The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee held its second meeting on November 15, 2019. Presentations from two technology focused incubators, Co.Labs and Cultivator, provided key insights into the structure and supports available for business GROWTH along the spectrum.
The sub-committee tasked with the priority of access to capital, networks/mentors presented several recommendations.
The Committee’s deliberations included the challenges of balancing family responsibilities and business growth; knowledge and skills in relation to financial management; linkage and connections to established entrepreneurs and recruiting advisors and mentors. There were recommendations for the development of comprehensive supports for growth/scaling up and collaborations with key stakeholders and partners to augment supports and training.
The recommendations of this sub-committee will be captured in a Final Report to be released in June 2020.
The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for January 2020 and will focus on Influencing Policy.
The first meeting of the Saskatchewan Advisory Committee, held September 13th following the announcement of the members of the Committee, focused on defining scope and outcomes of the initiative. All 12 members were present at the first meeting. It was determined that the final deliverable will include a three Pillar Strategy: Access to Capital; Influencing Policy; and, Creating Awareness.
Each Pillar will be informed by a subcommittee comprised of Saskatchewan Advisory Committee members and supported by WESK staff.
Chairs of the subcommittees are as follows:
Access to Capital (including mentors & networks): Mary Weimer
Influencing Policy: Natasha Vandenhurk
Creating Awareness: Rachel Mielke
The Committee will be meeting in November, January, March, May and June with subcommittee meetings being held between the Saskatchewan Advisory Committee meetings. The Committee will develop a report for the Government of Saskatchewan to be released in June 2020. The Report will include short-term and long-term recommendations.
VISION
A Saskatchewan with a level playing field of equal opportunities for ALL entrepreneurs.
Founder’s Table, kicking off tonight, provides support, mentorship and networking opportunities for female tech entrepreneurs in our province.
There are more than 34,000 women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan but a gap between the number of male and female entrepreneurs remains. Founder’s Table is a made-in-Saskatchewan program that will address this gap through mentorship and education. Over the next six months, female tech entrepreneurs will meet to develop sector-specific knowledge and strategy.
“We are blessed to come from a province where successful female business owners are part of an ecosystem that steps up to inspire and mentor new entrepreneurs,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “Founder’s Table is an excellent opportunity for women in tech to learn to take their business and management skills to the next level.”Ten technology company founders were selected to participate in the Founder’s Table. They will meet in Regina once a month from now until February in preparation for The Growth Intensive Workshop in March 2020, where they will plan the next phases of their businesses.“Founder’s Table is committed to supporting female founders from across this province grow and flourish in the technology sector,” Women Entrepreneurs Saskatchewan (WESK) CEO Prabha Mitchell said. “Together with Economic Development Regina, and with the financial support of Innovation Saskatchewan, WESK is pleased to help Saskatchewan women in technology succeed through this mastermind program.”Katrina German, Co-founder and CEO of OneStory, is the program facilitator. She is an award-winning Saskatchewan entrepreneur with a passion for encouraging women to pursue careers in technology. Innovation Saskatchewan is providing $50,000 to Economic Development Regina to support the initiative developed in partnership with WESK.
WESK and the Government of Saskatchewan announce the members of the newly created Saskatchewan Advisory Committee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2019
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Today, twelve prominent entrepreneurs and business professionals from the province were announced as representatives to the newly formed Saskatchewan Advisory Committee, whose work will shape and influence the business climate in our province for women entrepreneurs.
Prabha Mitchell, CEO of Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) commented that it was a historic day for Saskatchewan and highlighted that, “Women contribute $148 billion to the Canadian economy, according to a 2011 study.”
“Advancing gender equality in the creation of economic activity has the potential to add another $150 to 420 billion to the economy by 2026”, said Mitchell, “and supporting women entrepreneurship is not limited to a gender equity issue, but is part of a strong economic policy.”
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee Members are:
Al-Katib, Murad President and CEO, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc..
Buettner, Adele Founder and President, AgriBiz Communications Corp
Clark, Eric COO and Partner, PFM Capital Inc.
