Key to Recruitment + Retention
IMMIGRATION PROGRAM
Brings Needed Skills to Brandon
WORKING TOGETHER to Help Brandon GROW GREEN LOOKS GOOD on Manitoba Business
Carla Milne of MNP LLP bdnchamber The Brandon Chamber of Commerce
Startups and businesses looking to expand will find themselves in good company in Brandon. Our manufacturing sector has distinguished itself on both a provincial and national level. In fact, Brandon is home to…
• Canada’s largest pork processor & anchor of Brandon’s food processing cluster — Maple Leaf Foods
• North America’s largest sodium chlorate producer – Chemtrade Chemicals Canada LP
• Canada’s largest steel building manufacturer – Behlen Industries LP
• Canada’s largest packet seed producer — McKenzie Seeds
• Pfizer’s only Canadian manufacturing facility
• The first Canadian fertilizer plant to earn Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR rating — Koch Fertilizer Canada ULC
• Manitoba’s largest dairy processor – Saputo Dairy Products
• Manitoba’s largest chemical manufacturing cluster
Brandon’s industrial sector has made over $150 million in identified capital investments in 2024. The city’s manufacturing workforce is growing steadily and expected to increase by 12.7% by 2027. And, investments are underway or being evaluated in warehousing; commercial retail; advanced manufacturing; food processing; green energy (including hydrogren, sustainable aviation fuel, and biomass); indoor vegetable farming; and a new serviced industrial park.
There’s a place in Brandon for your business. Connect with Economic Development Brandon today.
Education can empower people of any age with knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential. At Koch Fertilizer, we believe in supporting local education to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn. From o ering engineering scholarships for continuing education to funding local Industrial Arts programs and providing internships to current students, we’re giving back to Brandon to drive the next generation forward.
LOIS RUSTON, PRESIDENT BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
elcome to the 2024 edition of the Brandon Business Review! I love this publication because it highlights some of the best things happening in our business community while celebrating those who are contributing to building a dynamic business ecosystem here in Brandon.
Included in these pages you will find advertisements from many of our partners, as well as stories highlighting the work done in the past year to pave the way for a strong future for Brandon. You will also be able to read about the passion and perseverance of the recipients of Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Business Achievement Awards—a diverse group of leaders in our community who are meeting challenges, overcoming obstacles and using their imagination and entrepreneurial spirit to build their business, and a better Brandon. I would like to congratulate and acknowledge all nominees and winners and thank them for their unwavering commitment to their businesses and their tenacity and creativity in pursuing their business dreams, right here in our community.
Each year, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce works to represent our membership, and the business community at large, on critical issues that will impact our success, while working to build collaborative relationships that will move us forward together. One article in this publication highlights the work done over the past year around the GROW Brandon initiative, the development of a community economic development plan that will map out a cohesive vision for how we want to build Brandon into the future. I am particularly excited to move this initiative forward in the year ahead, bringing all levels of government, educational institutions, business leaders and community agencies together to imagine a Brandon of the future.
The value of advocacy can never be understated and is something that your Chamber participates in 365 days a year. Advocacy work
is informed by the concerns and needs of our members, and the challenges that our community must overcome to grow and flourish. I would guess that the topics covered in this magazine, and perhaps the trajectory of some of our award recipients, have been impacted by the advocacy work of our Chamber in years gone by. Rest assured that this work will persist, and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce will continue to advocate with all levels of government, our school division and within the Chamber network to ensure that our businesses, and our community in its entirety, have access to the levers that will help us continue to grow, evolve and succeed.
In closing, there will always be challenges to overcome, in any business or community. This year has been no exception, with persistent inflationary pressures and strong interest rates, limited access to skilled labour, and infrastructure challenges at the municipal level. Rest assured that your Chamber is continually doing advocacy work around these issues, and many more, while at the same time collaborating with community and education partners to find themes of commonality and strength from which our community can grow.
