Emma McGill presents at a JA Nova Scotia event
Emma McGill sits comfortably between two worlds, science and entrepreneurship. An astrophysics and anthropology student, Emma is also the founder of Gluten Free Living. With support from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the growing initiative focuses on supporting people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
Emma’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before she ever thought of starting a business. At 12 years old, she was diagnosed with celiac disease, a moment that quickly reshaped everyday life for her and her family. Suddenly, grocery shopping became expensive and time-consuming, with gluten-free alternatives costing significantly more and often falling short in quality.
“I was told by my doctor that celiac disease was one of the easiest illnesses to live with because you just have to change your diet,” Emma recalls. “But that doesn’t mean it’s easy.”
As she grew older, Emma became more aware of how isolating the condition could be. Eating out with friends, attending work events or finding reliable information often came with stress and uncertainty. What stood out most was the lack of accessible, centralized support for people navigating similar experiences.
This gap is what inspired Gluten Free Living, with the platform currently growing through community events and social channels. It aims to create safe spaces where people can connect, share information and find trusted gluten-free options. In the long term, Emma envisions Gluten Free Living as a fully developed app that brings together verified health information, restaurant resources and practical financial tools, including an AI-powered assistant to help users navigate Canada’s complex celiac-related tax credits.
“The cost of gluten-free food can be two to five times higher than regular food,” Emma says. “I wanted to build something that helps people not only protect their health, but also manage the financial reality that comes with it.”
While entrepreneurship might seem far from astrophysics, Emma sees more overlap than expected. Skills such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork and proposal writing transfer easily between the lab and the business world. Her involvement with Enactus Saint Mary’s has further strengthened those skills, connecting her with a community of students who are driven to create a meaningful impact.
That sense of momentum has only grown following Enactus Saint Mary’s recent World Cup win in Bangkok, Thailand, which Emma believes has energized the broader entrepreneurial community both on campus and beyond. “There’s this excitement now,” she says. “People feel encouraged to build things that matter.”
For Emma, Gluten Free Living is about more than food. It’s about visibility, connection and reminding people that they’re not alone.
“You shouldn’t have to struggle quietly just because something is labelled as ‘manageable,’” she says. “Community makes a difference.”
Interested in learning more about how entrepreneurship can blend with other areas of study? Explore programs and events here.