If I’ve learned anything, life is a journey, and mine has certainly been one marked by twists and turns. Though I never dreamed of being an entrepreneur, an unexpected job loss led to an opportunity to do things differently. As a Métis-Cree, 2SLGBTQIA+ woman in tech, my journey demanded resilience and putting passion to work.
As founder and CEO of Virtual Gurus (VG), I’m proud that 95% of VG assistants are female, and several incredible women sit on our leadership team. Despite comprising 51% of Canada’s population, only 1.9% of women-led businesses receive venture capital support. VG focuses on providing opportunities to those not getting jobs because of who they are.
This is a deeply personal mission to me. I am dedicated to ensuring underrepresented individuals recognize and showcase their worth. Each time one of us succeeds, we all succeed. Rejected 170 times, it was the “no’s” that fueled me. I surrounded myself with supportive people who believed in me. I hope that this inspires other entrepreneurs.
I believe courage, authenticity, and empowerment are crucial. We must pursue our passions, refusing to be hindered by gender or inequality. Inclusivity, to me, is mentorship, active listening and unwavering support. It requires lifting those who may feel like giving up. It’s surrounding ourselves with those who believe in our vision.
As we approach International Women’s Day, I encourage you: Be bold. Be brave. Be you. Everyone is unique. Everyone has a story – share yours. You never know who you might inspire.
Bobbie Racette
Founder & CEO, Virtual Gurus
Bobbie Racette, Founder & CEO of Virtual Gurus, is a Métis-Cree entrepreneur with an unmatched ability to drive change and empower historically underrepresented communities through equitable remote work opportunities. Her passion has created a community of diverse talents where “no” is not an option.
Virtual Gurus is North America’s Largest Talentplace platform that harnesses the power of machine learning to match freelancers with businesses of all sizes. Bobbie was named Indigenous Entrepreneur of the Year 2022, EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist 2023, and has been bestowed the Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year award by the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business 2023.
