Your biggest financial asset isn’t money, it’s your mindset says Shay Myers 

The most important thing about money isn’t the money itself. Wait, what?! Yes, you read correctly. Something that is often left out of the money conversation is how important your mindset is to becoming financially successful. 

Shay Myers is an Ontario-based licensed financial professional and founder of Finance for the Culture. The company offers an accessible, fun approach to financial literacy, with a special focus on young entrepreneurs. 

In this Futurpreneur guest blog post, Shay shares her insights on acknowledging past financial habits, overcoming systemic barriers, and developing a healthier relationship with money to secure a prosperous future. 

Release the past and relearn for your future 

Your mindset impacts your emotional well-being, which impacts your self-esteem, daily routine, spending habits, and more! Did you know FP Canada’s Financial Stress Index revealed that money was the top stressor for Canadians, with 40 per cent of people surveyed expressing it as their main source of stress? This placed money ahead of personal health, relationships and work! 

In recent years, their survey also revealed that Canadians are struggling to save money, with 35 per cent of people expressing that saving enough for retirement and 32 per cent expressing that saving for a major purchase were areas of growing concern. The good news is that people who work regularly with a financial professional have significantly lower levels of stress, fewer regrets about money, and a more hopeful view of their financial futures (56 per cent who work with a professional) compared to 48 per cent who do not work with one. 

We must also acknowledge the layered experiences of Black Canadians when it comes to money and mindset. Many Black Canadians are from immigrant families, whose parents came here with the mission of providing a better life for their children. They worked hard, often not having much time for their family, but did what they had to do to survive. Some of them barely made ends meet, but the ends still met. They held on tight to their money, especially if there wasn’t a lot of it. They never let you know when there wasn’t a lot of it. Or maybe they did. Did you have McDonald’s money? Probably not! 

Some of us saw our parents struggle, and some of us overheard hushed, stressed conversations about bills. Some of us developed scarcity mindsets from our childhood experiences and how money impacted our families’ behaviours. And we cannot forget the continuous, systemic impacts on us, including redlining, unequal pay, racism in hiring, and more. 

Now as young adults, we do a lot of the same things because that is all we know. We are afraid to spend money because we are unsure of the next time we will get it. We either overspend or hoard it in the wrong places. We overextend to keep up with the Joneses. But we can rewrite the financial script. We have acknowledged the past; now it is time to shift your money mindset to move forward. You cannot change the past, but you can change right now. 

When it comes to mindset, you have to unlearn to relearn. Are you your worst enemy? Are you stuck in your parents’ shadows of their poor financial decisions or habits? It is time to GET OUT! 

Here are some questions to ask yourself: 

  • What was your relationship with money growing up? What did you learn from your parents? 
  • What are healthy and unhealthy habits you picked up? Do you do any of them today? 
  • What are some ways you do not want to be like your parents, family, or friends when it comes to money management? 
  • What are some financial mistakes you have made in the past? 
  • What do you want your money relationship to feel or look like? 

Another reality is that how you feel about yourself affects your relationship with money, and there is no way around that. Your overall self-confidence impacts your confidence with money. 

Here is what you can do right now: 

  • Consume different, positive, educational content: Improve your self-confidence through the people you follow, content you watch, and what you listen to. 
  • Address where you are: A GPS (Global Positioning System) asks for your current location so it can show you the path to your destination. You have to know where you are in order to get to where you want to go. 
  • Write it down: Set some personal, fitness, business, and travel goals—regardless of how realistic they are right now. Give yourself something to look forward to and work towards it. 
  • Change your circle: Your friends affect your success. If you want to get better with money, go to where the money conversations are happening! 

Resources to elevate your money mindset 

Here is a list of books that will help you elevate your money mindset: 

  • We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers 
  • The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel 
  • Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki 
  • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham 
  • The Lazy Millionaire by Marc Fisher 

Shifting your money mindset does not happen overnight, but the sooner you commit to it, the sooner it can happen. 

Ready to take control of your finances? 

There are so many resources available to help you gain financial confidence. If you are ready to take your finances to the next level, explore free tools and templates from Futurpreneur’s Business Resource Centre. Check out our cash flow templates, including a BESP-specific template designed for Black entrepreneurs. 

You can also explore free resources available to you through Futurpreneur’s KOFE Initiative, a confidential virtual platform designed to strengthen financial confidence and long-term success of young entrepreneurs across Canada. 

And for more on Shay’s financial literacy work, visit Finance for the Culture. Stay tuned for details on upcoming Futurpreneur events to keep building your financial know-how. For a deeper dive into these personal finance basics, Shay recommends Investopedia’s Personal Finance Checkup as a helpful resource.

