A trade show in Winnipeg brought together over 100 female entrepreneurs at the RBC Convention Centre to mark International Women’s Day this weekend.

The trade show, which started three years ago, has grown into networking and trade event.

Dolores Thiessen, owner and show manager, Winnipeg Women’s Show, says the event is a low-cost way for businesses market themselves as it can be challenging for female entrepreneurs to get funding and resources.

“Because in this world it’s really hard to make it as a woman in business,” Thiessen said. “I thought that there was a gap in shows where women can showcase their products and services.”

The show hosted a variety of entrepreneurs from those just starting their business journeys to ones with decades of experience.

Lianne Tregobov, an experienced matchmaker at Camelot Introductions, said, “It’s so exciting now, because our matchmaking service is multigenerational.”

“My original clients now from 30 years ago are sending their kids who were born as a result of our match to us for us to do the same magic that they had,” Tregobov said.

Janna Metcalfe, owner, Design by Janna, who recently started her business said, “This is my first large market and the first market where I’ve introduced a lot of other products.”

This year’s youngest vendor was 16-year-old Chanelle Chalazen, founder of Chic and Charm Boutique by Chanelle, who is on a country-wide business tour while balancing school and business.

Chalazen started her company when she was 13 years old with her father’s help.

“He helped and mentored me, helped me start it and I’ve always had a passion for sparkles and blink, so a small idea broadened up into this big company now,” she says.

Entrepreneur Sandra Burling sells beadwork crafted by Indigenous women incarcerated in various correctional centres to federal institutions.

Burling said her current business which started six years ago has grown into 50 women across western Canada contributing to the project.

“My daughter was dating a young Indigenous man and his mom was incarcerated,” Burling said. “So I started off by getting a lanyard or two from her and the need was there for her to sell her stuff because it was so beautiful.”

All proceeds go to the artists, supporting them in prison, after incarceration or supporting their families.

“We really are about love, support, kindness, and no judgment,” Burling says. “We’ve become a big family, these are my friends.”