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Meet the Speakers

Discussion Guide

Guide de réflexion

BDC x Unsinkable present

Entrepreneurship fuels change, but it also comes with immense pressures.

In this powerful roundtable, six Canadian founders share candidly about the mental health realities of entrepreneurship: navigating burnout, accessing support, balancing self-care with ambition, and leading teams with empathy.

Together with BDC, Unsinkable Entrepreneurs shines a light on the lived experiences behind success and reminds us that resilience is built in community.

Unsinkable Entrepreneurs

TW: This discussion includes mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Support is available 24/7 through the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline by calling or texting 988

Featuring: @sheenabradyy / @teasewellness | @sunshinetenasco / @pow_wow_pitch @herbraids | @gldngrl | @jakekarls_ / @middaysquares | @thomas.cumberbatch / @godzspeedcommunication | @peterneal1 / @nealbrothers @jonlucaneal

Personal Reflection & Journaling Guide for Entrepreneurs

Garder Le Cap

L’entrepreneuriat est un moteur de changement, mais il s’accompagne aussi de pressions immenses.  

Dans cette table ronde touchante, six entrepreneur·es d’ici partagent avec authenticité les réalités de la santé mentale en affaires : faire face à l’épuisement, chercher du soutien, trouver un équilibre entre ambition et bien-être, et diriger avec empathie.

Créée en collaboration avec BDC, cette vidéo met en lumière les histoires humaines derrière le succès et nous rappelle que la résilience se construit ensemble, en communauté.

AVERTISSEMENT : Cette discussion contient des mentions de suicide. Si vous ou une personne que vous connaissez traverse une période difficile, vous n’êtes pas seul·e. Si vous avez des idées suicidaires, vous pouvez appeler ou envoyer un message texte au 9-8-8 pour obtenir une assistance immédiate 24h/24 et 7j/7.

Featuring: @sheenabradyy / @teasewellness | @sunshinetenasco / @pow_wow_pitch @herbraids | @gldngrl | @jakekarls_ / @middaysquares | @thomas.cumberbatch / @godzspeedcommunication | @peterneal1 / @nealbrothers @jonlucaneal

Guide de réflexion personnelle et de journalisation pour entrepreneurs

Meet the Speakers

  • A black-and-white photograph of a man with facial hair and light skin. He is wearing a white T-shirt and a white baseball cap with the words 'MIDDAY SQUAD' embroidered on the front in dark letters. The man is looking at the camera with a serious expression, and his right hand is raised with fingers slightly apart.

    Jake Karls – Co-Founder & Chief Rainmaker, Mid-Day Squares

    Jake is redefining what it means to lead in public. As the passionate, wildly honest face of Mid-Day Squares — the “first functional chocolate bar” — he’s built more than a brand; he’s built a movement rooted in transparency, self-awareness, and emotional honesty. With accolades like Forbes 30 Under 30 and EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Jake still talks openly about his mental health and the messy side of scaling a business. He believes the future of entrepreneurship belongs to those who lead from the heart.

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top, posed against a bright yellow background.

    Sheena Brady, Founder of Tease Tea and BDC Partner Founders Fund.

    Sheena is the founder of Tease Tea, a certified B-Corp that meets the intersection of wellness and beauty with flavor and function filled tea blends and aligned self-care essentials. Having created the world’s first fully biodegradable and refillable tea collection, Sheena is setting a new standard for sustainability in the wellness industry. With products available in over 700 online and retail locations in North America, Tease continues to redefine everyday beauty and wellness rituals one sip at a time.

    In 2019, Sheena also created the Founders Fund program, providing mentorship, education, and barrier-free funding to a diverse group of women founders. Through the program, Tease has contributed over $300,000 in small business micro-grants and mentorship programming to over 500 women and non-binary entrepreneurs.

  • A man wearing a black wide-brimmed hat with a silver band, black blazer, and colorful beaded bracelets on his wrist, posing against a plain gray background.

