CBDC Women in Business New Brunswick

Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) offers extensive support to both current and aspiring women entrepreneurs through personalized consultations, training, and specialized programs designed to unleash their full potential in various business sectors. Their focus includes start-up, growth and expansion, and export, with additional dedicated support for Indigenous women entrepreneurs.

Women in Business New Brunswick (WBNB) is an empowering initiative tailored to foster the entrepreneurial spirit among women, facilitating their journey from inception to expansion and international reach. The program is equipped to serve women entrepreneurs across both urban and rural regions, offering bilingual support that ensures no language barrier inhibits potential growth. A significant facet of WBNB is its targeted approach in three critical areas: start-up, growth and expansion, and export. Each of these areas is headed by a devoted Development Officer, ensuring specialized guidance and strategic consultation to cater to unique business needs at different stages.

In recognizing the diverse landscape of women entrepreneurship, WBNB proactively supports underrepresented groups, including newcomers, women with disabilities, Indigenous women, and those in rural areas or non-traditional sectors such as trades and STEM fields. This is exemplified through partnerships such as the Atlantic Canadian Women in Growth Partnership, which specifically tackles these diversity gaps at the start-up and growth levels. Furthermore, the W-Power initiative exemplifies the hub's effort to create a cohesive community among female entrepreneurs by sharing best practices and resources while fostering networks that trigger innovation and resilience.

International collaboration is yet another dynamic of WBNB’s offerings, with the International Peer-to-Peer Exchange Program paving the way for global partnerships. By establishing connections with businesswomen across borders, participants gain invaluable insights into different markets, foster innovative ideas, and pursue international growth opportunities armed with local insights from their international counterparts. This program extends beyond mere business advice; it aids in establishing crucial industry connections, thus broadening market reach and enhancing competitiveness on a global scale.

The Consultant Advisory Services Program further aids entrepreneurs by availing professional advisory services tailored to tackle the unique challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in New Brunswick. Coupled with an array of webinars and group trainings, WBNB ensures that every woman entrepreneur has access to the requisite knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a competitive marketplace.

Micro-community building is also crucial to WBNB’s mission. The Coffee Break and Mawiomi sessions are practical platforms where women entrepreneurs come together, albeit virtually, to exchange notes, learn from each other’s experiences, and create lasting bonds that transcend geographical and cultural barriers. These sessions foster a sense of belonging and community, vital for long-term engagement and business success.

For Indigenous women entrepreneurs, WBNB has added particular initiatives like Nujintuisga’tijig E’pijig, an online marketplace designed to promote and sell Indigenous crafts. This not only opens new market avenues for Indigenous artisans but also embraces and elevates their cultural heritage within an entrepreneurial context.

The diverse support framework established by Women in Business New Brunswick illustrates a tailored approach to female entrepreneurship, ensuring that every woman has the necessary tools, support, and networks to achieve her business goals. Through a blend of personalized consultation, extensive training programs, and strategic alliances, WBNB continues to enhance the entrepreneurial landscape in New Brunswick, making it more inclusive, dynamic, and sustainable for women across various fields and backgrounds.