Premier Events for
Practical Growth.

The StrikeUP Signature Series brings women entrepreneurs across Canada together for free virtual mini-conferences featuring expert-led learning, real founder conversations and meaningful networking.

What Is the StrikeUP Signature Series?

The Signature Series is StrikeUP’s year-round approach to supporting women entrepreneurs with focused learning, practical conversations and meaningful connection.

 

Each event is built around a specific stage or challenge in business, from getting visible to growing strategically to scaling with intention. You will hear from experts, founders and ecosystem leaders who bring real experience, useful insight and honest conversation to the table.


It is designed to help you leave with ideas you can actually use and connections that feel worth making.

 

Trusted by more than 25,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada and beyond, StrikeUP has become one of the country’s most respected free digital platforms for women in business — founded and powered by Nventure.

BUILT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WHO ARE:

The StrikeUP Signature Series is presented by

Why Women Entrepreneurs Choose StrikeUP

Connect Across Canada

Build real relationships with women founders, investors and ecosystem leaders from across the country.

Learn from Real Experience

Gain practical insight from experienced entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts through keynotes, panels and conversations built for action.

Practical Tools for Growth

Leave with clear strategies, useful resources and ideas you can use to move your business forward.

Free and Easy to Access

Registration is free for every Signature Series event. Join online from wherever you are, with no membership, travel or added costs required.

Trusted by Women Entrepreneurs Across Canada

Women entrepreneurs need more than inspiration. They need useful insight, meaningful connections and access to support that meets them where they are. That is what the StrikeUP Signature Series is designed to offer.

Janet K.

MELFORT, SASKATCHEWAN

Women Entrepreneurs
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Free to Attend
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Upcoming Signature Series Sessions

Make Your Mark

Live Virtual Event

Your brand is your most powerful business tool and you do not need a big budget to use it well. Join us for this StrikeUP Signature Series event where women entrepreneurs share how they built visibility, crafted authentic stories and turned connections into clients.

 

Come ready to learn from those who have lived it, connect with others in your shoes and leave with strategies you can use right away.

Click to expand & explore the past agenda, speakers, session content & networking

From Survival to Strategy

Live Virtual Event

You’ve built something real. Now it’s time to run it with intention. This event is for women entrepreneurs who are ready to move from reactive to strategic — covering growth tactics, financial confidence and the leadership skills that take you further.

Join us for real conversation, practical insight and connection with women who get it.

Click to expand & explore the agenda, speakers, session content & networking

Build for What's Next

Live Virtual Event

The next stage of your business demands a different kind of thinking. This event brings together growth-stage women entrepreneurs to explore AI integration, international market entry, and what investment readiness really looks like.

Join us for bold conversation and practical insight designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to go further.

About This Session

Your brand is your most powerful business tool, and you do not need a big budget to use it well.

Join us for this StrikeUP Signature Series event ‘Make Your Mark‘ where women entrepreneurs share how they built visibility, crafted authentic stories, and turned connections into clients.

Come ready to learn, connect, and leave with strategies you can use right away.

Day Schedule

1:00 PM

Welcome
Heather Cannings

StrikeUP Program Lead (Event Emcee)

1:05 PM

Keynote
Build Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank:
The Bootstrap Marketing Playbook

with Vivian Kaye

1:45 PM

Panel
What Made the Difference: The Relationships,
Risks and Realities Behind Early Growth

2:20 PM

Live Networking Breakouts

2:50 PM

Closing Remarks

Meet the Speakers

Vivian Kaye

Keynote Speaker

Founder, KinkyCurlyYaki

Ina Maria Toncescu

Panel Moderator

Founder & CEO, noLMIT Marketing

Domenique Mastronardi

Panelist

President, Beck’s Broth

Chantal Lavergne

Panelist

Founder, Oh Color Me

Géraldine Jippé

Panelist

Founder, Bloossoming House/Co-Founder at AssetsWaves

What’s Inside the Session

Two focused conversations designed to give you real, practical strategies you can apply the very next day.

Keynote Address

Build Your Brand Without Breaking the Bank: The Bootstrap Marketing Playbook

Vivian Kaye

Founder, KinkyCurlyYaki

In this session, Vivian will share the practical playbook she used to scale KinkyCurlyYaki to 7-figures without paid ads and how you can apply these same strategies to build your brand from scratch.

