Les femmes d’affaires dans les métiers où les hommes sont majoritaires sont de véritables M.U.S.E. : des Modèles uniques de succès et d’entreprenariat.

En tant que Fonds d’Emprunt des Laurentides, organisme mandataire du projet, nous croyons fortement que la société à tout à gagner à voir se développer l’entreprenariat féminin dans les métiers d’avenir que sont souvent les secteurs traditionnellement masculins. Alors allez-y, osez l’aventure !

Lachute, March 30th 2010 - As of April 1st 2010, the Community Loan Fund for Women (CLFW) becomes the "Fonds d'emprunt des Laurentides (FEL)." In order to better serve the community, men will now have access to microcredit to support and develop their business projects. With this new mission, "FEL" wishes to allow all entrepreneurs to participate in the economic development of their region while improving living conditions for their family and themselves.

Over the years, the CLFW prioritized financial autonomy for women and we developed a specialized approach for that clientele. Indeed, women meet specific problems in the start up and growth of their business.

However, the economic slowdown affects all workers in a significant way. Developing financial autonomy by means of entrepreneurship becomes for everyone, men and women, an effective and liable solution to avoid economic distress. Granting microcredit to more people makes starting a business a practical and concrete solution

The creation of "Fonds d'emprunt des Laurentides (FEL)" comes along with some novelties, but the stakes surrounding women entrepreneurship remain and will always be our priority. Consequently, the group classes such as Loan Circles: Start your Project will be exclusively offered to women.

At the "Fonds d'emprunt des Laurentides (FEL)" our mission is to develop entrepreneurship and financial autonomy in our community, with a special attention to women.

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release

MARIE-LISE PILOTE AND FOUR REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURS PRESENT THE M.U.S.E. KIT

(MUSE : Modèles Uniques de Succès et d'Entrepreneuriat)

Last February 23rd, at the "Centre d'études professionnelles St-Jérôme", more than 80 persons met to celebrate the launch of the entrepreneurship kit "M.U.S.E" developed by the Community Loan Fund for Women.

Marie-Lise Pilote and four women entrepreneurs in traditionally male business sectors were present for that event. They shared touching testimonies of their personal experience and about the pride to be a "M.U.S.E:, Modèles Uniques de Succès et d'Entrepreneuriat".

The event "Les M U.S.E., ça s'expose!", celebrates the success of these women and inspires others to follow in their footsteps. Several "M.U.S.E" to be, young women studying in professional training, were present to meet our guests and learn from their experience.

The "M U.S.E." entrepreneurship kit:

Within the scope of the "l'Entente sur l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes dans la région des Laurentides": the CLFW prepared an entrepreneurial kit aimed at making women aware of entrepreneurship, mainly in the traditionally male business sectors.

The "M.U.S.E." kit provides the addresses and phone numbers of 75 organizations supporting entrepreneurship initiatives and tells the stories of four Laurentian "M.U.S.E.", four women entrepreneurs in traditionally male business.

The "M.U.S.E" kit is now available all over the Laurentians in thirty participating organizations. To get the complete list of these organizations, contact the "FECF" at 1 (888) 782-3553.

The "M.U.S.E" project is financially supported by partners of the "l'Entente sur l'égalité entre les hommes et les femmes dans la région des Laurentides":

• La Conférence régionale des élus des Laurentides
• La Direction de Laval, de Lanaudière et des Laurentides du ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine
• La Direction régionale de Laval, des Laurentides et de Lanaudière du ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport
• Emploi-Québec Laurentides
• Le Forum Jeunesse des Laurentides.

Thank you to everyone for their participation!