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.

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.

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.”