WHAT NEXT

Tailored advice to guide your next steps as an entrepreneur

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MODULES SIGN-up

Welcome to What Next — a resource to help you plan your next step in every aspect of your business.

We asked, and we heard you: you’re looking for guidance for your business that’s the right fit for you, and the right fit for now. What Next offers just that. Created in partnership with Cisco Designed and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), it was designed to give you access to targeted, actionable advice from experts and fellow entrepreneurs, plus plenty of inspiration.

Advice from entrepreneurs

How Vivian Kaye embraced her differences and built a multi-million dollar hair business.

This tech entrepreneur is changing how businesses serve their customers.

Mandy Rennehan, CEO of construction company Freshco, is on a mission to make the trades more relatable.

The founder of Balzac’s Coffee left the brand she built — to create an entirely new retail business during COVID.

Q&A: Sade and Rachel Baron, founders of Sade Baron, built a personal care brand that taps into the power of natural ingredients.

Q&A: Jolene Laskey, founder of Wabanaki Maple, is adding a twist to an Indigenous tradition.

Q&A: Catherine Dahl, founder of Beanworks, is disrupting the accounting industry with her venture-backed software company.

WHAT NEXT

SELF-GUIDED MODULES

Curated content pages featuring links to helpful resources and thought-starter questions to guide you through the next steps in your business, and get you to your goals.
Fully virtual curriculum that you can access at anytime.
Finance, sales, marketing, inclusion, and productivity modules.
Timely, actionable, simple, and budget-friendly advice.

Brought to you by:

WHAT NEXT WORKSHOP

Helping you navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s entrepreneurial world — starting with your next steps. Brought to you in partnership with BDC.

What's included?

6 weeks of curated content and optional small group workshops with experts and fellow entrepreneurs.
Fully virtual curriculum that you can access at anytime.
Finance, sales, marketing, inclusion, and productivity modules, with a bonus session on supplier diversity.
Timely, actionable, simple, and budget-friendly advice.

Is it right for me?

The program is a great fit for any entrepreneur looking for targeted, actionable advice rather than more broad and basic knowledge. You’ll have access to experts plus peers in the same industry. We welcome all entrepreneurs who are self-identified women or a marginalized gender, from any industry, and any business size.

How do I sign up?

All we need is your email to give you access to the curated content pages for each module, featuring links to helpful resources and thought-starter questions to get you to your goals. If you’d like to apply for one of the 25 spots available in the cohort, we have a few more questions to get to know your business.

Applications for the cohort are now closed, but you can still sign up here to get access to the curated content modules.

What Next Workshop Schedule

Cohort 2

Summer 2021

What Next Workshop Schedule

Cohort 2

Summer 2021

All Workshops take place Thursday, 4-5pm EST.

Finances:
Siobhan McManus

Senior Account Manager, Women’s Entrepreneur and Client Diversity Champion, BDC

Siobhan joined The Business Development Bank of Canada — better known as BDC, Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs — five years ago, after working with a large commercial chartered bank, and spending time in healthcare philanthropy. She leverages her expertise to journey alongside entrepreneurs from a diverse spectrum of industries through all stages of the business cycle.

Marketing & Sales:
Irah Nor

Co-Founder, Rêveur Marketing

Irah hails from nearly a decade of experience in the marketing industry. Currently, she is the co-founder of Rêveur Marketing, specializing in holistic growth strategies for SMB’s that accelerate their business and also in helping founders become more knowledgeable about various facets of marketing.

Inclusion:
Sharon Nyangweso

Founder and CEO, QuakeLab

Sharon is the founder and CEO of QuakeLab, a full-stack inclusion and communications agency. Sharon specializes in a radical new approach to diversity and inclusion that is measurable, strategic, and based on a strong foundation of design thinking. She has worked across sectors with organizations in 11 countries.

Mindset & Productivity
Ann Gomez

Founding President, Clear Concept Inc

Ann Gomez, founding president of Clear Concept Inc., is a coach, speaker, and the best-selling author of The Email Warrior. Passionate about helping people do their best work, Ann leads engaging and inspiring keynote addresses and interactive workshops. She is also an active blogger and media spokesperson.

Supplier Diversity:
Silvia Pencak

President, WBE Canada

Silvia Pencak is the President of Women Business Enterprises (WBE) Canada, a Canadian non-profit organization certifying women-owned businesses and opening the doors to corporate a d government supply chains under supplier diversity programs across North America.

Supplier Diversity:
Maude Pariseau

Director, Procurement, BDC

Maude has been Director, Procurement at BDC since 2016, where she is responsible for the organization’s procurement and supplier diversity programs. Maude has over 15 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, and is driven by a desire to increase diversity and inclusion at BDC.