In this episode, Laura chats with Canadian designer Heather Bolt , founder of Dotty , a Toronto-made clothing brand designing “real clothes for real bodies” for women in midlife. They cover local manufacturing , fit-first design (sleeves, tummy-friendly cuts, inclusive sizing), micro-influencer strategy , and the honest realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship . If you care about made-in-Canada fashion , body-confident style , and community-first brand building , this one’s for you. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & guest intro (Heather Bolt, Dotty) 01:14 – Dotty: Toronto manufacturing (Scarborough & North Toronto) 02:22 – Canadian story & starting point 05:46 – The nudge that changed everything 07:20 – Early entrepreneur doubts; designing for real bodies 09:09 – Loyal customers & product thoughtfulness 12:31 – Showing up on camera; relatable founder 15:39 – Word of mouth, One of a Kind Show, micro-influencers 18:15 – Founder values, authenticity, buyer trust 25:18 – “Remember who the F you are” 27:18 – Midlife energy & the freedom of not people-pleasing 31:39 – Seasons of business & motherhood 34:36 – Presence over hustle; what matters at 80 Heather's Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dottyclothing/ Website: https://www.dotty.ca/ Tickets for This Mother Means Business LIVE - Presented by CIBC Business Banking on April 1st, 2026 are available now! Get yours here: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/tmmb-2026 Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com Laura's Links: • Website • Laura's Instagram • LJSocial Instagram • LinkedIn • Facebook • Pinterest • TikTok
