To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2018, we are excited to be partnering with TruShield to present Trailblazers 2018: A celebration and showcase of inspiring young Canadian female entrepreneurs.
Trailblazers 2018 will feature presentations from five trailblazing Futurpreneur-supported women entrepreneurs who have used their ventures to break down barriers and forge new paths in the entrepreneurial community.
We caught up with our women entrepreneurs ahead of the event to ask them what being a “Trailblazer” means to them. Find out what they had to say below!
How would you define a TRAILBLAZER?
Taran: I think anyone can be a trailblazer. To me, it’s a combination of purpose, passion and action.
Lizzy: A person who works with a community in mind and keeps moving forward towards a vision – even when things get sticky or rewarding.
Mai: To me trailblazer is a changemaker, a believer, a risk taker, they are the crazy people who think that they can change the world and they are the ones who will, they will go in a path that isn’t already there. They blaze a trail and leave a path for others.
Emily: A trailblazer to me, is someone who is innovative and tenacious, creative and full of grit, someone who isn’t willing to take no for an answers and doesn’t just push through a presented challenge but sees it as an opportunity for growth and renewed energy. They might not be in the spotlight, but they are making incredible strides and changes in their community and work, every day.
Jamie: A trailblazer is someone who is walking a new path and making room for others. They don’t necessarily have to be brave but they do have to take to be dedicated and driven. I think the most successful trailblazers are people who continually challenges themselves, are good listeners and know that community is truly priceless.
What are you most looking forward to at Trailblazers 2018?
Taran: Being inspired by amazing entrepreneurs and connected with people!
Lizzy: I’m always up for celebrating accomplishments of peers, and connecting with new folks!
Mai: I want to be inspired, and I want to share my story and inspire other people.
Emily: Hearing the stories and journeys of other entrepreneurs is always one of my favourite things, so being in a room filled with incredible innovators, I can’t wait to connect further with this wonderful community.
Jamie: I love being able to learn and grow by hearing others stories and connecting with other entrepreneurs and community members is so important to me. We are stronger together!
Name a TRAILBLAZER who inspires you and why
Taran: My co-founder and sister Bunny, who I work with everyday on Blume :)
Lizzy: Ava DuVernay: her bold, risk taking attitude towards the film industry is truly inspiring.
Mai: Many inventors, humanitarians creators, politicians and artists inspire me – I can’t name one person! But I am more inspired by the ordinary people who are trying to survive the day, people who put their lives on the line for others, people who don’t get recognition but they continue doing the same… What really inspires me is the Goodness of the people.
Emily: Personally, someone who I really admire and definitely feel is a trailblazer in our community is Paulina Cameron. Im honoured to call her a close friend and am always humbled by her talent, ability and focus, wether at work, home or on the playground. She’s an incredible mother, wife, is a best selling author, educator, mentor, and although isn’t an entrepreneur in the traditional sense she is an advocate for entrepreneurs across Canada. In as much as she never seems to stop, I know that self care is key to her ability to be the energizer bunny and prioritizing this is key for her success and in that I truly admire. Living life as an in the public eye, coming up with creative ways of supporting entrepreneurs and enabling their dreams to come true is a talent that not many people posses, she uses this to the fullest extent. Her passion for women and growing women leaders and entrepreneurs is evident in all she does, and she never ceases to amaze me as to her tenacity as she tackles every aspect of life.
Jamie: I’d say it is between Frida Kahlo, Oprah and my mom! These are women who embrace their strengths, get support around their weaknesses and keep doing the work to make change, create beauty and lift people up.
Trailblazers 2018 will be in Vancouver on Thursday November 15. Places are limited. For details and to register click here.
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