    Thomas Cumberbatch – CEO & Chief Strategist, Godzspeed Communications

    Thomas is a creative visionary and storyteller with a spiritual core. At Godzspeed Communications, he helps brands express their soul — crafting strategies that connect companies to their communities with integrity and intention. As a leader, father, and believer in business as a vessel for love, Thomas brings depth, artistry, and presence to every room he enters. His reflections on identity, legacy, and purpose will help anchor this conversation in meaning.

  • Smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a white blazer over a pink top, standing in front of a white background.

    Sunshine Tenasco – Founder, Her Braids & Pow Wow Pitch

    Sunshine is a trailblazer who uses business as a tool for Indigenous empowerment and systemic change. An Anishinabe woman from Kitigan Zibi and a mother of four, she is the founder of Her Braids — a project advocating for clean water in First Nations communities  and the powerhouse behind Pow Wow Pitch, a national platform elevating Indigenous entrepreneurs. Sunshine leads with fire and empathy, showing what’s possible when entrepreneurship is rooted in community, culture, and courage.

  • A middle-aged man with short gray hair, blue eyes, and a light beard, smiling at the camera, wearing a light blue collared shirt, against a neutral background.

    Peter Neal – Co-Founder, Neal Brothers Foods & Chief Sales & Brands Officer, Jonluca Neal

    Peter has been at the forefront of the Canadian natural food industry for over 30 years, and today, he’s also a fierce advocate for mental health — especially in the entrepreneurial space. Co-founding Neal Brothers with his brother Chris, he built a beloved national brand rooted in quality, humour, and values. But his greatest impact may be in how openly he shares his personal struggles, making it safer for others to do the same. Peter is generous with both his story and his support — and we’re lucky to have him as our peer moderator.

  • A woman with long, wavy brown hair taking a selfie against a plain light gray wall.

    Summar Bourada – Founder, gldn grl

    Summar is an advocate, solo founder, and self-taught creative who transformed a painful personal journey into a purpose-led brand. After years of living with endometriosis and navigating a health care system that dismissed her pain, she launched gldn grl — a jewelry brand that sparks conversation, raises awareness, and builds community around women’s health and invisible illness. Every piece she designs is infused with meaning and named for resilience. Summar’s entrepreneurial path is a testament to the power of storytelling, survival, and self-expression.

“I’m mostly, I would say, feeling hopeful that these kind of conversations take place, that they can continue to take place. I feel very liberated in that sense, that this is going to be an ongoing conversation and that this is just the beginning.”

Summar Bourada

A woman with long wavy brown hair, wearing a black blazer and gold jewelry, smiling slightly, taking a selfie against a light-colored wall.

“I think it’s important that we don’t just assume that people have the tools necessary to bring their mental quandaries to the table. I think it’s important to create a table that gently gives them the opportunity to do that and is a soft landing for the things that they’re going through.”

Thomas Cumberbatch

A man wearing a black wide-brimmed hat and black clothing, sitting with his arm resting on his knee, against a plain background.

“The struggle is part of it. That’s your journey. It’s an individual journey, but there are other people who can help you if you choose to express that.”

Sunshine Tenasco

Woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a white blazer over a pink top, standing in front of a white door.

“Entrepreneurship is a lonely ride. It’s a ride where you feel judged, misunderstood. The odds are stacked against you…When you get to hang and be part of a conversation with people that are going through almost the exact same thing as you, you just feel more energized. You feel more amped up.”

Jake Karls

A man wearing a baseball cap that reads 'Midday Squared' in bold letters. The man has facial hair, and his expression is slightly surprised or concerned. He is wearing a white shirt, and his right hand is visible in the image, positioned in front of him, with the fingers slightly curled.

“You often hear that expression, ‘my heart is full,’ honestly I’ve never used it. But I do. I feel super happy. I feel proud that I was able to do the job I did today. I’ve never done it before. I feel like I’ve got some new friends. And so you put all those together and yeah, definitely my heart is full.”

Peter Neal

A middle-aged man with short, salt-and-pepper hair and light blue eyes, smiling in front of a plain gray background.

“ADHD has shaped my approach to systems at work and how I approach entrepreneurship, in a sense that I have taken time to actually re-architect a lot of how I show up and how I work every day.”

