top of page

The Self-Made Breakfast Tour | Calgary Recap

  • Writer: Self-Made Tour
    Self-Made Tour
  • Dec 17, 2025
  • 9 min read


The Self-Made Breakfast Tour | Calgary Recap


Calgary was a huge success! It was amazing to see so many of you fall in love with Calgary, and cheers to the first-time visitors!!! Thank you to everyone who joined us on Monday, November 24, 2025, as the Western leg of the Self-Made Breakfast Tour, presented in partnership with PARO Centre for Women's Entrepreneurship Canada, touched down in Alberta at the vibrant Platform Innovation Centre, a hub that perfectly reflects Calgary’s evolving identity and bold economic future.


Calgary is rising as one of Canada’s fastest-diversifying business ecosystems. Backed by partners like Calgary Economic Development, the city is championing growth in tech, innovation, creative industries, and emerging sectors, and this event brought that momentum to life.


Together, we celebrated diverse women entrepreneurs across various industries, built meaningful relationships, and super-connected 165 founders with leaders, organizations, investors, and brands ready to help move the needle in their businesses. Our one-of-a-kind founders' airline-themed experience left everyone on Cloud 9 and ready for takeoff!


Want to see the sizzle reel?? Head over to Instagram Reel




This wasn’t just a breakfast. It was a full-day catalyst for growth, empowerment, and action. With a fresh, forward-thinking energy, the Self-Made Breakfast Tour is dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs elevate their businesses, expand their networks, and access the resources they need to scale. Whether founders came seeking strategy, connection, motivation, or clarity, they walked away with precisely what they needed to keep advancing.


The city’s spirit of reinvention echoed through the room, and the agenda reflected it, rich with opportunities to learn, collaborate, and soar. Our standout panel of industry leaders delivered unfiltered insights and real-world strategies, while the thoughtfully curated sessions grounded big ideas in practical next steps.


The day featured the AMEX Founders Lounge: Small Business Connections, where guests shopped from inspiring local brands and experienced firsthand the creativity flowing through Calgary’s entrepreneurial scene, a full day of Panels & Speakers, Collaboration Innovation Tables (CITs) where attendees rolled up their sleeves for powerful small-group discussions on the challenges shaping today’s business landscape, and the Learning Lounge where founders connected one-on-one with experts in finance, marketing, legal, and more, turning inspiration into clear, actionable plans.


Kicking the day off, as guests arrived, they got to experience the AMEX Founder's Lounge, designed to make connections, enjoy tasty treats, shop, and explore incredible local brands.




The AMEX Founders Lounge: "Small Business Connections" and VIP Gifting Partners



The AMEX Founders Lounge: "Small Business Connections" instantly became one of the most talked-about spots of the Calgary stop. The room was alive from the moment doors opened, with Canadian founders & businesses showcasing their products, meeting customers face-to-face, sharing their stories, and celebrating real-time sales and wins.


Inside the lounge were intimate spaces that gave the day even more heart. The CIBC Business Banking Professional Headshots Lounge and the Intuit QuickBooks Financial Cafe offered relaxed corners where founders could ask real-money questions, get clarity, and feel supported in the financial side of their business. The Writeway Lounge added a calm and creative pause in the middle of the action, giving entrepreneurs a place to reflect and explore storytelling support. Phoenix Rising created a warm and encouraging space for deeper conversations about strategy, leadership, and levelling up.


A massive shoutout to our Calgary Tour vendors and OneWest Events for transforming Platform Calgary into an immersive experience for guests. The venue was alive with discovery, connection, and new relationships forming in every corner. Guests wrapped up their morning with stunning VIP gift bags filled with beauty, wellness, and lifestyle products that took their self-care routines to the next level!!



A huge thank you to our VIP vendors, sponsors and gifting partners: 




“Calgary, you didn’t let the season’s first snowfall stop you from taking your business to new heights,” said Anna Sinclair, Creative Director and Founder of Sinclair Creative Agency Inc. (SCA), the agency behind producing the Tour.“This Tour is about giving women the platform, the tools, and the community they need to succeed and Calgary stood out as a defining stop in this powerful movement across the country.”


