Pow Wow Pitch: Spotlighting Indigenous Entrepreneurs

A Startup Canada Digital Docu-Series in partnership with BDC

June 25, 2018, | Pow Wow Pitch is a new digital docu-series produced by Startup Canada in partnership with the Business Development Bank of Canada, to feature the compelling stories of six Indigenous entrepreneurs.

For the first time on camera, these entrepreneurs share the experiences and motivations that inspired them to start a business, opportunities, and obstacles, providing commentary on Indigenous culture, social impact, and entrepreneurship as a tool for empowerment, healing, and reconciliation.

Hosted by Pow Wow Pitch Founder Sunshine Tenasco, this short-series showcases entrepreneurs who pitched their companies at the 2017 Pow Wow Pitch, which took place at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival.

“I started Pow Wow Pitch because when I was on Dragon’s Den it changed my life and showed me that influential people believed in my idea,” said Sunshine Tenasco, Founder, and CEO of Her Braids. “Pow Wow Pitch is my opportunity to pay it forward and give Indigenous people the same drive and inspiration that I felt.”

New episodes air on StartupCan.ca and across social media using #PowWowPitch every Sunday at 6:00 PM ET from June 24 to July 29th.

“Startup Canada is proud to work with Sunshine and the Business Development Canada to bring our love of storytelling and showcasing entrepreneurs through the Pow Wow Pitch Docu-Series,” said Victoria Lennox, CEO of Startup Canada. “We believe in the power of entrepreneurship and storytelling as important tools for reconciliation and that these six entrepreneurs will inspire all those who tune-in.”

“At BDC, we believe entrepreneurship can play an important role in creating a brighter future for Indigenous peoples, which is why we are proud to support Pow Wow Pitch and highlight these six entrepreneurs and their stories,” said Michael Denham, CEO of BDC. “As the only bank devoted exclusively to entrepreneurs, we know promoting a diverse and inclusive economy will set Canada apart on the global stage, and our Indigenous peoples play an important part in our nation’s history and its future.”

The first season of the series spotlights the founders of Cheekbone Beauty, TreeTeas Brewing, Nish Scon, the Northern Shipping Company, Chippewar and Birch Bite. Watch the first episode from Sunday, June 24, 2018, below.

Interested in watching more episodes? Click here for more information.

 

 

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How a Mentor Can Help Your Entrepreneurial Career

The ability to “be your own boss” is often cited as one of the most attractive aspects of entrepreneurship, but it can also raise problems for those new to the craft. Who do you turn to when you get stuck? How do you handle areas of business you don’t have any experience in? In these instances, a mentor can be the difference between success and failure for a fledgling business.

Are you ready to find your next mentor? The Raj Manek Business Mentorship Program (RMMP) is currently accepting applications for their September 2018 intake.

What is RMMP? The RMMP is a non-hierarchical process made possible by clear communication, openness and trust. They provide one-on-one mentorship for a mentor and protégé pair. This relationship is not one-sided, and instead, it is an interactive sharing environment which results in an enriching, mutual learning experience

RMMP provides:

  1. One-on-one mentorship with an experienced mentor whose skill sets compliment your targeted areas of improvement.
  2. Monthly seminars on topics of interest create an environment where participants can feel comfortable asking questions.
  3. Technical advisors available one-on-one in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Legal, and Strategic Planning.
  4. Program affiliations to access databases and resources from other programs including PCensus, Reference Canada, Hoovers, iSell, Kompass.
  5. Access to RMMP databases including e-Statement Studies, First Research, and Profit Driver.
  6. Peer-to-peer mentorship service where business owners can congregate and share their thoughts, ideas, and jointly solve problems with the guidance of a technical expert.
  7. Networking opportunities.

Ready to inquire or apply:

Email RMMP at info@manekmentorship.sk.ca; or
Visit RMMP at manekmentorship.ca

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Regina to See New Working Space Options for Entrepreneurs with Path Cowork

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2018

A new way to work for entrepreneurs will soon be available in Regina with the launch of Regina’s newest co-working space, Path Cowork. The new space is created by Regina based entrepreneurs, Jason Drummond of the Drummond Group, and Matt Pinch and Mike Ash of Leopold’s Capital Management.

Path Cowork will open in July 2018 and occupy 16,000 square feet of the formerly vacant second-floor space, adjacent to the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel and Conference Centre Regina, located at 1965 Broad Street. The state of the art facility and will feature six meeting rooms, a large working lounge and kitchen area, five dedicated office spaces, a secured dedicated desk area, a drop in hot desk area and a working patio. The space is professionally designed by Carli Rodger, of Citizen Design Co. in Regina and will be a flexible and turn-key workplace solution ideal for freelancers, small businesses and even larger organizations that need a space able to respond to changing needs.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this type of space to our community. The Regina community is filled with budding entrepreneurs and great small businesses and it’s becoming quite a vibrant place to work and play in,” said Path Cowork co-founder, Jason Drummond of the Drummond Group, which will relocate its offices to Path Cowork. “I’m excited to be in an environment that will stimulate thought, ideas, and collaboration.”

Monthly memberships at a variety of price points will be available, and Path will host businesses and organizations as long-term members housed in dedicated space. Path is very pleased to welcome Economic Development Regina Inc., Tourism Regina, WESK (Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan Inc.), the Regina Hotel Association and Square One as long-term members of the space. They will relocate to Path in July.

“WESK is pleased to relocate at Path Cowork along with our partner organization EDR and others,” said Prabha Mitchell, CEO of WESK. “This space and co-location will only serve to reinvigorate and boost entrepreneurial activity in Regina and provide another platform for women entrepreneurs to connect and network.”

The new space will be ideal to create a community within the organizations leading to enhanced collaboration and connectivity. The flexible space options for entrepreneurs and businesses also mean the space will be ideal for events, offering a unique location and layout.

Path Cowork will be managed by the Leo’s Hospitality Management Group, who will also relocate their offices to the new location. “Coworking is a movement centered on the values of community,” noted Matt Pinch, the company’s President and a co-founder of Path Cowork.

“We’ve subscribed to those same values in the restaurant and bar industry, so it feels like a natural fit for our group and we are very excited to be a part of it”.

For more information on Path Cowork or to become a member, please visit www.pathyqr.ca or contact hello@pathyqr.ca.
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Check out this short video on Path Cowork clip from CTV Regina

 

About The Drummond Group of Companies:

Drummond Group is a locally owned company with long-term assets looking to invest in, partner on and explore new and innovative ideas and concepts on the prairies and beyond. We are a values based entity that believes people, community and relationships are a key component to success. Drummond Group is involved in sectors such as Energy, Agriculture, Real Estate and Hospitality.

About Leopold’s Capital Management:

Leopold’s Capital Management was founded in Regina, Saskatchewan in 2013. It is the founder and sole owner of Leopold’s Tavern, a neighborhood bar with 6 locations, 3 in Regina, 2 in Saskatoon and 1 in Calgary. It will open its 7th location in Winnipeg and a 2nd location in Calgary in 2018. It is also the co-founder and majority owner of Victoria’s Tavern, established in downtown Regina in 2014.

About Leo’s Hospitality Management Group:

The Leo’s Group is responsible for the management and oversight of Victoria’s Tavern, all Leopold’s Tavern locations and Path Cowork. www.leosgroup.ca

 

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