Celebrating Creativity & Community During Small Business Week
EntrepreNorth | Small Business Week 2026
At EntrepreNorth, so much of what we do is grounded in the relationships we build with Indigenous entrepreneurs. Through our programs, gatherings, and the connections that continue beyond them, we've had the opportunity to get to know people who are bringing their ideas to life, sharing their knowledge, and building businesses that reflect what matters to them.
This past August, we gathered in Whitehorse for the Empowering Innovation Spirit Conference, where we had the chance to reconnect with entrepreneurs in our circle, meet new people, and share conversations about their work and experiences. During the conference, we invited a few entrepreneurs to sit down with us for short video interviews, giving us an opportunity to hear more about their journeys in their own words.
This Small Business Week, we're happy to share three of those conversations with Dorathy Wright of House of Willow, Aka Hansen of Uilu Stories, and Amber Baker of Beading with Amber. Each has been part of our wider entrepreneurial community, and we're grateful for the relationships we've built and the perspectives they continue to share.
Dorathy Wright | House of Willow
For Dorathy Wright, sewing is knowledge she's carried since childhood, something she describes as blood memory. Through House of Willow, she's been able to turn those skills into opportunities to travel, showcase her artistry, and share new experiences with her children.
Dorathy's story speaks to the many ways entrepreneurship can become part of someone's life beyond the business itself. We appreciate hearing about the places her work has taken her, the knowledge she continues to carry, and the experiences she's creating with her family.
Explore her work: https://houseofwillow.net/
Follow her journey: https://www.instagram.com/houseofwillowbydorathywright/
Aka Hansen | Uilu Stories
When we spoke with Aka Hansen, founder of Uilu Stories, she shared how naturally community and entrepreneurship connect in her life.
For Aka Hansen, supporting a friend who starts a business is simply part of being in community. She remembers experiencing that same encouragement when she began her journey as a filmmaker and storyteller, and how meaningful it was to know that people wanted to support her.
“I think for many Indigenous people, community comes first, and that also goes into business,” she shared.
Her reflections speak to something we value at EntrepreNorth: the relationships that grow when people come together, support one another's ideas, and celebrate what others are building.
Explore her work: https://www.uilustories.com/
Follow her journey: https://www.instagram.com/akahansen/
Amber Baker | Beading with Amber
For Amber Baker, founder of Beading with Amber, entrepreneurship has been a journey of finding her creative identity and continuing to learn. While her work began with beaded jewelry, she's been exploring fashion design and new ways to express herself through her creations.
That desire to grow encouraged Amber Baker to apply for an EntrepreNorth entrepreneurial cohort. When she learned she'd been accepted, she was excited that her vision had been recognized and that she'd have the opportunity to learn alongside others.
What stayed with her was the feeling of being welcomed into a community.
“Because that's what it feels like. It feels like a family.”
Hearing Amber Baker describe her experience this way is meaningful to our team. It's the kind of connection we hope to nurture through our programs and the relationships that continue long after a cohort or gathering comes to an end.
Follow her journey: https://www.instagram.com/beadingwithamber/
Continuing the Conversations
One of the things we appreciated most about gathering in Whitehorse was having time to connect with entrepreneurs and hear more about the people, experiences, and ideas behind their businesses.
Our conversations with Dorathy Wright, Aka Hansen, and Amber Baker were just a few of the many we shared throughout the Empowering Innovation Spirit Conference. Each offered a different perspective, and we're grateful they took the time to sit down with us and share part of their journey.
While the conference brought us together in August, the relationships and conversations continue beyond those few days.
This Small Business Week, we're happy to celebrate these three entrepreneurs alongside the many others in our community who are creating, learning, sharing their knowledge, and building businesses in ways that matter to them.
We encourage you to spend some time exploring their work, following their journeys, and getting to know the people behind these businesses.
To Dorathy Wright, Aka Hansen, and Amber Baker, thank you for sharing your stories with us. We're grateful for the connections we've made and look forward to continuing to learn and grow together.
