In Canada, especially in recent years, many of us tend to assume that we have overcome many of the systemic biases of previous times--for instance, that women have reached the workplace equality that long eluded them. The facts tell a different story, however. For all that we've made progress, we are still a way's away from a level playing field.
Shining a light on this issue, and on some women who've achieved great things as entrepreneurs in Canada: the
Women of Influence Awards. The RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards are "dedicated to providing national recognition to Canada’s women entrepreneurs by elevating these women and providing them with a platform to identify their excellence to the nation," says Carolyn Lawrence, president of Women of Influence. This is so important, she explains, because "women entrepreneurs face unique challenges: access to capital to start up and/or grow their businesses is the biggest one, with women-owned businesses starting with only 64 per cent of the capital levels of businesses owned by men. Women often need to draw on their own assets or friends and family to do what their male counterparts have an easier time raising from banks and venture capitalists."
Nominations are now open for this year's awards and are due by May 17. If you want to apply yourself the deadline is July 29. There will also be an information session for prospective applicants
on May 2. To be eligible you must be a share owner or senior decision-maker in a profitable business that's been around for at least three years, and businesses of all sizes qualify.
This isn't just a consciousness-raising exercise--women-owned businesses have a significant economic impact that's worth noting. "Canadian firms run by women create new jobs at four times the rate of the national average," Lawrence points out, "collectively providing more jobs than the Canadian Top 100 companies combined."
Writer: Hamutal Dotan
Source: Carolyn Lawrence, President and CEO, Women of Influence