Local Donut Shop Owner Gives Back to Community After Cancer Survival.
Every small business has its own reason for supporting its community. For Liz Ellwood, co-owner of a donut shop, her motivation is deeply personal. Years ago, she overcame cervical cancer, while many women treated alongside her did not survive.
“I could name at least six women who I became close to who are not here,” said the 42-year-old businesswoman. “They were brilliant women, kind and good.”
Having survived when others did not has instilled in her a sense of duty to make a difference. “That’s how I cope with my survivor’s guilt. I feel like I’m on borrowed time,” she explained.
Ellwood and her partner Jon Martin co-own Maverick’s Donuts in Stittsville and a kiosk in Kanata, and they also part-own shops in Barrhaven and Carleton Place. The couple frequently donates donuts to local causes, rarely turning down requests.
“This community has been so good to us,” Ellwood said, recalling a weekend fundraiser in June that raised $12,000 for a local boy’s cancer treatment. The funds came from sales of a special donut, with local police officers buying them in bulk to share with others.
“I didn’t mind the long hours to prepare the donuts. This experience has connected me more to my community,” she added.
In addition to her donut business, Ellwood runs LE Strategies, a marketing firm focused on healthcare. She is passionate about women’s health and advocates for HPV vaccination, a virus affecting many Canadians.
Before her foray into donuts, she operated a surrogacy and egg donation agency, Fertility Match Canada, and founded Fertile Future, a charity assisting young cancer patients in preserving their fertility. Her work earned her a Forty Under 40 award in 2018.
Ellwood faced significant challenges becoming a mother after her cancer treatment at age 24. She found solace in her dog, Stuart, who supported her during her loneliest times until his passing five years ago.
Her dream of motherhood became a reality thanks to the generosity of other women. “It takes incredibly special women to give eggs or carry a child,” she said. Her daughter Anna, now 12, is a source of pride for Ellwood and her family, who reside in Stittsville.
The transition from fertility services to donuts was unusual, but the pandemic impacted Ellwood’s previous business. Meanwhile, Martin was exploring opportunities with Maverick’s Donuts, a franchise started by his mother.
In October 2020, they opened their first Maverick’s Donuts location in Stittsville. Ellwood describes the brand as fun and innovative, offering custom decorations and a community focus.
Ottawa boasts many great donut shops, and Ellwood believes the city could become a donut capital. “We have so many options; it’s crazy,” she noted.
Maverick’s has contributed to numerous local events and fundraisers, aligning with Ellwood’s mission of uplifting women in the community. “When I help someone, it fills my bucket. I believe we should leave the world a better place,” she said.
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