WeBC

Top 5 ways to boost profits in a slower economy
2024-02-21 12:00 - 17:00 UTC
Are you worried about the impact of the economic slowdown on your business? or want to cut costs and better focus on priority objectives, then join Pierre Cléroux, BDC’s Chief Economist, for an update on the economy, inflation, and interest rates.
He will then share five practical ways you can become more efficient to offset weakening demand. Plus, hear directly from entrepreneurs who have used these techniques to build leaner, more profitable companies.
Register Here>>>

FREE WeBC Business Loan Info Session
2023-05-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Learn about the financing options available through WeBC!
WeBC has a Business Loan Program, and we are the BC Loan Fund Partner of the WEOC National Loan Program for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
If you would like to access these programs to start, expand or purchase a business you will need to participate in one of our free Zoom info sessions about the loan programs.
During this session, the facilitator will:

Review our lending criteria for each program
Answer your questions
Advise you on how to apply
Provide you with a resource package

An Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan.
These FREE Zoom sessions are held every second Tuesday from 12pm to 1pm PT.
Register free >>>

Free WeBC Business Loan Info Session
2024-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Learn about the financing options available through WeBC!
WeBC has a Business Loan Program, and we are the BC Loan Fund Partner of the WEOC National Loan Program for women and non-binary entrepreneurs.
If you would like to access these programs to start, expand or purchase a business you will need to participate in one of our free phone-in info sessions about the loan programs.
During this session, the facilitator will:

Review our lending criteria for each program
Answer your questions
Advise you on how to apply
Provide you with a resource package

An Advisor will work with you to determine if you are eligible for a loan.
This spring, these FREE phone-in sessions are held every Tuesday from 12pm to 1pm PT.
Register free >>>

Learn About Investor Speak™: Program Info Session
2024-04-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinaire
Do you feel like you’re not connecting when you speak with investors? In your mind, you’ve delivered a strong pitch, you’ve answered all their questions, and yet the conversation doesn’t go anywhere.
If you feel this way, you’re not alone. Research shows that investors ask women different questions than men, and those questions don’t lead to investment. As a result, women get less than 2% of VC funding.
WeBC is working to help more women overcome this barrier to equity financing, through our Investor Speak™ program, which teaches women how to lead the conversation. Participants practice on their own time for 15 minutes a day, then join weekly meetups with the group to receive group support on their venture capital journey.
On April 18, join us for a free info session to hear about the Investor Speak™ Program and learn:

Why it’s important to get more women into the equity financing world
What kinds of businesses are investable
What a strong value proposition looks like
And more!

Join us for this free session to learn more about the world of equity financing, determine if the Investor Speak™ program is right for you, and ask your questions!

Facilitators:

Melanie Rupp, Senior Director, Loans & Advisory Services, WeBC
Erin Alexander, Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Certified Investor Q&A© Trainer

Storyteller: TBC

Thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, full grants are available to cover the $2,900 Investor Speak™ program cost.

Register Here >>>

Fireside Chat: Grow a Profitable Business with a Positive Impact
2024-04-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Introducing our new Fireside Chats! These are free, virtual sessions that explore different aspects of scaling a business by sharing the growth journeys, knowledge and experiences of BC women.
Growing your business doesn’t need to mean abandoning your values. In fact, you can grow a profitable business while also growing your economic, social, and environmental impact.
Women entrepreneurs are solving some of our biggest problems and integrating social responsibility into businesses in every industry. They’re contributing to systemic change and innovating how we do business!
Join us to hear from three BC women who are leading the charge:

Allisha Heidt is a social impact entrepreneur whose passion for the environment has contributed to all of her life choices, including the founding of two social impact businesses. Allisha wants to save this planet by changing consumption patterns through the zero-waste culture in her local and global community. She has over a decade of experience working in the sustainability industry, helping to ignite operational change with small and medium sized businesses in British Columbia.
Lisa Hemingway is Co-owner and Director of Creativity & Opportunities at iilo Creative Alliance, a full-service creative agency and Certified B Corp. She works with progressive impact businesses (B Corps, nonprofits and social ventures) that have big goals to make positive impacts in the world.
Annelies Tjebbes is the Executive Director of Roots & Rivers – a strategy and evaluation consultancy serving social purpose organizations across Canada. Annelies’ team is committed to helping tackle the most pressing issues facing our global society and has supported over 75 socially-minded organizations to solidify their vision for the world and chart a clear path toward impact.

