Women’s Microenterprise Collective: Turning Creativity into Opportunity
A new program developed in partnership between YWCA Crabtree Corner and the YWCA Employment Navigator program is supporting women entrepreneurs to grow their creative talents into craft-based businesses. The Women’s Microenterprise Collective is designed to support women facing systemic barriers, particularly self-identified women parenting alone who may be unemployed, underemployed or receiving income subsidies.
This new program focuses on practical skill building, mentorship and community connection. Participants learn how to turn their ideas into viable small businesses by developing budgets, conducting market research, producing inventory and building confidence in marketing and selling their handmade goods. Throughout the program, women also have opportunities to participate in local craft fairs and community events, gaining real-world experience while connecting with customers and other makers.
“When I learned about this program, I felt it had been created with a deep understanding of what people actually need when starting out,” one participant, who is exploring several craft ideas including bleached T-shirts, watercolour postcards and acrylic paintings, said. “It’s a perfect opportunity to meet people who are going through the same process and learn how to achieve our goals in a friendly and supportive environment.”
The goal of the Microenterprise Collective is to help women take the first steps toward entrepreneurship while building financial resilience in a supportive and collaborative environment. Participants support one another as they learn, share ideas, and grow their businesses together.
“It looked like a supportive program that would take into consideration that I’m a woman with disabilities and looking for a way to monetize my arts and crafts,” one participant shared, when asked why she joined the Microenterprise Collective. “I had always been interested in the idea but didn’t know where to begin. A small group of like-minded women felt like a gentle and welcoming way to start building a craft-based business.”
The first cohort began with nine participants in February 2026 and will run through August 2026. A second cohort will begin in August, and members of the first group will return as mentors to support new participants at events and craft fairs and sharing their experiences as guest speakers.
Participants are already exploring a wide range of creative products that can be produced from home or in small workspaces. These include handmade items such as bags, candles, jewelry, customized apparel, mixed media prints and other artisanal crafts. Small-batch production allows participants to test the market while keeping costs manageable, which is an ideal approach for new entrepreneurs.
One participant said she hopes to build a business based on her love of art and nature. She plans to create botanical and nature-inspired artwork using watercolor, mixed media, and fabric. Her goal is to develop original artwork and expand into prints, greeting cards, magnets and household goods featuring her designs. Through the program, she hopes to learn how to plan production, set goals, source eco-friendly materials and package her work for art fairs, galleries and online platforms.
For many participants, the program is about more than business. It is also about creativity, confidence, and community. Some are interested in building businesses with a social mission, such as repurposing materials, promoting local artisans or creating products that serve and strengthen the community.
As the Women’s Microenterprise Collective continues to grow, it is supporting women as they turn creativity into opportunity while building a strong sense of community. Together, these women are working toward the shared goal of launching their own artistic ventures —supporting, encouraging and inspiring one another along the way.
For more information on how you can support the Women’s Microenterprise Collective, contact Josh Hardwick at 604 895 5823 or jhardwick@ywcabc.org.
