Entrepreneurship and Mental Health: Tackling Your Anxiety

Written By: Sarah Landrum, Founder, Punched Clocks

Although many don’t realize it, Canada is home to many prolific entrepreneurs, long-running enterprises and even new start-ups. With names like John Molson of Molson Brewery fame and a shortlist of new business launches that includes the likes of Shopify, the country has provided the world with some of its most innovative and forward-thinking minds. And you’re on track to be the next big mind. It’s a lot of pressure.

Regardless of how progressive or advanced entrepreneurs’ thought patterns may be, the human brain is still susceptible to anxiety and other mental health disorders. While such obstacles can make your road to the top a little bumpier, they can be overcome with knowledge, dedication and career focus.

A problem amongst millennials

The issue of anxiety is a growing problem throughout the country. With nearly 3% of Canadians aged 15 or older indicating some amount of anxiety, most of whom are under the age 25, it’s safe to say that our country’s millennials are more susceptible to the issue than our established business professionals.

Mike Gozzo, Montreal-based entrepreneur and mobile app developer, experienced this problem firsthand after founding his first start-up, Appifier. After drawing a large share of the market and seeing near-instantaneous profits, Gozzo experienced a number of setbacks in the form of bad investment advice as well as the lack of promised funding. The company was ultimately sold, but it took Gozzo some time before he embraced the situation as a learning opportunity.

Today’s millennials are even using their own fight against anxiety as a means of reaching out to their peers and helping other entrepreneurs overcome their own personal issues. The team with TranQool, headquartered out of Toronto, provides group workshops as well as face-to-face mental health counseling via streaming video.

Dealing with anxiety on a day-to-day basis

Anxiety is best handled one step at a time. Moreover, it’s an issue that can be tackled at home as well as on the job. Exercising regularly and eating healthier is a great place to start. The improved flow of endorphins as well as the increase in brain chemistry associated with this type of healthy lifestyle will lead to happy thoughts, good feelings and a positive demeanor.

Sometimes, simply talking about your problems to a peer, friend or family member can be enough to ease the growing anxiety you face as an entrepreneur. The Internet provides plenty of resources, including online message boards, discussion forums and bulletin boards, where you can connect with other millennials, entrepreneurs and professionals who are battling their own similar issues.

You might find that it helps to remind yourself of why you started your entrepreneurial path in the first place. Not only does this ensure you maintain focus on your goals and dreams, but it can be used to find your sense of motivation when you’re in the darkest and lowest of places.

If you’ve tried every other solution imaginable, you may have no other choice than to reach out to a professional. There are a plethora of different services available, many of which are centered on anxiety and related disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, has been proven highly effective against anxiety as well as stress. As it turns out, both of these issues tend to be common problems amongst today’s entrepreneurs.

Becoming a successful entrepreneur in spite of your anxiety

The issue of anxiety and mental health is a problem that has the potential to affect us all. Although entrepreneurs and self-made professionals are often viewed as happy-go-lucky, optimistic and charismatic individuals, many of them suffer from the same mental health issues as any other Canadian worker.

Seeking help doesn’t make you weak, and people, especially entrepreneurs, should make sure to take care of their mental health before anything else. This is what’s going to allow you to build a strong and successful business.

Cake & Loaf Bakery: A Winning (and Tasty) Business

After being laid-off, Josie Rudderham saw an opportunity to focus her career on the food business which she’d always dreamed about and college friend, Nicole Miller, had already been working in the baking industry for over a decade but was eager to start her own business. That’s where the two reconnected after four years of losing touch with one another after college. With their passion and desire to open a bakery, and their roots in Hamilton, Ontario, Nicole and Josie started Cake & Loaf Bakery, a from-scratch neighbourhood bakery focused on shaping living wage careers and showcasing creative talents in the community.

The employees of the bakery, which they call “Loafers” are encouraged to develop their creativity in all aspects of their business, while creating custom, special occasion cakes, artisan breads, pastries, chocolates and confections, coffee and light lunches that have an emphasis on organic, fair trade and local ingredients. The pair wanted to create a workplace that not only they love, but that their employees love too. “First, we try to make sure our employees have the tools they need to do their job properly whether that’s training, physical equipment, a living wage or access to the right ingredients,” Josie explains. “Then we let them do what they do best.”

Recently the Hamilton-based bakery beat out 3,400 other small businesses from across Canada in the TELUS Small Business Challenge. This annual event is hosted by TELUS and The Globe and Mail and shines a light on Canada’s small business community. The contest invites entrepreneurs to submit their biggest business challenge and propose an innovative solution for a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000. Josie and Nicole entered this contest on a whim with no expectations of winning against all the other great businesses that entered. When TELUS selected their final five and Cake & Loaf was one of them, Josie said they were shocked and honoured.

The pair traveled to Toronto to present with the other finalists and met entrepreneurs from across the country. “That in itself was a really meaningful experience and helped us focus our business goals and aspirations for Cake & Loaf,” Josie explained. After the trip to Toronto, Josie and Nicole received the exciting news that they were the winners of the 2016 Small Business Challenge. “Winning an award this big means that we have many more opportunities than we did before and we’re very excited to put it to good use.”

Since winning the Small Business Challenge, Josie explained that they had been cautious with the funds they won and have kept their projects fairly small. They did however, finally have the chance to throw their staff an amazing Christmas party that they had deserved for years but never had the budget for. The bakery also recently held a community event called Lights of Dundrun to raise money to help reunite a Syrian refugee family, and have been able to hire for an administrative position which has transformed how they run their business. “Having someone take care of the day-to-day admin details really frees you up to think big,” she said.

After five years in business, Josie and Nicole are ready to tackle the busy holiday season, and can only hope that 2017 will be an even more exciting year for the two of them and their business. Their biggest tip that they wanted to leave other entrepreneurs is: “Take time for yourself. Taking time for your family, your friends, your pets or whatever it is that grounds you is extremely important to being your best self.”

Written By: Lauren Marinigh, Social Media & Content Specialist, Futurpreneur Canada

Launching While Working? Three Pitfalls to Avoid as you Grow your Business

Written By: Chivon John, Founder & CEO of Secrets of a Side Hustler

There was a time when starting a business and keeping your day job was seen as taboo but nowadays you’d be hard pressed to find a person who isn’t a proud ‘employedpreneur’.

Although starting a business as a side hustle can give your start-up an edge, here are three pitfalls to avoid if your plan is to grow your business from hobby to profitable venture.

Pitfall #1: Getting side tracked by ‘side hustle shame’

As sexy as the ‘fire your boss’ or ‘escape from cubicle nation’ narratives sound, quitting your day job to immediately start a business is not realistic for every aspiring entrepreneur. In reality, many well-known businesses such as Mailchimp, Freshbooks and Convert Kit originated as ‘side projects’ and research is revealing that doing so can give your business a leg up on the competition.