Dubreuil, Janis Partner, Allan Construction
Hardy, JoeAnne President and Partner, WBM Technologies Inc.
Hrudka, Christine Pharmacy Owner; Chair, Canadian Pharmacists Association
Ivey, Adrienne Co-owner, Evergreen Cattle Co.; Owner, View from the Ranch Porch
Mielke, Rachel CEO and Founder, Hillberg & Berk
Parent, Kimberly Owner, Saskatoon Salsa Dance Company
Soulier, Alicia Founder, SalonScale Technology Inc.; Owner, Capelli Salon Studio Inc.
Vandenhurk, Natasha CEO, Three Farmers Foods Inc.
Weimer, Mary Chief Member Experience Officer, Conexus Credit Union
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee will draw on new and existing evidence, utilizing the expertise of the committee members to advise on the development of strategy, policy and action to close the gender entrepreneurship gap. The committee will also serve as an advocate on behalf of women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan.
Minister of Advanced Education, Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan, Minister Responsible for Status of Women Office Tina Beaudry-Mellor was on hand for the announcement stating, “Our economy depends on the success of female entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan. This committee focuses on making sure they have every opportunity to expand their business by identifying and addressing obstacles that prevent them from scaling up.”
“It is a privilege to be collaborating with this incredible group of people to address the gender entrepreneurship gap – many of the effects of which I have experienced in building and scaling my own business,” said Rachel Mielke, CEO and Founder, Hillberg & Berk. “I’m proud that we are undertaking this effort in Saskatchewan, and I am confident that we have the individuals, leaders, and communities here to support female entrepreneurs, and thus contribute to what makes us thrive as a province.”
“While such an initiative encompasses diversity, inclusion and equity; let’s not lose sight of its impact on profitability and economic growth in our province,” concluded Mitchell.
The Saskatchewan Advisory Committee has been created and funded through a partnership between the Government of Saskatchewan, specifically the Status of Women Office and WESK and will continue over the course of the next 8 months.
WESK is a non-profit organization that works with Saskatchewan women to assist them with starting, buying or expanding a business and to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
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For more information and interviews with Prabha Mitchell and Committee Spokespersons, contact:
The Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF), is a research and development (R&D) funding program managed by Innovation Saskatchewan (IS). It is intended to support and accelerate commercialization of game-changing technological innovations in the province’s core economic sectors.
Through SAIF, IS provides non-repayable grants for approved projects proposed by a group of companies. To apply, please refer to the “Program Guidelines” downloadable below.
Target Sectors
Projects developing technologies relevant to the following sectors are eligible for funding:
Mining
Energy
Agricultural Technologies
Manufacturing
Education
Healthcare
Eligibility Criteria
All applications must meet the following criteria to be considered for funding:
Proposed by a group of active private sector partners. Ideally, the group should be representative of the project’s full value chain, including researchers, those involved in the production/supply process, and customer/end users.
Active partner: participating in the project either through cash and/or in-kind contribution, equity investment, and/or letter of intent to purchase.
The lead proponent must be a private entity based in Saskatchewan.
Priority is given to proposals that also have an academic partner from a Saskatchewan post-secondary or research institute.
Demonstrate how the technological innovation will solve a specific industry-wide challenge and benefit the sector as a whole, not just individual companies.
Development of novel and innovative solutions.
Demonstrate a feasible path to commercialization, benefits expected, and how those impacts will be sustained in the long-term.
Industry partners providing half or more of the proposed project’s budget. The amount requested from IS is no more than 30% of the proposed budget.
Intake Periods
Intakes for SAIF are held twice per fiscal year. Prospective applicants are to submit an EOI and complete the “Eligibility Questionnaire” before the EOI deadline to be considered for funding. Only selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Shortlist decisions made by IS’ internal selection committee are final.
In years where applicants exceed available funding, only proposals determined to be most strategically aligned with the province’s R&D priorities will be invited to submit full proposals. The number of grants approved per year will be based on budget availability.
