A report by CIBC World Markets titled Women Entrepreneurs: Leading the Charge was released in 2005. The report predicts that by the end of the decade the number of women with their own business will reach one million. The report also states that the number self-employed woman is only one third of the total amount of self-employed Canadians.

Tatiana Read, Director of Knot PR has partnered with The Advocates for the MEXX and OSPCA projects.

“We were really excited to work with The Advocates because they really ‘get’ that video is an effective and timely way to engage not only consumers, but media,” says Read. “Communication tactics are changing very quickly for publicists and brands have to adapt and deliver their message in the medium that makes the most sense. Increasingly, I see luxury fashion brands turning to video, not only to communicate brand ideology, but to showcase collections (H&M video lookbooks for instance) and to highlight landmark events.”

As business partners and friends, Keith and Young find balance in what they need to do for their company.

“We started out more as business friends and got to know each other through our projects,” says Keith. ” I think we’re really on the same page about a lot of things and that’s good. We both want to be fair to each other and have always managed to work out any disagreements.”

“I think that our business relationship and friendship has grown in tandem over the past couple years and it’s created a sense of trust and openness that is very positive for us both,” says Young. ” I couldn’t imagine spending so much time interacting with someone that I didn’t truly respect and admire.”

Their advice to students and those looking to start their own business is to meet people, network and take initiative.

“If you’re young and just started school it is important to get out there and be meeting people,” says Young. “Foster relationships and you never know how meeting someone could benefit you or how you could collaborate together.

“Do a project in that industry, collaborate with other people,” adds Keith. “I think that’s what is going to ignite your passion and build those relationships with other people also looking to build their careers in that space.”

The future for The Advocates looks bright as they are working with Harry Rosen once again for a behind the scenes video for the Harry Rosen 2011 spring collection that will be online.