A study entitled ‘Should I Quit my Day Job?” in the Academy of Management Journal revealed that businesses that are launched while the founder is employed and later become their full-time gig, are one third less likely to fail than those begun as full-time enterprises. So if you’re feeling self-conscious about your ‘employedpreneur’ status take comfort in knowing that hanging on to your job and taking intentional steps may help your business have a greater chance of success in the long run.

Pitfall #2: Slacking at your full-time job

Answer honestly – Are you giving the same effort to your full-time role since starting your business? If the answer is no, you may be missing out on a great opportunity to learn to become a better entrepreneur.

Why? Because your full-time role is the ultimate training ground for how great and not so great businesses are run. Not to mention, as a full-time entrepreneur you don’t have the luxury of checking out when you no longer feel interested or inspired to do something, so why should you show up this way at your job?

As a full-time Executive Assistant and Founder of three profitable businesses, Pauleanna Reid regularly shares with her clients the importance of not letting your ambition for entrepreneurship cloud your judgement and performance at your full-time role. “When you get into the office, give your best effort. Not just some days, but every damn day.”

As a side hustler, think of your job as your ‘angel investor’ in your business growth that may eventually lead to future leads and opportunities for your career. When you’re on the job, commit to being fully present and identify the ways how your current role can actually contribute to your business growth or entrepreneurial knowledge.

Pitfall #3: Over-scheduling your time and under-scheduling self-care

Don’t let the excitement of having a business cloud your judgment of how much you can actually get done in a day. When you work full-time you have to factor in:

• The 7.5+ hour investment at your full-time job
• The time to commute if you don’t work from home
• 2-3+ hours to actually work on your business
• Personal and family commitments
• Sleeping

Typically sleep is the first thing to go when we’re in hustle mode but self-care should be your sidekick when you’re living the side hustle life.

Stacking your to do list without giving any thought to how much effort it will take to complete the work will contribute to you becoming a stressed out entrepreneur instead of a successful one so pay attention to where you invest your energy and time.

Weekend Reading List

It’s time for a roundup of some great content we found over the last few weeks online for entrepreneurs. Need a weekend read? Here is a list to power through and help motivate and inspire this weekend.

Nine Business Tools for Working Smarter Instead of Harder – Entrepreneur
Serial entrepreneur, Matthew Toren, shares nine tools that will allow you to work smarter instead of harder. These tools can help you cut down on busywork and focus on creating results.

Six Tips for Launching a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign – Shopify
Futurpreneur-supported business, Magnetree Books, launched a successful crowdfunding campaign which landed them $20,000 in 30 days to help them reach their business goals. Founder, Josie, shares her tips for crowdfunding success.

How to Achieve Your Goals without Going Crazy – YouInc
We have a tendency to hold ourselves up to impossible standards and when we have trouble living up to them, we beat ourselves up. Here are some tips that will help you achieve your goals without making yourself crazy.

The Value of Adopting a Side-Hustle Mindset – Virgin
“Side-hustle” is becoming the new buzz word in the entrepreneurship realm. Managing a passion project/business on the side of your 9-5 career is becoming more and more popular. These side-hustlers share their experiences.

Happy reading!

Growing Your Business with an Entrepreneur Visa Program

Written By: Fiona Wilson, Canadian Sherpa, G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance

We live in an increasingly global world – and Canada’s continued growth and prosperity depends on our willingness to embrace international markets. But despite this truth, relatively few Canadian small businesses sell outside their local markets or export internationally.

In early September, I had the pleasure of representing Futurpreneur Canada to host 32 of Canada’s best and brightest young entrepreneurs as they headed to China for the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20YEA) Summit. Over two weeks of activities, including meetings with Chinese businesses, incubator and accelerator visits, and meetings with senior Canadian leaders, the delegation learned first-hand how much opportunity is out there for Canadian businesses. With China’s exploding middle class and appetite for things that are Canadian-made, the group couldn’t help but wonder – why aren’t more Canadians taking the leap to take advantage of these overseas markets?                                               

From Canada’s perceived risk averse culture to our lack of proximity to other countries, there’s a buzz of discussion around what’s stopping Canadian companies from going global. And, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s Breaking Barriers Report, Canada’s relatively small market means Canadian entrepreneurs have to think about accessing international markets even earlier than their American counterparts.

This means more of Canada’s young entrepreneurs have to be ‘born global’. We also need to make it easier for entrepreneurs to be internationally mobile – to be able to try their luck in other markets more easily and freely.

A young entrepreneur Visa program for Canada?

One of the key recommendations put forward in the G20YEA Beijing Summit Communique is for G20 governments to implement a Young Entrepreneur Visa program across G20 countries. So how might this work in a Canadian context?

The G20YEA Canadian delegation would like to see Canada implement a Visa program specifically for young entrepreneurs. This program could exist separately from the current Start-up Visa program (see footnotes) which is industry-led, offers permanent residency and applies to a small number of select applicants.

Canada already has Youth Mobility Agreements with 32 countries. With the creation of another category of Visa (alongside the Working Holiday Visa) specifically for young entrepreneurs, we could have a Visa program that could provide Canadian entrepreneurs with the opportunity to research, develop networks and launch their business in a new market for up to two years.

Last year, the Canadian delegation put together a Young Entrepreneur Visa Working Group to discuss barriers and recommendations for what this could look like in Canada. And this year, the goal is to see movement on this recommendation. With Canada’s G20 Sherpa Vincent Rigby embracing concrete recommendations through his open dialogue and consultation, we’re sure this conversation will be more productive than ever.

To Adam Camenzuli, Canadian G20YEA delegate and owner of Karibu Solar Power, the real value in a Young Entrepreneur Visa is to reduce red tape. Here’s more from Adam: “This also goes the other way – in speaking with an entrepreneur friend from South Africa and hearing about all the bureaucratic hurdles he has had to overcome, I was reminded of my experience starting and running a business in Tanzania. There are way too many bureaucratic hurdles for entrepreneurs – where they are forced to waste their most precious resource – their time – dealing with these requirements. This is bad for us and bad for them.”

A Young Entrepreneur Visa program is critical for young entrepreneurs to look at expansion and growth opportunities outside of their local markets. But what about when they get there? On their trip, the Canadian delegation heard from Guy St, Jacques, Canada’s Ambassador to China, about overseas supports for Canadian businesses through the Trade Commissioner’s Service’s 161 offices around the world. It’s these types of supports that make a huge difference for young entrepreneurs scoping out potential market opportunities and partners.

At Futurpeneur Canada, we know how important it is for young entrepreneurs to get their feet wet globally and we’re pleased to facilitate international opportunities for young entrepreneurs through the G20YEA. If you’re a young Canadian entrepreneur with an appetite for international growth and a passion to become an ambassador for entrepreneurship internationally and at home, we encourage you to apply.  The next G20YEA Summit is in Berlin, Germany from June 15^th – 17^th, 2016 and you can apply to become part of the 2017 G20YEA delegation here.

