Fourteen years ago, Emily Lyons was working from a basement apartment with $80 in her bank account, a cracked laptop, and a dream that most people didn’t take seriously.
Today, she’s the founder of a multi-million dollar agency that works with the biggest brands in North America. And lastnight, she was officially named Entrepreneur of the Year at the CanadianSME Small Business Awards — one of the country’s top honours for business leaders.
The moment was surreal. Not because of the award itself, but because of the journey it represents.
No Funding, No Safety Net, No Backup Plan
Femme Fatale Media wasn’t born out of luxury — it was built out of necessity. In the early days, Emily pitched clients from coffee shops, bartered services just to keep the lights on, and cried between meetings in gas station bathrooms. There was no investor, no incubator, no connections. Just relentless drive and a belief that maybe she could create something different.
What started as a one-woman promotional staffing hustle has grown into a powerhouse agency that supports elite talent, executes brand experiences across North America, and consistently delivers for Fortune 500s.
We’ve worked with global names like L’Oréal, Red Bull, Sony, Grey Goose — but none of it came easy.
Built by Women, Backed by Grit
Femme Fatale Media was founded on the belief that women could run the show — not just model in it. Over the years, Emily turned that belief into a reality. She built a team of brilliant, bold women who bring beauty, brains, and professionalism to every campaign.
From luxury brand launches to experiential activations and VIP events, our work has always been about more than looking good. It’s about showing up. With excellence. With integrity. With purpose.
The Award That Means More Than a Trophy
Winning Entrepreneur of the Year isn’t just about business metrics — it’s about resilience. It’s about choosing not to quit when quitting would’ve been easier. It’s about holding the vision when no one else can see it. It’s about betting on yourself and the people you hire.
Emily’s win is a celebration of that spirit — not just hers, but every team member, every model, every behind-the-scenes hustler who’s ever given their all for a campaign, a client, or a dream.
What’s Next
We’re just getting started.
With major new campaigns in the pipeline, new markets opening up, and a growing portfolio of brands under Emily’s leadership (including Lyons Elite and True Glue Beauty), this is a milestone — not a finish line.
We want to thank our clients, our team, and every person who believed in us when we were still figuring it out.
And if you’re reading this while building your own thing from the ground up — with no roadmap, no blueprint, and more doubt than certainty — let this be your sign:
You don’t need a silver spoon.
You need fire.
You need grit.
And just enough belief to keep going.
We’re proud to say we were built from both — and this award is proof that it pays off.
