Late nights and early mornings—this is where many stories of success begin.
A woman carefully arranges handmade jewelry at her first market stall, hoping for a single sale. In a rented office, another plans her business with more determination than resources.
Across Canada, women have been rewriting what it means to start small.
These 13 women turned those first shaky steps into milestones of achievement, inspiring generations to come.
Canadian Businesswomen are Taking Over!
Women entrepreneurs make up nearly 40% of small business ownership in Canada, and this number keeps growing.
A recent report by the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub shows that women-led businesses contribute over $150 billion annually to the Canadian economy.
Yet, behind these numbers lies an untold story of perseverance, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.
Who are the Top Female Entrepreneurs in Canada?
1. Arlene Dickinson
Net Worth: Estimated $100 million
Industry: Marketing
How She Started: Arlene grew up in poverty, learning resilience from an early age. She joined Venture Communications as a junior employee, worked tirelessly, and eventually bought the company. Arlene transformed it into a successful marketing agency and became a household name as a savvy investor in Dragon’s Den.
2. Michele Romanow
Net Worth: Estimated $150 million
Industry: Technology & Finance
How She Started: Michele’s entrepreneurial spirit ignited in university when she co-founded a zero-waste coffee shop. This small idea led her to co-create Clearco, a company that reimagines funding for startups. Her innovative solutions have inspired countless businesswomen.
3. Manjit Minhas
Net Worth: Estimated $200 million
Industry: Beverage Industry
How She Started: Manjit co-founded Minhas Breweries at the age of 19. With no experience but a clear vision, she entered the competitive brewing world. Today, her brewery is one of the largest in North America.
4. Joanna Griffiths
Net Worth: Estimated $50 million
Industry: Fashion & Retail
How She Started: Joanna began Knix from her living room with a focus on designing inclusive and comfortable lingerie. Crowdfunding helped her launch her brand, which has now gained international recognition for challenging norms.
5. Vivian Kaye
Net Worth: Estimated $5 million
Industry: Beauty & Personal Care
How She Started: Vivian founded KinkyCurlyYaki with just $100 to cater to Black women’s haircare needs. Her authentic storytelling and focus on her community turned her passion into a trusted and profitable brand.
6. Tonia Jahshan
Net Worth: Estimated $20 million
Industry: Food & Beverage
How She Started: Tonia began selling loose-leaf tea from her kitchen and expanded her business through a successful pitch on Dragon’s Den. Steeped Tea is now a multimillion-dollar brand that thrives on quality and community.
7. Jennifer Flanagan
Net Worth: Growing
Industry: Education & Nonprofit
How She Started: Jennifer co-founded Actua with a mission to inspire youth through STEM. Her small nonprofit grew into a national charity, impacting thousands of young Canadians.
8. Shahrzad Rafati
Net Worth: Estimated $500 million
Industry: Media & Technology
How She Started: Shahrzad began BroadbandTV (BBTV) in her apartment, offering solutions for digital content creators. Today, BBTV is a global leader in media, proving that small ideas can scale to massive success.
9. Linda Hasenfratz
Net Worth: Estimated $200 million
Industry: Manufacturing
How She Started: Linda joined her family’s small auto-parts business, Linamar, and turned it into a global powerhouse. Her innovative leadership created jobs and solidified the company’s global presence.
10. Mary Ng
Net Worth: Estimated $5 million
Industry: Public Service & Advocacy
How She Started: Mary’s passion for small businesses began during her career in public service. As Canada’s Minister of Small Business, she advocates for women-led enterprises and creates policies to empower businesswomen.
11. Zulfira
Net Worth: Growing
Industry: Consulting
How She Started: Zulfira founded a Calgary-based consulting firm to support women entrepreneurs. Her mentorship and expertise have helped numerous women build successful businesses across various industries.
12. Zena Chaudhry
Net Worth: Growing
Industry: Nonprofit Leadership
How She Started: Zena founded Sakeenah Canada to tackle gender equality and community challenges. Her nonprofit expanded nationally, showcasing her dedication to social justice.
13. Allison Williams
Net Worth: Growing
Industry: Social Work & Business
How She Started: Allison’s journey as a nanny and social worker inspired her entrepreneurial efforts. She created a business supporting families, turning her passion into a sustainable venture.
Take Your First Step with WeeCommerce
Every successful entrepreneur starts somewhere. With WeeCommerce, you can build your dream business online.
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From mentorship to inclusive support, WeeCommerce is your partner in this journey.
Take your first step today and create a website that tells your story.
Visit WeeCommerce.ca to get started!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the common challenges for businesswomen in Canada?
Access to funding, balancing responsibilities, and breaking into male-dominated industries are common hurdles.
How can WeeCommerce help women entrepreneurs?
WeeCommerce provides free websites, mentorship, and tools to help women grow their businesses online.
