Funded and led by Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation, the WE-CAN Project inspires and empowers existing and aspiring women-identifying entrepreneurs by providing them with tools, resources, expert mentors, networks and community building to expand existing businesses and to launch new ventures
According to the North American Camping and Outdoor Hospitality Report published by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), over 5.5 million Canadians went camping in 2022. That’s a 10% increase from the previous year. More and more Canadians are opting for camping and nature exploration than pre-COVID. Anja Cahill is one of those millions of Canadians. After rediscovering the healing power of nature during the global pandemic, Anja Cahill, launched Glamping Essentials, a camping-inspired subscription box service based in Kingston, in February 2022. She is a past participant of the WE-CAN Content Creation Boot Camp for Women Entrepreneurs.
“As a nurse, wife, and mother during COVID-19, I embraced time in the outdoors and, in particular, camping, to help cope with the stress of working in health care while having three kids learning from home and a husband who is also a first responder,” Anja shares. “While preparing for another season of trailer camping, I wanted to subscribe to a box of fancy camping goodies as a treat to myself.”
Finding there were no glamping boxes on the market being curated by Canadian suppliers, Anja took it upon herself to start a subscription box that supported small, independent Canadian business in hopes of bringing a smile to the faces of other glampers across the country.
Today, Glamping Essentials serves Canadians from coast to coast who enjoy camping, cottaging or the outdoors in general “with a bit of comfort and a lot of style” Anja adds.
The core of the business is a seasonal subscription box that ships four times per year: in the spring, summer, fall and winter.
Each box contains 4-6 items from Canadian businesses that help develop positive social networks, an enjoyment of the great outdoors and a balanced lifestyle.
“It’s a lot of fun to connect with other small Canadian business owners who are also passionate about their products,” says Anja.
Of her experience in the WE-CAN Project so far, Anja notes, “I feel like I have only dipped my toe into the waters of what WE-CAN can provide, and it has been amazing. With WE-CAN I feel like I have found my non-judgmental supports, exactly what I needed when I needed it.”
To learn more about the WE-CAN Project, visit the WE-CAN page on the QPI website.