Made with Local has charted a trajectory that should be the model of every aspiring entrepreneur: a humble beginning at a local farmer’s market followed by demand-driven growth over years, all the way to their own production facility and a recently fully automated production line. All while staying true to their values.

Made with Local products are now available in some of Canada’s largest retailers, but founder Sheena Russell began by crafting her “real food bars” in a friend’s café during off-hours. Her mission was to create nutritious, locally sourced snacks—a commitment that still guides the company today. Russell believes that this purpose-driven approach puts her in step with a broader movement, rather than standing out as an exception.

“The tendency—in my experience—is to see women growing businesses in a very different way than men might,” she said. “A stronger sense of impact and a stronger sense of purpose—that sort of triple bottom line approach.”

Russell says there’s been more interest in the company than there has ever been before, as a Canadian-first movement continues to grow throughout the country. The serendipity is two-fold—the retailers that buy Made with Local bars have been noticing customers catching onto the importance of products sourced in this way, but it is also leading consumers to inadvertently discover the benefits of products grown and produced right here at home.

“It’s not just a nice thing to do—to buy foods that are made here,” Russell said. “They truly are of exceptional quality, exceptional taste. You will find incredible foods, like ours, that are grown and produced here.”

The “obsessive” focus on healthy, local food, grown by passionate and ethical producers, is part of a philosophy that permeates the entire business, its partners, and even Russell’s own personal network.

“I feel like I’ve built a really amazing community of female entrepreneurs and business owners that I honestly feel I can pick up the phone and call any time, and that’s pretty special,” she said.

Another key part of her network—and one that also needed to be “values‑aligned”—was the source of Made with Local’s financing. When the company expanded into its own production facility, Russell reached out to her local Community Business Development Corporation. With CBDC Hants-Kings’ focus on community development and their commitment to evaluating the people behind a business rather than just the financials, the partnership was a natural fit.

“CBDC was an amazing partner to come on board and really see the vision,” Sheena said. “Looking at this in terms of quite literally investing in the brand, and that tends to have a different level of connection and trust and transparency.”

Stories like Made with Local reflect the values-driven entrepreneurship that CBDCs champion. Beyond supporting businesses like Sheena’s, CBDC celebrates the programs and services it offers to help women succeed in rural Atlantic Canada—and is proud that 21 of its 41 Executive Directors across four provinces are strong female leaders.

Learn more at: cbdc.ca, or call: 1-888-303-2232

---

• For more Web Exclusives, click here.