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Enhancing the Mosaic of Women Entrepreneurs (EMWE) Project Impact


 

About the EMWE Project

From April 2019 to March 2023, WeBC undertook the “Enhancing the Mosaic of Women Entrepreneurs” (EMWE) project. The objective of this project was to improve access to mentoring, training and resources throughout BC for under-represented segments, specifically:

  • Geographic – Rural women entrepreneurs outside of Vancouver and Victoria
  • Sectoral – Diverse suppliers and exporters
  • Demographic – Indigenous, immigrant and rural women entrepreneurs

While the project was launched prior to 2020, this expanded reach proved critical during the pandemic, as we were able to offer proactive support to women-owned businesses who were impacted by Covid-19.

Project Timeline

  • 2019: WeBC (Women’s Enterprise Centre at the time) receives funding from the Government of Canada’s “Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund.”
  • Fall 2019: EMWE-Funded programming begins and Regional Ambassadors are onboarded.
  • March 2020: COVID-19 reaches BC and businesses across the province are shut down or operate under restrictions.
  • 2020 to 2021: We provide critical support to pandemic-impacted businesses.
  • 2021: WES allocates additional program funding to WeBC aimed at aiding women entrepreneurs in overcoming the challenges resulting from the pandemic.
  • 2021 to 2023: WeBC onboards additional team members and Ambassadors to deliver unprecedented service levels.

Project Impact

The EMWE Project included the expansion our business advisory services, mentoring programs, and skills development offerings at a time when small businesses were most impacted by the pandemic. Thanks to this expansion, we were able to provide critical and responsive support to new and existing businesses throughout BC.

In addition to expanded programming, we created two reports to advance the lending ecosystem and engaged in a promotional campaign to increase the profile of women entrepreneurs.

Project Outcomes

16,488

services provided, exceeding our targets by 614%

8,818

women in rural communities supported with mentoring, advice and resources

7,837

women supported who identify as Youth, Immigrant, Indigenous or Persons with a Disability

Highlights

IMPACT

Achievement of Targets

The project achieved remarkable success, surpassing all targets by a substantial margin. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic generated unprecedented demand for services from women entrepreneurs, many of whom were seeking emergency funding and guidance to navigate the uncertainty.

We provided:
  • 5,305 growth services
  • 2,918 startup services
  • 1,231 exporting services

COMMUNITY

Outreach and Partnerships

The EMWE project provided support for a new outreach program, including the onboarding of Regional Ambassadors (RAs) in each region of the province.

The RAs are established women entrepreneurs who have strong ties to their community and help to raise awareness of our programs by leveraging their substantial community networks. This has created new opportunities for the entrepreneurial community to connect, and opened new doors for collaboration with Chambers, Community Futures and women’s groups.

In 2021, we also launched a marketing campaign titled "Women Entrepreneurs Re-Igniting the Economy" to highlight the role of women-owned businesses in economic recovery.

This approach allowed us to:
  • provide support to 8,818 women in rural areas
  • establish 49 partnerships with 39 unique organizations to deliver 70 training sessions
  • reach over 140 unique communities each year with training
  • connect women in over 55 communities each year with mentoring
  • deliver over 44,000 online resources to small business owners

INCLUSIVITY

Tracking and Focus on Intersectionality

For this project, we focused on ensuring diverse entrepreneurs were being supported. We gathered demographic information to understand and address specific hurdles faced by women who identify as Indigenous, immigrant, rural, youth and persons with a disability in order to provide targeted support.

Such an approach not only fosters inclusivity but also drives equitable access to resources, networks, and opportunities during economic recovery.

We provided support to:
  • 4,199 Immigrant women
  • 1,897 Youth
  • 1,067 Indigenous women
  • 674 Persons with a disability

LEGACY

Evergreen Content, Research, Updated Systems and Rebrand

To create enduring effects through the funding, the EMWE project encompassed several initiatives aimed to create new programs to address women's needs, inform decision-making through research, improve our brand awareness, expand our reach and upgrade our technology to create operational efficiencies.

This funding allowed us to:
  • Develop 6 new workshop series on the topics of HR, exporting, financial fitness, resiliency, and business planning for Indigenous and Immigrant women
  • Update 6 learning and resource guides on starting and growing a business, managing financials and marketing
  • Conduct two surveys with women entrepreneurs to learn how the ecosystem can finance and support their business growth and recovery
  • Complete a rebrand and develop a new website
  • Upgrade our loan administration software and client database

RECOGNITION

Honoured with an Inclusive Growth Award

In October 2023, WeBC was honoured with an Inclusive Growth Award from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce!

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Inclusive Growth Awards selected WeBC as an outstanding organization for its exceptional efforts in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

"Inclusion isn't just a buzzword,” said Diana Palmerin-Velasco, Senior Director, Future of Work at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “It's a cornerstone of a resilient and thriving business landscape. We're proud to recognize these exceptional organizations and entrepreneurs who are leading the way in creating a Canada where everyone has a chance to succeed.”

Regional Ambassador Program

Pauline Stevenson

The EMWE project propelled our focus on rural areas, including Vancouver Island, the Kootenays, and Northern regions of BC. To foster our relationships around the province, we onboarded Regional Ambassadors, all women entrepreneurs themselves who went out into their communities to engage with women entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners.

Our EMWE Project Regional Ambassadors and Entrepreneurs in Residence included:

  • Pauline Stevenson, President & Founder, Excel Career College, Courtenay
  • Brianne McDaniel, Owner, Far & Wide, Kamloops
  • Cheryll Wagner, Prince George
  • Tara Black, Owner, Origin Bakery, Victoria
  • Neasa Maguire, Owner, Infoflips, Vancouver (Supplier Diversity Lead)
  • Bobbi Carpino, Co-Owner, Salmon Valley Campground, Prince George
  • Jill Barclay, Owner, Goldstar Cleaning Services, Fernie
  • Janice Shaben, Owner (Retired), Silvertip Promotions, Terrace
  • Shannan Schimmelmann, Prep Academy Tutors, Kelowna (Indigenous Women Lead)
  • Manpreet Dhillon, Owner, VEZA, Vancouver (Immigrant Women Lead)

Thanks to continued funding from the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy in 2023, WeBC is able to continue this program beyond the end of the EMWE project with the addition of new Regional Ambassadors.

EMWE Legacy: Resource and Learning Guides

These guides answer the questions our Business Advisors hear the most. This series includes:

  • Taking the Leap to Entrepreneurship Resource Guide
  • Starting Your Business Resource Guide
  • Growing Your Business Resource Guide
  • Focused Marketing Workbook for Small Business
  • Financial Workbook for Small Business

EMWE Legacy: Closing the Gap Report

After nearly three decades of experience working closely with women business owners, we have come to an important understanding: women who receive support fare much better in business.

To better understand how and why this combination is so powerful, in fall of 2021, we conducted a survey of BC women business owners.

This resulting report takes a deeper dive into the opportunities for funders and support organizations to work together to transform women’s experiences with the lending ecosystem.

EMWE Legacy: The Path Forward Report

Many 2020 studies shared how women entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; as a result, we run the risk of eroding the progress we’ve made in advancing women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.

In 2020, WeBC (then Women’s Enterprise Centre) conducted a survey to understand the unique needs and growth pathways of women entrepreneurs in their pursuit of funding.

This report outlines how funders and ecosystem partners can improve their strategies and funding models to build a stronger pipeline of diverse and thriving women-owned businesses igniting the Canadian economy.