There is still an evident imbalance that disproportionately affects minority women in the vibrant world of food entrepreneurship, where gourmet ideas become successful businesses. Despite the food industry’s ongoing evolution and diversification, female entrepreneurs frequently lack the necessary support as they navigate particular obstacles to success. A ground-breaking program has arisen that aims to close the gap in food entrepreneurship support because it is urgent to address this discrepancy and empower marginalized women.
Through exposure, connections, and education, the Centre for Women in Business (CWB) is committed to supporting female business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada.
They assist their clients in launching new company ideas, boosting established businesses to new levels of success, and thriving as owners, CEOs, and sector leaders through everything from one-on-one business consulting and skills training to networking and membership programs.
They are here to support female entrepreneurs at every stage of their company’s growth.
The Specialized Program in Cooking Entrepreneurship (SPICE) is being offered by the CWB with pride to underrepresented Nova Scotian women who are prepared to leave their kitchen tables and open a completely legal food business. In order to properly implement Nova Scotia’s food safety requirements into their businesses, participants will gain industry expertise through SPICE. At a celebration held at Mount Saint Vincent University at the end of May 2023, the pilot cohort of participants marked the conclusion of their program.
This complimentary program, which is presented in a hybrid style and is limited to 12 women each cohort, includes 8 weeks of active learning and continuous support for up to a year. Sessions will be held in person within HRM.
Despite being available to everyone, SPICE enrollment and recruiting focuses on a group of female entrepreneurs that is currently underrepresented: Black Nova Scotian women, women of African heritage, Indigenous women, and Immigrant women. The majority of the women in the pilot cohort were those who had already started a food business but may have encountered compliance challenges.
This distinctive Atlantic Canadian program helps participants create a business plan that includes market strategies, financial projections, and operational requirements, transitioning them from “at home” businesses to fully compliant sources of sustainable income. It gives hands-on experience working in commercial kitchens and the chance to develop products to be sold through retailers.
Natalie Frederick-Wilson, the program’s coordinator and recipient of the Bhayana Family Foundation’s 2023 Invisible Champion Award, identified a need and a chance to enable marginalized women to profit legally and securely from their abilities as cooks.
The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the NS Department of Agriculture’s assistance make the SPICE program possible.
Learn more about this new program at https://www.msvu.ca/new-program-addresses-gap-in-food-entrepreneurship-supports-for-underrepresented-women/
References:
https://www.centreforwomeninbusiness.ca/
https://www.msvu.ca/
Photo credits to: https://www.msvu.ca/
