Karisa Marra is a business expert at Square. She works with businesses of all sizes and types across Canada: from coffee shops to landscapers to restaurants. In her role, Karisa partners with business owners to help them overcome their challenges in running and growing their business. What is Square and what does it do? Marra:…
John Evans shows that hardworking and risk-taking Albertans can innovate their way out of our economic doldrums
If bad news is junk food for the despairing soul, then Albertans are overstuffed. But a steady diet of bitter doom and gloom can give us a terminal case of economic indigestion. Once in a while, we need a serving of something sweeter. Lost in the noise are dozens of happier stories about ingenious young…
Small businesses are struggling to navigate needless government red tape, additional taxes and the overall state of the provincial economy
Annie Dormuth is the Canadian Federation of Independent Business Provincial Affairs Director, Alberta. You are new in this role with the CFIB. Tell me what you see are your key responsibilities in this role? Dormuth: To advocate on behalf of Alberta’s 10,000 small business members on issues that matter most and directly impact their business.…
Ivonne Gamboa of GOAT talks about how the food-sharing app can be a difference-maker for many people
Ivonne Gamboa is CEO of GOAT. What is GOAT and what does it stand for? Gamboa: Goat Generation is a mobile app that enables meal sharing among communities in a new and unique way. The term GOAT is used to define an exceptional person, experience or thing – GOAT is the greatest of all time.…
Tanya van Biesen of Catalyst talks about how gender diverse teams drive better business results and how we can bring about workplace equality
Tanya van Biesen is executive director, Canada, of Catalyst. What is Catalyst Canada and what does it do? Tanya: Catalyst is the leading non-profit focused on building workplaces that work for women through inclusion. Since 2000, Catalyst has worked in Canada to address the unique experiences of Canadian working women, through research, education and engagement.…
President Greg Moreau talks about how the largest distributor and retailer of professional hair care goods in Canada plans to keep building the brand
Greg Moreau is president and CEO of Chatters. Tell me a bit about Chatters. What do you specialize in? Moreau: Chatters is the largest distributor and retailer of professional hair care goods in Canada, and the third largest in North America with a 60/40 business of retail to service. From products to service, our specialty…
James Teague talks about how OSINT Investigations provides individuals and organization with the information to make sound decisions
James Teague is president of OSINT Investigations, based in Calgary. What is OSINT Investigations and what does it do? Teague: OSINT Investigations is a full-service private investigation firm. Our office is located in Calgary, but we do investigations all across Alberta and into B.C. as well. We do everything from insurance investigations to infidelity to…
Robert McLister, managing editor of Rates.ca, talks about the pitfalls of the government program and why fewer Canadians are likely to take part than anticipated
Robert McLister is managing editor at Rates.ca. What is Rates.ca? McLister: Rates.ca compares insurance, mortgages and credit cards from dozens of companies across Canada. By juxtaposing numerous providers, it's easier for consumers to quickly compare terms and find the best prices. How does the new down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers work? McLister: The…
Mauro Plenzik talks about how Maskell Plenzik & Partners has kept abreast of a changing marketplace, remaining prepared, nimble and capable
Mauro Plenzik is principal of Maskell Plenzik & Partners Engineering Inc. in Calgary. What is Maskell Plenzik & Partners Engineering and what do you do? Plenzik: Maskell Plenzik and Partners is an electrical engineering consulting firm that specializes in buildings’ electrical, communication and security design. Further to the broad range of design services we provide…
Lana Midgley of Mountain Chickadee, Virtual Assistant Solutions, talks about finding a work niche that suits her and fulfils a need for customers
Lana Midgley is owner of Mountain Chickadee, Virtual Assistant Solutions. What is Mountain Chickadee and what does it do? Midgley: Mountain Chickadee is a virtual assistant company that provides remote administrative solutions to a wide variety of organizations that require support but not on a full-time basis; and organizations that need additional support for special…