Explore the CCAE Gallery to view highlights from events, programs, and milestones celebrating educational advancement in Canada. Discover the vibrant community of CCAE in action. Videos & Gallery Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

Visit the CCAE Shop to explore a curated selection of resources, tools, and merchandise supporting educational advancement in Canada. Shop now to enhance your professional journey. 1-on-1 Business Startup Package Online Learning Resources No BEST coming to your community? No worries. Two choices: Occasionally the CCAE receives requests from groups, organizations and governments to host and pay for an online BEST for their community or group. These are sometimes open to the public. Click here to apply for free materials. You can get the BEST Manual, Simple, fill-in-the-blanks Business Plan template, and one-on-one time with the CCAE. Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Some People Are Like Computers - Unisex Short Sleeve T-Shirt Add to Cart Life doesn't have a remote - Unisex t-shirt Add to Cart As long as you know what you're doing - Unisex t-shirt Add to Cart 1-On-1 BEST Program CCAE Workbook & Courseware Add to Cart CCAE Workbook & Courseware If you want to skip the classes and get the full package for yourself, no problem. Many people just need a manual, some simple fill-in-the-blanks documents and a little 1-on-1 guidance. You get: The BEST Entrepreneurship Skills Training Manual © 2021: over 300 pages of how to start your own business, with current links, profiles of successful CCAE graduates … all in a fun, easy-to-understand format. Up to 40 hours of direct assistance in starting your business (Via Zoom). A live website and social media optimization to promote your business. Hard copy Manual, mailed right to your door. Simple, fill-in-the-blanks Business Plan template Locked-formula Financial Statements. You just add words and numbers. All calculations are done for you. (Financial Statements sent by e-mail) Personal Budget Net Worth Statement Pricing Formula 1 Year Projected Cash Flow Statement, with Start-Up Costs AND: we even give you examples of all these to make it easy! PLUS : Unlimited 1-on-1 mentorship for life 100% Guaranteed Business Start Up or Your Your Money Back Buy Now Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

cff116ff-cd0b-4db1-8fdc-0760c5559b00 Ebesse ZoZo on Dragon’s Den Sauce so good, he got on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. Ebesse Zozo Hot Sauce is the creation of Edmund Segbeaya who hails from Togo, a small country in West Africa. Hot sauce is part of everyday life in Togo, hot foods and hot sauces are eaten with every meal. It was a natural progression for Edmund to continue to make his beloved hot sauce for himself and his family in his new home land of Canada and from there Edmund turned it into a business to support his family. Ebesse Zozo Sauce has won many international awards, including the 2006 America Best Zesty Professional Foods Contest 1st Place – Hot Sauce. View Edmunds Dragon's Den Pitch Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

7153240e-7855-482e-be9b-9d4793bc505d Nigel Fox Artist Nigel Fox www.nigelfoxart.com graduated from the 2010 BEST program held in Terrace. We asked him about his business experiences:Q. “How far you have gone with your business idea?” A. “I’ve explored new avenues on the internet, gaining a larger market base and helping potential customers to feel more comfortable buying online. Essentially, I went from selling a painting a month to selling a print every three to five days.” Q. How do you make sure you have work-life balance?A. “I sneak some rest here and there, a movie with the wife, a day at the lake. It works out, as long as I have the faith to just let it all go for a bit.” Q. Any advice you could give other BEST participants,A. “Don’t take business advice from strangers personally. Your business is your business, and you know it better than anyone else. Don’t be afraid to try something new if what you’re doing isn’t working. Also, expect to work really hard if you want to succeed!!!” Q. Anything else you would like to sayA. “It (taking part in the BEST of the BEST Business Plan Competition) was a fun trip to Vancouver. It also got me to plan what I wanted to do with my business, which is good.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

