Michelle Tennant envisions a city thriving on local business.
Once a mentee of Airdrie’s SMARTstart, an entrepreneurial training program offering tools, mentorship and business planning, Tennant now wants to share her success with others, dedicating herself to supporting small businesses and the people that run them.
“For me, it is always drilling down to the why: why do they want to do this?” says Tennant, who is now a mentor with the SMARTstart program.
“It is helping people to understand and connect with the why and also build that holistic approach to business and life and building a business that supports your life, and a life that supports your business.”
Tennant has always worked for herself. She started her career as a real estate agent before looking to make a greater impact in the community. In 2013, Tennant founded LockSmith Consulting to guide new business owners with their business plans, creating processes and being leaders.
Tennant also sits on the board for Community Futures Centre West, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping rural businesses start, grow and thrive.
Nominator Joan Traub has known Tennant for many years and worked alongside her in SMARTstart.
“Michelle is the epitome of an amazing mentor,” says Traub.
“She has so much to offer budding entrepreneurs in Airdrie, and I am so lucky to call her a friend.”