What is your business called and what does it do?

Tresssion is a Toronto-based startup launching on March 3rd – the world’s first medical-lifestyle compression category offering elevated trousers and leggings combined with medical-grade functionality, built to look and feel like modern wardrobe staples rather than medical garments.

What made you want to do this work?

For decades, compression therapy has been prescribed to 1 in every 3 women for circulation, leg fatigue, and chronic venous conditions — yet adoption remains low because solutions have been limited to traditional compression stockings.

This was, in fact, my mother’s experience due to her varicose veins diagnosis. But like so many women, she struggled to wear compression stockings consistently because the options felt uncomfortable, inconvenient, and disconnected from everyday life.

This has presented a widespread 80% therapy non-compliance, despite the proven clinical benefits of graduated compression garments.

Watching that experience firsthand is what led me to start Tression.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Low adoption rates of compression therapy, a medical solution that is prescribed to 1-in-every 3 individual, due to the poor design of existing medical compression garments for the last several decades.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Women 30 to 70 years old who are prescribed compression or have a lifestyle with long hours of sitting or standing and experience tired, aching legs.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

We are launching on March 3rd through our e-commerce website as well as partner clinics across the GTA.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Physiotherapy, chiropody, and MedSpa clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals carry traditional compression garments.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

How do the Tression garments differ from medical compression stockings and the lifestyle compression products such as Skims and Lululemon?

Answer: Tression combines the 2 industries and categories of product, by bringing together the medical grade compression (verified 20-30 mmHg graduated compression) with lifestyle designs that look and feel like buttery-soft and polished silhouettes.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

Best part is being able to help women across the world support their wellness while feeling confident and comfortable in their fit, without any sacrifice!

Worst part is that defining a whole new category is challenging. Manufacturers and suppliers are used to accommodating either category (medical hosiery or fashion garments), and R&D takes a long time to re-invent the best of both worlds.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

I spent 12+ hours every day sitting down and inducing tired legs while building Tression, so I can help other women experience light legs without discomfort 🙂

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

The Hive – a local co-coworking space that I also work from!

The post Homegrown Business: Parisa Agahi of Tresssion appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

We spoke with Co-Founders Isaac Langleben (Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer) and Jacqueline Prehogan (Co-founder and Chief Brand Officer) to learn how this Toronto-born business grew from a local start-up into one of North America’s highest scoring cat and dog food companies and why their mission matters now more than ever.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Our company is called Open Farm, a mission-driven pet food brand helping pets live their healthiest, happiest lives. We make premium quality nutrition using clean ingredients from some of the best farms and fisheries in the world. Our products range from high-protein kibble and fresh meals to freeze-dried raw and treats.

But the “what we do” is only part of the story. Open Farm was founded on the belief that better farming, better ingredients, and better transparency could meaningfully improve the food system. When we started the company, we saw a lack of accountability across animal agriculture and a disconnect between how food was marketed and how it was produced. We set out to change that. Since our first bag, we have led our industry in animal welfare with 100% of our meat ingredients having third-party animal welfare certifications, and every ingredient can be traced back to its geographic source. Transparency isn’t something we added along the way; it’s one of the principles the company was founded on. We are more committed to our mission than ever, having earned our B Corporation Certification and bringing on one of Canada’s leading Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists to our team.

What made you want to do this work?

Our path into the pet industry wasn’t linear. I was in law school, and Isaac was working in finance when we adopted our rescue dog, Bella, a Puggle who changed the entire trajectory of our lives. Caring for her made us realize how limited the options were for pet parents who wanted products that reflected their values. That realization pushed me to rethink my own career path and ultimately inspired the creation of Canada Pooch. As we became more aware of issues surrounding ingredient sourcing, animal welfare, and environmental impact in our own food choices, it also became impossible to ignore the gaps in pet nutrition, which is what eventually led us to build Open Farm.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

