[Re-sent] May 17, 2022 Newsletter

The only news you'll need this week 🎯

Clearing a New Path™ and Clearing a New Path Podcast™ are products of Radar Media, located in Dorchester, Ontario on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Neutral peoples who once used this land as their traditional beaver hunting grounds.  As a settler here I’m committed to deepening understanding of Indigenous communities and reframing responsibilities to land and community. I am grateful to Mother Earth for the opportunity for love and connection and to the spirits of the Elders and the Medicine People who still walk the Earth.

MAY 17, 2022

When it comes to entrepreneurial programs, does representation matter?

You can always support my efforts with a donation or becoming a member here.

Stay curious friends,Shauna

Melissa Mackey lives in Spruce Grove, Alberta. It's where she grew up and it's where she returned to raise her daughter. It's also where she built a thriving travel business, focused on group travel for women, Travel Chicks and founded Ignite Me Now, hosting live events, all before the pandemic lockdowns. She talks about how her business survived, how some folks treated her as a single mom and about starting a podcast Travel Chicks Podcast.

NEWS

On my mind this week:1. This week is Women's Entrepreneurs Week in Saskatchewan!

"The government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 15 to 21 as Women Entrepreneurs Week... Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said two new programs to support women entrepreneurs have been developed.The Digital Literacy for Entrepreneurs and Scale-up for Entrepreneurs Initiative was announced in November, and a Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy provides ongoing assistance for small businesses right across the province."

(Source: SaskToday.ca)2. Disappointing representation?Western University is close to where I live and I have attended a number of courses there, both online and in person. But this morning, I came across this free online course, developed in partnership with Western. RBC and the Globe and Mail called The Founder's Journey, on entrepreneurship. If you look at the hosts of the modules, there is only one woman and one person of colour represented. No youth, but it says the course is for anyone over 15.Is this how Western, RBC and the Globe and Mail think entrepreneurs are represented in Canada?(Story and image source): Western NewsAs always, I appreciate your thoughts: [email protected] or hit reply!3. Growing up with a bipolar mom, inspired this entrepreneur's social enterpriseJennifer St. John, founder of Marnie and Michael, an artisan handbag company, donates 15% of her company's proceeds to mental health charities and initiatives. The

Penetanguishene-based entrepreneur says the only constant in her young life was instability. Read her story.

4. Alberta announces new loan fund, specifically for women entrepreneurs

"The Alberta government says it is investing $6 million in grant funding for business loans aimed at supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs by providing them with more access to capital. The program provides low-interest business loans and business advisory supports to women entrepreneurs."Community Futures Alberta is part of this initiative and works specifically with rural entrepreneurs.(Story source: ChatNewsToday.ca, Image source: Community Futures Alberta)

5. PEI Business Women's Association Awards 10 Microgrants to Women Entrepreneurs

(Image source: PEIBWA)

Clearing a New Path Podcast™ and this newsletter are both supported by Xplornet Enterprise Solutions

Please share the newsletter and the signup form! And if you know of a female entrepreneur in rural Canada that we should speak with, please connect: [email protected]