Photo: Os & Oakes founder, Erika Oakes
IN OUR WORLD of work, technology and innovation, biases and barriers continue to perpetuate inequality for women — and continue to directly impact women in the workforce through systemic inequalities that have historically been hard to overcome.
In the tech sector specifically, women are consistently underrepresented, under-paid and often discriminated against.
Likewise, women-identifying business founders, who drive innovation, the tech ecosystem and the economy, also encounter disproportionate barriers to business growth in comparison to their male counterparts.
But while it is clear women’s inequality is still a big business problem, every day innovative women entrepreneurs are emerging in our region — impressive female founders who are overcoming challenges, spearheading companies, creating jobs and driving the charge toward gender equality. Keep an eye out for these women-led ventures:
In the ClearZone
Jenessa Olsen and Madison De Souza
Reya Health
Dallas Barnes
Os & Oakes|
Erika Oakes
With a deep understanding of what it takes to be a good mom, a good boss and a good entrepreneur, Erika Oakes founded the online boutique and in-store shopping experience that is Os & Oakes. Cultivating an influential social media community and die-hard customer base, Oakes took personal connections and networking to the next level to curate her clothing line and family brand. Inspired by her two children, she created a brand that represents her style and what she needed as a mother and couldn’t find. This created a community of other women who look to Os & Oakes for quality products and a comfortable space to connect, shop, and share. Visit www.osandoakes.com or shop in-store at 526 Adelaide Street North.
Marlow
Nadia Ladak, Simone Godbout, Kiara Botha and Harit Sohal
BOOM InterTribal
Alana Lees
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