Testing in English

Some example body text here

Some example body text here

Join the conversation

Thank you! Your comment has been received! We will review it before publishing it.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting your comment.

0

Comments

hr-challenges-how-not-to-feel-like-a-bitch

Denise Sukkau

1723132740137

We are entering a time when women need to take our place, fill up our space and be who we are without apology. I have difficulty with this and thus I try to keep expanding, keep learning, keep letting go of those past experiences that have kept me small(er). Our culture and past societal 'norms' in a patriarchal time have diminished our voice in addition to other past traumas to women. In supporting each other we can rise together without guilt or shame for being a b*tch or any other shadow expression of our soul, to embrace our power that is within. (Please note I have recently come off of a feminine empowerment retreat called Rise Sister Rise.)

navigating-networking-real-talk-for-business-sisters

Moumie

1712533017881

Bonjour Doreen, J'aime cet article, c'est bien dit... !!😄 Je rajoute, tu es aussi pour ma part, dans ton rôle, de pouvoir encadrer les choses autant que tu peux car, gérer les êtres humains est une tâche énorme pour n'importe quelle occasion. Je viens d'apprendre aussi une chose intéressante, la philosophie de Ted Lasso, je ne connaissais pas cette série, je vais la regarder. Merci de partager cela. Donc, en un mot, tout ca est intéressant moi, je te trouve en tout cas authentique :)!! Bravo pour ton leadership👍

meet-the-business-sisters-results-of-the-first-ever-census-of-our-community

Lexine

1710194161296

Huh - ma première réaction - 41% ont plus de 6 employés. Il serait intéressant de voir combien sont des sous-contractants VS part-time VS full-time, et les liens aux revenus bruts?

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Be the first to comment!

Continue Reading

Collage of photos with the four women who will present at the Rapid Fire sessions

Rapid Fire Sessions at the Business Sisters Conference: Get the Insights You Need, Fast!

Join the Business Sisters Conference Rapid Fire Sessions for expert advice on legal matters, marketing, and finances from Sophie Reitano, Stéphanie Murray, Diana Lidstone, and Carla Colonna. Get actionable insights in under 30 minutes—grab your ticket now!

Collage of four photos of women who will be part of the Business Sisters conference Trailblazer Panel

Fireside Chat with Trailblazing Women Business Owners

Join us at the Business Sisters Conference on November 4, 2024, for a fireside chat with four trailblazing women entrepreneurs. Presented with the Clarence-Rockland Chamber of Commerce, they’ll share insights on balancing business, personal life, and self-care.

Photo of Shulamit Ber Levtov, MA, RSW

Shulamit Ber Levtov to Keynote Business Sisters Conference 2024

Join us at the Business Sisters Conference on November 4, 2024, to hear Shulamit Ber Levtov, “The Entrepreneur’s Therapist,” share essential mental health strategies for women business owners. Gain practical tools to navigate business challenges while prioritizing well-being.

Trio of women at a networking event, sharing advice

Human Resource Challenges and How Not to Feel Like a B*tch

Recently, during our May event in Russell, one of our Business Sisters faced a dilemma: letting go of an employee. The struggle was real—how to balance compassion with business needs? Read about the advice she heard from another woman business owner.

A confused-looking business woman is sitting in front of the computer and is looking distracted as a vareiety of golden-colored shiny objects of various sizes are floating around her.

A Confession About My Own Shiny Object Story

This is a quick story about "shiny object syndrome" in my continuing journey as a social entrepreneur and executive director of Business Sisters. Being an entrepreneur is one of the toughest journeys anyone will ever take. And also one of the most rewarding too!

One woman, smiling, looking at camera while pointing at lightbulb with dollar sign. Beside her, another woman looking at multiple shiny stars

Are you innovating or just chasing a shiny new object?

This post explores various aspects of innovation in a small business, using our own events with Business Sisters as an example. How do we ensure we innovate while staying away from "shiny new objects" that so often can distract us from the bigger issues in our business?

Collage of photos of women business owners at 2018 and 2019 Business Sisters Conferences

Business Sisters Conference Returns: Empowering Women Business Owners

Business Sisters is pleased to announce the return of their annual conference, after a 5-year hiatus. The full-day event will be held in Prescott-Russell on Monday, November 4. Read about what's in store.

