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With steady growth year over year, the WE-CAN Project at Queen’s has been supporting and serving women and non-binary entrepreneurs in the Kingston and surrounding women for five years.

According to the , Canadian small to medium sized businesses where women were the majority-owner has steadily increased from 15.6% in 2017 to 17.8% in 2023.

Thanks in part to the , the WE-CAN Project was able help 1,600+ women and non-binary entrepreneurs in the Kingston region and surrounding areas. But the program was not without its own challenges to overcome.

“I began as Project Manager with the WE-CAN Project in January 2020, just three months before the world shut down,” says Kerry Ramsay, Project Manager of the WE-CAN Project. “None of us could have predicted the scope or the impact of COVID-19. So many women stepped away from their regular jobs to manage homeschooling, and others lost their employment entirely. As a result, many women began exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, and a large number found their way to WE-CAN.”

The program quickly pivoted to an online format and continues to successfully deliver many of its programs online. “With a geographic area that covers Kingston, the surrounding townships and as far west as the Quinte region, being able to deliver programming online is helpful for those who might not be able to easily travel to an in-person workshop all of the time,” Kerry notes.

During the first three years as a FedDev Ontario funded initiative, the WE-CAN Project served over 1,300 women-identifying entrepreneurs.

“We could not have asked for better partners and participants to the program. Their efforts made the program a huge success,” says Kerry.

Since its FedDev Ontario funding ended in 2023, the WE-CAN Project continues to be fully funded by Queen’s University. Today, the WE-CAN community is stronger than ever, continuing to welcome new clients and expand its service offerings.

“Over the past five and a half years, we’ve developed new programs and services such as our small group masterminds, one-on-one mentorship, online workshops, a speaker development program, and multiple business boot camps,” says Kerry, who adds that client feedback has been one of the main guiding principles for the program.

Building confidence and community

Open to all women-identifying and non-binary entrepreneurs in the greater Kingston and Bay of Quinte regions, the program has seen a wide variety of businesses participate in the workshops and take advantage of the resources available to them.

“Launching a new business felt overwhelming. WE-CAN was a community where I could gently dip my toes in the entrepreneurial water with kind, supportive people who celebrated and encouraged me to show up authentically,” says Cheyanne O’Driscoll, owner and founder of based in Trenton, who has not only participated in workshops and mastermind groups, but has also taken on a leadership role by sharing her own expertise with her peers, delivering both an online and in-person workshop.

“As a newcomer to WE-CAN, I’ve felt truly welcomed from the start. Through the program, I’ve connected with other women entrepreneurs to gain valuable business insights. It’s uplifting to be part of a community that empowers and supports women in business,” says Marie Bazile, owner of based in Kingston, and a member of the 2025 WE-CAN Early Stage Mastermind for Women Entrepreneurs.

“What I’ve discovered through this role is the incredible power of community in building each other’s confidence,” Kerry reflects. “When women come together to support, mentor, and celebrate one another, remarkable things happen.” Feeling supported by a community of fellow entrepreneurs is a common sentiment amongst WE-CAN members, as evidenced by the hundreds of client profiles shared on the WE-CAN Project , and pages.

Diversity and inclusion

Beyond community-building, WE-CAN aims to empower and equip women and non-binary entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups or sectors (BIPOC communities, newcomers to Canada, women entrepreneurs with disabilities, women and non-binary entrepreneurs in tech) with the resources to take their businesses to the next level.

“One thing I’ve learned over the course of the program is the importance of meeting people where they are, and that every entrepreneur’s path looks different,” says Kerry. “I’ve seen firsthand that confidence grows through action, and that sometimes the smallest steps lead to the biggest breakthroughs.”

Tammy Watson, founder of and a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and a long-time participant in WE-CAN programs, can attest to small steps leading to big rewards, after applying to and becoming one of five winners at the StartUp Canada Big Slice Pitch Competition in June 2025. “The program has provided opportunities for networking, business development advice, and speaking opportunities, which led me to where I am today.”

A WE-CAN participant since 2020, Aileen Edwards, owner of based in Frankford, learned valuable insights on owning her own voice early stage of her business. She brings over 30 years of experience in human resources and leadership coaching as a black woman entrepreneur. “Upholding boundaries is a business strategy. Your business isn’t just what you build; it’s who you are becoming as you build it.”

WE-CAN looking forward

At its heart, WE-CAN is about growth and connection, both for the community and for the supported businesses. “Being surrounded by people who inspire me and encourage me makes all the difference on tough days,” says Anja Cahill, owner of a Kingston-based curated camping-themed subscription box company. “I’ve learned that growth comes from stretching outside my comfort zone, and with the support of WE-CAN has helped with that.

With over 170 workshops and events and more than a dozen masterminds held to date, the WE-CAN Project continues to evolve while keeping the core mission of seeing women and non-binary entrepreneurs flourish and expand, no matter what stage their business is in.

“We will continue to adapt, innovate and expand to ensure our programs remain relevant and impactful for women at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey,” says Kerry. “My goal is to continue serving women and non-binary entrepreneurs with excellence, listening closely, responding thoughtfully, and helping them build the skills, networks, and confidence they need to succeed long term.”

To learn more about the WE-CAN Project, please visit the on the Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation website.