Master your finances, drive your growth: Futurpreneur and Consolidated Credit offer KOFE resources 

Starting a business is exhilarating, but let’s be honest: navigating the world of credit, debt and budgeting can be overwhelming and stressful, especially when you’re under 40. 

That’s why Futurpreneur, in partnership with Consolidated Credit, is thrilled to announce the launch of KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education)—a free and confidential dynamic platform designed to strengthen the financial confidence and long-term success of young entrepreneurs across Canada. 

This powerful initiative is driven by a shared vision. Futurpreneur is expanding its financial literacy support for young entrepreneurs nationwide, while advancing Consolidated Credit’s long-standing mission to make financial education, coaching, and counselling more accessible. Together, we identified a critical opportunity to combine our expertise. We’re here to help founders strengthen their financial foundations not just through funding, but by providing the essential knowledge, tools, personalised guidance, and confidence they need to build stronger, more resilient businesses. 

Shifting uncertainty to stability 

The partnership to launch the KOFE platform emerged from the shared recognition that many young entrepreneurs face significant financial challenges due to limited knowledge or a lack of access to affordable, trustworthy financial advice. Understanding the stress and uncertainty that comes with these limitations is key. 

“Financial education creates ripple effects across communities,” says Lexi Lin, Community Outreach Manager at Consolidated Credit. “By equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools to manage their finances wisely, we’re helping them build stronger, more resilient businesses that contribute to Canada’s economic growth.” 

Futurpreneur recognises that financial confidence is key to long-term entrepreneurial success. Through KOFE, we aim to expand our support beyond funding by helping young entrepreneurs move past financial uncertainty and overcome the barriers that hinder them from starting, managing, or growing their businesses. 

KOFE: Your platform to master credit, debt and budgeting 

To help entrepreneurs build confidence and move beyond financial uncertainty, KOFE offers a comprehensive online hub of free financial education resources and personalised support. The platform is specifically designed to help young business owners navigate periods of financial distress, strengthen their decision-making, and manage debt responsibly. 

The KOFE platform delivers practical, impactful learning through a range of high-value services: 

  • On-demand education: Modules and videos covering credit, debt, and budgeting fundamentals that you can access anytime, anywhere. 
  • Live expertise: Live and recorded webinars hosted by certified financial experts who answer your burning questions. 
  • Personalised guidance: One-on-one coaching and counselling to review your unique financial situation and develop a tailored action plan. 
  • Practical tools: Templates to manage cash flow and build sustainable budgets right from the start. 

This platform is designed for new and existing Futurpreneur clients, aspiring founders (ages 18 to 39), and our partners who support entrepreneurship across Canada. Through KOFE, Futurpreneur reinforces its commitment to long-term financial resilience, improved financial health, and a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

Ready to take control? 

Your entrepreneurial journey deserves a solid financial foundation. Through KOFE, Futurpreneur is empowering you to make informed, responsible decisions for your business. Your financial success starts now. 

1. Explore KOFE Today 

Take the first step toward financial mastery and explore the free resources available to you right now. 

Learn more about the Futurpreneur KOFE initiative: https://futurpreneur.ca/en/financial-resources-coaching/ 

2. Join the next workshop 

Join us for our upcoming free virtual workshop to dive deep into these concepts: 

Building financial confidence: Mastering money, credit and debt 

  • When: Thursday, Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET/8-9 a.m. PT 

The power of positioning: Futurpreneur Rhodie Lamour on turning style into professional influence

At the intersection of style, leadership and inclusion, Rhodie Lamour Inc. is a Montréal-based company using fashion as a strategic tool for professional positioning. Founded by Haitian-born newcomer entrepreneur Rhodie Lamour, the company helps professionals and organizations communicate with authenticity and impact. With a background in engineering and a successful business in the Dominican Republic, Rhodie blends image consulting, EDI principles, and governance expertise to support a diverse, global clientele. We spoke with her about the inspiration, challenges, and bold vision driving her mission to make professional presence more intentional, inclusive, and empowering. 

1. Please tell us about yourself and your experience as a newcomer entrepreneur in Canada. 

My name is Rhodie Lamour. I am a Professional Image and Positioning Consultant, and the Founder and President of Rhodie Lamour Inc., a company that transforms style into a strategic tool for communication and positioning, serving both professionals and organizations. We are based in Montréal and provide our services online to an international clientele. 

