October 6, 2022

 Take Part in Small Business Week

Well, it’s that time of year again. Whether or not you enjoy watching the leaves fall with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, the great news is Small Business Week is just around the corner! And, with the restrictions around COVID now in the rearview mirror, the Okotoks Chamber, supported by a myriad of other organizations (the Town included 🙂) is hosting four great events to help you and your business get back in the driver seat!

If you’re a business owner in Okotoks then you likely are considered a small business. We estimate that roughly 99% of the 1,400+ businesses (storefront and homebased) have 50 or fewer employees; the threshold for such a designation.

However, if you are one of the handful of larger employees in Okotoks, the events during small business week are also open to you and your employees! So, whether you are looking to do things differently in the post-COVID era, or you are interested in learning how collaboration can help you grow your business – small business week has you covered. We encourage those interested to take part in all of the opportunities this year!

 Small Business Week Events

Monday, October 17 – Speed Dating Business Style

7 – 9pm, Hubtown Brewing
Facilitated by Josh Welz, Okotoks Economic Development

“Similar to 'speed dating', our facilitator Josh Welz, with the Town of Okotoks Economic Development Department, will discuss the art of networking and different ways to make it a successful tool for you as a business owner / manager / employee. After learning some new techniques, we will put your networking skills to the test by doing some 'speed networking' with all of those who are in attendance.”

Tuesday, October 18 – The Power of Collaboration Breakfast Panel

7 – 9:30am, Best Western Inns & Suites
Breakfast panel with moderators Clint & Robin Pigeon from Two Birds Furniture and “Business Life of Husband & Wife.”

“Collaboration can be a powerful tool as a business owner and/or manager. As we Dare to do Things Differently, please join Clint & Robin Pigeon, from A Business Life of a Husband and Wife, as they host our guest panel of 'expert collaborators' from right here in our own community. This Oprah-style event, will have interaction and involvement from both the guest panelists and those who are in attendance.”

Wednesday, October 19 – “Together We Are Stronger – Meaningful Leadership in our Community

11am – 1pm, 7 – 9:30am, Best Western Inns & Suites
Workshop Luncheon with Jason Krause of Level 52

The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce is happy to be partnering with local Okotokian, Jayson Krause, Managing Director with Level 52 Inc and author of The Science Behind Success for this event. Jayson will guide us through an interactive, workshop style session as we Dare to do Things Differently. Jayson will help to unlock your potential and find out what you as leaders need to know about mindset, influence, culture and performance.”

Thursday, October 20 - UNITE Event, “Daring to do Things Differently.”

6 - 9:30pm, Best Western Inns & Suites
Opening Speaker/Interactive Guest Panel/Keynote from Dough Griffiths with “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”

“The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce is excited to present a night of networking, collaboration, education, and insight to round out our Small Business Week of events.

Please join us for an action-packed evening that will includes:

  • Address from Elaine Vincent, CAO for the Town of Okotoks
  • Guest Panel that includes:
  • Gavin Harrison with Level 52 Inc.
  • Dr. Damon Umscheid with Eyes 360
  • Brittany Prete with Bliss Boss Inc.
  • Shawn Leggett with GroundUp Eco-Ventures
  • TBA

Keynote Speaker - Doug Griffiths and Heather Thomson with 13 Ways to Kill Your Community with Q & A”

More info & event registration

 Business Spotlight: Bow Valley College Okotoks Campus Grand Opening

Congratulations to Bow Valley on the Grand Opening of their Okotoks Campus!

Bow Valley College continues its commitment to offering quality post-secondary education to regional students in Alberta through its newly expanded campus in Okotoks. A grand opening celebration officially launched the 6,000-square-foot campus in the Okotoks Arts and Learning Campus (OALC).

“We could not be more pleased to build upon our more than two decades in Okotoks by expanding and enhancing our campus. This new space allows us to offer even more students the flexibility of learning where they live.” – Leah Wack, Dean of Regional Stewardship, Bow Valley College

The campus replaces Bow Valley College’s 1,500-square-foot location in the town, servicing students from Okotoks and the Foothills. Programs available at the Okotoks campus currently include Practical Nurse, Health Care Aide, Recreation Therapy Aide, Early Childhood Education and Development, Administrative Professional, and Business Administration. This new campus allows the College to meet demands, open doors to more students, and support future growth.

Learn more

Source: https://bowvalleycollege.ca/about/media-relations-centre/news-media-releases/2022/bow-valley-college-opens-new-okotoks-campus

 Upcoming Business Link Webinars

Register to participate in these upcoming webinars hosted by Business Link!

Level Up Series: Recurring Revenue
Thursday, October 6, 1:00PM - 2:00PM 

Register

Lean Fundamentals: A Crash Course for Accelerating Business Performance
Thursday, October 20, 11:00AM-12:00PM

Register

Alberta Business Bash
Thursday, October 20, 3:00PM-5:30PM

Register

Business Foundation Series: Bring Your Business Idea to Life
Wednesday, November 2, 10:30AM-12:00PM

Register

Small Business Energy Saving Tip

There a many ways to help small businesses save energy; here is the third tip in a series of 12!

Reduce Peak Demand. One of the best ways to save electricity in an office is to reduce your peak demand. The phrase “peak demand” refers to the hours in a day when energy usage is at its highest. Peak demand times are typically normal office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You can reduce your demand during this time by staggering work hours / start times, running heavy equipment and factory equipment during the evening and early morning hours, and conserving energy throughout the day.

Did You Know? 

Learn more about small businesses in Canada!

New businesses in Town

New Business Listings

The Town of Okotoks is thrilled to welcome the following new businesses to Town:

Homebased: KC Bookeeping: Online Bookeeping 
                      The Sweet Artisan: Home Based Bakery, Custom Cakes, Cupcakes, Cookies & More
                      L and L Online Shop: Online Retail, Bangkok Clothes & Dubai Gold Jewelry

Storefront: Rose Williams: Therapeutic Massage Therapy
                   Creat-ique: Retail Gift Shop/Self-Serve Deli with Vendors Renting Spaces
                   Heart of Healing: Meditation Studio
                   Crystal Shores Massage & Wellness: Massage Therapy
                   The Parisian Music School: Private Music Lessons
                   Foothills Neurofeedback: Offering Neurofeedback Neuroptimal Sessions 

The online business directory is a list of all Okotoks businesses that have chosen to be included. The Business Directory is another helpful resource for sourcing companies, products, services and expertise located in the Town of Okotoks. Check it out!

Online business directory

Business Support Programs 

Join the Business Visitation Program

Your Business Matters!! We would love to hear your unique story. Why did you choose Okotoks? How can we help you grow?

Book a visit

Local Business Success Stories

Connect with Community Growth and Investment to participate in the Success Stories program. Let's collaborate to promote your business!

Join today

New businesses in Town

Small Business Resources


Access webinar, events, programs & services

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Click to see all events by the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce

Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce
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Click to see all events by Community Futures Highwood

Community Futures Highwood

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Click to see all events by MCG Careers

MCG
Careers 


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Click to see all events by Business Link

Bow Valley
College


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Click to see all events by the Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce

Canada Alberta Job Grant
Available for employers to train new or existing employees


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Click to see all events by Community Futures Highwood

Canada Digital Adoption Program
To help businesses grow their online presence and upgrade or adopt digitial technologies
Learn more 

 

Click to see all events by MCG Careers

Alberta Women Entrepreneaus
Dedicated to enabling women to build successful businesses


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Click to see all events by Business Link

BDC Entrepreneur
Financing, mentoring and support tools for aspiring business owners aged 18-39.



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Futurpreneur

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