Stacey Martin Lifestyle is a Canadian luxe loungewear brand reinventing the look of luxury for the realities of modern living. Through eco-conscious, locally made designs, Stacey Martin blends comfort, sustainability, and style, while empowering a community that has historically been underrepresented in fashion and entrepreneurship.
In 2021, Stacey Martin became the first Black female founder to raise capital on FrontFundr, completing an equity crowdfunding campaign that raised $283,000 from 165 investors over three months. By centering her campaign on community, accessibility, and education for first-time investors, Stacey successfully broke barriers while creating a movement for inclusive entrepreneurship in Canadian fashion.
Stacey’s campaign focused on building trust, educating investors unfamiliar with equity crowdfunding, and highlighting the underrepresentation of Black female founders in venture capital. With less than 0.5% of Black female entrepreneurs receiving VC funding, her campaign demonstrated the possibilities of inclusive investing while showing that community demand can drive capital. As well as that, only 14% of major fashion brands are run by a female executive.
"Of the thousands of Canadian venture deals produced from 2014 to 2019, so few Black women founders raised money that these figures are very close to nothing."
-Amoye Henry / Canadian Start Up News
Stacey emphasized her brand’s sustainability ethos, locally made apparel, and commitment to empowering women and Black entrepreneurs, giving investors the opportunity to own a stake in a business aligned with values and social impact.
Stacey Martin’s campaign demonstrated the power of community-driven growth. Rather than relying solely on paid advertising, she leaned on consistent, authentic engagement across Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and local events to connect directly with investors. Weekly follow-ups with investors in progress, podcasts, webinars, media appearances, and regular FrontFundr campaign updates with eye-catching visuals kept her network informed and motivated. Advisors and well-known supporters helped amplify the campaign on social media, creating social proof that encouraged new investors to participate.
By centering the raise on community, Stacey educated and empowered investors—many of whom were new to equity crowdfunding—and built trust and confidence in Stacey Martin Lifestyle. Her approach showed that strong community engagement can drive both investment and advocacy, turning supporters into active participants in a brand’s growth.
Investors in Stacey Martin Lifestyle received exclusive perks tied to their investment level, including limited-edition garments, discounts on future purchases (up to 35% for the highest tiers), and recognition as shareholders on the company website. Investments of $2,500 and above were eligible for RRSP or TFSA contributions, combining ownership in a Canadian start-up with tax-advantaged savings. Nearly ⅓ of the raise total was made via registered account, showing that investors were excited to be able to invest through their RRSP & TFSA.
Stacey’s equity crowdfunding campaign demonstrates how a founder can leverage mission, inclusivity, and sustainability to not just meet funding goals, but also inspire and educate a community of investors. By turning her supporters into co-owners, Stacey Martin Lifestyle strengthened its brand, empowered underrepresented investors, and created a base of advocates ready to fuel long-term growth.
To learn more about raising capital on FrontFundr, visit our raise capital page. If you’re ready to reach out to our team, fill out our online application!
Giving everyone access to early-stage startup investing.
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