Don’t delay to get your ticket to grow And connect at Western Canada’s Largest Grocery B2B Exhibition & Conference. Be a part of the grocery week and network with retailers, decision-makers, wholesalers and more.

Early Bird Pricing for Retailers, Trade Show Only Pass – $69 BEFORE March 21st

Early Bird Pricing for Non-Retailers, Trade Show Only Pass – $399 BEFORE March 21st

Register here

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WBE Canada’s Supplier Diversity Days are full-day in-person events designed to bring women-owned businesses, corporate and government organizations, partners and champions of supplier diversity together in cities across Canada.

Join us to learn how to navigate today’s economic challenges, network with buyers and suppliers to find new opportunities and create common goals to expand economic prosperity within regions, provinces and across the country.

Register Here

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Atome Bakery provides a unique bread and pastry delivery service, allowing customers to customize their pastry box or select from curated options. Their signature bread is delivered frozen and ready to bake in a specially designed Atome Pan, which replicates the baking environment of a professional oven. This innovative approach preserves the authenticity of artisanal bread, ensuring both convenience and exceptional taste and texture.

Alice’s journey with WeBC began when her mentor introduced her to the organization. Under her mentor’s guidance, Alice applied to WeBC’s loan program to support her company’s expansion into the U.S. With plans to scale up operations across the border, Alice outlined a strategy that involved investing in resources such as packaging materials, equipment upgrades, and expanding storage facilities. She was granted the loan and used WeBC’s financial support to pursue her goals of reaching new markets and replicating her successful business model in the U.S.

The loan from WeBC was more than just financial support for Alice’s business, it was a boost that allowed her to pursue her dreams of expansion, enabling her to seize new opportunities and move forward with confidence.

Client Q&A

Q: How did you come up with the idea for Atome Bakery?

A: If you’ve ever been to France, you know there is a bakery on every street. When my partner Lucas and I moved to Canada, our bread consumption had to change. The bread we found in supermarkets here were full of additives and sugar, and we were missing that taste from our childhood, so we decided to start baking.

Through trial and error, we experimented with freezing bread so we could have the convenience of fresh bread every day without the hassle or compromising on the quality. We even crafted a pan that helps the bread bake at a consistent temperature and humidity level.

From there, we had friends asking to buy our bread, and then people we didn’t know. We set up a simple website where people could place an order and pick it up at a local partner. We quickly outgrew the freezer space, so that’s when we decided to quit our jobs and focus on the business. In the spring of 2023, we switched the model to deliver directly to the customer’s door with a subscription box.

Q: Were you always interested in starting your own business?

A: I went to a Business School in Lyon, which is the capital of gastronomy and I’ve always had a very big passion for food. At school, I specialized in entrepreneurship because I’ve always been very curious about starting my own business. I wanted to make some kind of a difference and leave something behind me.

Having previously worked at La Maison du Chocolat, a chocolate shop, and a side business called Le Bocal Store, specializing in baking mixes packaged in jars, I’ve always had a love for baking. When Atome Bakery took off, we had to make a judgment call and decided to put our energy into making it successful.

Q: Can you share your experience with WeBC’s loan program?

I was taking a program called “Scale Up” which focuses on scaling up a business and building a business plan with WeBC’s partner organization, PARO and Farm Food Drink. I was assigned to a counsellor at the time, named Deborah, who is also part of the WeBC team. She was the one who shared the loan program and WeBC’s services.

When it was time for us to take out debt, I was looking at anything available for entrepreneurs. I loved that WeBC supports female entrepreneurs because we’re more than 50% women-owned. We were able to access a loan from WeBC and a loan from the WEOC Loan Program.

It was a lot of back and forth to get to the loan, and WeBC was supportive along the way. We were granted the loan and plan to use it to expand into the United States.

Q: What were the specific challenges you faced that the loan helped you overcome?

Our next move is expanding in the U.S., so we need cash flow to be able to buy more packaging in bulk and to ship our orders across the border.

One good thing about our business model is that we get the payment before we ship the product, but we still need to get ingredients, extra pans, and additional machinery like vacuum sealing. We’re also hoping to upgrade our freezer to have a better space to store all of the products.

