Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs in Canada This Women’s Entrepreneurship Day
November 19th marks Women’s Entrepreneurship Day in Canada—a day to honour the incredible women shaping the landscape of Canadian business. Women entrepreneurs are not only creating innovative products and services but also building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Did you know nearly 20% of Canadian businesses are majority-owned by women? That’s a remarkable testament to our determination and resilience. Today, I’m sharing why supporting women-owned businesses is more important than ever and my never-ending laundry list of women-driven businesses that I love.
Forever Yours Lingerie
The team at Forever Yours Lingerie is absolutely amazing – they will help you find the perfect fitting bra, every time. Both their Langley and Burnaby locations carry all of the best European lingerie brands such as PrimaDonna, Elomi, Ewa Michalak, Panache, Chantelle and Fantasie. They have over 20 years of expertise fitting women from cup sizes B – N. Whether you’re in need of an everyday t-shirt bra or a gorgeous multicoloured work of art, Forever Yours Lingerie has a wide range of products to fit your unique body.
Annie Axtell
Annie Axtell is Vancouver based designer offering homewares for inspired living. Her studio is located in East Vancouver, right along the East Van Culture Crawl route, and is full of gorgeous sculptural pillows and her iconic moon phase calendars. Annie’s work brightens up any space with functionality and play at heart.
Deew
DEEW is a mindful brand that combines the power of sustainability with the beauty of self-care. Their hemp-powered, thoughtfully crafted products — range from organic skincare to bath essentials— encourage you to embrace moments of calm and prioritize your well-being. Spearheaded by founder and serial-preneur, Kelly Turner, DEEW is cleverly named as weed spelled backwards. Find this brand’s incredible skincare products at Indigo, Anthropologie, and at other major retailers across Canada. Fun fact, I interviewed Kelly on Season 2 of the Magic Hour Podcast. Listen here!
Alder Apparel
Designed for adventure, Alder Apparel crafts inclusive and sustainable outdoor clothing that helps women feel empowered and comfortable in nature. I can confirm that their Open Air Pants do the trick, as I (barely) survived the Howe Crest Trail this summer in this fit.
Nettle’s Tale
Nettle’s Tale celebrates real women’s bodies with locally made swimwear that’s both size-inclusive and thoughtfully designed for ultimate comfort. This is another brand that I’ve been shopping with for maybe a decade! I have had many swim wear pieces in my collection and their super soft Harbour Tee is a go to.
Truth Beauty Company
The Truth Beauty Company brings you clean, cruelty-free beauty products, carefully curated to inspire a more mindful and sustainable skincare routine. Daphne recommended this brand, I personally haven’t shopped here, though I’m all for independent retailers bringing Sephora-vibes. Shout out to Daphne for the great recommendation!
Far and Wide Kamloops
Far + Wide is a curated boutique in Kamloops featuring unique home goods, local art, and handcrafted items. They champion Canadian artisans and inspire connection through meaningful pieces. I didn’t always live here in North Vancouver, in fact I spent most of twenties in Kamloops. When Calli Duncan emerged on the business scene, I instantly gravitated towards her. Heck yes, Calli is an inspiration, and someone who’s orbit you WANT to be in. I hosted her and her former business partner, Brianne McDaniels on the Magic Hour Podcast. Listen here.
Shelter
Seek Shelter‘s stunning clothing line is indulgent style of linen shirts, bottoms, dresses and much more. With a “summer in New York” vibe each piece is designed with comfort and mindfulness in Courtenay, British Columbia. During the hot West Coast summers… okay, let’s face it… year-round, I’m in Shelter’s linen styles.
Mala
Known for their eco-friendly coconut soy candles, Mala the Brand creates hand-poured products that bring a warm, sustainable glow to any room. For every candle sold, Mala plants a tree. That’s the way straight to my heart! From the core collection, Cereal is my go to favourite, but I’m excited to burn some holiday scents in the coming months!
Lavoh
This Vancouver-based beauty brand specializes in reusable facecloths that effectively remove makeup using only water. Lavoh is all about ultra-soft, machine-washable cloths are designed to replace disposable wipes, promoting sustainability and simplicity in skincare routines. Plus the way that serial entrepreneur and mama, Eliza Triendiak shares her behind-the-scenes is a breath of fresh air!
