Everything has changed, but nothing has changed.
For Carmen Massey, this quote, a favourite of hers, became more pertinent with the arrival of COVID-19.
The Tsuts91裸聊视频檞eye Women91裸聊视频檚 Entrepreneur and Innovation Network project manager said if anything, the pandemic has only amplified challenges facing women in business. Thankfully, the foundation for the program, now into its second year, was set before the pandemic hit and, while some changes were required to comply with health restrictions, it has been able to deliver needed supports.
91裸聊视频淲e couldn91裸聊视频檛 have known a pandemic was coming and how critical a project like this could be in our community91裸聊视频�,91裸聊视频� said Massey, noting public response to the program has been phenomenal, but she believes that would have happened regardless of COVID. Because again, while everything has changed91裸聊视频�
Massey explained there are four pillars, four key ways the Tsuts91裸聊视频檞eye Women91裸聊视频檚 Entrepreneur and Innovation Network offers support to women: through a mentor and consultant program; providing network opportunities; creating and facilitating training and skill development opportunities; and marketing the strength of women entrepreneurs in the community.
With the networking aspect, Massey said COVID necessitated smaller group gatherings and the addition of more online workshops and programs.
91裸聊视频淚t started out with much more face to face91裸聊视频�,91裸聊视频� said Massey. 91裸聊视频淭hat is more fulfilling, it91裸聊视频檚 more enjoyable.91裸聊视频�
Massey said in-person workshops are still happening, albeit with reduced numbers in attendance.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e trying to provide opportunities for face to face within very strict protocols but we91裸聊视频檒l see how things go and if we have to, we always have a back up plan,91裸聊视频� said Massey.
The word 91裸聊视频渢suts91裸聊视频檞eye91裸聊视频� means butterfly in Secwepemc. Massey explained this refers to the 91裸聊视频渂utterfly effect,91裸聊视频� the transformation that occurs when women are empowered and the far-reaching effects that can have. The program itself is a three-year initiative funded through Western Economic Diversification Canada, and facilitated locally through Community Futures Shuswap.
In its first year, the program and its various services and supports were utilized by 91 women in the Shuswap.
91裸聊视频淥bviously, at COVID time, we saw a lot of people wanting to pivot their businesses online and restructuring,91裸聊视频� said Massey. 91裸聊视频淲e had quite a few women contact us just because they were struggling to just stay open with all the uncertainty and the stress.91裸聊视频�
In addition to being a resource, the Tsuts91裸聊视频檞eye Women91裸聊视频檚 Entrepreneur and Innovation Network also celebrates businesswomen in the Shuswap, of which about 70 are included on the .
Looking ahead, Massey said there is still much work to be done. One focus for the coming year will be diversity.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e committed to making all four of those pillars accessible and reflective of diverse women, so young women, indigenous women, Metis women, new Canadian and refugee women, LGBTQ women, rural women, there91裸聊视频檚 a lot of barriers to women just being rural in business and having access to capital, access to services, access to expertise.
91裸聊视频淲e have a long way to go with diversity this coming year, our commitment is to making our project truly diverse and addressing the needs of diverse communities in the Shuswap91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�
Coming up in November, the Tsuts91裸聊视频檞eye Women91裸聊视频檚 Entrepreneur and Innovation Network will be offering a program to support indigenous women in tourism.
More information about the Tsuts91裸聊视频檞eye Women91裸聊视频檚 Entrepreneur and Innovation Network can be found at tsutsweye.ca, and on the network91裸聊视频檚 Facebook page.
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