Information on the current Start-up Visa program:
There is a start-up visa program in Canada but with its lengthy processing time and high capital requirements, the program does not adequately respond to the needs of most young entrepreneurs. The program also results in Permanent Residency, which prevents entrepreneurs from traveling at the same time they are trying to build networks and explore business opportunities abroad.

2016 Holiday Shopping Guide

Did you know that when you shop at a chain store, only $13 of your $100 spent goes back into your local economy? However, when you shop at a local store, $48 stays in your local economy. This is why we want to encourage you to shop at local businesses this holiday season to help your city and local economy, and help support small businesses in Canada.

We’ve compiled this list from some of our Futurpreneur-supported businesses to help inspire you this holiday season. To make browsing easier, click below on the category you want to jump too:

For the aspiring interior designer
For the sweet tooth
For the foodie
For those that like to be pampered
For the health fanatic
For the creature of comfort
For the active ones
For the creative cat
For the new or expecting moms
For the people that have everything

For the fashion lover

The Richmond Leather Touchscreen Gloves from Quill & Tine
Talk, text, and ‘gram in style. These moto-inspired touchscreen gloves for him are crafted with fine Italian lamb leather, lined with luxuriant Italian cashmere, and features Shibori stitch detailing and a top zip in silver. Crafted in Canada.

$170.00
Buy here

Stratum Backpack from littleKING Designs
This backpack features detailed leather stitching and layering with large main pockets and two outside pockets which makes this bag not only eye catching but functional for everyday use.

$220.00
Buy here

The Zipper Pull from Ms. Dress Up
Ms. Dress Up’s Zipper Pull will change the way women buy dresses forever. Using the same idea as the wetsuit, an ornamental chain hooks to the zipper of a dress and is used as a pulley to effortlessly do it up. Afterwards the chain becomes a necklace or bracelet.

$29.95
Buy here

Lava Stone men’s and women’s bracelets from GentStone
GentStone bracelets are handcrafted with semi-precious stones such as lava rock, agate, onyx and jasper along with precious metals such as .925 sterling silver spacers, 18kt. Gold and gunmetal. All bracelets are locally made in Vancouver with a focus on lithotherapy and self-expression. 

$39.00
Buy here

Golden Sands from Roberto Ruivo Company
You will want to spend a thousand and one nights in this richly elegant Golden Sands high heel–and your man will want you to too. Show off some mystical sex appeal in this genuine gold leather stiletto trimmed with shiny crystals. You’ll sparkle, no matter how dark the night may be! 

$180.00
Buy here

Sterling Silver Customer Stamped Rings from Anice Jewellery
Make a little custom piece for that special someone this Christmas! We have three different widths to choose from and then let your imagination do the rest! (Can stamp up to 20 characters, inside and outside.)

$45.00
Buy here 

Coralie Infinity Dress from Arroh & Bow
Arroh & Bow infinity dresses are not your run-of-the-mill convertible dresses, they take great pleasure in choosing high quality fabrics that drape in just the right way. It is important to them that every woman that wears one of their dresses feels comfortable and pretty, so they offer dresses in every size and length. Arroh & Bow dresses are made of beautiful fabric that is lightweight with a soft matte finish.

$239.00
Buy here

Tights from Love Light Yoga
Organic cotton tights, made in Vancouver, and that are adaptable for all bodies, genders and sizes with a waist that can roll up or down. These are dream tights that are thick (never see thru), perfect for movement classes, under dresses or board shorts, on the ski slopes, or in your blanket fort this winter!

$95.00
Buy here

Face to Face Playsuit from B-Lux Boutique
This playsuit is the perfect twist on the blazer dress. It features a chic blazer look and built-in shorts. The silver-toned buttons and 3/4 length sleeves create a casual, yet classy look. Pair with semi-sheer black tights for a day to night outfit.

$160.00
Buy here

Veneto Ankle Boot from Brodawka & Friends
Designed in Toronto, handmade in Mexico, fun and versatile, comfortable and well built. The Veneto Ankle Boot (also available in Navy & Copper) is a wonderful addition to any wardrobe.

$295.00
Buy here

Athena Bib Necklace by Fair Day
Add some sparkle and colour to your holiday! Brighten up your party outfits, or pick some unique pieces for the ones you love. Everything is made by amazing fair trade artisans, organizations and co-ops from developing communities around the world.

$27.00
Buy here

Brenda Swing Shirt from Lennard Taylor Design Inc.
Brenda is the perfect statement dress. Pair this piece with some red lipstick and black boots and you’re ready for work (and then drinks afterwards)!

$305.00
Buy here

Patent Leather Mariona Venice Shoes from CHICC
This shoe has velvet patent leather laces, a unique style for any occasions and is complete with Intech lining. Made in Spain.

$134.55
Buy here

For the aspiring interior designer

SurfaceMotif from Peacock Living Inc.
Are you looking to renovate, or want to add style and character into your space? SurfaceMotif is the new and exciting decorating solution for the home. It allows you to easily apply patterns onto surfaces that can be painted and personalized, creating one of kind designs. Great for any size paint project, from arts & crafts and DIY, to accent walls.

$59.00
Buy here

The Edwin Chair by Coolican & Company
Coolican & Company’s take on the classic Windsor chair. Made of solid Ontario White Oak with a black oil finish, the chair features a deep comfortable seat and brass peg details. A versatile design that is at home in any space.

$890.00
Buy here

For the sweet tooth

Christmas Night Bell from Nadia Chocolates
Santa is coming to town! Delectable Belgian chocolate centerpiece, to be proudly displayed on your dinner table, and shared with the special people in your life. Imagine the conversations, create memories. Dimensions: 14.5 x 17 cm, Net Weight: 400 g

$39.00 + tax & shipping
Buy here

Drizzle gift pack from Drizzle Honey Products
Gift Packs contain three 80g mini raw honey jars in a clear case perfect for stashing individually in your bag for your honey addiction, gift giving, stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and more. The 80g jars are all Drizzle’s summer variety, which is a floral and sweet creamed honey with notes of wildflower, oak and clover. As always, Drizzle is raw, unheated honey that supports local beekeepers. Healthy enzymes, vitamins and minerals are plentiful and you’ll get more natural flavour from seasonal pollens and nectars.

$23.99
Buy here

Salted Caramel Whiskey Dessert Sauce from Gourmet Inspirations
Drizzle. Drizzle. Drizzle. Great on ice cream, cheesecake, apple pie, brownies, crepes, waffles, pancakes and your coffee!

$12.95 + shipping – receive a 15% discount by using “futurpreneurDEAL16”
Buy here

Sweet Candy Sushi from Sweet C Bakery Inc.
This candy sushi is a unique experience for anyone tasting it. Made completely of sweet items and fresh to order this item explodes with flavor.

$8.00-$38.00
Buy here

Gummy Bears from SmartSweets
The first smart candy that kicks sugar – naturally! These gummy bears have only 2g sugar per bag along with 24g of plant based fibre. Perfect stocking stuffer for sweet tooths of any age. 

$29.99-$58.99 per half or full case
Buy here

For the foodie

Cranberry Wine Mustard from SMAK DAB
SMAK DAB’s twist on the classic holiday flavour! Try a dab on your roast turkey or ham, brie cheese, and charcuterie boards.

$9.99
Buy here

Penny Candy Jam
Penny Candy Jam is the way fruit should taste. Low sugar, all natural and wildly delicious, Penny Candy Jam is the only jam you’ll find that’s more fruit than sugar. Dive in guilt-free, one spoonful at a time. Penny Candy Jam. Fruit. Forward.

$7.00-$12.00
Buy here

Cameroon Boyo Light Coffee Roast Coffee Beans from Goliath Coffee Company
In the northwest highlands of Cameroon, hidden in valleys tucked among endless hills and volcanic peaks, lay the villages where Cameroon Boyo™ coffee is born. Enjoy a full-bodied cup with a rich, earthy profile. Chocolate notes, hints of currants and a well-rounded finish.

$18.00
Buy here

Delicious Kicks Salsas from Las Salsas Corp.
Homestyle Mexican salsas made in Manitoba, made with natural ingredients, no preservatives, and low salt. These salsas can be used for cooking, as an ingredient, or condiment. Flavours are: Tomato and Garlic Hot and Mild, Cilantro, and Tomatillo Hot and Mild.

$6.99
Buy here

Healthy treats that keep on giving from Naked Snacks
Give the gift that keeps on giving. Select your tasty gift from a single box, 3-month, or 6-month plans, choose the snacks you’d like to give, add a custom message for us to print on the card inside the first box, and you’re done. Holiday gifting has never been this easy, or delicious!

$32.00-$177.00
Buy here

Vegan sauces from NONA Vegan Foods Ltd.
NONA Vegan offers rich and creamy cashew-based sauces that please every palate. Made from health and wholesome ingredients, our preservative-free sauces make meal-time easy and delicious. Try each of NONA’s three sauces: Alfredo-Style, Cheesy-Style & Carbonara-Style.

$6.99-$9.99
Buy here

Tuscan Herb Infused Olive Oil from This Table
A truly Tuscan oil, infused with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh herbs. Basil, rosemary, flat-leaf parsley, and marjoram give this oil the taste of the Italian countryside. Fragrant and full-flavoured, this is a fabulous complement to Italian favourites like pizza and pasta, a great base for Caesar salad dressing, and excellent for bread dipping.

$14.00
Buy here

Gourmet Fruit and Nut Bar from Art of Raw
This satisfying delicacy tastes like a tropical island dream! An uplifting treat packed with hunger-crushing coconuts with a hint of lemon – one of the most refreshing and detoxifying foods out there. Available in several flavours.

$47.50
Buy here

For those that like to be pampered

Body Wave Human Hair Extensions from Sassy Hair Collection
The Body Wave from our Diamond Collection is 100% unprocessed human hair extensions. Each bundle comes from a single donor and the cuticles run in one direction making this hair tangle free and stunning. Try our Body Wave hair today from our Diamond Collection and experience the Sassy Gyrl Lyfestyle of beautiful luxurious hair!

$130.00
Buy here

Pour over Kettle from Monarch Methods
This Monarch kettle is a pouring vessel designed for use in the pour over method of brewing coffee. The features of a standard gooseneck kettle have been tailored to bring efficiency and precision to the brew method. The result is simple: better coffee through control, consistency and ease of use when brewing. Designed and made by Chris Chekan in Toronto.

$119-$139 USD
Buy here

Organic Deodorant from Fable Naturals
Our natural deodorant is formulated with gentle ingredients for sensitive skin. We’ve added fresh citrus and eucalyptus essential oils, perfect for both men and women. Free from aluminum and harsh chemicals, this deodorant uses natural ingredients to combat odour.

$16.00
Buy here

Luxury shaving brushes from Paragon Shaving
Handcrafted luxury shaving brushes made in British Columbia. The best fibers in the world made with beautiful high quality wood. A perfect gift for your loved ones!

$56.95 to $116.95 – 15% with code “HOLIDAY” on Etsy
Buy here

Absolut Face & Body Lotion from United & Free
This multi-purpose rich lotion helps to hydrate and seal moisture in the skin’s natural barrier. Formulated to be non-oily or greasy. Hemp and red raspberry seed oils leave the skin feeling soft and hydrated. Hints of citrus, red pine and cedar will remind you of your last big adventure every time you lotion up!

$29.99
Buy here

Vintage Beauty Collection from Sangre de Fruta Botanical
The Vintage Beauty Collection features the classic flower essences of rose otto, jasmine and neroli which have been used in perfumery since ancient times. The exotic oils are all found in their pure organic forms making this a treat for the perfumery enthusiast, while also being highly therapeutic for the skin and the spirit.

$114.00
Buy here

For the health fanatic

Culture Shots from Culture Shock Functional
These culture shots are a water kefir cultured drink and are the highest natural source of probiotics.

$7.00
Buy here

Mindfullness Liquid Supplement from 4vryng
Mindfullness is a Health Canada approved supplement carefully designed to promote relaxation and manage stress. This liquid supplement will serve as a great tasting beverage to complement zen-like activities such as massages, yoga and meditation. Consult a physician and/or naturopath for other potential uses.

$34.95
Buy here

WINTER | ginger tea with turmeric from Turmeric Teas
Warming organic ginger loose leaf tea with turmeric root. A warming and healing blend of ginger, cinnamon, turmeric root and black pepper to keep you warm. Caffeine free.

$6.99
Buy here

For the creature of comfort

Pure Ceylon Tea from Chizma Tea Collections
Heartwarming and exotic blends of pure green and black teas with flavours of strawberry, raspberry, jasmine and rose petals in loose leaf and tea sachets. This tea comes in beautiful packaging which makes it the perfect gift for a loved one.

$12.00-$18.00
Buy here

Cranberry Boxers from The BriefCase Co.
Tough, rugged, seasoned. This season it’s time to unleash the mountain man within. These boxers by Obviously have an incredible engineered pouch for superior comfort and fit.

$25.00
Buy here

Acadie Racer Bralette from Ellesmere Lingerie
Keep spring in your heart year round with Acadie’s cherry blossoms. This front closing bralette features an elegant gathering of Italian silk in the centre front and a soft nylon lining for support and uplift. The ultimate in comfort and style.

$107.00
Buy here

Men’s underwear from VanJohan For Men
VanJohan underwear is carefully crafted and put together using only the finest bamboo and modal fabrics. With its unique package enhancing design called the VanJohan Hammock, men will find dressing up or down that much easier in any situation. The underwear comes in briefs, trunks and boxer-briefs that all have unique benefits including anti-bacterial, wrinkle-resistant and pilling resistant features!

