The only thing constant is change, and that has been even more true since the onset of the global pandemic. 

What has not changed is the unwavering support offered by our team at Women’s Enterprise Centre to women business owners across BC. In fact, the impact of the pandemic has accelerated the demand for our loans and services. While women entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted as they navigate the pandemic, they have also demonstrated resilience and identified new opportunities. Just as their businesses are evolving, so too is our nearly 30-year strong brand. 

As of today, Women’s Enterprise Centre will be known as WeBC. While our re-brand comes with a new name and a fresh look, it still maintains the resolute commitment to uphold our mission of supporting women entrepreneurs across BC.

Our new brand identity reflects WeBC’s organizational values of Diversity, Possibility, Trust, Collaboration and Celebration. It brings forward the collaborative nature of how we work with our clients and partners throughout the province, offering sustained support to women entrepreneurs. We hope that our new look and website will inspire and enable entrepreneurs to access the resources and support they need to propel their businesses forward. 

This has been a long journey starting with outreach to partners, community members and women entrepreneurs. Thank you to all who provided feedback to shape our new image. It has been a dream working with the women-owned firm, Kollectively.io, led by Katrina Carroll-Foster and Tiffany Chester, who have turned our long-time vision into reality. We are grateful to our team, especially Chaunda Honkonen, WeBC Marketing & Communications Manager, who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes. We are also appreciative of our primary funder, PacifiCan (formerly Western Economic Diversification) and the Ministry of Economic Development, International Trade, Small Business and Export Promotion for supplemental funding. The concept of re-branding is simple but the actual work to make it happen is significant and we are grateful to all who contributed.

Energized by WeBC’s fresh new brand, we’re excited to continue our work of lifting and supporting women entrepreneurs wherever they are in their journey – whether starting, developing or growing a business. 

The post Women’s Enterprise Centre is now WeBC appeared first on WeBC.

Yet, the timing of my transition has been… interesting.

Prior to this global pandemic, women entrepreneurs represented 28% of entrepreneurs in Canada, and we were seeing encouraging trends in exporting, business growth, lending and representation.

Now, with women taking on more of the household responsibilities, as well as being more active in highly impacted industries such as the service and hospitality sectors, there is fear that our progress may be lost.

I understand the life of a woman entrepreneur, because I’m one of them. I know first-hand the highs and lows of launching a business, the second-guessing, the long days and the breakthroughs.

More than ever, business owners have had to adapt over the past several months, and those lucky enough to be entering this season with their businesses intact are left with increased uncertainty.

At WEC, we’re taking this time to pause, reflect, focus on our strengths, and to create new models and new possibilities. I’m encouraged by:

• the close relationships we have with our clients, and their gratitude for our support;
• the increased collaboration with our partners, through equalization of access to resources;
• a significant surge of women joining us for webinars, expanding their skills and staying connected;
• our Regional Ambassadors around the province, who have been able to extend our reach, and to engage with more Indigenous, immigrant and young entrepreneurs;
• our network of mentors, who provide emotional support to new entrepreneurs;
• our funders, who recognize the important role women entrepreneurs play in economic recovery; and
• our dedicated team of wise and passionate individuals.

In the coming months, I’ll be sharing some of the groundbreaking work that is being done in the BC ecosystem and the impact that I know we’re going to see. I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the innovation that comes out of these transitions.

Cheers to you all, and wishing you clear skies ahead.

The post A Message from Jill Earthy: Transitions appeared first on WeBC.