Join us to ask your questions of these trailblazing women and consider how you can grow your social impact as you grow your business!
Facilitator: Cathy Burrell, Client Services Coordinator
Panelists:

Allisha Heidt, Founder + CEO of Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery
Lisa Hemingway, Co-Owner, iilo Creative Alliance Inc.
Annelies Tjebbes, Executive Director of Roots & Rivers

Register Here >>>

Fireside Chat: Growing Your Business with a Marketer
2024-05-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
“If I just had a bigger budget to hire a marketer and get the word out, I could grow my business.”
Does this sound like you? Maybe you’ve hired a marketer in the past and didn’t get the results you expected. Or, maybe you’re thinking about investing more in your marketing and you want to make the most of it.
A strong brand is the sum of all touchpoints with your customer. It may include those flashy campaigns, but there are many other factors you should consider. Taking the time to do the groundwork will help you get better results.
On May 21 we’re hosting a fireside chat with two experienced marketing professionals who will give you a glimpse of how marketers think, so you can improve your own marketing or give a stronger brief to a marketing firm.

Fern Sabo is the Founder of Spring Creative, a marketing and design agency that specializes in graphic design, branding, digital marketing, and website development. In 2022, Spring Creative won two Gold Design Awards for their work with Kootenay businesses and community organizations.
Victoria Levy is the Vice President of Client Services at Talk Shop, a North American communications agency with offices in Vancouver, Los Angeles, and Toronto. She began her career in journalism and then transitioned to communications in 2017. She spends her time at Talk Shop focused on client strategy, issues management, and speaker training. Victoria is also an adjunct professor at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, teaching in both the undergraduate and MBA programs.
Kira Kelsie is the owner of Kasm Consulting and the only Certified Digital Marketing Expert in Western Canada. She is up for nomination for TechnoPreneur of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the Canadian Business Magazine. Her business, Kasm Consulting, is listed among the Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies to Work in Canada on Yahoo Finance! Kasm specializes in helping startups grow and scale with marketing under the pillars of Marketing Strategy, Digital Marketing and Advertising, and Online Optimization. Kasm serves as the preferred service provider or expert in residence for over 20 incubators, accelerators, and VC firms across Canada.
Alyson Gourley-Cramer is the Principal & Founder of Monogram Communications. She brings over 18 years’ workplace experience as a PR professional. She specializes in community engagement, crisis and issues management, brand and web design, and major engagement projects. Alyson started her national firm, Monogram Communications, in 2019 and has grown it nationally to 20 team members, 90% of whom identify as women.

Join us to hear from these marketing professionals and ask your own marketing questions!
Free and open to everyone!
Facilitator: Fern Sabo, Founder of Spring Creative and WeBC Regional Ambassador, West Kootenays
Panelists:

Victoria Levy, VP of Client Services, Talk Shop
Kira Kelsie, Owner of Kasm Consulting
Alyson Gourley-Cramer, Principal & Founder of Monogram Communications

Register Here >>>

Trade Accelerator Program - Women Led Cohort
2024-06-05 09:00 - 16:30 | SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue, 515 West Hastings St, Vancouver, BC, Canada
WeBC is proud to be a presenting partner for this upcoming session.
TAP is a 5-day program designed to help SMEs TAP into their full export potential. It has a proven track record helping participants get results.
With new trade agreements, a competitive Canadian dollar, and new business opportunities, now is the ideal time to extend your company’s reach through international expansion of goods and services.
Since 2017, World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered 35 TAP cohorts in B.C.
Register Here >>>

Unpacking Artificial Intelligence: Tips for using AI in your business
2024-06-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made its way into all aspects of business, and marketing is no different. When used correctly, it can help you save valuable time and energy. When used incorrectly, you can end up sounding like a robot, perpetuating biases, or putting your sensitive customer data at risk.
If you’d like to harness the power of AI for your business (without losing that human touch), join WeBC and Jennifer Kolbuc on June 13 for a realistic look at the Dos and Don’ts of using AI for marketing.
Jennifer is an experienced digital marketer and social media strategist who has created this informative workshop to cover:

How AI is leveling the playing field for small businesses
What tools are available, how to find them, and what they cost
How to integrate AI tools into your daily workflow to save time
AI pitfalls, shortcomings, and blind spots
How to use AI for SEO and social media

Join us to gain a better understanding of how you can harness AI for your business and ask your questions of an experienced marketer!
Cost: $25, free for WeBC Loan Clients
Thursday, June 13 | 10am to 11am PT | Webinar

Facilitator: Cathy Burrell, Client Services Coordinator
Panelist: Jennifer Kolbuc, Founder, Mountain Top Consulting

