Course curriculum

    1. Welcome & What to Expect

    2. Why Is this Course Important?

    3. How to Navigate this Course

    1. MODULE 1: WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN CANADA

    2. Lesson 1: Introducing the Funding Gap

    3. 1.1 Scope of Women’s Entrepreneurship

    4. 1.2 Activity 1: Knowledge Check

    5. 1.3 Women’s Businesses are Underfunded

    6. 1.4 Black & Indigenous Women Face the Greatest Gaps

    7. 1.5 Activity 2: True or False

    8. Lesson 2: Characteristics of Women’s Entrepreneurship

    9. 2.1 Watch: What Does Women’s Entrepreneurship Look Like?

    10. 2.2 Six Characteristics of Women’s Entrepreneurship

    11. 2.3 Activity 3: Reflection

    12. Lesson 3: Diversity in Women’s Entrepreneurship

    13. 3.1 Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs

    14. 3.2 Watch: Value of Social Impact and Cultural Knowledge

    15. 3.3 Activity 4: Explore Traditional Culture & Business

    16. 3.4 Black Women Entrepreneurs

    17. 3.5 Activity 5: Explore: Black Women Leading the Way

    18. 3.6 Immigrant/Newcomer Women Entrepreneurs

    19. 3.7 2SLGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs

    20. 3.8 Watch: Gender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression & Sexual Orientation

    21. Conclusion

    1. MODULE 2: THE FUNDING GAP

    2. Lesson 1: The Funding Gap Matters

    3. 1.1 Why Close the Funding Gap?

    4. 1.2 Activity 6: Reflection: Funding Gap Impact

    5. 1.3 What Causes the Funding Gap?

    6. Lesson 2: Perceptions & Info Gaps

    7. 2.1 Factor #1: Debt Perceptions

    8. 2.2 Factor #2: Lack of Information

    9. 2.3 Activity 7: Responding to the Issues

    10. 2.4 Factor #3: Distrust

    11. 2.5 Watch: Black Women and Banking

    12. 2.6 Activity 8: Tia’s Story

    13. Lesson 3: Biases & Stereotypes

    14. 3.1 Factor #4: Gender Bias

    15. 3.2 Factor #5: Cultural & Racial Bias

    16. 3.3 Watch: Indigenous tech innovation

    17. 3.4 Factor #6: Entrepreneur Stereotypes

    18. Lesson 4: Systems & Processes

    19. 4.1 Factor #7: Systemic Exclusion

    20. 4.2 Watch: Indigenous Relations with Funders

    21. 4.3 Factor #8: Lending Criteria

    22. 4.4 Factor #9: Sludge

    23. Conclusion

    1. MODULE 3: HOW WE CLOSE THE FUNDING GAP

    2. Lesson 1: Inclusive Customer Service

    3. 1.1 Watch: Serving Gender-Diverse People

    4. 1.2 Key Principles: Inclusive Service

    5. 1.3 Leading Practices: Inclusive Service

    6. 1.4 What if I Make a Mistake?

    7. 1.5 Activity 9: Bio of an Applicant

    8. Lesson 2: Funding Practices

    9. 2.1 Key Principles: Funding

    10. 2.2 Leading Practices: Funding

    11. 2.3 Activity 10: Knowledge Review

    12. Lesson 3: Leadership and Governance

    13. 3.1 Key Principles: Governance

    14. 3.2 Activity11: Knowledge Check

    15. 3.3 Leading Practices: Governance

    16. 3.4 Metrics to Track

    17. Conclusion

    1. Sources

    2. Additional Resources

About this course

  • Free
  • 66 lessons

Features

  • 3 online modules @ 1 hour each = 3 hours

  • Self-paced learning

  • Evidence-based recommendations, tips and tools

  • Showcases Black, Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ voices

  • Interactive learning and assessment activities

  • Developed by experts in women and BIPOC women entrepreneurship

Instructors

Blk Women in Excellence Lill Missy Searl

Missy (she/her) is a virtual consultant whose work is focused on managing projects of all sizes and scope. She provides small business owners with project consulting, mentorship, and provides solutions to problems holding them back. Currently Missy is the Provincial Coordinator for, “Nurturing Strong African Nova Scotian Families”, an Africentric parenting program. She has 20 years experience in adult education; from Family Resource to Workplace Education. She has 11 years experience with facilitation and Learning and Development (L&D) training; working with online education software.

Gender Inclusion Consultant Ky Sargeant

Ky (she/they) is a passionate DEI advocate specializing in creating gender inclusive environments. Having lived and worked in multiple cultures, she has keen sense for compassionate communication and a critical eye for the structural challenges to inclusion. They began their journey founding multiple grassroots inclusion initiatives at the UBC Sauder School of Business and has since worked to support range of both public and private organizations in their DEI efforts. With 8 years public speaking experience, she brings a unique ability for speaking on DEI topics in a nuanced yet accessible way, with a focus on pragmatic solutions.

Blk Women in Excellence Tia Upshaw

Tia Upshaw is a remarkable individual who excels as a mother, author, serial entrepreneur, and mentor. Her passion for empowering women and fostering business excellence has made a significant impact in her community and beyond. Tia is a dedicated mother of three who balances family responsibilities with ambitious goals, drawing inspiration from her children to create positive change. As an accomplished author, Tia's insightful work empowers individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Tia's entrepreneurial mindset has led to the establishment of multiple successful businesses, creating employment opportunities and contributing to her community's economic growth. Her outstanding leadership and business acumen have earned her nominations for prestigious awards, including Business Leader of the Year 2021 & 2022 and RBC Woman of Influence 2021. 2022. & 2023. As the Professional in Residence at St. Mary's University's L. Authur Entrepreneurship Center, Tia shares her expertise and guides aspiring entrepreneurs on their journey.

Instructors

Relentless Indigenous Woman Consulting Candace Linklater

Candace (she/her) is an Ililliew Cree from Moose Cree First Nation on Treaty 9 territory. She was born and raised on her reservation and returned to her community after completing post-secondary school to serve as an educator, elected official, and community volunteer. She pushes the envelope when discussing issues caused by patriarchy, white supremacy, capitalism, colonization, and racism and its impacts on Indigenous Women, Girls, Two Spirit, Transgender, and Gender Diverse (WG2STGD) People.Candace is the Founder of Relentless Indigenous Woman Consulting Inc. where she offers Indigenous education, advocacy, and feminism consulting services. She is also a Ph.D. candidate specializing in educational leadership, management, and policy, with a dissertation focusing on Indigenous women in education leadership.

The Forum Gretchen Ferguson

As Lead for developing the AFIA DEI Certification, Gretchen (she/her) is passionate about economic inclusion and social justice. She is motivated by the incredible strength and resilience of women in all their diversity to overcome personal and systemic obstacles to build a better present and future for themselves and their communities. Gretchen has 20+ years experience leading community-engaged projects, initiatives, and programs locally and internationally in postsecondary institutions and nonprofit organizations.

Developed by

Reviewers
Jackee Kasandy, Black Entrepreneurs and Business of Canada (BEBC)
Shannon Pestun, Pestun Consulting Inc. 

Art Direction / Graphic Design
Kathryn Ashby

Instructional Design
Bradley Damsgaard, Republic Digital Inc.

Special Thanks

Women's Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) generously allowed use of materials from their Beyond Bootstrap or Borrow resources in the development of this course.  

Restigouche CBDC graciously allowed use of materials from their Leading Lenders Toolkit in the development of this course.


Funded By