In 2014, transparency in pet food was almost nonexistent. Ingredient sourcing, farming practices, and animal welfare standards were rarely discussed. Meanwhile, the broader food system was facing pressure around ingredient sourcing and consumer trust. We wanted to build a pet food company that reflected the values people apply to their own food—responsible farming, real transparency, and high-quality ingredients. By embedding those principles directly into our supply chain from day one, Open Farm became a way to show that great nutrition and great farming practices go hand in hand.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our customers are pet parents who want to feed the absolute best to their pets. They’re conscious consumers—families, young professionals, and urban pet lovers—who care about what goes into their own food and expect the same level of integrity in their pets’ nutrition.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

You can find Open Farm in over 8,500 neighbourhood pet stores across North America, as well as on our website. We’ve launched more than 130 recipes in the past two years alone, all made with responsibly sourced, third-party certified ingredients.

We’ve always believed that doing some good and doing well in business can coexist. That belief is why we’re a Certified B Corporation, meaning we measure success through social and environmental impact as well as financial performance. In 2024, we became the highest-scoring national dog and cat food brand in North America, which we’re incredibly proud of. In addition to creating the highest-quality pet nutrition, our team is laser-focused on our impact, including advancing our regenerative agriculture and zero-waste-to-landfill goals, as well as supporting people and animals in our communities.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

You can find Open Farm recipes in neighbourhood pet stores all across Toronto, including Global Pet Foods and Pet Valu. We’re big believers in supporting local retailers; they’re the heart of our community. At our headquarters in Little Italy, you’ll find a passionate team with leaders in animal nutrition such as our veterinary nutritionist, innovation specialists, and our head of animal welfare, all working together to raise the bar for pet nutrition.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

Pet parents today are asking all the right questions, but one we get a lot is: “How do I know this food is actually good for my pet?”

At Open Farm, every recipe is created with veterinarians and animal nutritionists to ensure it’s complete, balanced, and goes above and beyond to benefit pets’ long-term health. We use only premium, responsibly sourced ingredients, never with fillers or additives. We obsess over every standard, ingredient and nutrient. We also believe trust comes from transparency. Every Open Farm product includes a QR code on pack that lets pet parents see exactly where each ingredient comes from and view the product’s carbon footprint. That level of openness is something we’re extremely proud of.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is hearing from pet parents who tell us their pets are healthier, happier, and more energetic because of Open Farm. Knowing we’re helping improve the lives of animals while supporting better farming and sustainability practices is incredibly rewarding. The hardest part? Redefining an industry that’s been slow to change. But meaningful change takes persistence, and it’s worth every step when we see how far we’ve come.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

People like to joke about the fact that they’re feeding their pets better than themselves (and with Open Farm, this can sometimes actually be the case)!

Where can we follow you?

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook. You can also visit openfarmpet.ca to learn more about our mission and shop our recipes.

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Reach Personal Fitness on Dupont. Incredible gym with a very experienced and passionate team. Shoutout to Ben and Greg!

Ezra’s Pound on Dupont Street! Best coffee and food, nicest staff, and great vibes.

The post Homegrown Business: Isaac Langleben and Jacqueline Prehogan of Open Farm appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called and what does it do?

Super Bowls – Serving vibrant and nutritious acai bowls and smoothies.

What made you want to do this work?

Desire to build something we can be proud of

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Lack of healthy, quick-serve food options

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Wide range of ages, health-conscious individuals

How does your business make money? How does it work?

Through our store and catering

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Roncesvalles, West End.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

What makes us unique?

We believe our bowls speak for themselves. They are vibrant, nutritious, and our customer service and experience reflect that. Our goal is to serve the highest quality ingredients, paired with the best experience we can offer

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part about what we do is hearing how much our customers love us.

The worst part is sustaining profitability when the cost of food keeps going up.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

That we went from 9-5 jobs to working 24/7.

Where can we follow you?

On Instagram at @superbowlsroncy

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Anchor fish market – Hygge wellness

The post Homegrown Business: Reza Karami of Super Bowls appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

We spoke with Co-Founder and CEO Sherri Belton to learn how SHER Produce is reshaping the breakfast aisle, tackling food insecurity through its Buy One, Feed One program, and proving that real, whole-food nutrition can fit into busy, everyday life.