Below are important dates for each intake periods:
It’s not easy to launch a new business venture. It takes capital, market research, a sound business plan and a substantial network of support. Even under ideal conditions, the start-up phase can be overwhelming for new entrepreneurs. Indigenous women business owners face additional challenges like racism, access to capital and generating sales.
Entrepreneur Devon Fiddler is familiar with the precarious yet rewarding phase of business start-up. In 2015, Fiddler created an innovative Indigenous-themed fashion retail business, SheNative Goods Incorporated. The retailer sells handcrafted leather goods and apparel (shenative.com). Fiddler says her business philosophy is “community-based” and she wants to “support and encourage other Indigenous women.” SheNative’s popular t-shirt line features empowerment slogans like “Indigenous Boss Babe.”
SheNative is entirely Indigenous-owned. Fiddler’s production, design and sales staff is also of Indigenous ancestry. On June 1, 2019, the SheNative team moved into a new flagship store at 714A 2nd Avenue N. in Saskatoon.
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) recently expanded its services to include targeted, culturally relevant support for First Nations business owners, like Devon Fiddler. What do they need from WESK to create a successful venture? The Matchstick: Spark for Indigenous Entrepreneurs program originated from a May 2017 WESK re-brand. WESK determined that an underserviced demographic—Saskatchewan’s Indigenous women—could directly benefit from its expertise and support. Young Indigenous women make up a significant proportion of the Saskatchewan population and more than 36 per cent of them are under the age of fifteen.
WESK secured funding and the three-year project was underwritten by Western Economic Diversification Canada, the Saskatchewan government, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the Saskatchewan Indian Equity Foundation. An advisory board was established and a needs assessment was conducted. Devon Fiddler is a member of the Matchstick advisory board and she’s facilitated an exploratory workshop for Matchstick assisting participants in the brainstorming phase of imagining a potential business venture.
Matchstick’s goals are ambitious. The program’s directive is to better engage and involve Indigenous women in entrepreneurship, strengthen Indigenous women’s role in entrepreneurship and to address the lack of entrepreneurial awareness of business ownership as a career opportunity. Matchstick aims to increase the number of Indigenous entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan and to cultivate support for business in Indigenous communities.
To date, WESK has visited eight First Nations communities to conduct on-site business plan training. 250 women participated in the business planning sessions. The core curriculum was adapted specifically for First Nations participants. “We are very pleased with the Matchstick project and its strategic direction,” says WESK’s CEO Prabha Mitchell.
The project is set to conclude in March 2020. Going forward, WESK intends to build on the momentum of the popular program to provide continued services to Indigenous women entrepreneurs. In order to expand the Matchstick program’s scope beyond the original three-year mandate, WESK is courting funders to secure additional project support.
Trailblazer Devon Fiddler’s success will certainly bolster WESK’s case for the continued investment in Indigenous-owned small business ventures. As Fiddler’s SheNative t-shirts proclaim: “She Believed She Could Do it and She Did.”
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.”
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.
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.
The Government of Saskatchewan, through the Status of Women Office, is pleased to announce the creation of an advisory committee to examine the entrepreneurial gender gap in Saskatchewan. The advisory committee is created and funded through a partnership with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK).“Women help drive the economy of Saskatchewan in a number of ways,” Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Office Tina Beaudry-Mellor said. “Our government is working to ensure the participation of women in the growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem through many initiatives. This partnership with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan will help us continue to do that by examining one of the key barriers to scaling-up their businesses that we have heard all over the province, and that is access to capital.”The advisory committee will be made up of representatives from government, the entrepreneurial community, and financial and legal professions. The entrepreneurial gender gap examination will take place over the course of one year, with the goal of helping business leaders and the Government of Saskatchewan better understand women entrepreneurship, specifically barriers Saskatchewan women encounter such as access to venture capital and financial support.
In Saskatchewan, 34,600 women are self-employed, reflecting 16.5 per cent growth over the last to years – the third highest growth rate in Canada. Saskatchewan’s women entrepreneurs contribute to the economy in many sectors such as construction, manufacturing, health services, finance and technology.
