Employ to Empower

06/03/2026

⭐️ Thank you to everyone who joined us for our sunny Make Change Market on Thursday May 28th to showcase ETE’s hardworking entrepreneurs and celebrate all that they have built! ⭐️

Our 10 entrepreneurs showed up and showed out - this day was a testament to the contributions that not only the entrepreneurs illustrated but also the community that came out and supported. The magic of MCM is a celebration of what is possible when a community comes together to empower others with the tools and community to thrive.

📣A very special thank you to our friends over at , , , and for your generosity and effort at this spring edition market!

It’s so great to see how together we truly are able to build empowered communities. 🧡

05/25/2026

📣Meet more of the incredible entrepreneurs joining us at Make Change Market on May 28th! 

✨  Martin Haridge – Founder of Walking Stick Dude: healing through woodwork, one handcrafted piece at a time. Coasters, tables, commissions, and the kind of craftsmanship that takes time.

✨  Shauna McQueen – Founder of Golden Hand Creations: crocheted, knitted, and diamond art creations made from home with love, creativity, and community at the centre.

✨  Fernanda Mascarenhas – Founder of Fernanda Mascarenhas Studio: natural dyeing where ancient tradition meets local plants. Every textile is handmade, one-of-a-kind, and full of quiet beauty.

✨  Mikaela Fyfe – Founder of BYOV Mental Health Esthetic Studio: a waxing studio with a difference. Music, mental health, and a genuine belief that how you feel in your body matters.

✨ Jasper Xeon – Founder of Jasper Xeon Crafts: upcycled, nature-inspired, cross-medium art that invites you to slow down and rethink what sustainability means to you and the world around you. 

Ten entrepreneurs. Ten stories. One afternoon to celebrate them all. 🌱

Come meet them in person this Thursday May 28th, every visit, every conversation, every purchase makes a real difference in supporting our local entrepreneur community!

📅 Thursday, May 28 · 1–5pm 
📍 Three Bentall Centre Breezeway (595 Burrard St, Vancouver)
🎟️ FREE to attend - RSVP at the link in bio!
 🚁 Attend for a chance to win a roundtrip for two with (valued at $2,000!)

Together, we build empowered communities. 💛

Community

05/22/2026

✨ LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO! ✨

Make Change Market (MCM) is almost here - and we can’t wait to celebrate all that the entrepreneurs’ have built. 💛

Join us next Thursday, May 28 at 595 Burrard St from 1-5PM for an afternoon celebrating local entrepreneurs building meaningful businesses rooted in passion, talent & courage.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:
🛍️ 10 local ETE vendors with handmade goods & meaningful services
🎶 Live music from local Vancouver musicians
🚁Door prize from our friends at  with a chance to win a roundtrip for two from Vancouver to Victoria or Nananimo

💌 Every purchase directly supports entrepreneurs facing barriers

RSVP link in bio - free to attend!

See you next week, Vancouver! 💛

 

05/21/2026

📣Meet some of the incredible entrepreneurs joining us at Make Change Market on May 28th! 

✨ Deea Badri – Founder of Y&R Kurdish Handmade — handcrafted jewelry, textiles, and garments carrying the rich traditions of Kurdistan, made with cultural pride and love.

✨ Julie Melanie – Founder of Enviro Bag Evolution — beautifully handcrafted storage bags for wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters, made from recycled fabrics by someone who truly gets it.

✨ Paul Cruz – Founder of The Neurodiversity Voices Podcast — a storyteller and advocate amplifying neurodiverse voices. Stop by, say hello, and be inspired.

✨ Misha Samorodin – Founder of Misha’s Car-eations — custom 2D and 3D automotive art for the car lovers. One-of-a-kind pieces, hand-drawn with serious skill.

✨ Angel Kam – Founder of Angel K Art Studio — original paintings and prints full of joy, colour, and meaning. Her art is healing made visible.

These are just 5 of the 10 local entrepreneurs you’ll get to meet, support, and celebrate - each with a story worth hearing and something truly special to share.

