Lissa Moore (BCom '11): Turning passion into entrepreneurship

Lissa Moore (BCom ’11) is a Francophone entrepreneur who co-owns the gift box company Les cadeaux Shop moi ça. We caught up with her for a chat during Mois de la Francophonie.

Could you tell us about your entrepreneurial journey since you finished your Bachelor of Commerce and what inspired you to start your business? 

After earning my degree from Telfer in 2011, I started working in finance and, during those years, I had three children. But when I was on maternity leave, I was struck by the need to reconnect with my personal passions. And that’s how the idea of starting this business was born. Inspired by memories of me and my sister picking out gifts for our family and friends, we decided to turn that passion into a business plan: shopping for others. This idea really resonated with me because I love finding unique items that make people happy. 

My sister and I officially launched our business, Shop moi ça, in 2018. At the time, it was a small project we worked on in the basement alongside our day jobs. Then I decided to take a year off work so I could focus on the business full time, and it grew significantly, especially from 2021 onwards. Today we have between 10 and 20 employees, depending on the season. This has enabled us to set up a warehouse and bring in substantial revenue while still having the flexibility we need to manage both the business and our family responsibilities. 

We’ve had the opportunity to work with big clients like Beneva, Desjardins, Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton and Quebec’s association of chartered professional accountants. We’ve also expanded our reach across Canada, sending off over 26,000 packages each year.

How would you say your time at Telfer influenced your career as an entrepreneur?

My time at Telfer was critical to my career in business, and it really helped open my eyes about the many responsibilities I’d be shouldering. From the get-go, I got involved in several interuniversity competitions, like Jeux du Commerce and Happening Marketing, which were energizing and very educational. To participate, we had to take a course on business pitches. That experience sharpened my skills in supporting my ideas, drafting concise business plans and delivering snappy presentations. This helped me to not only give presentations that leave an impact on my audiences but also effectively structure my business approach so I can meet tight deadlines.

What I learned at Telfer prepared me to manage every facet of my business, not just the financial or marketing side. The BCom provided me with a well-rounded education, which is essential for handling all aspects of an organization. What’s more, my experience working in groups taught me the importance of teamwork, patience and an open mind—valuable skills for someone leading a team of their own. These lessons were fundamental in helping me develop a strong yet adaptable structure for my business.

Have you run into any challenges along the way?

Absolutely! I’ve faced a million challenges! Managing priorities and the people around us every day, not to mention my personal life, is always an issue. Managing my emotions, my stress levels, my priorities—they’re all constant struggles.

There are also anxieties stirred up by industry changes, economic shifts and changes affecting partners and associates. You always have to stay agile, be prepared to embrace and adapt quickly to changes. Our business model needs to change with the times, which means we need to keep very open minds and always be on the lookout for solutions. I’m always telling my team, “There are no problems, only solutions.” You always need to find solutions because any minor issue can become a major obstacle if you don’t handle it properly.

How do you balance business and family?

To help me balance my business and my personal life, I rely heavily on support from my sister, who’s also a co-owner, and our partner, Frédérique, as well as an amazing team who treat the business like it’s their own. This creates a really positive work environment where everyone is eager to provide mutual support. For example, I had an important event recently, and my employees automatically offered to babysit my kids so I could go. This kind of support makes all the difference. It allows me to remain flexible and available, both for my family and for my business. It’s not always easy, but I know I can face any challenges that come my way by accepting that I need to make regular adjustments and counting on a reliable, committed team behind me.

What does Mois de la Francophonie mean to you? Do you think your identity as a Francophone has played a role in your business development or your leadership approach?

To me, Mois de la Francophonie is much more than just a celebration: it’s a natural affirmation of my identity. As Francophones, we run our business with a very Quebec-centred outlook, focusing on local products, and all of our partners are from Quebec. For us, Mois de la Francophonie is a time to raise the profile and emphasize the importance of preserving the French language, not just in Quebec but across Canada.

Although all of our communications are available in English, we make sure French is still the primary language. Protecting this cultural wealth is a shared responsibility. It goes beyond language too: it’s a distinct culture that we Francophones—Québécois, Franco-Ontarians and others—share. It’s what sets us apart from the rest of Canada.

What advice would you give to students who want to become entrepreneurs, or to your younger self?

My advice would be to start right away. You don’t have to start with something big; whatever scale you work at, the main thing is to get started. Every bit of experience moves you forward in your journey and expands your network. That’s crucial to help you grow.

Celebrate your small victories—they form the foundation for your bigger ones down the road. And don’t compare yourself to others, because everyone’s journey is unique and leads to a different result.

Entrepreneurship can seem lonely and intimidating, but there’s always a support network available. You just need to know where to find these resources and how to make good use of them.

Finally, you have to surround yourself with the right people to stay motivated. Talking to the people around you helps you find new directions and focus on your next steps, which is vital to keep you on the right track. Sometimes when you’re working alone, especially in front of a computer, it can feel like you’re not making any progress. But when you talk to people and share your experiences, you realize you’re really building and developing something.

Discover the University of Ottawa Entrepreneurship Hub, or the Desjardins Elevator Pitch Competition at the Telfer School of Management.

This article was written by Corrinthina Rabemanantsoa. 

Corrinthina Rabemanantsoa is a fourth-year Bachelor of Commerce student specializing in marketing at the Telfer School of Management. As part of her Connexions internship with the school, she served as a content creator for visual and written materials.