Spotlight! Jean Chow, Business Coach & Strategist at MsBizWiz

In celebration of National Volunteer week happening from April 6 – 12, 2014, CYBF is celebrating mentors’ valuable contribution to young entrepreneurial success! 

As a serial entrepreneur, Jean is focused on her successful professional business coaching career, aptly known on social media as @MsBizWiz. Her entrepreneurial background started from scratch without any culinary qualifications or food industry experience with FAN-FARE, the Asian Gourmet Collection which were sold in Canada, the US, and Bermuda from 1994 to 2006. She has been featured in Bon Appétit and CBS’s The Food Network in New York, as well as received several endorsements in Canadian print media and television.

Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Jean obtained her Diploma in Accountancy and became a CMA finalist while working as an auditor for the Province of Saskatchewan, the University of  Saskatchewan, and Cameco. In 1985, she left Saskatoon for Lusaka, Zambia to work on a CIDA bi-lateral project in finance and accounting followed by projects in Indonesia.

Since 2006, Jean has mentored two CYBF young entrepreneurs – one in children’s clothing and the other in the food sector. Jean is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubliee Medal and a nominee for the 2014 BDC Mentorship Award and and the 2012 Chairman’s Award for her work as a volunteer mentor with the CYBF. In addition to this, Jean has mentored and consulted with 43 aspiring and new entrepreneurs during Small Business Month 2013 as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Toronto Public Library and is currently the Mentorship Facilitator at Newcomer Centre of Peel.

Jean’s entrepreneurism runs deep which is why being a mentor to young entrepreneurs through the CYBF Mentor program is a natural fit. So, why does Jean make mentoring such a huge part of her life? “My belief about mentorship is that it is a shared learning experience based on trust and common values.  As a mentor, you are a cheerleader, a truth-teller, and a compass for those who need the guidance.”

Thanks Jean for volunteering your time to help build an entrepreneurial future in Canada!

Show Your Mentor Appreciation on Twitter!

Show your mentor how much you appreciate their time and dedication by joining us on Twitter on April 7^th, 2014 from 1pm – 3pm. Use the hashtag #WeHeartMentors and be sure to tag your mentor!