Small business, big vision: UBC Sauder alumni on becoming entrepreneurs
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In celebration of Small Business Month, we’re spotlighting three UBC Sauder alumni who’ve turned their entrepreneurial dreams into reality. From empowering Indigenous youth to creating efficiencies in women’s health, and boosting local economies, these grads prove small businesses can make a big impact.
Gracie Jackson, Dallas Barnes, and Linda Dai share their journeys—from lightbulb moments to launch day—along with lessons learned and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. With the skills honed at UBC Sauder and support from a strong alumni network, they show how business fundamentals, creativity, and resilience can turn ideas into success stories.
Whether you’re dreaming of your own startup or curious about the entrepreneurial path, these stories will inspire you to think big, start small, and make it happen.
Gracie Jackson
Ch'nook Management Program, Class of 2025
Co-owner, Mountain Stone Equine
What inspired you to start Mountain Equine and what challenge were you addressing?
“Mountain Stone Equine is a family business based in Mînî Thnî, Alberta, that my sisters, parents, and I started a year ago to address the lack of youth-led Indigenous programming. Growing up, we had to travel over 45 minutes to access equine programs in other nations, and we always dreamed of creating something for our own community. We wanted to provide youth with meaningful, culturally rooted experiences that empower them. Today, we offer customized programs that include horsemanship, rodeos and Indian Relay, an Indigenous equestrian sport that’s growing fast in Canada.”
What role do you play in the business?
“I’m the program coordinator and co-owner. I handle everything from organizing and marketing to financial planning and facilitating programs. Recently, I also became an equine-assisted learning facilitator, which allows me to work directly with the youth and horses, a part of the job I love.”
How did your time at UBC Sauder share your entrepreneurial journey?
“I needed a program where I could learn and network with other Indigenous entrepreneurs, because, as a First Nations person growing up on a reserve, there are unique challenges to overcome.
The Ch’nook Management Program was a game-changer. It gave me the tools to create a solid business strategy, improve financial planning, and develop a marketing approach. Since Mountain Stone Equine grew so quickly, I needed a long-term plan. I also loved learning about land stewardship and incorporated that into our programs.
Now, we’re even working toward becoming a nonprofit organization, thanks to insights I gained from program leaders. The connections I made with other Indigenous entrepreneurs were invaluable—we built a close-knit group and often check in on each other.”
What’s the best part about working for yourself, and what advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs?
“The best part is designing programs based on what youth actually want, not what others think they need. Seeing kids overcome their fears and connect with horses is so rewarding. My advice? Don’t give up. There were times I wanted to throw in the towel, but opportunities always came when I stayed persistent. Build relationships, learn from others, and have faith.”
Looking back, what’s the best investment you’ve made in your business?
“Time and people. I’ve spent countless late nights coordinating programs, and the partnerships we’ve built have been crucial to our success. Without the right people, Mountain Stone Equine wouldn’t be where it is today.”
Dallas Barnes
Bachelor of Commerce, Class of 2019
Founder, Reya
What inspired you to start Reya Health and what challenge were you addressing?
“Reya Health, a contraceptive matching app, was born from my own frustrating experience with birth control. Like so many others, I spent years trying different options, dealing with side effects, and enduring a trial-and-error process that felt endless. Did you know 75% of people on birth control describe their experience negatively? As our independently-conducted research found, it can take years and multiple failed attempts to find the right fit.
There’s a huge gap in contraceptive counselling; appointments are often rushed, and doctors may prescribe what they’re most familiar with, not what’s best for the individual. Reya Health bridges that gap by empowering users with personalized information and support, helping them make informed decisions about their reproductive health.”
How did you take Reya Health from concept to launch?
“I founded Reya Health initially as an educational platform, sharing information about contraceptives through social media and community groups. Early on, we realized our users, primarily students and young professionals, preferred mobile solutions, so we transitioned from being web-based to a mobile app.
To scale it, we partnered with student health plans, employee benefits providers, and nonprofits, ensuring equitable access to our platform. Over time, our market has expanded to support women at more life stages, including postpartum and perimenopause, which has been incredibly rewarding.”
How did your time at UBC Sauder share your entrepreneurial journey?
“I graduated with a UBC Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2019. UBC Sauder gave me the tools to think creatively and strategically, especially through courses in design thinking and human-centred design that were instrumental in shaping Reya Health’s user-centric approach. I specialized in innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainability, which brought together elements of marketing, finance, and HR in a big-picture way that felt practical and inspiring to me. Then the extracurriculars, like case competitions and hackathons were so useful for learning how to tackle challenges under pressure. They gave me a sense of community that I still value hugely today.
UBC Sauder gave me the tools to think creatively and strategically, especially through courses in human-centred design that were instrumental in shaping Reya Health’s user-centric approach.”
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Most importantly, know your “why.” The more I went down my own health journey, the more I became passionate about dedicating my work and my time to improving women's health. Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, and your motivation will carry you through the hard times.
Secondly, invest in people. The right team, folks who believe in the mission and are smart, creative and capable, can catapult your growth forward in such a meaningful way.”
Linda Dai
Bachelor of Commerce, Class of 2019
Founder, Little Pisces
What inspired you to start Little Pisces, and what challenges did you face along the way?
“I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurship, thanks to my parents. At 26, after working in finance as a management consultant at Deloitte and later in private equity, I realized it was a good time to try something new in my career.
The idea for Little Pisces dessert shops came from my love of food and my time working in restaurants during high school. I saw taiyaki and soft-serve ice cream gaining popularity in the U.S. and felt it would resonate here in Vancouver. Taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake symbolizing good luck, has been a beloved dessert in Japan and Korea for nearly a century, and I felt confident it had staying power.
The biggest challenge was starting without prior experience in the food industry. We began with pop-up stores to test the concept before securing the lease and opening our permanent location. It was a strategic move that helped us refine our product and business model.”
How did your time at UBC Sauder shape your entrepreneurial journey?
“My UBC Bachelor of Commerce degree gave me a strong foundation in business. Courses like COMM101 and tools like the Business Model Canvas were invaluable when I was building our business plan.
Joining clubs gave me a strong sense of belonging, and participating in JDC West—Western Canada’s largest business competition—taught me to think critically and perform under pressure.
The diverse community at UBC Sauder was another major highlight. Several of my peers have since pursued entrepreneurial paths, which inspired me to take the leap. Even now, I rely on the alumni network for guidance, whether it’s about opening a store or achieving a better work-life balance.”
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
“Firstly, don’t give up. Entrepreneurship is hard, and there will be moments when you doubt yourself. Have conviction in your idea and just keep pushing through challenges.
Second, reach out to others in your field. I had no restaurant management experience, so I sought advice from people who did. Their insights showed me the path forward and helped me avoid costly mistakes.
Finally, remember that entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. It’s not as glamorous as it might seem on social media. You have to be ready for the highs and lows and truly be passionate about what you’re building.”
What’s next for Little Pisces?
“We’re planning to keep building community (and customers) by opening a third store in Metro Vancouver next year, and continue using Instagram to share our founder story, and crowdsource feedback on everything from product flavours to store design.
Right now, my focus is on levelling up and taking a more strategic, big-picture approach to the business. Investing in the right people has been key to creating a model that allows for flexibility, and I’m excited to see where we can take Little Pisces in the future."