Tag Archives: Entrepreneurship

FEATURE

Celebrating 25 Years of Clarence Campeau Development Fund (Ep.10)



We are celebrating 25 years of empowering and inspiring Métis entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan at the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.

To help commemorate this achievement, we have our CEO, Pam Larson, as a guest on the podcast speaking to us about the milestones achieved and the exciting new partnerships to come.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné and Pam Larson will cover many of the major accomplishments of CCDF since 1997. Pam discusses how her career path converged into becoming the CEO at CCDF, the new key partnerships CCDF has established, the significant support Metis people have received over the years to start their businesses, and other memorable stories. 

Pam discusses:

  • The achievements she’s seen at CCDF in the last six years as CEO
  • Being able to successfully launch the Métis Entrepreneur Equity Program to help Metis people start up their business
  • Examples of client success stories over the years of working with the team at CCDF
  • How CCDF has built strong relationships with organizations like the National Aboriginal Capital Corporation Association, to better serve Métis people
  • And more.

Resources:

Connect With Pam Larson:

Connect with Victoria Gagné:

About Guest:

Born and raised in Prince Albert, Pam Larson is the CEO of the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF). As CEO, Pam is proud to provide leadership and innovative finance opportunities to CCDF’s clients. Since taking over as CEO in 2017, she has achieved record-breaking loan and grant issuance for CCDF and says her top priority is the success of Métis entrepreneurs and communities. She is a believer in lifelong learning and professional development, has a love for travel and experiencing new cultures, and enjoys spending time with her children, parents, and two dogs. She is passionate and brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to her work, and sincerely enjoys supporting Métis entrepreneurs in achieving business success.  


From the NHL to Entrepreneurship with Dwight King (Ep. 7)



Transitioning into entrepreneurship often leads to starting a new chapter in life.

But, your experiences in your former career might help you along your journey much more than you realize.

In this episode of Make It Your Business, Victoria Gagné is joined by former professional hockey player and entrepreneur Dwight King. Dwight talks about his new business, Kingdom Golf, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how his hockey career helped him through it.

Dwight discusses:

  • His career in the NHL and how the lessons he learned carried over into his entrepreneurial journey
  • The importance of moving closer to our support system
  • Métis representation in business and the value of having role models to look up to
  • Challenges he has experienced in his hockey career and as an entrepreneur and ways he has overcome them
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Dwight King:

Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About Our Guest:

Dwight King is a Métis entrepreneur from Local 31.  Dwight is a retired professional hockey player and won two Stanley Cup Championships with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014.  After retiring from his professional hockey career, Dwight moved back to his hometown of Meadow Lake to start the next chapter of his life, starting and running a small business, Kingdom Golf. 

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)


Developing A Growth Mindset with Karey Kapell (Ep.6)



When we think about developing a growth mindset, growth can be scary.  

However, remember that there are a lot of tools and business advice you can draw from to understand when’s the right time to grow.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné speaks with Karey Kapell, a business coach and mentor for coaches, course creators, and service-based business women. Karey sheds light on what tends to hinder the ability of business growth while offering her wisdom in entrepreneurship and her advice on overcoming barriers to align your business.  

Karey discusses:

  • How to acknowledge and work through entrepreneurial fear
  • What are some of the external factors entrepreneurs often face
  • Ways to find alignment in your business
  • Barriers that she has faced and overcome in her career
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect With Karey Kapell:

 

Connect with Victoria Gagné:

About Our Guest:

Karey Kapell is a business coach and mentor for coaches, course creators, and service-based business women looking to grow their income and impact online by stepping more into alignment with their innate wisdom and way of being.

She’s been an entrepreneur for 10 years now, growing and selling a profitable retail business and now coaching other female businesses owners for 5 plus years. She’s worked with well over 200 entrepreneurs helping them get out of their own way and increase their sales while staying true to who they are and how they want to show up in their business and life.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

 


FEATURE

Overcoming and Growing from Obstacles in Entrepreneurship with Audra Hill (Ep. 5)



In a business, nothing will be perfect. There will always be things that go wrong, people who criticize your ideas, and self-doubt that arises, but to be truly successful, you must learn to overcome these obstacles.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné speaks to Audra Hill, founder of Farmer John’s Local Market & Kitchen, a coffee shop and grocery store that provides local and fresh products from Saskatchewan farmers to the community. Audra highlights her experience as an entrepreneur and the barriers she’s learned to overcome through her journey.

Audra discusses:

  • Tips and tricks to overcome self-doubt
  • Why you shouldn’t let criticism affect you and ways you can turn skepticism into a positive factor
  • The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
  • The power of learning what to ask
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Audra Hill:

Connect with Victoria Gagné:

About Our Guest:

Audra Hill is the founder of Farmer John’s Local Market & Kitchen, which provides customers access to farm-fresh produce and meat grown in Saskatchewan. Audra grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and has always found her most passionate roles working with producers.

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)


FEATURE

3. Making A Deal In The Dragons’ Den – with Geoff and Colette Heschel



Have you ever wondered what it takes to appear on Canada’s popular reality-entrepreneurial show, Dragons’ Den?

In this episode, seasoned Dragons’ Den contestants and entrepreneurs Geoff and Colette Heschel sit down with Victoria Gagné to share the show’s trade secrets. They also highlight how they built their first business, along with entrepreneurial tips and tricks you should know as you look to start and solidify your business. 

Geoff and Colette discuss:

  • Clarence Campeau Development Fund’s role within the growth of GH Well Services and GH The Leveller
  • The importance of following your business plan and knowing your numbers
  • Reasons why you need to time your business along with honing your skills and being persistent
  • What to expect as a Dragons’ Den contestant 
  • How to navigate the negotiation process and the art of making an entrepreneurial deal on the show
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Geoff and Colette:

Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About our Guests:

Geoff and Colette Heschel and their three children live in Morse, Saskatchewan. They own and operate a boiler, superheater, and agricultural trucking business called GH Well Services Inc. In addition to GH Well Services Inc. In 2012, Geoff decided to build an above-ground deck that could easily be adjusted should the soil shift. Not liking the appearance, quality, or ease of use of any of the products in his local building supplies stores, he decided it would be simpler to build his own. This is how the GH The Leveller was born.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)


FEATURE

2. Learn How To Create Community in Your Business with Amber Richards, Owner of Oxygen Yoga & Fitness Regina South



Business owners and entrepreneurs, how many of you are looking for ways to build community within your business?

Learn how Métis entrepreneur and owner of Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Regina South, Amber Richards, implemented her strengths and passions while creating her business model in this episode of Make It Your Business. 

This week, Amber joins Victoria Gagné to unveil Clarence Campeau Development Fund’s role within her success and how her achievements and barriers have shaped her into the prosperous entrepreneur and business owner she is today. 

Amber discusses:

  • How to find the right people to hire for your business
  • How to approach your business and entrepreneurship authentically
  • Benefits of projecting value to your business 
  • Creating a support system around the operational aspect of your business
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Amber Richards:

Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About our Guest:

Amber Richards is the Owner of Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Regina South in Regina, Saskatchewan.  She began her journey of true entrepreneurship in 2018 and has a background in sales & sales management, community engagement, and customer service. Amber took her Yoga and Fuse 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018, teaches yoga and fitness but also manages the day-to-day at her studio.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)