A spotlight on the best of our industry’s women: Interview with Mona jagota
By Ellen Wheeler
CNHR is pleased to present “In Her Own Words,” a column that introduces you to outstanding female leaders and innovators in our natural health community each issue.
The column is led by Ellen Wheeler, vice president of partnerships for Alive Publishing Group and associate publisher of CNHR.
In this column, Ellen introduces you to Mona Jagota, a dynamic and accomplished business leader with a passion for innovation, community engagement, and empowering others.
With over two decades of experience at Nature’s Source, Mona has established herself as a trailblazer in her domain, blending entrepreneurial vision with operational expertise to drive success and inspire those around her. Since joining Nature’s Source in 1998, Mona has played a pivotal role in the company’s growth and success.
ELLEN: What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered as a husband-and-wife team leading Nature’s Source as CEO and CFO?
MONA: It’s often said that working together as a husband-and-wife team in the same business can be challenging, with potential for disputes. However, I consider myself fortunate; Sanjiv has always been incredibly supportive of my role, and our partnership is rooted in mutual respect.
That being said, our roles are vastly different, with unique commitments and responsibilities, which helps maintain clarity and focus. While there are occasional differences in perspective, they rarely escalate into disagreements.
One of the biggest challenges we face is the difficulty of “switching off” as business owners. Whether we’re on vacation, at gatherings, or even during family time, conversations often drift back to work.
However, I believe our partnership is a significant asset to our business. We engage in a lot of brainstorming to continuously improve and innovate, driven by a shared mission and vision. At the heart of everything we do is a strong desire to help others—whether at work, at home, or in the community. This shared purpose strengthens not just our business but also our relationship.
ELLEN: Nature’s Source has been around for 27 years, and you’ve been involved for almost 25 years. How were you first introduced to the business? Did you start in your current role or has it evolved over the years?
MONA: I joined Nature’s Source about a year after arriving in Canada. Before that, I worked at a clothing store and a finance company. When the decision was made to expand and open more locations, I became actively involved in the business.
My journey began at the Mississauga store. When we opened the Oakville location, I transitioned there, and later I moved to the Etobicoke location.
At that time, I had two small children, and balancing work and family life became a priority. I decided to take over the financial side of the business, which allowed me to work from home while managing the books and caring for my children.
ELLEN: It appears that you are more behind the scenes than your husband. Would you say that’s an accurate observation, and was that a conscious decision on your part?
MONA: Sanjiv and I handle different aspects of the business. While he manages and directs operations, I oversee the financial affairs—contributing more behind the scenes. I truly enjoy managing finances—analyzing numbers, uncovering insights, and ensuring the financial health of the business. This is where my strengths lie and where I find fulfillment in contributing to our success.
Being behind the scenes suits me perfectly, as it allows me to focus on what I do best while supporting the overall vision and direction of Nature’s Source.
ELLEN: What were your career aspirations as a young woman? Did you always envision yourself in business?
MONA: To be honest, I didn’t have specific career aspirations as a young woman. While education was considered important, there wasn’t a strong emphasis on translating that into a career at the time.
My career unfolded naturally, and while I may not have started with a specific plan, life presented opportunities that shaped my path and allowed me to contribute meaningfully in ways I hadn’t initially envisioned.
My journey has been about embracing opportunities and staying curious, and I look forward to continuing to grow in both personal and professional ways.
ELLEN: As a woman of a minority background, how has that shaped your experience in the industry?
MONA: Being a woman of minority has brought its own unique set of challenges and opportunities in business. On one hand, it required me to work harder to establish credibility and build trust, especially in an industry where representation can be limited. However, those challenges also became my motivation to persevere and prove my capabilities.
My perspective as a woman of minority has enriched our business by bringing diverse insights and a strong sense of empathy. It has helped me connect with people from various backgrounds, whether they are customers, employees, or community members.
Additionally, I believe it’s important to lead by example and show that being a woman of minority is not a limitation but a strength. It has empowered me to advocate for inclusivity and to create a workplace environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
Ultimately, my experiences have shaped the way I approach leadership—with resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. This perspective aligns with our mission at Nature’s Source to foster community and growth, both within and outside the business.
ELLEN: Have you felt that you were treated as an equal by industry partners or occasionally looked over in favour of Sanjiv? If so, how did you navigate those situations?
MONA: In the early days, when I attended trade shows or industry events, I often found that I wasn’t recognized or acknowledged. Over time, this has improved significantly, but even now, when I attend events without Sanjiv, I occasionally feel overlooked.
Since I tend to stay behind the scenes, people don’t always associate me with the forefront of the business. While it can be frustrating at times, I’ve learned to navigate those situations by taking the opportunity to introduce myself and make my role known.
I’ve found that earning respect and recognition takes time and consistency. By staying focused on my contributions and remaining confident in my abilities, I’ve been able to build meaningful connections and prove my value within the industry. It’s a journey, but one that continues to strengthen my resolve.
ELLEN: What would you say are your biggest contributions to the culture and daily operations of Nature’s Source? Do you have a bigger contribution to one or the other?
MONA: My contributions to Nature’s Source are well-balanced between its culture and daily operations, as both are essential to the company’s success.
On the cultural side, I’ve focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive environment. I work closely with our HR consultant to ensure that our policies and practices reflect the needs and diversity of our team. One of the initiatives I’m particularly proud of is our annual holiday dinner in November, which brings all of our staff together to relax, share laughs, and celebrate our collective efforts.
I’m also proud to provide access to our in-house life coach, a resource available to all staff members. This initiative contributes to a positive and nurturing work environment, reinforcing our commitment to employee well-being and personal growth.
On the operational side, my role has grown far beyond finance. As the business expands, I’ve taken on multiple responsibilities, including strategic planning, supporting new initiatives, and ensuring smooth daily operations.
One initiative close to my heart is working with our finance department to onboard co-op students, particularly new immigrants, into the accounting team. Helping newcomers gain their first professional experience in Canada is a meaningful way to give back and align with our values of inclusivity and opportunity.
These contributions—both cultural and operational—come together to create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated. I take pride in how these efforts drive the continued success of Nature’s Source while fostering a thriving and supportive company culture.