Zensurance Small Business Grant 2026: Meet Our $10,000 and $1,000 Recipients

Bucholtz said she’ll use the funds to make improvements to her shop, including launching a loyalty rewards program, refresh its in-store signage and displays, build an in-house product photography setup, and develop a stronger shipping strategy to ensure more people across Canada can shop on her site. 

So Divine carries products from local and regional vendors – candles, bath and body, ceramics, clothing, food, stationery, and more – and for many of them, her shop is one of their only brick-and-mortar homes in northern B.C. Her shop isn’t just thriving; it’s expanding. But growth like that takes focus, which is exactly her advice to other owners. 

“Know your numbers, even the uncomfortable ones,” she said. “You don’t have to be perfect or have all the answers, but knowing where you should be spending your time and effort starts with your numbers.”

Insurance is a must-have for her business, and she encourages other owners to get covered if they aren’t. 

“For a solo operator like myself, it’s the safety net that allows operating without betting your entire livelihood on nothing going wrong.”

Oven Theory (Mississauga, Ontario) 

Our second $10,000 grant recipient is Oven Theory. Owner Timothy Cho’s company delivers Asian-inspired desserts that are light, fluffy, and refreshingly not too sweet. 

Cho said his company is short-staffed and needs additional help in the kitchen and at its pop-ups, so hiring is definitely among his plans. Additionally, the funds will go toward finding a small sales team to help him secure new corporate clients for their catering needs, a video editor to improve their video production, and new equipment to help with product development.

In just three years, Oven Theory has hosted 130+ events across the Greater Toronto Area. Beyond the pastries, it runs workshops and webinars that help aspiring bakers build the confidence to launch businesses of their own. 

To aspiring entrepreneurs, he said to think outside the box, especially when competing against big and small brands of a similar nature to stand out

“I remember in school we were told to follow a set of rules to be successful. Entrepreneurship is completely different,” he said. “You cannot just wait for clients to come to you. You must go to them.”

Cho also values having business insurance.

“It’s probably the most important thing you need when starting a business,” he said. When your business is insured, “you have one less thing to worry about if something bad happens.”

Meet Our $1,000 Grant Recipients

Zensurance is pleased to announce that our five other finalists have each received a $1,000 grant.

We’re proud to support these entrepreneurs as they grow their businesses and make a positive difference in their communities.

We asked each of our $1,000 grant recipients two questions:

1. What is one piece of advice you have for other Canadian small business owners or self-employed professionals?

2. Why is it important to have business insurance to protect your company?

Here’s what they shared:

Ernesto Yris Romero, EY Nano Tech Solutions (Mississauga, Ontario)

EY Nano Tech Solutions applies nano treatments to shingles, concrete, and wood that permanently transform their molecular structure, boosting durability and extending their lifespans. The technology already keeps thousands of pounds of non-recyclable roofing material out of Ontario landfills every year. 

Founder Ernesto Yris Romero’s goal is to become Ontario’s leading voice in sustainable exterior maintenance. Within the next three years, he plans to scale from a solo operation to a fleet of specialized teams across the Greater Toronto Area.

His advice to other entrepreneurs is to embrace innovation and focus on long-term sustainability, even in traditional industries. 

“Don’t be afraid to disrupt the status quo by offering solutions that genuinely save your customers money while protecting the environment. When you prioritize massive value and build your business around solving real problems, your community will rally behind you,” he said.

He also stresses never underestimating the importance of protecting your business.

“Operating without proper liability insurance leaves you dangerously vulnerable to unforeseen accidents or claims that could wipe out your progress overnight,” he said. “The right coverage isn’t just a safety net; it ensures you have the peace of mind to bid on larger projects and scale your business confidently without carrying that massive underlying risk.”

Poonampreet Panju, Freshwave Cleaners (Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Freshwave Cleaners delivers high-quality, reliable, and affordable cleaning services to both residential and commercial clients. What’s unique about founder Poonampreet Panju‘s company is that it’s structured as a community-focused service supporting seniors, single parents, and individuals who may struggle to maintain clean living environments due to time, health, or financial constraints.

Panju’s learned a lot since striking out on her own. She said the biggest lesson for any new business owner is that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you start, you just need to start with integrity.

“There are always challenges, uncertainty, and moments where you feel like progress is slow. But I’ve learned that consistency, honesty, and how you treat people matter far more than having a perfect setup,” she said. “Over time, I realized that trust is the real currency of a small business. When clients trust your work and your character, opportunities begin to grow naturally through referrals and relationships.”

Being a service-based business, she highlighted the importance of being insured. 

“You are entering people’s personal spaces, their homes, their comfort zones, and even when you do everything right, unexpected situations can still happen,” she said. “Business insurance protects both my clients and my business.

“It’s also about trust. Clients feel more secure knowing they are working with someone who is prepared, responsible, and covered.”

Sheba Zaidi and Genevive Savundranayagam, Mahara Mindfulness (Toronto)

Mahara Mindfulness was born from a genuine desire to help people protect their mental health during one of the hardest stretches in recent memory (the pandemic).

Their Human Being Journal Collection, Reflection Prompts, and Conversation Cards give people practical tools to gain perspective and live more fully. A percentage of every sale goes directly to mental health organizations, including CAMH.

Their advice to aspiring business owners is not to hesitate to launch.

