Hina Ansari

Hina Ansari is a creative director, editor and public relations consultant, with a background in journalism and publishing. A co-founder of a Toronto-based public relations firm, she was introduced to ACCESS by staff at the Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office, who recommended she join the chapter’s Loan Review Committee. As someone with a longstanding casual  interest in microcredit and social finance, Hina’s interest peaked with the opportunity.

After attending a training session with ACCESS, Hina joined the Thorncliffe Park Loan Review Committee and was involved in approving the chapter’s first loan. With her background in the media industry,  being a Loan Review Committee volunteer affords her the opportunity to share some of her expertise in  communications, promotions and marketing with emerging entrepreneurs who often lack social media-savvy

Loan Review Committees (LRC's) evaluate and approve loans as well as providing ongoing support to loan recipients. The Thorncliffe Park LRC was formed in March 2011 and is made up of professionals, business owners and community leaders.

Paul Bichler

Paul Bichler is the proprietor of The Eco Laundry Room, a  business of environmentally-friendly coin laundromats.  From a family  of entrepreneurs, and with an educational background in economics and  finance, Paul was looking for ways to engage with the business  community upon moving to Toronto. Through a friend, he was invited to  an ACCESS Open House where he learned about the new client support programs being undertaken. Paul began volunteering as a mentor shortly thereafter, starting summer 2010. 

To Paul, mentorship benefits everyone involved. “It has been  a payback both ways,” he says. “I feel like I’m giving but I’m also  receiving.” His work as a mentor with ACCESS has afforded Paul  the opportunity to reflect, helping him improve his business  practices and renew his own entrepreneurial  spirit. For Paul,  
mentoring entrepreneurs means  supporting the growth  and expansion of their businesses, as well as inspiring confidence and  contributing to the excitement of their creative process.

The mentorship program at ACCESS began in the Spring of 2010 with the goal of providing loan recipients customized business support for  specific operational objectives.