The business world is expanding and Saskatchewan women entrepreneurs are expanding with it.
Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) and the Saskatchewan government celebrated that growth and all women entrepreneurs with the proclamation of Women Entrepreneurs Week in Saskatchewan on May 20-26.
In Saskatchewan, 34,600 women are self-employed, “reflecting a 16.5 per cent growth over the last ten years,” the government of Saskatchewan reported in a press release. This is the third highest growth rate in the country.
“Saskatchewan’s women entrepreneurs contribute to the economy in many sectors such as construction, manufacturing, health services, finance and technology,” said the government in the release.
Women are starting small businesses at the same rate as men if not higher and form a large part of the small business sector, says WESK CEO Prabha Mitchell.
However, businesses started by women are not receiving the same level of support and women entrepreneurs are not seeing the same level of success.
Mitchell says that female entrepreneurs do not have the same access to capital, mentors, and role models. These barriers are getting in the way of women scaling up their businesses, says Mitchell.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed, she says.
WESK was able to celebrate role models and mentoring within their network during their conference in Regina May 23-24.
The celebration included the Women of Distinction Awards where women were awarded for their contributions to the Saskatchewan economy.
That is important to celebrate, says Mitchell, because these are incredible stories of business that contribute billions to the Canadian economy.
“Across Canada, women contribute $148 billion to the economy and if women owned businesses could increase the revenue feed by even 10 per cent, that would add another $2 billion. And if you had 20 per cent more female lead businesses in Canada that would add another $15 billion.”
Olivia Coffyne, owner of Diamonds of Detroit in Humboldt attended the WESK conference where she saw many strong leaders within Saskatchewan’s business sector.
“Women are stepping out of their comfort zone and leading in their business as well as being communities leaders at the same time.”
It is important for women to become part of and support these groups as a way to collaborate and celebrate achievements, says Coffyne.
Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce executive director Stacey Poss says they are proud of the many women entrepreneurs of the Humboldt area, from business owners to business partners.
For many women, it is a juggling act between families, business, and personal lives and Poss says their work is something to be proud of.
“We know how challenging it can be at times,” she says.
Every entrepreneur, whether they are a man or a woman has their struggles, says Coffyne, and it is all a matter of how they bounce back.