You’ll walk away with

This isn’t theory; it’s a founder who’s been there, done that and has the receipts!

Featured Conversation

What Made the Difference: The relationships, risks and realities behind early growth

Ina Maria Toncescu, Chantal Lavergne, Dom Mastronardi & Géraldine Jippé

Before the momentum, there was a lot of figuring it out. In this candid conversation, four women entrepreneurs share the honest story behind early growth — the risks, the relationships, and the choices that made the difference.

You’ll walk away with

This is not a highlight reel. This is the conversation behind it.

Networking Breakouts

After the keynote and panel, attendees self-select into one of four themed Zoom breakout rooms for 30 minutes of structured peer conversation.

Rooms are attendee-led with prompts broadcast throughout.

Come ready to connect and leave with real relationships.

Room 1

Brand voice & visibility

Talk about how you show up, what you say and how you get noticed. Share what is working and what you are still figuring out.

Room 2

First sales & early clients

Share where you are at with clients right now and what is actually working to bring them in. Every stage welcome.

Room 3

Tools & Resource Share

Exchange the apps, programs, funding sources and hidden gems that are making your business easier to run and grow.

Room 4

Open networking

No agenda, just connection. Meet people, share your LinkedIn and see what happens. Every conversation is a good one.

About This Session

Running a business is hard. Running it strategically, while also wearing every hat, is even harder. But there is a point where the hustle alone stops working, and intention has to take over.

This StrikeUP Signature Series event is built for women entrepreneurs who are ready to make that shift. We will dig into business growth tactics, pricing and financial management, and the leadership decisions that define whether a business plateaus or scales.

Our panel features women entrepreneurs who have navigated these exact crossroads and found their footing, sharing what actually worked and what they would do differently. Real stories, real strategies.

Leave with tools to build a more intentional business, a clearer sense of where capital and support can play a role, and a room full of women who are right there with you.

Day Schedule

1:00 PM

Welcome
Heather Cannings & Chris McMartin from Scotiabank

Event Overview & Introductions

1:05 PM

Keynote
with Sarah Stockdale, Founder & CEO of Growclass

1:45 PM

Panel
When Hustle Stops Working
A candid conversation about letting go of hustle culture and building a business that can grow beyond the founder.

2:20 PM

Live Speed Networking Breakouts

2:50 PM

Closing Remarks

Meet the Speakers

Sarah Stockdale

Keynote Speaker

Founder & CEO, Growclass

Chris McMartin

Opening Remarks Welcome

Business Banking National Lead, Scotiabank

Robyn Flynn

Panel Moderator

Founder, Le Studio Quinze

Mia Fiona Kut

PANELIST

CEO and Founder, Luna Nectar

Katrina Ramdath

Panelist

Chantal Lavergne

Panelist

Founder, Oh Color Me

Géraldine Jippé

Panelist

Founder, Bloossoming House/Co-Founder at AssetsWaves

What’s Inside the Session

Two focused conversations designed to give you real, practical strategies you can apply the very next day.

Keynote Address

A Special Keynote with Sarah Stockdale: Title Coming Soon

Sarah Stockdale

Founder & CEO of Growclass

As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught in the day-to-day demands of running a business. But sustainable growth requires more than hard work. It requires making intentional decisions about where to focus your time, energy, and resources.
 
In this keynote, Sarah shares practical insights to help entrepreneurs shift from reactive decision-making to a more strategic approach to growth.

You’ll walk away with

 
Because “just work harder” is not a growth strategy.

Featured Conversation

When Hustle Stops Working: The Shift from Founder Mode to Intentional Leadership

Robyn Flynn, Mia Fiona Kut & Katrina Ramdath

There comes a point in every entrepreneur’s journey when working harder is no longer the answer. In this honest conversation, women business owners share the moments that forced them to rethink how they lead, grow, and sustain their businesses.

From hiring and delegation to systems, boundaries, and mindset shifts, they’ll discuss what it really took to move beyond survival mode and build businesses designed for long-term success.

You’ll walk away with

This isn’t about doing more. It’s about building a business that can thrive without everything depending on you.

