Child entrepreneurs ‘empower’ each other at Empower conference

More than 25 young female entrepreneurs and vendors showcased their bright minds at Sunday’s Mother Daughter Empower Conference and Awards in Innisfil.

More than 25 young female entrepreneurs and vendors showcased their bright minds at Sunday’s Mother Daughter Empower Conference and Awards at Innisfil ideaLab & Library.

The group of ‘businessgirls’ aged 7 to 19 showcased their innovative ideas through workshops and panels with the goal of helping each other reach their fullest potential.

“We believe that all women and girls should dream big, live life to their fullest and we want to inspire and empower them to do just that,” said Tara Filteau, executive director of Mother Daughter Empowered. “It’s all about empowering the next generation and giving them the tips tools and tricks that they need to feel confident, to be who they are, and become anything they want to be.”

Avangeline Baldwin, a nine-year-old entrepreneur, runs her own Magical Me by Avangeline business.

“I sell soaps, bath bombs, body scrubs and so much more, and I make them all myself,” explained Baldwin.

The child entrepreneur says she was inspired by the dedication of her parents, who are also business owners.

“They have their own business and I always saw them working hard and that inspired me, so I wanted to have my own business as well,” added Baldwin. “I’m saving up money for my future, and also I do cheer, so maybe for some cheer clinics as well.”

Mother Daughter Empower was originally founded by Filteau in 2019 and eventually became a registered Canadian charity.

“At age 7, a girl’s confidence is the same as a boy of the same age but by age 14, a girl’s confidence unfortunately decreases by 30 per cent in comparison to boys of the same age,” added Filteau. “We’re here to see a difference in that statistic.”