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By David Farrell
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The Toronto singer-songwriter and engineer understands the importance of ownership and entrepreneurship for independent artists. On the red carpet, Canadian artists share their most important financial advice.
PARTNER CONTENT
Charlotte Day Wilson was the recipient of the Innovator Award presented by Interac Corp. (Interac) at Billboard Canada Women In Music 2025. It was only the third time the award has been awarded, and the first-ever in Canada. Wilson was the perfect recipient, embodying the award’s spirit.
“Innovation is what’s at the core of good music, but it’s also at the core of how I conduct business,” said the Toronto artist in her acceptance speech, outlining what makes her not just a good musician — but an entrepreneur in music.
“When I first started my career 10 years ago, I knew that I not only wanted to be a singer, but the producer, the engineer, the songwriter and everything behind the music that I was putting out. But I also wanted to do something similar for my business,” she continued. “I wanted to make sure that I owned my music, that I didn’t give up the rights to my music. Because I felt that this was the only thing that was so dear and true to me, how could I possibly give it to someone else?”
Approaching music this way makes Wilson not just an artist, but a small business owner. Understanding the business and financial aspect is key to being an independent musician, which is something she learned along the way. She found herself competing with artists with major label budgets, which has presented challenges along the way, but she’s prevailed by working within her means – and retaining ownership in the process.
It’s a spirit that’s made her a go-to collaborator for everyone from Daniel Caesar to Kaytranada, earned her a Grammy for engineering on her 2024 album Cyan Blue and even led to getting into the restaurant industry, recently opening the Toronto panini shop Tutto Panino as a co-owner.
Presenting the award to Charlotte Day Wilson was Sudha Dwivedi, Chief People and Culture Officer at Interac, who talked about why the company is proud to support both innovation and the Innovator award.
“Everything Charlotte Day Wilson does is about advancing women in music… What we have in common is that we are an advocate for women. We support women entrepreneurs all across this country,” she said in her passionate speech. “What [Interac] does is all about innovation, leading Canadians through digital transformation not just in payments, but in verification.”
Interac is proud to support women entrepreneurs and small and medium business owners, who are a crucial part of the music industry — and one that many of the inspiring female artists on the Billboard Canada Women In Music red carpet were excited to talk about.
Here is their advice to young women in the industry about finances:
The Beaches
Jordan Miller: “Hire a good financial manager who’s honest with you about your expenses. Try not to go over the red line. Be properly advised. Know where your money is going. Keep those receipts. Shoeboxed is a great app.
Eliza Enman-McDaniel: “Save where you can. In this industry, a lot of artists tend to want to overspend when it’s maybe not the smartest for longevity. I think for a long time we’ve tried to be very frugal in our spending, and it served us.”
Leandra Earl: “If you can, live at home forever.”
Omega Mighty
“Diversify your income, save money and chase grants.”
Keshia Chanté
“I remember the first day that I signed to the record label, [Canadian R&B star] Deborah Cox was there. I auditioned in front of the label with her present which was so intimidating, but she gave me the best advice. She told me to save my money. She was like, ‘Don’t go spending crazy. Enjoy the ride. And stay close to your family. Those people, your mom and dad, keep those morals. Don’t let this world suck you up.’”
The Reklaws
Jenna Walker: “Say yes to everything, but know your worth. Know your worth going in. A lot of people can use you a little bit when you’re first getting hired on little events or little gigs. Ask what you are worth. And pay your band what they’re worth, and then make sure you’re getting paid as well. We’ve played many free shows — you know, you’ve got to do some of those, but know your worth for sure.
Jully Black
“First things first, you have to put pride away and recognize it’s okay to ask for help. Especially in Canada, we have some birthright benefits, like the grant system. Utilize those systems that are in place. I have peers in America that don’t have those systems. And build your team. Just today, I realized I need a strategist. Financial flexibility is the word I’m using lately. I’m looking forward to financial flexibility where I bend, but I don’t break. And coaching and mentorship, it’s important.”
Interac Corp. (Interac) is a proud sponsor of Billboard Canada Women in Music and the Innovator Award.
