Startup Canada Podcast Rick Spence

Richard is the Founder and CEO of 10Adventures, a platform to book customizable and private active vacations. With trips in 85+ countries and travellers from 35+ countries, 10Adventures is a global platform that enables people to create meaningful travel experiences with the people that matter most in their lives. These shared experiences end up as the photos on their walls, the stories that are told at family reunions, and the memories that last a lifetime.

Nesreen is the Founder of WUD Chocolate and Gifts. Nesreen’s journey is one of passion, innovation, resilience and offers valuable lessons in caring and love, while giving back to community. 



As a resilient refugee, a mother, and an entrepreneur, Nesreen has embedded a mission of giving back and supporting refugees into her business.

Shrad Rao is the CEO and co-founder of Wagepoint – a simple payroll software built just for small businesses and backed by the world’s friendliest team. Wagepoint has grown to serve 25,000 small businesses in Canada paying about 200,000 teammates each month. Shrad jokes that building a company is like going to a ridiculously hard school – you are taught lessons every day and the only question is whether you learn them today or tomorrow.

Fatima Zaidi is the Founder and CEO at Quill Inc., an award-winning production agency specializing in corporate audio, and CoHost, a podcast growth and analytics tool. With Quill, brands, businesses and people can tell their story through compelling audio. 

Athanasius "Tanas" Sylliboy, warmly self-proclaimed as “Your favourite auntie's favourite auntie”, Anita LandBack, originates from the Eskasoni First Nation in Mi'kma'ki. As a devoted Two Spirit Lnu (Mi'kmaw) Nurse Practitioner and talented Drag Artist, Tanas/Anita is driven by a passion for fostering acceptance, visibility, and representation for marginalized communities. They masterfully balance their careers in nursing and drag to break down barriers and amplify the voices of Indigenous, Black, Asian, 2SLGBTQ+, and other underrepresented groups.



Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.

Martin Straathof is the Executive Director of the Ontario Farmland Trust, a conservation organization dedicated to the long-term protection of Ontario’s food producing landscapes. Martin displays their steadfast advocacy for sustainable agriculture by actively engaging with stakeholders and fostering partnerships to advance community-based solutions - including the diversification of both thought and representation across the industry’s workforce.



Check out our Resource Guide for 2SLGBTQIA+ business owners, entrepreneurs and folks who want to create safer and more inclusive spaces.