Vision to venture
A future-focused business program
designed to fast-track sustainable growth.
Hosted by Julia Falci (Julia Falci Consulting Inc.) and Fernanda Ave (Upskill Marketing), Vision to Venture was created to empower early-stage entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and mentorship needed to turn their ideas into sustainable, future-ready businesses.
This unique program combines holistic business strategy and trauma-informed coaching with practical, hands-on AI training — helping participants confidently navigate today’s fast-evolving market.
Vision to Venture was designed to be delivered in partnership with not-for-profit organizations and supported by corporate sponsors. This collaborative model allows us to offer the program free of charge or at a significantly reduced cost — making high-quality business education and modern tools accessible to diverse communities across Canada.
the state of the market
55.3%
Of all Canadian businesses are micro-businesses, according to ISED.
38%
Of solopreneurs surveyed by RBC Ownr never made a business plan, risking business success.
1 in 5
Small businesses fail in their first year, according to Made in Canada.
52%
Of solopreneurs surveyed by RBC Ownr reported having two or three sources of income.
33%
According to Made in Canada, is the top challenge for small businesses.
42%
of small businesses fail due to insuficient market research, according to Made in Canada.
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![Coaching testimonial based in Vancouver BC for women entrepreneurs]()
"Since I began my mentoring journey with Julia, my business has grown in ways I never expected. Through her guidance, we were able to boost our social media following by over 40% and counting, as well as a 70% increase in B2C revenue. ."
Gabriela Bevilacqua I Maple Road
maple-road.ca -
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"I don't have the words to express how grateful I am for Julia. Mindset has always been my biggest block, and her approach to marketing and strategy with a mindful approach was a game-changer. I feel empowered, validated and excited about the future".
Michelle Carrington, Beauty Copywriter
www.michellecarringtoncopy.com -
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"Julia provides the perfect balance of head and heart, strategy and compassion. It’s so important to have a support system when you’re running a business—especially as women—and Julia is such a great guide in this respect. I highly recommend her services."
Victoria Cowan, Copywriter I Wordplay Creative
www.wordplaycreative.ca
We partner with non-profit organizations to equip their community with business foundation tools and AI knowledge for sustainable business growth.
We bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation leveraging hands-on strategies and AI.
The Vision to Venture program helps early-stage businesses turn ideas into consistent income by building a solid foundation and staying aligned with today’s rapidly evolving market demands.
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Our program walks participants through every step of the business-building journey, so they leave with a strong foundation and AI knowledge to reach predictable income.
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Participants implement each module in real time, with live feedback and personalized guidance from two seasoned experts.
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Participants keep each other accountable while working in small, supportive groups to test ideas, receive feedback, and grow together.
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Our curriculum and delivery is trauma-informed, grounded in equity, and tailored to the real-life challenges faced by diverse, underserved business owners.
vision to venture: The Program
Our program is designed to take participants through every essential step of building a strong, sustainable business — with built-in AI components to help them work smarter, move faster, and stay aligned with today’s market realities.
On-Demand Learning
Participants get access to our e-learning platform with pre-recorded classes they can watch at their own pace, guided by our recommended weekly learning path.
Implementation-Focused Modules
Each module includes practical activities, reflections, and tools to apply what’s been learned — so participants are building, not just learning.
Weekly Live Group Sessions
We meet weekly for group coaching, implementation support, and Q&A — including “hot seat” sessions for real-time feedback and mentorship.
Real Results by the End
By the end of the program, participants will have a clear business model, aligned offers, a go-to-market strategy, and the AI knowledge to grow faster — all backed by a supportive community.
meet the facilitators
Julia Falci, Trauma-Informed Business Coach & Strategist
Julia Falci is a seasoned Business Strategist and Marketing Consultant with over 14 years of experience leading digital campaigns for award-winning companies, including a PROFIT500 recipient and a SaaS firm serving FORTUNE 500 brands. Her work bridges strategic thinking with practical implementation — helping entrepreneurs build strong, sustainable businesses from the ground up.
Julia has served as a mentor and facilitator for national programs and non-profit organizations such as Canada Service Corps, The Forum, WeBC, YES Montreal and YWCA, where she supports early-stage entrepreneurs and social impact leaders in launching and growing their ventures.
With a trauma-informed and systems-aware approach, Julia brings both business acumen and deep empathy to her work — ensuring that founders not only scale their ideas but do so with clarity, resilience, and purpose.
Fernanda Ave, MBA, Marketing Strategist, Professor, AI Enthusiast
Fernanda Ave is a seasoned marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience helping startups and small businesses grow through smart, data-driven marketing.
For the last 4 years, she has been the CMO at I2A2, an Artificial Intelligence Institute, where she leads initiatives to educate and empower people with AI knowledge.
Fernanda is also a sessional faculty at University Canada West and Douglas College, where she teaches marketing strategy and helps the next generation of professionals navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Driven by her passion for AI, marketing, entrepreneurship and education, Fernanda founded Upskill Marketing AI, a training hub that helps non-technical professionals harness the power of AI. Through practical workshops, strategic advisory, and hands-on sessions, she empowers entrepreneurs and marketers to confidently navigate the AI era and turn emerging tools into real-world results.