Q: What are your future plans for Atome Bakery?

Our goal is to get 100 customers in the state of Washington and Portland, OR before the end of June. Once we’ve proven we can replicate the B.C. model in another state, we want to use the momentum and open in the rest of Oregon and California by Q4 of this year.

We’re also planning to raise a seed fund later this year, so if there are any investors out there they can reach out!

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Atome Bakery recently won the La Palme Bleue award for Enterprise of the Year, presented by the Vancouver Francophone Chamber of Commerce and they have been recognized as a local business making a significant impact on the Francophone community. Congrats to Alice and her team!

The post Alice Couderc, Atome Bakery, Vancouver appeared first on WeBC.

A registered clinical counsellor, Jillian provides online art therapy and counselling sessions for queer youth and adults. The art component in their sessions serves as a tool for healing and exploration, allowing clients to express their feelings, share narratives, and navigate challenges through visual mediums. Jillian is committed to creating a safe space for healing within the queer community.

“It’s so important to me that there’s affirming queer therapy available to the queer community. So having my own business where that can be the focus is really important to me and why I became a private practice and business owner.”

Jillian discovered WeBC through their bank, Vancity, which encouraged them to apply for a loan when starting their business. Feeling welcomed by WeBC’s values and support, Jillian joined the One-to-One Mentoring Program to seek guidance, discuss business ideas, and learn about tools for effective business management.

Their mentor was in the coaching field and was able to provide a fresh perspective, creating a parallel to therapy. Jillian appreciated the external accountability, as it helped them implement strategies effectively and try new tools for time management. 

With a positive experience, Jillian is now considering joining WeBC’s Peer Group Mentorship Program and is keeping an eye on upcoming programs to further enhance their business skills. They are grateful for resources like WeBC that support new business owners and provide tools for success. 

Client Q&A

Q: What exactly is art therapy and how does it help your clients?

A: When I heard about art therapy, something just clicked. I thought how beautiful it would be to facilitate space for people to use art to heal and cope with difficulties they’re facing. 

In my sessions, art is used as a tool for exploration to help clients better understand what’s going on in their world. They have an arrangement of art materials to use in our sessions to better express what’s going on, especially when it’s challenging for them to put words to. 

I always encourage clients to make art for at least 10 minutes because it can lower cortisol, which is a stress hormone, in their body after focusing on the art. What they create allows them to better process what’s coming up and we look at the art together. Beautiful healing can happen through the art and it’s such a privilege to provide a safe space for their healing process.

Q: How did WeBC’s mentorship program support your business growth? 

A: Working with my mentor, it was nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of and offer another perspective, especially because I run my business on my own. There were things I wanted to try and it pushed me to take risks and do things I was scared of trying.

My mentor gave me tools and tips to better manage my time, new ways to approach problems, and showed me how to be more intentional with what I’m spending time on. I loved having someone to keep me accountable, it was so helpful for me. 

Q: If you were to give advice to someone starting their own business, what advice would you give?

A: I would say take every opportunity that you can when you’re starting, especially when it comes to the promotion of your business. It’s so important to get your work out there.

Also, remember to always send a thank you for the opportunities you get. One time I sent a thank you card to someone just for having an informal interview with me and that got me a job. It’s so important to say thank you and show much gratitude for the people who give you opportunities.

Q: What’s next for Jillian Bagan Art Therapy?

A: I’m talking with a lot of different queer and nonprofit organizations and trying to create partnerships to host group art therapy sessions. There are a few in the works which I’m excited about. 

I’ve presented at various conferences in the past year on “Queer Youth, Families, and Trauma,” and I’m hoping to apply for more opportunities to present. I put a lot of work into the presentation and it’s a really important topic to talk about.

In terms of the future, it would be great to be on the other side of the mentorship program and mentor someone who’s starting. I would love to give back once I have more experience.

Where to find Jillian Bagan Art Therapy

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

The post Jillian Bagan, Jillian Bagan Art Therapy, Vancouver appeared first on WeBC.

The Art of Leadership Women is returning to Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto! This unique one-day conference features an incredible collection of speakers and topics curated to share strategies and insights on the most critical issues facing leaders in our world today. Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to develop your leaders, engage your talent and build high-performing teams. Join us for a full day of exceptional learning, networking, and championing change for women.