$30.00-$33.00
Buy here

Original Coffee Leaf Tea from Wize Monkey
Wize Monkey Coffee Leaf Tea is an award-winning innovative tea that’s not only delicious and healthy, but also creates year-round jobs for coffee farmers. Two Vancouver entrepreneurs discovered the coffee leaf’s health benefits and how it’s a staple drink in Africa and Indonesia, and decided to partner with a coffee farmer to create the world’s first vertically integrated company in the tea and coffee industries.

$19.99 USD
Buy here

Patchwork Crop Circle Quilt from Work + Shop Boutique
This quilt is made in Regina, using recycled denim and organic hemp, hand painted and hand-dyed in the Work + Shop studio. These quilts can be made to any desired size to suit your home decor needs. They are warm, durable and made to last as an heirloom piece for your home or as a gift for a special person in your life.

$420.00
Buy here

Tea kits from from Honey & Tea
Honey & Tea sells the freshest loose leaf tea in the Greater Toronto Area. Their small batch blends in exotic flavour combinations are perfect for the tea lover in your life this holiday season. Honey & Tea carries nine Themed Gift Kits that come ready for gift giving in a cute gift box.

$26.00-$45.00
Buy here

For the active ones

The Totem from Yunika
Built around a hybrid profile in between freestyle and all mountain, the Totem is the next weapon for any terrain. From the whole mountain to the park, high performances are at peak. Multiple wood densities, wood veneer with direct print technology, reinforced bamboo sidewalls and an amazing die-cut method sintered base that offers high gliding properties.

$549.00 USD
Buy here

Pannier Backpack Convertible from Two Wheel Gear
This Canadian designed bike bag is a must-have for the veteran or aspiring commuter cycling to work, school, or running errands around town. The Pannier Backpack Convertible carries all your daily gear in a hybrid bag that works with any rear bicycle rack. Built for the active commuter or business traveler in any family!

$159.00
Buy here

For the creative cat

Slumber Socks DIY Kit from Hank & Hook
This winter, keep your lil’ piggies toasty with your very own hand knitted, 100% merino wool socks! This DIY kit has everything you need to get started: wool, knitting instructions, and knitting needles (optional). This project is suitable for beginners and experienced crafters alike. 

$47.99-$62.99
Buy here

Creative Mind. Happy Soul. Journal from DOODLELovely
Creative Mind. Happy Soul. Journal provides purposeful, guided doodling exercises and uplifting text to inspire creativity, calm, and confidence. It’s perfect for that busy person in your life who maybe needs a little time-out to spend on themselves. To learn more, watch this.

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For the new or expecting moms 

Sleepers from ZippyJamz
ZippyJamz sleepers feature a patent-pending two zipper design – one along the front for dressing and the second along the inseam for diaper changing. ZippyJamz make dressing and diaper changing quick and easy for parents and keeps babies warm and comfortable.

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Baby Shower in a Box
Get everything you need for a wonderful baby shower in one quick and easy purchase!

$79.99
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Pacifier Clip from Tiny Teethers
Tired of your baby’s pacifier clip constantly being dirty? Tiny Teethers was. So that’s why they designed Tiny Teethers’ line of teething pacifier clips. They’re so easy to keep clean by washing them in the sink with a little soap and water. Plus, they’ll keep your baby’s soother from falling to the ground in the moment you desperately need it!

$14.99
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Ultimate Oil Trio Bundle from Prenatal Ease
Plant based skincare inspired by traditional herbal medicines, and packed full of antioxidants to help improve skin’s appearance from scars, stretchmarks, dryness and uneven skin tone. Soothe your senses with the delicate scent of this fast absorbing light, dry oil! Formulated without preservatives, mineral oil, petroleum and parabens.

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For the people that have everything

First Barrels Straight Canadian Whiskey from Toronto Distillery Co.
Only 1,452 bottles exist! Rare historic artifact of the rebirth of whiskey distilling in one of the historically great whiskey cities of the world. 100% grain to grass, 100% organic, 100% straight – no additives of any kind.

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Three-month subscription of organic feminine hygiene products from easy.
Have your 100% organic cotton tampons and pads delivered right to your door and help provide sanitary napkins to girls in Kenya through your purchase.

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Wildflower (New Journeys) from Little Box of Rocks
Offering courage, protection, and wisdom, this bouquet represents the hope of new beginnings, making it a truly thoughtful and unique gift to celebrate the New Year. Send the Wildflower to the adventurer in your life, and plant yourself in their heart forever.

$48.00
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Functional Wood Wallet from Alto Collective
This new wallet is simply the most functional minimal wallet ever made. Designed to be a front or rear pocket wallet that allows you to efficiently carry and access your daily essentials; ID, credit cards, cash, metro card, business cards, receipts, etc. With a focus on simplicity and durability… there are no screws, seams, moving parts, or unnecessary features that add bulk, quickly wear down, or distract from the wallet’s intended purpose.

$59.95
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No. 82 Amaretto from Sons of Vancouver Distillery
Inspired by their mothers’ canning recipes and a 16th century love story, Sons of Vancouver’s No. 82 Amaretto is made with five simple, whole ingredients. It starts with apricot kernels, bourbon vanilla beans and orange peel, and then is sweetened with demerara and BC blackberry honey to create one tastefully balanced liqueur.

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Zen Masters from Bambuddha
Feel at peace as you protect your eyes and the environment with these polarized, bamboo sunglasses. They are lightweight, sustainable and as unique as you are. For every pair purchased, Bambuddha gives back $10 to our wildlife, planet, and people

$111 USD
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Ticket to Ride: Europe from Rinuu
Explore Europe from the comfort of your own home with Ticket to Ride: Europe. A perfect board game for families and casual gamers of all ages, Ticket to Ride: Europe will have you exploring Lisbon, Moscow, Edinburgh, and Constantinople while racing to build the longest train before it’s too late! Rinuu is a board games retailer that is creating community through board games all across Canada.

$64.95
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Tempus from Lantinga Vita
Perfect for travelling to the office, the gym, or your next adventure, this bag will follow you everywhere. Selecting world class textiles, meticulously engineered in Italy, our bags are built to last. Versatility is at the forefront of our innovative design, meeting the demands of a dynamic life for the modern traveller.

$349.00
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Sentry Aerial Support System from Riderless Technologies Inc.
The Sentry is a crash-proof, water-proof, ultra-portable UAV (drone) built for search and rescue, industrial inspection, conservation, public safety and remote-area filming. It’s unique with a patent-pending propeller guard that folds itself into a side pocket of your backpack. It’s also the most affordable pro-grade thermal IR UAV worldwide.

$2495.00 USD
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BONUS! Need Holiday Cards?

2016 Holiday Greeting Card Collection from Double Dare Print Studio
This Holiday 2016 Collection features three brand new original designs! Each card is a mini work of art, printed by hand in the Double Dare Print Studio in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Spread the holiday cheer with thoughtful handmade greeting cards.

