5 Successful Female-Owned Businesses from the Great White North

As female entrepreneurship is rising in Canada- increasing by 30% in the last ten years- it is inspiring to watch women’s ideas spring into full-grown businesses. To honor all the Canadian women projecting their life’s passion into the economy, let’s reflect on some of the female-owned Canadian brands that you can shop at right now!

Carmico

Their motto “mindfully made, wearable quirky & always inclusive” says everything about this brand. Carmico is an Ontario-based, whimsical clothing brand selling all things cottage core, from sunflower berets to mushroom cardigans. Founded by UX designer Selina Muriel, Carmico works tirelessly to keep its manufacturing sustainable and ethical. They express on their website that most apparel goods are made from 100% cotton, staying away from animal-based fibers, like wool. They use natural materials for packaging, so almost everything is biodegradable. The brand guarantees accessibility to all its customers. All products are unisex and range from size S to 6XL. Their conscious business practices and inclusivity makes this unique brand stand out!

POUF:

This Toronto-based brand, founded by three college roommates, Elaine McReary, Katryna Ramoutsakis, and Shaeley Gibbins, works on ending the stigma against legal cannabis use, especially for women. Their products offer a chic look for the everyday smoker. POUF sells cannabis products discreetly disguised as everyday accessories, like the “J-case” and “everyday grinder,” to incorporate a healthy relationship with cannabis.

Makeway:

“For women, by women” is the motto that this brand lives by. Makeway is a women’s sneaker company in Toronto that strives to give a well-deserved space for women in the male-dominated sneaker and streetwear culture. Co-founders Abby Albino and Shelby Weaver promote the image of women in sneakers in any environment or event, as they want to take down the lack of representation of women in streetwear. Their company sells brands like Nike, Converse, and Jordan. On top of sneakers, they sell big names in streetwear, like Puma and Reigning Champ, as well as accessories and beauty products. “Makeway, it’s our time.”

Sade Baron:

This mother-daughter duo brand based in Toronto creates vegan body care products that, according to their website, are made “without Silicones, Mineral oil, Palm oil, Petrochemicals, Parabens, Polyethylene, Sulfates, GMO’s, DEA/TEA, Phthalates, Drying Alcohol, Synthetic dyes or fragrances, Gluten or Animal by-products.” Their carefully handcrafted soaps and moisturizers focus on reviving and protecting the body’s skin barrier, which promotes a healthy, and radiant look to the skin. They use clean ingredients and are certified vegan and cruelty-free.

Knix:

Looking for comfortable bras and leak-proof underwear? Knix has got you covered. Founded by Joanna Griffiths, this Canadian undergarment and activewear company has made it its mission to produce intimates that allow people of all ages to live “unapologetically free.” Griffith started the company when she found the underwear market was selling products with “too much frill and not enough function.” Knix sells a wide range of undergarment products, like anti-chafe shorts, leak-proof period underwear, and supportive wireless bra ranging in inclusive sizes from XS to 4XL. Not only does this brand advertise comfort and function for their customers, but they also have collaborated with the Black Women’s Health Imperative to create NOURISH, which is a program to train postpartum doulas for Black post-natal families. According to their website, they have given “$75,000 to launch this scholarship program that will fund the yearlong training for 20 Postpartum Doulas and free postpartum care to 80 families.” They call their project “Life After Birth.”