When you think about building a business, it\u2019s easy to fall into the \u201chustle hard\u201d mindset. But for many Black entrepreneurs, success is less about the grind and more about the power of community. Across Canada, young Black business owners are making it happen through networks, mentorship, and collective support that fuel their drive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Black History Month, we caught up with three inspiring entrepreneurs from Futurpreneur\u2019s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program (BESP). Their stories highlight how the program and the broader community helped them overcome obstacles and thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alain Barcimin: Nurturing connections through Villa 961<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Co-Founder, Villa 961<\/a> (Quebec City, QC) <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alain Barcimin<\/strong> co-founded Villa 961<\/em>, a Mediterranean restaurant in Quebec City, with Hussein Ezzeddine<\/strong> to create a space where people can gather and share culinary experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFuturpreneur gave me the tools I needed to bring my ideas to life,\u201d says Alain. \u201cFrom Rodrique Lomomba\u2019s<\/strong> (Black Entrepreneur Startup Program Specialist) advice to Karoline Yelle<\/strong> (Business Development Manager), who helped me structure my business plan, I felt supported every step of the way. Even Tamara Chanoine<\/strong>, Director of the Black Entrepreneur Startup Program, visited my restaurant\u2014it was an incredible show of support.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alain explains how the guidance went beyond financial support. \u201cThey helped me analyze my business, avoid mistakes, and connected me with a mentor who equipped me with essential tools.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n His restaurant also became a place of inspiration. \u201cPeople often visit not just to eat but to ask about starting their own businesses. I always tell them about Futurpreneur because I\u2019ve seen firsthand how they can help.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n His advice:<\/strong> \u201cYou don\u2019t need to have everything figured out to begin. Take that first small step, and you\u2019ll go places you never imagined.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mary-Noah Ndateramye: Building a village for success<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Founder, Garderie Les Petits Yogis<\/a> (Beaumont, AB) <\/p>\n\n\n\n For Mary-Noah Ndateramye<\/strong>, opening her daycare wasn\u2019t easy. Facing multiple loan rejections from banks, she found a lifeline through Futurpreneur\u2019s Black Entrepreneur Startup Program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWithout their support, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to open my daycare,\u201d says Mary-Noah. A key connection came through Black Canadian Women in Action (BCW in Action). \u201cTheir workshops and networking events introduced me to other women entrepreneurs who encouraged me to keep going.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was Jeanne Lehman <\/strong>(CEO of Black Canadian Women in Action) who connected her with Marie-Laure Polydore<\/strong> (Senior Business Development Manager) at Futurpreneur. \u201cThat connection made all the difference,\u201d she says. Futurpreneur helped her fine-tune her business plan and financial projections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mary-Noah credits representation and community for her strength. \u201cSeeing people like you succeed helps you believe you can do it too. But we need to support each other more\u2014we need to build our own village where we can share successes and challenges.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Her advice:<\/strong> \u201cIf you have a solid idea, don\u2019t wait for the perfect moment. Just start.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n