Investing in women: How Janine Jivani is helping to fuel a thriving Canadian economy

Women are building made-in-Canada businesses that power our economy. They’re majority owners of 20% of Canadian businesses, generating more than $90 billion annually, employing nearly one million Canadians and contributing about 9% of the country’s GDP. And Futurpreneur-supported businesses are a big part of the equation.

Investing in women-led businesses has long been a priority for Futurpreneur, as the results show. Today, over 40% of the businesses we support are women-led, more than double the national average.

One example is Janine Jivani, creator of Lilac & Leaf Wellness.

From healthcare regulation to holistic health

For five years, Janine worked in healthcare regulation. It was stable, respected work, but something was missing.

“For years I was working in healthcare and while I knew I wanted to help people, I often felt disconnected from my work. It didn’t really allow me to think creatively,” Janine says.

She began to see a gap between managing illness and promoting wellness. While her role focused on maintaining standards, she wanted to build something that aligned more closely with her own values and purpose.

A turning point

Janine’s shift toward entrepreneurship came with a growing sense of confidence in her own experience and perspective.

Her background in healthcare regulation gave her a strong understanding of ethics, safety and quality standards, areas she saw missing in much of the unregulated wellness market. Her identity as a woman of colour with Kenyan and Irish-Scottish heritage also shaped her vision for a more inclusive approach to wellness.

“My cultural background, which is mixed Kenyan and Irish/Scottish, truly makes me who I am. I believe my mixed heritage allows me to empathize with people from various backgrounds,” she says. “Representation and diversity are extremely important to me and are part of my business values.” Janine had the passion and the idea. What she needed next was guidance and support to launch the business. That’s where Futurpreneur came in.

Through Futurpreneur, she received financing and mentorship that helped turn Lilac & Leaf Wellness from a concept into a growing company rooted in trust and transparency.

Building community and empowering women

Today, Lilac & Leaf Wellness offers organic herbal teas and wellness products designed to support healthier lifestyles. For Janine, the business is also about creating community and making wellness accessible.

“Becoming an entrepreneur has been a transformative experience, continually teaching me what I’m truly capable of,” she says, noting that it’s pushed her to develop new skills, adapt to challenges and trust in herself. “If you’re ready to commit to your dreams, go for it. Futurpreneur isn’t just a place for financial support, they help you every step of the way and want you to succeed.”

Janine is now preparing for the next phase of the business. She’s rebranding Lilac & Leaf Wellness, including launching a new website, with resources and workshops geared specifically toward women empowerment. Her goal is to create a trusted space where women can access reliable information, products and support for their well-being.

Ready to launch your own vision?

Whether you’re a full-time founder or just thinking about starting your business, Futurpreneur is here to empower you through our dedicated Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative, as well as loan financing, mentorship and resources.

Join Futurpreneur’s Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative  presented by TD and turn your ambition into action.

Your first investor is you: Building a foundation of trust and growth

Starting a business requires more than having a good idea and a promising market. Above all, it’s about building trust with lenders, investors, partners and even with your own family and friends. And one of the best ways you can build this trust as an entrepreneur is to personally invest in your own business, sending a strong signal that you believe in it.

Building trust through personal investment

Financial leverage and access to capital

Putting your own money into your business ends a clear message to every potential investor you meet: “I believe in this project enough to invest my own resources.” From a financial perspective, your personal investment can strengthen the company’s capital structure reduce the perceived risk for lenders; and make it easier to access additional funding such as loans, partners and investors. In simple terms, your own money often acts as leverage to unlock other sources of financing.

Credibility and building trust with lenders

For lenders or investors, a founder who hasn’t invested anything personally raises a fair question: “Why should I take a risk if you aren’t willing to do so yourself?” Personal investment boosts the credibility of your business, the confidence in your team’s ability to navigate challenging periods and the perception of professionalism and seriousness. Increasingly, demonstrating financial readiness, including credit awareness and sound financial habits, has become an important part of building credibility with lenders and investors.

Personal commitment and long-term motivation

From my experience, even a modest personal investment tends to increase founders’ commitment. After all, when you have some money at stake, you’re more likely to go the extra mile, look for creative solutions and keep going when others might stop. This pressure can be a key motivator, especially during difficult moments which are a natural part of any entrepreneurial journey.

How can you build your personal investment?

The first step is to gain a realistic understanding of your own cash flow, debt, credit and savings habits. To do so, I recommend KOFE (Knowledge of Financial Education), a useful tool co-developed by Futurpreneur and Consolidated Credit. KOFE can help entrepreneurs build financial literacy, strengthen credit and gain the confidence needed to invest in their own business at any stage (whether it’s pre- or post-launch).