Register Here >>>

Fireside Chat: The Funding Puzzle: Piecing Together a Growth Plan
2024-07-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Webinar
From business loans to lines of credit, investors to grants, there are many different ways to piece together your funding puzzle to make your capital work for you.
On July 11 we’re hosting a fireside chat with four women founders who will share their experiences accessing various sources of capital to drive the growth of their business.
Whether it’s moving their business out of their garage and into a dedicated space, or raising over half a million dollars from investors to fuel an ambitious expansion strategy into the US, capital has played a big role in each of these women’s growth journeys:

Alice Couderc is the co-founder of Atome Bakery, an innovative online bakery delivering ready-to-bake artisanal sourdough bread and pastries directly to customers’ doors across BC, Alberta and Washington.
Samantha Matsuda is the dedicated owner of Evolution Equestrian Co, nestled in Courtenay, BC. She has a passion for all things equine and specializes in providing top-notch new and used tack for riders and their beloved horses.
Aki Kaltenbach is the Founder and CEO of Save Da Sea Foods, a plant-based fresh seafood company that creates products that have the same nutrients and flavour as seafood without the toxins and harm to the planet.
Erin Alexander is an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Certified Investor Q&A™ facilitator. She helps women raise more in investment by mastering Q&A conversations with investors.

Join us to hear how these women are completing their funding puzzles by accessing other people’s money, and taking risks to secure the funds they need to execute their growth strategy.
Thursday, July 11 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Fireside Chat
Free and open to everyone!
Facilitator: Melanie Rupp, WeBC Senior Director, Loans & Advisory Services
Panelists:

Erin Alexander, Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Certified Investor Q&A© Trainer
Samantha Matsuda, Owner of Evolution Equestrian Co.
Alice Couderc, Co-Founder of Atome Bakery
Aki Kaltenbach, Founder and CEO of Save Da Sea Foods

Register Here >>>

Build. Grow. Thrive.
2024-07-17 08:30 - 17:00 | Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2W3, Canada
Join us on July 17th for Build. Grow. Thrive. Vancouver.
Mark your calendar. Build. Grow. Thrive returns to Vancouver on July 17th, in partnership with BCAA Small Business Insurance.
Join us for a FREE day of education and networking designed to boost your business skills and connect you to a community of fellow entrepreneurs.
Our venue for this day-long event is Downtown Vancouver’s Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre in Yaletown, a short stroll from the nearby Canada Line SkyTrain station.
Small Business BC has built the day’s educational program to focus on a problem all small businesses face: attracting more customers. Highlights include SBBC’s market research expert on the latest trends, how exporting offers a proven pathway to growth via Export Navigator, and a panel of local entrepreneurs will share their expertise on building a diverse client base.
Don’t miss out on this free day of learning.
Please Note: Lunch will not be provided on the day, but we will take a lunchtime break. Attendees are invited to explore the many food options a short walk from the venue.
Register Here >>>

Future-proofing Your Business: People, Purpose, Profit
2024-07-31 12:00 - 13:30
Join Douglas College’s fully funded online leadership and development series. Whether you’re navigating change, embracing diversity, or exploring the potential of AI in your business, these expert-led sessions provide practical insights and actionable steps for long-term success.
Online Leadership Series:
Future-proofing Your Business
July 31st, 12 – 1:30 pm
Adapt with a growth mindset and gain insights to future-proof your business.
Leading Through Times of Change
August 7th, 12 – 1:30 pm
Embrace collaborative leadership and manage hybrid workforce effectively.
Leading With Equity
August 13th, 12 – 1:30 pm
Learn JEDI principles and practical strengths for implementation.
Leadership – Performance Management
August 21st, 12 – 1:30 pm
Enhance performance evaluations and handle difficult conversations with confidence.
AI for Employers
August 27th, 12 – 1:30 pm
Explore AI tools, applications, and challenges for your business.
Empower your workforce and lead with confidence.

Register Now

AWE/WeBC Mixer
2024-08-15 16:30 - 18:30 | Please Beverage Co, 222 West 5th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1J4, Canada
Join Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and WeBC for an inspiring evening of networking and growth.

Let’s celebrate the incredible women driving Vancouver’s business landscape!
Connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, share insights, and build lasting relationships. Discover how AWE’s Bold Leadership and Strategic Edge programs can support your business growth.
Enjoy a complimentary drink, delicious bites, and the chance to win an exciting prize. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your business and expand your network.
Register Here>>>