Collage of photos of Business Sisters members at networking events

Navigating Networking: Real Talk for Business Sisters

Unlock practical networking tips for business success. Learn how to navigate networking events, stay authentic, and build meaningful connections. Dive into real talk with Business Sisters!

Collage of photos from past Business Sisters events.

Unlocking Opportunities: The Ask & Give Magic at Business Sisters Events

Join the Business Sisters community for our next networking event and experience the Ask & Give session, a unique icebreaker that fosters entrepreneurship support and business collaboration. Discover how our business community comes together to solve problems and create opportunities for growth and connection.

Collage of various meetings held at the Business Sisters Centre in Alexandria.

Business Sisters Centre: New Revenue Streams Await!

Starting in April 2024, the Business Sisters Centre is offering event space rentals for women business owners. Whether for meetings, workshops, or presentations, our versatile space accommodates gatherings of 6 to 30 people. Exclusive to registered Business Sisters members.

Collage of women business owners from the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry

United Counties of SDG & Business Sisters: A Partnership for Progress

This is the official announcement of the new partnership between Business Sisters and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, to support five networking events in 2024.

Meet the Business Sisters: Results of The First-Ever Census of Our Community

Here the results of the first-ever census of the Business Sisters community, which was fielded as a by-invitation only, anonymous online survey to our 592 registered women business owners. The data collected from 143 respondents (a 24% response rate!) includes demographic statistics as well as industry and business information.

Mobile phone screenshot of Meta apps with red X's on Meta sites Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp

One Tip to Insure You Won’t Lose Control Over Your Marketing

Many small business owners have come to rely increasingly on social media to promote their business. But what if those networks go down or deny you access? Here is one tip to ensure you don't get shut out of your own marketing.

Lexie Jasiewicz, Loan Officer at ACCFutures is on the left, with Doreen Ashton Wagner, Founder of Business Sisters, on the right.

Business Sisters and ACCFutures partner to offer microloan program

Business Sisters teams up with ACCFutures to announce a dynamic new microloan program exclusively designed for entrepreneurial women in the area of Akwesasne, Cornwall and the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry.

Group of diverse young women surrounding an older woman demonstrating something on a laptop

Putting the Spotlight on Role Models for Women Entrepreneurs

A discussion of why putting the spotlight on rural women entrepreneurs helps us showcase a variety of role models, fostering a more welcoming environment for new and existing business owners.

Forum Panel Panel Members sitting on stools, posing and smiling

Five Reasons Why Entrepreneurial Programs Fail Women

A summary of points made by Doreen Ashton Wagner, Founder of Business Sisters | Consœurs en Affaires, at a panel discussion on adapting support programs for women entrepreneurs.

Photo of smiling audience members at 2018 The Business Sisters Conference

The Business Sisters Conference Returns November 6!

Announcement about the return of the Business Sisters Conference, after a 4-year break. Mark your calendars for Monday, November 6, 2023!

Women hangs her head, hiding her eyes, looking like she's beating herself up

Imposter Syndrome and Women Entrepreneurs

A discussion about why Imposter Syndrome still affects women, even 45 years after the original study that identified the phenomenon. This blog focuses on the reasons it affects women entrepreneurs in particular.

A pre-teen comforting another little girl who is sad and ashamed

Fighting Perfectionism and Telling Your Inner Critic to Shut Up

A discussion about how perfectionism affects women in life, and in entrepreneurship especially.

Group of people holding a ribbon about to be cut to celebrate the official opening of the Business Sisters Centre

Business Sisters Centre Officially Opened

On February 28, Business Sisters held the official opening of its permanent location in Alexandria, ON, thanks to a grant from Desjardins Ontario Credit Union.

Person placing a closed sign on a door

Quiet quitting is not just in the corporate world

Have you heard about “quiet quitting,” this trend that the business press is freaking out about? Observers are saying more and more workers quietly are refusing to go above and beyond. They’re not answering emails after hours. They’re saying no to overtime. They’re doing just what is required, and no more.

Today's life lesson

The Law of Attraction: Relearning an Old Lesson

One thing you may not know about me is that I’ve been a student of the Law of Attraction (LOA) for a long time. To me, LOA is the essence of entrepreneurship!