Instead of waiting for that exclusive “right moment” to invest, here are some actions to consider today

Financial discipline: Track all expenses and create a budget where saving for your business is a priority.
Dedicated savings: Open a separate bank account to build your investment and set up automatic, regular transfers into it. Even small monthly amounts help.
Leverage your skills: Reduce external funding needs by thinking of ways to generate additional income.
Improve your financial health: Reduce high-interest debt and maintain a strong credit profile.
Smart savings tools: Use savings tools such as a TFSA, high-interest savings accounts or workplace savings programs.
Thoughtful commitment: Plan your investment carefully and make sure your savings and contribution plan is realistic, motivating, and aligned with your personal goals.

Expanding personal investment with external financing

Personal investment is the first step, but to grow your business usually requires external financing as well because as the saying goes: “Alone, you go faster. Together, you go further.”

There are several external financing options to consider. To choose the right one for your business, first you need to understand how each one functions and that’s where a tool like KOFE comes in. It can help you make more informed financial decisions as your business grows, shedding light on the major external financing options available:

Loans are well suited for clear, predictable needs, provided you carefully manage your cash flow, repayment capacity and overall financial viability.
Grants can support innovation and reduce risk, but relying solely on them can weaken long-term sustainability.
Equity financing (partners or investors) can accelerate growth, but it involves sharing ownership and decision-making.
Private equity and venture capital may be relevant in certain sectors but typically come with high growth expectations and strong return requirements.

Finding the right balance

There is no one-size-fits-all formula in entrepreneurship. The key lies in balancing personal commitment with the right financial tools. Remember, personal investment is the first step toward building trust, credibility and long-term success. After all, if you’re not ready to invest your own money in your project, how can you expect others to do the same? So, if you’re thinking about starting a business, get ready to become the first investor in your own project.

Serge-Richard Petit-Frère has built his career around entrepreneurship, business mentoring, and project development. He holds a specialization in SME management and a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Project Development. He has supported organizations through strategic projects, market analyses, and executive training in financial and commercial institutions. His perspective combines senior leadership experience in finance with his own entrepreneurial journey. An engaged educator, he has taught entrepreneurship in academic and professional settings and holds the IFC-LPI LPI Trainer Performance Monitoring (TPMA) certification. Since 2023, he has served as Director of Entrepreneurship Programs at Futurpreneur, supporting entrepreneurs in building sustainable businesses.

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 if you are looking for financing with mentorship to start or buy a business in Canada, click here to learn more.

The growth catalyst: How Futurpreneur and the G20 YEA connect Canadian founders with global opportunity

For many young entrepreneurs, “going global” often feels like a distant dream, something only large companies with massive budgets can attain. The G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (YEA) is designed to bring that dream within reach.

Hosted by a G20 country each year, the G20 YEA summit brings together hundreds of the world’s top young entrepreneurs to share ideas, advise on key issues, make international connections and, most importantly, explore global growth strategies. This is why Futurpreneur proudly leads Canada’s G20 YEA delegation to these annual summits, ensuring Canadian founders are actively shaping global conversations.

As the 2025 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa demonstrated, the experience is truly once-in-a-lifetime: in a post-summit survey, 23 respondents (out of 39 young Canadian delegates) said it marked a defining turning point in their efforts to scale their businesses.

Read on to learn how the G20 YEA helped past participants overcome common barriers to international growth.

Charting a path to global expansion

Before joining the delegation, participants identified some of the common hurdles they face when trying to enter a foreign market like South Africa, including a lack of local experience and credibility as a founder, along with trusted introductions.

The G20 YEA 2025 post-summit survey also revealed three additional barriers, each of which Futurpreneur directly addressed through the summit experience:

Barrier 1: Limited access to global networks

Sixty-five per cent of survey respondents from the participating delegates who responded to the survey cited limited access to credible international business networks as their primary challenge to scaling globally. To help overcome this hurdle, Futurpreneur led targeted trade activities and facilitated curated B2B (business-to-business) connections, opening doors to senior government officials and industry leaders who are typically out of reach for young founders.

Result: All survey respondents reported an expansion of their international networks, with a total of more than 740 new global connections made.

Barrier 2: Financial constraints

Over half (57%) of the survey respondents identified the cost of international travel as a significant barrier to gaining international exposure. In fact, without Futurpreneur’s partial travel stipend, made possible thanks to the support of Global Affairs Canada’s Exports Associations Trade Program, several delegates shared that participation would not have been possible.

Result: This financial support enabled delegates to participate in 123 B2B meetings, 80 of which progressed to tangible next steps, including partnership discussions and project exploration.

Barrier 3: Gaps in market intelligence and export readiness

Prior to the summit, 52% of the survey respondents reported difficulty accessing market-specific intelligence, regulatory guidance and information on export tools and government support programs. To address this gap, Futurpreneur delivered intensive pre-departure briefings and workshops that strengthened export literacy and enhanced readiness for global expansion.

Result: Following the mission, 87% of survey respondents reported increased awareness of Government of Canada resources, including the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS), while 73% reported feeling ready to actively pursue international opportunities with confidence.

Through these targeted interventions, Futurpreneur transformed global ambition into actionable strategies, providing founders with the networks and knowledge needed to actively compete and thrive in foreign markets.

