WeBC is partnering with Purppl, a team that helps purpose-driven organizations build sustainable impact, to bring you a series that will inspire, equip, and connect you on your journey to making a difference.

This series is ideal for anyone who is new to social enterprise or eager to deepen their organization’s impact and communications. You’ll gain practical strategies, frameworks, and tools as we focus on two key areas:

• Session 1 | Social Enterprise 101: Discover what social enterprise truly means, why it matters, and how it can be used to build community wealth and long-term resilience. You’ll see how purpose-driven business models can address real needs and reignite hope in your community.
• Session 2 | Impact Storytelling: Learn how to translate your impact goals and lived experience into stories that connect with funders, customers, and your community. This session will help you share your journey authentically, inspiring trust, support, and action.

Join us to explore how you can bring positive change to your business and those you serve!

January 15 and 22 | 10am to 11am PT | Virtual

Series cost: $50.00; free for WeBC Loan clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program clients

Open to everyone!

Register Here >>>

The post Purpose in Action: Social Enterprise & Storytelling Series appeared first on WeBC.

Most small businesses are invisible in AI today—but that can change.

Join us for an interactive WeCafé session with WeBC Business Advisor Archana Samtani Singhania. She’ll explore AI Engine Optimization (AIEO), the new frontier of discoverability. You’ll learn practical steps to help AI “see” your business clearly so you can show up in answers, not just search results.

We’ll cover:

• What makes AI search different from traditional SEO
• How AI chooses businesses to recommend and the key signals it looks for (plus ways to strengthen them)
• How to make your business info clear and consistent, and use conversational content and FAQs to boost visibility
• Common mistakes that keep businesses hidden from AI, and how to avoid them

Join us for this informative, interactive session to learn actionable strategies to position your business for the AI era!

Wednesday, March 11 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

Free and open to everyone!

Facilitator: Archana Samtani Singhania, WeBC Business Advisor

Register Here >>>

The post When Customers Ask AI: Make Your Business Part of the Answer appeared first on WeBC.

On Thursday, March 12, join us for a candid fireside chat with Trisha Miltimore, a dynamic leadership expert and WorkLife Wellness Activator who has spent 25 years helping professionals ignite their impact without burning out. Trisha will share practical insights and personal stories on how to speak with clarity, confidence, and authenticity when introducing yourself and your work.

In this interactive fireside chat, we’ll explore:

• How to shape your story so your elevator pitch feels natural—not forced
• The 3 Vultures: mindsets that sabotage confidence—and how to rise above them
• Simple, empowering ways to show up with greater visibility in conversations
• Tools to communicate your value and strengthen connections in networking moments
• How to step boldly into your own voice and own your impact

Whether you’re meeting new clients, networking, or pitching your ideas, this is your chance to learn real-world strategies that make your message resonate—plus ask your questions in an open, supportive environment.

Thursday, March 12 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Fireside Chat

Free and open to everyone! Closed captioning in French will be available.

Host: Cathy Burrell, Entrepreneur in Residence
Facilitator: Trisha Miltimore, WorkLife Wellness Activator & Leadership Expert

Register Here >>>

The post Elevate Your Pitch: A Fireside Chat on Authentic Communication for Growth appeared first on WeBC.

The latest federal budget makes it clear that Canada wants to open more doors for businesses of all kinds, including women-owned companies, to work with the government through procurement. There’s never been a better time to get involved! Understanding how federal procurement works, from identifying opportunities to navigating the bid process, will improve your strategies and save time.

Join WeBC and PAC for this free interactive series to learn how to:

• Understand the decision-making process behind government procurement
• Identify practical ways to start selling to the federal government
• Get your questions answered by people who know the system from the inside

January 29, February 5, February 12 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Series

Free and open to everyone!

Register here >>>

The post Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement appeared first on WeBC.

The latest federal budget makes it clear that Canada wants to open more doors for businesses of all kinds, including women-owned companies, to work with the government through procurement. There’s never been a better time to get involved! Understanding how federal procurement works, from identifying opportunities to navigating the bid process, will improve your strategies and save time.

Join WeBC and PAC for this free interactive series to learn how to:

• Understand the decision-making process behind government procurement
• Identify practical ways to start selling to the federal government
• Get your questions answered by people who know the system from the inside

January 29, February 5, February 12 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual Series

Free and open to everyone!

Register here >>>

The post Ready, Set, Bid! Navigating Government Procurement appeared first on WeBC.

Building on the success of her previous Cashflow Canvas sessions, this advanced session is designed to help founders take their financial planning to the next level. If you have your own draft one-year cash flow, or you’ve already completed The Cashflow Canvas™—either through a past Nail the Numbers session or the new App—this session is your next step.

This hands-on, 3-hour bootcamp will help you transform your Canvas™ work into a powerful, actionable plan. The focus: building a path to reach 11.5% net profitability within three years, while covering all your real business costs—no guessing, no fluff.

What You’ll Experience

• The Profit Benchmarking ProTool to get a crystal-clear path to viability. Understand your true revenue requirements, test your pricing and costs, and identify the biggest profit drivers and leaks for each revenue stream.
• The Marketing Map to turn sales targets into something doable. Build a marketing plan that aligns with your sales targets, understand how conversion rates shape your strategy, and set a realistic marketing budget.
• The 3-Year Profit Plan to create a roadmap, not a wish list. Map out your revenue path, create a reliable 36-month cash flow, and pinpoint the key changes needed to stay on track.
• Your 12-Month Action Plan [T-Map] so you leave knowing exactly what to do next: Set annual financial goals, break them down into quarterly action items, and establish accountability checkpoints.