With its growing tech sector, thriving innovation ecosystem, and commitment to diversifying beyond energy, Calgary proved the perfect runway for founders ready to take flight.



After our big reveal through our boarding zone tunnel, we started the day with a powerful intention-setting moment titled “Letter To My Future Self,” powered by Writeway and led by Chantria Tram. This reflective exercise invited attendees to ground themselves in purpose, set bold intentions for their personal and professional growth, and connect with the deeper “why” behind their journey. Afterward, women were encouraged to share what they had written, sparking tears, laughter, and an overwhelming sense of connection. It created a room full of support and motivation, setting the perfect tone to launch the day.




Thank you to Dean Davidson and Brindy Luxury Silk for the beautiful speaker gifts.





A Day of Sky-High Moments


Kicking off the speaking portion of the day was the “Money in Motion” panel, powered by CIBC Business Banking and moderated by Nicole Shokoples, VP Stakeholder Relations & Planning, Alberta Innovates.


Each panellist offered a distinct perspective:

  • Cynthia Sanlian, Vice President, CIBC Business Banking, spoke to how financial institutions can go beyond lending to create real value for entrepreneurs and unlock untapped opportunities for women founders.  Cynthia also gave the room an exclusive first look at the upcoming CIBC Women Entrepreneurs Hub.

  • Andrea McDougald, Senior Product Designer, Writeway, spoke about how to quantify a product’s value, which is deeply emotional and experiential in a way that investors and stakeholders can understand.

  • Anna Sinclair,  CEO & Founder, Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA) reflected on the realities of starting from scratch, bootstrapping, fundraising, and balancing vision with financial discipline, while emphasizing the importance of mindset in growth.

  • Joanna Pariseau, CEO & Founder, Taste the City shared her insights into where it’s best to invest and the importance of strategic partnerships.


The conversation wrapped with a powerful closing round: each panellist offered one “bold money move” for women founders to trust themselves and scale with confidence.




Following the “Money in Motion” panel, we dove into another powerhouse conversation: “Scaling with People & Purpose: How to Build a Business That Grows and Sustains,” powered by Phoenix Rising Consulting Group.


Katie Smith-Parent, Executive Director of YWE and Co-Founder of Axis Connects, masterfully moderated a dynamic discussion with Phoenix Rising co-founders Huda Moghal and Alisha O’Neil. Together, they delivered an inspiring, candid, and deeply practical session that left the room buzzing with motivation and clarity.


Katie’s thoughtful, incisive questions drew out the heart and strategy behind each speaker’s journey, transforming the panel into one of the day’s standout moments. She then opened the floor to a powerful Q&A, where attendees dove into real challenges, asked the tough questions, and walked away with insights they could implement immediately.


It was the kind of conversation you only get by being in the room, full of honesty, momentum, and the spark that pushes entrepreneurs to level up.



Before we broke for brunch, our incredible brunch sponsors — Chelsea Hallick, Director of Business Development, and Rochelle Edwards, Trade Community Specialist, from Calgary Economic Development  — shared a few inspiring words about Calgary’s evolving industries and the city’s focus on diversifying beyond energy. Their message was clear: Calgary’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is brimming with opportunity, innovation, and momentum. It’s an exciting time to be a founder in this city, and the future has never looked brighter!


Great Events Catering showed up BIG! And provided out-of-this-world catering. From delectable morning bites to a gorgeous Instagrammable brunch (the most delicious carrot soup anyone has ever had!), all attendees enjoyed a first-class dining experience!



After brunch, we moved into a fiery fireside chat presented by Sinclair Creative Agency (SCA). Moderated by Courtney Dragani, Chief Growth Officer at The 51, the conversation featured April Hicke, Founder & CEO of Toast and a powerhouse in Calgary’s business community.


Toast is known for its full-day summit dedicated to uplifting and empowering women in tech through connection, mentorship, workshops, and community support. April opened up about her own journey, from climbing the corporate ladder to stepping into entrepreneurship with a newborn in one arm and a mission in the other. Seeing a major gap in women’s leadership in tech, she set out to build the spaces and opportunities she wished existed.



