The Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce (CanWCC) is an organization that was founded to advocate for the needs of women-identified and non-binary business owners in Canada. Recently, Catherine Chan, VP of Operations for CanWCC, was a guest on the Ignite Digital series discussing the organization's goals and membership benefits. Here are some key takeaways that can provide more detailed information and add value to your understanding of the organization and how it can benefit you:
Advocacy for Economic Equity:
CanWCC is an advocacy-first organization that promotes economic equity for women and non-binary people in Canada. One of their primary goals is to change policies and tax codes to support women entrepreneurs better. In particular, they aim to advocate for those who are often overlooked by the government, such as self-employed individuals. According to Catherine, policies are often written for small, medium, and large-sized businesses and self-employed individuals are not considered. As a result, they don't have the same access to grants, tax credits, and other funding and resources. This can significantly impact women entrepreneurs, the majority of whom are self-employed or run micro-SMEs. By advocating for change in policies and tax codes, CanWCC aims to create a more equitable environment for all women entrepreneurs in Canada.
Membership Matters:
Membership is an important aspect of CanWCC because it shows government officials that they represent a certain number of people. The organization accepts any woman-owned business, whether it's self-employed, in the gig economy, or a larger company. Directors and executives at not-for-profits are also welcome to join. They also offer a free community membership for those interested in entrepreneurship. By becoming a member, you'll be part of a community that supports each other, shares resources, and helps create positive change for women entrepreneurs in Canada.
Equity Pricing Model:
CanWCC recently launched an equity pricing model, which offers membership at a price point that fits any stage of business. For those who can only afford a dollar for the year, that's all they'll take. CanWCC truly believes that there should not be a financial barrier to advocacy. They also have a pay-it-forward program for those who can afford to help support other women entrepreneurs. This program allows successful women entrepreneurs to help those just starting out.
Membership Benefits:
By becoming a member of CanWCC, you'll have access to a membership portal with tips, networking opportunities, educational programming, and discounts with trusted partners. The portal also includes access to a library with reports and articles that focus on women's entrepreneurship. Additionally, CanWCC promotes its members and their achievements, which can help showcase their successes and provide valuable exposure for their businesses.
Final Thoughts
Joining an organization like CanWCC can be a valuable asset to any woman entrepreneur. It provides access to a community of like-minded individuals, resources, and support that can help you overcome the unique challenges you may face in the business world. By working together, women entrepreneurs can create a more equitable environment for themselves and future generations of women in Canada. Consider joining CanWCC and attending future webinars to learn more about the benefits of being a member.