In this photo released by Torrid, Whitney Thompson, "America's Next Top Model" winner, right, shoots a fashion segment at Torrid, Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2010, in Brea, Calif.Rene Macura
Check out the best stories of the week of March 5 from Report on Small Business, the Globe's home for entrepreneurs. Read our columnists, view archives of discussions, and connect through social media on the Report on Small Business homepage.
Plus-sized fashion line struggles to sell. The Challenge: After a year in business, full-figured clothing startup Allistyle finds itself frozen out by Canadian retailers, but with America's Top Model winner Whitney Thompson on board, and more promising reception in the U.S. Should its focus be south?
Also part of our Women's Week coverage:
Why aren't there more women in tech startups? Its reputation as a boring, strictly geeky space may be one thing that's keeping women away.
Co-op finds niche in Canada's evolving fashion scene. Talking to Entrepreneurs: Laura-Jean Bernhardson, the founder of Fresh Collective, explains how a Saskatoon 'girl with a dream' built a sustainable fashion design business out of her living room. For more, click here and here.
Mimran. Trump. Buss. Women rise above family name. Whether it's a husband, a father or another connection, sharing a surname with a well-known male can be both a blessing and a curse for women who want to strike out on their own in business. Also, check out our audio interview with Kim Newport-Mimran, president and head designer of Pink Tartan, on marriage to Joe 'Fresh' Mimran.
Canadian biscotti queen shares recipe for success. Rae Lindsay, the founder Mom's Best Gourmet Foods, on how she moved from PR to baking, the challenges she faced out of the gates, and some of her breakthrough moments.
Why Canada's gender 'entrepreneurship gap' continues to grow. Women are underrepresented in the entrepreneurship segment although they make up almost half of the Canadian workforce.
Ten strategies for achieving success as an entrepreneur. The Top Tens: The women entrepreneurs of Rotman Next Steps program offer their advice to entrepreneurs looking to grow.
In addition:
Ottawa targets 'high-value' entrepreneurs with new immigration program .Jason Kenney says mothballed entrepreneur application will be replaced by one designed to attract 'high-value innovators'
Treat ex-employees right and they'll come back. Courting and bringing former company alumni aboard again has its advantages.
Eco-entrepreneurs put food scraps to work. Vancouver-based Urban Impact makes business case for dealing with waste organics.
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