Sheena Brady

Portrait of a woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top, against a yellow background.
A behind-the-scenes view of a photo or video shoot in a modern, high-ceilinged space with black and white decor. Several crew members are working with lighting and camera equipment, some seated and others standing. One person is adjusting wires on th
A group of six diverse people sitting on a couch in a modern office conference room, engaging in conversation. The room has a large window with trees outside, and a red abstract decorative element on the wall behind them.
A photography studio scene with several people working, lighting equipment, cameras, and a black and white striped ceiling. There are plants and a red carpeted area.
Group of six people sitting on black armchairs and a sofa in a modern office lounge with red carpet, white curtains, potted plants, and a large red gear-shaped decoration in the background.
Two women smiling and standing close together in an indoor space with modern black and wood interior design. One woman wears glasses and a white shirt, the other wears a black top and holds a tumbler.
Two people standing together inside a modern, well-lit building, smiling and posing for the photo. One person is wearing glasses, a white shirt, and jeans, holding a book. The other person is wearing a black t-shirt, black shorts, white Nike sneakers
A diverse group of eleven people standing together indoors, smiling for the camera, with some placing their arms around each other, in a room with white curtains, plants, and red furniture.
Three people posing for a photo in a modern indoor setting, with a man on the left pointing towards the woman in the middle, and a woman on the right wearing glasses and a light-colored dress with polka dots. There is a black menu board and a coffee
A group of six people, five women and one man, smiling and standing together inside a modern cafe or restaurant, with a black digital menu board and a coffee bar behind them.
A man in a gray jacket, black hat, and glasses photos with a camera in an indoor modern space with plants, tables, and a large red decorative object in the background.
A smiling Black man in a beige suit and white shirt sitting indoors with a potted plant in the background.
Four people standing in a row in an indoor setting, some wearing event badges, with a white wall featuring faint words behind them. They appear to be at a conference or meeting.
A modern living room with a black leather sofa decorated with red, white, and blue patterned pillows. A black coffee table has a glass vase with white flowers. The room has a red rug and white curtains in the background.
Modern office waiting area with a black leather sofa adorned with patterned pillows in red, navy, and white, a centered black coffee table with a small floral arrangement, an orange and red geometric rug, a tall green plant in the background, and a l
Young man with long black hair wearing a sleeveless graphic t-shirt and black pants standing in a modern interior with a green potted plant, sofas decorated with orange, white, and blue patterned pillows, and a bright background with sheer white curt
A young man with glasses wearing a beige t-shirt that says 'blended' and black shorts, holding a T-square and standing next to a telescoping pole in an indoor setting with white curtains and a potted plant in the background.
Two men standing side by side in front of a white wall, looking at a screen or monitor. The man in the foreground has glasses and dark, slightly wavy hair, and is wearing a black shirt with a red lanyard. The second man, in the background, has short
A man with glasses and long hair in a bun wearing a black shirt and shorts operating a professional camera on a dolly in an indoor setting with modern decor.
Two women are sitting close together, looking at something on a phone. One woman has short, curly black hair, a nose piercing, and glasses pushed up on her head. The other woman has long, dark hair and is wearing a sleeveless T-shirt with a colorful
Two people at a panel discussion, one holding a device with a screen showing a live recording of the event, the other wearing glasses in the background.
A middle-aged man with short, gray hair and a light beard, wearing a black short-sleeved button-up shirt, is looking to his left. He has tattoos on his left forearm and arm, and a bracelet on his wrist. The background consists of a bright, white wind
Three women and one man standing and talking indoors near large windows with white curtains. The woman on the right is smiling and wearing glasses, a white jacket, and jeans, holding a purse and gesturing with her hand. The woman in the middle, with
Two men engaged in conversation in an indoor setting. The man on the left has dark skin, curly black hair, and is wearing a black shirt with a silver necklace, holding a black water bottle. The man on the right, whose face is not visible, has light s
Interior of a modern office or studio with film equipment, a large red star-shaped decor, black leather couches with red, white, and blue themed pillows, and green plants. Photography or filming setup with lights and stands is visible.
