1. Your thoughts on winning the CanadianSME National Business Award
Winning this award felt like a full-circle moment. I started my first business out of pure necessity, with zero funding, no business plan, just a ton of grit and a deep “why.” Along the way, I’ve lost people I love, rebuilt more times than I can count, and learned every lesson the hard way. So being recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year is deeply meaningful. It’s not just about success, it’s about survival, reinvention, and staying true to the impact I wanted to create.
This award isn’t just mine, it belongs to every person who believed in one of my wild ideas, every woman who’s worked on my teams, and every underdog who ever wondered if they could do it, too.
2. A special message or advice to small business owners
Don’t chase balance, chase alignment. When you’re building something meaningful, it’s not always going to be pretty. There will be 2 AM breakdowns, failed launches, lonely seasons. That’s not a sign you’re doing it wrong. That’s the price of building something real.
My advice?
- Fall in love with the process, not just the outcomes.
- Build something you’d be proud of even if no one clapped.
- And protect your energy like it’s equity, because it is.
Oh, and one last thing: people will underestimate you…let them. Just don’t you dare underestimate yourself.
Emily Lyons
Founder and CEO of femme fatale media
Emily Lyons is a multi-venture entrepreneur, speaker, and CEO of several award-winning companies including Femme Fatale Media, Lyons Elite Matchmaking, True Glue Beauty, and Tangerine. Known for blending fierce creativity with relentless execution, Emily built her empire from a basement apartment and a broken heart—turning pain into purpose and setbacks into startups. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Global News, and more, and she’s recognized for championing clean beauty, high-end matchmaking, and the power of personal brand. When she’s not building world-class businesses, she’s mentoring founders, giving back to causes close to her heart, and chasing after four very energetic dogs.