Enjoy the stories in this publication, and as always, reach out to your Chamber with challenges, opportunities, and ideas that will help us build into the future together! BBR
CONNOR KETCHEN, GENERAL MANAGER BRANDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
s we reflect on the past year, it is impossible not to be struck by the unique spirit of our business community here in Brandon. The unwavering support from our local businesses towards the Chamber is a testament to the strength of our collective vision. Unlike any other, the Brandon business community stands out for its commitment to not only sustaining its growth but also actively shaping a prosperous future together.
This year, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of launching new initiatives that continue to empower our members and foster economic development. The GROW Brandon initiative is a shining example of this effort, setting the stage for a cohesive economic development plan that brings together various stakeholders—business leaders, government representatives, and community organizations—to envision the future of our city. This initiative is not just about planning; it’s about action, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating a vibrant business ecosystem.
Another significant milestone has been the successful launch of our Leadership Brandon program. This program has already begun to shape the next generation of leaders in our community, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and networks they need to drive innovation and success in their respective fields. The enthusiasm and dedication of the participants are a clear indicator that Brandon’s future is in capable hands.
Throughout the year, the Chamber has also continued to bring in thought-provoking speakers and practical workshops tailored to the needs of our members. These events have provided invaluable insights and learning opportunities, helping our businesses navigate the ever-changing economic landscape. Our commitment to offering these resources reflects our dedication to ensuring that our
members are always equipped with the tools they need to succeed.
Beyond our local efforts, the Chamber has worked tirelessly to strengthen relationships at the provincial level. We’ve had the privilege of sitting at various tables, engaging in meaningful discussions that impact not just our community but the broader business environment across Manitoba. These efforts have allowed us to advocate more effectively for our members and ensure that Brandon’s voice is heard on issues that matter most.
As we look back on the achievements of the past year, it is essential to acknowledge and congratulate all the nominees and recipients of the Brandon Chamber Business Awards. These individuals and businesses embody the entrepreneurial spirit and resilience that define our community. Your accomplishments inspire us all and set a high standard for excellence in business.
To our members, we extend our deepest gratitude for your continued support. Your trust in the Chamber fuels our mission and drives us to advocate, innovate, and collaborate on your behalf. Together, we are not just building businesses—we are building a stronger, more resilient Brandon.
As we move forward, let’s continue to work together, support each other, and embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and success for our community! BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
Brandon employers may need direction and support to help make their workplaces more inviting and inclusive, says a western think tank that recently conducted a study on attracting and retaining youth in Manitoba.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, as administrator of the Province of Manitoba’s COVID-19 Long-Term Recovery Fund, commissioned the Canada West Foundation (CWF) to have a hard look at employment attraction and retention in the province. CWF is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides policy research; they study—among other issues—the problems facing the workforce today, specifically in the western provinces.
The CWF study focused on Manitoba young adults aged 18 to 35. The study looked at why these age groups leave the province, where they are going and how we can persuade them to stay. The study is broken down to specific regions of the province and includes a good look at the City of Brandon and Westman.
Janet Lane, a senior fellow with CWF, said Brandon has a lot of appealing positives that would attract employees in those age groups, but still could use more arts and culture development to retain them.
“Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, and the cost of living is more affordable, but the perception, based on the surveys and focus groups, is that it is lacking restaurant selection and fun things to do for that group,” Lane said. “Youth are looking at more than what is just affordable. They also look for a place that has the right vibe, that is a happening place and has the kind of persona that they are looking for. A lot is in the messaging of a city. Thirty years ago, the perception of Brandon was agriculture, and those groups are still seeing Brandon as an old agriculture centre. They don’t understand how much agriculture now includes advanced technology.”
Stephany Laverty, senior policy analyst with the CWF said those born in the province are leaving smaller or northern communities to come to Brandon or Winnipeg. But those in Brandon or Winnipeg are leaving the province for “greener” pastures.
“The trends from the northern part of Manitoba show that young people leave their communities to go to Brandon or Winnipeg,” Laverty said. For Brandon, “the trends show that they will move to bigger centres like Winnipeg, but in Winnipeg, they leave the province.”
