Maureen Chelemu has always had a passion for childcare learning and development. She graduated Medicine Hat College with her Early Learning & Childcare Diploma and Level 3, and in 2015 she opened Lion King Daycare in Brooks, Alberta.

Robert Daisley’s mother Bonnie Daisley opened Bonnie’s Vision Care 25 years ago in Taber, Alberta.

Haiyan Feng has owned Yume Sushi in Taber for over 3 years. In late 2024, she opened her second business U & Me Cafe in downtown Taber.

Duncan MacPherson opened Que-Bickle Eatery & Pub in Seven Persons, serving appetizers, handhelds, like the signature Bickle Smash Burger, and salads.

Danielle Hansen purchased a commercial building in March 2024 and renovated it into seven spaces to lease to retail businesses and professional services providers.

With a business already in his portfolio, Larry Liebelt saw a gap in the market and opened the only storage facility in Milk River in November 2024.

Kassidy Valgardson has been a registered massage therapist and yoga instructor for close to 10 years, and recently opened her own studio, Sundaze Wellness, in Taber, Alberta.

Aspen and Cody Cronkhite, and Cody’s parents, started Cronkhite Beef Company when their neighbour sold his butchery business to them.

Gary Modh opened Taber Gaming Center on December 22, 2023. As someone who has children and a family, he felt a space like this would be nice for the community to enjoy.

Jena Minue and her husband Arlan recently expanded their custom leather business to include shoe repair in Warner, Alberta.

Based in Vauxhall, Alberta, Donna Sato recently traveled to Japan to attend the Tokyo Game Show convention to showcase her video game, Neko House.

Sylvia Asare and her husband have managed Shoppers Drug Mart in Medicine Hat and Brooks for many years. Recently Asare opened her independent business venture, Ebony Cosmetics & Hair Lounge, with the support of Community Futures Chinook.

Isaak and April Friesen opened Bullzeye Mechanical in 2022, an agricultural mobile mechanic business with a focus on quality services at an affordable price. The two locals were born and raised in the area. Both with farmer family backgrounds, the agriculture industry is a special place for them, and they would like to see it thrive.

Taber’s first Indian restaurant Indian Pan Flame opened in 2022. Deepak Badola and Vivek Kapil wanted to offer authentic Indian food and authentic recipes to the community of Taber, and Alvaro Mendes with Community Futures Chinook supported with the opening of the business.

With 35 plus years in the meat retail industry, Jim Belanger saw potential for a meat market in Brooks, Alberta. The store he worked in closed down, and Jim saw an opportunity to supply specialty and locally sourced meats.

Rose Ypma often responds with quick-witted one-liners and relatable phrases when in conversation, like “I’m too pretty to work”, “I’m gonna to be late”, and “Messy hair, don’t care”. These phrases and more she’s printed onto t-shirts, crewnecks, and hoodies to sell through her online business, T21 Heart 2 Home — which she opened in March 2022.

Wes Horvath opened Wes’ Country Meats and Sausage over 15 years ago in Fernie, British Columbia. When he moved his business to Taber, Alberta, he invited Thoralee Ford to manage the butchery in 2019.

Jessica Evanson recently opened her own counseling office in Taber and Lethbridge, but her services extend online Canada-wide. Building a brand was the next step for Evanson, so she connected with the Digital Service Squad offered by Community Futures Chinook.

Kourtney Hiebert saw a gap in the market in Brooks, Alberta when she was pregnant with her first child. She saw an opportunity to open a maternity store and with encouragement from other local business owners, along with the Business Beautification Loan from Community Futures Chinook, Hiebert opened Mom Life Maternity on Oct. 1, 2021.

Dave Klassen has always been interested in landscaping and irrigation, and over five years ago he opened his own business, Kleen Slate Landscaping.

In 2021, Eusebia Kiedrowski wrote a business plan that would encompass everything the Salty Mare Mercantile is today, a cafe with an outdoor patio, consignment store, and hygiene and cleaning supplies refillery.

Owner of Flatland Hops Ed Hofsink had no online presence before getting connected with Grace Evans, digital service squad team member. They planned the website during four half hour meetings and, as they planned, she built it.