Grassroot entrepreneurs
BY LAURA BUTTON
EDITOR
The Rural Alberta Business Centre (RABC) in Rocky is expanding their reach with a new community project to support economic development.
“It’s creating an environment for entrepreneurs to come forth,” said Suzette McFaul, owner of SEF Canada, an economic development firm from Vancouver.
She and SEF Canada project coordinator Hannah Grimson were in Rocky Mountain House earlier this month to bring the new community capacity-building initiative to the RABC.
“It’s about people and human behaviour rather than checklists,” said McFaul. “It’s inspiration and empowerment.”
With McFaul’s guidance, Small Business Advisor Michelle Andrishak has enlisted a group of local residents together to foster the entrepreneurial spirit in west central Alberta.
Retired professionals, homemakers, youth, new business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs all have something to offer a budding businessperson. McFaul says the community support helps people overcome their fears.
“There’s an internal fear factor stopping a certain amount of entrepreneurs from coming forward,” said McFaul, fearful thoughts that their idea is no good, or somebody will steal it, or they have no money, no support or believe they are too old to launch a new career. New businesses require manufacturing, selling, financing, managing and accounting skills.
“Nobody in the world can do all of these and love all of them,” said McFaul, describing how the community network will help a new businessperson build a team and a plan to move forward.
Andrishak says people get on board for the love of the community – and good business sense.
“They believe in and love the community, and they believe entrepreneur development leads to sustainability of the community,” said Andrishak. “It’s a full-blown community project.”
“The experts are already in every community,” added McFaul, “it’s just a matter of bringing them together.”
McFaul says community support is essential for long-term sustainability.
“We know following that methodology that 80 to 90 per cent will still be here in fi ve years,” she said.
The RABC serves all of west central Alberta, from Sylvan Lake to Rimbey, Sundre, Alder Flats, Buck Lake, and all parts west.
For Andrishak, the new method is just a subtle change in the way she does business.
“I still do one-on-one and networking, but it’s how it’s delivered,” said Andrishak. “It’s more about client empowerment, and helping them find tools in their own circle of knowledge.”