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We’re excited to see continued federal investment in women’s entrepreneurship.

Yesterday, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism), announced a $173.7 million investment over five years to renew the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES).

As Minister Valdez shared: “Women entrepreneurs are essential to building the strongest economy in the G7. They create jobs, strengthen communities and contribute to a Canada that is strong for everyone. By continuing to invest in the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, our government is making sure more women have what they need to start, grow and build businesses.”

This investment will support loans, training, mentorship, research, and the ecosystem organizations that help women entrepreneurs succeed. Since 2018, WES has supported more than 500,000 women entrepreneurs across Canada.

We’re encouraged to see this continued commitment. It signals that the Government of Canada recognizes women entrepreneurs as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and community prosperity, and reflects what we see every day at WeBC: the work happening across the ecosystem is helping women build businesses that create real economic impact.

We look forward to learning more about how this investment will continue to support entrepreneurs and the organizations that serve them. Learn more by reading the full announcement 👇🏼
https://www.canada.ca/en/innovation-science-economic-development/news/2026/06/minister-valdez-announces-new-funding-for-the-women-entrepreneurship-strategy.html

Are you a new or emerging food & beverage business ready to build a strong foundation? This program by Good to Grow is designed to help you confidently start and grow.

Learn essentials like pricing, packaging, labelling, scaling recipes, distribution, and more, giving you a clear roadmap for success.

Interested? Use code WeBC for $25 off. Don’t wait, the event is tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23, from 9 am to 4 pm at Choices Markets (2627 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver). Lunch is included.

Don’t miss your chance to strengthen your business from the ground up. Learn more or Register 👇🏼
goodtogrowproducts.com/foundations/

We’re excited to share a newly released report from the Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada(WEOC): Interprovincial Trade & Women Entrepreneurs: Building One Canadian Market for Growth.

This national consultation highlights a key insight we see every day: Women entrepreneurs aren’t struggling to start businesses; they’re struggling to scale them.

Canada’s women entrepreneurs are ready to grow. But as this report shows, expanding beyond provincial borders remains a significant challenge. At WeBC, we see this firsthand. Women entrepreneurs across BC are building strong, resilient businesses, but accessing new markets, customers, procurement opportunities, and supply chains across Canada can still feel out of reach.

That’s why this work matters. Canada already has the expertise, programs, and organizations needed to support growth. Now, we must better connect them to create a more seamless, national pathway for women entrepreneurs to scale.

We’re proud to have contributed to this important conversation and to be part of a network working to unlock greater economic opportunity for women entrepreneurs across Canada.

Thank you to WEOC and Victoria Lennox for bringing these voices together, and to Minister Dominic LeBlanc and his team for advancing this important national dialogue.

Read the report to learn more 👇🏼
https://weoc.ca/stories/general/interprovincial-trade-women-entrepreneurs/

Market season is a real investment: your time, your energy, and your money.

It’s not just about showing up; it’s about how you show up. Your setup, your messaging, and how you connect with customers throughout the day all shape your results.

Join us on August 6 for a special Fireside Chat, "Showing Up Strategically: Are You Making the Most of Market Season?" featuring three women entrepreneurs who have grown their businesses through markets. This conversation will explore what they’re tracking beyond sales, how they refine their approach in real time, and the insights guiding their next steps.

Whether this is your first season or one of many, this is your chance to pause, reflect, and get more intentional for the rest of the summer.

This is part one of our Market Season Growth Series. Register free to save your spot👇🏼
go.we-bc.ca/AugustFireside

Open to everyone!

Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize the unique heritage, diverse cultures, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

At WeBC, we honour and celebrate the history, cultures, and traditions of the Indigenous Peoples whose lands we live and work on. Our commitment extends beyond today; we are proud to support partners like Nation2Nation Events in delivering mentorship programs that create space for connection, growth, and shared learning.

Last year, our joint program supported 7 Indigenous and immigrant women entrepreneurs through mentorship with experienced business leaders, building confidence, relationships, and new opportunities. As one participant shared:

“This is an amazing program. I have participated twice and would be happy to do so again. I met so many wonderful people and learned so much about myself and business.”

