A Movement Born from a Single Letter

When there was no formal network, no dedicated funding, and the phrase “women’s entrepreneurial ecosystem” hadn’t even been coined, one woman took pen to paper. In 1995, Dawn Miller—a business consultant, educator, and tireless advocate—saw the systemic barriers holding women back: no access to capital, few role models, and scant business-skills training. Rather than accept the status quo, she answered a small ad in a local newspaper with a multi-page letter outlining the urgent needs of women business owners across British Columbia. That letter sparked a province-wide needs assessment, galvanized government action, and set in motion the ecosystem we now know as WeBC.

From Vision to Reality

In 1994, we secured funding to administer a loan fund for women entrepreneurs, and in 1995 we opened our doors as Women’s Enterprise Centre. Dawn served as our inaugural Board Chair, joined by a collective of community champions and supportive legislators who had rallied behind her. Together, they chose Kelowna for our head office—then, a rural town—to serve the entire province. We were strategically placed in Kelowna so that the organization wouldn’t forget about rural communities outside the Lower Mainland, while remaining close enough to advocate in Vancouver.

Over the next three decades, this foundational team’s bold step rippled outward, paving the way for:

• More than a billion dollars in economic impact
• Thousands of women and non-binary entrepreneurs launching and scaling enterprises
• Communities strengthened by innovation and job creation

Their legacy reminds every leader who follows that change often starts with one voice declaring, “This must change.”

From Mission to Economic Movement

Empowering women and entrepreneurs isn’t just our mission—it’s an economic movement with the power to redefine Canada’s future. In the next five years, Canadian women will control nearly $4 trillion in assets according to the 2022 CIBC Capital Markets Report.

With women making up 38 percent of B.C.’s self-employed population, there’s an untapped opportunity waiting to be unlocked—potential that can reshape our economy, fuel job growth, and strengthen communities across the province.

Despite this promise, systemic barriers still limit access to capital and resources. WeBC exists to change that.

How We Drive Change Today

• Tailored financing programs that bridge capital gaps
• Mentorship networks connecting founders with seasoned leaders
• Business support services to accelerate growth and sustainability

By equipping all self-identifying women entrepreneurs to fully participate in and shape British Columbia’s economic future, we’re not only empowering individuals—we’re fueling a province-wide movement that lifts us all.

Join The Next Chapter

Our story began with a single letter and a coalition of visionaries. Now, with momentum building and communities rallying behind us, the next wave of women entrepreneurs is poised to transform B.C. and beyond. Together, we’ll continue to break down barriers, spark innovation, and write the next bold lines of this ever-evolving movement—unlocking Canada’s economic potential by tapping into the under utilized force of women entrepreneurs in our economy. Investing in their success drives real GDP growth and builds a stronger future for all Canadians.

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