Ursula Ullrich | Nipissing Thrift | CCAE Aboriginal BEST Entrepreneur Program Testimonial
Ursula Ullrich proud owner of Nipissing Thrift, writes, "In 2024, I did a business program called Aboriginal Best through the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, prepping you for pitching. They did lots of Toastmasters’ work. Every day, we would do a 60-second pitch. At the end, it was a pitch competition because the program coordinator had competed in Pow Wow Pitch himself. That really prepped me to be able to take on this mission. I had the coaching from an instructor that did it before to give me that confidence to pitch, to get that video ready for sixty seconds full of what they need to know." Ursula Ullrich | Nipissing Thrift | CCAE Aboriginal BEST Entrepreneur Program Testimonial.
”I have known the facilitator Zechariah since he started at the CCAE in 2017. During this time, I completed two Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) programs, and I’ve been a regular participant in Toastmasters. I have also been involved in all the Indigenous Artisan Marketplace arts and crafts shows hosted by Zechariah, and I’ve found him to be of strong values, having deep respect for people and for good relations on a personal level, which is integral to First Nations traditions.”
“The BEST program has been a truly transformative experience for me as an entrepreneur. It didn’t just provide business knowledge—it gave me the confidence, tools, and support to bring my vision for The Essence of Spirit to life. Through the program, I gained invaluable insights into financial planning, business development, and the power of Indigenous entrepreneurship. But beyond that, it reinforced the importance of leading with purpose, cultural connection, and integrity.
One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the mentorship I received from Zechariah. Through one-on-one coaching, he helped me refine my ideas, strategize my next steps, and even supported me in building my website. His guidance made me feel like my dreams were not only possible but fully within reach. Before BEST, I had always wanted to create something deeply rooted in healing, empowerment, and self-love—but I didn’t know where to start. This program provided the direction, encouragement, and skills I needed to make it a reality.
BEST didn’t just teach me how to build a business—it helped me build something that aligns with my values and allows me to uplift others. I am deeply grateful for the mentorship, the community, and the opportunities this program has provided.”
“The B.E.S.T. program has given us the tools we need to grow our business. While taking the class, I realized that I may have learned some of this information slowly over time, but setting aside these weeks to focus on marketing, finance, branding, and operations has given us more drive to push our business further.
A few weeks may seem like a long time to set aside, especially if you also have a full-time job—we thought the same thing. But in order to grow our business, we had to sacrifice somewhere to take the time to learn more tools. This program has helped us bridge the gap, and Zechariah was a patient and informative instructor. We are excited to see how the other participants grow their business, and thanks again to TNG and Zechariah for setting time aside to visit us on this side of Turtle Island.”
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