It's the 30th Year Anniversary of Paro Centre!
by Scott A. Sumner
It's the 30th Anniversary of Paro, a time for celebration! I have been able to see firsthand the tremendous growth of the organization over these years!
“ I began at Paro writing proposals and did all the counselling and training starting with just me, one person. We had a board of directors after awhile. Today we have a team of 30 including contractors with approximately 20 staff members.” said Rosalind Lockyer, Founder and CEO
“ I developed Peer lending circle from the start. In case we didn't have any money for staff we could still give them loans. They are now called Prosper Circles, a Paro women's lead peer lending network and we now have over 330 circles.
” PARO Prosper Peer Lending Circles are small groups of like-minded women who meet regularly to share their experiences and expand their individual networks of contacts. The Circles are 4 (four) to 7 (seven) women, 18 (eighteen) and over, who all run their own businesses, want to start one, or who believe that women can help women. PARO Prosper Lending Circles helps women connect and network with other enterprising women. Today, the PARO Prosper Circles Program is the strongest Peer Lending program in North America.
The humble beginnings of Paro have now created an organization that operates across Canada and is involved in trade missions to Europe.
“ When I was a child I wanted to be a missionary. As a child you want to be a missionary but you don't really know what that will be. All you know is you want to help other people- support them. I started out in teaching and them became an entrepreneur. When I became an entrepreneur. I felt there was something missing for me. I could help my staff but I wanted to do more, so that is why I started Paro,” said Rosalind Lockyer. “ Paro had become my life's mission- supporting women and especially using peer lending circles. Here you can help women no matter what credit rating they have or what trouble they may have got into. You can help women get training, peer support and grants and loans from Paro.
” Paro has had loan investors including 40 CFDC's, like Thunder Bay Ventures locally. Thunder Bay Ventures helped Paro from the beginning with peer lending circles. There is also a Credit Union that helps significantly with lending funds. There is also emergency funds at Paro if the women entrepreneurs need help.
Paro is also offering other services to women entrepreneurs.
“ We are doing a cross country tour with Paro, called the Self Made Breakfast Tour, in cities where we talk to women about what's going on in the economy, how it has impacted them and what they would like government to do to support them,”said Ros. “ There will be another tour at the same time in smaller, rural communities called Paro Connect. The goal is to come together and do some intra provincial trade so they can get bigger contracts. We have been asking government this for a long time as it was easier to do business in the US than in other provinces, but that has all changed now. Why would you not make it easier to do intra provincial trade.”
“ Most business people don't have a lot of time so breaking down barriers of doing business in other provinces with less paperwork or regulations would help entrepreneurs a lot.
At Paro you can start small and progress as your business does.
“ At Paro you can start with a loan of $1000 and pay back only $500. Once that is paid off you can get $2000 and only have to pay back $1000 and then can get $ 3000 to $ 5000 so have access to more funds. People get in trouble with credit cards so this has been a good alternative with the Peer lending which is safer. We also have, WEOC, the Women's Enterprise of Canada, to coordinate with loans of up to $50,000 in Ontario.
” I asked Ros how she has enjoyed her work career at Paro.
“ I very much love my work, the advantage was making your own job and make it so you do what you want and what your skills levels are best at. It is more of a way of life. Indigenous women tell me I am with the wolf pack as they say, as we come together and support each other. The work is rewarding, enjoyable and a very worth while way of spending my day. I have an amazing team that have been there for many years. We have had several women retire and then come back to Paro. The women entrepreneurs we work with are amazing.
” In November PARO is bringing a delegation of 30 women to Madrid and Paris on a trade mission, looking for greener pastures where they are welcomed and supported.
“ The EU are interested in getting women entrepreneurs from Canada and want us to come there and begin doing business.”
Ros feels living in Thunder bay is underestimated sometimes by people. “ In Thunder Bay I don't think we have seen how good we are. We have so much to offer as a people, we are survivors, we don't expect things to be given to us or it to be easy. When you do your work you make the sacrifices. It is a turbulent time in the world and Paro is needed now more that ever.”