What is your business called and what does it do?

We are SHER Produce Technologies, a women-led Canadian company behind SHER Squares, a revolutionary way to get fresh fruits, vegetables, and complete protein in a convenient breakfast or snack. 57% of consumers use Sher Squares for Breakfast. SHER Squares can be eaten on their own, toasted, or paired with yogurt, and they are sold refrigerated in the produce section.

What made you want to do this work?

We wanted to make real, whole-food nutrition easier for real life, and while people can eat healthier and gain “affordable nutrition,” we also wanted to help out the community with our “Buy One, Feed One” program. Too many “healthy” options in the breakfast and snack aisle rely on ultra-processed ingredients and fillers, and we believe that Canadians deserve a convenient, affordable, genuinely whole-food alternative that also creates positive community impact. We NEVER use powders, syrups, concentrated or refined sugars, ONLY Whole Food Fruits and Vegetables.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

We set out to close a major gap in the Canadian breakfast and snack aisle by creating accessible, affordable and convenient whole-food nutrition that fits into busy lives. We also wanted to prove that a food company can build impact into everyday purchasing decisions through a simple model that supports communities, reduces food waste, and creates inclusive employment.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

Our customers are people looking for convenient, nutrient-dense, whole-food nutrition, including busy professionals, parents, and students, as well as commuters and active, health-minded shoppers. We have 2-year-olds to 80-year-olds eating our Sher Squares every day and we have everyone from long-haul truckers to former Olympians and everyone in between eating Sher Squares. SHER Squares also appeal to consumers seeking clean-label options that fit common dietary needs, including gluten-free and nut-free choices, and to people who want their everyday purchases to support social and environmental impact.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

SHER Squares are sold at retail for $3.99 per package and offer 40 grams of protein, 20 grams of fibre, and four full servings of fruits and vegetables, with no additives, preservatives, gluten, or nuts, and they are Kosher certified. We also use a Buy One, Feed One model where every purchase provides a serving of nutritious food to someone in need, and we recently surpassed the milestone of donating 8 million servings to food banks across Canada. We use about 20% of our whole food fruits and vegetables that are “upcycled,” which helps keep our costs down to provide consumers with affordable nutrition.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

You can find SHER Squares in the refrigerated produce section at major retailers, including Loblaws, Sobeys, Zehrs, Farm Boy, Longo’s, and other retail partners.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Provide the answer as well.

A great question is: “Is it truly made from whole foods, and where does the nutrition come from?”

The answer should be clear and specific: SHER Squares are made from 95% fresh fruits and vegetables, and the remaining 5% of the product is egg whites and whey protein. These ingredients provide a complete protein, which is critical for all of us to get in our diets. Each package, which is sold for $3.99, contains 40 grams of protein, 20 grams of fibre, 4 full servings of fruits and vegetables and contains NO additives, preservatives, gluten or nuts, concentrates, or ultra-processed fillers.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part is knowing our product helps average people get affordable nutrition while also doing good for society through food donations, rescued produce, and inclusive employment. The worst part of what we do and pour our heart into is not having consumers fully understand what our product is all about because it is so different, so revolutionary. Unfortunately, “healthy products” are almost always dominated by ultra-processed products, so there is the question of combating misinformation. We do all this while maintaining the high quality, freshness, and operational standards required for a refrigerated, produce-based food.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

We like to joke that we work in “produce tech,” which sounds futuristic, but it mostly means we are finding smarter ways to help people eat more whole food fruits, vegetables and protein affordably.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?

Nutes Fresh-Frozen Smoothies and The Little Cacao Co. — we love them because they are also women-led organizations that are trying to make a difference in Canada and the USA.

The post Homegrown Business: Sherri Belton of SHER Produce Technologies appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your business called, and what does it do?