Brandon employers should be encouraged to look at what barriers are in place and how they can attract, grow and retain their employment numbers.
Lane said the statistics are startling.
“Those just out of high school, they want to go out and spread their wings, but they often come back. But the 25 to 35-year-old age group, who want more in their communities and their careers, if they leave, they may not come back,” Lane said.
Canadian Statistics show a net 1.3 per cent of young adults aged 25-29 and nearly two per cent of 30 to 34-year-olds left the province last year.
“Almost two per cent is huge. There has been a steady trickle of young adults out of the province for the last fifty years,” Lane said.
However, things may be changing because the rest of the country is so expensive. In the first quarter of 2023, Manitoba had a net loss of 2,000 individuals across all age categories. In the same period in 2024, Manitoba saw a loss of 500 Manitobans.
The study also breaks down results among specific cultural groups. New immigrants to Canada who first set up in Manitoba are also leaving the province for other parts of Canada after working and living in Manitoba. Lane said the reason is
in part to do with how newcomers are made to feel in their workplaces.
“That’s also a worry. Newcomers in Manitoba are not staying. Employers need some help to make their places more welcoming to newcomers. They need to show the career paths that are available to their new employees if they stay in their jobs. If they are not shown how they can advance and grow their careers, they may leave,” Lane said. “Canada does a great job of attracting new Canadians, but Manitoba needs to do a better job to keep them.”
Lane said the inclusivity in the workplace also needs to include young Indigenous adults entering the workforce.
“Employers need real intervention. They need help with how to make their workplaces genuinely inclusive. People try to make their businesses more inclusive, but newcomers, or even Indigenous people entering the workforce, do not always feel welcome,” Lane said.
To spark interest in the great jobs available in Manitoba, Lane said it needs to start much, much earlier, in Manitoba classrooms. The Brandon School Division and Brandon University both currently run different versions of student experiential learning programs, but Lane encourages schools to do more.
“Co-op is great, but work-integrated learning can be so much more. Employers can be invited into classrooms to talk about their work and associated issues. Schools can take an employer’s problem and make it a class project to learn more about real jobs and real workplace issues,” Lane said. “When pretty much every graduate wants to enter the workforce, Brandon employers should be encouraged to look at what barriers are in place and how they can attract, grow, and retain their employment numbers.”
Laverty said that the full report will be published later this summer. BBR
JEFF FAWCETT, MAYOR CITY OF BRANDON
s Mayor of Brandon, the Chamber is a valuable partner in our community, advocating for the interests and needs of businesses of all sizes and I would like to thank them for their excellent work. Their tireless efforts foster economic development, create opportunities, and enhance our local business ecosystem.
Brandon is a great place to work, live, and play. As Manitoba’s second largest city, Brandon has a critical role in our region by offering economic, medical, educational, and social services. We also have an important role both provincially and nationally. Recent funding from the provincial and federal governments allows Brandon to take the lead in building homes and vital infrastructure. Brandon City Council is dedicated to building a city that can endure for generations to come. This year, we made a significant step to building a sustainable city and are on the way to securing essential infrastructure projects for the future.
This is a tough time in municipal governance. Aging infrastructure is a major obstacle to sustainability, and we can no longer ignore it. In our quest to create a lively and resilient Brandon, two essential pillars stand out: affordable and accessible housing, and strong business support. Affordable housing ensures that families and individuals have a stable place to live. It’s the foundation of community well-being. Businesses drive our economy. Supporting new and existing ventures stimulates growth, creates jobs, and generates prosperity.
By strengthening existing collaborations, we weave a stronger, more resilient Brandon—one where everyone has a place to live, and businesses prosper. More and more I choose to think about
creating a sustainable city, and that has led to hard choices.