“ No matter how bad things are you just put one foot in front of the other in the right direction for good. Be kind- work hard and put your foot forward with good energy. You will help people and people will help others because they learn the way to work collaboratively” Paro started 30 years ago in Thunder Bay January 2nd, 1995 so have almost complete 30 years of operation!
I asked three Paro involved people some questions on Paro and it's progress!
Anne Parr, Pro Trainer
What kind of an impact do you believe Paro has made on the Thunder Bay community and others across Canada?
- The impact PARO has been phenomenal. It has grown from encompassing Thunder Bay & Region, to throughout Ontario and now nationally, benefiting many women. Now we are across Canada supporting women with resources, and tools to begin building their business with strong foundations.
Creating circle groups that connect women with each other in a safe space, access to support from many successful business owners. It helps women learn how to write business plans, find customers, and provides the financial support through grants and loans. Women have been empowered to get themselves to a place where they are not only able to survive through challenges, and being able to improve of their lives within their family. Paro has achieved great growth under the leadership of founder Roz.
Do you have any comments for Ros on her formation and career at Paro?
Roz is amazing she has kept her focus and strives always to be there for all women, through her strong communication skills, business knowledge, and so much more. Her energy motivates and drives a vision for us all. Growing from Thunder Bay to provincial we are so excited we are venturing across Canada giving women resources they need to grow to being successful business women.
How has Paro affected your personal progression in business?
I reached out in 2003 to see how I could improve my business. I have grown my business and Roz with the excellent supportive staff guided me to join programs designed to learn to write a good business plan to find the resources I needed to see my business grow. I am proud to be a Board Member.
Maria Talarico, Program Developer and HR Manager Paro
What kind of an impact do you believe PARO has made on the Thunder Bay community and others across Canada?
Having been with PARO since 2005, I've really seen it all – the significant impact we've had right here in Thunder Bay, and how that's spread across Canada. For me, it's the sense of community we create that truly stands out. The women we work with build such strong connections, sharing their stories, mentoring each other, it's just incredible to watch. I've seen so many women gain confidence, learn new skills, and really go after their dreams because of the support they find at PARO. Over the years, we've grown from serving women in Northern Ontario, to serving them across Ontario and now across Canada! We've become a voice for women entrepreneurs on a national level, pushing for what they need and sharing what we've learned. And through all our partnerships, we're building this amazing network of women across the country, connecting them with resources and opportunities they might not otherwise find. And that's so important - we're helping create inclusive economic growth, making sure women, especially those from equity-denied groups, get the chance to succeed. It's pretty amazing to be part of an organization that's making such a real difference in the lives of women and communities from coast to coast. PARO has achieved great growth under the leadership of founder Ros.
Do you have any comments for Ros on her formation and career at Paro?
It's been amazing to see how PARO has grown over the years, and it's all thanks to Rosalind's incredible leadership. Like so many others, I've been lucky enough to work alongside her for the past 20 years. And she always leads with purpose and integrity – it's just who she is. You can see her values in everything she does. Her dedication to helping women entrepreneurs is unwavering, and it's been so inspiring to watch PARO make a real difference – not just in Northern Ontario, where Rosalind's vision started, but across the province and now even across Canada. Rosalind's passion, resilience, and never-ending commitment to her mission is remarkable, and I commend her on the amazing organization she's built.
How has PARO affected your personal progression in business?
Honestly, PARO, and especially Rosalind's leadership, has completely shaped my career. Twenty years ago, when I was fresh out of school, I was really driven to use what I'd learned and my passion for helping women gain economic security, and I wanted to do it right here in Thunder Bay. Luckily, PARO was exactly what I was looking for. It wasn't just a place to use my skills; it was a supportive environment where I could really grow into myself professionally. The things I've learned and the mentorship I've received at PARO have been invaluable, and I'm incredibly grateful for the role it's played in where I am today.
Levina Collins, Paro Board Member
Congratulations Roz On behalf of the Board of Directors of Paro Ontario and Paro Canada & all of the Women & Staff you have work with all of us over the thirty years. We have learned to be a Great Business Women & you help us move forward in a very positive manner. Working with businesses taking them abroad , this would have never happened without you. CONGRATULATIONS on your 30th Anniversary & Milestone award.
From Board of Paro Ontario & Board of Paro Canada