By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear, actionable roadmap to confidently achieve sustainable profitability and growth in your business.

Join us to turn your financial vision into reality—secure your spot and take the next step toward hitting your profit goals!

February 5 | 9am to 12pm PT | Virtual Session

Facilitator: Taunya Woods-Richardson, Founder & CEO, Nail the Numbers

Cost: $50; Free for WeBC Loan Clients and Vancity Women Entrepreneur Program Clients

Who Should Attend

This session is for founders who have a draft one-year cash flow and/or have already completed The Cashflow Canvas™. If you’re ready to move beyond the basics and build a plan for real profitability, this session is for you.

Register Here >>>

The post Financially Fierce Formula: The Path to Sustainable Profitability appeared first on WeBC.

So how do you identify where AI can be most helpful for you, how much should you budget, and how much time does it take to set up? Join us to hear from two tech entrepreneurs who are leveraging AI to grow their businesses:

• Lawrence Lewis is the CEO and Founder of OneFeather, Canada’s only Indigenous technology company specializing in electronic voting and community engagement solutions.

• Maya Adly is the CEO and founder of ROAR, a one-stop booking platform for service-based businesses.

They’ll share key AI tools, how they’ve integrated them into their workflows, and some lessons learned along the way.

Join us for this free fireside chat to ask your questions and explore how AI tools can support your business growth!

Thursday, September 19 | 1pm to 2pm PT | Free Virtual Fireside Chat

Facilitator: Andrea Jacob, WeBC Business Advisor

Panelists:
• Lawrence Lewis, CEO & Founder, OneFeather
• Maya Adly, CEO & Founder, bookwithroar.com

This session is available with simultaneous French interpretation. To request this service, please email skillsdevelopment@we-bc.ca by September 10.

Register Here >>>

The post Fireside Chat: AI Tools for Business Growth appeared first on WeBC.

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, we’re hosting four inspiring women leaders who will share their stories of community, innovation, and resilience:

• Jessie Williams is a citizen of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) and the Dean of Indigenous Initiatives at Vancouver Community College. She received an Emerging Leader Achievement Award from her Nation in 2023.

• Alissa Assu is a member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and belongs to the Laksamshu (Fireweed and Owl) Clan and Nisga’a. She is the Owner of RavenSong Soap & Candle, Bear Essential Oils and West Coast Wildflowers. She is a supportive partner for the National Indigenous Renal Transplant Research Project: BRIDGE and has contributed to organizations such as the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, the Urban Native Youth Association, and Gathering our Voices.

• Sharon Bond is a member of the Nooaitch First Nation and she is the visionary Founder of Kekuli Cafe, a unique establishment that celebrates Indigenous cuisine and culture. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Sharon plays a significant role in various organizations. She serves as Vice Chair for Indigenous Tourism BC, a Director for the Westbank First Nation Economic Development Commission and  her involvement with the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology board of Education. She was honored with the the title of Business Woman of the Year in 2020 by National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Associations (NACCA).

• Patrice Mousseau is an Anishinaabe member of the Fort William First Nation and the Founder of Satya Organic Skin Care. She was named Indigenous Exporter of the Year in 2023, and has previously won the Indigenous Entrepreneur Award from Startup Canada.

We’re delighted to host this conversation to foster a spirit of reconciliation and encourage everyone to elevate Indigenous entrepreneurs through community, collaborations, procurement and beyond!

Wednesday, September 25 | 10am to 11am PT | Free Virtual WeCafé

Free and open to everyone

Facilitator: Jessie Williams, Dean of Indigenous Initiatives, Vancouver Community College

Panelists:

• Alissa Assu, Owner, RavenSong Soap & Candle, Bear Essential Oils and West Coast Wildflowers, Campbell River
• Sharon Bond, Founder, Kekuli Café, West Kelowna
• Patrice Mousseau, Founder, Satya Organic Skincare, Vancouver

Register Here >>>

The post Reconciliation and Resilience: A Conversation with Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs appeared first on WeBC.

•  Develop your own goals and work through key planning areas, including market research, resources, pricing, operations and cash flow.
•  Gain a strong understanding of how each piece of your business plan will come together to bring your idea to life!

Register Here >>>

The post Pen to Paper: Developing Your Business Plan appeared first on WeBC.

What are some of the mistakes new business owners make and how can you avoid them? In this session, we’ll show you how the proper planning and procedures can help you achieve smooth sailing. From ‘whoops’ to ‘what if,’ Archana will identify typical mistakes and risks in running a business, and help you to envision the best case scenarios for you to work towards. You’ll hear from other women entrepreneurs about their real life experiences and how they were able to adapt to changing circumstances. Together, we will:

•  Explore processes that you can use to avoid mistakes, including workflows, templates and procedures.
•  Imagine possible risks to your own business and come up with plausible solutions so you can be confident in your future.
•  Identify key operational decisions that need to be made.

Register Here >>>

The post Smooth Operator: Preparing for the Future appeared first on WeBC.

Do you have an entrepreneurial idea but are unsure how to turn it into a business? Every business concept needs to be tested for viability before you jump in with both feet. Creating a viable business means not only making a profit, but also structuring it in a way that fits your life and aligns with your goals and values. We’ll introduce you to the Creating Your Business Plan Workbook, which we’ll use throughout the series to refine your business ideas. In this session, you’ll get curious: Who will buy your product? What does a typical day look like running the business? Is your idea unique? Using hands-on activities, we’ll:

• Explore what motivates you;
• Define your business idea, who you serve and what problem you solve; and
•  Identify the research that will assist in refining your business idea

Register Here >>>

The post Success Test: Is Your Idea Viable? appeared first on WeBC.