International Women’s Day 2023

It’s International Women’s Day! What a great reminder to lift up the women around us! As a female-founded business, Jo Anne’s Place is excited to celebrate the talented women in our wellness community. Today we wanted to highlight some Canadian, female-led brands that we carry in-store!

HEALTHY HIPPO NATURALS INC. – FOUNDED BY ASHLEY PATERSON

Based in Vancouver, BC, Ashley Paterson is a third-generation plant-based entrepreneur! Learning from the best, Ashley’s Mom founded Big Mountain Foods, an early leader and innovator in plant-based meat alternatives. Now with a daughter of her own, Ashley set out to create what every mom wants – candy kids will LOVE and moms will feel GREAT about (and enjoy themselves!). Healthy Hippo treats are plant based, low sugar, non-gmo, and taste great with no upset tummies!

CHEEKS AHOY – FOUNDED BY LEAH BLACK (JO ANNE’S GRANDDAUGHTER!)

Cheeks Ahoy was founded in 2013 when Leah decided to make the switch to reusable baby wipes, and wanted to share her products with other parents.

Today, Cheeks Ahoy offers a full line of household cloth reusables with the goal of helping families care for the environment, while also saving money.


Each item is sewn with love and care right here in Peterborough, Ontario.

MINTIER – FOUNDED BY JESSICA DONATI & RHAELYN GILLESPIE



When Jessica and Rhaelyn learned that sugar is the main ingredient in traditional breath mints, they questioned what impact that has on oral health. It turned out that sugar feeds the oral bacteria in your mouth, causing bad breath at an accelerated rate. Consequently, this duo created a 100% natural alternative that is the world’s first oil-based breath mint. With 120 servings per bottle, and each serving giving you long-lasting fresh breath, this is the type of breath mint you can feel confident in. Shop Mintier at Jo Anne’s Place!

GEORGIAN BAY GRANOLA COMPANY – FOUNDED BY SHEILA HANNON



Georgian Bay Granola Company is a Canadian business that believes in working with our planet. Run by a mother daughter team, Hannah and Sheila, they make sure that all ingredients used in their granola are 100% organic and gluten free. We started out selling from a table in a local summer market in Parry Sound Ontario and now feel privileged to share our organic granolas to more and more people. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

Bonus! Georgian Bay Granola Company is currently working on compostable packaging which should hit the shelves in the summer of 2021, if not sooner!

ALLYCAT CREATIONS – ALLISON HYDE-PHILIPS



Allycat Creations offer beautiful handcrafted painted cards and bookmarks made by our very own Allison Hyde-Philips! (Product Educator at our Lindsay store).⁠ Inspired by her upbringing in the beautiful English Lake District, Allison’s cards feature fun, whimsical designs intended to lift spirits and bring a smile to your day. Allycat Creations’ cards are available exclusively at our Water St. and Lindsay stores!⁠

NUTS FOR CHEESE – FOUNDED BY MARGARET COONS



Margaret started experimenting with dairy-free cheese when she worked as a vegan chef – using the restaurant kitchen after hours to perfect her recipes. After launching Nuts for Cheese at the London, Ontario Farmer’s Market, this artisanal 100% dairy-free cheese has become a staple to vegans and non-vegans alike, all across Canada.

We encourage you to show these boss babes some love by following them on social media!
And be sure to keep an eye out for quality products from these great female-powered companies on our shelves!