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.
On October 26, 2023, members of the WE-CAN community gathered at Seaway Coworking for a one-of-a-kind WE-CAN Thrive event. The venue was filled with women-identifying entrepreneurs from across the greater Kingston region who gathered to hear from an inspiring panel featuring Shamsa Hassan of Afiya Beauty, Richa Rehan of Athletico Sports Physiotherapy, Carol Ann Budd of Woodland Wealth Inc., and Tammy Watson of The Canadian Handywoman. The event also included an uplifting African dance movement break with Nomusa Mngoma of the Dansani Dance Company and a creative letter writing activity with Cody Calligraphy.
“I was thrilled to hear the WE-CAN panel share their wisdom about thriving as entrepreneurs,” says WE-CAN client Chantal Fraser, owner of The Empowered Path. “I loved the table discussions, learning a new dance, writing a letter to my future self – not to mention learning a new way to clap. An all-round great day!”
Together, attendees challenged themselves — and each other — to move beyond surviving to THRIVING in life and business.
“It was fabulous to connect and lift each other up as solopreneurs,” comments WE-CAN client Susan Young of Susan Young Mindful Coaching.
Adds WE-CAN client Anja Cahill, owner of Glamping Essentials, “I’m feeling very inspired to thrive, and have left with some very practical suggestions on how to do so.”