9537c630-8243-4531-be2d-576d841c3952 Inez Jasper Inez Jasper is a singer songwriter with powerhouse talent and universal appeal. As one of Canada’s top aboriginal musicians, her blending of traditional native sounds with a love for contemporary hip hop and R&B, brings the best of her culture to the mainstream world. Inez completed the Aboriginal BEST program in 2013, and was a regional winner of the Aboriginal BEST of the BEST Business Plan Competition held in Toronto in 2013 Exploding onto the Canadian music scene in 2006 and releasing her hit album Singsoulgirl in 2008, this proud Ojibway and Metis artist has been featured at myriad high profile events across the country including the 2009 Aboriginal Tourism BC Awards, “Native Rocks” at Winnipeg’s Pyramid Cabaret and a headlining performance at AMP Camp (Canada’s prestigious Aboriginal Music Program), not to mention feature spots on national television programs like “Beyond Words”. Despite all the attention, she maintains an endearing humility and commitment to inspiring youth. “I always tell fans that whatever their passion, they should go for it. But I don’t just paint a pretty picture. I let them know that achieving their dreams is all about hard work, determination, and asking for help when you need it.” Inez’s lyrics speak of strength, cultural roots and pride in identity. As for her music…it speaks for itself. Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

Find answers to common questions about the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE). Learn more about membership, programs, events, and resources to support educational advancement. Bring A Course To Your Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How To Get Funding for Indigenous Business Training Programs The CCAE's past program partners have found funding through Federal, Provincial, Municipal, and Private Organizations Grants. The CCAE keeps a list of past program funding partners and examples of successful funding applications. We are happy to share direction with new programming partners who wish to bring our programs to their community. Please feel free to contact us to book a free consultation. Are The BEST Trainings Easy To Understand YES. Our Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training programs are always customized based on the entrepreneurial experience levels of our participants. With an average participant satisfaction rate of 99.9%, our exceptionally experienced Indigenous facilitators are sure to deliver the best program to meet the needs of your/our community. Do We Provide Training For Indigenous Youth & Seniors YES. Our Indigenous Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training programs have had a strong track record of success with youth and senior age demographics, and we developed customized programs for training delivered exclusively to these groups. 4. Question Answer 5. Question Answer 6. Question Answer Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.

