With scores of successful female entrepreneurs in the area, women in Northumberland County and beyond are proving they “own it.”
The Business & Entrepreneurship Centre Northumberland (BECN) is inviting women to come together for the third annual entrepreneurship conference, “She Owns It,” taking place on Thursday, November 6 in Cobourg.
“As we head into our third year of the in-person She Owns It conference, our biggest hope is to truly reflect the voices of our past attendees,” BECN business development coordinator Kailyn Coupland told kawarthaNOW. “We’ve listened closely to their feedback, and this year we’re shaking things up to make the event even more engaging, inspiring, and practical.”
“Each year, we’re proud to welcome women entrepreneurs from across southeastern Ontario, from Toronto to Kawartha Lakes to Prince Edward County, and connect them with a day that blends motivation, education, and meaningful interaction,” Coupland said. “This year’s program balances both local talent and international perspective: a powerful keynote, an authentic business panel, and hands-on workshops designed so attendees can walk away with strategies they can apply immediately in their own businesses.”
Designed to empower, inspire, and connect women, “She Owns It” has welcomed more than 150 attendees from the county and elsewhere each year since its launch.
“This growing reach underscores the scale and excitement of the event, which has quickly become a must-attend gathering for women in business across the region,” the BECN noted in a media release.
This year’s conference, taking place at the Best Western Plus Cobourg Inn & Convention Centre at 930 Burnham Street, is expanding to a full day schedule that boasts a line-up of speakers. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., with registration opening at 9:15 a.m.
Keynote speaker Leisse Wilcox, an award-winning speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author, will kick off the day with a session about “how to own the room and leverage your leadership voice, impact, and presence.”
“Backed by neuroscience and delivered with equal parts humour, hard truths, and practical strategies, Leisse will share insights from over 20 years of experience helping leaders cut through mental clutter and lead with courage.”
Following the keynote presentation, four local women in business will share their stories, strategies, and lessons learned during a panel discussion. The panel includes Cobourg-based influencer and content creator Tash Cook, D’s Modern Caribbean chef and owner Dawn Fryer, Sandra Dee’s Consulting for Seniors and Family founder Sandra Dee Hicks, and The GoldenLine Spiritual Studio founder Tiffany Jarvis.
Mel Hannah from KX 105 in Peterborough is returning as the emcee for the event, which will also include two hands-on workshops and an interactive “Solve Sprint” session designed to spark collaboration, tackle business challenges, and create meaningful connections with other business owners.
The interactive workshops planned for the afternoon include “The Human-First AI Sales Playbook: Five Steps to Win More Customers in Just 15 Minutes” with BriteLite founder and AI educator Claire Bouvier and “Key Ingredients to Transform Your Business, Income & Impact” with author, speaker, television host, and entrepreneur Uchechi Ezurike-Bosse.
The conference is presented in partnership with TD Bank Cobourg and TD Insurance.
Tickets for the event are limited, and advance registration is required. Tickets are $52 plus tax and can be purchased at northumberland.ca/sheownsit.
The BECN expects attendees will leave with practical tools, expanded networks, and renewed motivation to pursue their entrepreneurial goals.
“Our hope is to sell out once again but, more importantly, to create a day where both first-time participants and returning attendees feel inspired, connected, and supported as part of the She Owns It community,” Coupland concluded.
The BECN is a leading source for business information, strategy, resources, and education for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northumberland. A service delivered by Northumberland County in partnership with the Province of Ontario, the BECN offers micro grants, free consultations, training, information and resources, and workshops and seminars for community members thinking of starting or expanding a small business in the county.
