The continuing road to recovery….

As you may know, many areas of BC – particularly around the Shuswap region have faced impacts from the challenging wildfire activity, and our hearts go out to the impacted businesses and residents.
And now, again, COVID numbers are on the rise and new restrictions are in place. For up to date information visit the Interior Health COVID Regulations – August 25, 2021.
And we head into another Federal Election on September 20. Information here will tell you everything that you need to know about voting in this election.
And what we have heard from business…..
Many businesses are frustrated and feeling discouraged, but we haven’t heard from anyone yet that they will not continue to do what they are doing.
We all know though, that resiliency comes with a cost. Business owners are tired, understaffed, products and supplies are challenging to receive, and all of these things are taking a toll.
The Tsuts’weye team has visited with businesses and listened to their concerns. We hope that our new workshops, existing programs, and resources will support your businesses through the Fall and into the Winter. We still have some challenges to overcome but you can be more resilient if you have the skills and resources to assist with these challenges.
So again, be patient, and we urge residents to continue to support our small businesses, and please tell our businesses that they are doing a great job. Our small businesses are the life line of our communities and we need them to continue to succeed.
We also want to thank all of the front line workers such as health care workers, fire fighters, and others, who are working so hard to protect our people and the places we love.
Stay safe everyone! We will get through this together!
Tsuts’weye Entrepreneur In Residence Services
Women Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to receive one on one support through the Tsuts’weye program. If your businesses is experiencing challenges we can help to support you. Also, if you have a new business idea, are starting a new company, or need growth strategies for a mature business or possibly creating an exit plan, we are here to help. An Entrepreneur in Residence is available to meet by appointment.
To access these services, complete the Client Intake form on our website and you will be contacted by one of our Entrepreneurs In Residence.
For more information about the EIR program go to the Tsuts’weye website.
We will be delivering some great workshops this Fall! Here are a few of the workshops that we will be delivering:
CREATIVE CONTENT with Ashley Doan – Writer Gal Marketing Services
Three two hour virtual sessions – Sept. 24, Oct. 1, and Oct. 8 from 9-11 am PDT – The Zoom link will be sent to you once you have registered.
Workshop description:
Are you haphazardly creating content in your business? Having a plan, process, and strategy can make creating digital content (blogs, social media, videos) easier and more effective at attracting and nurturing the right customers for your business.
In this workshop you’ll create your content marketing plan for 3-6 months.
Register by September 22, 2021 at [email protected].
CLAIMING YOUR CREATIVITY with Tammy Thielman
Tuesday, October 5, 12, and 19th • 9 am – 11 am PDT
Join Tammy in learning about healthy boundaries, beating imposter syndrome and letting go of guilt so that you can freely enjoy, create and GROW your soul-centered business! Participation in all three sessions is beneficial.
Register by October 4th, 2021 at [email protected]. There will be a maximum of 10 participants enrolled in this workshop.
THE DARK ART OF PRICING with Andrew Gregson
October 21 @ 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm PDT
Pricing is not accounting, it is marketing! You will learn:
  • How to use your Value Proposition
  • The importance of 3: the Goldilocks effect on pricing
  • How to sell your price
  • How to avoid discounting
The goal of this talk: To give you a process to make a better guess about your pricing.
Register by October 18th, 2021 at [email protected]. There will be a maximum of 10 participants enrolled in this workshop.
Tsuts’weye is offering several other workshops and programs this fall. All workshops will be delivered virtually until further notice or the PHO regulations are updated. More information on all of these workshops here.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at [email protected].
The Lunchtime Connections will start again in October.
Dates to be confirmed!
This is an opportunity to regularly meet with other Tsuts’weye Network members to learn and share in an informal online environment. The one-hour Lunchtime Connections sessions will happen every second and fourth Tuesday of the month.
This lunchtime series will be a chance to network and connect with other women in business and provide a forum to learn about topics of interest to our members.
You register to attend each week. Send a message to [email protected] to secure one of the 12 seats available. You will be sent a unique zoom link to join the session each Tuesday morning.
September is Accessibility Month at Small Business BC
Across British Columbia, there are more than 614,000 individuals aged 15-64 that have a disability. These skilled and diverse individuals represent an important talent pool that remains under-represented in the workforce, despite comparable education and skillsets.
The business case for hiring disabled individuals has never been stronger. For companies looking to gain a competitive advantage, 90% of consumers prefer businesses that employ people with disabilities. Is your business taking steps towards becoming an accessible employer?
Whether you’re looking to start or grow your business, our educational calendar for the month is stacked with informative and practical sessions that will put your business on the road to success. Demand is expected to be extremely high and places are limited. Book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. If you do happen to miss out on the webinar of your choice, we will be opening a waitlist.
MORE INFO & REGISTRATION >
Funding and Grant Opportunities
Economic supports for businesses
Access economic recovery and financial benefits for your business, industry, organization or community groups from the federal and provincial governments. This list is updated on an ongoing basis. Last updated: August 26, 2021.
For all BC Government programs for businesses go to Stronger BC.
MORE INFORMATION HERE >
UPDATED Programs as of August 26, 2021.
The Tourism Relief Fund, administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), supports tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. This fund will position Canada to be a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:
  • empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
  • helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
More information here.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) & Lockdown Support
The CERS and Lockdown Support programs have been further extended until October 23, 2021. Provides a rent subsidy directly to qualifying organizations that have experienced a decline in revenue. A rent subsidy of eligible expenses is available from September 27, 2020 to October 23, 2021.
More information here.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) –
The CEWS program has been further extended until October 23, 2021. Until October 23, 2021, a base subsidy of employee wages is available to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenue, with the subsidy amount varying depending on the scale of revenue decline. The maximum subsidy rates decrease September 26 – October 23, 2021. More information here.
Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) –
This program provides up to a 50% subsidy of wages of active employees (increased wages, hours worked and the hiring of new staff) to encourage hard-hit businesses to hire new workers as the economy reopens. The program is available from June 6, 2021 to November 20, 2021 and overlaps support with the existing CEWS program. Employers may check their eligibility and calculate their CRHP and CEWS amounts online. More information here.
For more information on all of the business services provided by the Government of Canada – go here.
WOMENS ENTERPRISE CENTRE – Business Skills Training for Women Entrepreneurs
Here are a few workshops for September!
Register for any of these workshops here.
More information here on all Women’s Enterprise Centre support programs.
SMALL BUSINESS BC
Small Business BC provides practical business support to develop your business skills and create a strategy to run a successful business. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC has a business support program for you.
More information here!
SBBC – Business Resources for Women Entrepreneurs in BC
Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to start or grow a business in British Columbia? Small Business BC strives to provide support for everyone wanting to start their own business. Here is a list of resources in different areas dedicated to female entrepreneurship.
More information here
SBBC – Business Resources for Black Owned Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Black Entrepreneurs still face unique challenges in starting and growing their own businesses. This page in partnership with the Black Business Association of BC provides aspiring, emerging and established Black entrepreneurs the resources they need to start and thrive in our province.
More information here
SBBC – Business Resources for Indigenous Entrepreneurs
This page provides aspiring, emerging and established Indigenous entrepreneurs with the resources you need to thrive in the small business world.
Already a small business owner? Join our BC Marketplace for free province-wide promotion, increased web traffic and marketing opportunities.
More information here
GREATER VANCOUVER BOARD OF TRADE
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade is one of Canada’s busiest and most sought-after events platforms, with more than 100 events annually. Build connections at our free networking receptions or learn from business and thought leaders at their speaker events.
Workshops starting in September include:
  • Trade Accelerator Program for Women-led businesses
  • Unlearning Gender Roles, Biases, and Stereotypes
  • Foundations in Diversity and Inclusion Certificate
  • And many more!
For more information on their workshops go here.
BSAFE™ – BC SAFETY ASSURED FOR EVERYONE
BSAFE is a new online health and safety training program designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge in BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone safe as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic.
BSAFE is open to all businesses, but the program was specifically designed for the tourism and hospitality industry.
Register here for employers and workers.
THOMPSON OKANAGAN WEEKLY WEBINARS FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES
Webinars to support all Tourism businesses and to keep them up to date on what is happening throughout the Tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan.
More information here.