2. Please tell us about your business, its origin story, your mission and vision. 

After a career as a telecommunications engineer, I noticed how image often outweighs skill in professional success, limiting opportunities for many. Returning to my passion for fashion, I trained in Image Consulting in New York and deepened my understanding of Leadership, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Governance to better support diverse professionals and businesses. I use fashion as a communication tool to help clients stay authentic and respected at work.  

As a Haitian woman and former entrepreneur in the Dominican Republic, I faced cultural challenges arriving in Canada, rebuilding my network and visibility, which led me to Futurpreneur. Now, I’m growing my services in Québec, the Francophonie, and expanding to Latin America, with a growing interest in neurodiversity and communication for high-potential professionals. 

3. What inspired you to start your own business in Canada? 

Even before coming to Canada, I knew I would start another business; it was a natural reflex. I already had a flourishing company in the Dominican Republic, so entrepreneurship was already a part of me. 

4. What are some of your biggest wins since launching your business? 

One of my greatest accomplishments has been learning to adapt and becoming more versatile and open to change. That mindset led to the creation of my signature program: 
VSP (Visibility, Style and Professional Positioning), which I’m incredibly proud of. Not just because I created it, but because of the transformation it creates. Seeing my clients step into their full potential, claim their space, and grow their influence. That’s the real reward. 

5. How did Futurpreneur support your entrepreneurial journey? 

Before anything else, Futurpreneur gave me confidence. They believed in me. And let’s be honest, although I knew what I was doing, the fashion industry is often seen as risky. But Futurpreneur wasn’t afraid to take that risk with me, when others said no.

I’m incredibly grateful to them for recognizing someone who simply needed an opportunity. Thanks to their support, I was able to build stronger relationships in Montréal, adapt my tools into French (including my website), access the right coaches for my growth, and keep going, even through a recent life-threatening health situation. 

Futurpreneur showed me not only financial support but also human empathy. When I was hesitant to talk about what I was going through, they were simply there. They’ve also amplified my visibility, promoted my work through their channels, and included me in events — that’s a huge plus. 

6. What advice would you offer to newcomer entrepreneurs starting their businesses in Canada? 

Before arriving, research widely and stay curious. Don’t rely only on advice from non-entrepreneurs or locals, as it may be outdated or irrelevant. Use platforms like LinkedIn to prepare and minimize surprises.  

Also, and this is key, open yourself to communities beyond your own. I’m Haitian, but I’ve intentionally built relationships with Québécois, Latinos, Italians, Senegalese and more. That’s how you grow. 

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself as an entrepreneur? 

Everything in us can become an asset, even our so-called “flaws,” when used with purpose.  

The complexity of my mind and my personality have become my greatest strengths. They allow me to face adversity, evolve, and reinvent myself on my own terms. 

If you are a newcomer entrepreneur like Rhodie, click here  to learn more about Futurpreneur’s My Canadian Startup program presented by TD Bank.  

Startup to scale-up: Futurpreneur and BDC highlight your roadmap to thriving in Canada’s entrepreneurial revolution

We’ve all felt it—the ground is shifting. Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape is going through a revolution, powered by rapid technological shifts and economic change.  

To help entrepreneurs and business owners navigate this transition, Futurpreneur and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) teamed up during Small Business Week (Oct. 22, 2025) to host two exclusive panel discussions.  

Titled “Startup to Succession: Thriving in Canada’s Entrepreneurial Revolution,” these events brought together top experts and successful young founders to share a roadmap for not just surviving but thriving in today’s fast-moving ecosystem. This partnership demonstrates our joint commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through every stage, from launching ventures to planning long-term growth. 

These dynamic panels were moderated by Futurpreneur’s own Maryse Gingras (Vice President, Business Development) and Mona-Lisa Prosper (Senior Director, Community Engagement) and welcomed incredible experts and successful young founders supported by both BDC and Futurpreneur. Attendees heard from Amanda Kattan (Business Partner at BDC Capital), Geneviève Cyr (Repreneuriat Québec), Liz McRae (Co-Founder of Village Wellth) and inspiring Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneurs: Vian Anh Nguyen (Founder of Rude Mama Hot Sauce), and Gabriel Roy Doyon and Guillaume Dagher (Co-founders of Redfrog Labs). Attendees didn’t just listen—they got to ask tough questions and walk away with practical strategies to adapt and grow in this rapidly changing economic climate. 

Ready to launch? Here are the key takeaways 

Your mental health is your biggest asset 

Entrepreneurs can’t do this alone. The panellists emphasized that mentorship isn’t just nice-to-have—it’s essential. The best strategy is to be proactive: step outside your comfort zone, reach out to people you admire, and build your own personal support squad. Just as crucial is self-care. Success is taxing, and maintaining your mental health is vital. Remember to recognize your strengths during difficult moments and, most importantly, ask for help when you need it. 

