The Libro Social Enterprise Incubator is Pillar Nonprofit Network's social enterprise support program funded by Libro Credit Union. This program is designed for community members in the late-ideation/early validation stages of their social impact businesses who are looking to develop and clarify their revenue-generating model for their organization.
Through a 10-week workshop series, entrepreneurs participate in a cohort-based learning experience guided by Pillar's Social Enterprise Program Manager and Coach. This series aims to support them in developing a robust and viable business model for their organization which includes establishing a financial model, stakeholder model, and impact model.
Alongside the workshop series, participants are supported through 1-on-1 coaching with the Pillar Social Enterprise Coach, co-working opportunities at Innovation Works, office hours with subject matter experts in legal, bookkeeping, and marketing, connecting with a Libro Credit Union Small Business Coach, and a year long Pillar Membership and Innovation Works lease.
We're thrilled to introduce the Fall 2023 Libro Social Enterprise Incubator cohort. Meet 11 incredible social entrepreneurs whose organizations are supporting our community in myriad ways.
Amarachi Kejeh - a.s.k. Amarachi Kejeh
Amarachi Kejeh (MBA, FP&A) is an award-winning consultant, educator, and entrepreneur with experience serving over 25 social impact organizations in North America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. Her expertise spans across sectors such as agriculture, disability services, education, financial services, government, healthcare, and humanitarian aid. She helps organizations clarify their strategic direction and deliver greater impact within their communities. Her newly launched flagship program, the DIY Strategic Plan program, enables social impact organizations develop their strategic plans in-house in a CAREful manner: Collaboratively, Affordably, Robustly, and Empoweringly. She is a sought-after speaker on strategic planning and has facilitated sessions at the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) North American Conference, Canadian Society for Association Executives (CSAE) Summer Summit, City of Richmond Diversity Symposium Canada, Volunteer Management Professionals Canada, and more. In October 2023, Amarachi was honored with the 2023 Under 40 Business Leadership Award in Elgin/St. Thomas. She resides in St. Thomas, Canada, where she continues to serve social impact organizations, locally and globally.
Star Smith - Click Journals
Star Smith is queer disabled Graphic Design student attending Fanshawe college as aswell as a Western University graduate. They’re a feminist and queer and disability rights activist whom aims to create design from an intersectional perspective which helps makes the world more accessible for marginalized communities.
Click Journals is a neurodivergent run social enterprise that designs journals that assist neurodivergent and disabled folx with executive function, mental health, and medical advocacy. Click Journals also design self identity stickers and accessories for accessibility aids.
Kris Pettit - Mistyglen Creamery
Kris Pettit and her husband opened their on-farm processing facility (Mistyglen Creamery) in June 2022. They own and operate a 50-60 cow dairy farm and use only their own cow's milk to produce minimally processed dairy products. Being an entrepreneur was always a goal of Kris's and so Tom and Kris set out to diversify the farm by building the creamery. Previous to the creamery, Kris spent 20 years as a registered nurse working in many facets of senior care with her favourite being dementia care. The future of the creamery/farm is to provide on-farm dementia programming alongside offering the community the opportunity to see how their food is made, ask questions and feel good about the products they are consuming
Maheshi Wanasundara - Musey
As the founder of Musey Social Enterprise, Maheshi Wanasundara is mom to a toddler and an Estonian Hound. Maheshi is a dynamic individual of Sri Lankan heritage, whose educational journey led her to diverse fields. Her career showcases her commitment to positive change. Musey is a visionary Social Enterprise, inspired by heritage. Our mission is to foster fair trade and sustainability by collaborating with talented artists and craftspeople. We curate and showcase luxurious handmade products from Sri Lanka, enriching the global market with the artistry. What sets Musey apart is our commitment to community and sustainability. We take pride in our support for women-owned businesses. Musey is dedicated to building financial independence for women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. We reinvest 50% of our profits into artisan community. These funds support essential elements of growth, learning, and sustainable development, encompassing capital investment, educational opportunities, and pioneering research projects. Musey embodies a harmonious blend of heritage, sustainability, and social empowerment, creating a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Freda Morrison - Deep-iction Candles
As a woman I’ve experienced so many body changes from puberty to womanhood, and now motherhood. Being a mom of two, I’ve learned to embrace and love my body with each change. This has inspired me to combine that love of my body, with my love for fragrances. With that, Deep-iction Candles was born. At Deep-iction Candles our goal is for you to experience a deep connection, via both visual and olfactory stimuli.These uniquely shaped candles remind female users of the importance of acceptance and self love, while having the confidence of knowing the ingredients that make-up our candles are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Cynthia Aguiar & Clara Gharibo - Move Through
Cynthia (BA, B.Ed) is the owner and director of La Compagnie de danse, a professional movement company. She is also a Professional Dancer, Qualified Dance Educator, Artist Performance Coach, Choreographer and Movement Facilitator. She is known for her unique creative process and the safe environment she creates during this process which has been called “healing”, “inspiring” and “the best way to create movement art”. She has a deep love for storytelling through movement and strongly believes everyone should feel safe enough to do just that. Clara (BFA dance, B.Ed) is a dancer, choreographer, teacher and business owner. Her business, CYouMove is built on her dance values- to help people rediscover the joys of dance and find freedom with movement. She believes that dance builds connection to yourself and others, a means of self expression, a creative outlet, a way to communicate feelings/ideas and an emotional release. She has been dancing for over 25 years and has trained in a variety of dance styles, primarily ballet and contemporary. Clara has been dancing with La Compagnie De Danse since 2019.
