Dr. Katie Li-Broussard has made a few monumental choices in her life.

The first involved putting aside her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience to enroll in acupuncture school.

“There were many trying moments during this time. There were so many uncertainties of how life would unfold, but what I did hold close to my heart was knowing no matter what was thrown my way, I was going to be a strong role model to my daughter and continue to finishing my pursuit to my career,” she says.

Her next influential decision came when she moved her family to Airdrie and opened up Airdrie Acupuncture two years ago.

“I was thrown into true entrepreneurship and it has been the scariest and most rewarding endeavour I have ever experienced,” she says.

Last year, she and her business partner took part in the City of Airdrie’s SMARTstart program and Li-Broussard says the relationships she built during the process have made her a champion of local business.

“In these past years, she has created, inspired and aided many others in achieving change. Her presence in this city has grown and keeps expanding as she helps more and more people,” says her daughter Madison Broussard.