Canada has one of the highest rates of women’s entrepreneurship in the world, with over 850,000 women running their own business in 2005. This statistic is expected to reach one million by 2010. Studies show that although an overwhelming proportion (73%) of women entrepreneurs are one-person operations, research shows that the number of women small business owners with employees rose an impressive 40% over the past 15 years.

In 2006-2007, WEC launched a new public awareness, research and conference program that encourages women business owners to Think Big! about growth and expansion — from start-up stages onwards. The concept behind "Thinking Big" is to encourage this trend, any way we can. Businesses with employees are shown to be more stable and generate on average 20 to 30% more revenue than one-person operations.

Building on two successful “Think Big!” Conferences, the first in Spring 06 at the Rotman School of Business-- and the second in June 07 at the Mars Discovery District, WEC has set a long term course that will focus on influencing business, government and academia to Think Big! about women owned businesses — and the powerful role they play in boosting Canada's productivity, economic success and growth.

 A key part of this program is community. Our goal for 2007-2208 is to grow the WEC community, so that it is truly national in nature, profiling and engaging various stakeholder sin our community from across Canada: Women Entrepreneurs, the Corporate Community, other not for profit women’s business groups, and the academic community.

Canada needs to hear the voices of women business owners in this country. We are significant contributors to the economy in Canada, and as there are so many of us, a key part of Canada’s economic future. WEC’s goal is to support and enable women business owners to be successful and thrive.

We welcome you to explore our wiki, and participate in it, any way you like. If you have questions about how to participate, please email us at wec@wec.ca, and we’ll be happy to help you out!

 
Sincerely,