Higher taxes have enabled essential infrastructure improvements, including key improvements to Brandon’s Community Sportsplex, the Water Treatment Facility Upgrade Project, wastewater upgrades in the southwest, drainage enhancements throughout our city, and vital infrastructure changes to 18th Street.
Key improvements would not have been possible without funding partners including the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund as well as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. In addition, the City of Brandon will benefit from a significant Investment from Canada Infrastructure Bank of nearly $43 million dollars. The city expects an annual savings of $1 million dollars.
These upgrades directly contribute to Brandon’s growth and prosperity. City Council now has the future in their sight, a new four-year budgetary process allows for thinking and planning. This increases the ability to secure funding which takes the burden of residents.
This year I have seen the benefit of collaboration—with city staff, other local leaders, the province, other municipalities such as those in surrounding jurisdictions,
and even governments in Taiwan. Collaboration exposes teams to new perspectives and innovative concepts. When individuals collaborate, they share ideas, leading to creative solutions that might not have emerged otherwise. This allows Brandon to achieve more than we ever could alone.
Brandon is ready for investment, with stakeholders working together through initiatives like GROW Brandon. This collective effort aligns with the vision for the city’s economic future. A stronger Westman economy requires the development of a comprehensive economic development strategy that engages stakeholders in the creation of a long-term, sustainable solution for the region following recent economic challenges and labour shortages. The community’s resilience and unity are clear as Brandon continues to grow. Expect exciting developments, including new infrastructure, thriving businesses, and a vibrant cultural scene.
When I look around at our community, I see people from all different cultures, races, and ethnicities. Everyone retains and passes down their unique ways of life, contributing to the rich fabric of our interconnected society. We all share our love for Brandon. I am proud to think of those who live, work, and play here in Brandon. BBR
GERALD CATHCART, DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
s we reflect on the past year, Brandon’s economic landscape has witnessed significant growth and development across various sectors. Economic Development Brandon (EDB) has led initiatives aimed at fostering business retention, attracting new investments, and enhancing the city’s workforce.
Our mission at EDB is to facilitate the retention and attraction of businesses, investment, and people. Delivering on this mission requires a collaborative approach involving government entities, organizations, the private sector, and community members.
In 2024, Brandon experienced a notable surge in commercial and industrial development. The city issued commercial and industrial building permits that exceeded the previous year’s total by $11 million by mid-year, indicating robust growth in construction and investment. Industrial equipment investments have also been substantial, trending at ten times the building permit values, significantly boosting the local economy.
One standout project is Cascadia Metals’ ambitious expansion, injecting over $25 million into Brandon’s economy with a 125,000 sq. ft. facility. This expansion not only strengthens the metals manufacturing sector but also enhanced efficiencies for regional metal shops.
Addressing Brandon’s near 0% warehouse vacancy rate, efforts are underway to develop much-needed light industrial spaces on 1st Street North, 14th Street East, and 17th Street East. National
real estate companies have indicated the tight market negatively influences their clients from taking a closer look at Brandon. EDB is also anticipating additional serviced industrial lots to be added to the land inventory by 2025.
EDB engaged actively with strategic partners such as the Rural Manitoba Economic Development Corporation (RMED), Invest in Canada, World Trade Centre Winnipeg, Office of the Trade Commissioner, and Manitoba Economic Development Industry Trade and Natural Resources. These collaborations highlighted Brandon’s investment potential in sectors such as food ingredients, biofuels, and biomaterials.
Partnerships with Manitoba and Invest in Canada facilitated a visit from a Korean battery component manufacturer as part of a Canadian site selection process. This effort positioned Brandon favourably, although the company subsequently shifted its North American investment plans in the electric vehicle sector.
Brandon is actively pursuing larger investment opportunities in the green economy, focusing on biofuels derived from canola, soy, and biomass. Green hydrogen
is also emerging as a promising source of sustainable fuel in the region.
EDB completed four years of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), recommending over 400 community placements across various sectors, including services, trades, technology, and healthcare. Collaborations with organizations like Westman Immigrant Services, Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, Prairie Mountain Health, Brandon University, and Assiniboine College have been instrumental in facilitating job placements and skills development to meet the city’s evolving workforce needs.
