B Lab U.S. & Canada’s Post

It’s Small Business Week in Canada! According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab (BDL), "In June 2023, there were 1.35 million businesses in Canada with paid employees. The overwhelming majority (98% of the total) were conventionally classified as “small” businesses, which collectively employed over 11 million people." This is close to my heart as a small business owner for the past 18 years. My entrepreneurial journey led me to research sustainable and social entrepreneurship at Trent University, where I explored the motivations and experiences of women entrepreneurs with diverse backgrounds and businesses—all working toward meaningful change. What stood out as the primary motivation of these entrepreneurial women? ➡️ Systems Change and Inclusive Communities ⬅️ The women I interviewed were driven by a powerful purpose: creating inclusive, community-centered businesses. They were passionate about building safe, supportive, and equitable spaces where people could thrive. Their businesses weren’t just about profit but connection, empowerment, and positively impacting the world around them through challenging systems. I see this sense of community and collaboration every day in the small business community. Together, we’re reimagining business and entire economies, challenging the status quo, and proving that business can be a force for good. As we celebrate #SmallBusinessWeek, let’s continue supporting and uplifting entrepreneurs—especially those focused on building a more inclusive and sustainable future. How? ✅ Expand equitable access to funding opportunities for all entrepreneurs. ✅ Celebrate and amplify diverse stories in entrepreneurship, highlighting the richness of different perspectives. ✅ Foster inclusive business ecosystems that actively promote equity and opportunity for everyone. #SmallBusinessCanada #Entrepreneurship #SocialImpact #Sustainability #WomenInBusiness #SystemsChange #InclusiveCommunities

Do you know what could happen if immigrant women scaled their businesses at the same rate as men? In the UK, women entrepreneurs, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, are facing significant challenges. Despite making up a growing portion of the business community, research highlights the barriers they encounter in securing funding and scaling businesses. In 2023, women-led startups captured just 3.5% of equity funding, while male-led startups secured a dominant 85% UKTN! Imagine that! But here's the good news: if immigrant women entrepreneurs scale their businesses at the same rate as male entrepreneurs, it could contribute £250 billion to the UK economy British Business Bank This represents a massive opportunity for growth—but it starts with overcoming the hurdles standing in the way. As an immigrant who transitioned from a healthcare career to entrepreneurship in the UK, I understand these challenges all too well. When I transitioned from the healthcare industry to entrepreneurship, I had no business experience. I faced costly mistakes, sleepless nights, and long hours of hard work—all while navigating the complexities of starting my business from scratch. By prioritizing my personal development and getting mentorship I built the strategies and systems to scale my business. Today, I’m dedicated to helping women like you take your business from struggle to success. If you’re ready to position your services into profitable offers and break through these barriers, join my free "Pop into Profit" webinar and discover the steps to unlock your business’s true potential. https://lnkd.in/eZ53-qvK #ImmigrantEntrepreneurs #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupJourney #WomenEmpowerment #WomenInBusiness #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset #StartupJourney #WomenEmpowerment #SmallBusinessSuccess #BusinessMentorship #UKEntrepreneurs #PopIntoProfit

DID YOU KNOW that only 18% of all Canadian businesses are majority woman owned, and that 99% of these are SME (Small-Medium Enterprises)? Also: Indigenous women face barriers when accessing western financial services due to systemic exclusion that prevents them from meeting basic approval criteria. Financing and borrowing costs for Black women entrepreneurs remain challenging; and they, like Indigenous women, must grapple with systemic racism, along with a lack of networking opportunities, mentorship and training. Less than 1% of Canadian SMEs are owned by people living with a disability; the data is lacking on how many of these are women entrepreneurs. There are more than 100,000 businesses in Canada owned by people who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, contributing more than $22 billion in economic activity. Yet these entrepreneurs face identity-related challenges, including discrimination, difficulty obtaining funding and government assistance, and harsh public evaluation. TIME TO CHANGE THIS !

Today is #WomensEntrepreneurshipDay If you are seeing this, you may know me and know I’ve been an Entrepreneur for almost 10 years. It’s hard. We work tirelessly too often and many women juggle this with being primary caregivers to children and some even to their elderly parents at the same time. But we still get it all done. So please take a moment to congratulate women entrepreneurs in your network today, and other days too (even when it seems like many in the world are not encouraging us to be whomever we want to be 😳) Some facts about Canadian Women Entrepreneurs: Women entrepreneurs in Canada play a vital role in the economy, contributing over $148 billion annually to GDP. They create over 1.5 million jobs. Women-led businesses are growing rapidly, especially in tech, retail, and services, with a 22% increase in women entrepreneurship over the last decade. Despite challenges like limited access to funding—women receive only 4% of venture capital—initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy are helping bridge gaps. Supporting women entrepreneurs could add $150 billion to Canada’s economy by 2030. So buy something today from a woman-owned business. And for goodness sake, let them come home and put their feet up tonight!!!! Tom&Sawyer Fresh Pet Meals Alexynn Alexynn Strategy

