Participants in the 2024-2025 Entrepreneurship program are at various stages of their business development. From a first idea to a well-established business, explore their unique journeys.
Idea Phase
Marie-Josée Guanish, Naskapi
Projecting Inter-Community Healing
Marie-Josée joins the Entrepreneurship program with a strong background in support intervention. She has organized events aimed at promoting community healing and bringing people closer together.
“I am coming to the program to find clarity about how I can build on the events I have organized in the past months, that brought communities and Elders together. I wish to bring greater healing and wellness for spiritual and traditional ceremonies. I’m excited about how there are opportunities to create a wellness centre in my community and I would like to contribute to this project.”
Startup Phase
Charles Buckell-Robertson, Innu
Pre-Startup Business: Charly Accessoires
“I joined the Entrepreneurship program to make connections. I already have a solid entrepreneurial foundation, but I want to improve my skills. My entrepreneurial vision is to build collaborations with Indigenous artisans and artists. I’d like to open an online store offering leather goods, such as bags, wallets, belts, and leather accessories. My background as an actor and multidisciplinary artist drives me to commit to building a business that enhances and promotes Indigenous cultural visibility across all artistic and cultural spheres in Quebec. As a former board member of the Union des Artistes, I want to leverage these skills and apply them to my future business.”
Growing Business
Georges-Étienne Malleck, Innu
Business: Maltech Électrique
“I launched my business over the past year, and it’s going very well. Since then, I’ve earned certifications as a general contractor, and I’m looking to grow my business. By participating in the Entrepreneurship program, I aim to enhance my administrative, financial, and negotiation skills.”
Intergenerational Transfer from Mother to Daughter
Mathilda Vollant and Anne Fontaine, Innu
Business: Création Puamun
Créations Puamun has been operating for 5 years. The company specializes in traditional clothing, accessories, and Indigenous textiles.
For Mathilda: “I joined to refine my training. I’ve been sewing for 30 years and have been progressing spontaneously based on business opportunities for my company. I’m here to gain the knowledge I need to reach my goals and pass my business on to my daughter, both in sewing techniques and entrepreneurial skills. Our age difference enriches us both in the design and production of our products: Anne finds new, contemporary ways to blend her style with my expertise.”
For Anne: “I enrolled in the program to share the same vocabulary and direction as my mother. I want to preserve her vision while adding my own style to shape the company’s future. I wanted us to find tools together.”
Expanding Sales & Business Communication
Michael Yellowhair, Navajo
Entreprise : Tammy Beauvais designs
“I want to learn more about becoming an entrepreneur, as I come from a family of artists. We learn how to do our artwork, but we don’t learn how to sell it. I’d like to improve my skills in that area, as well as interpersonal communications and business leadership. As a military veteran, there are some benefits and drawbacks to a streamlined leadership. I’m here to learn… and unlearn.”
Michael is a life and business partner of Tammy Beauvais, who has been sowing since she was a child and established her company in 1990. One of her major projects has been to design capes for the First Ladies, including Michelle Obama and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau.
