Big pitches, bigger possibilities

After 10-weeks of learning, a cohort of tenant entrepreneurs wrapped up their journey with a high-energy pitch competition and three cash prizes.

When walking into the Be.Build.Brand. (B3) pitch event at 150 Dan Leckie Way, we could sense the excitement. Tables lined the walls, each carefully set up with samples, banners, and display boards. Entrepreneurs stood beside their booths, adjusting flyers and rehearsing their opening lines. While friends, family, and supporters settled in, finding seats and offering last-minute words of encouragement.

The B3 pitch event for the 2025 cohort marked the final milestone in a 10-week-long entrepreneurship program designed to help tenants build, refine, and expand their business ventures.

Delivered in partnership with the City of Toronto, the program offered weekly training and skill-building sessions, access to industry guest speakers, and space for meaningful networking. 

From training to the pitch stage

On February 3, those same entrepreneurs had just minutes to pitch their business to a panel of judges from TCHC and past B3 Program winners. The pitch was for the chance to win prize money to help support their businesses, including a $5,000 grand prize.  

The variety of the businesses in the room reflected the talent and creativity across the Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) community. The businesses represented in the 2025 program included: 

  • AF Cleaners 

  • Dottin Creative 

  • East Africa Showcase (EAS) 

  • ECO-TO 

  • Ethnic Delight 

  • Global Construction & Renovation 

  • Her Black Health 

  • Hope Commercial Cleaning 

  • Inflatable R Us 

  • Magic Hand 

  • PC Photography 

  • RAAK Performance 

  • Rela Lumis 

  • Scripted Signs 

As the judges went off to a room for deliberation, anticipation built across the room waiting for the results.   

The grand prize went to a sister duo, Makiya Alexander and Kadiya Martell from the Teesdale, Scarborough community.

Their event business, Inflatable R Us, launched in 2023 arose from a personal need. 

As mothers to young children, sourcing items for events became costly and wanted a reliable event rental service. Before investing in a new inflatable, they tested the market to understand if there would be interest.

“When we were interested in getting an inflatable bouncy castle bubble house, only two people on Facebook Marketplace had it. We did market research before we had the item. We put it up on our page and we were getting booked hit, hit, hit. We knew we had to find the $3,000 to get this. That’s where everything took off,” explained Kadiya. 

However, like many small businesses, the team also faced setbacks. 

“Our products got damaged and we realized we weren’t doing it right, the business way. We didn’t have deposits. We didn’t have insurance,” Makiya described. “So, this course really helped us and now we know what to do.” 

Through the B3 program, they formalized their operations, created a business plan and registered their company officially. 

When reflecting on the 10-week learning journey they had embarked on, it is the people that stood out most to Makiya. “They supported me even when I didn’t believe in myself. The networking and community really helped. We never had a business plan. We’d just write it down, pen to paper statement. So, all the little things that you don't really think about helped me in the program.” 

Beyond the $5,000 prize, Makiya said the opportunity itself made a lasting impact. 

“It gives people a chance to see themselves in a different way. We didn’t think that we could win. So just the opportunity being there, I think other people will see it and be like, okay let me try.”

The second place $3,000 prize went to Her Black Health; a health network focused on strengthening Black women’s health and advocacy. Founded by Casandra London—a wellness coach, health educator, speaker, the Scarborough-based tenant created the business for Black women like her navigating chronic pain, burnout, dismissal, and systems built without diverse experiences in mind. 

To address these issues, Her Black Health provides trauma-informed support for individuals and supports equity-driven organizations in delivering culturally relevant and accessible care.

In third place was Rela Lumis, founded by Ishaq Ali and Semir Abdulsemed from the Atkinson Co-op community. The company uses advanced scanning technology to make moving in and out of homes an easier experience.

Rela Lumis has already made an impact in the community. Ishaq served as a 3D photographer for Don Summerville and the Alex Park relocation, helping document spaces through digital imaging. He was also one of the speakers alongside Mayor Olivia Chow at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new building in Alexandra Park.

Rela Lumis won the $2,000 pitch funding to continue building upon this momentum. 

Over the last few months, this group of emerging business owners gained knowledge, confidence, and a network of support that will continue long after pitch night. 

The competition may have ended, but for these entrepreneurs, the work of building and growing their businesses is just getting started.  

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