What NIWee Entrepreneurs say about the Program ...
I’m from the Crane Clan and a member of Wahnapitae First Nation. Today, I operate my business in the greater Tiohtà:ke/Monniyang (Montreal) area. Okay, so starting my own manufacturing business? Yeah, it’s been crazy and tough! But I’ve got this amazing mentorship and support system through the NIWEE program that’s been my lifeline for the past few years.
The best part? We’re not just some women in a business program – we’re literally like a sisterhood! My group has an amazing instructor, an elder, and brings in amazing speakers, both First Nation and non-Indigenous, who understand our needs, and our perspectives as First Nation women entrepreneurs and hear/understand the challenges and struggles we are dealing with or face. My instructor – she has guided me in the steps, the details, and sees the potential in me that I don’t always see myself and pushes me to move forward. The other women in the program? We’re ride-or-die! When someone wins, we all celebrate. When someone’s struggling, we’ve got their back, big or small.
Through NIWEE, I’ve met so many awesome people – pros who know their stuff and other women just like me trying to make their dreams happen. It’s not just some program – it’s like having a family of sisters cheering and helping me turn my business dreams into real life!”
I’m on the spectrum, manage hyper-fixation and ADHD daily. These traits have served me well in many ways. But when faced with challenges, I tend to dig in deeper, become hyper-focused on the problem, and work harder. I’ve done this my whole life. It’s all I’ve ever known to do. I’ve always thought that if I just focus and work harder, I’ll produce a positive outcome. Before joining the NIWEE Program, I spent over three years fixated on building my online business without seeing any progress or profit. I kept digging in deeper. I felt stuck and disheartened.
But during the NIWEE course, I learned a business concept called “pivoting,” one of many distinctions. This one concept helped me stop working so hard and instead step back to see the big picture of my business. It freed me up. This small distinction turned into a game-changer that transformed the way I work. I grieved for a bit, then completely pivoted. I set aside my old website and started over, using the lessons and failures from the past + three years to support my efforts. I gave myself a timeline, and I stuck to it. After all, meeting deadlines was never the issue.
I pivoted and built an entirely new website in just six months. Within my first month of launching, I started making money. On top of that, the way NIWEE structures the learning is perfect for anyone with learning disabilities. There’s no strict protocol. We’re encouraged. No judgments. And the sisterhood is incredibly powerful! I’ve made lifelong colleagues I can turn to when I need support. We totally have each other’s backs. The NIWEE course, community, and instructors have been the best thing that has ever happened to my business life.
Before joining the NIWEE Program, I had spent 3 years building my online business without seeing any profit. I felt stuck. During the course, I learned how to pivot in my business—a game-changing concept that transformed my approach. By applying the skills I gained, I built an entirely new website in just 6 months. Less than a month after launching, I started making money.
Being part of NIWEE was and is the best investment I’ve made for both myself and my business. Before joining NIWEE I had started a couple of businesses making some money but ended up stuck at certain levels and unable to excel to the next level and ended up closing the businesses. With the guidance of NIWEE, I have a better understanding of where I was lacking and what is most important to focus on to move forward. The knowledge and guidance is based on each persons circumstances and tailored to their needs. Business guidance is beyond helpful and a great support of other entrepreneurs that can’t be beat.
Anna M. House
My life as an artist, before joining NIWEE, was a rollercoaster of uncertainty. I worked night and day for too many years, only to give a large portion of my profit to ART Galleries, who legally bound me not to show my work outside their venue. I truly felt trapped and broken.
I joined NIWEE, and everything changed! Through the in-depth lessons, and fellowship, I found the courage to “Get out of the building” and engage with my community. I accepted all the challenges that were presented and learned to glean knowledge and the business skills that I needed to move forward. Within the first six months with NIWEE’s direction, I was offered solo exhibitions, and a huge opportunity to sell work to international tourists. I learned to survey, organize and pivot! I diversified my art product to include, original painting, prints and art cards and commissioned works. My profits have more than doubled since joining NIWEE and are continually growing. Most importantly, I am filled with a hopeful renewal of courage and determination. I am now the author of my own story.
Jasmine Rattlesnake
Before joining the program, I had a fixed mindset about what a business should look like. However, the reality of starting one was much more complex than I initially thought. The support and community within this program have been invaluable. The network of strong, entrepreneurial women that I can always turn to for advice, mentorship, and encouragement has made all the difference. Their knowledge and expertise have been essential in helping me navigate the ups and downs of building a business from the ground up.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Niwee, as it has not only empowered me to pursue my passion but also allowed me to grow and build a business in ways I never imagined. I look forward to continuing this journey and I hope to inspire other Indigenous women do the same.
Starting my business journey with many questions, I found the perfect mentor and guidance through the NIWEE program. The program’s exercises helped focus my business vision, while guest speakers offered valuable insights about accounting, funding, and other business essentials.
NIWEE’s combination of one-on-one mentorship, strong participant community, and comprehensive resources proved invaluable. Through NIWEE, I learned practical skills like website development, QuickBooks accounting, and using social media and AI tools for business operations. This program is especially valuable for rural entrepreneurs, connecting them with educational opportunities and networking activities throughout the Yukon and Canada.
Grace Kloster
Métis
NIWEE has been an incredible experience for me. As someone new to business, the program gave me the foundation I needed to understand what it takes to build and grow a successful venture. Attending each week wasn’t just about learning—it was a chance to reset, refocus, and use what we learned as a launchpad for the week ahead.
Beyond the knowledge and strategy, NIWEE gave me something just as important: community. Building relationships with other women entrepreneurs has provided the stability, support, and encouragement I needed to keep moving forward. Being part of this ecosystem—surrounded by inspiring women from my cohort and other cohorts, learning from expert speakers, and receiving ongoing business support—has made all the difference. I’m so grateful for the knowledge Ive gained but also how to use it in action and see our business grow from the ground up.
Dawn Kloster
Métis
NIWEE (National Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs’ Ecosystem) has been invaluable to us. My adult daughter and I joined the program together as we launched our new business, and it quickly became (and remains) the cornerstone of our journey. Each week, we gained the structure and support we needed, guiding us step by step through the startup process. We learned how to shape our vision to meet our customers’ needs, refine our offerings, and create services that people are excited to invest in.
Now, just over a year later, we’re scaling up—expanding our services, reaching more customers, and growing in ways we never imagined! None of this would have been possible without the NIWEE community. The women in our cohort, along with those in other cohorts, continue to uplift and encourage one another. The ongoing support from the NIWEE team has been invaluable as we navigate each new stage of growth. We’re beyond grateful to be part of this thriving ecosystem and can’t wait for what’s next!
Dominique Lalonde
Sachigo Lake Oji-Cree First Nation
NIWEE has supported me throughout my journey – professionally, personally and spiritually – during the first year of opening of my business Kisisam Patisserie. I would not be where I am today without the help and expertise of the NIWEE team. They gave me the confidence to pursue and realize my dreams!