Voices from the delegation: Real-world impact in action

While the data highlights the scale of the mission, the delegates’ experiences reveal its deeper impact. Their stories showcase the partnerships formed, the credibility gained and the market validation achieved – outcomes that numbers can’t fully capture.

“This year’s G20 event was remarkable. Education was a priority for several delegations, and I’ve had promising initial meetings with delegates from Mexico and India about creating new certified programs that upskill youth before they immigrate for work or school. It’s been fantastic to see how we might expand our services and grow our businesses.” — Clinton Large, founder, Large Inc.

“[The G20 YEA] offered Iris + Arlo the opportunity to connect with visionary leaders from around the world, share our mission to make sustainable period care more accessible, and form meaningful partnerships that will help us expand into international markets.” — Lara Emond, founder, Iris + Arlo

“Attending the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance Summit in Johannesburg as part of the Canadian delegation was a truly transformative experience for me and for Kovida Consultants. Thanks to this opportunity, I was able to expand my international network significantly, build relationships with entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners from across the G20, and secure new client relationships as a direct result of conversations that began at the Summit.” — Kajal Agarwal, founder, Kovida Consultants

Apply today to join our 2026 mission to Vienna

Whether you’re exploring international trade for the first time or preparing to scale into new markets, the 2026 summit in Vienna, Austria could be just the ticket. As a strategic gateway to the European Union, this mission offers unparalleled access to one of the world’s largest single markets – home to more than 450 million consumers.

Taking place the week of September 14, 2026, this year’s summit will enable you to expand your network of international connections in key markets, advance youth entrepreneurship on the international stage while learning about growth strategies and positioning your business for global expansion.

With 100 % satisfaction rate in trade activities and a strong majority of delegates eager to stay engaged as alumni, it’s clear the value extends far beyond the summit.

So, what are you waiting for?

Futurpreneur provides the network, preparation and support to ensure you do not have to do it alone. Check to see if you’re eligible to join the Canadian delegation to the 2026 G20 YEA Summit in Vienna, led by Futurpreneur, and introduce your business to the world.

Stay tuned. Applications will open soon

Beyond the prompt: How to use AI to build a solid business plan

As an entrepreneur, your greatest asset isn’t just your idea, but rather the clarity behind it. While many entrepreneurs see AI as the perfect shortcut to building a business plan, the most successful founders turn to it for support instead of relying on it for direction. It’s a partner, not a co-founder.

To design a solid plan that reflects how your business will actually operate, you need to lead the conversation. Here’s how to move beyond generic prompts and turn AI into a strategic lever for your business.

The problem with AI-written business plans

I’m starting to see more business plans that are clearly written by AI. They’re easy to spot because they read like a generic MBA template. Lots of business language. Very little substance. Ironically, these plans signal the opposite of competence. Instead of reflecting confidence, they quietly say, “I don’t really know how this business will work.”

AI can do many things, but it can’t fix a weak idea or rescue a business plan that is still too early. It only amplifies what is already there. So, if your thinking is fuzzy, the AI output will be fuzzy. If your strategy is shallow, the plan will sound polished but will be empty.

Where people misuse AI

Here are the most common mistakes I see when aspiring entrepreneurs use AI to write a business plan:

They invent a value proposition with no proof they can deliver it.

They list a dozen marketing tactics with no priorities or specifics.

They write vague, corporate-sounding statements like “we are committed to customer excellence.”

They outline a huge range of products or services without any operational detail to support them.

None of this builds credibility. It just fills space.

AI is a partner, not a ghostwriter

AI works best as a partner, not a replacement for your thinking. Like any good partner, it needs direction, constraints and real-world facts. You still have to do the hard work of clarifying your idea, your customer and how you will actually execute. AI can help you think better; it can’t think for you.

Ask better questions, get better answers

The quality of your prompts determines the quality of the output. When working with an LLM (Large Language Model) like ChatGPT, ask specific, grounded questions tied to your real situation. And for the best output, focus on only one problem at a time.

For example, if you are launching a dog harness brand in Halifax, don’t ask a broad, generic question like, “Who are my online competitors?” Instead ask specific questions like these: Who are three small- to mid-sized competitors that launched one to three years ago? What channels did they use first? What price points worked? What mistakes did they make? What retailers in the Halifax area carry high quality dog harnesses?

You will learn far more from businesses slightly ahead of you than from giants like Amazon or Walmart, who compete mostly on price. Your advantage is likely quality, service and local presence. Tell AI that. Give it context, so you can extract lessons and shape a concrete strategy.

Narrow the focus

In a recent workshop on using AI for marketing plans, one participant told me she felt overwhelmed. AI gave her too many ideas, and she did not know where to start. That’s common. AI is great at generating options; it’s terrible at choosing for you. To fix this issue, narrow the scope.

Instead of asking for “a marketing plan,” ask something like this: “Based on these numbers and constraints, what are the top three activities that will drive sales in the next six months, ranked in order of priority?”

