Corks and Bubbles

I will be participating in the Black Entrepreneurship Panel at Brock University in recognition of Black History Month.

The panel takes place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Goodman School of Business Atrium and will focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building impact across sectors. All students and community members are welcome to attend.

I will be sharing the stage with:
Tony Colley, Founder and CEO of B12Give, an organization bridging the gap between surplus food and food insecurity through barrier-free access to food.

Walid Al Hilaly, Founder of ZoomZoom, a ride-sharing platform, and Brock University alumnus.

And me, Sharon Corcoran, Founder of Corks and Bubbles Inc., award-winning soap maker, coach, and community development advocate.

Thank you to the Goodman School of Business and Brock University for hosting this conversation.

Photo credit: Brock University / Goodman School of Business

GoodmanSchoolOfBusiness CommunityLeadership

Tomorrow We Say Goodbye — After Bringing My Dad Home from Barbados

Tomorrow, I lay my father to rest.
After months of anticipatory grief, and the emotional weight of repatriating him from Barbados, the day has finally come.

I love my dad.
I adore my dad.
I admire my dad.

He was my father, my friend, my confidant, my buddy who laughed freely, danced in the streets, gave lotto numbers, walked dogs, and quietly showed up for me in ways I never even knew I needed. He was everything.

Today, my heart aches in ways I cannot explain. I do not know how I will get through tomorrow, but I trust that God does not give us more than we can carry.

To everyone who has reached out—thank you. Your texts, calls, and unwavering friendship mean more than I can say.

What brings me some peace is knowing my parents—who met when my mom was 17 and my dad was 19—are now reunited. That brings a kind of quiet comfort I did not expect.

A friend recently called me an “adult orphan.” 🥹I cried. I knew what it meant to be orphan, but hearing it said aloud hit me in a new way. Grief does that—it names things we were never prepared to name.

But if there is anything I have learned, it is that love, like nature, never disappears. It transforms. It stays with us in ways we may not recognize. Some cultures say our loved ones return in nature. While I’m out hiking in the Bruce trails, I find myself wandering and looking for signs of my dad’s presence. I knew that my dad would pass when I was hiking and sure enough that’s what happened. My dad was such an avid walker and as so many of you know it’s the reason why I hike. So weather or not that is true and they return to nature, the message is this:

Our family never truly leaves us.

Gone but never forgotten.

P.S. check out my dad’s footwear in the picture. Now you know where I get my shoe fe**sh and why shoes and socks is everything to me. 😉

For Papa Samuel. We miss you.

We walked 32 kilometres today — through relentless heat, hills, roots, boulders, and forest trails in Niagara — from Queenston to Thorold on the Bruce Trail as part of the annual Laura Secord Hike. On this day in 1813, she was a total trailblazer.

We walked in honour of my father, Samuel. Thank you to my great friend, who walked every step with me. Your strength, presence, and loyalty mean everything. I could not have done this without you. We made it to the end — and we did it together.

Everyone deserves a seat at the table.
I’m honoured to be part of the Her Seat at The Table panel — hosted by WIN and GNCC, in partnership with Future Black Female.

Representation matters. Equity matters. And building community through connection is how we move forward — together.

Holiday Inn & Suites, St. Catharines
June 25 | ⏰ 11AM–2PM
Free to attend – Register at events.gncc.ca

REST IN PEACE PAPA

I want to thank everyone for the outpouring of love – the flowers, the food, the emails, the texts, the visits, the phone calls. It’s all been so overwhelmingly beautiful, and I am truly grateful for every message every gesture, and every kind word extended to me and my family.

I’ve been talking about anticipatory grief over the past few months… But when the moment actually comes, it hits differently. My dad, Samuel Adolphus Ryan, passed away last Thursday, at the incredible age of 93. Today marks one week, and I finally found the courage to share. My dad, our grandfather, our friend, our confident. He was steady, fun, warm and gentle, and he made our world better just by being in it. I will miss him every day for the rest of my life. My world has shifted, but I know he wouldn’t want us to stay in sadness – so I’m trying. Truly trying. Thank you again for your love, your prayers, and your support it means more than I can ever say. Xo

“Soap maker given a clean start with Niagara Falls Innovation Hub”—what an honour to see this headline in the Niagara Falls Review “

A heartfelt thank you to for writing such a thoughtful article, and to and for their incredible support on this journey with Corks and Bubbles.