📅 Thursday, May 28 · 1–5pm 
📍 Three Bentall Centre Breezeway — 595 Burrard St, Vancouver 
🎟️ FREE to attend — RSVP at the link in bio! 
🚁 RSVP + attend for a chance to win a roundtrip for two on Helijet (valued at $2,000!)

Together, we build empowered communities✨

05/19/2026

Behind every market table is a story — and our Spring Make Change Market training sessions are where ideas begin to bloom ✨

Over the past few weeks, entrepreneurs from ETE’s program have been building confidence, practicing their pitches, exploring creative ways to connect with customers, and preparing for a market rooted in community, creativity, and possibility.

These trainings are designed to equip participants with practical tools while creating space to learn, collaborate, and grow together.

Topics Shared:

✨Understanding your audience and how to build meaningful connections
✨Goal setting and preparing for market day success
✨Role play scenarios to practice customer interactions and storytelling
✨Where and how to promote your business effectively

Join us on Thursday, May 28th at Three Bentall Centre Breezeway (595 Burrard St, Vancouver) and support a diverse group of local entrepreneurs bringing their creativity, resilience, and talents to the community ✨

🎟️RSVP through the link in our bio!

05/01/2026

It’s official — Make Change Market is back for our first spring edition! ✨

Join us on Thursday, May 28th (1–5pm) at Three Bentall Centre Breezeway (595 Burrard St, Vancouver) for an afternoon that celebrates the power of creativity, collaboration, and what is possible when we empower others with the tools to thrive.

Discover 10 local entrepreneurs from ETE’s program showcasing their businesses — from handmade goods and art to workshops, peer support, and more.

What to Expect

💌Opportunity to connect, support, and be inspired by entrepreneurs’ whose creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of possibility reshapes what entrepreneurship can look like.
📸 A photobooth to cherish the memories from the day
🎶Live music from local Vancouver artists.
🚁 A chance to win a roundtrip for two on ‘s scheduled helicopter service between Vancouver & Victoria or Vancouver & Nanaimo (valued at $2,000!) when you RSVP and attend.

✨Together We Build Empowered Communities✨

RSVP free today in the link in our bio.

 

04/22/2026

📣 We’re hiring a Part-Time Program Facilitator for the Business Skills Training Program!

At Employ to Empower, we believe no one should be left behind — and we’re looking for someone who’s passionate about people, community, and entrepreneurship to join our team.

• Location: Downtown Vancouver
• Desired Start: June 1st, 2026
• Compensation: $32,186 annually (~$27.50/hour)
• Part-time: 22.5 hours/week
• Core days: Tuesday*, Wednesday, Thursday (9:30am–5:30pm)
*Note: Tuesday hours may shift to 12:30pm–8:30pm + occasional evening events

This role sits within our Business Skills Training program — supporting low-income entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers through skills-building, individualized support, and hands-on learning. You’ll be co-facilitating classes, providing 1:1 support, building engaging content, and helping bring ideas to life.

If you’re passionate about:
✨ community impact
✨ economic inclusion
✨ empowering others through entrepreneurship
This may be the role for you!

For the full role description check out the link in our bio.

➡️Apply by May 1, 2026⬅️
Send your cover letter and resume to Isa at: [email protected]

Tag someone who should see this or share it with your community 💫

04/05/2025

📣 Impact Workshop Highlight!

We recently hosted a Tax Workshop for Sole Proprietors in partnership with Crowe MacKay LLP — and it was 🔥.

Led by our very own, Alberto (Partnerships & Community Engagement Coordinator) and supported by Vivian (Entrepreneur Engagement Lead), this session reflected some of the things we value most at Employ to Empower: accessibility and collaboration.

✨ One attendee, Deirdre, summed it up best:

“Finally, I feel like I’m at a workshop where they’re speaking to ME... All workshops should be like this — personalized and relevant examples.

We’re proud of the back-and-forth energy in the room — full of real questions and real-life scenarios. Together with our corporate partners, we’re building content that truly resonates.

💌 Know a business or individual who wants to co-create with us?
Tag them or send them our way 👉 employtoempower.com

01/08/2025