In a time when support for women entrepreneurs is dwindling, one initiative is defying the trend — and doing it with bold intention. The Self-Made Breakfast Tour, launched by Toronto-based Sinclair Creative Agency Inc. (SCA) in partnership with PARO Canada, is taking a coast-to-coast stand for women-led businesses across Canada.
Kicking off May 29 in Toronto before making stops in St. John’s, Calgary, Ottawa, and Vancouver, the five-city tour is more than just a networking event — it’s a nationwide movement to connect self-identifying women entrepreneurs with capital, mentorship, and the kinds of connections that catalyze growth.
“This is needed now, more than ever,” said Rosalind Lockyer, CEO of PARO Canada. “At PARO, we act on what we hear from women entrepreneurs, collaborate with partners, and build strategies to break down identified barriers that bar women from full economic participation and access across Canada. Through this partnership with SCA, PARO presents this exciting cross Canada Tour to celebrate and dialogue with women entrepreneurs, community leaders and big corporations.”
The numbers speak volumes. According to a March 2025 media release from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, women-owned businesses generate over $90 billion annually and support more than 865,000 jobs. And yet, the infrastructure to support them is shrinking. The Self-Made Breakfast Tour is aiming to reverse that trajectory with high-impact programming tailored to each region’s economic makeup.
Attendees can expect more than motivational panels. The Tour’s programming includes Collaboration Innovation Tables (CITs)—roundtable conversations co-funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada—alongside one-on-one business advisor sessions and panel discussions with top-tier executives.
“Through CITs at each stop of the Tour, we’re capturing diverse voices of women entrepreneurs to help shape more inclusive government policies,” Lockyer added. “By recognizing Canada’s regional differences and cultural diversity, the Self-Made Breakfast Tour ensures that every woman’s perspective is not only heard, but valued.”
Each stop begins with the Small Business Lounge, an experiential retail space where entrepreneurs can showcase their products to local and national audiences. Featuring brand activations from major players like Intuit QuickBooks, CIBC, and 99designs by Vista, the Lounge is more than a booth display — it’s a business accelerator.
“At CIBC Business Banking, we are thrilled to be the financial sponsor of The Self-Made Breakfast Tour,” said Cynthia Sanlian, Vice President, Business Banking, CIBC. “We recognize that every entrepreneur has a unique mission, and it is our privilege to support them in realizing their ambitions through events like this that foster innovation and growth through education and networking. By connecting entrepreneurs with valuable resources and insights, we aim to help them navigate challenges and seize opportunities.”
Tech and marketing leadership are front and center in this initiative. SCA, known for its creative, community-focused campaigns, brings its signature blend of tech and heart to the table.
“At SCA, we create people-first experiences that leave a lasting impact,” said Anna Sinclair, Creative Director and Founder of Sinclair Creative Agency Inc. “Through the Self-Made Breakfast Tour, we’re connecting founders with influential brands and organizations in a space intentionally designed for creative strategy and meaningful connections. We tap into technology to redefine the way we market, advertise and position Canadian businesses in today’s everchanging entrepreneurial landscape.”
Intuit QuickBooks, the Tour’s official FinTech partner, echoed this sentiment. “We’re committed to equipping Canada’s entrepreneurial community with the tools and resources they need to thrive, and this partnership is another step in our mission to power prosperity for small businesses across the country,” said Kelly-Ann Massingberd, Director of Marketing, Canada/LATAM, Interim, Intuit QuickBooks.
More than a feel-good moment, the Self-Made Breakfast Tour is positioning itself as a powerful platform for real, measurable impact. It’s an ecosystem builder for the women-led businesses that are essential to Canada’s economy—and often underserved by traditional programs.
From spotlighting Canadian-made products to capturing the policy-shaping voices of women entrepreneurs, the Tour is creating the kind of intentional space where change isn’t just discussed — it’s designed.