Three people chatting at a round table in a public area, with a woman in a yellow dress and a young man holding a drink smiling, while a woman with curly hair in a white shirt faces away from the camera. There is a colorful artwork on the wall behind
Group of women having a conversation, standing indoors with natural light and greenery in the background.
A man with gray hair and glasses sitting on a gray sofa, looking at his phone. Behind him is a large red arrow sculpture pointing downward. The setting appears to be a modern indoor space with white curtains and furniture.
Two men shaking hands in a professional setting, with a third person in the background looking at their phone. The man on the right is smiling and wearing glasses, a beige blazer, and a patterned shirt. The man on the left has dark, curly hair and is
A man with curly hair and a beard wearing a black t-shirt with the words 'MID-DAY SQUARES' visible, standing with his hands clasped, wearing a wristwatch and a fitness tracker, in an indoor setting with blurred background.
A man with glasses and a black shirt holding a professional video camera, intently focusing on filming.
Two women having a serious conversation at a cafe table, with colorful bottled beverages in the foreground.
A row of reusable water bottles in various colors including clear, orange, blue, and green, with black caps, displayed on a shelf or table.
A group of people engage in conversation at an indoor event, with a woman smiling at a woman with glasses and wearing a black top.
Two men are engaged in conversation indoors. One man with curly hair and a beard is gesturing with his left hand, while the other man, with short blond hair, listens. The man with the beard is wearing a black shirt with white text.
People engaging in conversations at a professional networking event in a modern office building with large windows and glass doors.
A group of people socializing indoors, with a woman with blonde hair and a black sleeveless top talking to a man with glasses and a black shirt.
Two men engaged in conversation at a round table in a modern indoor space with large windows. One man has dark hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, gesturing with his hands. The other man has short gray hair, tattoos on his arm, and is wearing a
Shelf displaying snack bars and cookie boxes, with cylindrical containers on the left in the background.
Stacks of pink cylindrical tea containers labeled 'tease' with cherry flavor, arranged on a table with a blurred background.
Young man with black hair and glasses operating a professional video camera set up on a tripod, indoors with blurred background and two women in the background.
A smiling man with glasses wearing a beige suit standing next to a woman with dark hair and a black jacket, in an indoor setting with a large green plant in the background and the partial logo 'cdc' on the wall.
A woman with long dark hair and earrings looking directly at the camera, standing indoors next to a whiteboard and a sign that says "bcdc" with a red and orange logo in the background.
Side view of an elderly woman with gray hair, wearing glasses, a white embroidered blouse, and a watch, speaking or gesturing with her hands.
Group of diverse adults listening attentively to a speaker in a casual indoor setting, with some holding water bottles and others clasping their hands.
A group of women listening to an older woman speaking in a professional setting.
A woman with dark hair and light skin looks to the side in an indoor setting with a white background, accompanied by other people in the background.
A woman shaking hands with a man, while another man observes and smiles. The woman is wearing a black shirt and has long brown hair. The man in the middle has gray hair and is wearing a dark shirt. The man to the right has short dreadlocks, glasses,
A young man with dark skin, short curly black hair, wearing a black shirt, gold earrings, and a necklace, engaging in conversation with an older woman with light skin, white hair, glasses, and a white blouse at an indoor event. Other people are parti
Three women and one man standing together indoors, smiling for the camera. The woman in the middle is wearing a yellow dress, the woman on the left is wearing a white blouse and glasses, and the man on the right is dressed in a colorful, patterned sh
A senior woman with gray hair and glasses smiling while engaging with a group of young adults in a meeting room. The woman is standing and wearing a light-colored, textured sweater, and the group appears to be having a discussion or activity.
Smiling young man with curly hair and earrings, wearing a black shirt and a gold necklace, standing indoors near a window.
A professional video camera on a tripod capturing an interview with three individuals sitting on a black couch in a brightly lit modern studio with large windows, white curtains, and indoor plants.
A man with glasses and dark hair tied back, working with professional camera equipment on a tripod, in a modern indoor setting with a striped ceiling.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a black sleeveless top and gray pants sitting on a black couch, smiling, in a room with large windows, white curtains, and a green plant.
Six people sitting on couches in a modern indoor setting with plants and curtains, with a large red abstract sculpture behind them.
