Born out of a desire to help and give back, I AM LOVE Project was founded in 2018 by Amy in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Spreading love has always been at the heart of the project. ...Beginning by making bracelets out of consciously sourced materials that would remind the wearer to live with intention and leverage the natural energies from the stones used in the designs, partial proceeds from the sales were donated to local charities, schools, not-for-profits and similar organizations. As the business began to grow, the goal was to remain true to their original mission in their next steps.
Throughout the pandemic, they shifted from their fundraising-first model to provide support for their community members from the ground up, pivoting to a social business model oriented around providing employment and the opportunity to learn new skillsets in the post-Covid job market for women facing barriers. With this renewed approach, they are able to support women through training and community support, allowing them to gain knowledge needed for personal and professional development. To accomplish this, 60% of their earrings, bracelets and necklaces are handmade by those in Manitoba facing employment barriers, struggling with mental health or addiction, or are disabled. Focusing on women who experience(d) mental, physical or emotional challenges and need additional income (among other characteristics), the business is giving back directly to their community. In fact, they integrate their purpose and desire to give back into everything they do. They are also focused on encouraging and challenging other organizations employing those facing adversity to compensate their employees with fair wages to further propel them on their path forward.
As each piece of jewelry is created, a story is told, with each artisan given a level of artistic freedom. As each piece is purchased, an individual's story is heard. As each piece is worn, a story is shared. This is the chain of love at the heart of I AM LOVE Project.
Presenting the 2022 winners
We’re thrilled to reveal the winners of our 2022 Tales of Triumph Contest. Listen to their stories and learn more about their unique businesses as we celebrate their tales of triumph!
Marketing Magic
Eco Securica Inc.
Established in Mont-Saint-Gregoire, Quebec, Eco Securica Inc. creates branding concepts and distributes products in hardware stores and RV centres across Canada. ...With no formal education in marketing, founder Benoit has built a successful business through branding and marketing, learning the ropes and building creative assets and strategies to drive sales and raise awareness for various home protection products.
For example, as the Canadian distributor for household and commercial repellent of what is now known as Rod the Repellent, the Eco Securica Inc. team rebranded the manufacturer’s name, making it shorter, easier to pronounce and more accessible for their French-Canadian audience. In addition to branding the product, the team revamped the original marketing by creating a slogan, a mascot and various visual marketing tactics, including a 2D animated TV ad, all in house. With the goal of selling 5,000 bags of the repellent, they quickly exceeded expectations and customer demands.
Realizing they’d found a working formula, they began distributing the product through their online sales channels. Their TV ad was presented across Quebec channels such as Salut Bonjour, and a radio ad was featured across the Quebec market. As they spread the word, they continued to spread their product, landing on the shelves of thousands of stores across Canada.
For example, as the Canadian distributor for household and commercial repellent of what is now known as Rod the Repellent, the Eco Securica Inc. team rebranded the manufacturer’s name, making it shorter, easier to pronounce and more accessible for their French-Canadian audience. In addition to branding the product, the team revamped the original marketing by creating a slogan, a mascot and various visual marketing tactics, including a 2D animated TV ad, all in house. With the goal of selling 5,000 bags of the repellent, they quickly exceeded expectations and customer demands.
Realizing they’d found a working formula, they began distributing the product through their online sales channels. Their TV ad was presented across Quebec channels such as Salut Bonjour, and a radio ad was featured across the Quebec market. As they spread the word, they continued to spread their product, landing on the shelves of thousands of stores across Canada.
Rising Stars
PRIZM Foods
PRIZM Foods was a company born with a mission – to offer more halal products in the mainstream market and bridge the gap between culturally inspired ethnic snacks and mainstream grab-and-go options. ...The founders noticed that most snacks that met halal dietary restrictions were imported and less appealing than other available options and set out to make a change with PRIZM Foods.
Starting the company in early 2021, Mississauga’s PRIZM Foods began by selling their first product line, PRIZM Beef Jerky. Since launching, the product is now sold in over 300 physical retail locations, such as Sobeys and the Vancouver Airport, and has reached over 5,000 unique customers across North America through direct-to-consumer online sales.
Looking to the future, the team is about to launch an additional product line and hopes to continue acquiring retail partnerships while simultaneously growing their online customer base. Hiring more employees, launching commercial ads and raising brand awareness and knowledge are also top of mind. At the heart of it all, PRIZM Foods seeks to continue disrupting the snack industry at large with their halal products, never losing focus on offering an inclusive, flavourful product that is 100% owned and operated by Canadians.
