47% of small/medium businesses (SMEs) in Canada are entirely or partly owned by women. 51% of Indigenous-owned SMEs are entirely or partly owned by women while 36.6% of all self-employed persons are women.

Majority women-owned SMEs represented over $117 billion per annum of economic activity in Canada!

What kind of businesses do Canadian women entrepreneurs operate? Historically, women-owned business are concentrated in the retail and services sectors, however, the federal government is interested in supporting women in business by announcing the

Women Entrepreneurship Fund.  The fund will help women-owned and women-led businesses invest in activities that will allow them to scale up their business (grow) and pursue other markets.

Here is a snapshot of eligibility:

Eligible recipients must meet the following eligibility criteria:

·        A for profit organization;

·        Women-owned and/or women-led business;

·        A small to medium enterprise (SME) (under 499 employees); and

·        A business in operation for a minimum of two years.

Complete details can be found here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/128.nsf/eng/home. Deadline to apply is November 15th, 2018.

We’ve been fortunate to host several dynamic women entrepreneurs in Campbell River. In fact, we’re excited to announce that Crystal Henrickson from Talent Collective will be in our city November 29th at the Campbell River Golf and Country Club. 

The evening is a wrap up of the 2018 Modern Entrepreneur Series. Join us for food, fun and a fireside chat where we’ll discuss the challenges and opportunities of a modern workplace... a topic relevant to everyone.

There is no charge for the event but seats are limited so RSVP to economic.development@campbellriver.ca.