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Sheena Brady
Founder of Tease and Founders Fund, Advocate for Women Entrepreneurs
Sheena Brady is a prominent entrepreneur and the founder of both Tease Tea and the Founders Fund. Her journey began with Tease Tea, which she established to merge her passion for high-quality tea with a commitment to women's empowerment. This venture has evolved into a significant social impact organization, supporting underrepresented women and non-binary entrepreneurs through accessible funding, mentorship, and community resources.12
Background and Career
Brady's career in entrepreneurship was catalyzed by her experiences in the hospitality industry, where she implemented Toronto's largest tea program at a luxury hotel. This role led her to become a certified Tea Sommelier, inspiring her to create Tease Tea in 2013. The brand focuses on wellness and self-care through tea and botanical-infused products.34 Under her leadership, Tease has launched innovative products, including the world's first fully biodegradable and refillable wellness tea collection.2
In 2019, Sheena founded the Founders Fund as an extension of Tease Tea's mission to support women entrepreneurs. The Fund operates as a digital accelerator that provides mentorship, education, and non-repayable funding to women at various stages of their business journeys. Since its inception, the Founders Fund has supported over 600 women and distributed significant funding to numerous startups.13
Achievements
Brady's work has garnered recognition for its impact on women's entrepreneurship. Through the Founders Fund, she has facilitated over $200,000 in micro-grants and mentorship programs aimed at empowering women founders during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.25 She emphasizes the importance of community support among entrepreneurs, advocating for collective efforts to close the gender gap in business leadership.12
Personal Insights
Brady describes her proudest accomplishment as becoming a mother, which has influenced her perspective on work-life balance and personal fulfillment.2 She believes that success is about achieving harmony between work and personal life while creating meaningful impacts through her ventures.3
In summary, Sheena Brady is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a passionate advocate for women's empowerment in business, leveraging her experiences to foster growth and support for others in the entrepreneurial community.