Turning Passion into Possibility with YWCA MicroEnterprise Collective
Constanza moved from Chile to Vancouver in search of a new adventure. She had recently graduated from university with a degree in design and was excited to start her professional journey. However, the job search process in Vancouver was highly competitive and vastly different from what she was used to, leading her to reach out for support. That was when her YWCA BC journey began.
With her partner pursuing a PhD in Vancouver, Constanza was eager for a fresh start and willing to see where her path would lead. But certain realities, like the high housing costs, were impossible to ignore.
"Vancouver is expensive," Constanza remarked.
After three months of submitting job applications without receiving a single response, Constanza knew a change of approach was needed.
"In Chile, the process of getting a job is very different," she explains. "It's closely connected to LinkedIn and you always get a response, whether it's a yes or a no. I learned that finding a job here is nothing like that."
After discussing her first experience of “employer ghosting” with her friends, a classmate of her partner’s suggested she check out YWCA Focus@Work. Now known as YWCA Focus Forward, this free, highly participatory employment program helps women assess their skills, set career goals, build networks and develop strategic job search skills. Its goal is to help participants secure meaningful, sustainable employment.
Her biggest takeaway from the program was the power of networking. "In my country, networking is not really a thing," Constanza explains. "It is often viewed as over-involved or nosy, as if you are explicitly asking for favours."
YWCA BC programs take a holistic approach, recognizing that participants come from diverse countries, cultures and backgrounds. Rather than offering basic resume building, facilitators meet participants where they are—an approach that Constanza found immensely beneficial.
"I learned that networking is necessary," she says. "It still feels a bit uncomfortable, but I know it is normal here, so I need to do it." She also learned to include cover letters with her applications and highlight her transferable skills. "Also, not a thing in my country," she adds.
From Passion to Profession
Although she graduated from the Focus Forward program three months prior, Constanza realized that a traditional job wasn’t the right fit for her. Determined to build a career that aligned with her creative passions, she began exploring entrepreneurship.
Drawn to the arts since her youth, her family always encouraged her to pursue her passion. "I've been dancing since I was five and I love performing at events like the Vancouver International Flamenco Festival," she says. "I think my family always thought I would do my own thing. I never saw myself in the corporate world."
While completing her degree, Constanza discovered a passion for photography and began freelancing. After her positive experience with YWCA BC, she explored other programs and enrolled in the YWCA MicroEnterprise Collective. This initiative supports women who are ready to turn their creative talents into sustainable, craft-based small businesses.
The MicroEnterprise Collective taught Constanza the fundamentals of budgeting, self-promotion and business management, while giving her the freedom to direct her career. "I like to manage my own time," she notes. "But there are also a lot of operational details to consider that I hadn't realized before."
Beyond business skills, one of her favourite outcomes of the program was the community. "They are all creatives, so our brains work the same way," Constanza laughs. The participants supported one another by sharing crucial local knowledge. "In my country, I knew exactly where to find art supplies and could name the tiny, hidden local businesses because it was my city," she explains. "The other women in the program really helped me find those resources here."
The YWCA MicroEnterprise Collective helped fund participation in local craft markets, providing a platform for Constanza to launch her new photography business, Cono Lux. In addition to temporary markets, she plans to establish her work at permanent retail locations and expand her online presence.
"Right now, I'm launching my first collection, which is inspired by Vancouver's nature," she says. "I really like colour and I feel like we are losing colour in this current era. I want to remain in artistic spaces and do something that genuinely fulfills me."
At the same time, Constanza recognizes the value of building professional experience. "I don't have a lot of professional experience yet, so I am interested in participating in other YWCA youth employment programs. They have been incredibly helpful."
Photos provided by Costanza
Inspired by this story? YWCA MicroEnterprise Collective is one of several employment programs offered by YWCA BC. Make a donation today to help more people access life-changing opportunities.