Learn about the Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship (CCAE). Discover our mission, vision, and dedication to empowering Indigenous entrepreneurship and economic development across Canada Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bruce Lacroix Founder Bruce enjoys volunteering locally and has served as a Director with the Nelson and District Credit Union, Nelson and District Chamber of Commerce, Nelson Municipal Library, and the Rotary Club of Nelson – Daybreak. Having been broke and on welfare in his past, he understands the challenges of starting a business from nothing. An avid cyclist, scuba diver, and pickleball player, when not working, he can usually be found enjoying these activities. Zechariah James Indigenous Entrepreneur & Lead Facilitator Zechariah James is a Youth Métis entrepreneur and multi-business owner. He started his first incorporated business in Calgary at the remarkably young age of 17 in 2012 and currently resides in Toronto. Zechariah has been featured as the keynote speaker at over 500 professional training events since 2012. Teaching and inspiring other potential entrepreneurs with the CCAE’s Aboriginal BEST programs across Canada, and gets rave reviews for his teaching style, knowledge, and commitment. Carol Shaw Indigenous Entrepreneur & Indigenous Womens Business & Entrepanuership Training Facilitator Cree Musician, author, poet, speaker, playwright, artist, and entrepreneurial spirit. Carol's life and professional experiences give her a unique approach to Entrepreneurship Training. Certified in Trauma-Informed Education and Aboriginal Employment Development, Carol brings a combination of professional development and empathy, developed through her lived experience, to her teaching. Integrating ancestral knowledge, trauma-informed care, and self-empowerment, she guides individuals toward success, and participants love her humorous and down-to-earth style. We have years of experience working with all people, all across Canada. We are super easy to get along with, speak in every day, easy to understand language, and are ourselves currently entrepreneurs. We believe in having fun while helping others. OUR TEAM Testimonials It’s not important what we say about ourselves: It’s what others have to say that is the true worth of a business. COMMENTS FROM FUNDERS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND OTHER BIGWIGS… Home About Community Training Business Courses Gallery Shop Sponsors Back to Top Program mentors are alumni who graduated from the CCAE Aboriginal BEST program with honors, continue to operate high-achieving businesses in specialized fields, and have demonstrated commitment to supporting other entrepreneurs through community support. OUR ALUMNI MENTORS About CCAE The CCAE Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship 100% Indigenous Owned & Operated. Putting Indigenous businesses on every block in Canada. Providing Indigenous entrepreneurship training, resources, and opportunities for growth for over 25 years. All licensed facilitators hold a minimum of five years of experience in Indigenous community program facilitation, five years of experience in profitable business ownership, a Master's Degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience, and are of authenticated First Nations, Métis, or Inuit identity. CCAE Provides: Indigenous business & Entrepreneurship skills training programs for First Nation governments, Indigenous and non-Indigenous charitable and Non-Profit organizations. In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Entrepreneurship project management Speaking and writing services on Entrepreneurship and the New Gig Economy Entrepreneurship program & curriculum development Consulting for government, Indigenous businesses, organizations and individuals The CCAE was founded by Indigenous Entrepreneur, author, and speaker Bruce Lacroix. Born in Halifax of Mi’kmaq heritage, Bruce started his first business while on welfare and with his first child on the way. Quoted as saying “I do not want to live like this anymore” was his incentive for becoming self-employed. Since Bruce has personally started, grown, and sold dozens of businesses across the country, well helping thousands of our Indigenous Grandfathers, Kookums, Uncles, Aunties, and youth do the same through CCAE programs. Today, an avid skier, tennis player, scuba diver, and bon vivant, Bruce believes in a balance of family, travel, work, and play. “Live simply, love deeply, and carpe diem: seize the day” is his life motto. Bruce now lives in the picturesque heritage town of Nelson, BC, with his family. Over the years, graduates of the CCAE Aboriginal Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training program have become long-standing successful business owners, mentors for program BESTies (participants), and finally certified facilitators who carry on the CCAE mission to put Indigenous businesses on every block in Canada. About Aboriginal Best BEST helps to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of people, communities, and organizations. Participants meet guest speakers, identify viable business ideas, determine their feasibility, and take steps to start or grow their own businesses. Learn to conduct market research, write business plans, and explore financing options on your journey to self-employment success! Aboriginal BEST is for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit, status or not, who are interested in becoming self-employed or starting their own business. BEST benefits people in all stages of business development who want to turn their dreams into reality. Some people are looking for a part-time business opportunity, others have a solid idea to research, and some are eager to write a plan that will help them launch or grow their venture. Over 4,000 people in 130 communities across Canada have taken part in Aboriginal BEST in the past 25 years. “The Aboriginal BEST material that Mr. Lacroix developed is a great resource and is easy to teach to students. … When I met Mr. Lacroix I was working as the Economic Development Coordinator for my organization. I also maintain contracts with the Universities to teach business and economic development courses. The teaching material that Mr. Lacroix developed is very exceptional for our First Nations students. I have struggled to find good textbooks and I often refer to sections of the Aboriginal BEST Participant’s Manual. He maintains a First Nations perspective to business. This is hard to find.” Crystal Verhaeghe MBA, Past Executive Director, Tsilhqot’in National Government “Programs such as Aboriginal BEST – the Business and Entrepreneurship Skills Training Program illustrate our commitment to entrepreneurship development. … evaluations of the program have shown that a high percentage of BEST graduates move quickly into employment or self-employment.” The Honourable Barry Penner BC Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Strategic Conversations Annual Forum Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW CHRYSTAL TABOBANDUNG RAISE – Indigenous Cultural Awareness & Competency Training RAISE – Indigenous cultural awareness & competency training is designed to increase knowledge, enhance self-awareness and strengthen the skills of those who work both directly and indirectly with First Nations/Aboriginal/Indigenous people. JOSEPH SAGAJ Independent Canadian Indigenous Artist Designer of the 2022 TORONTO SIGN, the award-winning terrazzo medallion at Seneca College and the Bloor Annex BIA Mural at Paul Martel Park, Joseph is Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan from the remote community of Neskantaga, 433 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. He graduated in Fine Arts at the Ontario College of Art & Design in 1985. Bring A Course To Your Community

