Bear Witness is a co-founder of A Tribe Called Red, a Canadian DJ collective that blends hip hop and EDM with traditional pow wow drums and vocals. As a teen, Bear was part of the local rave scene. He began to wonder what raves would look like if they had a more focused goal. In response, he created A Tribe Called Red.

Estefania Rodriguez is the founder of Brewbles Studio, a bath and body shop that sells products based on nostalgia and Latinx culture. Estefania began making bath bombs as a form of self-care and a way to manage her mental illness. To make ends meet, she started selling them. And the business took off...fast. This is what happened next.

Gloria Noto is the founder of NOTO Botanics, an all-natural, multi-use, gender-fluid cosmetic line committed to activism and giving back back. After almost 10 years as a makeup artist, Gloria decided to start a company focused on making the beauty and wellness space more inclusive.

Bibi Bakare-Yusuf is the publishing director of Cassava Republic Press and Ankara Press. After launching a publishing company to offer a platform for contemporary African writers, Bibi had another idea: why not start a romance-novel imprint that put black women at the center of the story? This is what happened next.

Jacque Amadi is the head magical girl of Adorned By Chi, a lifestyle business based on anime-inspired fashion. Jacque is quick to admit she runs her business with emotion first, facts and figures second. An approach that wouldn’t scale. But after launching the Adorned By Chi manga, a comic about Nigerian university students with magical super powers, Jacque’s ready for her next act: Licensing deals inspired by the Adorned By Chi brand.

George Giaouris is the owner of Northbound Leather. While working in his family's leather business, George saw an opportunity to support queer and kink-friendly customers who had a profound connection with leather, like he did. Over the last 30 years, George turned the business into the premier destination for bespoke leather fashion and fetish wear.

Patrick Boateng II is the CEO and founder of Ceylon by Anim Labs. When Patrick was working overseas in Asia, he had it all: a stable job, opportunities for travel. But when he started having problems with his skin, Patrick realized that most skincare products weren’t made with black men in mind. Solving a problem for himself and in turn, others, he decided to leave his job and start a skin-care line for men of color.

Tania Larsson is a maker of Gwich’in fine jewelry. When she was 15, Tania left France and moved to Northern Canada to learn more about her Gwich’in heritage. The learning curve was steep, but Tania began making and selling jewelry created through traditional Gwich’in techniques, and her work has been featured in one of the most influential fashion magazines in the world: Vogue

Melanie Elturk is the CEO of Haute Hijab, a brand that makes high fashion hijabs. Melanie left a successful legal career to launch a global brand dedicated to the hijab. This is how she came to that decision.

Vivian Kaye is the CEO of KinkyCurlyYaki, a brand that makes premium textured hair extensions for Black women. When Vivian saw an opportunity to start a business that celebrates black beauty, she went all in, and grew it into a million-dollar company. This is how it happened.

Vanguard by Shopify Studios explores the human stories of entrepreneurship from unexpected corners of our current moment. Here’s a sneak peek of our second season.

Noah Kloeze is one of three worker-owners of Gender Gear, a store that sells gender confirming products for trans and gender variant people.

Jerry Parrino is the founder of The Horror Dome.

Tamara Malas is the maker of a luxury plus womenswear collection offering clothes up to a size 32.

Zainab Akhtar is the publisher of ShortBox, a mail order box for independent comic books.

Arianna Gil is the cofounder of Brujas, a Bronx-based all-femme skate crew and streetwear brand dedicated to radical political action.

Vanity is the cofounder of Wigs by Vanity, the makers of luxury synthetic lace front wigs for drag queens.

Anne Ishii is the co-founder of Massive Goods, an agency and lifestyle brand featuring art from queer and feminist artists from Japan.

Courtney Alexander is the maker of Dust II Onyx: A Melanated Tarot, a successful Tarot deck designed for a black audience.

Vanguard by Shopify Studios explores the human stories of entrepreneurship from unexpected corners of our current moment. Premieres January 30th.