Hello, this is Jenny from OHME!
I’ve always believed in the power of stories. Hearing founders share their journeys—the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned—lights me up every single time. This week, I had the chance to not just listen, but to actually sit on a panel at BrainStation Vancouver’s Creators of Vancouver event this month, alongside some truly inspiring female leaders.
Sharing the Realities of Entrepreneurship
On stage, we dove deep into what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the highlight reels. We talked about:
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Fundraising realities — and the very real challenge of asking for money (spoiler: it’s not easy).
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Breaking into the market — the uphill battle of getting your product into customers’ hands and being recognized in a crowded space.
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The messy middle — the truth that there isn’t always a “perfect” answer, just trial, error, and a lot of learning on the fly.
As someone building OHME! Foods from the ground up, these are the realities I live every day. Sharing them openly—and hearing my peers do the same—was both humbling and energizing.
The Importance of Community
One theme we kept circling back to was the importance of building your circle:
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People you can lean on.
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People who will give you honest advice.
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People who offer mental and emotional support.
That sense of community has been everything in my journey as a founder. It’s what keeps me going when things feel uncertain or overwhelming.
It was an honor to share the stage with:
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Jenn Orr (Popoff)
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Caty Tedman (Sipply)
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Brianna Huycke (RBCx)
Each brought such raw, real perspectives on what it truly takes to build something from scratch.
My Takeaway as a First-Time Panelist
This was my very first panel—and yes, I was nervous! But the warmth in the room quickly put me at ease. The conversations flowed, and the honesty in the dialogue reminded me why I love this community so much.
To everyone who came out and listened: thank you. I hope my story left you with something—whether it was a spark of inspiration, a lightbulb moment, or simply the comfort of knowing you’re not alone in the messy middle of building.
Why This Matters for Vancouver’s Startup Scene
Events like Creators of Vancouver matter because they bring founders, dreamers, and doers into one space. They spark ideas, create connections, and remind us that behind every brand and business is a human story.
For me, being part of this panel was a reminder that while there’s no single roadmap to success, there’s a shared journey we’re all on—and it’s a little easier when we walk it together.
