Every year on March 8, we get the perfect excuse to shout from the rooftops about how incredible women are—although, let’s be honest, we should be doing that every day.
International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women everywhere, and here in our community. We have so much to be proud of—especially when it comes to the many amazing female-owned businesses that make our communities more vibrant, creative, and successful.
On International Women’s Day, let’s not only celebrate but also take action—grab a treat from a woman-owned bakery, book a service with a female entrepreneur, or simply spread the word about the incredible businesses right in our backyard.
Angela Ysseldyk
Nutritionist and Co-Owner of Dutchman’s Gold
Angela Ysseldyk, co-owner of Dutchman’s Gold, is a second-generation entrepreneur with 25 years of experience as a Certified Nutritional Practitioner.
Ysseldyk grew up in a family of beekeepers – her father, John Van Alten, founded Dutchman’s Gold. Leadership was learned early, and she says it’s about “knowing when to take charge and when to listen, and having the courage to make decisions, even when they’re imperfect.
“As a second-generation entrepreneur, I feel both the responsibility and privilege of building on my parents’ legacy – making their ceiling my floor while staying true to our core values. I surround myself with people who know more than I do but also recognize when my voice adds value.”
Through her nutrition and wellness career, she realized how much her roots mattered. “When my husband and I took over Dutchman’s Gold, I saw it wasn’t just a business — it was a mission that aligned with my passions and experience.”
After 44 years, Dutchman’s Gold has grown and evolved into the digital future without losing connection to its heritage and core values. “We’ve come a long way – and yet somehow, it feels like we’re just getting started.”
For more info, visit DutchmansGold.com
Michelle Kalman
Founder of the go-to
Burlington-born and Carlisle-raised, Michelle runs a boutique public relations agency based out of Mississauga’s Lorne Park neighbourhood. Her work supports many women-owned, local, entrepreneurial brands including The Bare Home and foli.
Kalman was always a fan of Citytv’s FashionTelevision show. In fact, it fuelled her pursuit of media as a career. “While studying, I volunteered there as a tour guide and sent my resume in pizza boxes to every producer at the station. Lucky for me, someone appreciated the approach and took a chance hiring me.”
Kalman makes it a point to create her own personal work back schedule each morning, assigning herself deadlines and goals each day. “Of course, I don’t always check every box but it’s a great tool for managing expectations and prioritizing work as well as moments of self-care,” she says.
A piece of advice to her younger self would be emotional intelligence in the workplace. “Emotions are incredibly important – especially for those of us in a creative industry,” she says. “That said, I believe how we respond to emotions in a work setting is key. My advice would be to pause, breathe and evaluate in high-stress situations. Take a moment – it’s always worth it.”
For more info, visit TheGoTo.ca
Dr. Jackie Ang
Founder of Ke’ala Living
Dr. Jackie Ang is a medical doctor turned group psychotherapist, wellness educator, yoga and meditation instructor.
As someone who’s always been fascinated by people, and deeply moved by healing, she sees life as concentric cycles of transformation: beautiful, messy, sacred, incredible – “and I wanted to be a part of that process,” she says.
While she felt privileged to participate in healing as a doctor, she realized one day what made her heart soar: “When illness and vulnerability opened into deeper self-connection, love and self-understanding. My work now as a group therapist, meditation guide and wellness educator is inspired by creating the conditions for that.”
Ang wants to see women in her industry source their self-worth beyond their personal or professional roles. She says women should experience their value far beyond how they care for others, or regardless of how grand the achievement. “Sure, let’s celebrate our external impacts, but if we could really feel our inherent goodness unrelated to all that, we would naturally prioritize tending to our inner worlds, and ourselves” and that the paradox is what results in a rested, nourished, aligned human. “What it creates in their communities is immeasurable.”
For more info, visit KealaLiving.com
Joelle Cooling
Entrepreneur and Business Owner
Joelle Cooling has been a fashionable force in Downtown Burlington for many years.
As the founder and former owner of Joelle’s, she has established a clear example of leadership. “A leader can inspire few or many people,” she says. “As an employer, a mother, and a business owner in a community, I recognized my responsibility to be a positive influence on several different levels.”
Having recently retired from ownership of Joelle’s, which she founded and owned for 28 years, Cooling concluded that she’d accomplished what she’d wanted with that platform. It was time to lead a new owner into the future. “After navigating the challenges of the global pandemic, I most definitely experienced burnout – and allowed myself to acknowledge it. While I mentally wanted to keep going, I physically needed a break.”
