CYBF announces new partnership with Women’s Enterprise Centre
CYBF announces new partnership with Women’s Enterprise Centre
Coming together to support youth entrepreneurship
Vancouver, BC, November 20, 2013 – The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Women’s Enterprise Centre (WEC). The creation of this partnership will continue to grow female entrepreneurship across British Columbia.
“I am delighted that Women’s Enterprise Centre and Canadian Youth Business Foundation are working more closely together. We both share a common vision of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners through financing, resources and mentoring. Through this alliance, we hope many young female entrepreneurs will have access to new opportunities to continue to grow their businesses.” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of the Women’s Enterprise Centre.
Jill Earthy, Regional Director BC & Yukon for CYBF said, “We are thrilled to be working with The Women’s Enterprise Centre to reach more female entrepreneurs across the province who are starting businesses. The proven combination of inexpensive financing and mentorship will contribute significantly to the success of these small businesses, and ultimately the community.”
Nearly 37% of all BC entrepreneurs and small business owners are women. Through this new strategic partnership, both organizations will help young women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and become successful entrepreneurs in their communities.
Jessica Cruise, Founder & CEO of Vibes Fitness, a young female entrepreneur who obtained financing and through CYBF and is now a mentor with WEC, is an excellent example of the new partnership. “The support that CYBF offered in the initial stages of building the business was a key factor in our ability to grow quickly. We have gone from 1 location in 2009 to 5 location in 2013! Throughout the past 5 years I have also been able to give back as a mentor and speaker through the Women’s Enterprise Centre which allows me to stay connected with these two amazing resource centres that got me started!”
Through this new formal partnership, both organizations will help young women entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses and become successful entrepreneurs in their communities.
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About Women’s Enterprise Centre
Women’s Enterprise Centre is the leading business resource for BC women who own a business or are thinking of starting a business. Our team of professionals provides business loans up to $150K, skills training, business advice, mentors, resources and a supportive community to help women start, grow and succeed in their business. See our website www.womensenterprise.ca, our Facebook page www.facebook.com/wecbc or call 1.800.643.7014.
About the Canadian Youth Business Foundation
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to growing Canada’s economy one young entrepreneur at a time. We look at character, not collateral, when providing youth aged 18-39 with pre-launch coaching, business resources, low-interest financing of up to $15,000, and industry-leading mentoring to help them launch and sustain successful businesses. CYBF’s co-financing partner, the Business Development Bank of Canada, leverages CYBF’s application process to provide up to $30,000 in additional support for CYBF entrepreneurs.
Established in 1996, CYBF has been recognized as a global leader in advancing youth entrepreneurship. CYBF is a founding member of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance, the Canadian member of The Prince’s Youth Business International, and the Canadian host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (being held November 18-24 in 2013).
For more information:
Laurel Douglas, CEO Jill Earthy, Director BC & Yukon
Women’s Enterprise Centre Canadian Youth Business Foundation
250.212.5180 | laurel@womensenterprise.ca 604.673.9967 | jearthy@cybf.ca