Now you are forcing AI to think with you, not for you.

Use AI to pressure test your assumptions

In one example, a small food business planned to produce 5,000 units with a seven-month shelf life. AI suggested several marketing tactics, but more importantly, it flagged the real risk: too much inventory too quickly. That insight mattered more than any list of promotions. From there, you can ask better follow-up questions such as: “If we target 10 stores by month six, what should month one and month two actually look like? How many samples? How many retailer visits? What sales can we realistically expect?”

This is how AI becomes useful. Not by writing the plan, but by stress testing your assumptions and helping you think through the details. All this will help build out a realistic Sales Forecast Assumption (a crucial and mostly overlooked section of the business plan).

Making the strategy truly yours

A strong business plan is built on clarity, constraints and evidence. AI can support that work, but it can’t replace it. If you find yourself pasting a prompt into AI and copying the answer straight into your plan, you’re probably doing it wrong. Use AI to sharpen your questions, challenge your logic and test your strategy. Treat it like a smart assistant, not an author.

Because eventually you will have to talk about this plan with a real person. A lender. Someone from Futurpreneur (if you are submitting a plan to us). Maybe me. They will ask questions: Why this market? Why this price? Why this channel? How will you actually execute?

If the words in your business plan are AI’s and not yours, you will feel it immediately. You’ll struggle to explain. You’ll backpedal. And your credibility will disappear fast.

There’s no shame in saying, “I don’t know yet.” There’s real risk in pretending you do know. Use AI to think more clearly, not to sound more impressive. Your goal is not to produce a polished document. It is to be able to stand behind every line of it.

Dominik Loncar is an entrepreneurship coach at Futurpreneur. Over the last decade, he has dedicated his practical skills and expertise from building three businesses and running his own social purpose business to guide young entrepreneurs. Dominik believes that becoming an entrepreneur is a transformative identity shift and has worked with over 200 young entrepreneurs to launch social purpose ventures and both traditional and innovation-based businesses in a multitude of industries.

Ready to launch your business with confidence? Futurpreneur offers flexible loan financing, expert mentorship, and resources to empower you to reach your entrepreneurial goals. Get started today by exploring our resources, including the Business Plan Writer and register for a Rock My Business workshop, such as the Rock My Business Plan session, to refine your strategy.

Empowering in any language: Inspiring lessons from the first-ever Futurpreneur Francophone Growth Accelerator in Montreal

During Small Business Month last year, the vibrant city of Montreal hosted the very first Francophone edition of Futurpreneur’s Growth Accelerator. It was an inspiring and energizing event!

The two-day gathering brought together 15 Francophone entrepreneurs, ready to transform their aspirations into lasting success. It concluded with a pitch competition held at the National Bank of Canada (NBC) offices, where the inspiring duo Arold Ramboasalama and Cécile Dijoux, Co-Founders of OR NOIR du Madagascar, impressed the jury and took home the $10,000 grand prize!

Beyond the presentations and handshakes, it was a true whirlwind of intensive learning that left a lasting impression. Participants left with concrete tools, sharp strategies, renewed confidence and a strengthened network.

Wondering about the benefits of this unique program? Join us to discover the key lessons.

The program: a commitment to Francophone entrepreneurship

With financial support from its partners, Futurpreneur has developed this growth program in partnership with NBC, with a specific focus on the needs of Francophone, Acadian, and Quebec-based entrepreneurs. This program is offered exclusively in French to ensure that each participant fully understands the concepts and is supported in their preferred language.

Additionally, we have actively mobilized our Francophone partners, such as Réseau de Développement Économique et d’Employabilité (RDÉE Canada), the Société de Développement Économique de la Colombie-Britannique (SDECB), RDÉE Nouveau-Brunswick, the Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO), and the Fédération des Gens d’Affaires Francophones de l’Ontario (FGA). These organizations were crucial in identifying these talented participants and making this program possible.

The Francophone Growth Accelerator program began earlier this year with tailored supports to recognize the unique needs of Francophone entrepreneurs, positioning them to seize the best opportunities in French-speaking markets and beyond. To achieve this, the founders completed an intensive learning curriculum focused on network development and business growth. This included six virtual workshops led by recognized experts in the fields of marketing, operations, finance, as well as personal and professional development. The journey culminated in the two-day event in Montreal, which included a pitch competition, where the winners were awarded the grand prize of $10,000!

The pitch competition

On the first day of the Growth Accelerator, the entrepreneurs focused on the challenges facing French-speaking businesses and the importance of communicating with impact and authenticity. They also refined their pitches in an effort to prepare for the competition and even presented their businesses and prototypes to Futurpreneur’s partners. The next day, they delivered their pitches to a panel of Futurpreneur and partner judges.

Expert insight: a motivational message to boot growth

On the second day, before presenting their businesses to the pitch panel, participants had the opportunity to hear advice from Étienne Crevier, Founder of Entourage Investment Inc. and Futurpreneur’s board member. Crevier emphasized the importance of being able to explain one’s vision clearly, reflecting on his own beginnings. He also discussed the challenges that hold entrepreneurs back..