This recognition means so much, especially during this holiday season. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has been part of this story—it’s truly a team effort. 💛

📖 You can read the full article via the link in my bio!

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, joy, and success for 2025! 🎄

Grief is not about forgetting, but about finding strength in the memories and learning to grow from the pain.


🗓️ Sunday, October 20, 2024
⏰ 11 AM - 4 PM
📍 Pillar and Post Inn & Spa, Niagara
I’m honoured to be part of the panel for this day of healing, connection, and growth. Join us as we come together to support each other through our journeys.

Let’s Make Some Magic at the Good Grief Gala ✨- Sunday October 20th

I’m beyond excited to be part of this year’s Good Grief Gala! Everyone has a story, and grief is one that touches us all at some point. But what I love about this event is how it flips the script—it’s about seeing grief as a way to grow, heal, and come together. 🌸

I’ll be joining some incredible speakers, and I’m so looking forward to sharing this experience with you. From laughs to creating flower bouquets and sipping on mimosas, it’s going to be a day full of connection, joy, and yes, a little shopping at the silent auction!

The best part? We’re raising funds to support women in getting the therapy they need. How amazing is that? 🙌🏾

So, let’s wear our white, come together, and embrace new beginnings. I can’t wait to see you there!

🍰 This cake was more than just a dessert; it was a tribute to my beloved parents, Ada and Samuel, at our family reunion this weekend. Every detail was edible and filled with deep meaning:
- A cherished photo of Ada and Samuel from 1968
- Lyrics of 'Amazing Grace' her fav song
- Red roses, Ada’s favourite flower
- Family photos that captured our shared memories

Thank you, Megan, for bringing this vision to life with such love and care. What a masterpiece. Your talent made this celebration even more special. 💖 Check out more of her amazing work at [](https://www.instagram.com/dailysugarbliss?igsh=b2l1anZyOXM5NmNq) "

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms, soon-to-be moms, and those who serve as mother figures. 🌿❤️ Today, we celebrate the boundless love, strength, and compassion that you share every day. Each one of you plays a vital role, nurturing and shaping the lives around you—truly, in some way, we are all moms to someone.

As I remember my own mom today, my heart is filled with love and longing. Mom, I miss you more than words can say, but I carry your spirit and love with me always. Mamma, I did as I promised and I am spreading your love through Soapmaking and I know you would be so proud of what I am creating but more so of the relationships I am building through my promise to you to learn this craftsmanship 💐

To everyone celebrating today, know that your love and hard work do not go unnoticed. You make the world a softer, kinder place.

🎉 Reflecting on a week filled with creativity and impressive pitches from five talented teams . Each presentation brought innovative ideas for Corks and Bubbles to life! Congratulations to the winners and all who participated—it was a very hard decision to select the winners with so much talent in the room. Inspired and excited for what the future holds!

🌟 Celebrating the First Week of Black History Month! 🌟 As we move through this important month, we continue to honour the rich heritage, achievements, and culture of the African diaspora. It’s never too late to join in the celebration of the indomitable spirit, resilience, and contributions of Black individuals throughout history and today. 🖤🤎I’m planning to attend a few events so I’m pretty excited about that.

This week, let’s reflect on the stories we’ve shared and the knowledge we’ve gained. Especially in the hard economic times. Let’s commit to a future where equality, respect, and understanding are not just ideals but realities for everyone. Try to uplift someone today and every day and if you need uplifting slide into my DM’s.

Your voice and actions contribute to a more inclusive and just world. Let’s keep the momentum going! ✊🏾👩🏾‍🤝‍👩🏿✊🏿