Chamber Voices Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Voices is back!

For episode 13, we spoke to Luca Jungen, Program Manager with the Energy Savings for Business (ESB) grant program now being offered through Emissions Reduction Alberta.

Part 1: Jungen details the ESB program, its purpose, and how Fort McMurray businesses can access some of the $55 million in funding that has been made available to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and improve their bottom line.

Part 2: Jungen provides some examples of Alberta businesses that have successfully implemented the program, including right here in our community!

eralberta.ca/energy-savings-for-business/

Twitter: @ERAlberta_

On this episode of Chamber Voices, we have the pleasure to connect with Alethea Austin, CEO and Co-Founder of Achieve Wellness Spa, a business on the cusp of major growth!

Part 1: We begin by hearing Alethea’s story. How the question of what her and her husband wanted to do with the rest of their lives turned into the launch of a successful business. We also learn what drives Alethea to grow Achieve Wellness into one of the premier spa experiences in Canada.

Part 2: With the launch of a new Calgary location in 2021 and plans for expansion into three more territories within the next year, Alethea is quickly becoming an authority on the science of business franchising. We discuss first steps for other entrepreneurs ready to take that next big step, and talk about what it takes to become an Achieve Wellness Spa franchisee.

For episode 11 of Chamber Voices, we’re taking a trip downtown to speak to Mya Khan, Principal Dreamer and head visionary behind Project Clothing.

Mya is a savvy business leader with more than two decades of experience in the luxury clothing industry. She arrived to Fort McMurray in 2015 with one goal; to provide the same high-end clothing items found in the big city, with a personal touch.

Part 1: Mya discusses her background, the launch of Project Clothing on April 13th 2015, and it’s closure and restart eight months later as a result of the wildfire. We discuss what truly sets Fort McMurray apart from other larger centers and explain why—despite relaxed COVID-19 restrictions—we all need to continue showing kindness to each other.

Part 2: Mya shares her e-commerce philosophy, and why high-level customer service is a cornerstone of the Project Clothing buying experience. We cap our conversation off with an incredible story of how one small act of kindness here grew into a massive outpouring of support for a school library in Calgary.

Find Project Clothing Downtown: 107 - 108 Riverstone Ridge

facebook.com/Welcome2Project

twitter.com/welcome2project

instagram.com/welcome2project

Welcome to episode ten (yes, TEN) of Chamber Voices! This time, we’re headed to Earls Kitchen + Bar to speak to Operations Partner and Manager Stu Wigle. Since arriving to Fort McMurray over a decade and a half ago, Stu has applied his strong work ethic, and unique leadership philosophy to transform Earls from worst to first!

Part 1: Stu talks about arriving to Fort McMurray with a “three-year plan”, and what it is that keep him, his wife, and their four sons here. He also discusses why allowing your team the freedom and ability to lead is one of the most important things you can do as a business owner.

Part 2: We discuss Earls’ social media marketing strategy, why it’s important to recognize the people behind your business, and why community service should carry as much weight as revenue to a business owner.

Episode 9 of Chamber Voices features a person who literally helped build Fort McMurray into the community it is today! Gene Dobie came to Fort McMurray in 1976 with the same “five-year plan” that many of us had when we arrived. Nearly five decades on, the President and General Manager of Genron Enterprises has amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience about what it takes to be a successful operator.

Part 1: We talk about what kept Gene and his family here in Fort McMurray all these years, and what still motivates him to go into work each day. We also hear about some of Gene’s passions and learn why a worldly perspective is so valuable for any leader.

Part 2: Gene shares some of the biggest challenges in doing business today and discusses collaborative business solutions. Finally, Gene explains why being based in Northern Alberta gives Genron a competitive advantage.

www.genron.ca

Episode 8 of Chamber Voices features someone who is ALL about helping local business find success through social media! You may know Melanie Galea as a Sales Associate with RE/MAX Fort McMurray, you may not know her are the architect behind Discover Fort McMurray, as well as several other YMM-centered social media resources.

Part 1: Melanie shares a bit of her personal background with us and explains how Discover Fort McMurray came to be. Timing is everything!

Part 2: We do a little name dropping as Melanie shares some of our local social media success stories. We also discuss some of the keys to business longevity in a post-COVID world, and where businesses can start.

www.soldbymelanie.ca

www.discoverfortmcmurray.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MelanieGaleaFortMcMurrayRealtor

https://www.facebook.com/discoverfortmcmurray

https://www.facebook.com/groups/DiscoverFortMcMurrayBusinessSupport

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ishopymm4bizowners/?multi_permalinks=2839397412977757

Instagram:

www.instagram.com/melaniegalearemax

www.instagram.com/discoverfortmcmurray

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/melaniegrealtor

www.twitter.com/discoverfortmac