“When faced with doubt, you have to silence the imposter syndrome and share the risk by surrounding yourself with the right team,” Crevier said. When one of the entrepreneurs asked him how to manage the pressure that comes with taking loans, he was clear: “Banks and organizations like Futurpreneur do not have the mission of bankrupting people, and taking out a loan proves above all that you are determined.”

Lessons for the future: A fresh look at long-term Francophone growth

A few moments before the announcement of the winners, we collected impressions from the participants to highlight what they retained from this program.

Interprovincial trade as the new frontier of commercial success

Interprovincial trade emerged as the key element on which all participants agreed. “The most valuable advice I received throughout the program came from Mona-Lisa Prosper, Senior Director, Community Engagement at Futurpreneur. “She advised us not to limit our way of thinking; not to hesitate to look deeper as well, and that we should not only focus on the English-speaking side to do business. Going to other provinces is possible, as long as you connect with local people or organizations to learn how that province works and consider it as a new country or a new market,” says Ingrid Broussillion, Founder of The WoW Culture in Vancouver, BC, and participant in the Francophone Growth Accelerator program.

Strategic communication and the key to persuading investors

Several participants also praised the value of working on their pitch presentation and learning how to persuade investors. “Thanks to the Growth Accelerator, I developed a pitch presentation; I didn’t have one before. Now, I can identify the key elements of my business that are worth highlighting; I better understand the points that can persuade investors and what builds their trust. I also better understand how to anticipate the long-term effects of support from investors,” said Louis-Philippe Allard-Bergeron, Founder of Centre Hub Créatif in Rivière-Éternité, QC, and one of the four pitch competition finalists.

Assertiveness and networking to boost francophone entrepreneurship

Ben Liegey, Founder of Meilleure Table from Vancouver, BC, and also one of the four pitch competition finalists, added that the Francophone Growth Accelerator helped him clarify and refine the long-term vision for his business. “This event allowed me to understand that I need to be more rigorous in terms of financial analysis and cash flow on a monthly basis. I’m also very grateful for networking with entrepreneurs across the entire country. That’s what initially attracted me to the program, as it’s very important for entrepreneurs to foster relationships. I realized that we share different challenges and different goals. But ultimately, we share much more in common than we think. It was very enriching.”

This first Francophone edition of the Growth Accelerator confirms the immense potential and power of Francophone entrepreneurs. It’s clear, the moment has arrived to embrace bold actions, build interprovincial connections and courageously drive success for these founders into the future.

Ready to accelerate the growth of your small business? Do you want to be part of the next wave of Francophone entrepreneurial success? Learn more about the Futurpreneur Francophone Growth Accelerator program and explore how to start, buy or grow your own business through our loan with mentorship and resources! Click here to learn more.

The taste of sweet success: Celebrating Adeola Adeosun, winner of the $10,000 DIY Marketing Challenge

For Adeola Adeosun, entrepreneurship has always been about more than baking. It’s about creating moments of joy, building confidence and opening doors for families through creative baking.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Adeola is the founder of HouseOfZeeva, a fast-growing cake and dessert company known for delivering sweetness during life’s most meaningful celebrations. Beyond custom cakes and desserts, HouseOfZeeva also runs an online baking academy that teaches children and adults practical baking skills while nurturing creativity, independence and self-confidence.

That purpose-led approach is what ultimately helped Adeola stand out as the winner of Futurpreneur’s DIY Marketing Challenge, earning her the coveted $10,000 in cash, sponsored by Empower by GoDaddy.

A month of learning, testing and growth

The DIY Marketing program, sponsored by Empower by GoDaddy, was a month-long learning experience designed to help young entrepreneurs strengthen their digital marketing skills. Delivered in four cohorts throughout the year (April, June and two in September), the program supported 70 entrepreneurs in 2025 with practical tools, expert guidance and a marketing grant to put the startup founders’ ideas into action.

At the end of 2025, graduates from all cohorts were invited to compete in the DIY Marketing Challenge to showcase the marketing strategies they developed through the program. Adeola was among them and her strategy rose to the top.

For Adeola, the focus was on clearly communicating the value of her online children’s baking course in a crowded digital space.

“We wanted parents to immediately understand the educational benefits,” she explains, “not just the baking outcomes.”

Developing strategy with intention

Through the program and challenge, Adeola took time to reflect not just on tactics, but on direction.

“Participating in the DIY Marketing Challenge helped me with introspection and critical evaluation of what I was doing from a marketing standpoint, and what the next six months could look like for the business with the right tools and resources,” she says.

By using customer journey mapping, Adeola aligned her content with key considerations like awareness, trust and enrollment stages, making her marketing more intentional and results-driven.

Standing out by building from within

What set Adeola’s strategy apart was not just her vision but execution. From running social media ads and lead-capture automation to nurturing customers and using AI tools to develop marketing creatives, HouseOfZeeva had already invested in building in-house digital infrastructure to support its growth. During the program, Adeola also used GoDaddy’s tools to build and refine her website, helping her create a clearer online home for her baking academy.

