Since 2012, the BMO Celebrating Women program has honoured over 180 women in Canada and the US who have made a difference by giving back to their communities or achieved success with their small business. This year, to help with the impact of COVID-19, ten women-owned businesses received a ten thousand dollar grant - including the founder of Toronto's
Socacize Fitness,
Ayanna Lee-Rivears. Socacize Fitness is a creative blend of Caribbean and African dance techniques, with effective fitness movements - and it's available online!We chatted with her about what receiving this grant meant to her, along with how it will help and how she's adapted to the pandemic. Watch the video above to listen to what she had to say!Here are all the other recipients of the BMO Celebrating Woman grant!
Robyn Ledoux: Owner of Moose Creek's
A Touch of Health, a massage therapy business that was established in 2009. It began with 1 Massage Therapist, now grown to 3 Therapists treating clients 5 days a week!
Pooja Viswanathan:
Braze Mobility Inc. in Toronto, ON, has developed a patent pending blind spot sensor system that can turn any wheelchair into a 'smart' wheelchair that automatically detects obstacles and provides multi-modal alerts to the driver.
Pooja Rao: Burlington's
Got BALLZ Inc. innovates and re-invent foods we all love by giving them a healthy twist while never compromising on taste, focusing on low-carb products.
Meghan Peters and Kristin Verbeek: Based on integrity, quality and built to give people their time back,
Lathered Cleaning Company Inc. is based in Airdrie, Alberta.
Shehreen Zaman: Owner of
The Math Project, a Mississauga afterschool program that provides math learning to K-12 students. The Math Project offers students the opportunity to strengthen their math skills through on-site and online interactive sessions with our qualified team of tutors.
Rebecca Taylor: For people with busy lifestyles who want to enjoy healthy, flavourful meals in their own kitchen,
Ready to go Foods Inc. offers ready to use Caribbean flavours, pastes, sauces and mixed seasonings in Vaughan, ON.
Pam Fanjoy: Hillsburgh's
Fan/Joy offers fully prepared healthy convenience meals 'Gourmet to Go', Jr. Chef culinary classes and food therapy programs, as well as a country marketplace featuring local artisan food that supports sustainable practices.
Shanelle McKenzie and Kim Knight:
The Villij creates an inclusive, accessible, and nurturing community for woman of colour to connect, heal and expand in Toronto. They provide health and wellness services, including yoga, meditation, walking clubs, conversations, and workshops.
Dr. Irit Van-Ham Dr. Monika Yazdanian: Hamilton's
ToeFX Inc. was founded by two scientists, with a vision is to create the world's most effective foot care treatments.
