​​Serving Up Success: Celebrating the 2024 Pizza Hut Canada Equal Slice Grant Winners

By ICIC | June 26, 2025 

There’s something truly inspiring about watching a dream take root and blossom, especially when it’s nurtured by the right support. That’s exactly what the Pizza Hut Canada Equal Slice Program has delivered year after year.

A partnership between Yum! Brands’ global Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, Pizza Hut Canada, and ICIC’s ICCC program, the initiative has helped level the playing field for small business owners by ensuring everyone has a fair shot at success. At its core, Equal Slice is about building capacity for long-term growth and giving back to the communities that form the backbone of the Canadian economy.

This collaboration has fostered a vibrant network of more than 200 alumni across Canada. Designed to reach disabled, immigrant, Indigenous, minority, and women-owned small businesses, the program offered free business education, virtual training, and one-on-one coaching. In 2024, participants joined two cohorts—one delivered virtually nationwide, and another held in person in Toronto.

In March, entrepreneurs from both groups came together for a culminating pitch competition, where they shared their growth strategies and visions for the future. After a powerful day of presentations filled with creativity, focus, and passion, five were selected to receive a $20,000 CAD Pizza Hut Canada Equal Slice Grant.

Their stories are rooted in perseverance, ingenuity, and a deep commitment to building businesses that uplift their communities. Let’s meet them.

A Fresh Take on Men’s Skincare: Blair & Jack

Bimpe Ayeni, the visionary behind Blair & Jack, created a skincare line specifically for men, born from a personal challenge her husband faced with painful shaving irritation. With a background as a board-certified plastic surgeon, Bimpe poured her energy into developing products that are effective, gentle, and affirming.

Her journey highlights the importance of building not just a product, but a brand that resonates. Breaking into a competitive market required not just ingenuity, but clarity. The Equal Slice Program helped provide both.

“Receiving the grant was an honor as well as a pivotal moment for me and Blair & Jack.” She shares. “It has helped me to work on new product development while growing my team and is a step toward greater community reach, sustainability, and long-term success.”

Crafting the Perfect Sip: Helius Originals

Bilqees Grant, the heart and soul behind Helius Originals, is a true innovator. Her Toronto-based business blends sustainability, design, and the art of mixology through eco-luxury barware. Specializing in cocktail smoking kits made from Canadian reclaimed wood, Helius Originals offers tools that infuse drinks, dishes, and charcuterie with rich, smoky flavor.

Bilqees launched the company in 2021 with a clear mission: to create memorable home entertaining experiences while embracing environmental responsibility. Each handcrafted piece reflects her commitment to sustainability and community. With growing visibility and a distinctive niche, Helius Originals continues to build momentum in the eco-conscious lifestyle space.

The Art of Bringing People Together: Sharecuterie

Cassandra Carreiro, founder of Sharecuterie, built her Winnipeg-based business as an Indigenous-, woman-, and celiac-owned venture focused on inclusive, allergen-aware grazing boards. What began as a passion project rooted in creativity and connection has grown into a purpose-driven brand centered on community and accessibility.

“This grant feels like a powerful affirmation—not just of the work I’ve done so far, but of the vision I have for where we’re going,” she says.

With help from the Equal Slice grant, Sharecuterie is expanding into The Forks Market, a landmark destination in Winnipeg. The funding is supporting kitchen setup, menu refinement, and essential equipment upgrades.

“The program gave me the confidence and tools to not only apply for funding—but to plan how to use it effectively.”

A Culinary Journey: The Plant Based Workshop

Mayumi Bae, co-founder of The Plant Based Workshop, brings generations of Japanese culinary tradition to today’s plant-forward kitchens. What began as a family café in North Vancouver has grown into a line of plant-based retail products, including ramen kits and mochi cake mixes, now available in more than 100 stores across British Columbia and on university campuses like the University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

With a focus on flavor, convenience, and cultural integrity, Mayumi and her siblings reimagine classic Japanese dishes in ways that are both nourishing and accessible.

“Being able to pitch for a grant and participate in the program was a validation of our mission,” she said. “The program expanded our reach, supported our innovation, and helped inspire more people to embrace a plant-based lifestyle.”

Fueling Potential: Unchained Athletics

In Toronto, Unchained Athletics is redefining what a gym can be. Co-founders Eddy Bucardo and Christina Henry built their business around community and inclusion—creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to grow stronger, inside and out.

With help from the grant, the team installed new signage that has increased local awareness and opened doors to stronger brand partnerships. The program also helped them sharpen their marketing strategy and communicate their value more effectively.

“The Equal Slice grant gave us the chance to invest in something we’ve needed for a long time: visibility,” Eddy explains. “That small change is already making a big impact.”

An Equal Slice of Opportunity

These five entrepreneurs illustrate what’s possible when talent and drive are supported with practical tools and capital. The Pizza Hut Canada Equal Slice Program continues to be a catalyst for small business success across Canada, unlocking potential in communities that too often face systemic barriers to growth.

The inspiring stories of Bilqees, Bimpe, Cassandra, Eddy, and Mayumi show us what inclusive economic development looks like in action. They are building businesses that not only create jobs and wealth but also joy, connection, and opportunity.

About ICIC’s ICCC Program
ICCC is a 40-hour “mini-MBA” designed for established small business owners who want to lead, grow, and innovate in today’s fast-moving world. The ICCC program brings together executive education, networking, one-on-one coaching, and access to capital—empowering small businesses in under-resourced communities to break barriers, build stronger companies, and drive community impact. This expert-designed curriculum is offered at no cost to qualifying businesses, thanks to ICIC’s funding partners.

To learn more and apply visit icic.org/iccc.