“Supporting women to scale their businesses is imperative for economic growth in our province,” WESK CEO Prabha Mitchell said. “Advancing women’s equality in the creation of economic activity has the potential to increase GDP in our country by $150-420 billion. The endorsement of this priority by the Government of Saskatchewan positions our province as a leader in examining and addressing the gender entrepreneurship gap.”
WESK is a non-profit organization that works with Saskatchewan women to assist them with starting, buying or expanding a business and to achieve their entrepreneurial goals.
The Business Women in International Trade (BWIT) program of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is organizing a delegation to WBENC in partnership with the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.
Business delegates will deepen their understanding of supplier diversity opportunities open to them with Fortune 500 companies. They will participate in business networking opportunities, a notable business fair, and be included in Canadian programming events, such as a networking reception, and a welcome activity with corporations.
BWIT trade mission feature:
High-calibre networking
Business-to-business matchmaking
Inspired programming
Government of Canada on-the-ground support
What is WBENC?
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the U.S. and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs.
Event: BWIT Trade Mission to the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) National Conference and Business Fair Focus Sectors: Multi-sector Dates: June 23-27, 2019 City: Baltimore, Maryland
Participate in WBENC 2019 – the world’s largest gathering of corporate and government buyers and connect with businesswomen from around the world. This years’ theme is “Connect-Grow-Thrive”. Attendees enjoy Canadian programming and three days of acclaimed speakers, executive workshops, matchmaking and networking opportunities, including the WBENC Business Fair – the largest of its kind with more than 350 exhibitors and procurement specialists looking to source from women-owned businesses.
What to expect on BWIT Trade Mission to WBENC?
Join the BWIT Trade Mission to the WBENC National Conference and Business Fair in Baltimore in partnership with the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC), Export Development Canada (EDC) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC).
BWIT offers Canadian delegates valuable support by helping you:
Make the most out of your stay: On top of the 1:1 MatchMaker Meetings offered by WBENC to certified enterprises, our service provider will arrange business matching meetings for qualified export-ready Canadian women entrepreneurs. BWIT will do our best to ensure you meet the right corporate/government buyers while in Baltimore!
Learn from seasoned businesswomen: Two preparatory webinars will give you the opportunity to learn from businesswomen who have already attended and prepared for such large events, and ask the questions you need, to decide whether this trade mission is a good fit for your business growth.
Get valuable tips: From how to get the most out of networking opportunities, to guidance through the four-day program, to the how’s and where’s to do business in Baltimore, don’t forget that our team on the ground is there to assist you to navigate through the undertakings of doing business abroad.
A welcoming environment: Pre-departure webinars and on-the-ground assistance during the Conference and Business Fair; support from Canadian Government officers, including Export Development Canada (EDC); Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC); Canada booth on the premises, everything you need to get the right kick-start for the show.
Meet the right people: Attend a series of special activities including;
A “meet and mingle” to get to know your fellow delegates, the WEConnect International Day, WBE Canada’s Breakfast with Brands, a networking reception hosted by the Canadian Government, Canadian Programming. Build relationships, attend workshops and panels, take advantage of unassigned seating during the Conference luncheons, be strategic.
Program at a glance – Key events and dates
Registration to participate in the BWIT trade mission is now open! Take advantage of the Canadian programming, including listing your company in the Canadian Directory of Participants.
June 23 (evening): Government of Canada “Meet-and-Mingle”
June 25: Government of Canada reception (by invitation only) – an opportunity for Canadian businesswomen delegates to network with invited corporations, trade commissioners, and others (group photo)
June 26: Government of Canada Booth at the WBENC Business Fair
June 27: WBENC Finale Luncheon, followed by a group photo of Canadian delegation on WBENC Stage
Please note: There is no fee for receiving services from BWIT and the Trade Commissioner Service. Delegates are responsible for covering the cost of their travel, accommodations and registration for events. Eligible women-owned companies could qualify for CanExport financial assistance. More information.
