Resilient and Redefined Wellness owner by Laura Hrdlicka accessed the microloan program at Visions North. (Submitted photo/Breanna Parbst)

By Derek Cornet

entrepreneurship

Vision North boosting Indigenous business ownership through microloan program

Jul 21, 2023 | 5:16 PM

The microloan program at Visions North Community Futures in La Ronge is kick-starting small businesses owned by local Indigenous women.

Visions North is an Indigenous financial institution and a member of the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA). The association developed the Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs Program to assist in growing and expanding businesses owned by people in that demographic. Providing small loans is a proven way of achieving that goal.

“It just provides a lot of support and allows access and takes away some barriers for women to enter into the entrepreneurial field,” said business support officer Breanna Parbst. “Because it’s a microloan, I can only lend up to $20,000 if you qualify and it has to be majority 51 per cent owned by an Indigenous woman.”

The program launched on International Women’s Day in 2022 and Parbst noted there are two local Indigenous women who have successfully launched or expanded their business in the last year. Those businesses are Resilient and Redefined Wellness owned by Laura Hrdlicka and Auntie Charlie’s Itch Awas owned by Charity (Charlie) Bradfield.

Hrdlicka is a personal trainer and Bradfield produces all-natural salves sold at Northlands.

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Auntie Charlie’s Itch Awas is owned by Charity (Charlie) Bradfield. (Submitted photo/Breanna Parbst)

“Both of these ladies came to me last year and now they are fully registered with their business and doing things in a good way,” Parbst said.

“Laura got a really good promotion for her business when the Lac La Ronge Indian Band did the Wellness Challenge. She really showcased her skills because, at that time, she was the only personal trainer in the area.”

Parbst explained the microloan program was started because Indigenous women face barriers when it comes to entrepreneurship. For instance, some barriers include their role in families as caregiver and a lack of credit if they spend most of their time at home. Parbst added the microloan program was developed in a way to allow flex time so that they can supplement their income.

Hrdlicka started her business nine months ago and she said it wouldn’t be where it is today if it wasn’t for Parbst’s assistance and the microloan program. She mentioned the personal training business she started was just an idea that she had that she finally decided to pursue last year.

“There were some things like equipment that I needed to have more of a social media presence, so I was able to get stuff for that,” Hrdlicka said. “I was able to get an iPad and that really helped, especially when I go to the gym I can bring the workout on the iPad and just have it there.”

Hrdlicka encourages other women to reach out to Parbst if they too have plans to start or expand a small business.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno