Women in Business Panel 2020
27th Cando Conference
Wednesday, October 21
9:30 to 10:30 MT
aecom.com
Panel Sponsored by AECOM
Joella Hogan - Yukon
Yukon soap maker among those featured on Cando’s Women In Business panel
Joella Hogan, a member of Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation, owns The Yukon Soaps Company.
By Sam Laskaris
Cando Contributor
Joella Hogan felt it was just too good an opportunity to pass up.
Even though she was already happily employed as the manager of heritage and culture for her Na-Cho Nyak Dun First Nation in Mayo, Yukon, Hogan decided in 2012 to buy an established soap company.
“I guess I had been wanting some sort of private business for a while,” Hogan said. “And it was important for me to be something that matched my lifestyle and values.”
Hogan said it only made sense that she would buy the company, previously called The Essential Soap Bar.
“This opportunity came up,” she said. “It was a family friend that owned it before. It was a natural for me. I already knew the product.”
Now eight years later, Hogan continues to oversee the business, which continues to thrive.
There is one major difference, however. The name of the business. Hogan switched the name to The Yukon Soaps Company in 2015.
“I debated whether to change the name,” she said. “More importantly though, I just wanted to give the business a different feel and look.”
The following year, in 2016, Hogan was on the Women In Business panel at the Cando Conference. She didn’t have to leave her territory to attend that event since it was held in the Yukon capital of Whitehorse.
Hogan has once again been asked to be on the Women In Business panel at this year’s Cando Conference.
Because of the pandemic, this entire conference will be a virtual one. Dates for this year’s event are Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28.
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Cezin Nottaway - Quebec
Indigenous chef humbled by another appearance on Women In Business panel
Cezin Nottaway, who owns Wawatay Catering, will be one of the presenters on the Women's In Business panel at this year's Cando Conference.
By Sam Laskaris
Cando Contributor
Whatever the occasion, Cezin Nottaway is ready, willing and able to feed people.
For the past nine years, Nottaway, who is Algonquin, has been operating her business, Wawatay Catering. The company specializes in Anishinaabe cuisine, inspired by recipes from Nottaway’s kokoms (grandmothers).
Nottaway also wanted to honour her ancestors in the naming of her business. Wawatay is the Algonquin word for the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis.
Nottaway, who is from Rapid Lake, a First Nation in Quebec’s Outaouais region, is now living on another First Nation in Quebec, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.
Prior to the pandemic, the majority of Nottaway’s business was in Ottawa, about a 90-minute drive from her residence.
“I’ve been doing everything from my house and then delivering it,” said Nottaway, who is 41.
But there are some exceptions. For example, if a kitchen is available to work out of, Nottaway will travel to her clients and prepare meals onsite.
Nottaway had graduated from Ottawa’s Algonquin College with a diploma in chef training and culinary management in 2005.
Depending on how big an order is, Nottaway occasionally does hire some individuals to assist her. Sometimes she’ll need a helping hand from just one or two individuals. But she’s also had as many as 25 people help out at times.
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Beverley O’Neil - British Columbia
Indigenous business owner has sense of responsibility to give back
Beverley O'Neil, a member of Ktunaxa Nation, owns a pair of businesses.
By Sam Laskaris
Cando Contributor
Beverley O’Neil continues to work towards improving the lives of other Indigenous people.
O’Neil, a member of Ktunaxa Nation in British Columbia, previously worked as the director of community economic development for her First Nation’s tribal council.
But she switched careers in 1994 when she started her own company, O’Neil Marketing and Consulting.
“It was sort of like the natural next step was to become self-employed,” O’Neil said. “I think at the time it was time to move on. I had done what I could do (working for the tribal council).”
About a year after launching her own company, O’Neil started a second one, Numa Communications.
She continues to operate both now.
“My accountant said you don’t need two companies,” O’Neil said. “It’s really just me (wanting that). It was really just about structuring things based on the type of work you’re doing.”
O’Neil will also be making her second appearance on the Women In Business Panel, which will be held on Oct. 21, at this year’s virtual Cando Conference.
Because of the pandemic, the entire conference, which will be spread out over four days, will be staged online. Conference dates are Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28.
O’Neil, who lives in Vancouver, had also participated on the Women In Business Panel at the 2014 Cando Conference, which was held in Nanaimo, B.C.
Both of the companies owned by O’Neil employ various professionals who work on certain projects that they land.
“I have done some international projects,” O’Neil said. “But most of my bigger projects is stuff done provincially.”
For example, in early October, O’Neil was working on a project with Indigenous Tourism BC.
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