What is your business?
Purpose Fuel helps older entrepreneurs launch their passion projects through providing services including e-commerce, online presence, multimedia design, consulting, training, and sourcing supplies. We strive to foster meaningful community connections through our clients projects.
Why did you start your business?
My time as a Personal Care Professional inspired Purpose Fuel’s focus on the older Canadian market. The older clients I worked with had a wealth of skills, passion and creativity but struggled with finding activities that provided a sense of purpose. Purpose Fuel addresses this gap through providing an option between working and a listless retirement where older individuals can find purpose through their new businesses or projects.
Tell us about yourself as an entrepreneur.
My entrepreneurial journey began with Salon Tao, a Centretown hair salon which I co-founded that celebrates gender-diversity, empowerment, and freedom from societal expectations. Entrepreneurship allows me, as a trans, neurodiverse and multicultural professional, to create my own opportunities and make my contributions to the world.
When did you launch your business?
Our soft launch was in October 2020 with an official launch coming up in August 2021.
Where do you see your business in 3 to 5 years?
I see Purpose Fuel having a physical presence in many Ontario cities, while marketing our virtual services across Canada. With an expansive network of partnerships spanning a wide range of industries, we will be able to empower our clients and lift their projects to incredible heights.
What did you learn from the Starter Company Plus program?
Before the Starter Company Plus program, as a solopreneur, I saw entrepreneurship as a very solitary way of life, where I had to prove myself and my independence. I have come out of this program understanding how powerful it can be to welcome help, guidance, opportunity and lean into a community.
What advice would you give other entrepreneurs who are starting their businesses?
Don’t take critiques personally and be open to continuous learning and growth. If you don’t have some degree of separation between yourself and your business, you may read a detour sign as ‘dead end’, miss the construction signs on the road of criticism, miss the exit for opportunity and run out of gas on the side of the road.
Also, don’t go it alone!
