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Funded and led by Queen’s Partnerships and Innovation, the WE-CAN Project inspires and empowers existing and aspiring women-identifying entrepreneurs by providing them with tools, resources, expert mentors, networks and community building to expand existing businesses and to launch new ventures.

“One of the hardest parts was just deciding if I was worthy to even send the application.”

Those were the words from WE-CAN client Tammy Watson, founder of , who was recently named at the held on June 10, 2025, at Google Canada’s Toronto headquarters. Out of 50 finalists—and hundreds of applicants—Tammy’s heartfelt and impactful three-minute pitch earned her a $10,000 grant to help grow her business and expand her mission of empowering women through hands-on skills training.

Tammy, a proud member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and a long-time participant in WE-CAN programs, has been an active member of the entrepreneurial ecosystem since 2021. She credits much of her success to the support she received from the WE-CAN community, including coaching sessions, mastermind groups, and peer feedback that helped her refine her pitch. When asked what ultimately led to her sending in the application, she says, “I remembered something I once read—that men will apply even if they only meet 40% of the criteria. So I went for it.”

Tammy’s journey to the pitch stage was a whirlwind experience. Within two weeks of applying, she made a short list and then selected as one of 50 entrepreneurs to pitch live at Google.

In preparation for the pitch, entrepreneurs were given a rubric for the three minute pitch and assigned a mentor. For Tammy, this was Google Senior Account Manager, Ciara Hunt.

“I had the added bonus of the WE-CAN community,” says Tammy, who is currently participating in the latest mastermind program. “When Kerry learned that I was selected to pitch, she gave me the time during our group meeting to practice and get feedback from the community.”

Kerry Ramsay, WE-CAN Project Manager, helped Tammy craft a pitch that blended technical clarity with personal authenticity.

“It’s been amazing to see the evolution of Tammy’s business over time. Watching her go from being a participant in the Rural Women’s Mentorship Program and attending regular WE-CAN workshops, masterminds and coaching sessions to becoming the leader she is today is absolutely thrilling. The award couldn’t have gone to a better recipient,” says Kerry.

“Kerry encouraged me to share parts of my story I wouldn’t normally include but because we had developed a relationship over the last four years, she was able to provide advice that went beyond just technical pitch advice,” Tammy said. “That personal touch made all the difference.”

The Equal Slice Program, a partnership between StartUp Canada and Pizza Hut Canada, aims to level the playing field for underrepresented entrepreneurs by offering funding, education, and resources. The pitch competition awarded five $10,000 grants to ventures that demonstrated strong leadership, community impact, and growth potential.

Tammy’s business, The Canadian Handywoman, is rooted in her personal journey. After leaving a government job and facing limited employment options in a rural area, she launched her own business to support women—especially single mothers and widows—by providing safe, trustworthy home repair services. Now based in Quinte West, Tammy plans to use the prize money to retrofit her garage into a workshop where she can host hands-on training sessions for women.

Despite being surrounded by highly polished, tech-focused pitches, Tammy feels that her grassroots, community-driven approach stood out to the judges.

“Some of the pitches I saw were very polished – the kind you would see on Dragon’s Den, and yet most of the winners weren’t tech startups,” Tammy says, and notes that she didn’t have her pitch fully memorized, instead relying on notes that she brought on stage up with her. “I don’t think they were looking for the most polished though. The winners were people creating real spaces for their communities, and who hadn’t had the full opportunity to do so whether it was due to systemic barriers, being a newcomer, or not being in the tech space, where there is no shortage of pitch opportunities.”

Tammy’s win is not just a personal triumph—it’s a testament to the power of authenticity, resilience, and community support. “I don’t think my business could have experienced the growth without the WE-CAN community. The program has provided opportunities for networking, business development advice, and speaking opportunities, which led me to where I am today.”

As she continues to grow her business and inspire others, she remains a shining example of what’s possible when women are given an equal slice of opportunity.