Just lately, a choose lineup of Canadian-owned magnificence and wellness manufacturers have claimed heart stage. In an ever-evolving business, it takes ardour, a way of goal and an revolutionary mindset to succeed. For Leigh Joseph, founding father of the skincare line Skwálwen Botanicals, connection and goal are particularly essential.
“I started Skwálwen in 2019, the same year I started my doctoral studies in the field of ethnobotany. I wanted a way to work creatively with plants and to focus on the beauty of reconnection to Indigenous plant knowledge,” says Joseph.
A member of the Squamish Nation, Joseph sustainably harvests and sources botanicals like satan’s membership—known as Ch’átyaý in Squamish and native to the plush British Columbian coast the place Joseph’s forebearers have lived for generations—and Mimts’, Squamish for Usnea lichen, which she crafts into pores and skin cleansers, serums and balms together with aromatic room sprays and candles. Skwálwen merchandise can be found on-line and in over 75 locations throughout Canada, together with choose Holt Renfrew areas.
A Enterprise Honouring Indigenous Practices
“Ethnobotany is the study of the cultural interrelationships between people and plants,” Joseph says. “I started formulating products based around the cultural application of plants, but applying them into new and creative formulations.”
The corporate identify, Skwálwen, is the Squamish phrase for coronary heart. Every of Joseph’s merchandise has a Squamish identify to honour the place the place this plant information comes from.
“I am on a path of reconnecting to plant knowledge and related practices, linked to exploring identity. I’ve found that working with plants and Indigenous knowledge holders has helped me to draw strength and purpose to contribute to (Indigenous) knowledge renewal,” says Joseph.
Formulated with Joseph’s personal pores and skin sensitivities in thoughts, Skwálwen embraces the values of Joseph’s ancestors, cherishing and upholding treasured knowledge that was almost erased. She strikes a cautious stability between drawing on–whereas by no means exploiting–Indigenous knowledge.
“I feel that I am contributing to positive change I wish to see in the world”, says Joseph. “This is my way to honor my ancestors who endured trauma, attacks on culture and worked tirelessly to preserve knowledge. Their resilience in carrying forward our culture is inspiring.”
Joseph’s mission for Skwálwen can be about boosting generations to return. In Canada, there are greater than 50,000 Indigenous-owned companies, firms that collectively contribute $48.9 billion yearly to the financial system, in response to Census Canada data. Joseph believes that’s simply the beginning of what may be achieved with elevated Indigenous illustration in Canada’s entrepreneurial financial system.
Fostering Indigenous Entrepreneurship with BMO
“The more that Indigenous peoples, especially youth, see themselves reflected across society, the more they will feel seen and inspired to share their voices and gifts,” says Joseph.
However she is aware of from expertise that inspiration is simply the beginning of the difficult path to entrepreneurial success. On the subject of beginning a enterprise, growing knowledgeable community generally is a big differentiator.
“It is very important for Indigenous businesses to find the right financial institution to work with,” Joseph says. “Banks have the ability to open doors for Indigenous entrepreneurs who might not have the experience to navigate financial options.”
“There are ongoing barriers to Indigenous entrepreneurs accessing traditional financing if they live on reserve or don’t have assets to put against loans,” she notes as one important and customary problem.
Winner of a Celebrating Women grant from BMO, Joseph says her personal banking relationship was crucial in rising Sḵwálwen into what it’s in the present day.
“I met my banker through a women’s business organization called Coralus, who helped me access a business Mastercard, line of credit and an overdraft which helped me manage the growth of my business and our overall cash flow. Later, opportunities from BMO’s Celebrating Women grant helped scale. Without these opportunities, I might still be navigating how to build up my banking relationships and resources”
Relationships like this, Joseph believes, are crucial to boosting not solely her enterprise however all these she hopes will comply with.
“This is a huge opportunity to be the first Indigenous brand to move into new spaces,” she says. “My mission is to increase Indigenous representation in academic spaces and through my entrepreneurial journey.”
