Since 1995, Women’s Enterprise Centre has answered over 28,000 inquiries for information. We have conducted over 22,000 business advisory sessions with more than 6,500 BC women seeking business advice.
Julie Breton, Blend business + design, Nelson
Julie Breton first became an entrepreneur in 1999 when she decided that she had way too much creativity bottled up inside to be constrained by a career in forestry. She took the leap and left her job and education behind to become the owner and creative director of Trillium Soaps & Candles. Becoming her own boss provided her with a much needed outlet for all that creativity.
The business quickly grew to sell to more than 150 wholesale clients across North America, receiving praise for her products in magazines like Flare, Loulou, and Canadian Living.
After gaining such success with Trillium, Breton decided it was time to move on to the next project. Blend was born out of her passion to help others, her brain for business, and her eye for design. She now provides business consulting, graphic design and environmentally friendly printing services to the people of Nelson, BC.
Passionate about her business and about helping others, Breton has taken on the role of mentor with Women’s Enterprise Centre by leading a Peer Mentoring Group in Nelson.
“As a business owner, at any stage, it’s important to reach out, ask for help and share your experience with other business owners. The benefits of mentoring are mutual as it will help you grow personally as well as professionally,” says Breton.
Having been on the receiving side of mentoring before, Breton understands how beneficial it is to have someone there to offer you support, perspective and experience as you’re growing your business.
“My mentor provided me with guidance and let me to see situations more clearly. She was supportive and helped me become more confident in my abilities,” says Breton. “Mentors help you reach a level of understanding you would not otherwise get. Sure, you can learn from your own mistakes, but at some point it will get overwhelming; a mentor is there to help you avoid these costly mistakes professionally and personally.”
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