In an exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Nadine Spencer, CEO of BrandEQ Agency and BLCKS Enterprise, shares her insights on marketing, entrepreneurship, and driving economic equity. A trailblazer in brand strategy, diversity advocacy, and business development, Nadine has dedicated her career to empowering underrepresented entrepreneurs and advancing systemic change.
From helping small businesses stand out in competitive markets to spearheading initiatives that address systemic barriers in Black entrepreneurship, she is a powerhouse of action and innovation. Nadine discusses the power of strategic storytelling, the importance of DEI in business growth, and how women and Black entrepreneurs can create lasting impact in Canada’s business landscape. As we celebrate Black History Month, her message is clear: Build boldly, own your narrative, and lead with excellence.
Nadine Spencer is a seasoned marketing executive and CEO of BrandEQ Agency, recognized for her leadership in advancing equity and inclusion. She leads BLCKS Enterprise, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing systemic barriers and fostering pathways to education, employment, and entrepreneurship within the Black community. As a collaborator with the Diversity Institute, Nadine has represented initiatives at the United Nations and contributed to government-funded programs addressing anti Black racism and gun control. A York University board member, she has extensive experience navigating complex challenges, including combating online hate. Her work emphasizes actionable strategies rooted in lived experience and a commitment to measurable impact.
As the CEO of BrandEQ Agency, how do you leverage your marketing expertise to help small businesses stand out in today’s competitive landscape?
At BrandEQ Agency, we believe that every business has a compelling story—our job is to refine, amplify, and position that narrative for maximum impact. We take a data-driven and culturally intelligent approach to branding, ensuring our clients connect with their audiences in meaningful ways.
In today’s saturated market, differentiation is key. We leverage strategic storytelling, digital innovation, and brand psychology to help small businesses carve out a niche and become recognized industry leaders. Whether it’s through AI-driven marketing strategies, immersive brand experiences, or community-led campaigns, we ensure our clients stand out, not just in visibility, but in influence.
Ultimately, success comes from more than just marketing—it’s about building an ecosystem where businesses thrive. That’s why we integrate mentorship, capacity building, and long-term brand equity into every strategy we create.
Your work with BLCKS Enterprise focuses on addressing systemic barriers for the Black community. Can you share a specific success story demonstrating your initiatives’ impact on Black entrepreneurship in Canada?
At BLCKS Enterprise, our mission is to remove barriers and create access for Black entrepreneurs who have traditionally been overlooked by mainstream business ecosystems. One of the most rewarding aspects of this work has been seeing Black-owned businesses gain visibility, funding, and sustainable growth through the initiatives we champion.
A defining success story involves a Black entrepreneur who faced significant challenges in securing capital and market access despite having a high-quality product. Through targeted mentorship, networking opportunities, and strategic brand positioning, we helped them refine their business model, access funding, and successfully launch into major retail chains. This transformation wasn’t just about financial success—it was about changing the narrative around Black entrepreneurship and proving that with the right support, Black-owned businesses can thrive in any industry.
These success stories reinforce why we do this work—to ensure Black entrepreneurs don’t just participate in the economy, but lead it, shape it, and redefine it for future generations.
Women entrepreneurship development is one of your key areas of focus. What unique challenges do women face when starting and scaling businesses, and how can we better support their growth?
Women entrepreneurs face three key challenges: access to capital, systemic bias, and lack of mentorship networks. Despite the growing number of women-led businesses, funding disparities persist—women receive less than 3% of venture capital globally. Additionally, the expectation to conform to traditional business models often stifles innovation.
To support women’s growth, we must:
- Bridge the capital gap – Financial institutions must develop customized funding models that recognize the diverse business structures women create.
- Expand mentorship programs – Representation matters. We need more structured mentorship networks where successful women entrepreneurs guide those starting out.
- Champion policy change – Governments must implement procurement policies that prioritize women-led businesses, ensuring equitable access to contracts and resources.
Through the Boss Women Entrepreneurship Program, our initiative to empower women entrepreneurs, we are building a sustainable pipeline of leaders who are not only scaling businesses but redefining the business landscape itself.
Your experience includes representing initiatives at the United Nations and contributing to government-funded programs. How can small businesses incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to drive innovation and growth?
DEI is not just a social obligation—it’s a business growth strategy. Companies that prioritize diverse leadership, inclusive hiring, and culturally intelligent marketing outperform their competitors in both revenue and innovation.
For small businesses, DEI implementation can start with:
- Inclusive hiring practices – Recruiting talent from underrepresented communities leads to diverse perspectives and stronger problem-solving.
- Supplier diversity programs – Partnering with minority-owned and women-led businesses strengthens supply chains and fosters economic equity.
- Authentic storytelling – Consumers today demand authenticity. Companies that integrate real, diverse narratives into their marketing build stronger customer loyalty.
I’ve seen firsthand how businesses that embed DEI from the start innovate faster, expand their market reach, and create lasting impact.
Throughout your entrepreneurial journey, what significant hurdles or obstacles have you faced, and how did you overcome them to build your successful marketing business?
Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced challenges ranging from financial constraints to industry bias. However, one of the most defining moments came during my tenure at the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). As a Black woman leader, I had to navigate public scrutiny, misinformation, and systemic pushback—challenges that many Black entrepreneurs experience.
I overcame these hurdles by staying relentlessly focused on impact. I leaned into my expertise, doubled down on strategic storytelling, and turned adversity into an opportunity to reshape governance and leadership models. This experience led me to launch Board Pathway, a company dedicated to improving nonprofit governance.
Every challenge became a lesson, and every obstacle became a stepping stone to something greater. That’s the mindset that drives BrandEQ and my work with Boss Women Entrepreneurship today.
As we celebrate Black History Month, what message would you like to share with aspiring Black entrepreneurs who are looking to make their mark in the Canadian business landscape?
Black History Month is a time to honor the legacy of those who paved the way, but it’s also a call to action for the next generation of Black entrepreneurs. My message is simple: Build boldly. Own your narrative. Lead with excellence.
Success in business isn’t just about access; it’s about ownership. Black entrepreneurs must demand a seat at the table while also building their own tables. The time for incremental change is over—we must push for systemic shifts that ensure lasting equity in business, finance, and leadership.
Through the Boss Women Entrepreneurship training program and BLCKS, I am committed to championing these shifts. To every Black entrepreneur out there—your vision matters. Your success is not just personal; it’s a legacy in the making. Let’s build that future together.
