Female entrepreneurs are kickstarting their careers

Sarah Haefling, the founder of Elevate Podcast Co. and host of Made it Happen Podcast, is offering advice to future entrepreneurs – chase your dreams and go for it. 

Haefling is one of the many guest speakers involved in the Entrepreneurship SpeakHER Series is funded by the US Consulate General Office in Toronto, but the program is run by the EPICentre at the University of Windsor. 

“My advice for other women who are becoming entrepreneurs would be to just take that first step and start before you’re ready,” Haefling said. 

EPICentre (Entrepreneurship, Practice and Innovation Centre) is located on the University of Windsor campus. The new online SpeakHER series kicked off in January, with the goal of hosting and releasing new sessions to help both students and entrepreneurs each month. 

“People in Windsor are finding new ways to become their own bosses by becoming entrepreneurs. Part of the reason for the increase in entrepreneurship is that more people are asking questions and attending informative events (like this),” said Lauryn Bodde, campus and community engagement coordinator at EPICentre, referring to a recent study. 

Bodde said the inspiration behind this event has been to encourage students and women to pursue and consider opportunities within the realm of entrepreneurship. 

“We have tried to aim each session at different industries so that it truly applies to any student within any field of study,” said Bodde. “However, it has also been targeted at different faculties and programs both at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College, so students can really envision themselves in the position of a female founder and get that inspiration going.” 

“It can be tempting to wait until everything is perfect before launching,” said Haefling. “But there is so much you will learn along the way, and you’ll never really know until you start.”  

After starting up, always listen to your audience and be willing to accept feedback as your business evolves and pivots along the way, which is the key to truly creating a truly successful business, according to Haefling. 

For more information on upcoming events from EPICentre such as future SpeakHER meetings, you can look at their website www.epicentreuwindsor.ca, or to watch past sessions you can go to their YouTube channel at EPICentre UWindsor.