Business Resources for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Did You Know: BC is home to the second largest number of Indigenous entrepreneurs in Canada, with over 2,000 Indigenous-owned businesses located across the province. In fact, the number of Indigenous entrepreneurs in BC has grown by more than 20% since 2011. Thinking of starting your own business? This page provides aspiring, emerging and established Indigenous entrepreneurs with the resources you need to thrive in the small business world.

Already a small business owner? Join our BC Marketplace for free province-wide promotion, increased web traffic and marketing opportunities.

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Hear From Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee On Decolonizing Entrepreneurship

Businesses have an important role to play in reconciliation. We spoke to Ta7talíya Michelle Nahanee to learn more about Decolonization and reconciliation in business.

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Discover The Importance Of Land Acknowledgements

Brianna Julian, Director of Indigenous Business Development Services shares her thoughts on the importance of Land Acknowledgements for businesses operating in Canada.

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SBBC and IBDS Announce Partnership

Small Business BC is pleased to announce a partnership with Indigenous Business Development Services.

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Grow Outside BC with Export Navigator

Are you an Indigenous business owner looking to expand beyond BC? Learn how Shannan Schimmelmann can help grow your business with dedicated support and advice.

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Hear from Indigenous-owned Businesses

Every one of us is an Indigenous person. We are all Indigenous to somewhere. Many of us have been away from that Indigenous part of ourselves for so long, but it’s still there inside us. If we can reconnect with it somehow, it will be so powerful.

Tanina Williams is an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper, storyteller, and the founder of amawílc, an Indigenous consultancy business with a focus on Truth and Reconciliation. Learn how she started and grew her crucial business.

Tanina Williams

To achieve a $100 billion Indigenous economy requires a shift in how we relate to Indigenous peoples – to see Indigenous peoples as economic powerhouses in our own right

Carol Anne Hilton and the Indigenomics Institute are working towards an ambitious goal - growing the Indigenous economy to $100 billion within the next five years. Learn how she's planning to do it.

Carol Anne Hilton

You can support Indigenous businesses in several ways. You can purchase their authentic products, and you can support them by sharing their social media posts - it doesn't have to be financial!

Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good grew up surrounded by art. They've turned their passion for art and design into Ay Lelum, The Good House of Design. Learn how this powerhouse sibling duo have achieved business success.

Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good

I believe helping to create conditions for Indigenous women entrepreneurs to thrive is the single most natural, fast and effective pathway to economic reconciliation in our country.

Teara Fraser is the first Indigenous woman in Canada to start her own airline, with Iskwew Air lifting off in March of 2019. Learn how Teara is working to create connections across BC, while blazing a trail for other Indigenous women to follow.

Teara Fraser

We talk a lot about conservation here at Sea Wolf Adventures and the best way to conserve and support your local community is to support the small businesses that live there.

Mike Willie is a member of the Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis First Nation and founder of Sea Wolf Adventures. Discover his unique path into entrepreneurship, and the amazing work his business does along the BC coast.

Mike Willie

Other Ways Small Business BC Can Help Your Business

Discover our selection of webinars to upskill your business

Small Business BC provides practical business education tailored for small businesses right here in BC. Whether you need help starting your business, hiring employees, managing operations, or anything else, Small Business BC is here to help. View our full calendar of business education.

Sign up for our newsletter and receive our latest updates in your inbox every two weeks

Sign up for Small Business BC’s newsletter and be the first to discover our latest news, special offers, and practical resources for your small business. Sign up now, it’s free and easy!

Discover our range of free downloadable resources

Starting a business? Start with Small Business BC’s comprehensive list of free downloadable resources. We’ve got everything covered, from business plan templates, cash flow forecasting and our starting a business checklist. View Resources.

Reach more customers online by joining our BC Marketplace

Join our free online hub of BC-based small businesses and reach a province-wide audience of engaged customers that are passionate about small business. Sign up now.

View our range of on-demand E-Learning education

Our self-directed E-Learning courses are available anytime, anywhere. Each on-demand course consists of bite-sized topics filled with features like readings, handouts, videos and quizzes. Discover our range of E-Learning education today.

Read our 10 Step Guide to Starting a Business

Read our simplified guide to each area of the start-up experience, highlighting the services and help you can lean on to achieve your goals.

10 Step Guide to Starting a Business

Find Government of Canada Resources to Help Your Business

Start Grow, and Expand Your Business

The Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN) is a group of independent organizations that receive WD funds to help Western Canadians start, grow and expand their businesses.

Accelerated Growth Service

The Accelerated Growth Service (AGS) helps growth-oriented Canadian businesses to expand by helping them access the key government services they need to grow, such as financing, exporting, innovation and business advice.