The B.C. Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE) is hosting its first ever E-Series North educational program, to support women entrepreneurs in Northern British Columbia, says FWE general manager Lisa Niemetscheck.
E-Series North will be held in Prince George, Wednesday, Oct. 15.
This is an intense, condensed version of FWE’s signature E-Series program, often referred to as a “mini MBA,” Niemetscheck says.
She says E-Series North comes from an overwhelming demand from women entrepreneurs in northern British Columbia and will be split into two levels; Starter for budding female entrepreneurs and Pro for already established businesswomen.
Speakers will include experienced business founders and past executives: Lisa Von Sturmer from Growing City; Judy Brooks, co-founder of Blo Blow Dry Bar; Jay Carvalho of Indochino Apparel Inc., and Bev Brisco past-president Hiway Refrigeration, along with representatives of Small Business BC.
“FWE is excited to announce a limited number of $1,000 grants to women from remote areas of B.C. who would require support to attend this program,” says Niemetscheck.
The application deadline for E-Series North is August 29.
For those unable to attend, the program will be live-streamed across the province.
E-Series is FWE’s longest and most successful program. Ninety one per cent of all past participants are still in business, compared to the national average of 50 per cent after five years.
E-Series grads enjoy annualized revenue growth of more than 40 per cent, Niemetscheck says.
“This year was the first time we opened E-Series up to applicants across the province and the response from Northern B.C. was so great we knew the time was right to bring the program up north.”
The Forum for Women Entrepreneurs is dedicated to providing women with the education, empowerment and energy they need to become wildly successful entrepreneurs. ounded in 2002, FWE has been encouraging, educating, and mentoring women entrepreneurs for more than a decade.
FWE has had 180-plus E-series program participants, paired 500 men-tees partnered with mentors through the Mentor Program, and continues to support women through its programs. The E-Series North is supported by LNG-Buy BC and CN Rail.