Featured Leaders Series: Embracing Your Identity as an Asset: A Discussion with Ashley Clark

As part of International Women’s Month 2026, Invest Ottawa collaborated with Naomi Haile of The Power of Why Podcast to spotlight women leaders in Ottawa, emphasizing their fundamental roles in community building, advocacy, and economic impact. These leaders embody the values of long-term vision, relationship-centered entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage integration.

The discussion features Ashley Clark, a Mohawk entrepreneur and founder of Bougie Birch, who exemplifies a new leadership model focused on sustainable, community-driven business practices. Her journey into entrepreneurship began unexpectedly after a workplace injury led her to make dream catchers for rehabilitation. This personal experience sparked a realization that her craft could serve as a business, rooted in more than profit—aiming for legacy and community impact.

Clark's approach redefines success by emphasizing long-term impact over immediate wins, a concept grounded in the indigenous principle of the Seven Generations Teaching. This philosophy encourages decision-making that considers the welfare of future generations, prompting entrepreneurs to ask, "What will matter decades from now?" Instead of chasing fleeting trends, Clark develops her business with a reverse-engineered 30-year vision, evaluating all decisions against this comprehensive framework to prevent mission drift.

She shares a practical framework for entrepreneurs: articulate a clear mission, keep it visible, and evaluate each opportunity against that mission. If misaligned, the opportunity is dismissed. This clarity helps in maintaining focus, fostering a mission that resonates deeply with both her identity and her community.

The conversation also explores the influence of Indigenous teachings, like the Seven Grandfather Teachings, which underscore values such as humility, love, and shared responsibility. Clark articulates that humility is not only a personal trait; it fosters an environment of collaboration and understanding between businesses and their communities.

The relational aspect of business is another key theme in Clark’s philosophy. She argues that neglecting human relationships can lead to detrimental cultural and financial consequences, reinforcing the idea that strong relationships are essential for sustainable enterprises. Moving beyond traditional profit-focused models, Clark views Bougie Birch as a "social engine" that creates value for community, culture, and connection.

A significant aspiration of Clark’s is to establish a physical Bougie Birch space in Ottawa, envisioned as a hub for experiential learning and cultural connection. This space aims to embody long-term values and provide a platform for community engagement, marking its significance not just for the present, but for future generations.

Clark’s journey in entrepreneurship highlights a valuable lesson: that clarity and intention often outweigh urgency. Her insights challenge the conventional notion that faster growth equates to success, instead positing that impactful businesses are those built with thoughtfulness from the outset.

Ultimately, Ashley Clark demonstrates that one’s identity and values should be integral to their business journey, reflecting a compelling narrative of leadership that emphasizes connection, heritage, and future-focused thinking. She stands as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly Indigenous women, navigating the intersection of culture and commerce.