#WhyNotMe GBC Entrepreneur Spotlight: Margaret Walker - NHance North York - startGBC - Your gateway to entrepreneurship at George Brown College

Margaret Walker Bio Picture and NHamce North York Logo

As we celebrate Black History Month throughout Canada, startGBC is honoured to highlight amazing black entrepreneurs and the diverse businesses they have built and operate. February’s George Brown College Alumni Entrepreneur is Margaret Walker, CEO, NHance North York.

NHance North York provides homeowners and businesses with high-quality, factory-finish restoration services for wood cabinets, floors, and furniture at a fraction of the cost of traditional wood refinishing. The company operates in a more environmentally sustainable way, taking pride in helping its clients restore the beauty of the forgotten.

About Margaret Walker

Margaret is a passionate multi-tasker, who is motivated to help and assist others. Through her personal passions, she discovered a love for wood finishes that led her to take on an NHance franchise and help create employment for her team. As an accomplished lifelong learner, Margaret is continually studying ways to enhance her business success.

Academic Background

Margaret has a BSc. International Relations and Demography, University of the West Indies, Marketing -Financial Services, George Brown.

What made you want to become an entrepreneur?

There is a need within me to increase my capacity to offer more to my family and community. Right or wrong, entrepreneurship is the only path I can envision to accomplish this goal.

Why did you create your business?

As a furniture restoration hobbyist, I would have never had the courage to open my own shop if it wasn’t for the strength of the NHance franchise and the skills I acquired from the StartGBC boot camp. Nhance has a cleaner, more affordable, and more durable wood refinishing system that aligns with my values. And once I did the business analysis, I was excited to take the plunge into entrepreneurship.

What successes have you enjoyed so far with building your company?

I am most proud of creating a growth-oriented culture within the company, where team members are empowered and hold themselves accountable. Launching an operation within a recessionary economic environment, we have also had to pivot and seize opportunities that sustained our business at a challenging time.

What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

“A million things will demand your time. Let networking be among the top 3. Join organizations such as the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce, and Business Network International and attend events such as the startGBC educational seminars. “Your network determines your net worth”. – Margaret Walker

Who helped support your entrepreneurial journey?

startGBC, Chambers of Commerce, trade association, BDC, SimpliLearn courses (plenty of free courses uploaded to their Facebook channel, thank me later)-