“We were already actively exploring ways to reach more families through the online baking program,” Adeola says. “Being able to clearly articulate what we already do in-house and where we want the business to be, mid-term, really helped our strategy stand out.”

That clarity and preparedness resonated strongly with the judges.

A milestone moment

“Winning the DIY Marketing Challenge is a significant boost to the business,” Adeola says. “We are now empowered to reach and help more families through the online baking program.”

Beyond the financial support, the win also felt like validation. “It’s proof that what we are doing has strong marketing potential and appeal,” she reflects. “As an entrepreneur, this is an important milestone, a real turning point for our growth and reach.”

Advice for fellow entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs who struggle with marketing or feel unsure how to tell their story, Adeola emphasizes authenticity and clarity.

“First and foremost, people buy from people. Find ways to introduce your personality into your outreach, it goes a long way in building trust,” she says.

She also encourages entrepreneurs to focus on transformation. “Clearly communicate what your product changes for your customer. Avoid overcomplicating your message and speak directly to your ideal customer’s needs.”

Celebrating a well-earned win

Adeola’s journey shows what can happen when entrepreneurs take the time to clearly tell their story and are supported along the way.

Futurpreneur and Go Daddy congratulate Adeola on winning the $10,000 DIY Marketing Challenge grant. We’re proud to celebrate her success and excited to see what’s next for her and her business!

Are you a young Black entrepreneur ready to launch, buy or grow your business? Futurpreneur’s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP) offers loan financing, mentorship and culturally relevant resources to empower your success. Learn more.

From Egypt to Saskatoon: The inspiring journey of Futurpreneur Mahmoud Gaber in transforming textile waste into style

At the cutting edge of circular fashion, MAG Clothing Inc. is a Canadian brand turning textile waste into wearable innovation. Founded in Saskatoon by newcomer entrepreneur Mahmoud Gaber, MAG combines AI-powered design with pre-consumer fabric recycling to produce sustainable, on-demand clothing. With roots in Egypt’s textile industry and support from Futurpreneur, Mahmoud is building a fashion tech company that’s redefining production norms, one zero-waste garment at a time. We spoke with him about the inspiration, challenges and impact behind MAG’s mission to make fashion smarter, cleaner and more circular.

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

My name is Mahmoud Gaber, originally from Egypt and now based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where I founded MAG Clothing Inc.—a Canadian fashion tech company focused on sustainability. Before arriving in Canada, I discovered Futurpreneur through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s pre-arrival services. Futurpreneur’s mission to support young entrepreneurs, including newcomers like me, instantly resonated.

From day one, I committed to building MAG. Thanks to pre-arrival guidance and local settlement support, I quickly learned how to navigate Canada’s financial system, taxes, and startup process, which gave me the confidence to move forward.

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

MAG is a Canadian eco-fashion tech company tackling one of the industry’s biggest issues: textile waste and overproduction. We use AI to design based on real customer preferences, producing only what’s in demand and minimizing excess inventory. What sets us apart is our use of pre-consumer textile waste to create high-quality, affordable clothing, which turns leftovers into style.

Our mission is to make fashion smarter, cleaner and more circular, with a long-term goal of zero textile waste. Like many newcomers, accessing financing was a major hurdle, especially without credit history in Canada. Futurpreneur believed in me when others didn’t.

Today, we’re focused on growing our customer base, building trust and preparing to launch our first concept store in Saskatoon.

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

Back in Egypt, I had hands-on experience in the textile industry, and I always dreamed of creating a fashion brand that puts sustainability and customer needs first.

When I arrived in Canada, I immediately noticed a strong market opportunity. I started doing pop-up events and engaging directly with customers. Through surveys and one-on-one conversations, I found there was a real interest in our fabrics, our prices, and most importantly the idea behind MAG. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and that gave me the validation to keep going.

Long-term, I believe MAG has the potential to help create the first yarn made in Canada from local textile waste, which would be a game-changer for the circular fashion economy here.

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

There have been a few exciting milestones I’m really proud of:

We were accepted by North Forge / ElevateIP to start the process of registering the intellectual property for our recycled fabric.

I was shortlisted for a one-on-one meeting with Walmart at the Walmart Growth Summit, where we’re exploring the opportunity to become a supplier.

These milestones remind me that we’re on the right track and that our vision resonates with both consumers and industry leaders.

5. How did Futurpreneur support your entrepreneurial journey?

Futurpreneur has played a foundational role in my entrepreneurial journey. As a newcomer with no Canadian credit history, Futurpreneur believed in me when others didn’t. They connected me with a dedicated mentor, Sandy Sager from Premier Suits, whose support and expertise have been invaluable. I also benefited from mental health and work-life balance support through sessions with inkblot, by way of Futurpreneur’s collaboration with BDC, something I hadn’t expected but deeply appreciated.

