Richard Kimmitt

14125, Highway 652, Vilna, AB

For over 40 years, I’ve been dedicated to transforming the leisure and resort industry. My journey started with humble beginnings as a CEO of a campground in Central Alberta where I grew the membership of that resort from just 5 to 1,500 members. I’ve always believed in the power of long-term investment and vision, which led me to acquire properties I saw potential in, like the Howlin’ Coyote Motorcycle Campground. This campground was initially built for motorcycle enthusiasts, and I saw the opportunity to expand and improve it, turning it into a family-friendly resort where people can relax, socialize and have fun.

Eugene Whiskeyjack

5008 7th Ave, Saddle Lake, AB

My road to success was a road fraught with failures and struggles, yet a little lady luck played a part as well.  Resilience and inner strength saved me. My inner strength and resilience I can say was  grown organically within my spirit because of the hardships of my youth. When I say hardships, I can say I have lived a part of my life in small wood log shack with mud straw used as insulation, hauling water from the frozen lake for consumption or melting snow over the wood burning steel stove which also was our source of heat. I can remember as a 6 year old, most of the summer was about survival, that meant helping my grandfather and uncle prepping and stocking wood for the cold unforgiving winters of Saskatchewan. I eventually moved to my aunty and uncles’ home in Saddle Lake, AB, as a 7 year old. My aunt and uncle eventually became my parents.

Christal Brodziak

4912 50 Avenue, St. Paul, AB

The Nest vision came out of sheer desperation and need for change. I did not feel supported in Motherhood and I felt that same deep disappointment from so many Mother's I supported in my previous job. My role in my job was changing and it was beyond my control, I knew life was too short to be doing something I didn't love, and the vision for the Nest came to me.

As our vision has evolved we began to realize that these same feelings are similar to new community members, people feeling isolated living in remote areas and people were attracted to the Nest vibe.

When I first had the idea to start up my business, The Nest Cafe & Boutique, I had no idea how I was going to get funding to support my dream. I approached the bank and they would only give me funding for tangibles like my building and equipment. I knew there was more to a business start up than that. So I approached community futures, and they replied with an extensive business plan template. I am not going to lie, I was a little overwhelmed at first. As I began to go through the items it made perfect sense why so much information and research is required in order to think through the whole business process.