For next year, EDB will be joining the Provincial Nominee Program, further broadening the community’s opportunities to recruit skilled international employees and offer an entrepreneurial immigration stream.
Year to date the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation has provided $311,000 through its grant programs leading to over $1.1 million in private capital investment, while the newly revitalized Brandon Downtown BIZ is playing a role in rejuvenating the city’s core. Both organizations are working together to foster a vibrant environment for business growth and community engagement.
Notable downtown developments included Dingu Technologies and Carberry Signs relocating to the historic Brandon Sun building, private sector-led initiatives like indoor pickleball courts, and the redevelopment of the retired Greyhound station by Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation.
Announced late last year, Brandon Fresh Farms’ redevelopment of the McKenzie Seeds’ buildings is making progress on both planning and investment efforts. A member of their team is now located in Brandon to further build local connections and facilitate a smooth transition into the renovations.
As Brandon looks ahead, there is optimism for continued economic expansion, innovation in key sectors, and opportunities in the green economy. With ongoing support from industry, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainable growth, Brandon is poised to capitalize on emerging opportunities and solidify its reputation as a dynamic hub for business and investment in Manitoba.
Brandon’s industrial base is dynamic and evolving, with opportunities including warehousing and storage, food ingredients, biofuels and biomaterials manufacturing, hydrogen utilization, and metal manufacturing. EDB has identified these opportunities through consultation
with local industry, alignment with provincial strategies (protein, bioproducts, advanced manufacturing), alignment with Invest in Canada priorities, and engaging with companies that are interested in Brandon as a location.
Local industry is already exploring and evaluating opportunities in their sectors. In the style of television show Mega Moves, Koch Fertilizer transported a $25 million 175-foot-long vessel into Brandon as part of an upgrade to be completed by 2025.
Maple Leaf Foods’ decision to spin off its Brandon facility into a new entity signals a commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies and expanding production capacity. This move is expected to bolster local employment and attract additional investments in the near future with a goal of increasing production by up to 20%. Employment and investment here in Brandon are also expected to increase in the near future with some outsourced processes being brought to Brandon.
Know that Brandon’s industrial base is not standing still.
Brandon’s economic achievements in 2024 reflect a resilient community and strategic industrial investment. As we move forward, Economic Development Brandon remains dedicated to fostering a thriving business environment while addressing the evolving needs of its workforce and embracing opportunities for sustainable development. BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
Local businesses had some international help finding skilled workers the past four years thanks to a pilot project partnership between the City of Brandon and the Government of Canada.
A total of 170 newcomer spots were allocated to Brandon this past year and a large number of Brandon employers have utilized the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) project since the program started in 2019. Brandon RNIP was a collaboration between the City’s Economic Development office and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Brandon is one of eleven cities across the country to be selected for the first run of the program.
Samuel Solomon, Immigration Specialist with the City of Brandon, said all kinds of different organizations used the RNIP program to help fill vacancies in business, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and food services sectors.
“The program aimed to assist Brandon businesses in either retaining foreign workers who are already working with the businesses or hiring new workers from abroad for hard-to-fill positions where a domestic applicant is unavailable,” Solomon said.
Solomon said the process of immigration is streamlined for approved applicants of the RNIP program, which makes it attractive to employers and participants.
Michael Lindenberg, with Horizon Woodwork Ltd., said the RNIP program helped him fill two skilled trade positions.
“I think the program helps attract skilled international workers to areas of Canada they might not otherwise be familiar with. Areas such as Brandon are in need of tradespeople to fill the gap that exists in the labour market. This helps us be attractive to skilled workers, which are very difficult to hire in today’s climate,” Lindenberg said. “The RNIP program allowed us to access international talent that was not locally available who had an interest in coming to Canada. It is very difficult to hire skilled tradespeople in Canada, especially in Brandon. The program helped match us with qualified workers.”