The Futurpreneur Marketplace gave us a platform to showcase our products, and Futurpreneur’s workshops covered essential topics like taxes, government procurement, and business planning — all critical tools for building a sustainable business in Canada.

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

My biggest piece of advice: start small. If you can, begin your business as a side hustle while you get settled. It is challenging but it gives you the time to learn, test and adapt. Also, be flexible. Be open to feedback, stay humble, and always keep learning. Understanding the Canadian market, investor expectations, and customer behaviour takes time, but once you get there, the results are deeply rewarding. And don’t forget, there’s a strong ecosystem of support out there. You don’t have to do this alone.

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

I’ve learned that I’m persistent, consistent, and a self-learner. When I started MAG, I had to teach myself almost everything about Shopify, SEO, Google Ads, and social media marketing, just to get the store off the ground. Thanks to the Digital Marketing Skills Canada (DMSC) Fund and a growth marketing program with Growclass, funded by the Upskill Canada grant under the Government of Canada, I was able to sharpen those skills. That helped me not only build the brand but also connect with more customers online and a supportive community. Being an entrepreneur forces you to wear many hats, but it also shows you what you’re truly capable of when you believe in what you’re building.

If you are a newcomer entrepreneur like Mahmoud, click here to learn more about Futurpreneur’s My Canadian Startup program presented by TD Bank and make sure to check out our upcoming workshops. And if you are looking for financing with mentorship to start or buy a business in Canada, click here to learn more.

New year, new strategy: Five ways young entrepreneurs can win on social media

As a new calendar year begins, it is the perfect time to revisit your digital strategy and plan for growth. For diverse young entrepreneurs across Canada, social media is more than a tool—it is often the most affordable, accessible and powerful way to build credibility, connect with customers and scale a business from the ground up.

With 94 per cent of Canadian businesses using social platforms, monthly, to boost awareness, reach and sales, social media is your stage, your storytelling canvas and your most powerful marketing engine. Ready to make your digital presence intentional, inclusive and focused on results in 2026?

Here are your quick tips to showing up on your socials with confidence:

1. Show up with authenticity

Your audience wants more than highly curated social content; they want the real you: the spark behind your idea, the late-night brainstorms, the challenges you overcame and the wins that made you proud as a small business owner. Share your why. Share the ups and downs—all the things that make your entrepreneurial journey relatable and real. This authenticity builds trust and long-term loyalty.

2. Celebrate milestones

Launched a prototype? Landed a mentor? Just completed Futurpreneur’s Rock My Business workshop series? Share it. Milestones show momentum. Over time, these posts become mini-chapters that help your audience follow your entrepreneurial journey. Highlighting milestones like this shows that you are learning, investing in yourself and moving forward with purpose.

Fun fact: Futurpreneur’s free three-part Rock My Business program helps young founders shape strong ideas, build viable plans and develop realistic cash flows—all while forming meaningful peer connections. Learn more!

3. Build a community, not just followers

Social media is a two-way conversation. Comments, polls, shares and DMs are the bridge between your vision and your audience. Reply thoughtfully. Ask questions. Invite feedback. When people feel included, they invest emotionally. That connection turns passive followers into long-term supporters, brand advocates and customers.

4. Make your entrepreneurial story palpable

Today’s audiences want to support local, diverse and purpose-driven small businesses. Let them see why you matter. Share customer testimonials, behind-the-scenes clips, your founder story or impact statements (for example: sustainability initiatives, a newcomer journey or your community focus). Authentic storytelling builds emotional connection and strengthens your digital presence. Whether you run a small café in Toronto, a sustainable fashion line in Vancouver or a handmade-art studio in Halifax, your brand’s identity and purpose can be your biggest selling point.

Looking for inspiration? These Futurpreneur-supported entrepreneurs are making waves on social media:

Tease Tea (Sheena Brady), Ottawa, ON

Hudson Bagel (Jessica Wylychenko), Winnipeg, MB

Ice Creamonology (Onur Yilmaz), Toronto, ON

Simplement Kosy (Kassy Daigle-Dubé), Quebec City, QC

Rude Mama Hotsauce (Vian Nguyen), Toronto, ON

They lead with creativity, reflect their identities, share their journeys and bring audiences along for the ride.

5. Protect your brand’s reputation

Your social presence reflects not just you but also those who invest in your business. If you get questions or concerns online, respond respectfully and professionally, even when conversations get challenging. If you ever mention partnerships or support programs, be transparent: consider adding disclaimers like “opinions are my own.” When asked detailed questions about programs you are associated with, always defer to official sources. Your voice matters. How you use it builds or breaks trust.

Helpful resources from Futurpreneur’s partner, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

When you are ready to delve deeper into measuring success or converting fans into buyers, Futurpreneur encourages you to explore these excellent resources from our partner, Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC):

Social media marketing plan checklist for your business

Turn fans into customers

Social media marketing: How to measure success

Your story is your superpower

Social media is a powerful and effective tool you can use to grow a business in Canada. When you lead with authenticity, engage intentionally and communicate clearly, every post becomes an opportunity to attract customers, connect with collaborators and share your entrepreneurial journey with pride.