$5.50 each or 5 cards for $20.00
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Canada Rope and Twine: From Idea to Business in Less Than a Year

While working offshore on the oil rigs in Australia; Matthew Moore’s wheels were turning with product ideas. He noticed that there was a demand worldwide for innovation on existing products that were being used in the rope access and marine safety sectors. With the advice from his father who has been working in rope manufacturing for over 35 years, Matthew knew he had ideas that were viable and needed to be turned into reality. That’s when Canada Rope and Twine Ltd. was born.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, which included his grandfather who was a pioneer in bringing rope manufacturing to Canada 65 years ago, and a father and uncle who both worked in their own rope manufacturing businesses, it was no surprise that Matthew was bound for entrepreneurship too. After seven years in Australia working for a company in the marine safety sector, and seeing the massive void and demand that existed in the industry, Matthew was hooked on becoming an entrepreneur.

But just like any new business idea, Matthew had to confirm that there was in fact a demand for a company like Canada Rope and Twine Ltd. He spent three months conducting market research where he did a lot of door knocking and phone calls which helped him confirm that there was a demand and a sea of potential customers out there. Matthew was now equipped with not just an idea, but one that he knew would succeed.

The next step was securing the financing he would need to actually take the idea and dream of Canada Rope and Twine and turn it into reality. “It was getting frustrating as the business plan which included customer support letters seemed like a no brainer for banks to come on board,” he explained. However, approaching banks was just making Matthew impatient and frustrated which is where he discovered Futurpreneur Canada.

Matthew applied for the Spin Master Innovation Fund which is a program run by Futurpreneur and Spin Master to help support innovative entrepreneurs across the country with up to $50K in financing, mentorship and access to exclusive business sessions. “The Spin Master Innovation Fund has allowed me to gain traction that much quicker,” he described. “Working with Futurpreneur has made the launch of my business that much smoother.”

The idea for Canada Rope and Twine only began in January 2016, and within less than a year with the help of customer support, and programs like the Spin Master Innovation Fund, it continues to pick up momentum. Matthew wanted to leave advice for other aspiring entrepreneur which is: “Firmly believe in your gut. Take the knocks and setbacks that follow and use it as fuel! I believe there is no better time than now to become a start-up.”

To learn more about the Spin Master Innovation Fund, click here.

Written By: Lauren Marinigh, Social Media & Content Creation Coordinator, Futurpreneur Canada

Spotlight on Ishoni: When Opportunity Comes Knocking

After taking the leap into entrepreneurship as a career coach, resume writer and LinkedIn expert, Kamara Toffolo found that one of the main struggles she faced was finding clients, a struggle she found many other coaches were also facing. She began to try various ways to connect with clients such as social media, coaching directories, networking events, and the list goes on, but she was finding her conversion rates were quite low and she continued to struggle.

It was a Sunday morning when Kamara was sitting having coffee with her husband, Paul, sharing her frustrations, when a light bulb went off. The pair realized that the directories out there for coaches either hired their own coaches or the websites were very basic and didn’t do much in the way of actually helping them. At the time, Kamara was paying to be a part of the largest and best-known coaching directory, but still wasn’t finding it very helpful. She realized that she was wasting all this time looking for clients when she could be spending that time doing what she did best, coaching!

It was that Sunday morning when Kamara and Paul Toffolo decided to do things better and improve the workspace for coaches like Kamara. That Sunday is the day that the idea of Ishoni was born.

Ishoni is a coach matchmaking service that connects coaches with clients. They focus on the business side of coaching which includes business, career, leadership, executive and entrepreneurship. How it works is that a coach or client would visit the Ishoni website, complete the sign-up form and the brains behind the operation will personally reach out to the registrant to learn more about their business to ensure the best possible match with their ideal clients. This personal interaction with their coaches is what sets Ishoni apart from their competitors. “We don’t use fancy algorithms, or an inexperienced virtual assistant to do the matching,” Paul explained. “The person doing the matching is a coach, just like the coaches we serve.”

Seeing the gap in the industry, Paul and Kamara jumped on the opportunity to bring others just like them a service that would help fill a need. Having experienced some of the platforms out there as customers themselves, it was critical for them to provide service to their clients that didn’t ever make them feel like just a number, but instead, a partner. The pair shared a dream to take the leap into entrepreneurship, they were just waiting for that “ah-ha” moment where they both found something they were passionate about and that would truly make a difference in the lives of others. “As a full time employee, we simply weren’t afforded the opportunity to make a direct impact or contribution,” Paul described. “It’s an exciting time to be an entrepreneur, in this day and age there are so many resources available to help an entrepreneur succeed.”

Some of those resources that Paul and Kamara depended on were the ones provided by Futurpreneur Canada. After attending a few webinars with the Futurpreneur team, Paul felt the program offerings were the right match for them and they started putting their business plan together and applied! As part of the Futurpreneur program, entrepreneurs are also matched with a professional business mentor which Paul explains as being a huge asset to Ishoni. “Our mentor has brought a lot of his own business experience to the table and has also provided us with valuable insight and guidance,” he shared. “He always makes himself available to us for meetings and consistently sends us useful links and tools that help with our venture.”

Paul wanted to leave other aspiring entrepreneurs with one piece of advice: “Keep pushing forward and never quit. Use your resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help. See the bumps along the way as opportunities to build strength, rather than obstacles.”

Written By: Lauren Marinigh, Social Media & Content Creation Coordinator, Futurpreneur Canada

GEW: On the Road – Anthony’s Highlights from Montreal

 

For Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) this week, we have teamed up with Amway Canada to send three ambassadors across the country to report live from the road as they visit Canadian entrepreneurs, small businesses, community partners in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and attend GEW events. Yesterday Anthony was on the road in Montreal, Quebec for the day. Here is a recap of his day and some of the ‘ah-ha’ moments he had along the way.

On vient d'arriver à la boulangerie SystèmeD au Vieux #Montréal une entreprise @Futurpreneur #smecanada @AmwayCanada pic.twitter.com/mtP06ciHzS

— FuturpreneurQC (@FuturpreneurQC) November 17, 2016

Anthony’s final stop on the road was Montreal, Quebec and he was eager to see what the entrepreneurial ecosystem was like there. He kicked off his morning with a breakfast at Futurpreneur supported business, Systeme D which is a coffee shop that was inspired by the history of Quebec. “I learned how the one owner decided to follow his passion and start a very cool concept with amazing local ingredients,” Anthony explained.

Nous allons à un centre innovation dans griffin town: @GriffinCamp un partenaire de @FuturpreneurQC pic.twitter.com/enPURgvKHY

— FuturpreneurQC (@FuturpreneurQC) November 17, 2016

Next, Anthony headed to visit ten different tech entrepreneurs at Griffen Camp where he had the chance to chat with a diverse group of tech entrepreneurs about the challenges and opportunities of doing business in Montreal. “We talked globalization, the impacts of the current entrepreneur visas, opportunities to collaborate between Montreal and me locally in Vancouver, and I got to share some resources to help those businesses gain a wider lens on what’s in the marketplace.”

