Indigenous businesswomen launch new podcast, Settle Down

Four Indigenous women behind Alberta-based businesses are launching a new podcast Feb. 10 aimed at breaking down the isolation of starting and running a company.

The podcast, Settle Down, features the four women, Mallory Yawnghwe founder and co-CEO of Indigenous Box, Felicia Dewar, founder and CEO of miskamâsowin foods inc., Shani Gwin, founder and CEO of pipikwan pêhtâkwan and wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, and Vanessa Marshall, founder and CEO of Jack59, who spoke to the Edmonton Edge about the podcast.

The podcast explores the challenges and lessons of running a business, particularly from an Indigenous perspective. Co-host Vanessa Marshall said the show aims to support people in the early stages of their careers, and highlighting the realities of entrepreneurship, something often glossed over in popular media.

“When you look on social media, everybody is perfect. You see all the great stuff people want you to see, but you don’t see the hard stuff,” Marshall said to Edmonton Edge.

She said starting a business can be isolating, particularly without other entrepreneurs to talk to who understand the experience of starting a business.

The podcast aims to build that community said Marshall, not only among entrepreneurs, but with anyone who can connect to the host’s experiences. To that end, she said they want to create community pages, where listeners can share their stories with others.

“If there’s any piece of our story that you can connect with, we’re here to help lift you up and share your story as well,” she said.

Marshall said the hosts want those new to business ownership to realize they are not alone in their struggles, and at one point, all successful businesspeople were in the same position

Working with other Indigenous women brings humour and excitement, she said, “its hilarious, oh my gosh, the humour and laughing at ourselves, and like, actual gut laughs that come out.”