F r i d a y, M a r c h 2 0 , 2 0 2 0
S a S k at o o n S ta r P h o e n i x
B5
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Creating a vibrant community by helping immigrant women achieve business success BY JENNIFER JACOBY-SMITH CONTENT WORKS
Starting a new life in a new countr y is no easy task. Starting a new business is an even greater challenge. The Saskatoon Open Door society has been serving newcomers to Canada for almost 40 years. The organization has a variety of programs to help those new to Canada get settled into their new life. “We noticed a gap in providing services related to business start-ups for immigrant women in Saskatoon,” says Ashraf Mirmontahai, manager of Employment Services Unit at the Saskatoon Open Door Society. “After noticing that we were hearing a lot of our female clients talk about their wishes to open their own businesses, we decided to take initiative and provide them an avenue for getting started.” In 2017, the SODS partnered with the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market and applied for funding through Western Economic Diversification Canada. After funding was awarded in 2019, many community businesses reached out to create partnerships. “They were excited because it was a very unique target group,” notes Mirmontahai. So far those partnerships include Praxis, BDC, Ted Rogers School of Management - Ryer-
son University, Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre, and more. “We are very excited and very grateful for the interest that we see from our community. We will continue to collaborate with more businesses in the future,” says Mirmontahai. Currently, renovations are underway on a building at the corner of 1st Avenue North and Princess Street to create a physical space to house the Women’s Business Hub. The building will include a commercial kitchen, a sewing studio, co-working space, and a daycare. Those accepted to the program will benefit from oneon-one coaching, training and workshops delivered through a variety of mediums, network referral, and information on financing. “We know that many entrepreneurs – doesn’t matter if you’re Canadian or immigrant – face challenges, but we also know that immigrant women face additional barriers in starting and running a business,” Mirmontahai explains. The Hub is there to help women entrepreneurs navigate those challenges – whether it’s learning a new language, Canadian business practices, or simply connecting with like-minded women. Shahira Mabrouk, program coordinator with the Women’s Business Hub says it’s won-
Three local entrepreneurs originally from Ukraine, and Egypt are ready to launch their businesses thanks to support from the Saskatoon Open Doors Society’s Women’s Business Hub. P HOT O BY JEAN-P HILIP P E DENEAULT
derful to see the faces of those when they’re connecting with other entrepreneurs. An example is Rania, a client who joined the Women’s Business Hub last September, having emigrated from Egypt a number of years ago. She has a passion for making gourmet chocolates. Through the support and tools of the Women’s Business Hub, Rania has been able to start her own chocolate-making business. Her chocolates were used as party favours at the recent Diversity Awards Gala last month. Mona, another entrepreneur at the Women’s Business Hub, had a passion for sewing. She started designing organic cotton nightgowns and hopes to launch her business soon. Mirmontahai adds, “A lot of these women, they have this talent, but there was no place for them to get community support. We can give information on general business practices, but we do
a lot of connecting them with the mentors one-on-one. That’s really important.” Mabrouk agrees. Often the most important ingredient in success is having that one person who believes in the entrepreneur’s idea and encourages them. U l t i m a t e l y, says Mirmontahai, the Women’s Business Hub is about supporting the dreams of women who come to Canada. She adds, “These immigrant women bring with them from their home countries a wealth of experience, talent and skills to our local and global community. By providing them the right tools and resources, we can unleash their potential and they can help us become a more thriving, diverse and culturally rich community.” To learn more about the Women’s Business Hub, visit the Saskatoon Open Door Society website or email wbh@ sods.sk.ca.
TOGETHER
WE’RE BETTER
LET’S END
RACISM & DISCRIMINATION
NOW!
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