Savour Lingerie
Savour Lingerie celebrates self-expression with inclusive, ethically-made intimates. Their designs empower individuals to embrace their unique beauty with confidence and grace. Literally drool worthy. I met the founder and designer, Madison through her now retired underwear brand, Here For Hazel, and went on to sponsor the first ever Vancouver Lingerie Show last winter. Read more about this amazing event here!
Sarah Symes
Based in Squamish, British Columbia, Sarah Symes is a Canadian artist specializing in bold, abstract pieces inspired by nature. Her vibrant work brings colour and energy to any space, fostering creativity and connection. I love following Sarah on Instagram. Her feed is the pop of colour I need in a busy day!
Paume
Paume elevates everyday hand care by combining eco-friendly solutions with luxurious products like refillable sanitizers and nourishing lotions. I discovered Paume through the Jilly Box a few years ago – and I haven’t looked back. Using Paume’s hand sanitizer feels like a luxurious experience. It’s silky smooth and doesn’t hurt my eczema covered hands.
Nala
Nala is a clean, natural deodorant brand that prioritizes health and well-being. With thoughtfully crafted formulas and an emphasis on transparency, they offer safe, effective alternatives. I love that this mother-daughter duo is changing the market of free-form, natural deodorants. I officially made the switch to Nala after giving up my tried and true Nivea roll-on, and now I’m obsessed with their Sandalwood and Bergamont scent. It smells like freshly cut wood, mmm!
LanaBetty
Handcrafted in Vancouver, LanaBetty’s jewellery fuses minimalist design with timeless elegance, offering sustainable pieces to cherish for years to come. I’m so excited to see LanaBetty’s Eras Collection come to life! Lana designed 6 speciality mantra pieces in bronze and silver to represent some of Taylor Swift’s top hits, including Down Bad and The Archer. Preorders launch on November 26th, 2024 for her online community. Check out my recent interview with Lana here!
Free Label
Jess and the team at Free Label craft ethically made wardrobe essentials, blending comfort and timeless designs with a focus on sustainable closet choices and inclusivity for all sizes. I have at least three of the Dani bras in different colourways, and loves my bamboo pants for work-from-home days!
Daub + Design
Lexi and the team at Daub + Design Clothing offer hand-dyed, one-of-a-kind activewear and loungewear, merging artistic expression with functional fashion. Over the years – seriously, I’ve been an OG fan – I’ve had many pairs of their custom dyed leggings for my yoga and lounging routines. There’s at least three different colours of the Ainsley tee in my closet… What can I say, when I love something – I really love it.
Sḵwálwen Botanicals
Dr. Leigh Joseph, PhD weaves together the wisdom passed down through her ancestors and the knowledge gained through her academic career, she acts as a living bridge between past and present, plants and people. Sḵwálwen Botanicals honours Indigenous traditions with handcrafted skincare products, blending natural ingredients and cultural wisdom to nurture the body and spirit. Kalkáy Wild Rose Replenishing Facial Mask is a 10 of out 10! This product has even been featured on Jonathan Van Ness’s podcast, “Pretty Curious“.
Sarah Mulder Fine Art
Sarah Mulder creates fine art that captures the delicate beauty of nature, focusing on the ephemeral and fragile qualities of flowers through her evocative and vibrant pieces. Sarah’s Coastal Landscapes collection captures the essence of her memories living on the West Coast through soft lines and flowing colours. Her work reflects the quiet rhythm of watching waves roll endlessly onto the shore, and the serenity found in observing the ever-changing landscape of the coast. Sarah also has an incredible jewelry line. Read her interview with Unicorn right here.
Slate Wearables
Shelby Wick, founder of Slate, uses natural fabrics in her timeless, neutral pieces. It’s hard not to want to live in summer 365 days a year just so we can wear Slate in the beautiful, radiating sunshine. Giving a vibe of Joshua Tree meets Vancouver, each piece is breathable and responsibly made here in Vancouver. This pick was offered up by Madison, who shops Slate nearly every time she hits market season in the Lower Mainland.
Make a Difference: Shop Local, Support Women-Led Businesses
As we celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, let’s take meaningful steps to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs and support their businesses all year long. Whether it’s shopping at a women-owned boutique, visiting a local café, or choosing a service provider led by a woman, every action fuels their dreams, creates jobs, and uplifts our communities.
At Unicorn Marketing Co., we’re proud to champion women in business by creating spaces where their stories are seen, heard, and celebrated. Tag @hellounicornmarketing in your favourite women-owned businesses and continue to amplify women-driven stories on social and in real conversations—we’d love to highlight the incredible changemakers making a difference!
