The Rotman Family Loan Fund

Building pathways to entrepreneurship.  

 

The Rotman Family Foundation’s generous support established The Rotman Family Loan Fund, dedicating $20,000 in loan capital to entrepreneurs living with mental health and addiction challenges.  

Through this Fund, four entrepreneurs received financing during the 2026 fiscal year (May 2025-April 2026), enabling them to launch or strengthen businesses that help them build financial independence and contribute to their communities.  

 

Thank you to The Rotman Family Foundation for investing in entrepreneurs whose determination and resilience are strengthening communities across Canada.  

 

2026 Rotman Family Loan Fund Entrepreneurs

 

fredom

Dean is the founder of the only African Nova Scotian-inspired food kiosk on the Halifax Harbour boardwalk. He started the business to spread awareness of African Nova Scotian communities.  

"Proudly rooted in African Nova Scotian culture, Freedom serves reimagined comfort food we’ve grown up with and offers locally made goods,” Dean says. “We’re a place to eat, learn, and give back." 

Specializing in handheld food items, the most popular dishes have roots in the African Nova Scotian community, such as blueberry grunt, fried pepperoni, and Mama’s cornbread.  

Once orders have been taken, Dean or a member of his team shares information on African Nova Scotian history. This season, Dean is implementing a QR code on his menu to give more cultural and historical background. He also submitted a grant application to upgrade his website to include an interactive map of the 52 African Nova Scotian communities. 

Dean’s Rise loan helped him secure a commercial sandwich preparation and refrigerated ingredient storage table, a hero sign to display the menu, opening stock of ingredients for the season, and a cash reserve for contingency. 

“[Rise] is so much more than financial support,” Dean says. “[They] taught me everything I was missing while running my business … They remain actively involved even after funding has been granted by offering a mentor and a community … of support.” 

 

e

Launched in 2021, La Fraise Rose is a female-founded, minority-owned brand built on quality, simplicity, and intention, specializing in handcrafted chocolate-covered strawberries and curated gifts made with clean ingredients and a focus on thoughtful design. 

In 2022, owner Nicols Lorenza opened a brick-and-mortar location; however, she had to close when the building was sold. While searching for a new location, Nicole set up shop in a temporary commissary kitchen, but the loss of foot traffic made cash flow tight. 

Nicole’s Rise loan will help cover expenses at the temporary location and provide additional support for marketing to maintain sales while conserving cash to secure a new storefront.  

Success for Nicole means making a mark in her community as a business leader and inspiring other immigrants and racialized women in business. 

 

hea

 

Bernard Maiezza, Junction Paralegal Services 

Toronto, ON  

Bernard Maiezza is a person living with autism, disability, and concurrent mental health disorders. He was a musician for most of his life, but when his health challenges disrupted his career, he decided to go to school to become a paralegal, actively seeking self-employment to allow him the flexibility to manage his health.  

Bernard is now the owner of Junction Paralegal Services, an independent paralegal practice specializing in housing, disability, and human rights advocacy. His goal is to provide affordable, accessible, and community-centred legal services to individuals and families facing systemic barriers to justice. 

His motivation stems from his lived experience and a passion for justice and equity. He wants to make the legal support more accessible, compassionate, and practical for people who often feel excluded by traditional legal structures. 

Bernard has grown his business thus far without any marketing. Now that he has found his footing, he wants to take his business to the next level. His Rise loan will support marketing, help to cover upcoming accounting fees, and fund required professional development training to maintain his license.   

 

kitzey

Sonia Khan, Kitzey Bee 

Oakville, ON  

 

Sonia Khan is a single parent of 3 children. She had a career as an animator for over 12 years but was laid off in 2024.    

 

Sonia described her time as an animator as high-stress, with excessive hours and time-sensitive demands. It took a toll on her family life and her mental health, so after being laid off, she actively chose to pursue self-employment—and KitzeBee was born.  

 

“KitzeyBee started from a personal need I experienced as a parent,” Sonia says. “I saw a clear gap in the market and wanted to create products that offered modern pastel design, solid construction, and child-friendly features without the premium price tag.” 

 

KitzeeBee fills that gap and others. 

 

“This business model supports my mental health and long-term sustainability. After years in high-stress environments, I wanted a business that allowed flexibility and balance. KitzeBee lets me work during focused periods, step back when needed, and build something meaningful without sacrificing well-being. This balance allows me to show up more consistently aonsibly as both a founder and a parent.” 

 

Sonia’s Rise loan went toward inventory, trademark, business registration, and an Amazon subscription (which allowed her to sell products on the platform). Sonia’s business is thriving, receiving 5-7 Amazon orders daily