Building Community and Inclusivity — Alberta Women Entrepreneurs

Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, State of Women’s Entrepreneurship 2023

This annual event, celebrated in Alberta and beyond, serves as a vital platform for recognizing and promoting the remarkable contributions of small businesses to our economy and society. During Small Business Week, there was a concerted effort to highlight the ways in which these enterprises enrich our communities. Communities showed tremendous support for small businesses, fostering a sense of local support and collaboration. Thank you to our partners, who organized several events over the last week to showcase and encourage residents to shop locally.

Small Business Week also emphasized the importance of collaboration among small businesses, where they join forces with industry leaders and investors in order to grow their businesses. Recognizing the need for mentorship among the community and access to connections that help aspiring entrepreneurs receive guidance from seasoned business owners, passing on knowledge and expertise, and strengthening the sense of community. Additionally, we experienced a few events that provided platforms for entrepreneurs to receive the capital their business needed to grow.

Averaging the quarterly Canadian Survey on Business Conditions reports, we estimate that 18% of businesses, including small, medium and large businesses, are majority owned by women in Canada. (Small and medium-sized enterprises account for 99.8% of these.)

– Women’s Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub, State of Women’s Entrepreneurship 2023

Inclusivity was another key theme of Small Business Week 2023, ensuring that all entrepreneurs, regardless of background or circumstances, have an equal opportunity to succeed. The highlighted the importance of diversity in entrepreneurship, with discussions that focused on women-led businesses, immigrant and minority-identifying entrepreneurs, and Indigenous-owned enterprises. Access to resources, including funding, business support services, and training opportunities, was underscored as crucial for ensuring that no one is left behind in the entrepreneurial journey. Work-life balance and mental health in the entrepreneurial world were discussed to create a supportive environment for all entrepreneurs. Additionally, the event emphasized the need for accessibility, ensuring that physical and digital spaces are accessible to all entrepreneurs, including those with disabilities.