Speed Networking

Following the keynote and featured conversation, attendees will take part in a series of small-group networking sessions designed to help you make meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs from across Canada.

Over 30 minutes, you’ll be randomly matched into three different breakout groups of approximately six participants, giving you the opportunity to expand your network, exchange ideas and learn from a diverse range of business experiences.

There are no formal facilitators or presentations. Just authentic conversations, new perspectives and valuable connections.

Come ready to introduce yourself, share what you’re working on, and connect with other women entrepreneurs.

SMALL GROUPS

Connect in breakout rooms of approximately six participants and get to know fellow entrepreneurs.
 

THREE ROUNDS

Meet 3 different groups during the networking session to maximize connections.

PEER NETWORKING

Share experiences, exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from fellow business owners.

NEW CONNECTIONS

Connect on LinkedIn, exchange contact information, and continue conversations after the event.

Speak at a StrikeUP Event

Have practical insights, real-world experience or a fresh perspective to share with women entrepreneurs across Canada?

StrikeUP welcomes applications from engaging speakers for keynotes, panels and webinars.

Premier Events for Practical Growth.

The StrikeUP Signature Series brings women entrepreneurs across Canada together for free virtual mini-conferences featuring expert-led learning, real founder conversations and meaningful networking.

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Vivian Kaye

Keynote Speaker

Founder, KinkyCurlyYaki

Vivian Kaye is a serial entrepreneur and business educator who bootstrapped KinkyCurlyYaki, a beauty product-based e-commerce brand, to seven figures without outside funding. With over 15 years of experience in operations, inventory management, and digital commerce, she has mentored 1300+ entrepreneurs through programs with Amazon, Shopify, Toronto Public Library, and Humber College’s Longo School of Business.

Featured in The New York Times, Toronto Star, and on CityTV’s Cityline, Vivian has partnered with brands including American Express Canada. Porsche Canada and Desjardins Bank. She brings practical, founder-to-founder insights on building sustainable businesses, scaling without massive budgets, and staying authentic while growing. Her direct, no-nonsense approach cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually works.

Ina Maria Toncescu

Panel Moderator

Founder & CEO, noLMIT Marketing

Ina Maria Toncescu is a marketing strategist with over 17 years of experience helping businesses grow with focus, purpose, and measurable results. Across small business, non-profit, and government sectors, she’s led transformative marketing strategies, built systems that last, and landed multi-million-dollar deals using the same frameworks she teaches today. As the founder of noLMIT Marketing, Ina works with clients through corporate marketing training, digital strategy building, website development, search and AI engine optimization, email marketing, and more.

 

Her philosophy is simple: in a world obsessed with AI and flashy branding, the businesses that win are the ones that get the foundations right, storytelling, strategic systems, and genuine connection with the people they serve.

Domenique Mastronardi

PANELIST

President, Beck’s Broth

Domenique Mastronardi is the President of Beck’s Broth, an innovative collection of bone-broth-based drinks including hot chocolate and coffee. Her specialty is developing and commercializing sustainable foods that are healthy, delicious, and profitable. She heads up Finance and Operations at Beck’s Broth, and just closed their $500K seed round!

Chantal Lavergne

PANELIST

Founder, Oh Colour Me

Chantal Lavergne is the founder of Oh Color Me, a Canadian company creating simple and bold coloring books designed to make creativity more accessible and less overwhelming. Inspired by her family’s experiences with ADHD and autism, she developed a collection of mini coloring books that encourage people of all ages to unplug, slow down, and enjoy moments of calm.

Drawing on more than a decade of entrepreneurial experience, Chantal has grown Oh Color Me into a brand carried by over 300+ retailers across Canada and the United States in less than 2 years. Passionate about creativity, innovation, and building businesses with purpose, she enjoys sharing her journey as a founder and advocating for products that support well-being and connection.

Géraldine Jippé

PANELIST

Founder, Bloossoming House/Co-Founder at AssetsWaves

Géraldine Jippé is the founder of Bloossoming House, a curated ecosystem empowering female founders to thrive and access capital, the creator and host of the Female Founders Networking Breakfast, and the co-founder of AssetsWaves, a blockchain-based platform designed to facilitate digital asset investments.

