Kathy Cheng, president of Toronto, Ontario-based supplier Redwood Classics Apparel (PPAI 696010), has been named to Inc. magazine’s third annual Female Founders 100 list, which recognizes women business leaders in North America and their accomplishments across a wide range of industries.
“I am so grateful for and humbled by this honor,” says Cheng, “but, to me, this recognition is really about all of the makers. COVID-19 has been a wake-up call that supporting local manufacturing and businesses is more important than ever. In order to serve our communities in times of crisis, domestic manufacturing needs to be supported all year-round.”
Redwood Classics Apparel is a family business that has been manufacturing in North America for more than three decades. With a focus on supplier diversity and sustainable consumption, Cheng and her team contribute to the North American economy through local procurement and minimize their carbon footprint by investing in green technologies. She has also used her voice to champion supplier diversity in the fashion and branded merchandise industries. Cheng and the Redwood Classics team have worked closely with, and have been recognized by, various organizations and communities to convey that supplier diversity is good for business, improves opportunities for marginalized groups and supports the local economy.
“Our team vetted thousands of applications to find the 100 women highlighted on this list,” says Inc. editor-at-large Kimberly Weisul. “It’s the most inspiring work we do all year, and we’re so thrilled to be able to feature these fierce, accomplished entrepreneurs and start to give them the recognition they deserve.”
