Women in Business Info-Guide

This Info-Guide is designed to inform prospective women entrepreneurs about programs and services available to them in Newfoundland and Labrador. Further information can be obtained by contacting the listed organizations directly.

This guide should be read in conjunction with our Business Start-Up Info-Guide and our Financing Info-Guide, as these outline regulations and funding programs that might apply to any business operating in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre is your BEST source for FREE business information! For information on any of our services, contact our Centre, or visit one of our  Network Sites

Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre
90 O'Leary Avenue
P.O. Box 8687
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 3T1
Telephone: 709-772-6022
Fax: 709-772-6090
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in the Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: info@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nl
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday

---

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Organizations
Business Start-Up
Awards
Human Resources
Other Web Sites of Interest to Women

---

Key Organizations

Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE)
Tel: 1-877-754-0555

NLOWE fosters the success of women in business through a network of community-based facilitators, member clients, and partnerships in the world of business.  NLOWE is governed by a board of directors and head office staff in St. John's.  A team of regional facilitators strategically positioned throughout the province implement NLOWE's programs and services to members and clients.

NLOWE membership entitles you to the following benefits:

• Information and event bulletins
• Bi-weekly newsletter
• Reduced cost for events
• Networking opportunities
• Member to member discounts
• Corporate discounts
• Marketing and advertising opportunities.

Further information is provided below on the Women in Business Initiative that NLOWE administers (in conjunction with ACOA) and on NLOWE's annual awards.

NLOWE - Contacts for Newfoundland and Labrador

Women in Resource Development Committee (WRDC)
Tel: 1-800-738-3713

WRDC was established to foster an environment that will increase the participation of women in the trades and technology sectors in Newfoundland and Labrador. WRDC achieves this through the elimination of barriers that exclude or discourage women from seeking employment in these sectors. Its work includes:

• providing increased access to training for women
• educating the general public, and
• development of policies that promote the involvement of women in the natural resource and trades/technical industries.

WRDC runs the Orientation to Trades and Technology program (OTT) which is of  24 weeks duration, and is designed to give women practical experience of natural resource based industries. WRDC also has an Educational Resource Centre, offering resources as well as other programs such as:

• Techsploration, a 6 month career exploration program for grade 9 girls;
• GETT camps, a week long trades and technology experience for girls age 10-12;
• Camp GLOW, a week-long firefighting camp for young women; and
• a mentor's network - women who act as role models in WRDC programs as well as take part in mentor workshops offered by WRDC
• Gender Sensitivity Training.

WRDC - Contacts for Newfoundland and Labrador

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE-NL)
WISE is a non-profit, volunteer organization which aims to increase the participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers by increasing awareness that these professions are rewarding and exciting options for women. WISE also provides mentoring, professional developing and networking opportunities to facilitate the success of women in these fields, and advocates for equitable workplaces.

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE)
38 Pearson Street, Suite 293
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1A 3R1
Telephone: 709-754-1435
Fax: 709-738-8840
E-mail: wise@cdli.ca
Web site: http://www.cdli.ca/wise/

Discovery Women's Network
The Discovery Women's Network (DWN) is an organization for women in the Clarenville area that works to empower women in the Discovery Zone through networking and information sharing. As part of the province's Strategic Social Plan (SSP), the DWN helped create the Strategy for Living web site which contains information and resources for victims of violence.

Ms. Gwen Hiscock
Discovery Women's Network
P.O. Box 1322
Clarenville, Newfoundland and Labrador  A0E 1J0
Telephone: 709-466-1851
E-mail: discoverywomens@nfld.net
Web site: http://www.strategyforliving.ca/dwn.html

---

Business Start-Up

(Back to table of contents)

Women in Business Initiative (WBI)
Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Tel: 1-877-754-0555

The WBI is designed to improve the growth and competitiveness of women-owned businesses and increase their representation in Atlantic Canada's emerging growth sectors. The WBI focuses on strengthening management capabilities and business development skills of women business owners, improving their access to capital and business support services, and increasing involvement of women-owned business in exports and knowledge-based industries.  The Women in Business Initiative can help you to:

• get the right business advice, information and support
• improve your skills and your connections
• improve your access to financing
• obtain expert advice
• identify and take advantage of new and emerging markets.

NLOWE - Contacts for Newfoundland and Labrador
ACOA - Contacts for Newfoundland and Labrador

For a list of funding programs for entrepreneurs in Newfoundland and Labrador, see the Financing Info-Guide.

