Connecting Professional Women in Wellington and Saugeen Area

The Women of Wellington Saugeen Area began in September 2009 when women in the Town of Minto and Township of Wellington North came together to form a network that sought to support women in business. Since then, the group expanded to include the Township of Mapleton, Town of Hanover, Municipality of Brockton, and the Municipality of South Bruce. During the Pandemic, like many of you, we took the opportunity to look at our network and how best to support women in business moving forward.

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In 2022 WOWSA became a program of Saugeen Connects. The mission of Saugeen Connects is to collaborate and positively impact area economic growth, support youth retention and development, support growth and retention of businesses; and integrate efforts to leverage immigrant attraction to the area as residents, workers, entrepreneurs, business owners, operators, and investors. One of the key pillars of Saugeen Connects is Women and we all agree that this is a great decision for both WOWSA and Saugeen Connects.

On behalf of WOWSA (Connecting Women of Wellington Saugeen Area) and LaunchIt, we’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks for joining us at the “Thrive Together” Business Women Networking Night on April 10th. Your energy and presence were key to making the evening a true success!

It was inspiring to see so many dynamic women coming together to share insights, exchange tools, and spark fresh ideas at the new LaunchIt Business Exploration Centre. We hope you found the evening valuable, made meaningful connections, and took away some great “Top 10 Tips for Networking” from our fantastic guest speaker, Kristel Manes of the Business Centre Guelph Wellington.

A special thank you to May from May’s Café for the delicious food and beverages. May the connections you made and the inspiration you gained at "Thrive Together" continue to support and empower you as you grow your business and network.

WOWSA and Saugeen Connects want to celebrate and share the success of our professional women and entrepreneur network. We've created a  Monthly Spotlight Feature highlighting Women-Owned Businesses in the area.

Meet the Entrepreneur Mabel Amapali, founder of May's Café at the Old Post located in Harriston, Ontario. 

My name is Mabel Amapali, and I am the proud owner of May's Café at the Old Post. I’m also a wife and mother of three boys. Balancing family life with running a bustling café is no easy task, but it’s a journey I wholeheartedly embrace. My family is my greatest inspiration, and their support motivates me to create a welcoming space at May's Café where both food and community thrive. Each day offers new opportunities to nurture my passions, whether through crafting recipes, catering, or planning special events like our Chef’s Creation nights.

May's Café is known for its vibrant menu that highlights African ingredients and celebrates the rich flavors of the continent. Our mission is to provide a refreshing, health-focused café experience, where Canadians can enjoy dishes made from high-quality, organic ingredients. From jerk chicken wraps and stuffed Jamaican patties to cold-pressed juices like May’s spiced ginger and Mango pineapple, each creation honors both my Ghanaian and Canadian roots. We also recognize the importance of dietary preferences and offer vegan, gluten-free, and other customizable options to ensure everyone can enjoy something delicious.

We host a special event called Chef's Creation on Saturday nights, featuring global cuisines with a local twist. These events showcase our dedication to bringing together tradition, innovation, and community through food. The next Chef’s Creation nights will be on April 19, May 3, and May 10, 2025. At May’s Café, we believe food has the power to bring people together, spark conversations, and create lasting memories. My dream is to eventually bring my juices and hot sauce to grocery stores, expanding our culinary offerings to a wider audience.

*Find out more about May's Café at the Old Post*