As an entrepreneur, you want to see your start-up grow from an idea to a successful venture. The experiences and lessons learned throughout the journey shape what future opportunities will look like. That was true for Anita Grant and Amanda Nguyen, two women entrepreneurs who have taken their innovative ventures from local success at Innovation Factory’s LiONS LAIR to the national spotlight on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. Having faced and overcome many challenges, Grant and Nguyen are bringing their solutions to underrepresented spaces, addressing unmet needs and filling  gaps in their industries.

Hello Hair: Empowering young Black girls

When Anita Grant, founder of Hello Hair, won the Hamilton Choice Award at the 2018 LiONS LAIR competition, it was a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey. As a mother, Grant was motivated to inspire her daughter to love her natural hair, leading her to create Hello Hair, a book dedicated to empowering young Black girls to embrace their natural beauty.

This simple yet powerful mission has since grown into a thriving brand offering books, styling dolls, and workshops, all designed to foster self-love and pride in natural hair.

Grant’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and representation has only strengthened over time. In 2024, she took her message and her business to Dragons’ Den, where her powerful pitch earned her a $250,000 deal.

Comparing the two experiences, Grant adds, “LiONS LAIR was intimidating because we were trying to get started in the industry and had to pitch our start-up not only in front of the judges but also hundreds of people. I truly believe it was a great experience because it set us up for what was coming in the future – Dragons’ Den.”

Grant’s story is not just about business success—it’s about creating a platform that empowers and educates young girls, helping them embrace their identity with pride. This purpose-driven goal has allowed her to scale Hello Hair from a personal project into a business that’s making an impact in her community and beyond.

Boardball: Bumping up the fun

Amanda Nguyen, co-founder of Boardball, took home the grand prize at the 2022 LiONS LAIR competition. Boardball, a sport that blends volleyball with the popular game Spikeball, was born from Nguyen’s desire to make volleyball more accessible by eliminating the cumbersome setup of traditional nets and courts. Since then, Boardball has become a sensation, spreading rapidly across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

Nguyen’s vision for Boardball as a portable, easy-to-play game has opened doors for it to be adopted in schools, with teachers incorporating it into physical education programs. The game’s rise was fueled by a viral video that attracted international attention. Now, with Canadian Olympic volleyball athletes on board to promote the sport, Boardball is gaining traction as a fun, competitive yet accessible alternative to volleyball.

Nguyen went on to pitch at Dragons’ Den in 2024, successfully securing a $100,000 deal from Markham Valley Ventures through renowned Canadian actor and investor Simu Liu, who appeared as a celebrity guest judge for the season.

While Boardball’s viral success gave it a strong foundation, Nguyen’s resilience and dedication to scaling the business have been key to its sustained growth. She’s proven that with the right support— like that from LiONS LAIR, Innovation Factory and The Forge at McMaster— start-ups can reach new heights.

Setting the stage for the next wave of women entrepreneurs

Recognizing that building strong networks and seeking out mentorship has been key to their success, Grant and Nguyen have not only scaled their businesses but have also become role models for other women entrepreneurs. 

Both innovators are part of the first wave of the National Angel Capital Organization’s (NACO) Angels & Dreams™ fellowship program, supported by the Government of Canada. Through this program, start-ups receive mentorship from bigger organizations to help them build their network and scale their businesses. 

They’ve demonstrated that when women lead with passion and purpose, they can disrupt industries and spark meaningful change. 

Through the Forge at McMaster University, Nguyen has been able to mentor and collaborate with other start-ups. Her out-of-the-box thinking has shown other women that entrepreneurship is about solving real-world challenges in creative ways.

Similarly, Grant’s business Hello Hair has grown into more than just a product line—it’s a movement aimed at empowering young girls. By offering workshops and educational resources that go beyond business, Hello Hair is fostering confidence and leadership in young women, especially in under-represented communities.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve built and where it’s headed,” Nguyen reflects. “Finding people who share your vision and are willing to stand behind it makes the journey worth it, despite the challenges you might face. My advice to young women founders is to pursue what inspires you and to pay attention to the gaps where you can create change.“