Two men are sitting on black couches, smiling and having a conversation indoors. One is wearing a beige suit with glasses, and the other is dressed in a black polo shirt and white pants. There are glasses of water on a table and a green plant in the
Four people sit on a black sofa in a modern conference room with large windows and curtains. There are plants and a large red downward arrow in the background, and a camera is visible on the right side of the image.
A woman and a man are sitting on a black couch in a modern office or lounge area, engaged in a conversation. The woman has shoulder-length dark hair, is wearing a white shirt, and blue pants. The man has curly dark hair, a beard, and is wearing a bla
Group of people praying or hugging together in a circle indoors.
Group of six people in a modern office, hugging and smiling, with a camera and studio lighting in the foreground.
People sitting on sofas and laughing in a modern indoor space with large red geometric sculpture and trees.
Group of women sitting in a conference room, some women are using their phones, and one woman is looking forward. They appear to be attending a presentation or meeting.
A woman and a man are sitting on couches indoors, laughing and enjoying a conversation. The woman is wearing a white shirt and blue pants, and the man is wearing a black t-shirt and shorts. There is a glass of water and a pillow on the couch beside t
A person operating a professional film camera on a tripod indoors, with another person in the background and a person in the distance wearing headphones.
People seated in a modern conference room with a red geometric wall. One man with gray hair, woman with dark hair, and a man with dark wavy hair are engaged in a discussion, with glasses of water and a camera recording the event.
Close-up of a professional video camera on a tripod recording a panel of four people sitting in front of a large red star backdrop during an interview or discussion.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a white shirt, sitting at a table with glasses of wine, against a red background.
A middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt, sitting at a table holding a piece of paper, with a white background and red geometric design.
A man with dark skin, dressed in a tan blazer, wearing black-rimmed glasses, sitting at a desk with a serious expression.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black shirt and gold jewelry, sitting in front of a light-colored background.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black sleeveless top, sitting with her hands clasped on a table in a room with large windows and green plants in the background.
A young man with dark, curly hair and a small earring in his left ear, wearing a black shirt and a gold chain, standing with arms crossed, looking to his right against a plain background.
A group of women attending an indoor event, sitting attentively with arms crossed, focused on something off-camera.
A middle-aged man with gray hair and tattoos on his arm is sitting on a black chair, holding glasses near his ear, and appears to be engaged in a conversation. He is wearing a black shirt and white pants, with a red background and a tall indoor plant
Close-up of a man with dark curly hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, touching his lips with his fingers in a thoughtful pose
A woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a white shirt and blue pants, sitting on a black leather couch in a modern indoor setting. She appears to be engaged in a conversation or explaining something, with a plant and a blurred background visi
A young man operating a professional camera on a tripod, wearing glasses and a blue shirt with a backpack, behind another person in black clothing.
A group of diverse people sitting on black couches, listening to a discussion in a bright room with white curtains, a potted plant, and a red abstract mural in the background.
A middle-aged man with short, gray hair and a beard is sitting with his arms crossed, holding a pen, against a red and white background.
A woman with wavy, shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a black sleeveless top and white high-waisted pants, holding a smartphone, standing in front of a light-colored wall with printed text.
An indoor event with a panel of women sitting on stage, a professional camera, lighting equipment, and a monitor capturing the scene. Audience members are seated watching the panel discussion.
Auditorium with an audience watching a panel discussion on a large screen, featuring five people sitting in chairs and a backdrop with a large orange medical cross.
A woman with black hair, wearing a white blouse and blue pants, sitting with her arms crossed on a gray sofa in a modern indoor setting. There is a glass of water on a small table next to her and a red decorative object with a cut-out pattern in the
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, sitting on a black leather sofa. She is gesturing with her hands and appears to be speaking or explaining something, with two glasses of water on the table nearby.
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black top and gray jeans, sitting indoors with green plants in the background, looking to her left with her hands clasped together.
