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Monthly News and Updates - October 18, 2023
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Marcede Sebelius, owner of Lavanda and WEOC National Loan Program recipient, behind the counter at her new café serving customers in Winnipeg. Photo credit: Sugar + Soul Photography. | |
WEOC Celebrates Small Business Month
During Small Business Month, WEOC is celebrating the work of women-owned small businesses across the country. Follow us on social media this month as we spotlight WEOC National Loan Program recipients, as well as our WEOC members and vendors — starting with Marcede Sebelius. A WEOC National Loan Program recipient, Mercede recently opened Lavanda, a café nestled in a busy business and residential area of downtown Winnipeg. We caught up with her a few weeks after Lavanda's grand opening to learn more about her entrepreneurship journey. Check out our Q&A with Sebelius on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Know a women entrepreneur that inspires you? Forward this email to share with them.
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WEOC National Loan Program Success Stories
The WEOC National Loan Program keeps getting noticed! Since launching last year, the innovative program has supported over 70 women entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their businesses with loans of up to $50,000. We'd like to introduce you to two more amazing entrepreneurs:
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The Finance Cafe Podcast with Alison Kirkland
Our friends at the Finance Cafe sat down with WEOC's CEO, Alison Kirkland to discuss the key findings from our Bootstrap or Borrow Report, including perceptions of debt and what factors women entrepreneurs have to weigh when considering funding sources.
Listen to their conversation.
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Minister Valdez Announces Funding for Diverse Entrepreneurs
Last week, The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, announced an investment of up to $25 million in five venture capital fund managers as part of the inclusive growth stream of the renewed Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative (VCCI). The five VC funds managers are:
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WEOC in the Ecosystem - Where to connect with our team next
- Heather Sadowy, WEOC loans manager, is travelling the United States for the State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). In the program, she'll learn more about how women in manufacturing are building back better. Follow the IVLP trip here.
- WEOC loans assessor, Natalie Robertson, will be on the Ask an Expert panel to answer your questions about funding at the Startup Canada Tour stop in Brampton on October 26.
- The WEOC team will be attending the Small Business Summit 2023, featuring talks on how your small business can accelerate growth in Toronto on October 23. Come swing by the WEOC booth to meet the team and learn more about the WEOC National Loan Program.
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Obashola Dele-Oni, WEOC loans assessor, at Startup Canada's tour stop in Calgary on September 28. Photo Credit: Startup Canada. | |
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Events and Opportunities
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Online, November 2, 2023
How can advisors help clients deal with financial trauma, shame and scarcity?
Chantel Chapman, founder of Trauma of Money, is back following her popular WEOC X talk to host her unique course bringing together elements of psychology and financial literacy. The course will provide tools for participants to understand how to cultivate a sense of financial safety and well-being. They will also receive digital toolkits with worksheets and resources for the workshop.
Join the dozens of other participants who have already signed up for Trauma of Money today.
Members can purchase tickets at $35 and non-members at $75.
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November 15, 2023 – Toronto
November 21, 2023 – Calgary
November 23, 2023 – Vancouver
Are your clients curious about selling on Amazon? Join WEOC this November as we host three live discussions with Amazon Canada representatives, as well as entrepreneurs who are already finding success in the Amazon Canada store.
Perfect for advisors looking to understand how clients can leverage Amazon’s tools and resources, the event is free so please consider bringing a colleague or client!
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Leadership Breakfast
November 16, 2023 – Toronto
November 24, 2023 – Vancouver
Join WEOC to talk about the game-changing trends and issues shaping leadership in the ecosystem and impacting business growth across Canada. Hosted by Alison Kirkland.
For more information, email Lindsay at lstewartglor@weoc.ca.
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WEOC Leadership Conference
Toronto
April 18, 2024
Save the date: WEOC is hosting its first-ever summit to connect leaders in the women's entrepreneurship space to discuss the latest changes and challenges in their work. Watch this space for announcements about speakers and more in the coming weeks.
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Upcoming Events in the Ecosystem
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Wednesday, October 18 - WEConnect International is hosting Canada Conference 2023 in Toronto to offer women business owners, buyers and leaders valuable networking and inspiring talks.
October 29 - November 2 - The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, is leading a trade mission to Japan.
November 8 - November 9 - WBE Canada is hosting its annual conference for Canadian women-owned leaders and businesses to connect with large corporations and government organizations.
November 26 - December 1 - The Asia Pacification Foundation leads the Canadian Women-only Business Mission to South Korea and Thailand to discuss bilateral trade, gender inclusion and SMEs.
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Membership and Partnership | |
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WEOC brings together a community of 18 member organizations representing 375+ staff across the country. When you join WEOC, you become part of a diverse community of advisors supporting women entrepreneurs across a range of sectors. WEOC also provides your team with access to:
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Access to funding and support for your clients through the WEOC National Loan Program
- Invites to exclusive events, such as the WEOC Leadership Summit in April 2024
- Discounts on professional development opportunities, including courses and workshops
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Advocates
$499
Non-profit organizations supporting women entrepreneurs through gender-specific business supports, including training, financing, advising, mentorship and networking
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Champions
$249
Representatives of non-profit organizations working in Canada's entrepreneurial space offering a variety of business supports across urban and rural communities
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Want to partner with WEOC?
Our corporate visionary partners help us advance our mission to support women's entrepreneurship in Canada. Becoming one has benefits including:
- Growing brand awareness for your company
- Representation on WEOC.ca, and through our social media channels and monthly newsletter
- Exclusive sponsorship opportunities for WEOC events, content and programming
- Access targeted DEI training for your staff
Read more about partnering with WEOC.
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The Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada’s network of members is spread across many territories. We respect and honour the shared land on which we live, work and play. We are committed to understanding our shared past and moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation.
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