She says it’s important for her to share stories of Indigenous people across the globe through her chocolates, and launching an e-commerce business seemed like the only viable option.
Forty-three percent of respondents in the CCAB survey also reported that they don’t have a current lending relationship with a financial institution.Article content Don Ludlow, vice-president of small business, partnerships & strategy at RBC, says e-commerce has been extremely important for businesses across the board, not just Indigenous enterprises.Article content
Another resource Bull recommends is the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association — The NACCA is an umbrella organization for 59 Aboriginal financial institutions across Canada. The institutions have collectively provided $3 billion in loans to businesses owned by First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
Raven Rising has retail partnerships across the country and Maki is currently setting up a brick-and-mortar space with a commercial kitchen and storefront in downtown Sudbury. Her top priorities for 2022 will be to pay off her loan and reinvest in the business.Article content