Newcomer Women’s
Entrepreneurship Program
Start your own business!
Are you new to Canada and want to start your own business? We are offering an Entrepreneurship Program for all newcomer women in the Durham Region.
The Community Development Council Durham (CDCD) and the Business Advisory Centre Durham (BACD) are offering a new program to help women who are new to Canada and interested in starting a business.
Business Workshop Series Starting on January 18, 2023
What’s The Plan? Business Roadmap
Registration now open – click here!
Program Overview
- 4 months of commitment and dedication
- 6 interactive training workshops
- Twice a month 6:00pm – 7:30pm
- Wednesdays In-person & Online
- Weekly individual business consultations with coach – Online
- Creation of a business plan in 4 months
- Access to the business community and professionals
- Increased knowledge of Canadian business culture
- Please note this program includes assignments
- Participate in the Business Launch Event upon completion of the program
- Receive Certificate upon completion
**Note: We offer child-care services upon eligibility.
What do I need to enter the Program?
- Have an existing Business or Business Idea
- Live in Durham Region
- Permanent Resident, Convention Refugee, Live-in Caregiver, Ukrainian & Afghans with the right to work in Canada
- English Language CLB 4+
- Ages 18+
- Be fully committed to participate
Newcomer Women’s Entrepreneurship Program Calendar – Winter 2023
For more information about the Newcomer Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, please contact us by phone: 1-877-761-1155 or email: newcomerentrepreneurship@cdcd.org.
On September 17, 2022 we had our first in person Newcomer Women’s Business Launch event of the program and it was a blast! We successfully launched 10 new businesses in Durham Region. All entrepreneurs enjoyed their time making connecting and meeting new customers.
This was a milestone to this program our goal is keep growing to help more and more women each year. Thank you for those who joined and supported us!

Meet some of the successful entrepreneur women that have joined our program:
Agerta Gjoka – Gjoka Gifts
Agerta came to the program knowing that she wanted to be independent. She started by making gift baskets for family and friends and decided to turn that talent into her own business. Gjoka Gifts delivers custom gift baskets to the Durham Region and GTA.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/gjoka_gifts/
Aisha Yaqoobi – Turkishlamps Boutique
When Aisha’s family first moved to Istanbul, they fell in love with the artisanal work found in the outdoor markets. They wanted to share these exquisite treasures with everyone else and that is how our business was born and now she’s bringing the business to Canada. Each item is handcrafted by her family with precision and care, our products are hand selected by them and they only choose the most special items from online store and craft shows.
Visit her business page here: https://www.turkishlampsboutique.com/en-ca
Asmaa Hassan – Asmaa Hassan Art
Asmaa is a teacher and an artist. She joined NWEP knowing that she wanted to transform her painting hobby into a business. Throughout the program, Asmaa had the opportunity to facilitate two art workshops for CDCD attendees.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/asmaa.hassan_art/
Li Li – U Support Station
Li Li is certified PSW who loves to help people. U Support Station is a health care business focused on providing wellness and care services. The Wellness Cafés covers a lot of topics related to mental health Come join us and treat yourself. Whatever your needs may be, you’re not alone, our PSWs will support you.
Visit her business page here: https://www.facebook.com/U-Support-Station-100915426069750/
Mamoona Fatima – Moona Gifts
Mamoona has a passion for luxury perfumes and beauty, so why not sell luxury gift baskets for those who want to give a special last minute gift? Moona Gifts offers personalized luxurious gift baskets for individuals and families, and in the future, she is looking to work with B2B in Durham Region.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/moonagifts/
Marcia Schobourgh – Klassy Kreations
With years of experience baking incredible cakes, making gift baskets, and decorations for events, Marcia came to the program knowing that she wanted to turn her hobby into a profitable business. Klassy Kreations was created to bring a smile to your loved ones by making an event or a gift a delightful and everlasting memory.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/klassykreations.ca/
Musarrat Khan – EK Arts & Crafts
Musarrat joined the program with just a business idea. Throughout the workshops we were able to help her develop that idea and make it a reality. Today she works with what she loves, making handmade home décor and accessories for the Durham Region and GTA.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/ek._crafts/
Musarrat Khan – EK Catering
Musarrat also offers one of the best homemade Pakistani Food in Ajax from family events and small to medium business events.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/ek_catering
Padma Panchapakesan – Invenk Solutions
She has a PhD in Marketing and has 10+ years of research, analytics, and consulting experience in corporate and academics across the globe. At Invenk Solutions, she offers patent intelligence based market research & competition analysis related to specific technology domain, product development strategies for expansion into new geographies and/or product segment, technology validation & viability study for investors Identifying collaborators & potential partners with complementary capabilities for product companies for small to large businesses.
Visit her business page here: https://invenk.com/
Rosemeire Tommazzi – Tommazzi Studio
Rosemeire is a photographer and videographer with years of experience. She joined the program to enhance her business knowledge. She offers many different styles of photo shoots and wedding videos in Durham Region and GTA.
Visit her business page here: https://www.tommazzistudio.com/
Titilola Adesanya – Taiaiskitchen
Titilola is an entrepreneur with years of experience in the food industry. She came to Canada with the goal to continue doing what she loves. She delivers delicious Nigerian cuisine throughout the Durham Region.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/taitaiskitchen
Uka Marchena – Cross-Media Consultant & Content Production
A graduate BA & MA of the University of Alabama in Broadcast & Film and Telecommunication Management, Mirurgia Marchena has a combined 30 years of experience. She was always way ahead of her time, in many aspects of her career. She works as a management consultant, multimedia content producer, sales and marketing, research; digital marketing & social media for multiple industries in the Dutch Caribbean and in Canada with small and large businesses.
Visit her business page here: https://crossmediaccp.my.canva.site/
Xuefen Wang – Tirr Cake
Xuefen makes the most beautiful tier cakes and cupcakes in Durham Region. She joined the program with the intention to enhance her Canadian business knowledge. Her cakes are low-sugar, low-fat and gluten-free with no additives. She even makes vegan cakes.
Visit her business page here: https://www.instagram.com/tirrcake/