Rebuilding Canadian Manufacturing, One Food Brand at a Time | Sheena Russell, Made with Local

Canada is rich in natural resources and grows extraordinary food. Yet much of the processing and value creation still happens elsewhere. What happens when founders decide to build differently, and keep more of the process closer to home?

In this episode of Builders & Believers, Amanda sits down with Sheena Russell, founder and CEO of Made with Local, a Canadian snack company built around locally sourced ingredients, partnerships with farmers and food producers, and a belief that business can strengthen both communities and supply chains.

What started at a small farmer’s market table in Nova Scotia has grown into a nationally recognized brand found in more than 3,000 retailers across Canada, while choosing a harder path: manufacturing at home and building closer to the source.

Together, Amanda and Sheena explore a bigger question emerging across Canada: What would it take to rebuild more manufacturing capacity here at home and what role can entrepreneurs play in that future?

They unpack:

• The realities behind Canadian food processing and manufacturing capacity

• Why “Made in Canada” is more complicated than it sounds

• Building a purpose-led company while staying focused on profitability

• What founders can learn about resilience, priorities, and long-term growth

This is a conversation about entrepreneurship, manufacturing, food systems, and building businesses that create impact beyond the product itself.

Learn more about Made with Local at www.madewithlocal.com

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Builders & Believers with Amanda Stassen is created by BIZU Innovation, a strategic brand and innovation agency turning ideas into brands, products and experiences to help people live, work, and perform better.

Follow Amanda Stassen on LinkedIn for more ideas on leadership, growth, and the real decisions behind building businesses that perform and matter.

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