How Call for Small helps Canadian entrepreneurs grow with purpose

For many small business owners, growth often comes with difficult choices about capacity, marketing and staying true to their values. Moneris created Call for Small to help entrepreneurs navigate that challenge with financial support that strengthens their foundations and fuels responsible expansion.

This year’s prize recipient was Roncy Packs, a Toronto family business that creates handcrafted bags from reclaimed textiles. Its story illustrates why programs like Call for Small matter to small businesses across Canada.

What is Call for Small?

Call for Small is a Moneris initiative that supports the future of Canadian small businesses by providing a $10,000 prize to help a business grow with purpose. The program selects one winner annually based on business impact, sustainability efforts and contributions to the community. The program is open to Canadian small business owners who have been operational for at least one year.

The goal is simple. By easing financial pressures, the prize gives entrepreneurs the chance to make strategic improvements that may not otherwise be possible.

How the program helps Roncy Packs scale sustainably

Roncy Packs began unexpectedly in 2020 when a young boy asked his grandmother to make him a small bag. Using leftover materials from her decades as a seamstress, she created the first version of what would become the Roncy Packs product line. Interest grew quickly as people connected with the idea of turning discarded materials into something new.

As demand increased, co‑founder Le Ching says the business reached a point where growth required new resources. Production was limited because every bag was hand‑cut and handmade in a home studio. Marketing was mostly powered by word of mouth, which meant the brand’s reach was strong but narrow. Le Ching applied to Call for Small because she saw an opportunity to scale while maintaining the values that shaped the business.

Investing in capacity and visibility

For Roncy Packs, winning Call for Small represents the ability to grow in a way that keeps sustainability and craftsmanship at the centre. Le Ching says the funding will help the business invest in equipment that improves production efficiency and reduces waste. It will also allow the team to expand online marketing and increase its presence at key markets and events.

These investments help small businesses strengthen long‑term stability without compromising quality. For companies like Roncy Packs, which rely on local materials and handcrafted processes, scaling responsibly is essential.

Building community through small business

Although Call for Small focuses on helping businesses grow, it also amplifies the positive impact these businesses have on their communities.

Roncy Packs sources materials entirely through community contributions. Neighbours, friends and people they have never met share old leather jackets, damaged bags and offcuts from local shops. This collective effort has diverted significant amounts of textile waste from landfills, transforming it into bags people can use every day.

By investing in businesses that already contribute to local sustainability and creativity, Call for Small helps strengthen community impact across Canada.

Looking ahead

Roncy Packs plans to continue collaborating with local artists and larger brands to explore new ways to repurpose materials. The business has also started expanding its exports to reach audiences beyond North America.

Call for Small supports entrepreneurs who want to grow without losing sight of what makes their businesses meaningful. For Roncy Packs, the prize is not only financial support but also recognition that responsible, community‑focused entrepreneurship has a place in Canada’s business landscape.

To learn more about the Call for Small program, click here.

Watch the video to learn more about Roncy Packs:

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Niyati Budhiraja

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Niyati Budhiraja is a word nerd who turns tricky business talk into fun, simple and genuinely helpful content. She writes features on inspiring Canadian businesses, crafts easy-to-follow guides and shares smart tips to help small businesses feel confident and supported. When she’s not writing or dreaming up her next blog idea, you’ll likely find her hunting down the city’s best hot chocolate.