Oak Bay HR: Redefining Recruitment with Purpose and Partnership
When Rebecca Coleman founded Oak Bay HR she had a bold vision: to reimagine recruitment through a lens of strategic partnership and purpose. Based in Halifax, the boutique firm specializes in leadership hiring across Atlantic Canada and the U.S., serving sectors such as clean tech, manufacturing, healthcare, and IT. But what sets Oak Bay HR apart isn’t just who they serve—it’s how.
“Oak Bay HR was born out of a desire to do recruitment differently,” says Rebecca. “After working in traditional agency settings, I saw a gap in the market for a boutique firm that offered not just placements, but strategic partnership—especially for organizations committed to sustainability, innovation, and inclusive hiring.”
As Oak Bay HR began to grow, Rebecca actively sought opportunities to scale the business, eventually connecting with the Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada (WEOC) Loan Program through the CWB.
“I heard about the WEOC Loan Program through the Centre for Women in Business,” Rebecca explains. “Nora Perry introduced me to the program, knowing I was in a growth phase and looking for funding options tailored for women entrepreneurs.”
The application process, she says, was refreshingly human-centered.
“The process was straightforward and supportive,” Rebecca reflects. “I appreciated how the CWB, as a WEOC Loan partner they took the time to understand my business model and growth plans. My advice to other entrepreneurs would be: be clear about your vision, and don’t be afraid to ask for help during the process. It’s designed to support you, not test you.”
That support proved transformative. With the funding in place, Oak Bay HR was able to invest in a full professional rebrand, launch a new website, and extend its visibility into new markets.
“This funding has been a catalyst for growth,” Rebecca says. “Most importantly, it gave me the financial runway to bring in marketing and sales support to help scale the business strategically.”
While she had explored traditional financing options before, the experience often lacked the human and strategic support she found through CWBs WEOC Loan program
“Yes, I’ve explored a few traditional financing avenues,” Rebecca notes, “but there was no support around business planning.”
She also acknowledges the common challenge many new businesses face: building trust with lenders without a long track record.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve encountered specific barriers, but as a new business, much of what you’re presenting is based on projections rather than historical data—which can make securing funding more challenging. Lenders often want to see a track record, and when you’re just getting started, you’re essentially asking them to believe in your potential. That’s why programs like the WEOC loan program are so valuable. They look at the entrepreneur as much as the numbers.”
When asked what ultimately led her to choose WEOC, Rebecca stated,
“The support I received from the Centre for Women in Business was truly invaluable. You can’t put a price tag on that kind of guidance and encouragement. It wasn’t just about accessing funding; it was about having a network that genuinely believed in my vision and was committed to helping me succeed. That level of support made the WEOC loan the clear choice.”
As Oak Bay HR continues to grow, Rebecca remains committed to building a business that puts people, purpose, and partnership at the center.
Learn more about Oak Bay HR here! And make sure to connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn.
Learn more about the Women’s Entrepreneurship Loan fund here.