FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SASKATOON, SK – Today, WESK presented five outstanding women with entrepreneur awards at their 2019 Celebration of Achievement & Entrepreneur Awards gala, presented by Conexus Credit Union in Saskatoon.

The Community Involvement Award, sponsored by Nutrien, is presented to a woman entrepreneur that has been a leader in creating ways of conducting business that has a positive impact on the community. The 2019 finalists are: Olivia Coffyne (Diamonds of Detroit), Shelley Gordon (Uniglass Plus Ziebart, 6th Avenue Carwash), and Jeanny Buan (Mylynh Bridal). WESK is proud to announce Shelly Gordon (Uniglass Plus Ziebart, 6th Avenue Carwash) as the 2019 recipient of the Community Involvement Award.

The Innovation Award, sponsored by RBC, is presented to a woman entrepreneur that is pushing conventional boundaries and is disrupting and reshaping their industry through groundbreaking achievements in bringing innovation to market. The finalists are: Jolene Watson (Clarity Coaching & Development), Briana Brownell (Pure Strategy Inc.), and Alisha Esmail (Road Coffee). WESK is proud to announce Alisha Esmail (Road Coffee) as the 2019 recipient of the Innovation Award.

The Growth & Expansion Award, sponsored by ISC, is presented to a woman entrepreneur that has successfully developed and implemented a strategy that has resulted in rapid growth and increased profitability and shows the potential for future growth and success. The finalists are: Meagan Barabash (Bravo Dance Company), Colleen Haussecker (Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co.), and Arlene Wicinski (Off Side Hair Zone). WESK is proud to announce Colleen Haussecker (Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co.) as the 2019 recipient of the Growth & Expansion Award.

The Indigenous Entrepreneur Award is presented to a leading Indigenous woman entrepreneur that shows plans for future growth and viability over the long term and demonstrates a long term commitment to the community. The finalists are: Heather Abbey (Indig Inc.), Arlene Wicinski (Off Side Hair Zone), and Kimberly Parent (Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company). WESK is proud to announce Kimberly Parent (Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company) as the 2019 recipient of the Indigenous Entrepreneur Award.

Lastly, WESK’s Celebration of Achievement Award pays tribute to an exceptional female entrepreneur who has built a business in Saskatchewan with a significant impact on the economy and on the community. This award is hand-selected by WESK, and was announced prior to to the Awards Gala. WESK would like to again congratulate national award winning entrepreneur and public speaker, Jess Tetu, on being recognized with the 2019 Celebration of Achievement Award.

A self described ‘serial entrepreneur’ Jess Tetu is the sole owner of four Just For You Day Spas in Saskatchewan & Alberta, the Founder & CEO of Lia Reese Canada, (Saskatchewan’s Beauty Brand), and she is also the Co-Founder of E306 Business Consulting. Her love of being an entrepreneur is paralleled by her commitment to giving back and Jess volunteers her time on many community and charity foundation boards in Saskatchewan. Tetu has also created her own not-for-profit charity –  4seventyone Recovery Resources  – assisting individuals and families dealing with addiction.

Jess believes that community has been a strong foundation for her success, “ I was extremely supported by my community growing up and I just feel like it was my responsibility now, to be in a position where I was successful, to give back to that community.”

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Released on – May 8th, 2019

SASKATOON, SK – Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) is proud to announce that the Celebration of Achievement Award has been presented to national award winning entrepreneur and public speaker, Jess Tetu. WESK is excited to be highlighting the province’s female business leaders at their 2019 Celebration of Achievement & Entrepreneur Awards gala, presented by Conexus Credit Union in Saskatoon, May 22nd.

WESK’s Celebration of Achievement Award pays tribute to an exceptional female entrepreneur who has built a business in Saskatchewan with a significant impact on the economy and on the community.

A self described ‘serial entrepreneur’ Jess Tetu is the sole owner of four Just For You Day Spas in Saskatchewan & Alberta, the Founder & CEO of Lia Reese Canada, (Saskatchewan’s Beauty Brand), and she is also the Co-Founder of E306 Business Consulting. Her love of being an entrepreneur is paralleled by her commitment to giving back and Jess volunteers her time on many community and charity foundation boards in Saskatchewan. Tetu has also created her own not-for-profit charity –  4seventyone Recovery Resources  – assisting individuals and families dealing with addiction.

Jess believes that community has been a strong foundation for her success, “ I was extremely supported by my community growing up and I just feel like it was my responsibility now, to be in a position where I was successful, to give back to that community.”

WESK CEO Prabha Mitchell states, “extraordinary women deserve to be celebrated and WESK is giving female business leaders in our province the recognition they deserve.” Four additional awards of excellence will be presented at the gala in May, recognizing outstanding Saskatchewan female business leaders in the following categories: Community Involvement, Innovation, Growth & Expansion, and Indigenous Entrepreneur.

The Community Involvement Award sponsored by Nutrien, is presented to an entrepreneur that has been a leader in creating ways of conducting business that has a positive impact on the community. The finalists are: Olivia Coffyne (Diamonds of Detroit), Shelley Gordon (Uniglass Plus Ziebart, 6th Avenue Carwash), and Jeanny Buan (Mylynh Bridal).

The Innovation Award is sponsored by RBC and is presented to an entrepreneur that is pushing conventional boundaries and is disrupting and reshaping their industry through groundbreaking achievements in bringing innovation to market. The finalists are: Jolene Watson (Clarity Coaching & Development), Briana Brownell (Pure Strategy Inc.), and Alisha Esmail (Road Coffee).

The Growth & Expansion Award sponsored by ISC will be presented to a female entrepreneur that has successfully developed and implemented a strategy that has resulted in rapid growth and increased profitability and shows the potential for future growth and success. The finalists are: Meagan Barabash (Bravo Dance Company), Colleen Haussecker (Canadian Organic Spice & Herb Co.), and Arlene Wicinski (Off Side Hair Zone).

The Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year Award is presented to a leading Indigenous business that shows plans for future growth and viability over the long term and demonstrates a long term commitment to the community. The finalists are: Heather Abbey (Indig Inc.), Arlene Wicinski (Off Side Hair Zone), and Kimberly Parent (Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company).

“We would like to congratulate and thank all of the finalists for the contributions they are making are changing the face of business globally and right here at home in Saskatchewan” stated Mitchell.

Tickets for the Celebration of Achievement & Entrepreneur Awards available at https://wesk.ca/e/awards-gala/

For more information:

Katelyn Bruce
Marketing & Communications Officer WESK
T: 306.477.6286

About WESK

Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan’s (WESK) vision is for all Saskatchewan entrepreneurs to have an equal opportunity to achieve success and recognition. Entrepreneurship is a catalyst for independence, economic development, employment, growth, innovation, and equality. For more than 20 years, WESK has worked with hundreds of women, helping them start, purchase, and expand businesses. WESK is a non-profit, membership-based organization that provides business advisory and support services; start-up, purchase and expansion lending; mentoring and networking’ and a variety of learning opportunities from seminars and webinars to events. Since 1995, WESK has provided more than $30 million in loans and professional advice to women across the province. Together, women entrepreneurs and WESK have shaped and enhanced the Saskatchewan economy. WESK is supported by the Western Economic Diversification Canada.

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