With this year’s cohort now underway, we look forward to the growth, learning, and community they will continue to build together. Learn more about them 👇🏼
🌟 www.nation2nation.ca
🌟 Fb/IG -

📸 Picture of our CEO, Shauna Harper, with Lisa Mueller, Founder of Nation2Nation at the recent N2N Women's Gathering

We’re proud to be a Community Partner of the upcoming Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) – Greater Vancouver Cohort, delivered by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.

If you’re a Metro Vancouver entrepreneur navigating increasing competition, evolving tariffs, and ongoing uncertainty, this program can help you grow with confidence.

Through this five-day hybrid program, you’ll develop a practical export strategy, reduce trade risk, and explore new international markets beyond Canada and the U.S. Since 2017, TAP has supported 600+ B.C. businesses in strengthening their global reach and long-term resilience.

✅ You may be eligible if you:
• Have been operating in B.C. for 2+ years
• Generate $300K+ in revenue
• Can commit 1–2 senior team members

The program starts on October 6, but applications close September 23, so don't wait to apply. Learn more or apply 👇🏼
https://events.we-bc.ca/event/apply-by-september-23-tap-greater-vancouver-cohort/

Most entrepreneurs think they have a marketing problem… when it’s really a strategy problem. And without the right numbers, it’s hard to know what’s actually working.

Join us on July 15 for our free virtual WeCafé, "Understanding Your KPIs: The Numbers (and Habits) That Drive Results," featuring Sarah Campbell, Director of Studio 3 Creative.

In this session, we’ll break down the KPIs that truly matter to your business, and the communication habits that can make or break a new client relationship. You’ll learn how to better understand your results, respond faster, and ensure opportunities don’t slip through the cracks.

Free and open to everyone! Save your spot and start turning your marketing into measurable results. Register Free: go.we-bc.ca/KPIWeCafe

Last week, the WeBC Board gathered in Kelowna!

In between sessions, they connected with some of our incredible clients and partners, including a visit to Work of Art Pottery Studio, owned by Cheryl Gawley, a talented WeBC client and Pollinator. It was inspiring to see her creativity and entrepreneurship in action.

Our Board also participated in gender inclusion training led by Felix Gilliland, deepening our commitment to building a more inclusive ecosystem for women entrepreneurs across BC.

We closed the day with a special dinner alongside our valued partners at BDC ETSI-BC, Scotiabank, CF Central Okanagan, Valley First, PacifiCan and ATB Financial. During the evening, we were honoured to celebrate Larry Widmer, Executive Director of the Community Foundation and our longtime neighbour and partner, as he approaches retirement. Thank you, Larry, for your years of collaboration and community leadership

We also shared heartfelt appreciation for Paris Gaudet, who is wrapping up her time on our Board after serving as Chair. While she's not leaving just yet, this marked her final in-person board meeting with us, and we’re deeply grateful for her leadership, dedication, and impact.

Moments like these reflect the strength of our community and the partnerships that make our work possible.

June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, languages, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Canada.

This month, take time to learn, listen, and support Indigenous communities, attend a powwow or market, support Indigenous artists and businesses, read Indigenous authors, visit exhibits, and learn about the Nations whose lands you live on.

Today, we’re honoured to feature Ruby Creek Art Gallery, an Indigenous-owned gallery showcasing the work of emerging and established First Nations artists.

Located near Ruby Creek, the gallery is a key economic initiative of Sq’ewá:lxw (Skawahlook) First Nation and has been uplifting Indigenous artists for over 20 years. From Coast Salish carvings and limited-edition prints to gold and silver jewellery, textiles, and handcrafted pieces, their collection reflects the richness of Indigenous artistry in the Pacific Northwest.

Beyond the gallery, visitors can experience live demonstrations such as carving and cedar bark weaving, providing meaningful ways to connect with artists and culture.

Learn more or connect with them 👇🏼
🌟 rubycreekartgallery.ca
🌟 Facebook-

Our Regional Ambassador, Debs, recently attended the Vernon Women in Business 2026 Women of the Year Awards!

The Coldstream Community Hall was filled with incredible energy and a community united to uplift and celebrate women in business. Congratulations to all the nominees and this year’s inspiring winners:
✨ Jenelle Brewer – Changemaker Award
✨ Angie Ioakimidou – Community Impact Award
✨ Cathie Bal – Entrepreneur of the Year

A heartfelt thank you to Vernon Women in Business and President Cindy Koleba for bringing this event to life. Here are a few pictures highlighting the events.