How Amazon helped these Canadian women-founded businesses grow
International Women’s Day is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to support local women-founded businesses in Canada.
Did you know that companies like Amazon have propelled many Canadian women-founded businesses to success?
Whether it’s through helping small independent sellers reach millions of customers or propelling a supplier to new heights, there are numerous examples of woman-founded or women-owned businesses seeing success by working with Amazon.
Plus, Amazon’s significant direct investments in Canada — to the tune of more than $50 billion since 2010 — have a spillover effect that extends to local businesses of all sizes.
We spoke to four women-founded businesses to learn more.
RHAY Logistics
Aminat Popoola pivoted from engineering to becoming an Amazon Delivery Service Partner. Through the Delivery Service Partner program, Amazon helps entrepreneurs launch their own delivery business by providing access to infrastructure, technology, and a suite of exclusive services, including ongoing coaching.
From the start, Aminat’s vision was for RHAY Logistics to be a purpose-driven company that gives back to the community. She founded her company at the height of the pandemic, motivated by the opportunity to create a business that would help people get back on their feet while having a meaningful community impact.
Today, RHAY Logistics employs more than 100 people, and she recently partnered with Amazon through the “Together, We Give” program. Amazon and RHAY Logistics collectively donated a total of $10,000 to the Calgary Drop-In Centre, an organization that supports vulnerable adults at risk of homelessness.
“I’ve always been inspired by women who lead with confidence and resilience,” she says. “Seeing others break barriers encouraged me to push past challenges and believe in my own capabilities.”
Her best advice to women trying to make a name for themselves in the business world? Go for it! “You don’t have to fit into a certain mould to be successful,” she says. “Believe in your abilities, take the leap, and remember that your leadership and perspective is valuable.”
Hunter & Trove
Yulee Harris is the designer and founder behind Hunter & Trove, a jewellery company offering pieces that blend day-to-day simplicity and refined elegance.
“I saw a niche for designs that feel modern yet enduring — perfect whether you’re running errands or dressing up for a special occasion — without losing that understated shimmer,” she says.
One of the biggest challenges she faced starting out was juggling full-time work and motherhood, all while building Hunter & Trove from the ground up. She began offering her collection on Amazon in 2018 and it’s been an expansive journey ever since.
“By tapping into Amazon’s fulfillment and shipping capabilities, we’ve been able to devote more time to creating new designs and honing our brand experience as we scale,” she says. “This efficiency has fuelled our ability to innovate, allowing us to expand our offerings while preserving the personal care and high standards at the heart of Hunter & Trove.”
Calgary Vending Solutions
Tracie Lambert was preparing to return to work after a maternity leave in 2018, when she realized that she instead wanted to create something of her own and be her own boss. After attending a small business fair for some inspiration, she founded Calgary Vending Solutions, a company that specializes in snack, drink, and frozen meal machines.
She gradually got her machines into different spots across Calgary — and next thing she knew, she was being asked to supply Amazon’s first fulfillment centre in the province.
“This was completely new uncharted territory, but I was up for the challenge,” she says. “Being a small independent at the time, it was very difficult to get the bigger accounts as our competitors were so much larger than we were. I was blessed to be given the opportunity.” Â
After that initial boost from Amazon, Calgary Vending Solutions now supports a growing list of major companies and organizations, including all of Amazon’s local operations facilities!
Curated Visions
Curated Visions is a Toronto-based event decor company founded by two best friends, Natalie and Tracy, that provides Amazon facilities with decor for different events. From luxury balloons to floral arrangements and different product rentals, Curated Visions is all about making events memorable.
As a result of working with Amazon, Natalie and Tracy were able to turn Curated Visions into their full-time job.
“Working with Amazon has allowed our business to grow significantly,” they say. “We have been able to expand our team and creativity as well as broaden our rental products for both our Amazon clients and other clientele.”Â
Thanks to increased revenue, the pair have also had more time to spend growing their own skills in floral design.
To learn more about how Amazon helps Canadian women-founded and women-owned businesses, visit AboutAmazon.ca. Amazon also offers products from women-owned businesses in its store. To discover them, visit Amazon.ca.
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