Ambition with Purpose: Women Entrepreneurs Rising with Erin Sisko

Oct 3

On The Juggle Is Real podcast, host Andryanna Gonko sits down with Erin Sisko, founder of The Elleiance Network and creator of The Capital Elle Business Impact Award. Together, they unpack what it means for Canadian women entrepreneurs to align ambition with values, reclaim everyday power, and access the resources needed to scale their businesses.

Erin’s journey from commercial banking to leading a national women’s network is proof that the rules of business are being rewritten. And with The Capital Elle Business Impact Award now accepting applications and nominations, the conversation could not be more timely.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Unlearning Success and Redefining Ambition

For Erin, success did not always mean freedom. After years in commercial banking, she realized the model of achievement she was chasing, climbing corporate ladders and checking boxes, was not aligned with her values. On the podcast, she shares the belief she had to unlearn: that success is measured by external approval.

Instead, she reframed ambition as something deeply personal, rooted in values, relationships, and the impact you create. This lesson is the same spirit behind The Capital Elle Business Impact Award. It is not about polished pitch decks or “safe” business models. It is about funding Canadian women entrepreneurs who are building powerful businesses in underfunded industries and on their own terms.

Giving Yourself Permission to Dream Bigger

One of the most powerful themes of the conversation was about permission. Too often, women wait for someone else to validate their dreams before taking action. Erin challenges that belief head-on: “Women don’t need to wait for permission. We can give ourselves the green light.”

This message ties directly to The Capital Elle Business Impact Award. It is designed for women who have heard “no” from traditional systems, told their businesses were not fundable or asked to have a husband co-sign. The award is a bold reminder that women do not need permission to lead, grow, and succeed.

Aligning Ambition with Everyday Values

Erin also shares practical ways women entrepreneurs can align ambition with values, especially during busy weeks or times of burnout. Small shifts, like setting boundaries, reclaiming time, and anchoring daily work to personal purpose, make growth more sustainable.

This kind of alignment is exactly what The Capital Elle Business Impact Award is about: supporting founders whose businesses are purpose-driven, whether in creative industries, service-based work, or social impact ventures. The award celebrates women building companies that not only generate profit but also create meaningful change.

Breaking Barriers with The Capital Elle Business Impact Award

One of the most inspiring parts of Erin’s story is how she went from funding primarily men in banking to launching her own initiative for women. The Capital Elle Business Impact Award is flipping the script on who gets funded in Canada and why.

Backed by 29 partners, the 2025 award will distribute $50,000 in cash and services to 10 Canadian women entrepreneurs leading businesses in underfunded industries. From creative ventures to service-based companies to social impact projects, it is about fueling innovation where it has always existed but rarely acknowledged.

Applications and nominations are open now until October 28, 2025.

Reclaiming Power Through Community

Another takeaway from the podcast is Erin’s message about reclaiming everyday power. For women, power is not about domination, it is about alignment, clarity, and the courage to keep showing up. Community is what makes this possible.

That is why The Capital Elle Business Impact Award is more than funding. It is part of a larger ecosystem within The Elleiance Network, giving women the connections, mentorship, and visibility they need to thrive.

As Erin says, “You can survive without community, but you cannot thrive without one.”

Final Takeaway: Ambition with Purpose

This episode of The Juggle Is Real with Erin Sisko is a reminder that ambition is not just about chasing goals, it is about living in alignment with your values and reclaiming your power as you grow.

With The Capital Elle Business Impact Award now open for applications and nominations, there has never been a better moment for Canadian women entrepreneurs to step forward, embrace their ambition, and build businesses that truly matter.