Rosalind Lockyer, CEO & Founder of the tours presenting sponsor, PARA Canada, spoke from the heart during her keynote and ignited a sense of sisterhood among everyone in attendance before the Collaboration Innovation Tables (CITs) took place, which many attendees mentioned as their favourite part of the day. These roundtable discussions, funded in part by Women and Gender Equality Canada, were designed to amplify the voices of women entrepreneurs, to not only help shape future-forward policies and programs that directly support women in business but also to spark province-to-province business trade opportunities.




Having Your Voices Heard & Driving Government Policy Decision


At the Collaboration Innovation Tables (CITs), attendees joined small-group conversations exploring the real challenges, opportunities, and experiences shaping women’s entrepreneurial journeys today. Powered by PARO Canada, these candid discussions provide a safe space for women founders to share insights that directly influence meaningful change.


The ideas and perspectives are collected anonymously to form a research report that will inform all levels of government. This work goes beyond today’s conversations; it aims to drive systemic change, remove barriers, and improve access to funding so women-led businesses across Canada can thrive.

What makes the CITs especially powerful is their inclusivity. They reflect the diverse realities of women entrepreneurs from coast to coast, ensuring solutions are regionally relevant, culturally responsive, and aligned with every woman’s journey. Together, these tables are helping to build a more equitable and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem nationwide.



If you’ve thought of additional things you’d like to share, or know another woman entrepreneur who wasn’t at the Tour and would like to have their voice heard, complete PARO Canada’s Collaboration for Transformation survey! You can help us make a difference, as your voice will inform inclusive government policies, practices, and protocols that support women-led businesses nationwide.


Following the CITs was the Learning Lounge, a curated time specifically designed for founders and industry leaders to connect one-on-one, spark new connections, and discuss current entrepreneurial challenges and triumphs.



Thank you to all of our incredible advisors for their insights, thoughtful connections and dedication to the Tour’s mission. 


As the day wrapped up, we capped things off with fun giveaways, celebrating a day overflowing with inspiration, accomplishments, and genuine connections. A huge thank-you goes out to our amazing partners. Your support made every moment possible!




The Amazing Volunteer Team!


The Self-Made Breakfast Tour volunteer squad were ROCKSTARS and helped create an unforgettable experience in Calgary for so many women entrepreneurs and community leaders, and we truly couldn’t have done it without them.


From early morning setup to thoughtful conversations and helping things run smoothly from start to finish, they brought the energy required to make this event such a success. As we look ahead to the next stops on the Tour, we urge anyone who’s interested in volunteering to apply HERE.



We'd also like to give a very special shoutout to our Content Creator Partners, for helping us capture all the special moments and Cloud 9 experiences throughout the day The Resolution team, as well as our Agency Content Partner, Ambedo Agency!!


Thank you to our Partners!


We are always so grateful to partner with incredible organizations and brands that share our passion for empowering women entrepreneurs. Thanks to their generosity, more than 150 women founders received support that helped them invest in their businesses and continue driving growth during challenging times. 


A huge shoutout to the following sponsors and partners:



A huge thank you to our amazing decor, design and production team - Tanya Abou Jaoude, Founder and CEO of Something Happy and Dustin Westling and Renee Pittet from our lead event partner, OneWest, who transformed Platform Calgary into the ultimate sky-high experience that elevated everyone’s energy, mindset and businesses! As well as House of Bounce for the epic AV support & Special Event Rentals of furniture and Second City Print Solutions for the custom prints that transformed us all to the clouds.




Thank you to Magnetic Staffing for being SCA’s continued staffing partner connecting with our flight attendants who really made this immersive experience even more so! Our Staff were friendly, helpful and super on point, getting 156 guests from point A to point B in less than 10 minutes! A special shoutout to Victoria Boguslawski of  Magnolia Business Solutions for helping us capture special moments throughout the day by providing the Photo Booth for our step-and-repeat. 


Want to attend our next event???


The Self-Made Breakfast Tour is preparing to land in Ottawa on February 26th, followed by Vancouver in March, and we can’t wait to connect with even more incredible women!


Visit  www.selfmadebreakfasttour.com to keep up to date!


You won’t want to miss what’s next. Let’s keep the momentum going because when women rise together, we all soar. 


Follow the @selfmadebreakfast tour to see all the viral moments and buzz.

Comments

bottom of page