Understanding the legal side of running a business is about to get easier for Saskatchewan women entrepreneurs. With new grant funding from the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan, WESK (Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan) is launching Know Your Business: Legal Foundations for Entrepreneurs—a free learning program that will make legal information clear, practical and accessible for women business owners province-wide.
Legal issues are a growing concern for entrepreneurs. According to a 2022 Canadian survey by ARAG Legal Solutions, 7 out of 10 small businesses faced a legal issue in the past three years—more than double the rate in 2015. Most of these disputes stemmed from regular business operations, not the pandemic. Alarmingly, 3 in 10 small-business owners knew another entrepreneur who lost their business due to legal challenges, triple the number from 2015. In the US, a 2025 LegalShield survey found that a quarter of small businesses have considered closing due to legal challenges, and more than 1 in 4 spend 3–5 hours a week dealing with legal matters.
Legal matters can be intimidating and often create hurdles for entrepreneurs. The new WESK program breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow, real-world learning modules and tools designed specifically for entrepreneurs at any stage of business. The goal is to remove legal uncertainty as a barrier to business success.
“Legal literacy challenges shouldn’t stand in the way of an entrepreneur’s potential,” says Miriam Johnson, CEO of WESK. “With this new program, we’re giving women across Saskatchewan the confidence to make smart, informed legal decisions without needing a law degree or a big budget. It’s about empowering women to succeed no matter where they are in their business journeys.”
Free, flexible and built for busy business owners
Over the next 18 months, WESK will host complimentary webinars on essential topics, such as:
- Choosing the right business structure;
- Understanding contracts and lease agreements;
- Managing intellectual property;
- Interpreting employment law;
- Navigating the legal side of buying or selling a business; and
- Reading financial and legal documents with confidence.
Following each webinar, modules and resources will be available on demand through WESK Learn, the organization’s online learning platform. Each session will be bite-sized, practical and flexible so learners can go at their own pace. The program is ideal for busy entrepreneurs, particularly those in rural and remote communities who can’t always attend in-person events.
A WESK member and small business owner, Paula Kohl, shared how this new program will make a positive impact for entrepreneurs like her.
“I recently turned down a communication consulting contract because I wasn’t clear on the legal terms and if I would be protected from a liability standpoint,” says Kohl. “Without timely or affordable access to legal advice, I felt it was safer to walk away from the contract. The Legal Foundations for Entrepreneurs program would have helped me move ahead with confidence instead of turning down an opportunity.”
Building a stronger business community
The Law Foundation of Saskatchewan and WESK share a vision of expanding access to legal knowledge to support a thriving, inclusive business community. The new initiative will help women entrepreneurs gain knowledge and confidence to lead and grow successful businesses, which ultimately contributes to a stronger provincial economy.
“We’re proud to support this program that responds to the practical legal needs of women entrepreneurs,” says Colleen Schmidt, Executive Director of the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan. “By making legal information accessible, we’re empowering women entrepreneurs from across the province to build thriving, more resilient businesses.”
Take a look at our upcoming events here.