Applications are open to all Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members. The annual rolling application Deadline is February 1st, at 5pm. There are only 80 spots available. Annual Sponsored Program Application Annual Sponsored Program Application Form - CCAE Business & Entrepreneurship Skills Training (BEST) Program Please complete this form to apply. Applications are open to all Canadian First Nations, Métis and Inuit community members. The annual rolling application Deadline is February 1st, at 5pm. There are only 80 spots available. After your application is received, we will contact you between Jan 1st - Feb 1st to schedule a brief 60-90 min virtual meeting for you to meet the program coordinators/instructor. Afterward, you will receive your letter of acceptance within two business days of that meeting. Where: Virtual Classroom/Video Conferencing meeting via Zoom. When: Approximate Annual Class Schedule: For 6 weeks, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, between March 1st - April 30th, at 12pm - 4pm (Eastern Standard Time). Interactive classes are delivered online via Zoom. 1-on-1 Tutoring/Mentoring/Business Coaching via zoom focused follow-up period: April 30th - June 30th. 60-90 min at the participant's choice of time. Total Program Duration: March - June. Your completed registration will be kept in strict confidence. For more information, please contact Us at ccaecanada@gmail.com or 1-226-243-5635 Email* Full name* Mailing Address (Street, Postal Code, City & Province) * Phone* What is your age range? * 0-18 19-35 36-59 60+ Best way to contact you (email, phone, Text, etc) * Please ensure the check your spam inbox to emails* Do you Identify as ** First Nations Inuit Métis Other How did you hear about this program? Facebook A friend on Social Media Poster Community Organization Employee NCCT Staff Member Other Next

Success Stories Mountain Sky Soaps Learn More Nigel Fox Learn More DJ "O Show" Learn More KISS THE BRIDE Custom Wedding and Grad Learn More Haida Gwaii Art Shop Learn More Ebesse ZoZo on Dragon’s Den Learn More O2 Technical Diving Learn More Inez Jasper Learn More Some of the Many Other Success Stories Angel of the North Artworks Anita Bryant (Manufacturer wooden bed frames) Belly Bean Imaging Better Bookkeeping BeYOUtiful Salon Bizzie B’s Cleaning Camilano Native Art Charles Construction Safety Services Chinook Song Catchers Entertainment Group Clayton Goodfellow (Georgia Street Media) Coast Salish Environmental Cody Electric Creative Journey Studio Culture Performance Film Darrell Kelly West Coast Artworks Delicious Business Catering and Consulting Desiree Dumont (Native Designer and Retail Art Store) Elizabeth Alexander (Sta’tlimc Social Networker) Erica-Cut and Nailed (Winner of BC Aboriginal Business Award, 2014) First Nations Centre of Excellence Ltd. Forest Raine Cleaning Company Free Spirit Pottery Got Salish (Award-winning Carver) Heather Bears Beading Supplies Store Hook, Line and Sinker (Artist) Keeleela Yoga Keylela House (Workshops and Wellness) Knownwell Productions Leer Faye Espresso Kitchen Marilyn McKee (Jeweller) Marilyn Mon Rose Florist Modern FormLine (Artist) Nahanee’s Aboriginal Woodcraft Nahowlitch Native Art North West Coast Native Art PR Joseph Construction Pure Beauty (Salon) Pure Creations (Clothing) Raven and Hummingbird Tea Co. Rez Apparel Rez Berry (Food Manufacturer) Rhea Williams (Artist) Rivers Consulting Robin Titian (Clothing Design) Sabrina Sam (Seamstress) Salish Spirit (Carver) Salon 235 Seabreeze Takeout Shellene Paul Consulting SkyRide Cycle Sky Spirit Art Studio Smoke Signals Flagging Splashing Eagle (Artist) Stoneworks Tara Daley, Gypsee Designs The Capilano Tea House Thunderbird Filing Management Systems Tipi Mountain Native Plants (BC Aboriginal Business Awards Winner) Tony and Bernice’s Bead Supply T’sala Spa Village Green Landscaping Vina Brown – First Yoga Wolf Pack Designs Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, President The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5653 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc.