Reema Joemon (Program Support Specialist) and Bisi Adebayo (Outreach & Partnerships Manager) of the Manitoba-Immigrant Employment Council hosted the event at Winkler Arts and Culture
Immigrant entrepreneurs are helping create jobs and strengthen Manitoba’s economy, and a gathering in Winkler is highlighting their contributions while connecting business owners with resources to help them succeed.
The Immigrant Business Celebration and Networking Summit took place Tuesday, October 20, at Winkler Arts & Culture. Organized through the Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council, a project under Regional Connections Immigrant Services, the event brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders and community partners to share experiences, build connections and explore opportunities for business growth.
Bisi Adebayo, the council’s Outreach and Partnership Manager, said the event also welcomed people considering starting their own businesses, giving them a chance to learn from established entrepreneurs and community leaders.
The event provided lots of networking opportunities
Adebayo said immigrant-owned businesses deserve recognition for the role they play in creating employment and contributing to Manitoba’s economy.
“It’s important because immigrant business owners are also seen as job creators and so it would be great for us to like showcase them, celebrate them, network and then get all the necessary support and resources they can as well to stay thriving and sustaining their businesses,” she said.
Creating connections between entrepreneurs and employers is one of the parts of her work she enjoys most.
“My favorite thing is most times engaging employers and seeing that employers are creating jobs,” Adebayo said.
“You know how it is when immigrants come into the community as well, them getting jobs, and once business starts, then people are definitely going to get jobs.”
She said helping people recognize the opportunities available in the Pembina Valley is an important part of that work.
“I want to connect with them. I want to support them. I want to promote what they’re doing for people to know that Pembina Valley is also a region where you can come to start and grow a business.”
For aspiring entrepreneurs, finding the right resources can make the process of launching a business more manageable. Adebayo said support is available for a range of needs, including finances, legal matters, bookkeeping and tax filing.
“Most times what we hear is the support that gets is enormous,” she said. “Like once you just have that idea, bring it forward.”
The Manitoba Immigrant Employment Council also offers resources for employers on recruiting and retaining immigrants, workplace culture, and preventing hate and racism in the workplace.
“We have workplace culture resources, all of that we have that we use to support them and we keep promoting, engaging them,” Adebayo said.
The organization also hosts webinars and networking events for small businesses, immigrant entrepreneurs and employers. Adebayo encouraged business owners who were unable to attend the summit, along with those just starting to explore an idea, to reach out for guidance and help finding the right resources.
Michael Ikhuoria (Founder and owner of Mitobi) was the keynote speaker
Community members can also play a role in helping immigrant-owned businesses succeed, even if they are not entrepreneurs themselves.
Adebayo encouraged residents to get to know the businesses operating in their communities, become customers and share their experiences with others.
“By supporting them by patronizing their business, getting to know them, what they do, help amplify what they’re doing, promote their businesses to people around,” she said.
She added that helping businesses reach more people can benefit the wider community over time.
Adebayo hopes more entrepreneurs will consider the Pembina Valley as a place to establish and grow their businesses, rather than looking only to larger cities.
“I want them to know that Pembina Valley is a great place to start a business,” she said.
“Move from the biggest city, come to Pembina Valley. It’s a place to grow, it’s a place to thrive, and it’s a place to have your business solid.”
For Adebayo, helping immigrant entrepreneurs connect with resources, employers and customers is part of building a stronger local business community, where new ventures can create opportunities for both their owners and the people who live here.
Regional Connections provides services in multiple communities in rural Manitoba.
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