Plans are useless, but planning is essential 

To build a sustainable business, you need to think like a funder. Adopting that proactive, strategic mindset helps you refine your business and your pitch to investors. The panellists shared a quote that sums up entrepreneurship perfectly: “All plans are useless, but planning is essential.” Create a clear roadmap, but stay flexible, stay agile, and keep your focus laser-sharp on the central problem your business solves. The ability to pivot quickly is what defines success in this new economy. 

Think big: It’s never too early for long-term growth 

Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking at buying an existing company, you must prioritize scaling and long-term projections. The planning required to achieve major milestones—like acquiring or selling a business—takes serious time and strategic fine-tuning. That’s why Futurpreneur and BDC are committed to providing you with resources, funding, and support designed to empower you through every stage of your growth journey. 

As co-lending partners, Futurpreneur and BDC share a joint commitment to building a resilient future for young entrepreneurs across Canada. We’re here to help you weather any economic storm or entrepreneurial revolution.  

Ready to launch, buy, or grow your business? We’ve got the startup loans, the mentorship and the resources you need to turn your vision into success. Learn more and connect with us today. 

Futurpreneur celebrates 15 years of G20 YEA in South Africa with high-impact delegation and pitch competition

As a founding organization, Futurpreneur is proud to celebrate a decade and a half of global youth entrepreneurship connection and global impact through the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA). As Canada’s delegation leader for the G20 YEA, Futurpreneur has witnessed the remarkable resilience of Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs. For the fifteenth year, we proudly led the Canadian delegation at the annual G20 YEA summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Sept. 18-21, 2025, contributing to uniting young business leaders and promoting innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth internationally. 

This year’s summit focused on the theme “Celebrating 15 years of impact. Together we thrive.” In the spirit of global collaboration, Futurpreneur sent 39 diverse, high-impact young entrepreneurs to represent Canada on the world stage. Our commitment to diverse young entrepreneurs was demonstrated through a delegation that included businesses from Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 

Beyond the wide regional representation, which contributed to Canada’s delegation winning the award for the largest delegation, the participating group represented Canada’s diversity, with 59% of the businesses being women-led and 30 entrepreneurs out of 39 identifying as Black, Indigenous or People of Colour. The group also included two entrepreneurs with disabilities and two entrepreneurs from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

Pitching for the win and shaping global vision 

One of the highlights of the annual G20 YEA Summit is the pitch competition, which comes with a monetary award for the winner. In Johannesburg, two Canadian delegates competed as finalists and the Canadian delegation brought home the title for the first time in eight years, with Futurpreneur Diana Virgovicova, CEO of Xatoms, winning the pitch competition! Building on this major achievement, our delegates played a prominent role in informing the latest G20 YEA communiqué and shaping a shared global entrepreneurial vision. 

During the summit, Canadian delegates participated in several panels on crucial topics such as circular economy, inclusive finance, women entrepreneurship, creative industries, tech, artificial intelligence, and the state of education. Canadian delegates capitalized on this momentum by connecting with peers from around the world and engaging with Canadian and South African business leaders, including The Da Vinci Institute, The Southern Africa–Canada Chamber of Commerce (SACANCHAM), NSDV Law, PKF Octagon and the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct Innovation. They also met James Christoff, High Commissioner for Canada in South Africa, and other officials whose unwavering support greatly encouraged their efforts and amplified the delegation’s voice. 

Key recommendations for global growth 

This year’s G20 YEA communiqué presented five key recommendations that reaffirmed the Alliance’s mission to empower young entrepreneurs and drive global economic renewal. It called on G20 leaders to restore trade certainty by committing to a rules-based international trading system, ensuring stability for startups and small businesses navigating global markets. The communiqué also emphasized the importance of inclusive growth by expanding opportunities for young entrepreneurs who face social or economic barriers. 

Beyond inclusion, the G20 YEA urged governments to strengthen support for young entrepreneurs leading innovation in sustainable agriculture, the green economic transition, and digital technology sectors critical to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable global economy. 

Our commitment to global impact 

As a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, which has a global network of more than 500,000 young entrepreneurs, Futurpreneur remains committed to fostering innovation, sustainable development, and inclusive economic growth. “Futurpreneur created a space for and by young entrepreneurs to build international partnerships and secure support for our entrepreneurs and their startups,” says Mona-Lisa Prosper, Futurpreneur’s Senior Director, Community Engagement and Interim G20 YEA Canadian Delegation President. “It was a transformative experience. I’m proud to have championed a brilliant, diverse group of entrepreneurs whose global impact continues to inspire. The international connections we built—across cultures, industries, and borders—were deeply enriching for all of us. My heart is full, and my mind is sparking with new ideas.” 

