Who is Barb Stegemann?
Barb is the founder of The 7 Virtues, a company built on the belief that business can (and should) be a force for good. Long before “social enterprise” became a buzzword, Barb was living it.
Her now-famous pitch to the Dragons wasn’t just about perfume—it was about purpose. She shared how she sourced essential oils from countries like Afghanistan to help farmers move away from growing opium and instead grow crops for peace.
And then she said something to the Dragons that stuck:
“I’m going to get rich, you’re going to get rich, and so are the farmers in Afghanistan.”
That mindset, where success is shared, not extracted, is what truly set her apart. She wasn’t just building a brand. She was pioneering a model.
Why This Partnership Means So Much
There are moments in business where things just click. This felt like one of them.
Barb and I have more in common than you might expect:
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We’re both female solopreneurs
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We’ve built our companies from remote communities in Canada
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We’ve stayed deeply connected to purpose, community, and impact
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And we both believe that business can be a vehicle for change
At Klondike Kettle Corn, that belief has been growing stronger every year. It’s what led us to begin our journey toward B Corp Certification, a commitment to considering not just profit, but people, planet, and purpose in every decision we make.
Barb has already walked that path. The 7 Virtues is proudly B Corp certified, and having her in our corner as we pursue this milestone is incredibly inspiring.
More Than a Deal
This partnership isn’t just about scaling our business (though we’re very excited about that, too). It’s about building something bigger and with intention.
It’s about asking:
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How can we support our communities better?
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How can we make more sustainable choices?
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How can we grow in a way that lifts others up along the way?
Those are the kinds of questions Barb has been answering for years.
What Comes Next
As we look ahead, we’re energized. Not just by the opportunity, but by the responsibility.
Being on Dragons' Den gave us a platform. Partnering with Barb gives us a path.
And as we continue our journey toward B Corp certification, we’re excited to keep sharing what we learn every step of the way.
Because at the end of the day, this has never been just about popcorn.
It’s about building a business that reflects what we believe in.
And now, we get to do that alongside someone who’s been leading the way all along.
