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Black Canada Talking™ is a live online event that provides Black Canadians opportunity to give their takes and POVs on stories that are of importance to them.
Recently, Jackee Kasandy – Founder – CEO of the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC) was on Black Canada Talking™.
Ms. Kasandy is the co-Founder of the BEBC. She grew up in Kenya, and spent time in places that didn’t have electricity or water. She moved to Canada and started her business. But because she had a lack of credit history and capital, she couldn’t get loans. She had to max out her credit cards to launch her retail business, and relied on subletting her rented apartment through airbnb just to get by until she finally built her business. It now does more than 500K in revenue. She would be MUCH further ahead if she had access to loans or grants or investment early on, but was considered ‘unfundable’. She helped start this pitch contest so that people like her can get the funding to start people off.
The Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC), a non-profit is here to help you. Partner with us as we connect you with community leaders who will meet your needs, as you create community, expand networks and start, maintain or scale up your business.
The BEBC’s brand new Black Pitch Contest is launching nationwide this month—providing a unique pathway to funding for entrepreneurs who otherwise are shut out of business opportunities.
The Black Pitch Contest gives Black entrepreneurs and youth a shot at cash prizes stretching up to $25K (with a possibility of getting up to 100k prize as we continue to fundraise and add partners to our contest). Crucially, this pitch is created to be ‘barrier free’, meaning anyone in the Black community in Canada can apply, no matter their age, gender, or experience level. Many other pitches often require lengthy business plans and months of work for entrants just to successfully apply. However, because most Canadian Black businesses are micro-enterprises, most owners simply don’t have the time to go through a lengthy application process to get started. The Black Pitch Contest, on the other hand, is streamlined and simple. People can apply even if their business idea is at conception stage. All you have to do to enter is fill out a brief application and film a 2-minute youtube video, describing your business idea. That’s all you need to get started. Awards are based on how good your idea is, not on how much time you’ve been able to spend drafting a 60-page business plan, and people are eligible even if they’re very young or if they have no business experience. Winners get the money, no strings attached, along with opportunity for mentorship and coaching and further investment contacts.
During our conversation, Ms. Kasandy talked about:
– Some of her background including being born in Kenya, coming to Canada and being the only family member in Canada
– How much does her grandmother mean to her
– Choosing Canada to live and her first days in Canada
– Some of her journey after graduating from school in Toronto and some of the experiences from that journey that has helped her become an entrepreneur
– Deciding to leave Toronto and go to Vancouver
– The story behind the Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society (BEBC)
– The BEBC’s first big win
– What information did they find out when they did a survey of Black Canadian businesses
– Her thoughts about the challenges and solutions for Black Canadian entrepreneurs especially with getting loans
– The story behind the pitch competition and her thought about businesses wanting to run on grants
– The Black Business Summit … February 24, 2023 – February 25, 2023
– Other funding what are some of the challenges many Black Canadian entrepreneurs facing
– What Black Canadian entrepreneurs need to do to improve
– What does the BEBC do to set up Black Canadian entrepreneurs for success That other Black Canadian organizations don’t do
– If they have collaborated with any other Black Canadian organizations that are helping Black Canadian entrepreneurs
– The BEBC’s biggest challenge at the moment
– What is she excited about
You can find out more information about Black Entrepreneurs and Businesses of Canada Society via:
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Please feel free to email us at dr.vibe@thedrvibeshow.com
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God bless, peace, be well and keep the faith,
Dr. Vibe
2020 Podcast News Award Winner – Canadian Ethnic Media Association
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