Women in Business
This course will focus on the broad range of skills necessary for harnessing entrepreneurial opportunities with the full support of experienced educators.
Explore the Entrepreneurial Adventure!
Are you:
- A new or existing business owner?
- Someone with a business idea?
- Interested in learning more about business and entrepreneurship?
Our experienced facilitator will help you explore the concept of entrepreneurship, show you how to plan your business, and help you gather tools and knowledge on marketing, management and finance that will advise your future or that you can immediately apply to your venture. Guest presenters are a regular feature of this program.
Topics include:
- Exploring your Vision & Values
- Research & Exploration
- Analysis & Evaluation
- Marketing, Pricing, Distribution & Sales
- Promotion, Social Media, & Web Design
- Sales Forecasting
- Financial Foundations
- Testing the Market & Customer Mapping
- ...and more!
From marketing to filing, from stress management to promotions, sessions will provide the basic skills needed to begin putting together a blueprint for your venture, presented from a woman's perspective.
Being a small business owner can sometimes feel very isolating. You are your own boss, and it can be hard to know who to turn to with questions and problems.
Allison is now available for FREE one-to-one coaching sessions with small business owners and Women in Business graduates.
Let's discuss the stresses that keep you up at night, how to set realistic goals, new social media strategies, and building confidence in yourself and your business. You aren't alone and we are here to help.
To book a coaching session, you can email Allison or book through Allison's Calendly system once scheduling is open in late September.
"The facilitator's guidance and the support of the YWCA are a valuable resource for women in Muskoka. The Women in Business course is providing not just the typical practical information on how to run your own business, but also the connections and contacts necessary on a local level to help really push you forward."
- Women in Business Participant
Celebrating our Fall 2026
Women in Business Grads
Over the years we have had many wonderful, creative women participating in Women in Business - here is where we feature our most recent graduates!
Amanda Greavette Fine Art
The Birth Project
Amanda is a well-known figure painter who focuses on capturing the shifting interior landscapes of women. Amanda and her partner are also launching Dark Waters Bed & Breakfast in spring 2026 which can be booked through Airbnb.
Kelly Crawford
Heeling Muskoka
Dog Training
Kelly is a highly certified dog trainer who approaches pets as autonomous beings who deserve respect and kindness through training. She creates customized training plans for each client, offers virtual sessions, and does pro-bono work at the local SPCA.
Amanda Hogewoning
Nurtured Skin Muskoka
Amanda is a RPN who will be offering her medical aesthetics services from a space at Muskoka Laser Spa starting in early 2026. This will include Botox, micro-needling, plasma treatments and dermaplaning. She will also have handmade skincare products.
More details soon!
Emily Tingey
Digital Marketing & social media
Emily currently works at Well Known, a Muskoka-based marketing agency. Emily offers her own digital productivity products, and is a social media manager who can assist other small businesses. She also aims to open Tingey Fashion House in the coming years, a brand that creates bespoke pieces which reflect the Muskoka landscape.
Nicole Lavallee
PMD Creations
Nicole is a part of a husband and wife team that creates both original art and licensed 3D creations. These include 3D printing and wood engraving. Pieces can be purchased from their website or custom pieces can be commissioned.
Melissa Heatlie
Gooseboat & Co.
Muskoka Green
Burial Co.
Melissa is a passionate creator who co-founded Gooseboat & Co., a Muskoka-based business that creates original art into small batch items that are drawn, painted, and worn. Melissa also plans to open Muskoka Green Burial Co. in the coming years, a eco-focused end-of-life service that allows folks to be returned to the earth in a natural way.
Enterprising Women Resources and Tools:
Enterprising Women - a networking program previously offered by YWCA Muskoka which provided tools for Women in Business in the Muskoka area - please feel free to use these to support your entrepreneurial endeavours.
Bridges for Financial Success for Women Business Owners and Lenders
Funded by:
