Entrepreneur to Watch: Lisa Will of Stonz

Lisa Will is the CEO of Stonz, a company that manufactures warm and versatile children’s outdoor gear.

What inspired you to start your company?

I had always wanted to start my own business. From when I was a child I re-sold anything at my garage sales and gave disco lessons to neighbourhood kids. I had a passion for business without really knowing it. When hiking with my son, I could not find warm footwear for when he was in a backpack. I believed at that point I had found a gap in the marketplace for infant warm footwear.

What is your company all about?

Stonz is about innovation, quality, style and function. We make high quality children’s outdoor gear, and in a sustainable way. We feel strongly about not using packaging, about making products that will last through multiple children, and making those products in Canada, supporting the local economy.

What’s your vision for your company?

My vision is to continue building a company with a solid foundation of staff, products and sustainable practices enabling us to keep adding products to our collection.

What excites you about what you’re doing?

I love the challenge of building something that most thought was an impossible task.

What are some early examples of success?

Seeing the booties on a child at a park and thinking I had that pair in my living room at some point!

What about challenges?

Challenges seem to exist daily and you get used to managing them. It is difficult at times because some of them are very daunting. The challenge of making our product in Canada, at a reasonable price, is one that comes to mind. We are reminded daily of lesser priced products made overseas and need to ensure our product is truly superior in quality and our company in service.

What’s next for you?

I am really excited for all of us at Stonz to be heading into our busiest and craziest time … we wait all year for it! I am very honoured to be attending the RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards in Toronto as a western finalist in late November. I’m excited to meet and spend time with so many amazing women.