So go ahead—post that milestone, share that behind-the-scenes moment, tell your story and let your business shine.

Roxana Larrondo is a social media specialist at Futurpreneur, based in Toronto, focusing on content, paid social and community engagement across all channels. With over eight years of experience across the B2B non-profit and financial sectors, she is committed to helping young founders and purpose-driven organizations grow their digital presence in intentional, inclusive and data-driven ways. Her work is centred on growing brand visibility, supporting cross-functional teams and amplifying the stories of diverse young entrepreneurs across Canada.

Ready to start, buy or grow your business? Get connected with a dedicated team member to learn more about Futurpreneur’s loan with mentorship and resources. We are here to support your ambition, innovation and entrepreneurial success. Learn more about the ways we can empower you on your entrepreneurial journey, here.

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

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/building-financial-confidence-mastering-money-credit-and-debt-tickets-1974267369849?aff=article

Ready to ditch the stress? Why mastering your money mindset is the first step to business success

“Money, like emotions, is something you must control to keep your life on the right track.” ― Natasha Munson, Finance author and speaker

Be honest: When someone mentions the words “cash flow,” do you cringe a little?

Whenever I run a cash flow workshop, the first response I get is often nervous laughter. You can practically feel the collective resistance. When I ask why, I hear the classics:

“I’m not good with numbers.”

“It feels like I’m predicting the future.”

“Can’t I just hire someone to do it?”

For new entrepreneurs, the term “cash flow” sounds clinical, maybe even cold. But here’s the secret: you aren’t doing complex math equations. You’re simply budgeting. That’s all a cash flow really is. And with the Futurpreneur cash flow template, the formulas are already there—you just plug in your numbers.

Still, the hesitation isn’t really about spreadsheets. It’s about something deeper and more challenging: our relationship with money itself.

Why your money story matters

Each of us carries a “money story”—a set of beliefs formed by our upbringing, experiences, and what we’ve seen others model. These stories often make us resist looking at our finances in the first place.

Some of these beliefs might sound familiar:

“If you’re rich, you must be ruthless.”

“You can’t make money doing something creative.”

“I don’t care about money; it’s not important to me.”

Most of us have 20 to 30 of these beliefs silently looping in our heads, and they often trap us in a cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies. Your first step to financial resilience is recognizing these stories.

Our on-demand spending culture

To make matters more complicated, we now live in an emotionally cashless world.

When was the last time you paid for something with actual paper money? We live in an “on-demand tap” culture, where instant gratification takes less effort than thinking twice. When you hand over cash, you feel the exchange. When you tap, it’s invisible.

And invisible spending adds up fast.

According to Equifax Canada, missed payment rates for consumers aged 26 to 35 are now the highest of any age group, up over 21 per cent year-over-year (Q2 2024). We’re literally tapping our way into debt.

So, if our world makes it easier to spend without thinking, how do we bring that crucial awareness back into how we manage our money?

Awareness before abundance

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Just develop an abundant mindset.”

That’s nice in theory, but abundance without awareness is like driving with your eyes closed and calling it visualization. Before you can shift your mindset, you need to see your numbers clearly. Awareness has to come first.

Schedule your weekly money check-in

Here’s a simple, low-stress way to start building awareness: schedule a weekly money check-in.

Pick a consistent time—say, Sunday morning with coffee or Monday afternoon before the week kicks in. Spend 20 minutes looking at your money:

Open your online banking.

Review your debit and credit card transactions.

Check for any outstanding loans or unused subscriptions.

Then ask yourself, “What patterns am I noticing? Where could I make the biggest impact by cutting back?”

Just observe for now. Don’t judge—this is about noticing. This simple, regular check-in builds a habit of financial attention, and that habit is what will change your financial life over time.

Small actions lead to big change

No matter your current situation, the key to success is starting with tiny, consistent actions:

Notice your impulse buys and eliminate one that doesn’t add real value.

Pay your credit card on time (every time).

Celebrate the small wins—they truly matter.

Each small action sends a clear signal to your brain: “I’m in control of my money.” And that shift—from avoidance to ownership—is where your entrepreneurial confidence begins.

Your personal finances are business training

Here’s the reality for every founder: if you can’t manage your personal finances, you won’t be able to manage your business finances.

There’s a reason why your personal credit score affects whether you can borrow money for your business. Your score tells a story about your habits, your consistency, and your reliability.

Think of your personal money management as the most valuable training you can get for your entrepreneurial future. You don’t need to become a chartered accountant. You just need to understand that money management is a skill that is essential to your life and your business.

Master your money mindset now, and your future business self will thank you.

Ready to launch your business with confidence? Futurpreneur offers flexible loan financing, expert mentorship, and resources to empower you to reach your entrepreneurial goals. Learn more and get started today.

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. 