Meet Your 2025 Finalists
Employ to Empower
Owner: Christina Wong
Employ to Empower is a Vancouver-based charity that empowers low-income individuals who have experienced systemic barriers due to disability, health challenges, or addiction recovery overcome them through entrepreneurship.
Demex Cakes
Owner: Adeola Meseko
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-based Demex Cakes makes irresistible, hand-crafted, delicious cakes, decadent pastries, and delightful finger foods that transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.
Woe Lotta Hair
Owner: Saijah (Jah) Reid
Woe Lotta Hair in Toronto is a mobile hair company dedicated to making professional Black hair care accessible, dignified, and dependable. They connect their clients with stylists who provide in-home services to seniors, people with mobility issues, and survivors of violence.
A Cut Above Yard Services
Owner: Connor Laskowski
Guelph, Ontario-based A Cut Above was founded by Laskowski when he was 13 years old(!). The now 17-year-old owner’s lawn care and landscaping business has evolved from mowing lawns to deftly crafting vibrant outdoor spaces while building a strong customer base.
Made for Me Marketplace
Owner: Elora Barnes
Toronto-based Made for Me launched in 2022 as an artisan pop-up market, and has since evolved from occasional events to a permanent home for curators and makers as a nurturing space to showcase their artistry and sell their goods.
T&T Dreamcatchers
Owner: Jona Sparvier
Calgary-based T&T Dreamcatchers is an Indigenous-owned producer of meticulously handcrafted dreamcatchers, gemstone jewellery, and DIY kits. Each piece is created with the utmost care and attention to detail, ensuring that no two dreamcatchers are identical.
