APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership - Phase II
Held on 14 July 2025 at the Women Of Will (WOW) office in Kuala Lumpur, the Kick-Off Session marked the official launch of WOW’s mentorship and research program under Phase II of the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership. The initiative is supported by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and funded by Global Affairs Canada, with Monash University Malaysia as the program’s official research partner.
This session aimed to thoroughly introduce the program to mentees, establish rapport among stakeholders, and set the tone for the months ahead. After opening remarks by WOW Vice President Mr. Sashi Kumar, representatives from APF Canada and Monash University Malaysia provided valuable context around the initiative’s regional and research goals. The session concluded with a short Q&A and informal networking over refreshments.
The mentorship program supports 10 women entrepreneurs from B40 communities in the Klang Valley, selected through a competitive application and interview process. Each participant will undergo 8 one-on-one mentorship sessions between July and November 2025. The mentors will provide tailored guidance on:
- Business planning and strategy
- Financial management and pricing
- Branding and marketing
- Leadership and team management
- Business continuity and scalability
- Business planning and strategy
The sessions are designed to be personalized, taking into account each mentee’s background, business model, and learning style. Mentors will also submit monthly progress reports. From December 2025 to April 2026, WOW will conduct a structured monitoring phase with input from both mentors and Monash researchers. A final graduation ceremony and exposure visits are planned for the end of the year.
As for the research partner, Monash University Malaysia is conducting a 12-month mixed-methods study to assess the mentorship program and WOW’s Entrepreneurship Development (WOWED) program impact. The qualitative component includes interviews, reflective journals, and psychological assessments with mentees and mentors, while the quantitative study compares outcomes between 100 WOWED participants and 100 non-participants. The research will evaluate changes in leadership, financial literacy, psychological well-being, and business outcomes, offering valuable insights to improve future programming and contribute to broader policy dialogue.
Each of the 5 attended mentees had the opportunity to share their story and aspirations:
● Siti Rahmah Binti Ahamad (PPR Seri Semarak) grew her kuah rojak business to supply Petron stations and now aims to enter supermarkets.
● Yuslinda Binti Mohammad Yusof (PPR Sungai Bonus) offers 12 varieties of Vietnamese rolls and is learning to manage a growing team.
● Amirah Binti Faizel Amri (PPR Seri Semarak) spoke about scaling her sandwich business and being recognized for her creativity.
● Noor Azilah Binti Hj Mansor (PPR Batu Muda) aspires to take her business nationwide and internationally, aiming for RM10,000 in monthly revenue.
● Norol Hidayah Binti Ahamad Khalipah (PPR Lembah Subang) is reaching customers in Singapore and dreams of opening a central kitchen and café, while also celebrating her health journey supported by WOW.
This session wasn’t just about launching a program. It was about creating a space where women could be seen, heard, and supported in a way that recognizes their strengths and dreams. It reminded us that when given the tools and the trust, these women won’t just grow their businesses, they’ll build futures that uplift their families, communities, and inspire other women around them.
