Entrepreneurship Unlocked: A 10-Part Journey to Business Success

Sarah Hopkins | Facilitator

About the Presenter

Sarah Hopkins is Turtle Clan of the Lenni Lenape, whose people were displaced from Lenapehoking (modern-day New York City) to Delaware Nation in southwestern Ontario. A Day School survivor, she was raised by strong matriarchs whose resilience shaped her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices.

In 2018, Sarah founded Three Sisters Consulting, dedicated to supporting Indigenous success across business, professional, and community spaces, where she serves as Matriarch. She is an active community leader, having served in elected and board roles, and works across sectors including government, non-profits, and industry on Indigenous engagement, economic development, and policy.

Grounded by her family and community, Sarah continues to advocate for and connect Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.

Session Overview

Government and corporate procurement is one of the biggest opportunities for First Nation entrepreneurs (and one of the most confusing). This session breaks it all down. We'll look at how procurement works, what buyers are looking for, and how to position your business to compete. We'll walk through how to read an RFP (Request for Proposal), what to include in your response, and common mistakes that get bids rejected. We'll also cover Indigenous procurement policies and supplier diversity programs that create real opportunities for your business.

Topics Covered

• How procurement works: the basics of government and corporate purchasing

• Where to find bids i.e. MERX, Nation Talk and other search platforms.

• Indigenous procurement policies: federal, provincial, and corporate programs

• Supplier diversity and certification: CCIB, CAMSC, and what they mean for you

• How to read an RFP step by step

• What buyers are looking for: evaluation criteria explained

• Writing a competitive bid: structure, language, and common mistakes

• Preparing your business: capabilities statements and vendor registration

• Building relationships before the RFP comes out

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify at least 2 procurement programs or opportunities relevant to your business

• Read a sample RFP and identify the key evaluation criteria

• Start or update your capabilities statement

• Register with at least one vendor database or certification program