Have you ever been surprised by seeing a familiar face in a totally unexpected place?

That’s exactly what happened to me last summer during our first family trip to the Maritimes. We were visiting the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax — such a powerful place, full of stories about people building new lives in Canada.

As I wandered through the exhibits, a video started playing on one of the screens… and there she was — Adedoyin Omotara, a Momentum Self Employment grad!

I stood there, stunned. “That’s a Momentum graduate!” I told my kids, maybe a bit too loudly. Seeing Adedoyin celebrated in a national museum among so many other inspiring stories was an incredibly proud moment.

Adedoyin’s connection to Momentum began nearly a decade ago. When she and her family first moved to Canada, they faced the same challenges that so many newcomers do — underemployment and uncertainty. But Adedoyin had a dream: to start her own business and shape a more secure financial future. She found Momentum and joined one of our Self Employment programs to turn that dream into a plan.

Since then, she’s built Adoniaa Beauty Inc., a thriving beauty brand with multiple retail locations in Calgary. Adoniaa offers cruelty-free, paraben-free, hypoallergenic beauty products and services.

Adedoyin’s business success is also being recognized locally. She was featured in a local media story highlighting the success of Calgary women entrepreneurs. She’s also a sought-after speaker, uplifting and empowering women with a sincere message of what true beauty really is: inner confidence.

Adedoyin’s story is just one example of the power and passion we see from women entrepreneurs in our Momentum community. She’s proof that with the right support and determination, bold ideas can grow into something beautiful.

Seeing her face and her story so unexpectedly at a national museum was a highlight of my summer. And yes — my kids thought it was pretty cool that someone connected to Momentum was being celebrated on the other side of the country.

Here’s to Adedoyin and to all the entrepreneurs shaping a better future — for themselves and for us all.