A BUSINESS PLANNING SERIES FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
★★★★★Trusted by +1100 entrepreneurs
The NextSteps to Success Business Planning Series supports Indigenous women at the early stages of building a business who are ready to turn ideas into a clear, usable business plan.
Unique circle delivery offers guidance, expertise, and peer mentoring in a way that respects lived experience and meets women where they are.
Together, we work through the core pieces of a strong, comprehensive business plan. A plan that can be used confidently for financing, partnerships, or next-step decisions.
Next cohort coming soon
Our next NextSteps to Success cohort is now in planning. Join the waitlist to be the first to hear when registration opens, receive program details, and get early access to available spots.
NextSteps to Success makes
a real impact
1,100
Indigenous entrepreneurs served
100%
Satisfaction Rate
NextSteps to Success is for women who
Have a business idea you’re ready to develop into a clear, practical plan
Are in the early stages of running a business and want stronger foundations
Want to understand what funding organizations, lenders, or partners look for
Are looking for culturally grounded learning that honours lived experience and different paths into entrepreneurship
Value learning in community, with space for reflection, discussion, and peer support
Are ready to take dedicated time to work on your business and your next steps
NextSteps to Success is designed for Indigenous women in Alberta who are exploring entrepreneurship or building an early-stage business and want structure, guidance, and community as they move forward.
What you will learn
Entrepreneurship Readiness
Assess your readiness for entrepreneurship and get clear on what running a business requires practically, financially, and personally.Marketing Planning
Learn how to market your business with clarity: how customers find you, why they choose you, and how to communicate your value.
Operations Planning
Understand the fundamentals of operating and managing a business from workflows to day-to-day decision making.
Financial Planning
Build confidence with your numbers. Learn the essentials of pricing, forecasting, and financial planning in a clear, approachable way.
From Plan to Action
Learn how to use your business plan as a working tool: making decisions, setting priorities, and taking next steps with confidence.
Bringing It All Together
Connect the pieces into a complete, practical business plan you can use moving forward.
Working Session
Dedicate time to work on your business plan with guidance, feedback, and support.
Find your path and fuel your Success
Success to me means feeling fulfilled and happy with where you are in your life. I don’t really separate work and home life too much. To me, if you are doing something you love, it doesn’t feel like work.
CRYSTAL JANVIER,
CEO AND OWNER OF
SUN DANCE ENTERPRISES LTD
Community that matters
You’ll join a cohort of early-stage indigenous women founders who are:
Asking the same questions
Supporting one another honestly and without judgment
Facing similar challenges
PLUS: Receive access to AWE’s learning platforms
I find that when you’re with a group of women, it’s different. The learning is different, the teaching is different, and what you get out of it is different. There’s more camaraderie.
ESTHER JACOBS,
CO-OWNER AND OPERATOR OF
JACOBS WEASELHEAD CORPORATION
Host a cohort
NextStep to Success is designed to be delivered in community. We partner with local Indigenous nations or Communities across Alberta to host cohorts that reflect local priorities, experiences, and opportunities.
Hosting a cohort can help create space for Indigenous women in your community to explore entrepreneurship, develop business plans, and prepare for funding and long-term success.
When you partner with AWE, we work collaboratively to support delivery, coordination, and participant experience. Our goal is to ensure the program feels relevant, accessible, and grounded in the community it serves.
If you’d like to explore hosting a NextStep to Success cohort, we’d love to connect.
Take the next step when you’re ready
The next NextSteps to Success cohort is coming soon.
Join the waitlist for updates, early access, and support along the way.
Indigenous Women’s
Entrepreneur Program FAQ’s
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NextSteps to Success is designed for Indigenous women entrepreneurs in Alberta who are developing or refining a business idea and are ready to work toward a clear, realistic business plan.
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This program is a guided business planning course delivered in a supportive cohort environment. Participants focus on building a strong business plan while gaining clarity, confidence, and readiness for funding and next steps.
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You do not need a fully established business, but you should be beyond the idea stage and ready to actively work on your business plan, goals, and next steps throughout the program.
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The program helps participants develop funder-ready business plans, understand what lenders and funding organizations look for, and prepare the information needed for future financing or grant opportunities.
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NextSteps to Success is specifically designed for Indigenous women entrepreneurs and focuses on business planning and funding readiness. BRIDGE supports early-stage women entrepreneurs more broadly, while Strategic Edge and Bold Leadership serve founders who are further along in their business journey.
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Participants receive guided learning, practical tools, and advisor support within a cohort of Indigenous women entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes learning through discussion, reflection, and real-world application.