Canada/Newfoundland & Labrador Business Service Centre
Tel: 1-800-668-1010

Below is a sampling of titles on the topic of women that are available for loan from the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre. Visit our web site to search our Library catalog or for information on our free Books By Mail Service Or contact our Centre to speak with a Business Information Officer.

Entrepreneurship
101 internet businesses you can start from home : how to choose and build your own successful e-business / Susan Sweeney
HD 62 .5 .I2 S93 2007

Smart women and small business : how to make the leap from corporate careers to the right small enterprise / Ginny Wilmerding
HD 6053 W54 2006

Harvard Business Review on women in business
HD 6053 H37 2005

How to run your business like a girl : successful strategies from entrepreneurial women who made it happen / Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin
HD 6053 B37 2005

Kitchen table entrepreneurs : how eleven women escaped poverty and became their own bosses / Martha Shirk and Anna S. Wadia with the Ms. Foundation for Women
HD 6053 S54 2004

What it takes : speak up, step up, move up : a modern woman's guide to success in business / Amy Henry
HD 6053 H46 2004

Millionaire women : the many journeys of successful American businesswomen / Thomas J. Stanley
HD 6053 S72 2004

Trends in non-farm self-employment activity for rural women 1981-2001 / Statistics Canada
HA 741 P63 2004

Wise women invest in real estate : achieve financial independence and live the lifestyle of your dreams / Bromma, Lisa Moren
HD 1382 .5 B76 2007

Inventors
The mom inventors handbook : how to turn your great idea into the next big thing / Monosoff, Tamara
T 339 M66 2005

Marketing
101 ways to promote your web site : filled with proven internet marketing tips, tools, techniques, and resources to increase your web site traffic / Susan Sweeney
TK 5105 .888 S941 2006

3 G marketing on the internet : third generation internet marketing strategies for online success / Susan Sweeney
HF 5415 .1265 S93 2006

Negotiation
Secret of successful negotiating for women : from landing a big account to buying the car of your dreams and everything in between / Keller, Wendy
HD 58 .6 K44 2004

Political participation
It takes a candidate : why women don't run for office / Cambridge University Press
HQ 1236 .5 .U6 L38 2005

Statistics
Women in Canada : a gender-based statistical report / Statistics Canada
REF HA 741 S724 2006

Women consumers
The power of the purse : how smart businesses are adapting to the world's most important consumers : women / Warner, Fara
HF 5415 W37 2006

Trillion-dollar moms : marketing to a new generation of mothers / Ulman, Bonnie W.
HF 5415 .32 B44 2005

For more titles on women or other subjects (e.g. human resources; branding; accounting; specific types of businesses or industries) search our Library catalog.

---

Awards

(Back to table of contents)

NLOWE Entrepreneur of the Year Awards
Tel: 1-877-754-0555

The awards celebrate the extraordinary achievements and contributions of business women to the economic and community development of our province. The award categories are:

• Youth Entrepreneur of the Year
• President's Award
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Labrador Region
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Western Region
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Central Region
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Eastern Region
• Entrepreneur of the Year, Avalon Region

NLOWE - Contacts for Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards
The Newfoundland and Labrador Export Awards are designed to celebrate success and encourage new exporters to enter the global marketplace. The Export Awards event is a joint initiative of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters - Newfoundland and Labrador Division.

Ms. Lisa Gushue
Department of Innovation Trade and Rural Development
2nd Floor, West Block
Confederation Bldg.
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-3641
Fax: 709-729-3208
Toll-free (information): 1-800-563-2299
E-mail: exportawards@gov.nl.ca
Web site: http://www.intrd.gov.nl.ca/intrd/

RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
These Awards provides national recognition to Canada’s women entrepreneurs, whose successful businesses and achievements contribute so much to the Canadian and global economies as well as to their communities.  There are a number of award categories:

• The Deloitte Start-Up Award
• The Intel Innovation Award
• The RBC Momentum Award
• The Bell Trailblazer Award
• The Energy Savings Group of Companies Lifetime Achievement Award.