Un déjeuné excellent at #futurpreneurs : @BarcolaBistro. Nous sommes Rassasié 😀 #smecanada pic.twitter.com/nvNRKy9VtY

— FuturpreneurQC (@FuturpreneurQC) November 17, 2016

Anthony then headed off for lunch with two Futurpreneur’s and their mentor at Barcola, another Futurpreneur supported business. Anthony had the chance to learn about what it was like to do business in Montreal. “One entrepreneur was pre start-up and launching an escape room and the other bought her father’s laundry machine business. The biggest topic of conversation was language and the impact it has on your operations,” Anthony shared.

L'histoire #entrepreneurial de @Meuble2go #GEWcanada #smecanada @AmwayCanada @Futurpreneur pic.twitter.com/2LfVTo6R1v

— FuturpreneurQC (@FuturpreneurQC) November 17, 2016

Off Anthony went to visit Meuble2Go where he learned from a third generation furniture seller who put his own stamp on his business and is aiming to expand across the country. This is where Anthony learned what it took to be a successful entrepreneur in Montreal: CAB (casual, aggressive business). “Not too casual, not too aggressive, but it’s somewhere in the middle where these bilingual entrepreneurs reside.”

Le dernier arrêt de mon voyage les bureaux de @FuturpreneurQC Merci à toute l'équipe pour cette aventure #smecanada pic.twitter.com/4vqbLu7CYO

— FuturpreneurQC (@FuturpreneurQC) November 17, 2016

After making some visits to some different local businesses, and visiting the Futurpreneur Montreal office, Anthony headed off to the airport via a local Montreal taxi start-up to head back home. One lesson he took from his time in Montreal was that “every entrepreneur is a product of their environment and it’s important to get to know their attitudes and perspectives in order to successfully work with them.

Meet Your 2016 GEW: On the Road Ambassadors

This week we are celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in Canada and across the globe. As the GEW Canadian hosts, we wanted to give you an inside look at some rock star entrepreneurs and small businesses across the country, as well as showcase some of the great events and initiatives that are happening this week. We thought, what better way to do this than to send three ambassadors across the country to show you the entrepreneurial landscape in Canada from their perspective?

Last year, we sent ambassadors Aurélie Vachon, Tarah Ferguson and Daniel Lewis and this year, we teamed up with Amway Canada to pick three new ambassadors for 2016. We asked Canadians to show and tell us why they felt they should represent Canada and go on the road this week, and after several great and creative entries, a panel of judges selected three that we would send on the road.

Meet your 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Week ambassadors:

Anthony Taylor
From: Vancouver, British Columbia
Ambassador for: Atlantic Canada & Quebec
About Anthony:
Anthony Taylor is the Managing Partner at SME Strategy, a management consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning. Anthony was born and raised in Vancouver and loves to travel the world for both work and fun. He recently wrote his first book on entrepreneurship entitled “I Wish I Knew” and his passion and purpose in life is to help other people be successful and live their best lives possible.

Cierra Bray
From: Windsor, Ontario
Ambassador for: British Columbia & Alberta
About Cierra:
Powered by passion and coffee, Cierra Bray is a 23-year-old recent public relations graduate and now CEO and founder of @CGalMedia, a social media marketing firm located in Windsor, Ontario. Cierra is crazy about philanthropy, entrepreneurship and traveling. In her free time, she loves supporting local businesses and surrounding herself with like-minded and goal driven individuals. She plans on teaching youth about entrepreneurship and would like to impact one million youth by the age of 30.

Colin Corcoran
From: St. Mary’s Bay, Newfoundland
Ambassador for: Ontario, Alberta & Manitoba
About Colin:
Colin is the co-owner and operator of the Celtic Knot Pub & Restaurant with his wife, Nanci. What started as a joke over Sunday dinner turned into a 3-week marathon of financing, marketing, licensing, stumbling, recovering, purchasing and hiring to open the doors in June 2015. Proud Newfoundlander by birth, accountant by trade and entrepreneur by choice, Colin believes that fostering small business development is key to sustained economic health.

Follow along on Twitter by using the hashtag #GEWcanada, and right here on the blog as these three ambassadors travel across the country this week!

The Evolution of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Canada

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world’s largest celebration of entrepreneurship. First celebrated in 2007 by 18 countries, the initiative has grown to include 165 countries and over 15,000 partner organizations and this year, over 10 million people around the world will come together to celebrate.

Futurpreneur Canada (formerly the Canadian Youth Business Foundation) is proud to be the official Canadian Host of GEW for the eighth year in a row, and in celebration, we have pulled together some highlights from the GEW Canada archives.

2009

Canada’s first GEW celebration was held in 2009. That first year, 166 partners officially signed on to celebrate GEW Canada by hosting events in their communities with many more joining the campaign as supporters. As the official host of GEW, Futurpreneur Canada presented several high profile initiatives and events including an entrepreneur showcase with HRH the Prince of Wales and a national Mentoring Challenge. With all the efforts Futurpreneur Canada put into their first year as host, they were thrilled to win the Country of the Year award at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress for this inaugural campaign.

2010

In 2010, Futurpreneur Canada officially launched GEW with a Day on the Hill in Ottawa featuring a roundtable, press conference and a meet-and-greet. Hundreds of partners came on board to host GEW events and thanks to a partnership with Enactus Canada (formerly ACE), GEW was celebrated at over 200 universities.

The same year, Futurpreneur Canada ran two online campaigns in celebration of GEW, The Great Canadian Mentoring Challenge, a forum for mentors to share tips and advice to young entrepreneurs and Show Us Your Inner Entrepreneur, a campaign that encouraged Canadians to share their stories of entrepreneurship through videos, postcards and photos.

2010 also marked the year that Futurpreneur Canada hosted the inaugural G20 Young Entrepreneur’s Alliance Summit in Toronto which brought together more than 200 young entrepreneurs and leaders  from around the world to have discussions on how to advance youth entrepreneurship.

2011

2011 was a special year because Futurpreneur Canada worked with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and the federal government to proclaim 2011 the official Year of the Entrepreneur. This designation meant that a spotlight was aimed at entrepreneurship throughout the year and elevated the local GEW events and celebrations. In this same year there was the launch of the first official GEW city campaign with Ottawa’s entrepreneurship community coming together to host events and competitions in celebration of GEW.

The 2011 campaign was centered on Futurpreneur Canada’s new flagship digital initiative: YOU Innovate Canada, a national tournament that challenged Canadians to create value from an everyday household object – the coffee cup. The goal was to demonstrate that while a great business ideas can come from looking at an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way, a great business comes from creating value from that idea. The grand prize was a trip to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Liverpool, UK for the winning team.