The G20 YEA trip to South Africa was more than a summit or a trade mission; it was a milestone for Canadian youth. Beyond celebrating the Alliance’s 15th anniversary, they reaffirmed their strong position on this unique world stage by bringing new connections, ideas, and a pitch competition win back to Canada. 

Ready to expand your horizons, gain new insights and take your business to the global stagr? Visit Futurpreneur’s G20 YEA page to learn more.

The story behind Lili et Gordo: The Quebecois-Mexican fusion cuisine business from Futurpreneurs Kévin Bélisle and Lili Perez Vera

At the heart of Quebec’s evolving culinary landscape, Lili et Gordo is redefining how authentic Mexican cuisine is experienced—one taco at a time. Co-founded by chefs Lili (originally from Mexico) and Kévin (from Quebec), the business is a vibrant blend of two cultures, rooted in tradition and driven by innovation. We sat down with the founders to learn more about their journey, values, and the passion that fuels their growing brand.

1. Please tell us about yourself and your entrepreneurial journey.

We’re Kévin and Lili, Co-Founders of Lili et Gordo (and Marché MX), a business celebrating authentic Mexican cuisine in Drummondville, Quebec. As a Québécois-Mexican couple, we blend our cultures to bring something unique to our community. This journey teaches us daily about management, adaptation, and innovation.

2. Please tell us about your business, its origin story, your mission and vision.

Our company is called Lili et Gordo and operates Marché MX in Drummondville. Born from our passion for authentic Mexican cuisine, we offer fully cooked, seasoned taco fillings, vacuum-sealed and frozen for convenience. We also run an online grocery store, a taco bar, catering services, Mexican cooking classes (in-person and online), and a restaurant-style counter. Our mission is to make real Mexican food easy to enjoy at home and bring people together through a friendly, flavorful experience.

Early challenges included introducing unfamiliar Mexican flavors to the local market, managing food production logistics, and educating customers about our products. Looking ahead, we aim to expand our online grocery and classes across Canada.

3. What inspired you to start your own business in Canada?

The inspiration really came from the meeting of our two cultures. We saw an opportunity to introduce the richness of Mexican gastronomy to our area, where authentic options were limited. The support and curiosity of our local community also encouraged us to take the leap and build something meaningful together.

4. What are some of your biggest wins since launching your business?

Some of our biggest successes to date include:

  • Building a loyal local customer base and opening our specialty grocery store, Marché MX, in Drummondville.
  • Launching our signature line of vacuum-sealed, ready-to-eat taco fillings, combining authenticity and convenience.
  • Developing in-store and online Direct-to-Consumer (D2C distribution), allowing us to ship frozen products across Quebec and beyond.
  • Expanding services to include taco bar catering and cooking classes (in-person and online), strengthening community engagement.
  • Receiving consistent positive feedback for product quality and authenticity.
  • Growing organically through D2C sales and exploring strategic partnership avenues to scale production and distribution across Canada.

5. How did Futurpreneur support your entrepreneurial journey?

Futurpreneur played a key role by providing us with financing when it was challenging to access traditional loans. Futurpreneur’s support helped us get off the ground and invest in equipment and inventory. Their online resources and business planning tools were also extremely helpful, giving us practical guidance as we navigated the Canadian market.

6. What advice would you offer to newcomer entrepreneurs starting their businesses in Canada?

One of the first things we noticed, especially Lili, was how many more rules there are here compared to Mexico. Our advice to other newcomers is to take the time to understand the key differences in business laws and regulations between Canada and your home country.

From food safety and permits to labeling and taxes, the regulatory environment can feel overwhelming at first. But investing the time to learn and comply with these rules is essential—not just to stay legally protected, but also to build trust and credibility with your customers.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Local business organizations, government programs, and mentorship networks can offer valuable guidance. It’s absolutely worth it in the long run.

7. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself as an entrepreneur?

We’ve learned that we’re able to adapt and thrive in a multicultural environment. Working with team members, distributors, and customers who speak Spanish, French, and English has challenged us to be more flexible, open-minded, and creative in how we communicate and solve problems. This diversity has become one of our greatest strengths. It helps us to grow and learn every day.

If you are a newcomer entrepreneur like Kévin and Lili, click here to learn more about Futurpreneur’s My Canadian Startup program presented by TD Bank.