Reconnecting with Jo Phillips, CBRN Small Business Relief Fund Recipient and Women in Business Panellist

In June 2020, as part of the Canadian Business Resilience Network campaign, we, with the generosity of Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), gave 62 small Canadian businesses from coast to coast to coast $10,000 grants through the CBRN Small Business Relief Fund to help their recovery efforts during unprecedented times. Since then, grant recipients have been able to use the money to make changes that will help their business stay afloat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

We recently caught up with Jo Phillips, co-owner of Jo(e) Social Media and CBRN Small Business Relief Fund recipient, to talk about her business one year later and her upcoming role as a panellist at our Women in Business Summit.

Based in Lacombe, Alberta, Jo(e) Social Media provides social media content creation, management, consultation, courses and training for businesses ready to level up their social media.

Canadian Chamber: One year later, can you share the full impact of the CBRN Small Business Relief Fund, made possible by Salesforce?

Jo: “The $10,000 grant was a tremendous gift and lifeline. We were just about to open Jo(e) Youth Creative; not just looking at how we can maintain operations through the summer, but how can we create a valuable, sustainable youth program that supports our community. As a direct result of the grant, we were able to employ one part-time student on a one-year contract for the Jo(e) Youth Creative.”

Canadian Chamber: You are going to be a panellist on our Women Business Owners and Entrepreneurs panel, why did you want to support the Women in Business Summit?

Jo: “Women in business have a unique past, and we need to be vocal about supporting young entrepreneurs. It’s also an opportunity for all Canadians to learn about how they can help advocate on behalf of women and women’s issues.”

Canadian Chamber: Why should other businesses and women entrepreneurs care about the Women in Business Summit?

Jo: “Female leaders, business owners and entrepreneurs have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Women in Business Summit will help all Canadians understand what needs to change, what has changed, what needs to remain and what a new normal looks like for women in business”

Click here for more information on Jo(e) Social Media Inc. 

About the Women in Business Summit: Ensuring an Inclusive Recovery

This is not just another conference for women, this Summit is about mobilizing the entire Canadian business community to apply its ingenuity to find the bold solutions needed for Canada to compete in a changing economic landscape.

Don’t miss our Women in Business Summit on June 23!