2012

In 2012, GEW was officially launched at Startup Weekend events across the country with thousands of participants tweeting launch messages. Futurpreneur Canada also signed on in partnership with Startup Canada to launch the Canadian Mentorship Challenge, a nationwide challenge that encouraged groups across the country to organize mentorship events in their communities in an effort to collectively mentor more than 10,000 enterprising Canadians during GEW.

This year also saw the launch of an important post-secondary campaign: Dawson College eWeek. This campaign includes a jam-packed schedule of events and activities open to students and the community. The University of New Brunswick and Trent University also demonstrated leadership by hosting a GEW event series for their students.

Following the success of YOU Innovate Canada in 2011, the contest was re-launched in 2012 with over 100 teams creating innovative new businesses using egg cartons. The winning team joined Futurpreneur Canada at an awards gala recognizing young entrepreneurs and at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Rio de Janeiro.

2013

In 2013, Canada built on the momentum of previous years with hundreds of partners coming together to host in-person and online initiatives which were complimented by an overarching theme of “entrepreneurial storytelling” and Futurpreneur Canada’s national campaign called Hello, My Name Is. The goal of this campaign was to showcase the many faces of entrepreneurship and Canadians were invited to join an online meet-up to hear stories from established entrepreneurs and to share their own.

A second national campaign, The Canadian Mentorship Challenge was once again hosted by Futurpreneur Canada and Startup Canada during GEW and included nearly 100 events.

In addition to these national campaigns, hundreds of partners and supporters from coast to coast came together to host events in their communities and to join the celebration on social media. Durham Region launched an important region-wide GEW campaign and event series called Do It in Durham which continues to run today.

2014

In 2014, Futurpreneur Canada challenged Canadian cities to battle for the title of Canada’s Most Entrepreneurial City by competing to see who could host the most GEW events. Having held the top spot for the last two years, Ottawa was the challenger to beat. After a close race between several cities, Vancouver took home the title by hosting a record breaking 85 events during GEW and an additional 29 events in the surrounding weeks. A national record was broken this year as well with partners across Canada hosting 536 events in celebration of GEW!

For the first time in Canada, Futurpreneur Canada hosted Get in the Ring, a featured event of GEW. This exciting competition is part pitch competition and part boxing match with founders facing off in a boxing ring to determine who would represent North America at the international finals in the Netherlands. Five Canadian start-ups participated in the regional finals hosted by the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City. The North American champion was Spot on Sciences from Texas and we are proud to share that the runner-up prize went to Asif Khan, founder of Maieutic Enterprises from Waterloo, ON.

2015

In 2015, GEW reached the 160 country mark – the largest celebration yet! To support the Canadian celebrations, Futurpreneur Canada developed a new marquee initiative, the GEW Canada: On the Road contest. We asked Canadians to tell us why they felt they should be selected as a GEW Ambassador, tasked with a mission to show the world what entrepreneurship looks like in Canada. A panel of judges selected three young entrepreneurs to travel around the country and report live on social media as they attended GEW events, met with entrepreneurs and mentors and joined elected officials to raise the GEW Canada flag.

The GEW Canada City Battle once again challenged communities to come together to demonstrate their leadership by celebrating GEW. As part of the Do it in Durham initiative, Whitby was highlighted for hosting the most entrepreneurial events per capita with 28 events and Ottawa who hosted the most events overall with over 83 events. Shortly behind was Sherbrooke who hosted 27 events.

Government support for GEW was especially strong in 2015 with a record number of support statements and activities. In addition to the municipal level support for flag raisings, seven provinces issued statements in support of GEW, consisting of press releases and minister’s statements in the legislature. And at the federal level, the newly elected Prime Minister and Minister of Small Business and Tourism released official statements in support of GEW 2015.

2016

We invite you to join Futurpreneur Canada, as the Canadian host for the eighth consecutive year, and our incredible partners as we celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Add or find an event in your community at www.gewcanada.com and be sure to follow along on social media with our 2016 GEW Canada: On the Road Ambassadors.

Written By: Amanda Filipe, Partnerships Manager, Futurpreneur Canada

Spotlight on Gourmet Inspirations: Bringing Gourmet to Your Kitchen

Growing up on a farm, Peter Fehr didn’t realize how good he had it until he moved to the city. He had easy access to fresh everything—fresh garden produce and home raised beef, chicken and pork. Realizing this, Peter saw an opportunity to help people eat better.

Peter’s love for the culinary arts didn’t just come to him out of the blue. He received culinary training in high school and post high school in various establishments including a kids camp, hospital kitchen and fly-in fishing resort located in Northern Manitoba. All of this combined experience is what led Peter to starting Gourmet Inspirations in 2013 which aims to create gourmet specialty food products that are versatile, convenient and easy to use in your own kitchen.

While working as a chef at a fly-in fishing resort, Peter made a creamy peppercorn whiskey sauce for a steak dinner which was so good that a guest told him that he needed to bottle it up and sell it! “The rest is history,” Peter explained. It was because of this special recipe and guest that inspired Gourmet Inspirations.

Today, Gourmet Inspirations offers four delectable sauces such as the Creamy Peppercorn Whiskey sauce which inspired it all, Sweet and Spicy Lemon, Strawberry Balsamic with Basil and a Chocolate Port sauce. All products are free of preservatives and are gluten free.

To date, Peter coins his biggest milestone as being listed with one of Western Canada’s top grocery store chains, Save on Foods. Save on Foods has chosen Gourmet Inspirations to be one of their local Manitoba suppliers. “The exciting part is that besides being able to be stocked in their Manitoba stores, if the product does well, it has the potential to move across Canada to their 160 stores,” Peter shares. But to get Peter to where he is today and to help him continue to move onward and up, he has had to overcome some big challenges, one of those being product education. He explained that his sauces are “finishing sauces” however; the general public doesn’t know what this term is or means. “I have not seen a finishing sauce on a grocery store shelf,” he explained. “So this takes a lot of efforts in sampling products at stores, shows and markets to educate the consumer.”

When overcoming challenges such as the product education one mentioned above, Peter mentioned that his mentor he received through the Futurpreneur Start-Up Program as being the person who helps provide moral support and most importantly, keeps him on track. “It’s been great to have someone to check in with on a somewhat regular basis,” he explains. “My mentor asks great questions and helps me process where things are at in my business and where we plan to head.”

As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to take a step back and look at the big picture. Which is why Peter recommends that you take a break every once in a while, even when it may seem impossible. “I know this can be hard to do, but you won’t last long term if you don’t take care of yourself. Take a bit of an extended break for one week at least once per year and do some resting and visioning for your next year. This can be an inspiring time to be refreshed and renewed with vision for the coming year.”

To find out where you can get your hands on some Gourmet Inspirations products, click here or shop in their online store.

Written By: Lauren Marinigh, Social Media & Content Creation Coordinator, Futurpreneur Canada