Business Resources for All Women Entrepreneurs

Access other Business Resources on the Tsuts’weye website. and is located the top right hand corner of the website.
Let us know if these resources are helpful and if there is anything else that you would like to see listed in the Business Resource section of the website. Email us at [email protected].

Tsuts’weye Entrepreneur In Residence Services

To access these services, complete the Client Intake form on our website and you will be contacted by one of our Entrepreneurs In Residence.
For more information about the EIR program go to the Tsuts’weye website.

Three Ways to Connect through Tsuts’weye!

Join the Tsuts’weye Network Business Directory and share your business. To get your business profile on this page, simply fill out our Business Profile Form and email it to us! Check out the current listings on the Tsuts’weye website.
Join the Tsuts’weye Network Facebook Group. Keep up to date on workshops, podcasts, events, resources, and much more!
Attend a workshop, course, or the new Lunchtime Connections sessions. More information on the Tsuts’weye event calendar.

Welcome to Tsuts’weye!

(Pronounced “Soots-way-e”, means butterfly, in Secwepemc)
Tsuts’weye is a federally-funded project through Western Economic Development Canada, to support women entrepreneurs in the Shuswap through building skills, knowledge and networks.
We embrace an inclusive community of female entrepreneurs who recognize we are all enriched by our diversity. We are committed to fostering an environment that advocates for respect, acceptance of others, and inclusion. All women are welcome here.

MEET OUR TEAM:

  • Carmen Massey – Project Manager
  • Corryn Grayston – Entrepreneur in Residence
  • Andrew Klingel – Entrepreneur In Residence
  • Kari Wilkinson – Toliver Design – Website and Marketing
  • Brandi Butts – Granting Wishes – Social Media Strategist
  • Robyn Cyr – Brabyn Business Solutions – Communications
Please visit Tsutsweye.ca to learn more about the project and the team.
CONTACT US:
Online at  Tsutsweye.ca 
Please call ahead to make an appointment.
For future contributions to this newsletter or for more information on the Tsuts’weye project, contact us at [email protected].