Inspire Labrador is launching!

This new program supports participants to set their entrepreneurship goals guided by their interests, culture and community, while connecting with like-minded individuals from across the region.

We are working in partnership with the College of the North Atlantic to deliver Inspire Labrador - an opportunity to bring community business ideas to life, rooted in values and identity.

Inspire Labrador Curriculum

  • We’ll get oriented to the program, set some goals, and begin to explore the vision for your business. We’ll create community and share values of ourselves and our community.

  • We will look at what your business ideas needs in terms of resources, and how to map that out. We’ll explore different partners you might involve, activities you can carry out, and how others have done it in your community.

  • We’ll explore how you can make your business stand out so you can get support from the community and start to engage potential customers.

  • In the final week, we’ll explore the potential costs and revenue associated with your business idea while also looking at strategies for managing your business finances.

    We’ll finish with a short pitch exercise to help you share your ideas in a supportive space.

Inspire Labrador Program Features

  • Skills to start a business, community project or explore your goals

  • Learn marketing, operations, finance, branding and communication skills

  • Support from instructors, leaders & local business owners

  • Weekly allowance and other program supports.

  • Earn a certificate of completion

Hear from Inspire Graduates from around the North!

  • Geela Kango

    Iqaluit

    Geela Kango is passionate about her community of Iqaluit, Nunavut and making it the best possible place for her and her family. Geela is a mother, a student, and is interested in mental health and wellness education, support and resources in her community. Read more

  • Olivia Cox

    Whitehorse

    “It's weird to reflect on this program because it feels like it's both been forever and only just started - in both scenarios it certainly doesn't feel like the program is over! In week one I said that I wanted to increase my digital and marketing skills, and I definitely feel like I've improved in those areas.”

  • Kourtney Bergen

    Gjoa Haven

    “I had a really good experience, I learned a lot. I met some awesome people, there are good guest speakers. That they (Inspire Nunavut) are willing to help people and other people to get more knowledge in all this stuff. It was my first time learning online and I did not mind learning online.”

  • Jordan Villeneuve

    Fort Simpson

    "I have learned quite a bit while being in Inspire, learning more about owning and starting a business. I’m starting to gain my confidence back to take initiative in leadership and communications and learning more on how to speak more professionally.”

  • Nikita Sawrenko-Bailey

    Whitehorse

    “I believe I had an idea before Inspire, of how to set up and take charge in my business idea, but actually hands-on developing my OWN business model really topped it off. Now I have the knowledge and understanding to go forward and teach others If need be. I really believe that Inspire gave me the outlook I needed and the drive to actually get my mission going.”

Inspire Labrador Team

Watch our film!

Participants, community leaders and the Inspire team share their aspirations from the program, their experience, and the impact it has had on their lives.

FAQs

  • While the program primarily recruits Indigenous youth, if you are committed to working on your business, professional or education goals, and are aged 18-30 years, we welcome you to apply for the program.

  • It’s a simple two-step application process. Learn more about it here. If you are interested to apply for the program, fill out our application form to express your interest. A member of the Inspire team will be in touch with for a short interview and to chat with you about the program, and your goals.

  • Participants are expected to be passionate about creating impact, learning about their community, and combining personal and cultural values with their business goals.

    The program runs for 4 weeks, three days a week (Monday, Tuesday and alternate Fridays). Participants will be expected to participate in the classes and commit to the program.

  • Through the 4 weeks of the program participants will focus on setting some goals, and explore the vision for your business. We’ll create community and share values of ourselves and our community. We will look at what your business ideas needs in terms of resources, and we’ll explore different partners you might involve, activities you can carry out, and how others have done it in your community. We’ll look at how you can make your business stand out so you can get support from the community and start to engage potential customers. And we’ll finish with a fun pitch event!

Our Partners

The Inspire Labrador program has been made possible through collaboration between diverse individuals and organizations focused on innovation on locally driven responses to community challenges.

Contact us.

We’re always looking to meet and work with knowledgeable people from across the North to deliver the program or join us as guest speakers, instructors, business mentors and career coaches. Their insight and expertise ensure that we deliver the highest quality content-always from rural, remote and Northern perspective.

If you’d like to get involved, learn more about us, connect with a staff, use the contact form to drop us a message, and we’ll be in touch.