Pace Pharmacy is a Toronto-based specialty compounding pharmacy recognized for personalized care and industry-leading innovation. I recently launched VetMeds, an animal health division of the pharmacy that gives Canadian pet owners a reliable, more affordable way to get the medications their pets need, easily and conveniently.

What made you want to do this work?

With 25 years of experience in the pharmacy industry, and as a dog owner my entire life, I founded VetMeds after a visit to the vet revealed my own dog had been prescribed a human medication at a disproportionately high price. Recognizing a gap in patient care, I am now on a mission to help pet parents access safe and approved treatments, all while saving them money on medications that their furry family members require.

What problem did you want to solve with the business?

Pace Pharmacy takes the stress out of getting medications, especially when they’re hard to find or need to be compounded. Most pharmacies aren’t set up for complex compounding, but Pace Pharmacy can tailor medications to the exact strength, format, or ingredients a patient needs. It also fills gaps in the market by sourcing products that aren’t readily available elsewhere. Beyond the medication itself, the convenience factor is a major problem we solve for busy families. People can get exactly what they need without rearranging their day, thanks to flexible delivery and a team that handles the frustration that usually comes with pharmacy pickups.

VetMeds gives pet owners a trustworthy and affordable alternative to overpriced vet-dispensed meds. Since vets control most of the supply and have always added heavy markups and fees, pet owners often end up paying far more than they should. Pace Pharmacy’s VetMeds division provides the exact same medications through a pharmacy at a much lower cost, easing the financial barriers and providing serious savings. Convenience is, of course, a factor here too, by making pet prescriptions just as simple and seamless to fill as human ones.

Who are your clientele/demographics?

We serve people of Toronto: the patients who want easy, reliable access to medications. We also work directly with many different types of prescribers to make the prescription process smoother and less of a hassle for them and their patients.

How does your business make money? How does it work?

It’s a very basic business model. Pace Pharmacy earns revenue by dispensing prescription medications and non-prescription products, as well as providing specialized pharmacy services. Patients and customers pay for the medications, products, and services, and we often deliver directly to them. Pace Pharmacy makes money by solving real problems for prescribers and patients while offering a level of service and support that other pharmacies typically cannot provide.

Where in the city can we find your profession?

Pace Pharmacy and VetMeds have two locations – one in Leaside, a trusted neighbourhood pharmacy, and one near Yonge and Bloor, conveniently located between Yorkville and the Church-Wellesley Village.

What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.

The first question to ask would be, “How do you ensure the safety, accuracy, and consistency of the pharmacy compounds you prepare?”

A trustworthy compounding pharmacy should be able to explain its quality assurance processes in simple terms. That includes how staff are trained, how much experience they have, how formulations are verified, what checks are in place to prevent errors (for example, how many people are involved in the compounding process, from start to finish), and how the pharmacy stays aligned with provincial and industry standards. You should also hear about documentation, ingredient sourcing, and how often equipment and processes are reviewed.

Strong systems and a culture of accountability are what protect patients. When a pharmacy can clearly walk you through the experience the organization has in maintaining those standards, that is when you know you can trust them.

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part of my work at Pace Pharmacy is knowing we’re giving someone an option that genuinely improves their quality of life. Sometimes that means creating a treatment they couldn’t get anywhere else. Other times, it is offering a service that makes their day easier or hearing how our team was able to help when others couldn’t. I also enjoy the creativity that compounding allows. In a field that can be rigid, finding customized solutions for patients is incredibly rewarding.

The worst part is the administrative side of running a busy compounding pharmacy. It is important, and it keeps everything running safely and smoothly, but it’s definitely the part I enjoy the least.

What is your favourite joke about your own profession?

A good one is that pharmacists don’t have trust issues; we just verify everything. Anyone who works in healthcare knows exactly why that joke exists!

Where can we follow you?

You can learn more about our compound pharmacies at pacepharmacy.com, and follow Pace Pharmacy on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram @pacepharmacy and VetMeds on LinkedIn and Instagram @vetmeds.

The post Homegrown Business: Adam Silvertown of Pace Pharmacy appeared first on Toronto Guardian.