NYWC hosts the third annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Festival celebrating International Women’s Day

BY LEANNE BENN

International Women’s Day held on March 8^th is not just a day for celebrating the women in our lives but having the opportunity to come together as a community and highlight the successes of successful women entrepreneurs. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Festival by Weston Mount Dennis was held at the North York Women’s Centre. This is the third annual festival featuring various community entrepreneurs with different backgrounds and products they are promoting to enrich their community.

This year the celebration was a bit different as it also marked the film premiere entitled Table Talk: Seven Women share their Entrepreneurship Journey. The short film brought excitement and cheer to the already packed community center. There were seven different women profiled in the film and they shared their personal journeys, battles, successes, and motivation in a comfortable round table format.

These women set the tone for the evening as it was already a time to be celebratory. but it offered a time to be reminded of hard work and the struggles it takes to get to where you’re going.

“They come from different countries with different values and beliefs, yet these women have something fundamental in common: the drive to succeed and build better lives for themselves. That’s what the North York Women’s Centre (NYWC) team saw when they met the women that would ultimately be profiled in their short film.” Remarked Iris Fabbro, the centre’s executive director.

Many of the entrepreneurs came together with their family and friends to celebrate each other while at the same time interacting with the local community. There was a chance for each of the entrepreneurs to show off their goods and products, this ranged from beauty items, children’s items, and even delicious and exotic desserts.

One of the entrepreneurs, Samia Khan is the face behind her brand entitled Sho Cute that offers colorful and stylish baby items including bibs and the popular car seat canopy covers that come with reversible patterns. While having her items on display at the community center, Khan engaged with the local community and noted the increased control she feels she has over her life as an entrepreneur.

“I like that my business gives me financial freedom and the ability to spend time with my kids… success to me is being able to achieve my goals and utilize my skills to my full potential in order to make my family and my community happy within my work.”

The evening also included a list of guest speakers promoting different programs and information sessions, especially financial ones available for others in the community. There was a speaker from George Brown College, Anna Willats who gave a short presentation on trade opportunities for women. The WTTE program or also known as the Women Transitioning to Trades and Employment is directed to women and gender non-binary people who are interested in the construction sector. It features a five-week trades and career planning workshop that includes five Ministry of Labour approved certifications and many more.

Apart from this the evening also featured a special guest, The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen. Hussen remarked his joy as being an MP from the York Region riding and to congratulate the NYWC as being part of one of the organizations now being funded with over $200,000 to continue delivering full-time services to women in an inclusive and safe space. Hussen hopes this increase in capacity funding will encourage more women entrepreneurs in the community to get involved in the community space and view it as a place for guidance and support.

“For 30 years, since 1989, you have been doing this crucial work and it is time for the Government of Canada to not only recognize you but to support you in the goal for gender equality to make sure that we strengthen gender equality in Canada and we also stand up for women’s rights and for girl’s rights around the world,” Hussen remarked about the community centre.

Overall the evening ended on a vibrant note, as each of the women featured in the film was presented with a small gift from the community centre before they went on to showcase their products for guests to mingle and enjoy a delicious catered meal by another local community entrepreneur. Look out for more information about the next festival to take place at the North York Women’s Centre.