Collage of photos from Business Sisters events

Our Plans to Help Rural Women Business Owners

When we announced the $100,000 grant from Desjardins, we promised to inform you about the plans to use this money to benefit our region’s women business owners. Based on consultations we’ve had thus far, here are the three main uses of the funding.

Dejardins providing Business Sisters with $100,000

$100,000 funding from Desjardins Ontario

Big news! We are so happy to announce that Business Sisters has received $100,000 from Desjardins Ontario Credit Union’s Community Development Fund to launch a new Centre for Rural Women Entrepreneurs which will deliver entrepreneurial training, mentorship and events, in both official languages, in the five counties of Eastern Ontario.

Grace, Summer Marketing Coordinator

Meet our new Marketing Coordinator

Meet Grace, our summer Marketing Coordinator. From Maxville, ON, Grace impressed us with her passion about “living through a new age of feminism” and we look forward to having her with us for the summer. We asked Grace a few questions to get to know her better. Here’s what she had to say.

Group of five woman standing together

Our New Summer “Pop-Up” Space!

As of yesterday, it is official! Business Sisters has a new “pop-up” space for the summer. We were so pleased to see those who came and visited for our Open House. We encourage any who weren’t able to make it to stop by anytime!

Student holding a book

Business Sisters is Hiring a Summer Student

We are looking for a student to fill the position of Marketing Coordinator; 35 hours per week, for 8 weeks starting on or about June 20 at a pay of $18 per hour! This is mostly an on-site position with expectation that the student be working in Alexandria, ON.

Rocks stacked at a beach overlooking the water

Time for gratitude & simplicity

In the last e-news message, I described how my spinning plates (aka all the priorities I was trying to juggle) came crashing down in March.

Illustration of a person juggling a lot of things

Are You an Acrobat Too?

Do you ever feel like a circus acrobat performing crazy tricks while spinning plates in the air?

Steps leading to a lightbulb

Are You Wasting Your Time on a Business Plan?

Most aspiring business owners waste an enormous amount of time and energy. “How do I write a Business Plan?” they ask, often after they’ve downloaded countless templates.

Myriam Gaudet

Entrepreneurship Myth #1: Myriam’s Story

There is a myth that entrepreneurs are the hero of their business and it’s solely up to them to find all the solutions.

Person writing in a notebook

3 Ways Taking a Course Makes You a Better Entrepreneur

In my 25 years as a business owner, I’ve spent an estimated 1,123 hours learning in at least 13 different programs.

Person showing the middle finger

Fuck You Fuel – A Source of Resilience for Women Entrepreneurs

In my research on the entrepreneurial resilience of women entrepreneurs I have heard stories of women who were spurred to keep going in their business endeavours because they had been… belittled, overlooked, told to take a back seat.

Person stressed out

The 3 Behaviours That Led Entrepreneurs to Their Undoing During COVID

During the pandemic I was fortunate to help entrepreneurs in my area in my position as COVID-19 Business Relief Advisor for ACCFutures, a local economic development agency. I personally interacted online with hundreds of business owners in Eastern Ontario.

#1 LOVE first, then business. #2 Which hat are you wearing? #3 Accountability Mechanisms

Family Business – What’s Love Gotta Do With It?

Entrepreneurship often is discussed in individualistic terms, and we forget that around the world small business is a family affair.

Person writing on a paper with a pen

An Open Letter to Women Business Owners

Owning your own business can be a long and lonely journey. That’s why, dear Business Sisters, it’s OK to…

Women chatting

Give Yourself Permission to be Human

As Business Relief Advisor for a rural development agency during this pandemic I have witnessed immense pain, fear, and frustration amongst entrepreneurs.

Group of business people chatting

The Entrepreneurial Narrative is Out of Date. Let’s Make it More Inclusive!

Ask the average person to name a famous entrepreneur they will often mention Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Richard Branson. Ask them to name a WOMAN entrepreneur; a few might mention Oprah. Here in Canada some might point out Arlene Dickinson or Manjit Minhas (from Dragon’s Den).

Two people standing side by side

An Ode to The Quirky Carrot

The most important starting point for a rural community to reverse economic decline is to have a place where people can connect.