RBC Canadian Woman Entrepreneur Awards
c/o The PowerPoint Group Inc.
Royal Bank
225 MacPherson Avenue, Suite A-West
Toronto, Ontario  M4V 1A1
Telephone: 416-923-1688
Fax: 416-923-2862
Toll-free (information): 1-888-354-3303
E-mail: info@powerpointgroup.com
Web site: http://www.powerpointgroup.com/cwea_categories.html

---

Human Resources

(Back to table of contents)

Labour Relations Agency
The Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment is responsible for the Labour Relations Agency. The Agency has a Frequently Asked Questions  section on their web site which covers the following topics related to provincial employment regulations:

• Benefit Eligibility
• Hours of Work
• Payment of Wages
• Payroll Administration/Records
• Vacation and Vacation Pay
• Public Holidays
• Termination of Employment
• Pregnancy Leave
• Parental Leave
• Adoption Leave
• Bereavement Leave
• Employment of Children
• Sick/Family Responsibility Leave

Labour Relations Agency
3rd Floor, Beothuck Building
20 Crosbie Place
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL  A1B 4J6
Telephone: (709) 729-2743/2742
Fax: (709) 729-3528
Toll-free (information): 1-877-563-1063
Web site: http://www.hrle.gov.nl.ca/lra/

Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Tel: 1-800-0-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
[Note: Inquiries for HRSDC and some other federal government departments are handled through Service Canada ]

Employees and employers who come within federal jurisdiction are covered under the Canada Labour Code. Information on federal  labour standards for the topics noted above, can be found in on HRSDCs web site (see section on "Pamphlets").

HRSDC also has a HR for Employers web site which is a one-stop information source for human resources management for small to medium sized businesses. Topics covered include:

• Hiring Employees
• Payroll/Benefits
• Departing Employees
• Training Employees
• Employee Relations
• Health & Safety
• HR Planning.

Service Canada Centres - Supplement for Newfoundland and Labrador

Workplace Equity: General Information
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
Tel: 709-772-7355

The Workplace Equity web site is a national site for technical expertise on employment equity.  Besides general information and frequently asked questions about equity, this site has information on policies, programs and legislation, research and statistics, employment equity tools, and related publications and links.

Human Rights Commission - Newfoundland and Labrador
The Human Rights Commission was established in 1971 with the purposes of protecting individuals from discrimination and harassment, and promoting equality of opportunity within provincial government departments and agencies, and private businesses. The Commission handles complaints of discrimination and harassment based on race, religion, religious creed, sex, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, political opinion, colour, or ethnic, national or social origin, sexual orientation and age (19-65). The Commission also covers complaints because of sexual solicitation and because of different pay for females who are performing similar work to males in the same establishment.

Some of the Commission's publications are on their web site, such as:

• Policies and Procedures for Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A guide for employers and employees
• The Human Rights Code: Our Provincial Law Against Discrimination.

Human Rights Commission - Newfoundland and Labrador
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-2709
Fax: 709-729-0790
Toll-free (information): 1-800-563-5808
E-mail: humanrights@mail.gov.nl.ca
Web site: http://www.justice.gov.nl.ca/hrc/

Women's Policy Office (WPO)
The Women's Policy Office is the central agency within government coordinating the development of programs and policies for the benefit of women in the province.  Their mandate is to achieve social and economic equality for all women in Newfoundland and Labrador.   The WPO produces and distributes a variety of publications including reports; educational and promotional materials; and information sheets. The WPO also leads the Violence Prevention Initiative.

Women's Policy Office (WPO)
Executive Council
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 4J6
Telephone: 709-729-5009
E-mail: WPO@mail.gov.nl.ca
Web site: http://www.exec.gov.nl.ca/exec/WPO/default.htm

NL Advisory Council on the Status of Women
The Advisory Council was established in 1980 and works in areas of advising, advocating, lobbying and educating on issues which affect the status of women in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Activities of the Council include providing workshops, maintaining a resource information centre, participating on political action committees and meeting with government representatives.

Newfoundland and Labrador Advisory Council on the Status of Women (PACSW)
39 Pippy Place, Suite 2A
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 3X2
Telephone: 709-753-7270
Fax: 709-753-2606
E-mail: pacsw@nf.aibn.com
Web site: http://www.pacsw.com/index2.html

---

Other Web Sites of Interest to Women

(Back to table of contents)

Business Start-up Quiz
WomanOwned.com

Canada's Top 100 Women Business Owners
PROFITguide.com

Women Entrepreneurs
Royal Bank of Canada

Services for Women Entrepreneurs
Bank of Montreal

Wired Woman Society

Canadian Women's Business Network

Entrewomen

DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.

Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.