Craig Kolochuk recognizes opportunity. After twenty years in the oil and gas industry, during a market turndown, he invested in a cannabis industry offering in 2018. He stepped up to become president of a new company called Sugarbud Craft Growers Corp., designed to evaluate cannabis opportunities and build a commercial grow facility in Stavely. It was the early days of legalized cannabis in Alberta.

The more he learned, the more Craig started to lean toward the idea of becoming vertically integrated and owning the retail side of the operations.

The pandemic hit a short three months after Dave and Corina Hill decided to expand their truck and RV repair service just east of Cochrane, Alberta. Despite the challenges, their operation is now the only one in Western Canada to offer both truck and RV mechanical services at the same location.

Twelve years ago, the Hills operated a septic tank service. When sourcing reliable parts and services became difficult, in 2010, the couple decided to open a shop specializing in heavy vehicle maintenance. After Dave's parents expressed their frustration at finding good service options, they soon added RV and motorhome services.

Lindsey Leicht and Tracy Wright are plugged into the gaming community! In January 2022, the two sisters and business partners opened an 8,600 square foot lounge in Airdrie for gamers of all ages and abilities to meet, eat and enjoy their love of virtual reality, console, PC gaming, and pool.

They first hit on their concept when they realized travelling to Calgary was the only option for virtual reality and group gaming action. Both women had experienced life challenges and valued time with friends and family. One Christmas, after a joint family trip to Calgary to enjoy time gaming together, the idea of offering the same opportunity in Airdrie took firm hold. "When we moved to Airdrie in 2014, my son was 14, and there was little for him to do after school.

Jacqui Jepson
Airdrie, AB

Jacqui Jepson knows there’s no wizardry involved in starting a business. The magic happens through a combination of hard work, grit, determination, and not giving up too soon. Her philosophy has paid off, and she’s grown her residential and commercial cleaning company from a one-woman enterprise into a profitable franchise opportunity.

Hailing from a family of entrepreneurs, Jacqui was always attracted to the idea of controlling her destiny.  Life presented the opportunity to grow a part-time cleaning gig into a full business in 2008 when Jacqui and her husband separated. She needed to make money but still be there for her kids, and the idea for The Pink Wand was born.

Jamie Ayles & Chris Dean
Canmore, AB

When chef Jamie Ayles first set out almost a decade ago to market his sauces and condiment blends, he hardly envisioned he’d end up as a multi-line, award-winning food industry producer.

In 2012, founder and CEO Jamie left his job as executive chef at a northern resort to start his business:  Bow Valley BBQ in his hometown of Canmore, Alberta. As his company grew, Jamie decided to partner with Chris Dean, a long-time industry colleague. In 2015 they acquired Boccolino Fine Foods, adding a line of fresh, refrigerated salad dressings to their products.

Jacqueline Day
Cochrane, AB

When your gourmet organic cookies win two prestigious food industry awards in 2021 and are sold in over 400 locations across North America, seven years of hard work is paying off. 

Jacqueline Day of Cochrane, Alberta, started Real Treat, her food-based business, through frustration at being unable to find good-tasting, organic cookies. A long-time healthy food enthusiast, she is committed to organics but also believes in food for pleasure. "I come from a family of cookie monsters!"

Geoff Domenico
Canmore , Alberta

When he started KCP Energy in 2007, three factors motivated Geoff Domenico: to be able to tell his children he was part of the answer to climate change, a desire to start his own business, and support from his wife Kendra. “Without her encouragement and understanding of the effort required, it wouldn’t have happened,” says Geoff. “It’s one of two pieces of advice I share with anyone who asks about starting a business: make sure your life partner is on board 100% and knows they are along for an interesting and sometimes bumpy ride. The second thing I share is that although I knew it would be hard to start up and grow a business, it was even harder than I imagined.”