Introducing our 2024 #StandWithOwners winners
We received thousands of inspiring applications from across Canada. We heard owners’ remarkable stories of passion, purpose and perseverance. With so many outstanding applications, choosing this year's winners was a challenge.
We are thrilled to announce our 20 #StandWithOwners winners for 2024.
Karen Danudjaja
Owner, Blume
North Vancouver, BC
Karen Danudjaja, owner of the functional beverage wellness brand Blume, has garnered well-deserved recognition. Their thoughtful approach to engaging their community in product development helped drive a 150% year-over-year growth and presence in over 600 major retailers across Canada and the US.
Thierry Lindor
Owner, Happly Ai
Montreal, QC
Owner Thierry Lindor is using AI for good, with a digital platform that connects underrepresented entrepreneurs with access to start-up grants and funding. Supporting over 40,000 users and providing access to over $50M in funding, its growing impact is gaining recognition, securing a partnership with Canada’s largest fintech company, along with pilot projects with various government organizations.
Dr. Dina Kulik
Owner, Kidcrew Medical
Toronto, ON
Dr. Dina Kulik, owner of Kidcrew medical, is breaking down pediatric healthcare silos by combining primary, specialized and allied health services under one roof. With strategic use of using technology and design to create efficiencies and enhance care delivery, Kidcrew medicals’ commitment to helping the next generation, coupled with its impressive growth strategy, positions them as a leader in their industry.
Jill & Craig Sheridan
Owners, Legends Haul
Vancouver, BC
Legends Haul and owners Jill and Craig Sheridan have distinguished themselves in the food distribution and manufacturing industry through their strong focus on sustainability and continuous innovation using technology that has led to the company’s impressive growth in just 6 short years.
Zack Eberwein
Owner, Stoko
Vancouver, BC
Originating from his personal experience, Zack Eberwein set out to redefine knee braces, creating revolutionary, medical-grade supportive apparel and using technology from design to delivery to drive rapid growth.
Gigi Gill
Owner, ZoRaw Chocolates
Mississauga, ON
Gigi is on a mission to advance the confectionary industry through extensive R&D, creating the world’s first protein-fortified, fiber-rich, and sugar-free chocolates. Demonstrating unwavering grit, Gigi and her partner, Tanveer, built a cutting-edge, automated manufacturing process from the ground up. This journey has fueled Gigi’s passion for empowering women in STEM and manufacturing. Today, ZoRaw Chocolates is proudly distributed in over 3,000 stores across North America.
David McInerney & Nadia Hudon
Owners, Creative Therapy Consultants
Kelowna, BC
Creative Therapy Consultants distinguishes itself as an employee-owned healthcare company, committed to supporting underserved areas. Owners David and Nadia focus on employee welfare, with initiatives like an Employee Ownership Program, living wage commitment, and extensive professional development opportunities that helped grow their business from 5 to over 80 employees since 2013.
Chrissy Durcak
Owner, Dispatch Coffee
Montreal, QC
Dispatch Coffee, founded by Chrissy Durcak, is revolutionizing the coffee industry, setting new standards for ethical business practices in the coffee sector, paying farmers 60% above fair trade minimums and returning $80,000 to over 1,500 farmers in 2023 alone.
Kayli Dale & Jacquie Hutchings
Owner, Friendlier
Guelph, ON
Founded by two female chemical engineering graduates Kayli Dale & Jacquie Hutchings, Friendlier is tackling the global waste problem with an innovative approach to reusable, convenient single-use packaging. Their focus on optimizing logistics and infrastructure has enabled them to expand from one small facility to operations across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, while partnering with food service industry leaders.
Peter-Paul Van Hoeken
Owner, FrontFundr
Toronto, ON
FrontFundr stands out in the investment industry by democratizing access to capital, connecting everyday Canadians with promising startups and early-stage companies. The company has played an active role in evolving Canadian equity regulation and is expanding their network of companies raising capital across North America.
James Blackburn, Melissa Munro, RN, Tarek Sardana, MD
Owner, Hero Care
Toronto, ON
Developed by healthcare professionals, owners Melissa Munro, RN, Tarek Sardana, MD, and James Blackburn developed Hero Care to easily connect healthcare organizations with available, qualified nursing professionals through their rapidly growing cloud-based mobile app, streamlining the staffing process and empowering nurses with flexible schedules, competitive pay, and additional perks.
Vanessa Marshall
Owner, Jack59
Edmonton, AB
As a Certified B Corp and Leaping Bunny Cruelty Free company, Jack59 focuses on data-driven decision-making and e-commerce, propelling her business into major retail chains across Canada.
Gabriel Gouveia-Fortin
Owner, Lasclay
Quebec, QC
Lasclay is an eco-friendly company that produces high-performance insulated products using milkweed silk to support sustainable agriculture. This approach positions Lasclay as a leader in sustainable manufacturing and with the use of AI technology helped them achieve a 40% revenue growth in 2023.
Aaron Kennedy & Nik Paukkunen
Owner, Mahler Machining
Coquitlam, BC
Owners Nik Paukkunen & Aaron Kennedy of Mahler Machining are at the forefront of manufacturing technology and have established themselves as a reliable partner in advanced robotics, medical devices, aerospace and submersible components for many of Western Canada's most innovative companies for over 40 years.
Courtney Watkins
Owner, Mine & Yours
Vancouver, BC
Mine & Yours is transforming sustainable fashion with a fast-growing designer consignment business. Their focus on luxury resale makes them one of Canada's top destinations for second-hand fashion lovers.
William Walcker & Minh-Anh Pham
Owner, Näak
Montreal, QC
As a B-certified company, Näak distinguishes itself in the sports nutrition industry through its innovative use of insect proteins, creating sustainable and effective products and driving significant growth, expanding from national to international markets.
Amy Welsman
Owner, PAUME
Toronto, ON
PAUME has redefined hand care with premium sanitizers and hand care products that prioritize design, health, and sustainability. Their sustainability approach helped them land partnerships with luxury retailers to global hotel chains, and a 50% year-over-year revenue growth, PAUME is quickly establishing itself as a leader in the conscious consumer market.
Zechariah Thomas
Owner, Swift Hockey
Oshawa, ON
Swift Hockey is on a mission to make hockey more accessible, creating high-quality hockey sticks at a fraction of the price. Their increased partnerships with professional hockey leagues have helped drive an impressive 40% increase in national online sales.
Frederik Richard, Alexis Fortin & Louise Hénault-Ethier
Owner, TriCycle
Montreal, QC
TriCycle distinguishes itself in the sustainable food industry through its innovative approach to insect farming and commitment to a fully circular economy model. Their use of advanced technology and focus on sustainability has earned them multiple awards and recognition.
Scott Jenkins, Kristin Davis & Doug Brown
Owner, ZS2 Technologies Ltd
Calgary, AB
ZS2 Technologies Ltd manufactures low-carbon, high-performance magnesium-based cement products that offer superior fire and mold resistance, as well as extreme weather resilience. With a rapidly growing distribution network across North America, ZS2 is proving that sustainable construction can be both effective and scalable.
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Find great shops and businesses in your community
Shop With Owners is an easy way to discover exceptional small businesses to help you shop local and find new favourites. Putting them in the spotlight is another way that TELUS is a proud supporter of Canadian business.
