Starrly Gladue: Beauty, Entrepreneurship & Empowerment (IWE Spotlight)

Blog Feature picture (2)

Starrly Gladue: Beauty, Entrepreneurship & Empowerment (IWE Spotlight)

We are honoured to share the story of Starrly Gladue — a trailblazing entrepreneur and creative force behind Beauty on the Block — as part of our Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur (IWE) Program spotlight series.

📺 Watch Starrly’s story here:

From Community Roots to Creative Heights

Starrly’s journey began in Beaver First Nation, where her passion for beauty and self-expression took shape. Over the years, she transformed that passion into Beauty on the Block, a studio bringing Indigenous identity and excellence into the beauty industry.

Her story is not only about aesthetics — it’s a story of resilience, innovation, and lifting up community.

Insights from Her Journey

Culture as Canvas

Starrly integrates her heritage into her work — her designs, techniques, and brand voice are deeply rooted in identity. She demonstrates how one’s culture can be a foundation, not a barrier, for creative entrepreneurship.

 Overcoming Barriers

She talks candidly about the challenges many Indigenous women face: access to funding, visibility, balancing expectations, and proving credibility in competitive markets. Her persistence and faith have guided her through.

 Mentorship & Leaving Room for Others

Beyond personal success, Starrly emphasizes the importance of mentorship. She encourages other Indigenous women to step into leadership, make room for others, and build together.

Role of the IWE Program

The IWE (Indigenous Women’s Entrepreneur) Program is dedicated to supporting Indigenous women in business — helping them access capital, build capacity, and connect with networks. Starrly is a powerful example of what is possible when women are supported to expand, create, and lead.

By highlighting her story, we want to:

  • Celebrate Indigenous women entrepreneurs

  • Inspire other women to see themselves as creators, leaders, and economic agents

  • Show real impact of investment, mentoring, and community support

What You’ll Learn from the Video

  • Starrly’s origin story: how she stepped into business

  • Creative philosophy and how she weaves culture into her work

  • The key turning points and supports she accessed

  • Advice she offers to other Indigenous women entrepreneurs

Join the Movement

  • Share this video with your network

  • Tag an Indigenous woman entrepreneur doing great work

  • Apply to the IWE Program and begin your path to growth

📞 Call: 780-470-3600
📧 Email: info@aiicbusiness.org
🌐 Visit: aiicbusiness.org