Business entrepreneurship conference aims to empower aspiring Indigenous female entrepreneurs
By Rick Garrick
THUNDER BAY—This year’s Aboriginal Women’s Business Entrepreneurship Network conference will feature Mrs. Universe Ashley Callingbull and Satya Organic Skin Care founder Patrice Mousseau in Thunder Bay.
“[Callingbull] is speaking about self-confidence and resiliency,” says Cassandra Danyluk, economic development entrepreneurship project officer with the Native Women’s Association of Canada. “The purpose of her coming to speak is to share that no matter what obstacles or challenges we face, we’re always strong enough to get through them.”
Danyluk says Callingbull, who won the Mrs. Universe title in 2015, will also speak about taking care of oneself.
“That is an integral part of your being as a person,” Danyluk says. “Once you are more whole and you can take that time to take care of yourself, you are better equipped to do other things in life, like be a good business woman or give back to the community.”
Danyluk says Mousseau will speak about business and her journey to get to where she is today.
Mousseau created her business after developing Satya Organic Eczema Relief for her daughter’s eczema skin condition.
“She had to leave her job — she used to be a CBC journalist,” Danyluk says. “She left her job to become an entrepreneur, which is so brave and inspiring, so I think a lot of women will be able to relate to that.”
The 4th annual conference, scheduled for March 1-2 at the Best Western Plus NorWester Hotel and Conference Centre near Thunder Bay, will also feature two panels: Stepping Into Your Power – Social Entrepreneurship and Earning a Seat at the Table – Women in Mainstream.
The Stepping Into Your Power panel includes Kendal Netmaker, founder of Neechi Gear; Sunshine Tenasco, founder of Her Braids; Tenille Campbell, founder of Sweetmoon Photography; and Heather Dickson, founder of Dickson Fashion Designs.
The Earning a Seat at the Table panel is comprised by Marcia Trudeau, CEO of North American Indigenous Games; Hilda Broomfield Letemplier, president and CEO of Pressure Pipe Steel Fabrication Ltd.; Patricia Turner, president and CEO of E.T. Development Ltd.; and Georjann Morriseau, director of Indigenous Affairs with Resolute Forest Products.
“We have these really seasoned and professional women in their fields that will be on [the Earning a Seat at the Table] panel that can give inspiration to other women who hold or aspire to hold those positions themselves,” Danyluk says. “The [Stepping Into Your Power panel] is about entrepreneurs who give back to their community through innovative business practices that ultimately benefit society as a whole.”
The conference also includes four workshops in the afternoon: Embrace Her, Nourish Her, Be Her with Melissa Hardy-Giles; Pitch Perfect with Heather Abbey; Kick Start Your Business Through Crowdfunding with Devon Fiddler and BDC; and Marketing and Branding Your Business by Alberta Women’s Enterprise.
“They are geared [towards] different areas and stages of business that can benefit a range of women,” Danyluk says.
Danyluk adds that the conference will feature a Networking Kickoff event from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on the evening of March 1.
“We want to reach the women who are in more rural areas or on reserve to bring them to the conference because they are the ones that lack resources the most,” Danyluk says, noting that this is the first conference to be held outside of Toronto and Ottawa. “So we really want to reach out to them and bring them in to help them in whatever area they need help in as an entrepreneur.”
There is no admission fee for all Indigenous female entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs looking to attend. Tickets are available online.