SARAH STOCKDALE

Keynote Speaker

Founder & CEO, Growclass

Sarah Stockdale is the Founder and CEO of Growclass, an award-winning education company helping women and underrepresented professionals learn practical skills in marketing and AI to grow their careers. Growclass has a global alumni network of thousands of founders and marketers.

In her limited spare time, Sarah is also a Co-Host of Pagenerd, a popular scifi book club podcast.

chris mcmartin

opening remarks welcome

Business Banking National Lead, The Scotiabank Women Initiative®

Chris McMartin leads The Scotiabank Women Initiative Business Banking Strategy across Canada. Chris took on this role to help build and enhance a program that helps women overcome the challenges they face on their path to success when starting, sustaining, and growing a business. Chris loves to speak about women entrepreneurs and building impactful relationships; you may have had the opportunity to hear her on one of her podcast interviews or perhaps shared some laughs as she moderated an engaging panel.

 

Chris joined Scotiabank in 2008 as a Financial Advisor. In 2012 Chris progressed to the role of Business Banking Advisor where she found her passion for Business which she carried with her throughout her career to date.

 

Chris also has a passion for people which has led her to champion equity initiatives through many diversity, equity and inclusion roles within the bank. Outside of Scotiabank, Chris also sits on the Canadian Women Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board. Chris believes in the power of mentorship and participates as a mentor for StartUp Canada Women and Laurier Women Investment Society. Chris has been named 2025 Top 25 Women of Influence.

 

At home Chris leads another team; she is a mom of four. Chris has three young men and a young daughter that keep her on her toes. Chris loves being with her family especially if it is outdoors; add in a campfire and she is very happy!

Robyn Flynn

Panel Moderator

Podcast Producer & Owner, Le Studio Quinze

Robyn Flynn is an award-winning media professional with more than 15 years of experience in radio, podcast production, content creation and social media marketing. She is the founder of Studio Quinze on Montreal’s South Shore, where she helps businesses, organizations and creators bring their ideas to life through audio, video and digital content.

 

A longtime broadcaster and experienced interviewer, Robyn brings a passion for storytelling, conversation and connecting with audiences across platforms.

Mia Fiona Kut

PANELIST

CEO and Founder, Luna Nectar

Mia Fiona Kut is the founder of Luna Nectar, a sustainable, adaptogenic haircare brand with the mission to kick the stigma of women’s hair loss. Growing up with Eastern traditional medicinal herbs to ease her health and scalp issues, she aims to share the power of adaptogens with the world.

 

During an 8-year stint in the film industry as a writer and director of multiple award-winning short films (including a nomination for Best Canadian Short Film at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival), Mia launched Luna Nectar, and earned the 2019 BC Business 30 Under 30 Award. Since then, she was the recipient of the 2023 Visa She’s Next Award, and is currently a nominee for the 2024 YWCA Women of Distinction in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

 

Her all-natural, waterless innovation Moon Boost Lash & Brow Enhancing Serum (an alternative to harmful chemical-based, hormone-disrupting lash enhancers), has been named as ‘Best Vegan Lash Serum’ in Vogue and ‘Top 10 Lash Serums’ in Women’s Health Magazine, and has garnered a ‘Best Hair Treatment’ nomination for the CertClean Awards, and ‘Best Haircare Innovation Award’ from BeautyMatter’s Next Awards.

 

She is a lover of hiking, horseback riding, tennis and exploring a growth mindset. 

Katrina Ramdath

Panelist

Katrina Ramdath, Ecopreneur, second-generation entrepreneur and Owner of Core Sales Inc., a Canadian family-run company specializing exclusively in certified compostable foodservice packaging.

 

Entrepreneurship was part of Katrina’s life from an early age. Her late father started Core Sales Inc., from the family basement, and officially joining the business after completing her studies. When her father passed away unexpectedly in 2012, Katrina stepped into leadership, navigating grief while learning to lead the company he had built.

 

Today, Katrina leads Core Sales into its 29th year, helping cafés, restaurants, distributors, agencies, and food brands transition from traditional plastics to practical compostable solutions. Her experience as a second-generation business owner has shaped her passion for resilience, sustainability, and supporting women entrepreneurs.