Starting the company in early 2021, Mississauga’s PRIZM Foods began by selling their first product line, PRIZM Beef Jerky. Since launching, the product is now sold in over 300 physical retail locations, such as Sobeys and the Vancouver Airport, and has reached over 5,000 unique customers across North America through direct-to-consumer online sales.
Looking to the future, the team is about to launch an additional product line and hopes to continue acquiring retail partnerships while simultaneously growing their online customer base. Hiring more employees, launching commercial ads and raising brand awareness and knowledge are also top of mind. At the heart of it all, PRIZM Foods seeks to continue disrupting the snack industry at large with their halal products, never losing focus on offering an inclusive, flavourful product that is 100% owned and operated by Canadians.
Canada’s Choice
Raven Rising Global Indigenous Chocolates
Raven Rising Global Indigenous Chocolates, based in Sudbury, Ontario, offers artisan chocolates, truffles, hand-painted and hand-crafted bars and other chocolate treats. Their focus is to introduce Indigenous ingredients ethically sourced from Indigenous businesses globally through unique chocolate creations. ...Opening mid-pandemic, Chef Tammy began selling online, renting a kitchen to bring her creations to life. Over the last couple of years, business has grown steadily. She now focuses on the business full time, recently opening a storefront and production space in downtown Sudbury in the fall of 2022.
Owner and CEO Chef Tammy is a Red Seal pastry chef and baker. Through a desire to learn more about her Indigenous Identity, she began learning about Indigenous ingredients and interacting with First Nations peoples. Raven Rising Global Indigenous Chocolates seeks to share the lessons she herself has learned and bring others on the journey alongside her.
In addition to standard by-the-bar or box purchases, Chef Tammy also offers chocolate memberships that tell Indigenous stories and offers corporate tasting events. A portion of profits are contributed to various Indigenous societies, and the Raven Rising Pastry Arts Scholarship was recently launched to support an Indigenous student in the pastry or culinary arts through George Brown College. Looking to the future, Chef Tammy hopes to expand her team, while also looking to support students through in-house learning opportunities. The business ships across Canada to customers from coast to coast, and they’ve begun to expand their physical footprint as well through pop-up events and partnerships.
Owner and CEO Chef Tammy is a Red Seal pastry chef and baker. Through a desire to learn more about her Indigenous Identity, she began learning about Indigenous ingredients and interacting with First Nations peoples. Raven Rising Global Indigenous Chocolates seeks to share the lessons she herself has learned and bring others on the journey alongside her.
In addition to standard by-the-bar or box purchases, Chef Tammy also offers chocolate memberships that tell Indigenous stories and offers corporate tasting events. A portion of profits are contributed to various Indigenous societies, and the Raven Rising Pastry Arts Scholarship was recently launched to support an Indigenous student in the pastry or culinary arts through George Brown College. Looking to the future, Chef Tammy hopes to expand her team, while also looking to support students through in-house learning opportunities. The business ships across Canada to customers from coast to coast, and they’ve begun to expand their physical footprint as well through pop-up events and partnerships.
Employees’ Choice
MPC Foundation
MPC Foundation is a grassroots, volunteer-based organization based in Calgary, Alberta. Its founders set out to empower seniors to age well in their community by reducing social isolation, providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and by creating social hubs to foster connection. ...Working alongside other community organizations, the foundation leverages resources and expertise to improve senior wellness through organizing social, physical, mental and educational activities.
Their services fall under four main pillars – wellness, creativity, learning and technology. The MPC Foundation runs classes several times a day, 6 days a week. Classes and activities vary, from Tai Chi and Zumba to seminars on legal topics and English classes for immigrant seniors, with sessions being taught in the senior’s own language whenever possible. Having to pivot to online formats over the course of the pandemic, the MPC Foundation continued to maintain and amplify their community through Zoom as seniors became even more isolated due to safety restrictions.
In 2020, the foundation was serving 25 seniors. They now have a weekly attendance of 250. By creating their own community, the foundation enables seniors to give back to the community themselves. They create care bags filled with essentials for seniors in need, filling and distributing roughly 400 bags a year.
Their services fall under four main pillars – wellness, creativity, learning and technology. The MPC Foundation runs classes several times a day, 6 days a week. Classes and activities vary, from Tai Chi and Zumba to seminars on legal topics and English classes for immigrant seniors, with sessions being taught in the senior’s own language whenever possible. Having to pivot to online formats over the course of the pandemic, the MPC Foundation continued to maintain and amplify their community through Zoom as seniors became even more isolated due to safety restrictions.
In 2020, the foundation was serving 25 seniors. They now have a weekly attendance of 250. By creating their own community, the foundation enables seniors to give back to the community themselves. They create care bags filled with essentials for seniors in need, filling and distributing roughly 400 bags a year.
