A new podcast transmitting from Yellowknife is tuning into stories of Indigenous entrepreneurs in the North.

Venture Out, produced by entrepreneur-support organization EntrepreNorth dropped its first episode on May 26.

The first two episodes, now available on all podcast platforms and on EntrepreNorthSA国际影视传媒檚 website feature Yellowknife-based GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n jeweller Tania Larsson and Leena Evic, an Inuk businesswoman who founded the Piruvik Centre, a language and culture institute in Iqaluit.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 sort of a play on the word SA国际影视传媒榲entureSA国际影视传媒� which is another word for a business,SA国际影视传媒� said producer and host Xina Cowan, who is also a community manager with EntrepreNorth.

SA国际影视传媒淲e also think of it as entrepreneurs across the North taking a leap of faith and courageously heading out there and opening these businesses because they have the willingness and dream to do it. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e doing something that maybe hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been done before.SA国际影视传媒�

Travis Mercredi from Outland Sound Design is the showSA国际影视传媒檚 co-producer and audio engineer.

EntrepreNorth members planned the podcast for about two years and began producing the first episodes last fall.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have the privilege of working with incredible Indigenous entrepreneurs across the North who have compelling stories,SA国际影视传媒� Cowan said. SA国际影视传媒淲henever we host a networking event and they have the opportunity to share their stories itSA国际影视传媒檚 always such a highlight and people are so inspired by what theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing. So we thought, why not create a podcast platform so more people can hear their stories, even people outside the North?SA国际影视传媒�

Cowan said she also hopes Venture Out can bring supportive currents to the airwaves for potential or budding business owners.

SA国际影视传媒淓ntrepreneurship in the North can be challenging and sometimes you can feel alone. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 important to hear other peoplesSA国际影视传媒� stories. And itSA国际影视传媒檚 important for people to hear whatSA国际影视传媒檚 actually involved in building a business. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a very vulnerable thing to put a business forward, especially in a small community. It takes a lot of guts and courage.SA国际影视传媒�

READ MORE:

Photographer Jamie Stevenson and artist and Down to Earth gallery-owner Rosalind Mercredi are confirmed future guests on the program.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檒l be growing the list. With time, I hope we can talk with entrepreneurs all across the circumpolar Arctic (as far away as) Alaska and Russia,SA国际影视传媒� said Cowan.

The producers aim to keep selection criteria broad for future episodes to include Indigenous business people of all ages and expertise.

SA国际影视传媒淭hey donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to be new business owners. For example, Rosalind Mercredi has been in business forever. WeSA国际影视传媒檒l have folks who are new in business and folks whoSA国际影视传媒檝e been doing it for a long time,SA国际影视传媒� Cowan said.

She added that listeners donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to be particularly business-oriented to appreciate the podcast.

SA国际影视传媒淲hat we hear are incredible stories of creative problem solving and growth and healing and joy. These are compelling human stories.SA国际影视传媒�

The first season will include 10 episodes, which will be released every three weeks.