Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator helps diverse entrepreneurs plan, launch and grow their ideas
Photo above: DIVERSEcity’s Florence Kao, Vandna Joshi, Kirsty Peterson and Charn Sangh, Senior Manager; Small Business Banking at TD.
Self-employment is more common in BC than in any other province, according to the 2022 B.C. Small Business Profile. And immigrant, BIPOC and women entrepreneurs are among the most likely to take the entrepreneurial leap. The Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator, a program from DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society and supported by TD Bank is here to help them navigate the risky and challenging business landscape.
“We aim to reduce barriers and support aspiring diverse entrepreneurs in pursuing their dreams by helping them capitalize on their skills and convert them into thriving businesses,” says Vandna Joshi, Director, Social Entrepreneurship at DIVERSEcity. “At DIVERSEcity, we have developed an approach to help them learn the tools and strategies they need to navigate the Canadian business landscape with confidence and success.”
This approach — which includes business plan writing circles, a business startup bootcamp, one-on-one support, and ongoing peer support and collective business model opportunities — is award-winning, having won a CANIE Award in 2020 for Enterprise Support (BC Region) from the Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation.
Now, newly funded by TD Bank for $425,000 for the next two years, this innovative, free 24+ week program is a self-employment training program, networking hub and business incubation platform rolled into one.
At the program launch and cheque presentation, Charn Sangh, Senior Manager; Small Business Banking at TD, said: “At TD, we believe that feeling financially included is key to being able to take part in society and to helping people feel confident that they can meet their goals in a changing world. That’s why we are committed to supporting community organizations that are focused on rethinking skills development and to help nurture a more inclusive economy. For these reasons, TD is proud to support DIVERSEcity’s Diverse Entrepreneurs Business Incubator, supporting immigrant and BIPOC entrepreneurs build businesses.”
“Empowering diverse entrepreneurs is a passion of mine,” says the program’s manager Florence Kao, who was awarded the Surrey Women in Business Award in the “Social Trailblazer” category in 2022. “As an immigrant from Taiwan, I know how overwhelming it can be to find your way in a new country, so to start a business here on top of that is a bold move. We’re here to provide these entrepreneurs with the guidance, mentorship and business planning basics to overcome their startup challenges.”
Past participant Wingie Yam shares a little about the impact DIVERSEcity and Florence Kao has had on her and her co-founders of Power of Passion (P.O.P.) Snack Mixes, delicious popcorn that reflects the diverse cultures of its co-founders, all immigrant women. “As a new immigrant, it’s a challenge to start a small business of my own. But thanks to the program, I have learned almost everything I need to start my business journey, from identifying my business goals to all the operational and financial plans. Florence has guided us step by step.”
Program is underway + a special cohort: The Diverse Tailors
The new iteration of the program is currently underway with emerging entrepreneurs already busy learning how to plan, launch and grow their own businesses. And a special cohort supporting refugee tailors and seamstresses is an inspiring story in its own right.
“The Diverse Tailors” are a group of refugees — Elysee Nsengiyumva, Jacqueline Mutigerwa, Immacule Nyirabitanga, Roger Sadiki, Ghulam Raza Jafari, Antoinette Uwizeye, Solange Nyirarukundo — with sewing experience from their homelands in Africa.
Despite language barriers and having to adapt to a different style of sewing machines in Canada, they have been busy making a collection of high-quality colourful tote bags, crossbody bags, grocery bags, lunch bags, aprons and more products from upcycled street festival banners.
“This inspiring group has sewing and tailoring experience, and we’re helping them use those skills toward self-employment. Watching them do something that brings them joy, independence and income is a truly wonderful thing to see,” says Florence. “Plus, these bags not only support them, but are helping the climate, by keeping the upcycled festival banners out of the landfill.”
On Wednesday, August, 28, 2024, DIVERSEcity hosted a special in-person sales event for The Diverse Tailors, with the goal of making enough funds to buy each of the “tailors” their own sewing machine so they can continue their self-employment journey.
Through an interpreter, one of the tailors Jacqueline Mutigerwa said: “I was always sewing a long time ago back home, sewing men’s clothes, sheets and more, even what I’m wearing here.”
Elysee Nsengiyumva added: “Back home I was always sewing clothes and I was making a living through what I was doing.”
After the busy sales event, we are about halfway to our initial goal in raising enough funds for the sewing machines. Going forward, the bags and other products from the Diverse Tailors can be purchased online at immipreneur-network.square.site/diverse-tailors. Shop online today!
Together, we’re stitching futures and realizing dreams!