A man with curly hair and a beard sits at a table, resting his chin on his hand, with a woman with long dark hair smiling beside him. A glass of water is in the foreground.
A person with dark hair and a beard embraces another person with long brown hair. They are in a room with natural light and large windows, with a green plant in the background. A seated woman wearing glasses and a tan blazer is smiling and observing
Three people sitting at a table and having a conversation, with a woman smiling at a man on her right.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top and blue jeans, sitting on a black leather couch with her eyes closed in a room with white curtains and a potted plant in the background.
A person operating a camera records a panel discussion of four people seated at a table with a red background behind them.
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a white shirt and blue pants, smiling and sitting on a gray sofa during a conversation. There are glasses of water on the table in front of her, and a large red and white sign or logo in the background.
A man with dark skin and short curly hair is looking slightly upward with a thoughtful expression, resting his chin on his hand, sitting indoors.
A group of five adults sitting on black sofas in a modern indoor setting, participating in a discussion or interview, with film crew and cameras recording. There is a large orange and red cross-shaped symbol on the wall behind them, and a tall indoor
A diverse group of people sitting on black chairs in a room with sheer white curtains. Two individuals are most prominent: a woman with long dark hair wearing a black t-shirt and a man with glasses, dreadlocks, a beige blazer, and white pants. The ph
People sitting on black sofas in a modern room with sheer curtains, a tall indoor plant, and orange wall accents, during a discussion captured by a camera in the foreground.
Two women sitting in a room, engaged in conversation, with a large leafy plant in the background. One woman has long brown hair, and the other has long dark hair.
A group of six people, five men and one woman, sitting on sofas in a modern room with white curtains and large potted plants, engaged in conversation and handshaking. There is a large red abstract sculpture in the background and professional lighting
A man with gray hair and a woman with long brown hair shaking hands in a room with white curtains, a black sofa, and a large green plant.
Group of diverse people smiling and standing together in a modern office space with natural light, plants, and a red accent wall behind them.
People engaged in a discussion, with a woman wearing glasses, a white shirt, and blue jeans looking at another person, in a room with natural light and a plant in the background.
A diverse group of people in an indoor setting, some wearing glasses, standing in a row, smiling or looking attentive. There are professional lighting and equipment visible in the background.
Group of four diverse women standing together indoors, engaged in a discussion, with one woman in the foreground wearing glasses and a white jacket, and others smiling and listening.
Two women are engaged in a conversation, with one woman gesturing with her hands. In the background, two other women are standing and talking, one wearing glasses and a yellow blazer and the other with a short hairstyle and a dark blue shirt. The set
A woman wearing glasses and a polka dot dress smiling at another person, with a microphone and recording equipment in the background.
Group of diverse women engaging in conversation during a professional meeting.
A man with glasses and dark hair, wearing a navy shirt and light pants, sits on a stool with his hands folded in his lap during an interview or video recording. He is in an indoor setting with wooden walls and a logo on the wall behind him. A woman i
A middle-aged man with short gray hair and blue eyes smiling, wearing a dark blue short-sleeved button-up shirt and beige pants, sitting indoors with a plant in the background.
A young man with curly hair and a beard, wearing a black T-shirt with white text and black shorts, sitting on a chair with his legs apart, during an interview or presentation. He is wearing white Nike sneakers, white socks, a wristwatch, and a fitnes
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and gold jewelry, sitting indoors with a neutral background and a green plant.
A person with long dark hair tied back, wearing glasses and a black shirt, standing in front of a camera setup with professional lighting and equipment in a studio or production environment.
A woman with long, wavy brown hair, wearing a sleeveless black top and blue jeans, seated in a black chair with her legs crossed, engaged in conversation indoors. She is gesturing with her hands, wearing rings, bracelets, a watch, and layered necklac
A woman sitting on a chair smiling at the camera, wearing a white shirt and blue pants, with a green plant and a beige wall with black lettering in the background.
A man being interviewed or recorded in a studio or office setting, sitting in front of a camera with a microphone above, with a large green potted plant and a light-colored wall behind him.