💡Do women-owned businesses have equal access to information and capital? This week, in the #GenderCapitalResearchSeries, we explore how access to information can impact women and non-binary entrepreneurs’ ability to access capital. (French translation to be updated soon!) ❋ Despite the achievement, funding remains the key barrier for Black women entrepreneurs in Canada. - Black women entrepreneurs in this study are well-educated, culturally diverse, and deeply rooted in Canada. They are driven by various factors, including market opportunities, desire for flexibility and family/community influences. - 78.5% of entrepreneurs reported difficulty accessing financial capital, which likely contributes to the prevalence of small businesses within this group.  - Targeted support is crucial, including ensuring access to various financial resources and providing education on effectively navigating and utilizing different capital products. → Learn more: https://lnkd.in/erNt6Z4t This is a summary of “Rise Up: A Study of 700 Black Women Entrepreneurs” by Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, Black Business and Professional Association, Casa Foundation, and de Sedulous Women Leaders. ❋ Women entrepreneurs seek angel investment at lower rates than men but have an equal probability of getting it. - Women and men seek angel funding at unequal rates, but women and men succeed in obtaining angel funding at roughly the same rates. - Women do not surrender more equity ownership in exchange for investment dollars than male entrepreneurs. -Women prefer seeking capital from female angel investors; likewise, men prefer seeking capital from male angel investors. Encouraging more women to seek angel funding and become angel investors could increase the number of women-owned businesses. - Ensuring angel investors are aware of their biases can support the ecosystem to become more inclusive and encourage more women off the sidelines. → Learn more: https://lnkd.in/efJSuEZP This is a summary of “Do women-owned businesses have equal access to angel capital?" by Becker-Blease and Sohl (2007). Check out the #GenderCapitalResearchSeries: https://lnkd.in/eTXzu7yF SVX, Esplanade Québec, WeBC, Pond-Deshpande Centre, Spring, The Canadian Women's Foundation *This research is part of WIN-VC Canada, supported by Government of Canada. WIN-VC acknowledges the support of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. #womenentrepreneurs #venturecapital #angelcapital

Rosalind Lockyer's recent article in The Toronto Star about Canadian Women Entrepreneurs still struggling struck a chord with me. As a child of immigrant parents who carved her own path with limited mentorship, I can relate to the unique challenges women entrepreneurs face in Canada without strong professional support systems.    The lack of readily available mentors creates a disadvantage in terms of both knowledge and network building.     While government policies and initiatives are essential, the onus doesn't solely fall on them. We, as leaders, have the power to be catalysts for change.     By actively mentoring aspiring women entrepreneurs and sharing our knowledge and experience, we can bridge the mentorship gap and empower future generations. Fostering a more inclusive work environment is crucial. Creating company cultures that support and empower women-led initiatives sends a powerful message and fosters an environment where women can thrive.     This isn't just about creating a level playing field; it's about unlocking Canada's full entrepreneurial potential. By working together, leaders and policymakers can create a more equitable and thriving business landscape where all entrepreneurs, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to Canada’s economic advancement.    #WomenEntrepreneurs #Canada #Mentorship #Inclusivity

Entrepreneurship among African women is on the rise, with many women starting their businesses and becoming successful entrepreneurs. African women face unique challenges when it comes to entrepreneurship, such as limited access to capital, cultural norms that discourage women from starting businesses, and a lack of support systems for male entrepreneurs. Despite these challenges, African women are overcoming barriers and making significant contributions to the economy through their businesses. They are starting businesses in a wide range of industries, from agriculture to technology, and are creating jobs and driving economic growth in their communities. There are also a growing number of organizations and initiatives that are supporting and empowering African women entrepreneurs. These organizations provide training, mentorship, and access to capital to help women start and grow their businesses. Overall, entrepreneurship is providing African women with the opportunity to achieve financial independence, create job opportunities for others, and contribute to the development of their communities. By supporting and investing in African women entrepreneurs, we can help unlock their full potential and drive inclusive growth and development across the continent.

Addressing the funding gap for underrepresented business founders is not just a moral imperative — it’s an economic one. At ACF, we believe that with the right support, female entrepreneurs from ethnic minority groups can achieve incredible growth and impact. It’s time to build partnerships that enable access to capital and opportunity. Read more about our vision for transformative change in our latest feature with Business News Wales and Akmal Hanuk. https://lnkd.in/eN9ZvRyt #EqualOpportunity #Founders #Equity #BusinessNews #EconomicEquality

This post has been written in the loudest Vic voice, ever (yes, that’s VERY loud!) LinkedIn, did you know...? • £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men*. • Only 15% of UK businesses are currently owned or led by women - the lowest since pre-pandemic times**. • In some sectors, investors can see up to 30% higher revenue when investing in UK female founded businesses***. Today, alongside the incredible Emmie Faust and Clare Benson-Geddes and the brilliant teams at Female Founders Rise, YeahNice. and glooh., we’re launching a mission to inspire more women to start and scale businesses! Let’s unlock some of this £250 billion 🚀. So to any women reading this post and are wanting to start or are in the process of scaling a business, I’m here to say… YOU’VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES 💪. Do it, do it, do it! I was shocked to learn that a staggering 81% of 11-18-year-olds can't name a single female entrepreneur 😳 😡. This campaign is our chance to change the narrative and show that female entrepreneurs are a force to be reckoned with. Let’s celebrate those who are already doing great work and also inspire the next generation! By supporting female founders, you’re not only helping women succeed – you’re also contributing to economic growth. Very appreciative to everyone in my network who can support this campaign - even just by liking, sharing, commenting. Who's with me? 🚀🚀🚀 Ps. If you see any of the billboards with my ugly mug on (majority City of London way - Bishopsgate, Shoreditch, Old Street, King Williams Street, Finsbury Square and City Road), please take a photo and share with me!! They’re live from tomorrow, 23rd October... and not going to lie, VERY excited about this! #FemaleFoundersRise #YouveGotWhatItTakes #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship *The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship **Department for Business and Trade *** Scaling UK Regional FinTech

Reposting from the incredible Victoria Peppiatt, who reminds us of the massive impact women entrepreneurs can make – not just in their industries but in the UK economy as a whole. 🌟 Did you know that £250 billion could be added to the UK economy if women started and scaled businesses at the same rate as men? Yet, only 15% of UK businesses are currently women-owned. To all women founders or those aspiring to be – this is your call to action! Jump on this bandwagon; you have what it takes to grow, scale, and thrive. #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #ScaleYourBusiness #SupportWomen #UKEconomy