Find out more about upcoming events offered by the Small Business Centre that are intended to benefit small businesses.
Small Business Week Workshop - October 22, 2024
Thrive in a constantly shifting business environment.
Small businesses face new challenges every day—from unexpected events and requirements to staff shortages and evolving market conditions. Resilience is no longer just an advantage; you and your business need it to create long-term success.
Join us for this event to gain valuable insights and practical tools to help your business adapt, overcome obstacles, and emerge stronger. Learn how to navigate disruptions and position your business for sustainable growth in an unpredictable environment.
Join us on October 22 from 7:30 AM to noon at the Lacombe Memorial Centre, 5214 50 Ave.
The event will include our keynote speaker, Rieley Kay, hands-on workshops, and an expert panel discussion so you can have the resources you need to grow your business. Breakfast will also be included.
The event is brought to you by Burman University School of Business. They are committed to equipping future and current business owners with the tools and knowledge to be dynamic and versatile leaders.
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Meet our keynote speaker, Rieley Kay!
Rieley and his partner own and operate Nanton Street Hospitality Inc., which encompasses Cilantro and Chive, Moe’s Pizza Co., Hometown Market, and Cilantro Catering, among other smaller ventures. All are based around serving and celebrating the community we call home.
Rieley graduated from the Hospitality & Tourism program at RDP. He has sat on the Lacombe Reginal Tourism board since 2016 and is currently Vice President.
Having been awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2022, the Business Leader of the Year by the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce in 2023, and Citizen of the Year for the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce in 2020, Rieley will always first acknowledge the accolades of the team around him and the support of his family.
Meet our moderator, Darcy Stingel!
Darcy Stingel is an experienced marketer and public speaker who has called Lacombe home his entire life. His background in radio broadcasting, marketing, and promotions gives him a solid foundation from which to build. He is currently employed in marketing and business development in the commercial real estate industry. With a history in volunteerism, Darcy’s participation as a board member of the Lacombe & District Chamber of Commerce and his day-to-day dealings with businesses across industries gives him a unique look into market conditions, operational stresses and the contemporary opportunities of today’s business climate.
As moderator, Darcy will take aim at what it means to be resilient in business, helping to filter each response and anecdote through a lens of inspiration and insight.
Meet our workshop presenter, Darrell Christensen!
For over three decades, Darrell Christensen has provided critical IT infrastructure to clients. The last seven years of his career included identifying cybersecurity risks and delivering comprehensive solutions to the SMB market.
In the presentation provided by Darrell, we’ll explore how the viral "blue/black or white/gold dress" phenomenon mirrors the perception challenges small businesses face in cybersecurity. Just as people see the dress differently based on assumptions and context, many small business owners misjudge cybersecurity risks due to ambiguous information, subjective biases, and a false sense of security. We’ll discuss how these perception gaps can leave businesses vulnerable to attacks and how clearer understanding, education, and proper cybersecurity practices can help them see threats more accurately and protect their business.
Meet our workshop presenter, Shauna Feth!
Shauna Feth is the President and CEO of the Alberta Chambers of Commerce (ACC), bringing a wealth of experience in business leadership and rural economic development. As a designated Family Enterprise Advisor™ and third-generation business owner, Shauna has been a longstanding advocate for entrepreneurial growth and family enterprise sustainability.
In addition to her professional work, Shauna and her husband have built and sold two successful oilfield/pipeline consulting companies and now operate an apiary. Her leadership extends to various committees shaping Alberta’s economic landscape.
Shauna's workshop, Building Business Resiliency, will equip Alberta businesses with strategies to respond to and adapt to disruptions. You'll explore essential tools to prepare for emergencies, mitigate risks, and protect assets. Practical steps for before, during, and after emergencies will be covered, alongside cybercrime prevention tips.