To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re recognizing and celebrating women-owned Canadian businesses! We’ve put together a list of some notable female-founded Canadian brands we love. All designed by women, for women, to enrich your wellness routine and lifestyle. At MADGE AND MERCER, we appreciate brands that are conducive to form AND function, and these products excel in both.
Joanna Griffiths, KNIX
Joanna Griffiths launched Knix in 2013 and transformed the underwear market into something comfortable, functional, and necessary. With the creation of her signature leakproof underwear, she revolutionized the industry. A trailblazer with the creation of Leakproof Underwear, she continues to focus on listening to what people want and puts women’s needs at the forefront of her business model.
Jenny Bird, JENNY BIRD
Jenny Bird is Canada’s leading fashion jewelry designer. From Mandy Moore to Kylie Jenner and Mindy Kaling, her pieces have been sought after by many in Hollywood and around the world. Jenny is a self-taught designer who is passionate about growing a female-led business, which has seen explosive growth since the brand’s inception in 2008. Bird initially started her label with handbags, and then expanded into jewelry in 2010, which proved to be her passion.
Jessica Sheppard & Rhaelyn Gillespie, TAURAH
Jessica and Rhaelyn created Taurah’s first product to solve their own need- cleaning their yoga mats. A natural way to clean your yoga mats that did not include vinegars or chemicals. As an eco-conscious business, the brand uses recyclable packaging and all-natural ingredients to create the best of the best. The product is also made in Canada, is 100% vegan, cruelty-free and alcohol-free. They are big advocates for the benefits that exercise, and movement brings to your mental health, and they love creating products for people looking to elevate their self-care and movement routines.
Melissa Della Porta, POETRY OF THE GODS
Founder and CEO, Melissa Della Porta, was raised on Vancouver Island and along the banks of the Skeena River in Terrace, BC. Poetry of the Gods was born out of a love for the connection between fragrance and memory, and the need to fill the gap of Indigenous makers in the beauty industry. Every product is created upon the belief that engaging in ritualistic self-care can improve one’s feelings of self-worth. Each one reveals a natural portal—a way to transcend for a moment in time. A belief that the nose remembers what the eyes and ears have long since forgotten. They are strong advocates for Indigenous education and women’s rights.
Jacqueline Johal, SARISHA BEAUTY
Sarisha Beauty, which stands for ‘charm’ and ‘elegance’ in Sanskrit, launched in 2018. This brand was founded by Toronto-based Jacqueline Johal. Born to Indian parents, Johal grew up around raw and naturally infused products. She has formulated each SARISHA product with natural and organic ingredients designed to calm and nourish the skin. Jacqueline’s mission was to bring back ancient rituals and help others look and feel their best.
Chia Chia Sun, DAMIVA
CEO and co-founder of Damiva, a women’s health company that makes natural menopausal products. Chia Chia Sun, trained in epidemiology and cancer genetics. When she realized how few products were available on the market for women who experience vaginal dryness after childbirth, hysterectomy, cancer, menopause, and perimenopause, she decided to make a line of products dedicated to the cause. Damiva’s line is all-natural, made in Canada with only 6 ingredients, and is the first of its type in Canada to be chemical-free and hormone-free.
Tonya Lewis Lee
Tanya Lewis Lee wanted to find a way to help women create a baseline for their nutrition, and what resulted is the universal vitamin brand, Movita. With vitamins that are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, meat-free, and allergen-free from shellfish and nuts, these vitamins are accessible for most people. Choose from the classic multivitamin, beauty vitamins, or prenatal vitamins, depending on your current health needs. For Tonya, Movita is a platform to continue the conversation about finding balance and to offer a tool to help women as they work through this process. She believes health is a journey, not a destination.
Shauna Levy, MADGE AND MERCER MODERN APOTHECARY
And lest we forget, Shauna Levy, the founder and creator of MADGE AND MERCER MODERN APOTHECARY — a curated collection of cannabis-infused self-care products. Design forward, thoughtfully executed, and made from purposeful ingredients. The first science and research-based cannabis wellness brand designed exclusively for women. In particular, women over 40 who are juggling an unprecedented number of life challenges, that are causing unprecedented stress and anxiety. Many of us are experiencing sleeplessness; chronic pain and inflammation; and desire more vitality and romance in our lives.
