Welcoming the next wave of young entrepreneurs
November 20, 2023
In a celebration of innovation and inclusivity, the OUT For Business youth entrepreneur program continues to champion the dreams of 2SLGBTQI+ youth entrepreneurs across Canada. As we joyously mark the culmination of the 2023 cohort’s journey, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the mentors, mentees, and supporters who dedicated their time and passion to this transformative experience.
Launched in 2017, the CGLCC’s OUT for Business program has been a beacon, bridging the gap between aspiring young entrepreneurs and the invaluable guidance necessary for their success. With a commitment to nurturing Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ future leaders, this initiative has played a crucial role in fostering a supportive community.
Spanning 12 months, the program enriches participants with networking opportunities, one-on-one mentoring, and educational resources, including workshops provided by Carleton’s Sprott School of Business. Completion of the program grants a one-year CGLCC Certified Supplier membership, unlocking doors to additional opportunities, corporate partnerships, and global markets.
Thank you to all the young entrepreneurs who gave their time, dedication, and commitment to the 2023 OUT For Business cohort!
2023-2024 OUT For Business cohort
Welcome to the newest youth entrepreneurs with CGLCC’s OUT For Business program! Click on the images below to learn more about each entrepreneur and their business.
Dana Daniels (she/her)
Founder & CEO
Blue Sky Learning
Blue Sky Learning is an inclusive space where equity, diversity & wellbeing thrive. My lived-experience, local teaching roles, international leadership & extensive experience supporting disabled folks, were all foundational moments embedded into the development of this initiative for accessibility. Team members embody values of compassion, empathy, and person-centred approaches. We strive to provide service where clients feel safe, supported & intersectionally understood. We reduce stigma & shame cycles, deepen client understanding of internalized ableism & empower areas of avoidance to increase your personal value of motivation. As a neuroqueer business owner, thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about the neurodiversity movement.
Dana Daniels (she/her)
Founder & CEO
Blue Sky Learning
Jonathan Berube (he/him)
Founder & Rent-to-Own Specialist
Chilkoot Homes
Jonathan is a community-minded entrepreneur with a passion for financial literacy and economic empowerment. He has founded several successful endeavours and was one of the early board members at the Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, instrumental to its early stage growth.
Jonathan Berube (he/him)
Founder & Rent-to-Own Specialist
Chilkoot Homes
Julia Crystal (she/her)
Founder and CEO
Cherry FLFM
Driven by her ambition to improve the lives of queer people, Julia created Cherry FLFM (find love, friendship, and more) a mobile application that provides a diverse, inclusive, and safe space for individuals to form meaningful relationships and explore various types of connections.
With a background in psychology and business, coupled with her personal experience online dating as a queer woman in Vancouver, Julia addresses the limitations of traditional dating apps. Her mission is clear: to prioritize the wants and needs of the queer community and make it easier to find love, friendship, and more.
With a background in psychology and business, coupled with her personal experience online dating as a queer woman in Vancouver, Julia addresses the limitations of traditional dating apps. Her mission is clear: to prioritize the wants and needs of the queer community and make it easier to find love, friendship, and more.
Julia Crystal (she/her)
Founder and CEO
Cherry FLFM
Megan Lyle (she/her)
Owner / Designer
MeMi Collective
Megan Lyle, a dedicated entrepreneur and clothing designer, established her brand, MeMi Collective, in 2017. From her earliest days, Megan’s passion for fashion ignited while learning sewing techniques from her grandparents. Fueling her ambition, she obtained a diploma in fashion arts from JCI Institute in Vancouver, BC, and continued to hone her skills through independent learning in the following years. Beyond MeMi Collective, Megan embraces a profound commitment to fostering connections among fellow small business owners, especially within the vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ community. Leading the charge, she spearheads a local entrepreneur group, empowering each other with support and unyielding encouragement.
