Why Canada is failing women entrepreneurs and how do we fix it, with Marwa Abdou of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

In this episode, we’re tackling an issue that’s holding Canada back—our entrepreneurship gap, especially when it comes to women-led businesses. Despite years of investment, progress has been painfully slow, and the numbers tell a troubling story: entrepreneurship is in decline, self-employment has dropped, and gender-based barriers are costing the economy up to $180 billion in lost potential.To make matters worse, Canadian entrepreneurs are also navigating rising costs, supply chain disruptions, and trade barriers—including tariffs—that further limit growth. While the impact of tariffs on GDP is estimated at 2.6% annually, the entrepreneurship gap is costing us even more.Our guest on this episode helps us unpack this: meet  Marwa Abdou, Senior Research Director at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Marwa has spent her career championing financial inclusion, gender equity, and private sector growth, working with organizations like the World Bank and OECD. She’s here to break down the findings of the Chamber’s latest report, Women Entrepreneurs: Canada’s Biggest Missed Business Opportunity, and talk about what it will take to finally move the needle.If we have the talent and resources to thrive, why are women entrepreneurs still being left behind? And what needs to happen to change that? 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

Today we’re celebrating IWD with a special episode featuring a history-maker in hockey: Jessica Campbell. In July 2024, Jessica became assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken, breaking barriers in a field long dominated by men. By fall, she made history as the first woman to coach behind the bench in an NHL game.Jessica’s coaching journey has been full of firsts—from coaching internationally in Sweden to becoming the first woman behind the bench at the men’s World Championships with Team Germany in 2021. She then joined the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, paving her way to the NHL.Beyond coaching, Jessica was just named a Canadian partner for L’Oréal Paris' Worth It program, recognized for her leadership, resilience, and impact in breaking barriers for women in sports. Jessica isn’t just coaching; she’s changing the game. Today's conversation with Jessica Campbell is brought to you by L'Oréal Paris Canada. This International Women’s Day, L'Oréal Paris is celebrating trailblazers who redefine what’s possible—like Jessica, the first full-time female assistant coach in NHL history. From coaching internationally to making history behind the bench, Jessica’s leadership is inspiring women everywhere to believe in their worth. Learn more about L'Oréal Paris’ commitment to empowerment at lorealparis.ca. Because WE’RE WORTH IT.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

Kaelen Haworth is a designer and entrepreneur who has navigated the ever-changing world of fashion with creativity and adaptability. After launching her namesake brand in 2009 and earning a spot in the CFDA Incubator program, she built a reputation for effortless, modern womenswear. She later expanded into size-inclusive fashion with Second Sight and spent time in editorial and celebrity styling.Now, after years in New York, Kaelen has moved back to Toronto—lucky us in Canada! She’s the founder of Absolutely Fabrics, a concept store that blends fashion, vintage, and creative community. In an industry where retail is tougher than ever, Kaelen has found a modern way to make it work. Her store isn’t just about selling clothes—it’s about creating an experience, hosting trunk shows, photo shoots, and designer collaborations to bring people together in a fresh, engaging way.On top of that, she’s taken a smart and personal approach to connecting with her audience through her Substack, where she shares thoughtful takes on fashion, entrepreneurship, and the realities of running a business in today’s landscape.Kaelen’s career has been defined by reinvention, and she’s proving that fashion retail can still thrive—if you do it differently. 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

This episode was recorded in Oslo, Norway, in conversation with the founder of sustainable fashion brand “As We Are Now” or AWAN, Anette Miwa Dimmen. AWAN is a modular fashion brand designed for women, by women. Born in Seoul and raised in Norway, Anette’s journey is anything but conventional. From chasing dreams of becoming a music star in London to launching groundbreaking businesses in Norway, her entrepreneurial spirit has never wavered. Today, with sustainability and inclusivity at the heart of her mission, Anette is leading AWAN’s international expansion, offering women a wardrobe designed for comfort, versatility, and confidence—no compromises.In this conversation, we talk about Anette’s inspiring path, from navigating the challenges of scaling a direct-to-consumer brand to redefining fashion with a purpose-driven, community-first mindset. We also address the challenges of operating a fashion brand in a small country like Norway - which, for our Canadian listeners, will sound oddly familiar. Get ready for an honest, insightful conversation about resilience, innovation, and the power of creating fashion that lets women feel their best as they are now.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

This week we are reairing our conversation with Alexandra (Ally) Mamalider, President and the 2nd-generation leader of Organic Traditions, a Canadian superfoods brand known for its pure ingredients and unique blends. Ally will be our guest at the next instalment of The Brand is Female Conversation Series in Toronto on February 26th. Join us if you are in town by signing up here!Taking over from her father, the brand’s original founder, Ally 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.Ally’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

This week’s guest is Roxanne Doucet, founder of Triptyque and managing director at creative agency Al Dente New York. With over a decade of experience in creative consulting and art buying, Roxanne has worked with top artists and luxury brands like Dior, Loewe, and Balenciaga. In 2022, she became visual director at Vogue Global, further cementing her role at the intersection of art and fashion. Known for her expertise in fine art and documentary photography, she champions emerging talent and impactful storytelling through global curatorial projects. If you have ever wondered what business opportunities exist at the intersection of creativity, art and fashion, this conversation is for you!Find out more about Roxanne’s Feel Seen initiative here. And follow her on LinkedIn here.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

This is Eva writing this: hi! And welcome back. As we officially launch a new season of The Brand is Female podcast, I’m doing something a little different—the tables have turned! For this episode, I’m stepping into the guest chair on my own show.Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of sitting down with incredible women and leaders, diving deep into their journeys, challenges, and triumphs. But today, it's my turn to open up. I’ll be sharing more about my own story—what inspired me to create The Brand is Female, the lessons I’ve learned along the way, and the pivotal moments that have shaped both my career and this platform.Whether you’re a loyal listener or tuning in for the first time, I hope you’ll stay with us—because this time, I’m in the hot seat! And a special thank you to my dear friend Roxanne Doucet, Creative Director and Managing Director of Al Dente Agency, for guiding this conversation with grace and purpose.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

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