Meet Your Community Futures Chinook Team

Celebrating 15 years as General Manager of Community Futures Entre-Corp in 2022, Sean Blewett reminisces on proud moments and impactful programs, while looking brightly towards the future with a focus on collaboration.

He grew up and graduated with his bachelor in business in Australia, and then moved to downtown Sydney to work in the IT financial industry. He gained immense experience and knowledge that he would bring with him during his move to Medicine Hat in the mid-2000s.

He settled into Community Future Entre-Corp’s office space on fourth street in downtown Medicine Hat in 2007 and would spend years working with small businesses in the city, and eventually the region.

“Community Futures is often the first support that helps some owners realize they can do it and their project can move forward. I’m constantly running into past clients, and when they tell me their story and the successes they’ve had, it feels amazing to have been a part of that journey,” says Blewett.

One aspect of Blewett’s role is identifying what’s changing from an environmental standpoint and how it impacts businesses. Then, he designs and implements programs that support businesses as those transitions come down the road.

From the creation of the Regional Innovation Network, to the work done over the pandemic, and becoming the General Manager for Community Futures Chinook, Blewett is proud to work with a team that responds in a huge and impactful way that benefits the business community long-term.

“The best part of my day is the team. It’s amazing to have a group of people who have different skills and when put together perform so well. They’re all passionate people with diverse talents, and it’s a pleasure coming to work everyday,” says the general manager.

From adults to youth, Community Futures supports all age groups and aspiring business owners. The Rotary Alberta Entrepreneurship Youth Camp invites 13-15 year olds to a one week camp where they’ll learn the basics of business. They’ve put hundreds of youth through the program over 25 years. Blewett says some have gone to do amazing things, creating solid businesses and being leaders in their community.

“It's been a worthwhile project. When you see the youth grow and develop, it makes you feel proud that you can be involved in their life’s development even in a small way,” he says.

Blewett’s learned it’s the team around you that is most important. From friends and family, to co-workers, and people in the community.

“The biggest thing is developing your team around you. It’s not just the people you work with. It’s also community partners and leaders and people who have the same outcomes and desires you wish to have. I’m a huge believer in collaboration and that the more we’re rowing in the same direction, the more we’re partnering, the more we can achieve together.”

Alvaro Mendes owned his business in Brazil for three years before he moved to Canada. Number One produced seals placed on the stem of wine bottles, and after three successful years, he sold it to a company he supplied his products to.

He now uses this first-hand experience to support new and existing business owners in Southeast Alberta through his position with Community Futures Chinook, by offering and introducing programs, opportunities, advice, and knowledge. 

“I’m able to use my business and entrepreneur spirit and mindset at Community Futures to help business owners see out of the box, organize their business plans, and apply for loans,” says Mendes.

Both Mendes’ father and great grandfather were entrepreneurs, so this industry was introduced to him at a very young age. Just before he opened his business in his 20s, he already had a degree in mechanical engineering. But to pursue the venture, he enrolled and completed his business administration degree to gain business management expertise.

“When I started my business, I didn’t experience failure, because my father was my mentor. He was there to support me. He helped me react logically and had educated answers when I came to him. I now play this role with Community Futures, when business owners are willing to share their business ideas and challenges.”

Mendes continued his business journey after he moved to Canada, and 12 years of experience in the industry has prepared him to assist business owners in his position with Community Futures.

“I can empathize with the journey of owning a business, but I also have knowledge of and understand the marketing and how a business works financially. There’s an importance of having a healthy balance of a budget and financial plan, while also properly marketing,” says Mendes. “The financial and marketing work go hand in hand in creating a successful business.”

Mendes explains there is often a gap between the business idea and the willingness to share that idea with someone. But once that gap is filled, there is no other direction to go than forward.

“There are so many available tools that can be used and we are ready to share them. Often, when people want to start a business, they are afraid of failing. We’re here to support entrepreneurs to strengthen their business plan and show a new perspective.”

There is excitement and passion in every business owner that comes to Community Futures Chinook for support. They have the energy and they believe in the success of their business. Mendes is able to bring to light the tools and resources that are created and implemented to help set up those businesses for that success.

A big piece of advice Mendes shares with business owners is to recognize when something is achieved, “It’s important to celebrate. It’s something I always try to apply in my personal and professional life. Otherwise, we just work for the next thing with no reward. Always take the time to recognize the things you’ve achieved and conquered, and then move forward.”

Grace Evans learned the importance of community during her handful of moves around Southern Alberta. From Oyen, to Vermillion, Lloydminster, Lethbridge, Okotoks, Taber, and Enchant, she’s watched many innovative business owners in the areas stick to their roots with heritage and agriculture.

It was a natural move for Evans to eventually work with a non-for-profit that supports local business owners in her role as Digital Service Squad member with Community Futures Chinook. Building websites, designing brands and logos, and offering digital knowledge and advice are a few tools she shares with her clients.

“The internet and social media are such powerful platforms to be on, especially for a business. Teaching people how to use the tools available to them to their advantage, and how to use them more effectively, is something I really enjoy,” says Evans. “It’s a matter of helping businesses, and people in general, create that positive change online.”