Megan Lyle (she/her)
Owner / Designer
MeMi Collective
Nilton Lin (any)
Founding Architect
osda Architecture + Consulting
Nilton Lin is an architect and a certified passive house consultant. As the founder of the Office of Sustainable Design in Architecture (osda), his style blends environmental sustainability with spaces that inspire joy and wonder. With a commitment to energy efficiency, Nilton also ensures that every design fosters an environment of fun and creativity, which is ideal for nurturing young minds.
Nilton Lin (any)
Founding Architect
osda Architecture + Consulting
Pascale Joëlle Fortin-Daigle (they/them/any/all)
Owner, main consultant
Hello Gender
Hello Gender offers consultation and training services in diversity, equity and inclusion – specifically as it relates to gender identity and expression – to individuals, businesses, communities and schools in order to to help them create a respectful and safe environment so that trans people in their lives can be authentically themselves.
Hello Gender is entirely owned by Pascale Joëlle, a gender fluid transmasculine non-binary person. They have unparalleled knowledge on the themes of gender, sex, identity and orientation. With nearly 15 years of research, Pascale Joëlle has gathered an immeasurable amount of information. They attach particular importance to the accuracy of the data collected. Their academic rigor gives them a high caliber of critical thinking, so as to avoid misinformation.
Hello Gender is entirely owned by Pascale Joëlle, a gender fluid transmasculine non-binary person. They have unparalleled knowledge on the themes of gender, sex, identity and orientation. With nearly 15 years of research, Pascale Joëlle has gathered an immeasurable amount of information. They attach particular importance to the accuracy of the data collected. Their academic rigor gives them a high caliber of critical thinking, so as to avoid misinformation.
Pascale Joëlle Fortin-Daigle (they/them/any/all)
Owner, main consultant
Hello Gender
Renée Yoxon (they/them)
Gender-Affirming Voice Teacher
Éducation Renée Yoxon ltée
Renée Yoxon is a queer, nonbinary, and disabled gender-affirming voice teacher with a passion for voice education, creativity, and vocal curiosity. Over the past 12+ years, they have taught thousands of students how to love their voice. Their strength as a teacher is explaining complicated concepts in plain language that anyone can understand, as well as anticipating student problems before they occur. They are the creator of four online courses that provide concise and easy-to-follow trans voice education to trans and nonbinary people all over the world: Trans Vocal Exploration, Trans Voice Basics, Mindful Voice Feminization, and Learn to Teach Trans Voice Alteration in 5 Weeks. Renée is a creative thinker, and a deep listener, and their favourite thing in the world is helping people just like you to reach their voice goals. Find them at reneeyoxon.com
Renée Yoxon (they/them)
Gender-Affirming Voice Teacher
Éducation Renée Yoxon ltée
Sasha Simine (she/her)
Birth and Postpartum Doula, CEO
Sasha Simine Doula
As a birth, postpartum, and overnight doula, I support families with prenatal education, hands-on support throughout labour, and in-home care for their new baby. By working with me, families feel prepared and excited for their birth and find themselves transformed into confident parents as they are physically and emotionally supported through it all. Specializing in supporting queer families, single mothers, and recent immigrants.
Sasha Simine (she/her)
Birth and Postpartum Doula, CEO
Sasha Simine Doula
Scott Hladun (he/him)
CEO
Splash Aquatics Inc
As the co-founder of Splash Aquatics, a swim school in the GTA, I bring 11 years of expertise to the realm of aquatic education. Dedicated to fostering a love for swimming across all age groups and skill levels, our unique approach at Splash Aquatics is committed to personalized lessons that cater to individual needs. Beyond the pool, my passion extends to exploring the intersection of technology and education, with a focus on leveraging innovative tools to enhance the learning experiences of individuals with diverse abilities. I continually seek ways to integrate cutting-edge advancements into swimming instruction, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive approach for all.
Scott Hladun (he/him)
CEO
Splash Aquatics Inc
The program would not be possible without the generous support of Scotiabank, TD, Higgins and Burke Naturals and The City of Toronto.
Learn more about CGLCC’s Youth Entrepreneurship program