Register now>>>

The post The Art of Leadership Women Conference appeared first on WeBC.

We invite women professionals, emerging, established, immigrant and Canadian-born to come together to uplift and learn from each other. We will share our stories and strategies for overcoming barriers in the workplace, redefine what leadership looks like, and advance equity for women of all races and backgrounds.

Everyone welcome but space is limited. For event details and to register click here >>>

The post Women’s Leadership Forum appeared first on WeBC.

Register now >>>

The exciting New Product Showcase highlights all the latest and most innovative trends in grocery in one convenient location, making it an absolute must-see for any retailer. Spotlight your products here to ensure that buyers don’t
miss you!

The Top 10 in Grocery products will be selected from the New Product Showcases as always! A group of respected retailers and industry experts will decide who is worthy of the Top 10 in Grocery title. Based on various criteria from packaging to innovative ingredients, those scoring the highest overall will be crowned as our Top 10 in Grocery of 2023. Winners will be announced during the show which drives even more traffic to your booth!

5 Reasons to Participate in NPS:

1. Increased exposure to thousands of qualified buyers.
2. Second location for your products.
3. Located in a high-traffic entrance hall where all attendees will be introduced to your products.
4. Increased traffic to your booth.
5. The exclusive chance to be entered into the Top 10 in Grocery contest where winners receive enhanced media coverage nationally (worth thousands of dollars in advertising!)

Apply now >>>

The post Grocery & Specialty Food West 2023 appeared first on WeBC.

Join us on March 8th from 4:30 pm to 7 pm at the Small Business BC office for an evening of networking and education.

Register Now >>>

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On the eve of International Women’s Day, join us to reunite in-person at a live event in Vancouver with the women who have supported your entrepreneurial journey. You’ll hear from a panel of local women who will share their mentorship stories and celebrate with a livestream toast with 7 communities around the province.

Learn more reserve your spot now >>>

The post WeGrowTogether: Celebrating 15 Years of Mentorship with WeBC in Vancouver appeared first on WeBC.

DRAGONS’ DEN gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls: “the Dragons.” Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment from the Dragons’ own pockets!

This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply and pitch their business for the chance to appear on national television. This is your chance to get a national audience and valuable investment!

OPEN AUDITIONS

• CBC Vancouver: 700 Hamilton St., Vancouver
• Saturday, February 25th | 10am – 5pm
• Sunday, February 26th | 10am – 5pm

Interested applicants can submit their application here >>>

If anyone is unable to attend these in-person auditions, there is an option to schedule an alternative virtual one in the application.

The post Dragons’ Den Auditions appeared first on WeBC.

DRAGONS’ DEN gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their businesses to a panel of wealthy Canadian business moguls: “the Dragons.” Successful pitchers will have a chance to earn real investment from the Dragons’ own pockets!

This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to apply and pitch their business for the chance to appear on national television. This is your chance to get a national audience and valuable investment!

OPEN AUDITIONS

• CBC Vancouver: 700 Hamilton St., Vancouver
• Saturday, February 25th | 10am – 5pm
• Sunday, February 26th | 10am – 5pm

Interested applicants can submit their application here >>>

If anyone is unable to attend these in-person auditions, there is an option to schedule an alternative virtual one in the application.

The post Dragons’ Den Auditions appeared first on WeBC.

They’re headed to Vancouver on May 11 for stop 3 of the Startup Canada Tour! Meet with investors, local and national support organizations, and gain resources to build your business.

What to expect

• Build a network: At each Startup Canada Tour stop you’ll have the opportunity to connect with business mentors and entrepreneur support organizations from across the country. Meet with experts in our Ask the Expert Lounge and connect with other entrepreneurs to grow your business network!
• Learn from industry experts: Throughout the day, you’ll have access to a series of keynotes, panels, and workshops featuring leading industry experts. Attend insightful sessions on funding fundamentals to finding product-market fit.
• Drive your business forward: Whether you’re at the ideation stage or looking to expand your business, you’ll leave Startup Canada Tour with the tools and resources to take your business to the next level!

Register >>>

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