Plant growing amongst concrete

What is Entrepreneurial Resilience?

The American Psychological Association defines resilience as a process of overcoming adversity, where individuals recover from significant stress by applying mindsets and behaviors that can be learned and developed over time. Some psychologists think resilience is no big deal. American child expert Ann Masten calls resilience “ordinary magic,” a process that naturally arises as humans interact with and adapt to their environment.

Person walking on a trail in nature

The Simplest Way to Boost Your Entrepreneurial Resilience

In my research on entrepreneurial resilience, the most frequently cited approach to solving a problem, relieving stress, and boosting resilience was this: go for a walk.

Two people

Overcoming Bitchphobia in Business

The number one reason keeping women small in business is the fear of being a bitch.

Person observing over two people

3 Signs You’re Mothering and not LEADING in your Business

When I reflect on my 25-year entrepreneurial career the #1 mistake I made was acting like a mom when I should have been a leader. For many women, parenting becomes a default mode in business because we care about our employees, our clients, and our community. But parenting can be a BIG problem in business if it’s not balanced with a healthy dose of leadership.

Learn from failure

How Being a Mom was the #1 Mistake I made in my Business

When I started my business 23 years ago it was because my VP Marketing job didn’t allow me the flexibility to be a mom to my toddler. I purposefully created a family-oriented culture in our small marketing firm. The problem was, I also acted as a mom towards my employees.

Two people in front of a backdrop that reads "Rachel's Kids"

6 Years ago TODAY…

The above photo from 2015 shows my dear friend Betty Healey and I at the Rachel’s Kids 11th Annual Garden Party at the Ramada in Cornwall. I remember the day so well because that’s when I told Betty of my plans to significantly cut back in my company, letting go of a big part of my team, closing the physical office and going virtual in our operation.

Three people

Sister Showcase

We'd like to take the time to thank some of the amazing women who have worked hard and been pillars in the rural community.

Child walking across stones

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM): Stepping Stone to Business?

From old-fashioned Tupperware parties to online Facebook groups, MLM never seems to fade. Candles, kitchen utensils, cleaning products, dietary supplements, cosmetics, essential oils… I won’t go on. Almost everyone has experience with MLM, whether as a customer or as a sales representative.

Field of red flowers

Small-Town Jealousy or Genuine Concern?

Sometimes radical career change and entrepreneurship draw concerns and negative feedback from others. Are those comments really concern, or are they “tall poppy syndrome” in disguise?

Person making notes

Five Strategies for Business Self-Care

In an earlier post, we discussed how essential personal self-care is to our entrepreneurial resilience. What about business self-care? Let’s show our businesses some TLC too!

Doreen Ashton Wagner in front of a flag

Self-Care for Women in Business: It’s Not Selfish—It’s Survival

I know it’s not easy. I can be an emotional eater. Through these Covid months, I find myself bingeing late at night when my mind is too active to want to sleep. Plus, despite having space to roam in the country to remain active, I struggle with motivation.

Purple flower growing amongst bricks

What makes women entrepreneurs resilient?

A bit of background here before I tell you why I’m asking this question. I’ve been an entrepreneur since 1998. After we sold our family business in 2016 I went searching for my next gig. I wasn’t ready for retirement. Frankly I was afraid I’d be bored and I was afraid to tap into retirement savings too soon.

Woman in plaid

Business Sisters is About Real Life

We’ve talked about how Business Sisters is dedicated to women entrepreneurs and why we focus on those in rural areas. Our third pillar is keeping it real.

Amanda Hailey from the Glengarry Market

For Rural Business Owners

Business Sisters celebrates women business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere. Though you’ll notice we focus more on ventures in rural areas and small-towns. There are very personal and self-serving reasons for that decision, I will admit.

Group of women making a toast on a patio

Business Sisters is For WOMEN

Why have an organization dedicated to women business owners, entrepreneurs, farmers, artists and artisans? Glad you asked.

Doreen with two people outside of The Quirky Carrot in Alexandria, ON

What makes us different?

Business Sisters exists to support women business owners in rural eastern Ontario. This makes us “networking group” with events, both live and online. Other groups exist that do that; what makes us different?

Testing in English

No items found.