Canmade Hardware
North York, Ontario

Yana Rizhova believes in thinking outside the box. In fact, she doesn’t even believe in the box and is steadfast in her credo that there is no problem without a solution. In her role in business development for North York, Ontario-based Canmade Hardware, Yana has become a whiz at not only problem-solving but also at showcasing new products and exploring new business opportunities. She finds it inspiring to witness innovation, noting that challenges can spark creativity. “I love finding ways to create improvements or increase efficiency—it’s invigorating to me,” she says.

In the end, however, it is connecting with people that this graduate of George Brown College in Toronto, where she studied for a paralegal degree, values most. “The heart of any matter comes down to rapport,” Yana explains. “People are what make life exciting. I love having conversations with everyone I encounter.” 

“I love finding ways to create improvements or increase efficiency—it’s invigorating to me.”

Yana, who describes herself as “passionate,” is also an experienced public speaker and at a recent online conference attended via Zoom by more than 100 people she spoke about hardware solutions for aging in place. She credits her love of singing—she began performing onstage at age six—with bolstering her confidence and her creativity. Yana also regularly redecorated her childhood room and did her own art projects when she couldn’t find exactly the artwork she wanted. She’s still at it and her latest creations are 3D canvas art pieces made with epoxy resin.

Looking forward, Yana would love to travel through Europe and Asia, “exploring different cultures and visiting some of the unique sites to experience their architecture and traditions.” But she’ll come home to something familiar and comforting: her goofy, energetic Boxer pup, Joey—named for her favorite character on “Friends.”