The Brand is Female The Brand is Female

Growing up, Whitney Westwood’s family retreats to their home in the South of France not only offered her a picturesque backdrop but also shaped her essence of style and comfort, marked in part by the omnipresence of linen. From an early age, Whitney was steeped in a culture of travel, design, and the art of living well, walking through the cobblestone streets of Southern Europe and basking in the atmosphere and people of Cannes and St Tropez.
It was this lifestyle—marked by its effortless elegance and joie de vivre—that inspired Whitney to launch her own lifestyle brand, Whitney Linen. Using the relaxed yet chic vibe of the Cote D’Azur as her muse, Whitney designed a collection that captures the spirit of the Riviera: casual, stylish, and deeply woven into the fabric of everyday luxury. Linen, the cornerstone of her brand, is more than just a material—it's a reminder of her sun-soaked, joyful summers and a symbol of timeless, seasonless style.
In this week’s episode, Whitney joins us to discuss how her scenic childhood and international modelling career for designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Calvin Klein influenced her entrepreneurial journey. She'll share insights into how she captured the essence of Riviera elegance to build a brand that transcends traditional fashion seasons, making linen an everyday luxury — a stark contrast to fast fashion’s influence on global shopping patterns. Plus, Whitney reveals how embracing the lifestyle of gracious living can inspire creativity and timeless style in all aspects of life. Join us as we explore how Whitney Linen is weaving the fabric of a well-lived life, one elegant piece at a time.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

When they realized that the average garment gets worn 7 times before being tossed and the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse emissions, Justine and Kendall Barber, co-founders of Poppy Barley, a Canadian slow fashion company focused on quality, sustainability and ethical production decided to create a new kind of luxury in fashion. And that they did — today, the brand is thriving and meeting the needs of consumers in search of responsible accessories.
Kendall has always been committed time to giving back to the community, as a member of the 1000 Women Advisory Committee for Norquest College, a board member for YWCA Edmonton, a run ambassador for Lululemon, and a supporter of Hope Mission’s Kids in Action program. She was selected as one of Avenue magazine’s 2014 Top 40 under 40 for her work at Poppy Barley, and Western Living’s list for the “Ones to Watch” round-up at the 2014 Designers of the Year Awards.
Justine’s work history, with time spent working in consulting, conflict prevention, and Alberta’s 10 Year Plan to end Homelessness, reflects her commitment to social change. She has won the Alumni Innovation award from the U of A and was named one of Western Living Designers of the Year, “Ones to Watch,” and Global Edmonton Woman of Vision. 
This episode originally aired last season.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Meredith Shaw, recently appointed co-host of Breakfast Television, is a multitalented personality with a passion for inclusivity. Her diverse professional background spans broadcasting, music, and fashion, and Meredith's journey is a testament to breaking barriers and creating transformative conversations.
This week, we re-air this conversation with Meredith, where you’ll learn about her extensive career, from singer-songwriter to her life-changing role in radio, and how she's captivating audiences every morning as she wakes up the nation with her signature wit and warmth on TV. 
But Meredith's impact extends beyond television: she's a fierce advocate for body positivity and inclusivity, working closely with initiatives like Girls Inc., Girl Talk, and Shoppers Drug Mart’s “Run for Women”. Her mission is to inspire people of all sizes to embrace their power and feel fabulous in their own skin - and if we’re honest, she’s quite successful at it, including through her recent Toronto Star shoot with three other prominent TV personalities, with all talking out loud about body shaming, to make a world where words can’t be used as weapons.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Isabelle Hudon has consistently shattered expectations and proven skeptics wrong throughout her impressive career in the corporate world. As the President and CEO of BDC since August 2021, the first woman to occupy the role, Isabelle has not only held jobs that many doubted were within reach but has also excelled in them, leaving a trail of achievements from her time as Ambassador of Canada to France to her leadership roles at Sun Life Financial.
Isabelle's tenure at BDC is marked by her relentless drive to put development at the forefront, significantly enhancing support for Canadian entrepreneurs, with a focus on increasing capital available to female founders. Beyond her executive success, she is a staunch advocate for women's advancement, co-founding The A Effect and earning accolades such as the Commander of the Legion of Honour for her contributions.
In this episode, Isabelle generously shares her experiences of overcoming doubt, her strategic vision for creating a more inclusive and sustainable economy, and her dedication to paving the way for the next generation of women leaders. Tune in to explore the journey of a leader who turns skepticism into true power.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

This week, my guest is Tiffany Callender, a community developer and social entrepreneur whose work has profoundly impacted Montreal's Black community over her 16-year career. As the youngest female Executive Director of one of Quebec's oldest Black organizations, Tiffany was named among the 100 most influential people of African descent under 40 in 2020. In 2021, she spearheaded the creation of the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) for which she is CEO, where she set up the $160 million Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund in collaboration with Canada’s federal government. In this conversation, we discuss FACE’s impact on the Black entrepreneurial community three years later.
A passionate advocate for social equity, Tiffany has actively contributed to shaping policies to address racism and systemic discrimination, including her work with Montreal’s consultation on racism and systemic discrimination and Quebec’s Laurent Commission on protecting Black children in the Youth Protection system. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Tiffany is a devoted mother of three, an aspect of her life that inspires her career.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale

Kelsey Irvine is part of the mother/two-daughters trio behind Birch Babe, a Canadian skincare brand that's making waves in the natural beauty industry. Kelsey's career is a blend of creativity, commitment to sustainability, and a keen eye for storytelling. With a background in commercial advertising and documentary directing, she has a unique ability to craft content that looks good and connects on an emotional level.
Kelsey isn't just about making things look pretty; she's deeply invested in making a difference. Her work as an Oscar-nominated producer highlights her dedication to narratives that drive positive change. This passion is a perfect match for Birch Babe's ethos, which prioritizes natural and ethically sourced ingredients, waste reduction, and minimizing carbon footprints. As CEO and Head of Creative and Communications at Birch Babe, Kelsey has helped the brand grow into a leader in the natural beauty market, earning a dedicated following and a reputation for excellence. 
In this episode, we delve into how Kelsey's blend of creative talent and strategic thinking and her commitment to eco-friendly practices helped shape a successful brand that stands for more than just beauty products. She also brings up her sobriety journey and commitment to living intentionally.
This season of our podcast is brought to you by TD Canada Women in Enterprise. TD is proud to support women entrepreneurs and help them achieve success and growth through its program of educational workshops, financing and mentorship opportunities! Please find out how you can benefit from their support! Visit: TBIF: thebrandisfemale.com // TD Women in Enterprise: td.com/ca/en/business-banking/small-business/women-in-business // Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/thebrandisfemale