Impact Story: Mariam Oyinloye
Abimbola
Toronto, ON
Youth Small Business Program
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When Mariam Oyinloye was 14, she started experiencing bad menstrual cramps. As she researched ways to address them, she started to learn more about potential downsides of traditional menstrual products—including environmental issues. While there were some alternatives on the market, few seemed to live up to their promise of being truly eco-friendly.
The experience inspired her to create Abimbola, a business dedicated to selling chemical-free, reusable, eco-friendly menstrual care products. Launched in 2023, Abimbola has already earned more than $35,000 in revenue and launched an e-commerce site to reach an even larger audience. Now 16, Mariam is focused on getting her products into stores and expanding across North America.
Despite her success, becoming an entrepreneur hasn’t always been easy for Mariam. “I had trouble being taken seriously because of my age,” she says. “It was hard to get people to see me as a business owner and not just a teenager with an idea.”
Mariam has the support of her family and friends, and while she occasionally receives negative reactions from her peers, they’ve only made her more determined to tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation and menstrual products.
“Some guys feel uncomfortable,” she says of her classmates, “but eventually we’ll get there, we can all be mature about it.”
When asked about the supports currently available for youth entrepreneurs, Mariam notes that more programs are needed, especially those with larger funding opportunities. Still, she feels that entrepreneurship has a lot to recommend itself to her peers.
“I think it’s a good path for young people to take,” she says. “You can pick your own hours…and your teachers look to you in a positive light…so I think it’s a really good thing to be a young entrepreneur.”
Plus, Mariam says it has helped her excel at school: “When I do business class, I’m not necessarily learning anything new.”
Mariam credits Rise’s Youth Small Business Program (YSBP) with helping her to develop these skills, including setting goals, creating a business plan, managing finances, and communicating her brand clearly. But the benefit of YSBP went beyond hands-on business skills.
“Rise helped me believe in myself,” she says. “I’ve become more confident in sharing my story, standing up for what I believe in, and making decisions that impact real people. Through this journey, I’ve grown not just as a business owner, but as a young leader.”
And Mariam continues to see the fruits of her labour as her entrepreneurial journey progresses.
“The most fulfilling part [of entrepreneurship] has been hearing from girls and women who say Abimbola made them feel seen, supported, and confident,” she says. “Knowing that something I created is helping others is the best feeling in the world.”
Congratulations to Mariam Oyinloye, 2025 Rotman Family Entrepreneur of the Year.