Solomon said the RNIP program not only helped attract newcomers to Brandon for jobs, but also helped employers and their employees who were already in Brandon achieve their permanent resident status.
“Our office processes applications from employers, and our recommendation committee oversees the approval of
applicants. An approved applicant receives a Community Recommendation, which is issued per principal applicant. This applicant may have dependent family members. The Community Recommendation makes the applicant and their dependents, if applicable, eligible to apply for permanent residency with Immigration Canada. Immigration Canada then evaluates the applicant’s admissibility, including health, criminal records, and biometrics,”’ Solomon said. In addition, applicants with established connections in Brandon, such as close friends or family members, received higher consideration for a Community Recommendation.”
So far, Solomon said 443 people have received their permanent resident status through the Brandon RNIP and 197 people are in the process of receiving their permanent residence.
Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said one really positive aspect of the RNIP program is that newcomers were provided not only with a job, but also other support, like help finding a place to live.
“The really nice thing about it is they do their very best to make sure that they have a place to stay in Brandon and in the rural areas,” said Fawcett. “Our numbers are showing that we completely filled our allocations really quickly, so we know there is a want for people to come here and work here. It just gives us the very best opportunity for people who are going to stay here.”
The RNIP program has had an excellent retention rate so far. As of July 2023, only seven families have moved out of Brandon. This left 95 per cent of people who have received their permanent residence still living and working in Brandon. The national retention rate for all 10 RNIP communities is 93 per cent. Solomon said the economic impact on Brandon is widespread.
“It helps businesses, because they get new employees or can keep the ones who are already working with them. It helps the city, because you are increasing the population. You are increasing the tax base in Brandon and growing the city,” Solomon said. “The program benefited Brandon in bringing more cultural diversity. We supported people from 26 different countries to either stay or move to Brandon. It supported reuniting families to some degree, because most of the applicants have a family member or a friend who is from Brandon, so that also helps them settle and at the same time helps the family member here. That has been well received by the community.”
It also has been well received by local businesses. Lindenberg said he would use this type of program again, which was much easier to navigate than previous efforts to bring skilled workers to Canada.
“The prospect of the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment)-centred program for hiring international talent was very daunting. We also wanted to hire and build a relationship with employees for the long term, rather than a shorter defined period. The RNIP program was very accessible, and will allow us to build those long-term relationships that we want in our business,” Lindenberg said. “We have used the RNIP program to connect with two employees so far. One has arrived as a single person and he is working out very well. I have every expectation he will be with us for years to come. We are now in the process of hiring our second employee through the program. He and his family are in Canada under an LMIA–style work permit out in B.C., and was looking to move to a more affordable area. The RNIP program allowed us to attract him to Manitoba and provide him a path to permanent residency.”
As of July 2023,
95% of people who have received their permanent residence through the RNIP program are still living and working in Brandon.
The current version of the RNIP ends in late summer 2024. But Solomon said Brandon is already looking to the future and is in the process of applying to two new programs: the Rural Communities Immigration Pilot, which is a continuation of RNIP; and a new partnership program with the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. The partnership program could help address other difficult-to-fill positions in the community, such as selfemployed doctors, while also attracting foreign investors to Brandon to either purchase existing businesses as part of business succession or start new ones.
“The goal of the current RNIP program is to hire employees. In healthcare, we have supported nurses (in getting permanent residency), health care aides, and other specialized positions in the health care sector. For a self-employed physician, the program was not flexible enough for us to support them, because they are not technically employees, which is one of the requirements of the program,” Solomon said. “The city council approved a motion recently for us to apply for the provincial partnership program that would allow us to attract self-employed physicians to Brandon.”
Solomon said he received indication that the new program would start as soon as possible, and the Brandon Economic Development office would be back helping fill jobs with skilled international workers soon. BBR
More information about RNIP and future immigration programs can be obtained by contacting Samuel Solomon at immigration@brandon.ca or 204‑729‑2127.
