RISE Windsor-essex helping women be what they can see
Empowering local women working in entrepreneurship and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), RISE Windsor-essex is an umbrella for organizations eager to share resources, advice and connections, with the aim of increasing the number of women in these vital fields.
“Our region has the lowest rate of women-owned businesses in Canada,” observes Nicole Anderson, program director, Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and Lead, RISE Windsor-essex.
Women own 19 per cent of local incorporations, predominantly in healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, professional, scientific and technical services, and other services. Just three per cent of Windsor-essex women declare self-employment compared to 17 per cent nationally.
After research revealed local women didn’t know where to go for help in advancing their great ideas and plans, the RISE network was founded in 2020 by the Windsoressex Economic Development Corproation, through partnerships with the Windsoressex Small Business Centre, the University of Windsor’s Epicentre, Workforce Windsoressex, Wetech Alliance, Build a Dream and Windsor Essex Capital Angel Network. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario furnished funding for strengthening and creating a better ecosystem for women.
“We provide a welcoming environment, leadership and entrepreneurial education and development activities to diverse women,” Anderson says.
Already, RISE and its partner service providers are receiving greater interest from female entrepreneurs looking for advice and support regarding business planning, finance, grant applications, community building, technical tools and soft skills.
Recognizing the pandemic has severely impacted women-owned businesses, RISE partners have moved their programming and advisory services online, boosting accessibility for women located throughout Essex County.
Relying on research to deliver exactly what women say they require, RISE and its partners developed new programming and supports in 2020, including: the Emerging Technology Speaker Series - Recover and Thrive Program, Women in Mobility, RE3: Rebuild, Reopen, Revive, and
F5: Refresh and Reload. The programs incorporate networking and speaker events, financial supports and learning opportunities.
RISE’S 2021 report reveals where women’s influence is missing. While female students equal males in science programs, they are underrepresented in engineering and business. RISE connects the lack of female students enrolling in STEM programs to the lack of women-owned businesses in STEM industries.
Aligning its resources and collective strengths, the network encourages local women to work in emerging technologies, including advanced manufacturing, agritech, digital media and information and communications technology, clean tech and renewable energy, and STEM.
Bringing women together online and in-person when possible, RISE partners witness the huge energy and appetite local women have for making their mark in STEM and business.
At the RISE & Resilience 2021 Summit on Feb. 11, 400 women participated virtually.
“It was an informative and enjoyable time where women could network, meet and learn from one another,” Anderson says. Guest speakers shared their expertise in work/life balance, the importance of resources, diversity and inclusion, resiliency and business pivots. U.S. Consul General Susan R. Crystal spoke with participants about her department’s cross-border mobility partnership with RISE, giving women opportunity to grow their networks in automobility.
To support local, RISE pre-sold popular summit experience boxes featuring products and certificates of 50 local women-owned businesses. Sponsored by Pelee Island Winery, Windsoreats, BMO, Feddev Ontario, the US Consulate General in Toronto, Wetech Alliance and the Windsoressex Small Business Centre, “the summit was a big success,” says Anderson.
It reaffirmed her commitment to
“find every female entrepreneur and woman working in STEM and help them in some way.”
To reach more of them, RISE connected with Kingsville podcaster Sarah Haefling about her Made it Happen weekly show. “She talks with women about their journeys in entrepreneurship,” Anderson says.
Haefling enthusiastically honoured RISE’S request to include WE RISE segments focusing on local female businessowners. “Just one in three women self-promote compared to their male counterparts. We want the spotlight to shine on these incredible women,” Anderson says.
Partnerships with the Women of Windsor Mentorship Collaborative and other groups are broadening RISE’S reach. “Our mission is to support women. If an organization has beneficial programs or events, we encourage them to contact us so we can share their information,” says Anderson. “To be part of RISE, groups have to undergo our training, provided free of charge, so they can be more compassionate and mindful of issues when helping and collaborating with women.”
To honour International Women’s Day this year, RISE is highlighting women entrepreneurs and women in STEM on its social media pages from March
1-8.
We provide a welcoming environment, leadership and entrepreneurial education and development activities to diverse women.
- NICOLE ANDERSON
“We will recognize successful nominees in a special way,” Anderson says. “Local women used to say they couldn’t be what they couldn’t see. Now they are invigorating our community. Together, we are changing the fate of women in our region.”