley challenges us to rethink what a healthy and inclusive workplace looks like. She also shares how her time in management consulting shaped her unique approach to healthcare and why mentorship and sponsorship are critical for supporting the next generation of women leaders. Packed with fresh perspectives and actionable insights, this episode will leave you rethinking the connection between health, equity, and success.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

In this special episode of The Brand is Female, we're diving into one of the most significant yet often overlooked aspects of women’s health—menopause and its impact on skin health. Nancy Labonté, our guest, is an expert in dermatology and beauty science. She shares her personal journey and lifelong passion for skincare, starting from a childhood fascination with makeup to a career dedicated to understanding and innovating in skin care, especially regarding aging. We also cover findings from our recent study about women’s experience with perimenopause and menopause - which you can access here: https://tinyurl.com/menopause-report.In this conversation, we explore how hormonal changes influence skin, why many beauty products fall short of truly addressing menopausal needs, and how her brand, IDC Dermo, is striving to change the industry standard by using science-backed ingredients at active concentrations. She shares insight into the 16 mechanisms of skin aging that her team has identified and discusses why transparency and authenticity in formulation are essential to helping women feel comfortable and confident in their skin.This conversation is more than just skin deep—it’s about the evolving narrative around menopause, the importance of quality skincare as self-care, and the call for more honest, effective products in the beauty industry. Join us as we unpack the science, the myths, and the personal stories that illuminate this journey of embracing beauty and wellness through every stage of life.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Alexandra (Ally) Mamalinder, is President and the 2nd-generation leader of Organic Traditions, a Canadian superfoods brand known for its pure ingredients and unique blends. Taking over from her father, the brand’s original founder, Allie has spent the last several years guiding Organic Traditions through a transformation, launching new products, refreshing its mission, and now, preparing for its first round of capital fundraising. Organic Traditions is on the cusp of a new chapter as the wellness category continues to expand and the demand for functional foods grows.Allie’s journey is a story of family succession, of taking a brand with roots in a family’s values and giving it new life to serve a modern audience. It’s an inspiring tale of navigating the challenges of family legacy while creating something distinct and impactful. This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

We celebrate Small Business Month by re-airing an inspiring conversation from last spring with BDC President and CEO Isabelle Hudon, who has consistently shattered expectations and proven skeptics wrong throughout her impressive career in the corporate world. In her new role at BDC since August 2021, and as the first woman to occupy the position, Isabelle has not only held jobs that many doubted were within reach but has also excelled in them, leaving a trail of achievements from her time as Ambassador of Canada to France to her leadership roles at Sun Life Financial.Isabelle's tenure at BDC is marked by her relentless drive to put development at the forefront, significantly enhancing support for Canadian entrepreneurs, with a focus on increasing capital available to female founders. Beyond her executive success, she is a staunch advocate for women's advancement, co-founding The A Effect and earning accolades such as the Commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions.In this episode, Isabelle generously shares her experiences of overcoming doubt, her strategic vision for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and her dedication to paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Tune in to explore the journey of a leader who turns skepticism into true power.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

In this episode, we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Bukola Adedeji, the visionary founder behind TheBraGirl brand, who is transforming the way women think about their undergarments. Bukola’s mission is to empower women to use their bras not just as functional items, but as tools for genuine self-expression and confidence.With a background in dressmaking and personal experience as a woman with a fuller figure, Bukola has turned a personal challenge into a thriving Calgary business. She recognized a gap in the market for bras that provide both comfort and style, particularly for women who struggle with adequate breast support. Her expertise in designing and styling specialty bras has made her a go-to authority in the lingerie space, but it’s her ability to connect with the real, everyday challenges women face that sets her apart.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Sara Happ is known as the innovator who redefined the lip care category. Her incredible brand-building story started in her kitchen, where Sara mixed sugars and oils to create her now-iconic lip scrubs. With just $6,000 in personal savings and a job at ESPN that wasn’t inspiring her as much as she had hoped, she launched her namesake brand in 2005—but the big break came when Reese Witherspoon was spotted using her products in People magazine, sparking a wave of demand that threw the brand into the spotlight.Now sold in 22 countries and featured in over 1,500 retail locations, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom, but more importantly, a network of independent boutiques and studios that Sara swears by, her brand is a global leader in lip care. In this episode, Sara Happ reflects on how identifying a niche in the market and leveraging organic buzz helped grow her company without outside capital for nearly two decades. Tune in as she talks about finding your niche, perseverance, and scaling smart.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Taylor Frankel, co-founder of Nudestix, has accomplished what many beauty entrepreneurs dream of. Starting her journey in her teenage years alongside her sister Ally and their mother Jenny, a seasoned chemical engineer with experience at MAC and CoverFX, Taylor helped identify a gap in the market for simple, multi-purpose cosmetics. Together, the trio launched Nudestix in 2014, a brand that quickly skyrocketed and is now featured in over 2,500 stores globally, including beauty giants like Sephora and Ulta. With the company now valued at over $100 million, Taylor, as chief brand officer, leads the creative direction, marketing, PR, and social media strategies. Nudestix has also expanded into skincare and body care, with the successful launch of their Nudebody collection and the addition of Sofia Richie Grainge as brand ambassador and investor. Join us as we explore how Taylor and her team built this powerhouse in the beauty industry and turned Nudestix into a global sensation.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

&Or Collective is a Montreal-based sustainable clothing brand founded by Katie Green and Kristen King, who also run the branding agency August Strategy together. The duo met a decade ago at L’Oréal. They have now merged style and eco-consciousness in their knitwear for men and women, focusing on creating “anyplace essentials” that are both versatile and environmentally responsible.With 92 million tonnes of clothing waste ending up in landfills each year, &Or is tackling the issue head-on. Their innovative use of Stoll knitting machines allows them to produce garments with less than 1% textile waste, a significant improvement over traditional methods. Using certified organic and recycled materials, &Or is setting a new standard in sustainable fashion.This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Three Ships Beauty was founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017. What began as a kitchen experiment with just $2,000 each has grown into a thriving skincare brand known for its commitment to transparency and sustainability.Rebranded in 2020, Three Ships Beauty is now stocked in nearly 1,000 stores across North America, including Whole Foods and Hudson’s Bay. With a recent $3.5 million investment led by BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, they’re set to expand their product line and team, all while continuing to disrupt the beauty industry.Tune in and dive into Connie and Laura’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the advice they offer to all women entrepreneurs — including a few things that may surprise you when it comes to dealing with investors!This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale