Andrea Gomez’s Path to TEC Canada Membership

Born in Colombia, Andrea moved to Quebec at the age of 17. Without any prior knowledge of French, she taught herself the language while finishing high school. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Laval University, all in French. Andrea discovered TEC Canada during her MBA at Laval University, hearing from a friend that all the top students were part of a TEC Canada program. Intrigued and inspired, she decided to leverage this knowledge and become a member. She loved being surrounded by entrepreneurs and says, “TEC Canada helps me meet people facing the same challenges as I do and grow as a leader and entrepreneur.”

From Setbacks to Success

Andrea is no stranger to setbacks. In 2017, she and her partner were forced to abandon their first business, along with their initial investment of $30,000—a significant setback that left them devastated. However, a mentor offered her a change in perspective, encouraging her to see the loss as an invaluable educational investment. This shift in perspective was a turning point for Andrea, highlighting the rich lessons learned in building a business.

Armed with new skills and insights, Andrea did not let defeat hold her back. It took her a week to gather the courage and determination needed to embark on a new entrepreneurial venture—thus, Omy Laboratoires was created.

“We started from scratch, with no funds, and finding someone willing to lend us money was impossible. That year, we dedicated ourselves to intensive research and development. To raise funds, we actively participated in numerous pitch competitions, sought startup capital, and pursued various entrepreneurial grants,” she recalls.

In 2019, Omy Laboratoires experienced its first commercial year, achieving nearly $500,000 in direct-to-consumer sales through innovative methods like pop-up shops, where they made their personalized skincare products on-site, in front of their customers. Since then, they have continued to thrive and are now expanding into the U.S. market with the help of the TEC Canada network.

“I believe the TEC Canada network is very powerful; whenever I face a challenge, I know I will find someone in the TEC network who can help me.”

The Value of TEC Canada Membership

When Andrea’s team had difficulties receiving an emergency shipment from the U.S. due to the lack of an American address, a member of her TEC CEO group, who owned a business in the U.S., helped her find a solution. This is just one example she gives when talking about the value she has gained since joining TEC.

“We are focused on exporting our products to the U.S. market, which presents its own set of challenges for a Francophone Quebec company. Sharing my experiences and concerns with the TEC Canada network has opened discussions about potential risks, alternative strategies, and necessary resources for a successful market entry. This interaction has not only informed our strategic planning but also been a crucial factor in preparing for international expansion,” says Andrea.

Other examples of how she has leveraged her TEC peer group include hiring a CFO based on the recommendation of a group member, developing strategies to collect and evaluate key performance indicators for different departments, and creating a vision for the future of her company. “TEC Canada helps me step back from my role as CEO.”

Creating a Vision

After a particularly challenging year, Andrea met with her TEC Chair, André Turcotte, and told him how difficult it was for her to manage her time and prioritize for better performance. He supported her in identifying areas where she was wasting time and could afford to delegate. Now, with more time and energy, she can focus on large-scale strategies for her company, which André also helps navigate. “It helps a lot to have these types of conversations. I can’t have this conversation with my employees, my mother, or my husband. It’s hard to find people who truly understand, and it’s so nice.”

Looking to the future, Andrea is excited to announce that Omy has secured $11 million to expand its operations into the U.S. and strengthen its team to facilitate this growth. “For women, recognizing the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and family life, especially with young children, is crucial. Managing both roles is not simple, and I navigate this journey with one-year-old twins. It’s a demanding endeavour, but my motivation lies in setting a positive example for my children. There are moments when I question whether I excel as a mother or an entrepreneur, but I’ve realized the importance of accepting that I’m doing my best in both roles. Striving to find this balance is key, and it’s essential to acknowledge our efforts in harmonizing our professional ambitions with our family responsibilities.”

Andrea’s Achievements

Among Andrea’s many distinctions, the most notable include: being a member of EY’s North American Winning Women Entrepreneurs 2023 class; finalist for the Bold Woman Awards 2023 by Veuve Clicquot; and winner of the Start-Up Award at the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards 2022, alongside her partner Rachelle Séguin, where they advise aspiring entrepreneurs. They also support organizations such as YWCA Quebec and Egale Canada.