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Export Through a Gender Lens Story Series: Ensuring Export Readiness

Marlene Hutchinson’s company Cycle Environment specializes in helping companies with their Environmental Handing Fee (EHF) management.  

Following a trade mission in 2019, Hutchinson recently started exporting to the United States.  

Attending the trade missions with Réseau des Femmes d’affaires du Québec to Detroit and Baltimore really helped Hutchinson start her export journey. 

Marlene Hutchinson

During my first year in Detroit, I did not have any objectives. I attended the trade missions to observe and learn. At the time I was not sure where to start. The next year in Baltimore, I ended up signing a contract with a client in the United States I met at the Detroit trade mission the year before.  

Trade missions are a great way to build relationships and grow your client base. It takes time, but it is worth it.  

It is important to have a network of experienced exporters to learn from and ask questions. 

Hutchinson’s future export plans include expanding to the US and Europe, specifically France.