The Brand is Female – Details, episodes & analysis

&Or Collective is a Montreal-based sustainable clothing brand founded by Katie Green and Kristen King, who also run the branding agency August Strategy together. The duo met a decade ago at L’Oréal. They have now merged style and eco-consciousness in their knitwear for men and women, focusing on creating “anyplace essentials” that are both versatile and environmentally responsible.

With 92 million tonnes of clothing waste ending up in landfills each year, &Or is tackling the issue head-on. Their innovative use of Stoll knitting machines allows them to produce garments with less than 1% textile waste, a significant improvement over traditional methods. Using certified organic and recycled materials, &Or is setting a new standard in sustainable fashion.

This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Three Ships Beauty was founded by Connie Lo and Laura Burget in 2017. What began as a kitchen experiment with just $2,000 each has grown into a thriving skincare brand known for its commitment to transparency and sustainability.

Rebranded in 2020, Three Ships Beauty is now stocked in nearly 1,000 stores across North America, including Whole Foods and Hudson’s Bay. With a recent $3.5 million investment led by BDC Capital’s Thrive Venture Fund, they’re set to expand their product line and team, all while continuing to disrupt the beauty industry.

Tune in and dive into Connie and Laura’s journey, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the advice they offer to all women entrepreneurs — including a few things that may surprise you when it comes to dealing with investors!

This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This episode highlights a true pioneer when it comes to science-forward skincare that transforms everyday life. JJ Walsh founded Formula Fig, inspired by her rich background in the world of fashion and experiential design. She began her career working under the British editor Isabella Blow at Tatler, eventually becoming a fashion editor herself. JJ’s creative journey included writing for British Vogue and Conde Nast Traveler, later founding her own design firm to work with some of fashion’s most prominent brands. She transitioned her focus to wellness and skincare after relocating to Vancouver, establishing Formula Fig in 2019, a skincare company known for its luxurious facial bars offering high-tech facials, vitamin shots, and clean beauty products, all in an inviting and aesthetically pleasing environment.

Her mission with Formula Fig is to make expert skincare accessible through innovative, design-led experiences. Uniquely female-founded and operated, Formula Fig emphasizes community, design, and service, helping customers #GiveAFig about their skin.

This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Catherine Choi, Founder of SoYoung.

In this episode, we talk about how lessons from our own personal growth journey can transpire into business, and the importance of believing in our own worth despite challenges.

Over 20 years ago, Catherine Choi overcame a drug addiction. This experience is what propelled her to launch SoYoung, a thoughtfully-made lifestyle goods company with the mission to make personal wellness sustainable. After living many years believing she was not capable, with an overwhelming feeling of unworthiness, Catherine set out to prove to herself she could tap into her own potential and pursue a greater vision.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Alicia Rose, Senior Manager in Strategy and Social Impact at TD. We talk about aligning purpose, passion and one’s life work, as well as the best way for business owners to integrate values, culture and giving back to their business activities. Alicia Rose calls herself an INtrapreneur. She has had a lifelong passion for social impact, working with organizations such as Business and Arts, Pathways to Education, and Harbourfront Centre. She spent over 15 years in the nonprofit sector before joining TD Bank Group in 2018. Today in her role as Senior Manager, Strategy and Social Impact, Global Corporate Citizenship, she oversees the TD United Way Employee Giving Campaign and the TD Ready Challenge which is a North American innovation fund providing $10M of grants to charitable organizations. She has served on boards such as Literature for Life, School for Social Entrepreneurs Ontario and currently sits on the board of Soulpepper Theatre Company and JAYU, an organization that tells human rights stories through the arts.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Tiffani Young, Founder of Natural Butter Bar Cosmetics. The brand was created from Tiffani’s own personal hair journey and out of a desire to help people learn how to use high quality natural ingredients in their self-care hair routine. What started as a homemade product soon turned into a thriving business. Today, Tiffani’s line has grown to include products for both hair and skin all made from ethically-sourced and fair trade ingredients. Tiffani is now partnered with Dalhousie University for the launch of an all-natural new line of hair products and soaps. 

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Tiffany Callender, the CEO of FACE, a national Black-led non-profit organization focused on providing resources and information to the Black community across Canada with the aim of accelerating wealth creation for Canadians of African descent.

In partnership with the Canadian Government, FACE created a Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund to help Black business owners with access to capital investments, working capital, or additional business resources for expansion, including a focus on supporting Black female founders.

Tiffany Callender has spent her 16 year career developing and implementing programs to support Montreal’s Black community; as well, she has presented recommendations for policy change to public institutions, including as a signatory for Montreal’s consultation on racism and systemic discrimination; and Quebec’s commission on the overrepresentation of Black children in the Youth Protection. She regularly presents sensitivity and equity training to private institutions.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Kim Tarlo and Cait Patrick, the co-founders of Darling Mimosa. Kim is an award-winning marketer and creative director with over 15 years experience leading brand work in Canada, US, and UK. She is also the Executive Creative Director and Partner at Mint, a creative agency in Toronto. Cait Patrick is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Homestead Bakery Inc., an award- winning bakery, roastery, and cafe. The two partnered to create the Darling Beverage Company which now offers one of the only women-owned alcohol beverage found at the LCBO.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Sonia Virk, co-founder and partner of Virk Viyas & Associate Lawyers. Sonia was born in India and lost her mother when she was four-years-old. She and her three siblings were raised by their dad and she went to boarding school starting at age 5. Sonia obtained her first law degree in India and after deciding to immigrate to Canada, she pursued her second law degree. After some time spent working in a number of law firms, Sonia realized she wanted to launch her own. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the path she has carved for herself, including her work on a number of boards and non-profits, and how she chooses to speak up in the face of sexism and racism.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, on the podcast, host Eva Hartling speaks with Lauren Barker, CEO of Uresta, a bladder support solution to stop urinary leaks.

After graduating from the Ivey School of Business, Lauren started her career in investment banking, where she invested in private businesses throughout North America. Lauren’s career then brought her to a leading Canadian technology start-up in business operations. Lauren joined Uresta as CFO in 2020 and was subsequently promoted to CEO following the retirement of former Uresta CEO, Carol Chapman. Lauren is passionate about destigmatizing Stress Urinary Incontinence—or SUI— and empowering women to live their lives leak-free.

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This season of our podcast is brought to you by @td_canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale