Change Is Brewing in Canada's Capital
As Canada’s capital, Ottawa is home to many of the nation’s movers and shakers. But a lot of its exciting and big changes aren’t just coming from government. It’s introducing new and improved public spaces, more international and local businesses, and most importantly: mission-driven entrepreneurs. This is no surprise considering the city’s unyielding support for innovation that more people are taking risks and giving back at the same time. Burundi-born and Ottawa resident, Deborah Ntawigirira, is one of these exemplary entrepreneurs. She founded Izere, a company that builds sustainable trade networks with Burundian coffee growers to make its specialty coffee more accessible to Canadian roasters. Through its meticulous production practices, Izere seeks to create more employment opportunities for Burundian women allowing them to support their families and fund their education. Some of Izere’s milestones include receiving international praise from Cup of Excellence, an annual competition held to identify the highest quality coffees produced, and employing over 100 women who hope to one day start their own business. Deborah credits Izere’s progress towards discovering a way to establish and maintain a link between her two beloved countries: Burundi and Canada. We sat with Deborah to learn more about Izere’s roadmap to success and its future plans to expand.
Tell us more about Izere and the meaning behind its name.
I was born and raised in Burundi and moved to Canada when I was 17-years-old. It was shocking to learn that despite Canada ranking as number one in coffee consumption out of 80 countries, many Canadians have never tried or even heard about Burundi’s coffee. I felt it was important to use this as an opportunity to foster a cultural exchange between the two countries, and from there, I created Izere.
Izere means “have faith” in Kirundi (Burundi’s native language) and has grown to focus on so much more than just coffee. The company takes great pride in delivering specialty coffee produced with the utmost care while improving the lives of Burundian women affected by the war. Every decision the company makes is determined by whether or not it contributes to their personal and professional success.
Izere clearly prioritizes social impact over profit. What do you consider a rewarding milestone?
While I’m always thrilled to see more people try our coffee (and enjoy it), I feel like I’ve achieved a rewarding milestone when people ask about our coffee’s background and about Burundi’s culture and traditions. When I share these conversations with the Burundian women we employ, their eyes light up and beam with pride knowing that they were part of that teaching moment. They’ll often ask me about Canada’s own culture and traditions and share their own plans to become an entrepreneur. It’s the little things that mean the most.
What’s your biggest goal for Izere and where do you see the company in the next few years?
My biggest goal for Izere is to build more sustainable trade networks with not just Burundian coffee growers but designers and artists as well. This would allow the company to create more employment opportunities for women in Burundi and Canada (and boost both economies). In the next few years, I hope to see the company having more of a presence in local shops, events and programs through collaborating with like-minded businesses, companies and organization. I also hope to develop a career-focused mentorship program and financially invest in other entrepreneurs.
What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs?
As an entrepreneur, it’s important to remember that passion is key and needs to be preserved. It’s easy to fall into the typical habits such as becoming perfectionists, working long hours, and the worst one of all: not getting enough sleep. It’s not healthy and it’s not sustainable on a personal and professional level. You will eventually crash and your company will suffer. Do your best to take care of yourself and don’t be afraid to take a vacation. Otherwise, how can you expect to make tough decisions and help other people?
