Alberta Success Stories
Away we go to another province! We continue our #EDP25Anniversary celebration spotlighting entrepreneurs and businesses that have found success in using the services of the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program in the province of Alberta.
Olivia Hoffman – Brain Waves
First up we’d like to introduce one of our Mashup Lab graduates, Olivia Hoffman a neurofeedback specialist and owner of Brain Waves in Red Deer. Here’s what she had to say about working with us:
“My experience has been phenomenal. As someone who is both new to owning a business and struggles with their health, I have greatly benefited from the program and coaching in ways I can’t fit in a single box. It has helped me be more organized and efficient, retain my clients, find new ways of gaining clients, and for that my business has boomed”.
https://www.facebook.com/brainwaveseeg
N.D. Middleton – M. Powered Electrical
Here’s an inspiring entrepreneur spotlight of a woman who has broken out in a traditionally male dominated industry bringing “a soft approach to your hard wire solutions.”
Meet N.D. Middleton! She is a Registered Master Electrician and Interprovincial (Red Seal) Electrician serving the areas of High River, Okotoks, and Nanton with personal and commercial electrical services: https://www.mpoweredelectrical.com/
Nathan Brock – Rolled Out Manufacturing
Our Alberta #EDP25Anniversary celebration business stories continue with a client who says working with the Community Futures Entre-Corp representative and team “changed my life forever”.
Nathan Brock is the owner of Rolled Out Manufacturing which provides property and equipment repairs and maintenance services in the region of Schuler, Alberta. He attributes the program for forming the basis to confidently start his own business despite personal barriers.
Learn more about Nathan’s experience here: https://cfaedp.com/entries/nathan-brock/
Sophie Quan – SQ Assistance
We continue our Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) 25th anniversary celebration with a story of an Alberta entrepreneur that has found joy in supporting other entrepreneurs with her virtual assistance services.
Meet Sophie Quan! The owner of SQ Assistance and one of our Mashup Lab’s alumni who had this to say about working with her Community Futures representative:
“Working with my EDP coach helped me gain confidence, knowing that I’m not doing anything wrong, by being ME, with the conditions that I live with.”
https://www.facebook.com/SophieQAssistance
Jean-Francois (JF) Boucher – Jasperforex
Next we venture to Jasper, AB where we find a business owner who is taking his 16 plus years of trading experience to help build successful traders that are motivated and goal-oriented Profiteers.
Jean-Francois (JF) Boucher is a Portfolio Manager and Associate Trader of Jasperforex who began his trading journey as a hobby. Despite his professional and personal challenges over the years, JF committed to his craft and has become a successful leader and mentor in his field!
Shawna Kontzie – Travel with Shawna K
If you have goals to explore the world then Travel Designer Shawna Kontzie from Rocky Mountain House, AB can certainly plan the vacation of your dreams!
While COVID put a damper on her business plans, Shawna is thankful she had the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities team to support her through the unknowns.
“Do it with a coach. There is too much to handle on your own but is easier and doable with someone on your side.” – Shawna K
https://www.travelwithshawnak.ca/
Rixta Moritz – Mint Willow
Next up, we’re sharing the story of another Alberta entrepreneur Rixta Moritz who has seen first-hand how the benefits of having a good business plan and support can help you excel in business!
In 2017, she turned to the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) to help launch Mint Willow, a virtual business support service that takes care of daily business and marketing tasks so that busy entrepreneurs can focus on other areas of growth.
Hirra Memon – Kumon Math and Reading Center
Have you ever thought of a business idea that was based on the needs of your family?
This was the case for our next #EDP25Anniversary entrepreneur spotlight of Hirra Memon who opened a Kumon Math and Reading Center in Cochrane, AB once she saw how much her kids benefitted from extra support!
As a new entrepreneur, Hirra turned to the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program to alleviate the initial stressors of starting a business which also brought on symptoms of Hyperthyroidism. “The majority of my students have a learning disability, and I have a unique understanding of that. My own disability makes me a better teacher.” says Hirra.
Learn more about Hirra’s services here: https://www.kumon.com/cochrane/instructor
Kaylee Hallwachs – Axcelling Forward
Moving on to our next #EDP25Anniversary entrepreneur spotlight, meet Kaylee Hallwachs!
As a Dream Business Program graduate made possible with partnerships with Community Futures and the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program, Kaylee’s business dreams became a reality! After her success in the program, she launched her business Axcelling Forward where she specializes in accessibility reviews for events and spaces while championing universal design principles.
Learn more about Kaylee’s story with the mashup lab here: From Dreams to Reality: Kaylee’s Inspiring Journey with the Dream Business Program – Mashup Lab
Sheena’s Sweets and Such
We’re celebrating a long time Alberta business woman who started her connection with Community Futures in her high school days hoping to bring a little sweetness to her customer’s lives!
Sheena of Sheena’s Sweets and Such in High River, AB shares this advice about turning your business dreams into a reality “Make it happen, dream big and go for it. Have confidence in yourself because it is fun.”
https://www.facebook.com/SheenasSweets
Courtney Bertram – Love Grows Wild Ranch
We’re heading to the Alberta Foothills to share an entrepreneurial EDP experience of a proud rancher who feels limited at times with her anxiety and attention deficit disorder.
“These may not seem like challenging disabilities to some, but I have found that my ability to tackle all the things necessary when starting my business crippling at times. The business was just an idea that I had put some planning and investment into but was really just a dream before the Community Future’s program. The advice and guidance they offer along with the support to get the courses I needed set me on a path to success.” – Courtney Bertram owner of Love Grows Wild Ranch
https://www.facebook.com/LoveGrowsWildRanch
Ruby Cole – The Maby Studio
If you are overwhelmed with the planning of your special event, then The Maby Studio is the business to connect with! Founder Ruby Cole and her team take care of the creative process, production, execution, and delivery of special events servicing all of Alberta, British Columbia, and even her birth country of Guatemala.
As an entrepreneur with a disability, she has these words of inspiration to share:
“Don’t be afraid to dream big. Our circumstances just mean we have to take a different route to our goal than what traditionally you would have to, not that we will not get there.”
