Mission: Women Entrepreneurs
This email is going out to my personal network which includes women entrepreneurs, stake-holders, politicians and friends.  Feel free to unsubscribe.

My 2 asks... 
As part of StartUp Canada's Day on the Hill on May 5th, I am focused on activities for women entrepreneurs as I lead Policy Hack-a-thons, Policy Hearings & stand in as the Status of Women Minister at an Entrepreneurial Caucus.
I am publishing my Insights and Recommendations for Women Entrepreneurs and would like to solidify our key recommendations.
  1. Please send me your Top 5 Recommendations that you would like to see that can positively impact women entrepreneurs. Please be as specific as possible. PLEASE REPLY TO THIS EMAIL WITH YOUR   TOP 5!
  2. Complete this survey for the Women's Economic Business Advisory Council.  Carolyn Cross, my Expert Panel colleague founded this council in BC with a vision to promote women entrepreneurs.

SURVEY: http://survey.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0p3KfKbOQf1rLTf

 

PLEASE HAVE THE ABOVE COMPLETE BY MIDNIGHT TOMORROW. THANK YOU!!!!

 

AND JOIN US IN OTTAWA ON THURSDAY! Register now 

 

 

If you are interested in how the pink work boot lady was named Fellow for Women Entrepreneurs with StartUp Canada and is now working with Federal Ministers on the advancement of women... read below.

 

Below, below, read about activities that have occurred in the last two years to advance women entrepreneurs
The Story....
A couple of years ago, I met Honourable Minister Dr. Kellie Leitch at several speaking engagements.  We had discussed some of our goals; mine included advancing women in non-traditional roles and entrepreneurship. Shortly thereafter Minister Leitch asked me to be part of an Expert Panel with Arlene Dickinson, Carolyn Cross and Ron Close.   Our goal was to determine the tools required for women to be successful in business.  It was a passioned report and there were fisty cuffs among the panelists - we all cared deeply about the recommendations we were putting forward.  The news release announcing the Expert Panel is still on the Status of Women website, although hard to find.
The report was published in July 2015. It has since been removed with no active links to the document to be found?

So what do you do when the report that took a considerable amount of time researching, took time away from your family and cost you money disappears?  You publish your own report!

What do you do when you have solid recommendations and the Federal Minister who initiated the report is no longer in her position?
You share the info with said Minister, (now MP, although still Honourable,) call Victoria Lennox of StartUp Canada and you get appointed as Fellow for Women Entrepreneurs for StartUp Canada and get back to work.  

and this happens:

You create the #FindOneBeOne Campaign promoting mentorship for women entrepreneurs and StartUp Canada makes the dream come true! StartUp Canada organized several International Women's Day Events including Ministerial Breakfasts, Mentoring Sessions, Celebrations with an All Girls Elite High School, visit amazing entrepreneur Tracey Clarke for personal coffee brewery tour at Bridgehead, then mentor sessions again and then a live Broadcast.
  • 50 #FindOneBeOne Mentorship videos on startupcan.ca/women
  • 1,238 tweets using #FindOneBeOne
  • 15,012,163 #FindOneBeOne impressions
  • 443 contributors on social media
  • 100+ women signed up to find a mentor and be a mentor 
  • 2,500 Canadians tuned into the broadcast 
International Women's Day

 




AND you publish a Mentorship E-Book to guide entrepreneurs through the process!  Click on the book cover to download through StartUp's website:



and you help sponsor the event 
with these little companies:   (can't make this shit up)
AND the work continues.   

My goal is to improve life for women, women on boards, women in "non-traditional roles," now referred to as "good jobs," women entrepreneurs and women in general.  I have a daughter who is ten and a son who is twelve and I have nine years to go before these two hit the world.  This world is great but it can be better, that's where we all come in.

Be the change you hope to see in the world!

What else is happening in the world of entrepreneurs?
 the good...
During my life as a Moxie entrepreneur, I have had the pleasure and honour of becoming a case study to Dr.Barbara Orser for her studies of Women Entrepreneurs. It turns out, I am a feminist enterprise.
Our story is featured as an example in this incredible book, ranked #1 on Amazon.  For more information, please visit: 

more good...
SheEo launches radical act of generosity. I have to admit though, I wish it didn't have to be radical to level the playing field.  This program has already invested in five female led ventures.

not so good....
The BDC made this big announcement early 2015 that it earmarked $700 million over 3 years for women entrepreneurs.  Firstly, that is like ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! Secondly, it's not news, that is already the amount they were funding and didn't even account for annual growth.

getting to good...
This announcement also included a team of BDC employees dedicated to women entrepreneurs.
This photo was taken post a Women Entrepreneurial round table hosted by the BDC in Toronto last year.  The BDC is listening, now they need to FUND, reduce collateral and strategize with the women they are funding.
(Next time, I'm asked for my financials during a strategy discussion, I'm going to ask my banker to either a. get naked and then I will hand over financials or b. advise me on how much they earn, what their house is worth and what their credit card debt is and how they are getting paid on the loan they may or may not give me and then... I will hand over my financials if I like their answer.

and the really good!
The stats report that women make great entrepreneurs.  We run more profitable businesses, take less risk and are socially responsible. Check out the video on the Sodexo website regarding gender equality to add a bit of fuel to the happy fire.  

I will follow-up with all of you in a "Follow-up" Email and will provide you with the report that I am publishing.   I will use it to help make improvements with anyone who will listen.  I believe you should do one thing or everything you can think of, so, please join me.