The Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce has named The Bra Lounge as its Business of the Year in the 1 to 10 Employees category. Sheena Johnson and Cortney Hollenga opened the store in February of 2007, when they were 23 and 25 years old. After 9 months it was clear they would be able to make the business work, and the company incorporated. They hired a teenage cousin to help on the weekends, and after another year hired their first full time staff member. After 3 years, Bra Lounge moved to its current location. That was 7 years ago.
The Awards are presented in four categories to exceptional businesses in the Red Deer area. Click on the video to watch a feature on the company, showcased at tonight’s Awards celebration at the RDC Performing Arts Centre.
Other finalists in the category wereBreathing Room and Fetch Haus. Bonnee Gregg and Krista VandenBrink opened Breathing Room in September of 2011. It featured two yoga studios: a large, main practice studio and a smaller, children’s studio, a café and sitting area and two, family friendly change rooms. Breathing Room employs 15 instructors and a full time studio manager.
Fetch Haus opened in November 2011 with no employees. Over the past 5 years the has quadrupled our store front space and now have 10 employees. Their vision is to cultivate a community of responsible pet ownership – which includes nutrition, pet care, and overall wellness of our companion pets.
Watch their stories as well! Get to know and support these outstanding business leaders.
About the Chamber: The Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most influential business association in Central Alberta. We are committed to promoting business growth and prosperity in the region by providing networking opportunities, educational and relevant speakers, benefit programs like group insurance and discounted merchant card rates to save you money, and being your advocate on issues that matter. Chamber membership is the most effective way to raise your business profile and capitalize on business development opportunities.
All companies, Chamber members and non-members, are eligible for nomination for an award in their respective category.
Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.
National Small Business Week is an annual celebration of entrepreneurship that has been celebrated for over 40 years.
Did you know:
Canada has over 1 million small businesses currently in operation!
For statistical purposes, a small business has between 1-99 employees, but most have less than 10.
These small businesses employ over 8 million Canadians.
By comparison, only 2.5 million Canadians are employed in medium sized businesses (100-500 employees).
In 2019, Canadian small businesses contributed 36.7% of our gross domestic product (GDP).
*Statistics taken from Statistics Canada – Innovation, Science and Economic Development website.
Time is running out to apply for the
Catalyst Incubator!
Calling local entrepreneurs! The Catalyst Incubator, funded through the Central Alberta Innovation Network (CARIN) and provided by Community Futures Central Alberta, is nearing its registration deadline.
Both Fall and Winter registration dates for this unique, cohort-based program helping to foster new ideas, make critical connections, and help start-up businesses are now open. The Catalyst Incubator is 100% FREE and focuses on supporting start-ups in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, energy innovation, and more.
Increase your business’ online presence with free help from the Digital Service Squad
The Digital Service Squad (DSS) is designed to help small businesses take their businesses online. This program, a partnership between Business Link, Community Futures and Digital Main Street, will help small businesses in Alberta undergo digital transformations and adopt eCommerce practices. DSS is open to home-based or commercial small businesses registered in Alberta with less than 50 employees.
Digital Service Squads guides businesses through digital transformation. Small businesses can apply to participate in the program, free of charge.
In this edition of our Quarterly Update, we shine a spotlight on the Community Futures Central Alberta Flex Loan. Flex Loans are available to clients in all industries, including home-based and storefront. The loans can be used for equipment, inventory, renovations, marketing, working capital, etc.
According to CFCA Business Analyst Kelsey Krieger, “Flex loans offer our clients a lower interest rate and a lower barrier to entry to qualify for financial support for their small business or startup. This product allows clients to make near-term plans for purchasing needed equipment or doing important upgrades to their business.”
• Qualification for unsecured (will still take GSA and personal guarantee) will be based on credit history and net worth.
CFCA introduces Tyler Harke as its new Community Economic Development Coordinator
Community Futures Central Alberta is pleased to welcome Tyler Harke as its newest staff member.
Tyler is a life-long Albertan who comes from a family of entrepreneurs. He is excited to serve in both the Community Economic Development role as well as part of the Digital Services Squad.
Tyler brings over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications roles and looks forward to playing a key role in helping small business thrive in this great region!
Join Mike Szabo on a journey of stories and songs he wrote and the covers that inspired him. Mike is promoting the release of his debut vinyl LP, Take My Heart 2020. Cover for the show is by donation and guests will be seated first come, first served.
Fish in a Birdcage at The Velvet Olive
October 28th @8:30
Dustan Townsend AKA “Fish in a Birdcage” is a young and passionate musical virtuoso. Townsend is originally from Red Deer, Alberta and is now on a two year long busking/street performing adventure around Europe with Spain being his next destination.
Yep, you heard that right! We’re hosting a Grand Opening celebration for Red Deer’s largest music store! When Long and McQuade bought the business in February of 2020, plans to renovate the store were made but had to be postponed. Fast forward to 2022, renovations are now finished and we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate the occasion with YOU, our amazing customers!
Come to the store on Oct. 29 for some awesome giveaway prizes, live music, and free food. Our BBQ will be fired up from 12 to 2 and we have live music scheduled from some excellent local musicians!
Love must conquer clever disguises in this delightful comic masterpiece.
The Games of Love and Chance was originally written by Pierre de Marivaux at the height of opulence and extravagance during the reign of Louis XV in France. This playful and witty comedy has been newly translated and adapted by Artistic Director, Richard Beaune and this is it’s world premiere! Indulge in an evening (or afternoon) of love, laughter and decadent silliness as Red Deer’s only professional theatre company brings this sumptuous story of love and deception to life on stage.
Starpainter is a folk rock band from Lethbridge, Alberta. They wear their influences on their sleeves, showcasing strong songwriting and an affinity for gently psychedelic alt-country tones. The band has been growing a following on the strength of their debut full-length titled Bury Me By My Family (2020). Their imaginative, guitar-heavy live show is built on a foundation of prairie-born craftsmanship with a pop sensibility that defies their youth.
