IWEN providing training, counseling opportunities to help immigrant women entrepreneurs launch their own businesses
By IWEN/ISANS Staff
Many of us have thought about starting our own business but few of us actually follow through and take the next step. However, a new program offered by the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) is seeking to make that next step much easier for immigrant women entrepreneurs.
The Immigrant Women Entrepreneurship Network (IWEN) program aims to address the unique challenges faced by immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs through awareness-building, advocacy, skills training, financial literacy, networking opportunities, and market entry support.
Funded by the Department for Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), this project also seeks to amplify the voices of immigrant and refugee women entrepreneurs by sharing their stories, advocating for their needs, forming partnerships, and fostering a positive impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem. And it seems to be working.
Recent participants give the program high marks, saying, “More than a training program, the 10-session process offers a real push to access the business world, and offers many valuable opportunities, such as networking, mentoring, access to high value reports, etc.” Another participant says, “I found the training incredibly valuable. It provided practical insights, built my confidence, and connected me with inspiring peers. The content was relevant and engaging, and I appreciate the focus on real-world applications.”
Through the IWEN program, women entrepreneurs receive:
- 10 weeks of focused, hands-on training on starting and running a business
- Foundational food, health, and safety training
- Pitch coaching and opportunities to enter pitch competitions
- Ongoing, one-on-one business counselling with an ISANS Business Counsellor
- An opportunity to showcase and sell products at local markets, at no or minimal cost
- Help applying for microloans and financial resources
- Opportunities to network with experienced women entrepreneurs, mentors, and established business institutions
- Free promotion on ISANS Business Hub and social media
The two women behind the IWEN program are Julekha Nusrat, business counsellor and trainer, and Solmaz Ziaabadimiyanji, women’s entrepreneurship program specialist. Nusrat is a newcomer herself, working as a banking advisor during her first year in Canada before joining ISANS. She is an expert in the financial sector and entrepreneurial training, international business and trade, and has worked with NGOs, central banks, and different international stakeholders for 11 years.
“Julekha is, for me, more than a trainer, she’s a full professional coach. She knows how to motivate and bring people to reconsider the important subjects in their journey,” says one program participant.
Ziaabadimiyanji holds a Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Saint Mary’s University and has more than 10 years of experience developing, implementing, and evaluating various projects that led to the strategic growth of several businesses. She is a serial entrepreneur with in-depth knowledge of business operations, startups, and market readiness. She is an effective communicator who builds strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders based on mutual trust and respect.
In 2024, Nusrat and Ziaabadimiyanji launched IWEN with two cohorts totaling 30 women entrepreneurs with diverse product and service-based business ideas, representing 18 different countries of origin: Ukraine, Afghanistan, China, Iran, India, Brazil, Algeria, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, El-Salvador, Morocco, Trinidad & Tobago, Vietnam, Nigeria, South Korea, Bangladesh, Turkey.
Nine participants from the first cohort launched their own businesses after completing their training. The second cohort is still in progress.
Alongside training, a key focus of the IWEN program is building networks, creating advocacy, and providing immigrant women entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow their businesses in Nova Scotia. IWEN established partnerships with organizations such as Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, Invest Nova Scotia, Tribe Network, RBC, and Craft Nova Scotia, among others.
So far, IWEN has hosted 12 networking events with more than 200 participants and organized roundtables with successful entrepreneurs such as Rashmi Prakash and Shivani Dhamija to support participants. Additionally, several of women entrepreneurs have successfully applied for and received grants, further fueling their business growth.
“The guest speakers provide practical advice and new ways of thinking that are directly applicable to my business,” says a recent program participant. “Their insights have contributed to expanding my knowledge and helped me understand various strategies for overcoming challenges.”
IWEN conducted two intercultural training sessions for 12 participants representing financial institutions such as ACOA, Invest Nova Scotia, Tribe Network, ICTC, Onside, BDC, CBDC, and RBC.
A major highlight of the program was the Immigrant Women Entrepreneurship Pitch Competition. Nine immigrant women entrepreneurs presented innovative business ideas spanning such sectors as digital marketing, construction, jewelry, art, and more. Prior to this event, clients had access to a two-hour pitch training class in collaboration with the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre to support them in learning how to craft a winning pitch that can attract funding.
Participants also had access to the IWEN Vendor Market where IWEN clients can showcase their unique products and services, including handmade jewelry, ceramics, skincare products, cosmetics, and more. Through IWEN, clients also successfully attended the Fairview Farmers Market.
Other opportunities provided for clients include:
- foundational food, health, and safety courses
- workshop on website development and design
- networking events and conferences opportunities (Spice Conference, Leading Ladies Networking by Menna Riley, breakfast invite from Halifax Chamber of Commerce, etc.)
- one-year free registration from Halifax Chamber of Commerce
- several women entrepreneurs have successfully applied for and received grants, further fueling their business growth
- a mindset session focused on developing the mindset necessary for success as an immigrant woman entrepreneur
- yoga session at the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, designed to help clients recharge and stay focused on their business goals
Many exciting events such as the Halifax Accelerators Tour, Podcast Recording, etc. are coming soon. For more on the IWEN program, visit Women in Business – Nova Scotia Business Hub (nsbusinesshub.ca).