“One of the biggest traps entrepreneurs fall into is believing they need to have everything figured out before taking the next step. But some of the greatest opportunities in business require you to move before you feel completely ready,” said Sheba Zaidi. “Launch the idea. Send the email. Make the call. Take the meeting. The marketplace will teach you more in a week than months of overthinking ever will.”

Regarding insurance, she said it’s invaluable because of the confidence coverage provides to keep moving forward.

“As a small business, we’ve invested years of hard work, personal sacrifice, and belief into building Mahara. Insurance protects more than our company – it protects our ability to continue serving our community, supporting mental health and growing our impact.”

Terrance Kronen, Kascade Plumbing and Heating (Ponoko, Alberta)

When Terrance Kronen left the oil patch, he went back to his community to start Kascade Plumbing and Heating. His company serves rural Central Alberta residents who too often struggle to find reliable plumbing and heating help when they need it most. The Red Seal journeyman plumber and gas fitter brings serious credentials to an underserved region. 

He advised other business owners not to be afraid to say ‘no’ to customers sometimes.

“Don’t overwork yourself. The work will always be there. The phone will ring again, but little Johnny might only hit one home run this year and you missed it,” he said.

Regarding business insurance, Kronen said it’s a priority because “small things that happen can turn into big things. I am a plumber, and a small error can turn into tens of thousands of dollars (in damages) very quickly.”

Kendall Scott, WashCrafters (Bedford, Nova Scotia)

WashCrafters is a professional pressure washing and exterior cleaning company founded by Kendall Scott. His company only uses biodegradable, eco-friendly products that are safe for families, pets, and landscapes.

Scott’s advice for other business owners is to ensure the customer experience is the highest priority.

“Anyone can buy the same equipment and learn the same techniques, but how a customer feels before, during, and after the job is what turns a one-time client into a repeat customer and a referral source,” he said. “In a service business, that reputation is everything, and it’s the one thing your competitors can’t easily copy.”

Running a small business means you’re constantly taking on risk, he added, whether that’s working on someone’s property, operating equipment, or simply being present where accidents can happen. 

“Insurance isn’t just a box to check; it’s what allows you to take on bigger jobs with confidence, reassure clients that they’re protected, and keep operating if something unexpected goes wrong,” he said. “For a business like mine where trust and professionalism are the whole pitch, being properly insured is part of what makes that pitch credible.”

Melanie Gillham, Looply Kids Used Clothing & Toys (Collingwood, Ontario)

When a beloved children’s clothing resale shop closed in Collingwood, Melanie Gillham sprung into action by opening Looply Kids Used Clothing & Toys, a not-for-profit resale shop that buys gently used kids’ clothing, toys, books, and essentials and sells them back to families at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

She says aspiring business owners shouldn’t wait for the perfect time to start. Just take the first step. “Listen to your customers, stay adaptable, and focus on building relationships,” she said. “Community support has been one of the most valuable factors in helping Looply Kids grow during our first few months of operation.”

Gillham added for small businesses, including not-for-profit organizations like hers, insurance is an important tool for long-term stability and sustainability. 

Jordan Sparks, Shining Spark Entertainment (Toronto)

Jordan Sparks built Shining Spark Entertainment around the idea that art, storytelling, and technology can drive real change.

The multimedia studio creates educational video games, broadcasts, and digital tools designed to benefit underserved communities, and frequently partners with charitable organizations.

He advises new business owners to not feel like they have to do everything alone. Instead, build an ecosystem.

“This will sound cliche, but never give up your dream. You may have to take detours, change plans, and work on a longer time-scale than you want, but as long as you put your heart into it and are open to learning more, you can build something to be proud of, regardless of what the market says,” he said. “Build up your friends, family, connections, and community so that you have the support network you need to succeed together.”

He added insurance is critical for any business owner.

“You never know what could happen these days and things that you think are harmless might still have unintended consequences,” he said. “You never want to use it (insurance), but you always want to have it. It pays to be prepared.” 

Ramon Montalban, Gratitude Fence (Minesing, Ontario)

Gratitude Fence helps homeowners across Simcoe County improve their privacy, security, and curb appeal with quality residential fencing they can count on.

Owner Ramon Montalban said his company’s mission is rooted in craftsmanship, reliability, and genuine care for the people it serves.

For other business owners, he recommends focusing on building trust before chasing growth.

“Deliver exceptional service, communicate clearly, and stand behind your work,” he said. “A strong reputation and customer referrals are often the most valuable assets a small business can have.”

Business insurance provides the financial protection and peace of mind owners need, he added.

“It helps protect your company, employees, customers, equipment and future growth from unexpected events, allowing you to operate confidently and professionally,” he said.

Congratulations to all our Zensurance Small Business Grant recipients!

Want the same peace of mind these owners talked about? Protecting your business takes minutes. Get a free quote and cover what you’re building. 

Our previous grant recipients include:

• Next Level Property Management & Services Ltd. in Nova Scotia
• Sol & Sage Yoga in Bowmanville, Ontario
• Steadiwear in Toronto
• Demex Cakes in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• SnuggleTooth Mobile Smile Clinic  in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• Down East Dance Academy in Montague, P.E.I.
• Malarctic Design + Builds in Ottawa

Meet all our previous Zensurance Small Business Grant recipients.

The Zensurance Small Business Grant will return.

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