Evans graduated with her diploma in digital communications and media studies with a focus in media production and advertising. She specializes in photography, graphic design, and content creation.

“I find it relaxing honestly,” she says. “Being in this role, I like to remind business owners that there are resources available that shorten their to-do list. They don’t need to do everything all at once. The key is to focus on growing further and taking it step-by-step.”

Evans worked with Community Futures during her practicum in Lloydminster, and she was eager to accept the digital-focused job position when it opened up in Taber.

“A lot of people aren’t aware of how big of an impact Community Futures has on communities,” says Evans. “I like being part of the networking web of what makes a community grow and thrive — being in that puzzle of what makes different cities and towns great and working together to make a place stronger than the day before.”

From a summer student to the Marketing Specialist, Hayley Gibson has been with Community Futures Chinook since 2016 when she started her journey with the organization between her first and second year of New Media studies at the University of Lethbridge.

Being born and raised in Taber, Alberta, she has a connection to the community that inspires her to pursue her work with the organization every day, through social media, web design, web management, graphic design, general digital content creation, and working with businesses and organizations on collaborative projects.

“To have an impact on the business community that I’ve lived in my entire life is something that’s really cool about this job. Being able to dabble in so many different areas of media and always picking up new skills along the way is exciting,” says Gibson.

She’s recently worked on a project with the Town of Taber and Taber & District Chamber of Commerce, where a Virtual Reality (VR) experience will take students through the process of a very prominent industry in the town and surrounding areas — agriculture. The story of irrigation is the focus, and the interactive VR experience takes students through the entire timeline, starting in the mountains to going into the field as a farmer.

While Gibson contributes to this project, she’s also involved in the ‘Shop Local in Taber’ campaign, where feature videos are created to promote and support local businesses in Taber and region.

“The videos had such an amazing impact when we released them, especially on Facebook and Instagram, accumulating over 100,000 views. There were so many heart reactions, shares, and support in the comments for our local business owners – their service, quality and just how great they are to have in the community,” says Gibson.

In total, there are 22 shop local business videos, and a separate video featuring Taber Pheasant Festival. They have 10 more focused on agricultural organizations in the MD coming this fall.

“I really enjoyed coordinating this project – collaborating with our partners at the Town, Chamber and Lethbridge Link, and all our business participants – and creating the marketing campaigns. It was great to find that bridge between my CF business work and my Visit Taber tourism work.”

Gibson also helps coordinate educational and training events that share knowledge on how to grow, sustain, and stay informed while owning a business in these modern times.

“Community Futures Chinook is a huge force behind so much success in the business community. I’m big on the Disney pixie dust inspiration, and I love the quote, ‘if you can dream it, you can do it.’ And I believe Community Futures Chinook, with the whole team’s knowledge, assists people in making their dreams come true.”

Five years ago, Sandy Schuck accepted a job position with Community Futures Entre-Corp, and eventually Community Futures Chinook and Tourism Medicine Hat, and now finds herself completely content with her substantial and challenging workload.

Whether it’s balancing numbers and paperwork for Community Futures Chinook, Community Futures Entre-Corp or Tourism Medicine Hat, it gives Schuck a wealth of fulfillment that her role plays a part in all three organizations.

“I like helping my coworkers and being a support to them. If anyone needs something, I try to get on it right away; it feels good to close the loop on something,” she says.

Accounting is what she’s known her whole career and she’s been naturally drawn to the profession since day one, “I like balancing and figuring, and it doesn’t matter what sector you work in, you always have accounting. Especially with this job, I do all aspects of accounting, and I love that variety.”

From starting in the oil and gas industry, and then working with a non-for-profit that has a common goal of supporting the success of local and small business, Schuck has realized a new admiration and recognition for entrepreneurs in all industries.

“I’ve never worked with entrepreneurs before, and it’s been an eye-opener for me. I have a tremendous amount of respect for entrepreneurs. Seeing it first hand is pretty incredible. It’s not a nine-to-five job. It’s their passion — they’re on 24/7. I like learning about that,” says Schuck.

When she started in the accounting industry right out of high school, she quickly felt her intrinsic aptitude for it. The challenge, constant workflow, and variety of tasks keeps her on her toes with something new everyday.

Before Schuck and her family moved to Medicine Hat in April 2017, they would drive through often from Calgary to Saskatchewan to visit family. There was an encompassing feel the city gave off that attached to her more and more with every drive through on the Trans-Canada Highway.

She and her husband would talk about moving, and when her husband was approved for a work transfer, they packed their bags and permanently stopped in Medicine Hat the next time they drove on the Trans-Canada Highway.

“We were camping at Gas City Campground, and I had an interview with Community Futures after applying a few months after moving. We were walking our dog, and we ran into a lady. She made conversation. I told her I had a job interview. It turned out the woman used to work there, and she loved it. I thought that was pretty funny,” says Schuck.

And like that woman, Schuck feels fortunate working in an office with a supportive and welcoming team, while having a workload that fuels her list of what she needs to be professionally fulfilled.

“I really like what I’m doing, and I don’t see myself doing anything else.”