Kye Fox - Kye Fox Recovery Coach
Pauline Hare - Pauline Hare Bookkeeping
Hi, I’m Pauline Hare (she/they), owner of Pauline Hare Bookkeeper. I’ve worked in accounting roles for over 20 years, have earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Western University, a diploma in business accounting from Fanshawe College, and have lived experience navigating the challenges of earning a living wage as a woman, employee, solopreneur, single mother, survivor and queer person in Ontario. Why did I start my bookkeeping business? Because I am interested in fostering aligned business relationships. Through supporting others, I hope to gain an intimate understanding of the challenges women and queer founders and leaders face, and find the common threads that might one day lead to an innovative way for our communities to find meaningful, healthy and prosperous engagement in the work we do to support our thriving lives. My business is currently offering value through customized services for solopreneurs, entrepreneurs and not-for profit organizations. I will be celebrating one year as a solopreneur myself in January 2024! When my mother died at the age of 62 this summer, I’ve been considering questions like, “If I only have 15 more years left, what do I want to accomplish before then?”. When it comes to my career, I want my impact to go beyond a handful of intimate relationships. I want to be able to uplift as many women and queer folks who choose to earn their living by running their own business or leading a social or not-for -profit enterprise as possible. Expanding services, offering sliding scale pricing, creating engaging workshops and information are some ideas I have that I’d like to explore
Jude Henry - A.R.P.M.
I am a Movement Coach helping people move better, with presence, awareness and compassion to help them reduce pain, increase mobility, function, strength, power and performance. Through A.R.P.M., Jude combines their 30 years of education, practice and life experience when coaching individuals. HOW you move matters and A.R.P.M. is a transformative movement tool and methodology designed to empower individuals to take control of their bodies and movements, leading to improved function, well-being, and overall quality of life. By applying A.R.P.M. principles, individuals can effectively alleviate physical pain, enhance mobility, extend joint longevity, boost confidence and movement literacy, and bolster strength and power. One quirky fact about me: I am proud of my ability to crochet and needle-felt blood and guts.
Kim Doerr & Shane Wilcox - Studio Shim
Shane & Kim - Artists, Dreamers, and Soulmates Our journey started 23 years ago, fueled by an unbreakable bond and an unwavering passion for bringing art to our beloved city. With brushes in hand and love in our hearts, we've woven murals and public art pieces that tell stories, evoke emotions, and ignite the spirit of our community. London, Ontario is our canvas, and we are committed to making it a brighter, more beautiful place for all. Every stroke of the brush, every splash of color, every note played, is our way of spreading joy and inspiration. But our artistic journey doesn't end there. We're also the creators of Lunar Bliss, a platform for conscious sober events that bring people together with love and community. Through these gatherings, we aim to nurture connections and share positive vibrations, reminding everyone of the power of unity. Our story is one of shared dreams, shared passions, and shared love. As artists, we are bound by creativity, and as a couple, we are bound by the love that fuels our artistic souls. Join us on this beautiful journey of art, love, and community as we continue to uplift the world.