I n the first quarter of 2025, nearly 20 per cent of Canadian private sector businesses were majority-women-owned, a trend that has been growing steadily each year since 2017. According to a State of Women’s Entrepreneurship Canada report from 2024, women-owned businesses drive economic growth and sustainability by focusing more on innovation and environmental sustainability than men-owned businesses. Cue the applause. However, women continue to fight for equal representation across many sectors, and entrepreneurship is no exception. Majority-women-owned businesses are more prevalent in fast- paced and high-stress service industries, such as retail trade, accommodation and food services. Yet women entrepreneurs continue to earn less on average than men and have a lower adoption rate of new technologies. Cue resigned sigh. WeMB supports women+ (cis, trans, 2S and gender-diverse persons) in closing those gaps by providing advising, financing, training and networking. Business advisors work with entrepreneurs from the earliest stages, guiding them through building a business plan, applying for funding, expansion and beyond. Training and networking are available to entrepreneurs at all stages to build self-assurance and competency, combat the isolation many entrepreneurs face and support one another through peer mentorship. “Our training programs are designed to put women+ entrepreneurs in charge of their businesses and their destiny. We focus on providing education and information that allows them to make informed decisions that are rooted in strategy and facts,” says Christine Vorrath, business advisory manager. “Along with education, we provide access to networking events such as our Business Breakfasts, and we build community through our training BY KRISTIN MARAND
Heather Stephens and Colleen Krebs
programs. Combining strategic
and control over financial choices.
WeMB: EMPOWERING WOMEN+ ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH KNOWLEDGE AND COMMUNITY
programs. Combining decision- making with convenience allows entrepreneurs to run a successful and viable business and thus become bankable.” For those looking to start a business, WeMB offers two signature virtual training programs: Welcome to Business and the Business Plan Development Workshop Series. Welcome to Business lays the groundwork for stepping into entrepreneurship and how to set up a business correctly from Day 1. The Business Plan Development Workshop Series is a step-by-step guide to building a sustainable business case and business plan. Launching this fall, a new addition to their training lineup focuses on financial literacy to help entrepreneurs gain confidence
from understanding the basics of financial concepts to making informed decisions on spending, saving, borrowing and budgeting, the new series will help women+ entrepreneurs feel empowered, aware and in control of their financial position, thereby reducing stress and anxiety around the topic. “We're really excited we're adding to the lineup,” says Colleen Krebs, director of business solutions. “The numbers are one piece of the puzzle that often gets neglected, avoided or overlooked by busy entrepreneurs. In this three-part series, we will be helping demystify the numbers, step into an understanding of them, and use financial insights to direct and grow businesses. This would include areas like knowing
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