Shoppers will still find her working occasionally at Joelle’s by Ally, as well as Jeff’s Guyshop, which is run by Cooling’s husband Jeff. Their oldest son Jackson is being mentored to take over ownership. “I am thrilled to be able to mentor Ally (Joelle’s by Ally), Alex and Erica (ROAM) and Jackson (Jeff’s Guyshop) along with their teams. I want to be the liaison for community and philanthropy in order to move our leadership philosophy forward. I also want to inspire women to listen to their bodies and understand the physiological changes that occur. So many women have called my ‘retirement’ brave – it might have been easier to just keep going, but I’m not sure what the result would have been. I now have a lot of things to be excited about.”
For more info, visit Joelles.com | JeffsGuyShop.com | WithRoam.ca
Oksana Latinovic
Aesthetic Practitioner and owner of Blossom Skin Boutique
Blossom Skin Boutique, a medical spa located in Lorne Park, Mississauga, offers a variety of non-surgical treatments, including Botox, dermal fillers, advanced facial rejuvenating procedures, and body contouring treatments.
After years in the nursing field, transitioning to medical aesthetics was the realization of a dream for Oksana. “I faced long working hours and high stress while raising three children, and I found myself burned out,” she shares. “It was during this challenging time that I realized I needed a change. My passion for the beauty industry had always been there, and when the opportunity arose to pursue my dream, I seized it. While it wasn’t easy, I had a clear vision and the determination to make it a reality. Embracing this change has been a rewarding journey, allowing me to follow my true passion.”
Maintaining a balance between personal and professional life can be challenging, but Oksana prioritizes it accordingly. “While my work is a significant part of my life and I truly love what I do, I make it a priority to disconnect as soon as I leave the office. At home, I immerse myself in family responsibilities and personal activities, training my thoughts and emotions to remain separate from work. It can be tough at times, but I strive to maintain this balance to keep my mind healthy and ensure that both my professional and personal lives thrive.”
Emphasizing self-care and education is crucial for Oksana as she imparts these values to her children, preparing them for a better future. “I encourage them to trust their instincts, discover their strengths, and pursue their dreams. Finding a purpose gives them the strength to fight for what they believe in. I always remind them to dream big and believe in themselves.”
For more info, visit BlossomSkinBoutique.com
Dr. Karen Agro, BScPhm, PharmD, MSc
Director, Agro Health Associates Inc., Musician and Healthcare Professional
Although highly trained in classical guitar, Karen Agro chose a career in pharmacy, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy and Masters of Science.
Two pivotal moments led her to combine music and health. “A lifelong classical guitarist, I chose pharmacy over music, vowing to return one day,” she says. “In 2018, a 15-foot fall while rock climbing left me facing the possibility of never playing guitar again. Then later, in the final stages of dementia, I witnessed my father’s response as I played guitar at his bedside. These wake-up calls shaped my path, driving me to help the corporate world harness the science-backed power of music to turn stress into resilience.”
She advises women as aspiring leaders to “be bold and not sell themselves short,” and, while self-doubt is natural, it’s lingering fear that holds people back. “Throughout my 30-year career – building a pharmaceutical consulting firm and now speaking on music’s health benefits in the corporate world – I’ve faced doubt. But every time I acted, I progressed or learned.”
Imparting advice to her younger self: follow your heart. “Every big change I made happened because I trusted it over doubt.”
For more info, visit KarenAgro.com
Suzette Jeffers-Smith
Creative Artist & Owner of JENSO Upholstering Inc.
Known as Shar J on social media, Suzette’s career developed through a combination of personal experiences, creative exploration, and a desire to connect with others.
Although studying interior design provided technical foundations, it wasn’t as fulfilling as she’d hoped. “That’s when art and fashion became my outlet. I wanted to create work that not only expressed my own journey but also inspired others.”
As a Black woman navigating multiple industries, she has felt the need to work twice as hard. “The biggest challenge has been breaking through spaces that weren’t necessarily designed for people like me. Whether it’s the luxury home décor market, the art world, or even fashion, I’ve had to consistently prove my worth and ability.”
Access has also been challenging. “I’ve overcome this by building strong, meaningful relationships with people who see my vision and support me. I nurture connections with those who uplift and inspire me, just as I do for them.”
Shar continuously learns through cultural interaction. “Conversations and experiences shape my perspective more than anything else.” Success, she says, isn’t about achievement. “It’s about showing up every day with purpose, passion, and resilience.”
For more info, follow @SharjExperience & @JensoUpholsteringInc on Instagram
