Marissa McTasney is the Pink Work Boot Lady in her footwear circles and known in the business world as a woman with moxie. She is the founder and President of Moxie Trades Ltd.
Moxie Trades is now a multi-million dollar threat in the safety footwear industry and the most recognized brand of women’s safety footwear in Canada. Moxie Trades safety footwear can be found in over five hundred retail outlets across North America.
Moxie; mo’kse; is the ability to face fear with spirit and courage.
With the birth of her children, Carter and Frankie she wrote a book for them based on her philosophical hopes for their futures that included a powerful mantra. Her mantra is “Dream Big, Think the Impossible, Love Passionately and Give Generously”
Marissa has appeared on several national and regional outlets including; Cityline, Steven and Chris, CBC’s Made in Canada, CBC’s Sunday Night News, CTV Edmonton and CTV Calgary, SHAW Calgary, Breakfast Television Toronto, BT Edmonton and BT Calgary. Marissa has been featured in numerous publications including Style at Home, Canadian Living, Builder’s Architect, Mompreneur, Toronto Sun, Toronto Star, Globe & Mail and the National Post.
Over the years, Marissa has also been written about in several books including Feminine Capital by Dr. Barbara Orser and Catherine Elliott; and W. Brett Wilson’s book- Still Making Mistakes; as well in in Post Secondary Accounting Text Books by McGraw Hill Ryerson.
As an active philanthropist, Marissa has partnered with various local Habitat for Humanity chapters, became one of the Women’s Build ambassadors in the Durham Region and has donated several thousand dollars in fundraising and product donations. Additionally, she has sent a planeload of clothing, work boots, blankets and kids shoes to Haiti. Her family continues to sponsor children with World Vision. Marissa is also an active community member and often participates in round table discussions concerning women entrepreneurs, the empowerment of young women and economic prosperity.
Marissa participated in an Expert Panel for the Ministry of Status of Women and Minister of Labour for the Government of Canada. Marissa toured across the country working with hundreds of entrepreneurs researched and reported on Canadian entrepreneurship for women.
In 2015, Marissa launched the Got Moxie Challenge along with a Guinness World Record Challenge. Marissa hopes to encourage young women to declare and find their moxie. These efforts are ongoing.
Marissa toured across Canada with StartUp Canada’s #EveryEntrepreneur tour as a keynote speaker in 2015. She ran Policy Hackathons, Policy Hearings, and even acted as Minister of Status of Women during StartUp Day on the Hill.
On March 8, 2016, Marissa was named the Fellow for Women Entrepreneurs with StartUp Canada so she is able to continue her efforts with gender equality issues and entrepreneurship.
In the fall of 2016, Marissa was elected as leader of the StartUP Durham Community. Her vision is to collaborate with the twenty-six entrepreneur organizations within the region and to elevate the profiles of entrepreneurs in her community. She aims to create a world-class environment for entrepreneurs to connect and thrive nationally and globally.
Marissa continues to celebrate the many accomplishments of woman through her regular contests on Moxie Trades. These include; Durham’s Woman of the Year, Moxiest First Responder, Moxiest Tradeswoman, Moxiest Work Woman and monthly Moxies.
Marissa is also leading the Canadian Delegation which will participate in the Women March in Washington, DC on January 21, 2017.
Marissa is looking forward to her tenth anniversary with Moxie Trades and her famous pink work boot and is challenging everyone to conquer their fears on March 27, 2017 with the National Day of Moxie.
This journey has been full of all the tribulations and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Throughout the adventure, Marissa has remained steadfast in her convictions and values. She lives happily in a cozy colourful home in Brooklin, Ontario with her husband, two kids and three dogs.
To Book Marissa, please contact us at moxie@moxietrades.com
or call 1-888-404 -6694/moxi.