Starting a new business is a thrilling adventure, bringing both excitement and challenges. Mentors are experienced guides who help startups navigate through their business development, offering valuable insights, direction and clarity while supporting their road map to success.
Airdrie’s SMARTstart program matches new entrepreneurs with a one-on-one mentor who is eager to share their wisdom, experience and guidance. The mentorship group is made up of volunteers from the Airdrie business community whose background and knowledge act as catalysts to propel startups toward growth and success.
If you are interested in sharing your business expertise with new entrepreneurs and have about 30 hours to give over eight months, contact program organizers at info@airdriecommon.ca to learn more.
JENNIFER BENNER, Benner Database Designs, Owner
My aha! moment: When I was asked to reassess whether I was building a business or creating a job for myself. A successful business will function without you. If it doesn’t, then it is self-employment. Applying that lens to business decisions was an effective and impactful guide.
Why I enjoy mentoring: I enjoy mentoring due to the energy and enthusiasm the entrepreneurs bring to the SMARTstart program each year. I also appreciate the challenge and creativity of collaborative problem-solving with them when they are working through the various stages in their business development.
SHELLEY BITZ, Bank of Montreal, Relationship Manager
My aha! moment: To choose one aha! moment is near to impossible because, truthfully, the aha! moments never stop. It’s part of what keeps my job interesting. Those aha! moments come as the city, the economics and the world change.
My greatest strength I bring to the mentor role: My long-term knowledge and commitment to business banking in the same city. With over 20 years of business banking experience in Airdrie, I have a strong knowledge not only [of] the business banking industry but the city, and many of the people within it over all areas. My genuine love for the city of Airdrie, along with that knowledge, provides me with a strong passion to help the businesses and the people who own them be successful.
TIA CALLAWAY, Sonic Breakthrough Coaching, Partner
My aha! moment: There have been so many aha! moments for me, but probably the one that sticks with me the most is that there is no one “right” way to run a business. It is so important to bring yourself into the business and really let you and your values show through. Let your business reflect you and your character. If you are able to thrive in your business, your business will also thrive!
Why I enjoy mentoring: I really enjoy having the opportunity to mentor entrepreneurs because it can be a very lonely journey when you are building a business. I love being able to “partner” with them to help create a strategy/road map. I was fortunate to have the experience that I gained throughout my corporate career, which taught me how to really run a business, but not everyone has had that experience. Being able to lend that to someone who is great at what they do and help strengthen their business acumen is very rewarding!
TRACY GOODBRAND, Irricana Kountry Kennel, Pack Leader
My aha! moment: I had my “nose to the grindstone” developing and growing my business, mainly focusing on all the pets we get to care for. I wasn’t really paying attention to the difference I was making to the pet community until the Town of Irricana called me, asking my permission to name their new dog park the Tracy Goodbrand Dog Park. What a humbling experience! It proved that my philosophy: If we focus on the pets, the owners will take care of us.
Why I enjoy mentoring: I find it so worthwhile to give back and share my experience, especially if it can help a new business owner not to make the mistakes that I likely made. I so benefited from my mentors throughout the years and, as a wise man said, “The best way to learn from experience is to learn from someone else’s experience.” I also love watching these new business owners learn, grow and succeed!
HEATHER HARKE, Former owner of Shoplift Deals Ltd. Business Development, Sales and Marketing Strategist
My aha! moment: My aha! moment in business came early on as I learned of the opportunity to create community. Developing friendships and connections and providing safe spaces for people to be their true selves was always something I was proud of that my business offered. Many people have met each other and formed lasting relationships, just from being a client. A business can be so much more than just a job. It truly can build a community.
Why I enjoy mentoring: As a mentor, I am grateful to be able to help support others in their journey through entrepreneurship. It can be lonely even in the best of times, and being able to be a trusted person to come to for venting, idea-generation, marketing support, work/life balance and general feedback/accountability is truly an honour. I am happy to be a part of helping someone feel like they are not alone. As a business development and marketing executive, my ability to help strategize and be a sounding board have always been strengths I share.
GARY MANOCHA, Condor Integrity CPA, Managing Director
My aha! moment: When I got into the business, I didn’t think I would make it through on my own. A lot of people in this industry buy practices to have a client base. I started from scratch. I was always determined to make it work. As I got into it, it almost shocked me to see the demand there is for good CPAs.
What I enjoy about mentoring: I enjoy mentoring as I want to give back to society and be a part of their success story. I am passionate about people who are determined to work hard and think outside the box.
DAWNIE MCELLIGOTT, At Dawn Wellness, Owner/Registered Massage Therapist
My aha! moment: Helping people feel better always filled my heart. Getting amazing massages from RMTs from a certain school was my aha! moment that that was what I wanted to do and who I wanted to learn from. That was 20 years ago!
My greatest strength I bring to the mentor role: My biggest strength is relationship-building and basic financial.
KELLY PAISLEY, The I.T. Company Ltd., President and CEO
My aha! moment: Realizing the importance of delegating. Hire skilled employees and empower them to take on responsibilities, allowing you the time to grow the business.
What I enjoy about mentoring: I enjoy passing my experience on to other people.
BRENT PARK, Liquid Amber Landscape Management Ltd., President
My aha! moment: That your goal as an entrepreneur is to build your business into an asset that does not require your complete involvement in running the day-to-day affairs of the company. The most important and impactful journey you will take (and need to take), is the transition from operating a business to owning an asset.
My greatest strength as a mentor: My greatest strength as a mentor is my ability to actively listen. I engage with entrepreneurs to understand their pain points, challenges and victories. This active listening helps them talk out their challenges, creating an open and collaborative dialogue to find possible solutions. By providing a supportive space where they feel heard and understood, I help them process their thoughts and emotions, building trust and fostering a supportive environment for growth.
JOAN TRAUB, Airdrie Yoga Studio (retired), Owner (Chief Cook and Bottle Washer!)
My aha! moment: Early in my 20s, after working for a couple of banks and an energy service company, I realized that I was not cut out for corporate life. I wanted to be able to have an impact on a business and my community. I didn’t want to be just a number in a large business, so I started on a life of entrepreneurship, and I never looked back. Growing my businesses took a lot of time and personal commitment, but was so worth the investment.
Why I enjoy mentoring: Prior to joining the SMARTstart program, I mentored MBA students at the University of Calgary. I have been with the SMARTstart program since its inception and enjoy seeing the passion that entrepreneurs have for their business. Mentorship is my way of giving back to the community that supported my business.
JO-ANNE YAU, Miles Davison LLP, Innovations Lawyer
My aha! moment: When I started thinking beyond my job as a lawyer and thinking about how to better serve my clients. This came from making better investments in my own tools and resources and working more efficiently.
My greatest strength: I believe in “sustainable mentoring.” This means that my job is not done when the entrepreneur has completed the SMARTstart program; it means that entrepreneurs learn how to ask themselves questions about risk, budget, marketing and operations. I want entrepreneurs to understand how to coach themselves and serve as an accountability partner to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
KARI LINES, Budget Blinds of Airdrie
What I wish I knew when I started out: I wish I would have got a mentor and a business coach earlier on in my career as the ones I have now are extremely valuable I also wish I would have known to not take things personally when it comes to business.