BY KYLA HENDERSON
GROW Brandon is a new initiative that aims to create a stronger economy and community by having a plan that all the major players are following.
GROW Brandon is a community group that was formed a little more than a year ago. Ever since, there has been ongoing conversation with interested stakeholders working on a long-term, sustainable economic plan that brings everyone to the table.
Built around the acronym of Greathearted, Resourceful, Optimistic and Welcoming, GROW Brandon is a separate entity from the City of Brandon’s Economic Development office and from community groups such as the Downtown Development Corporation. All these groups are working on economic development, but are they all working together? In some cases yes, but not to the extent envisioned by the GROW Brandon partners.
Lois Ruston, current president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, said the idea for GROW Brandon came about when Brandon Chamber members shared their recent economic challenges and labour shortages.
“It was really born out of a need that was identified by the Brandon Chamber to start with, that we were lacking a community economic development plan. We started to have conversations and look at ways we could move this forward, and GROW Brandon was created in response to that,” Ruston said.
The City of Brandon has several great economic programs in various stages of operation. Programs like the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) project, run by Economic Development Brandon, helped ease some of the labour shortages in Brandon. The RNIP’s goal was to create a path to permanent residence for skilled foreign nationals who are able to fill job vacancies and who want to stay long term in Brandon. The program is nearing an end, but it was so successful that the City of Brandon has applied for the next version of the program.
The Downtown Development Corporation focuses its initiatives and programs on revitalizing the city’s core.
Ruston said these programs are great for supporting the local economy, but Brandon would really benefit from a more cohesive economic development strategy. Ruston likened GROW Brandon to the analogy of a chair. The activities of Economic Development Brandon would be one of the chair legs, while business and other community groups would also provide support. GROW Brandon would unify all those efforts at the top, providing a stronger structure capable of accomplishing more than each of those “legs” could individually.
Ruston said many cities have large and comprehensive economic plans where all city stakeholders are on the same page and working towards the common goal for the benefit of the whole community. A similar approach could work here as well, built around the unique strengths and resources that Brandon has to offer.
“Many communities our same size have a broader, overarching community development plan. That’s what we are looking to do here in Brandon. It’s really a much larger concept that would involve and engage the entire community,” Ruston said.
Like-minded, yet diverse, community organizations currently around the GROW Brandon table include the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce, Assiniboine College, the Government of Manitoba, the City of Brandon, Brandon University, and more. The wide range of stakeholders involved ensures that many ideas and viewpoints will reach the table, while generating buy-in from across the city.
The first order of business is to assemble a detailed economic plan, almost a “how-to” for building a productive and sustainable economy. The GROW Brandon group is now eagerly looking forward to the results after enlisting a consultant to gather information and put it all together. Ruston said the consultant has been working on the economic plan for months
Many communities our same size have a broader, overarching community development plan. That’s what we are looking to do here in Brandon. It’s really a much larger concept that would involve and engage the entire community.
and conducted more than 50 interviews while building the plan. Ruston expects the consultant to deliver their final report in September.
Mark Frison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Assiniboine College, is a participant in the GROW Brandon group, and he said he is encouraged by the shared vision of its members.
“I’m very encouraged by the level of cooperation and coordination that I have seen in the last year… That cooperative spirit among the players of economic development is much more pronounced, so hopefully we can continue to move down that path,” Frison said.
“We’re looking for what we need to do and the types of programs we should be offering, or for context for where the community wants to go [economically]. The economic plan should provide some context for those folks making those public investment types of decisions. This will also help provide coordination for the practitioners or help their activities complement one another so we avoid duplication and overlap. Also, we’re
looking at where we can identify gaps— things that nobody might be doing that we might need.”
Ruston said when the new economic plan is delivered in September, GROW Brandon will need some time to digest it. She said GROW Brandon has talked about presenting the findings of the plan in an Economic Summit in the next year or so. The current stakeholders involved in the project are expected to be involved, while others within the city and those who provide support externally could also be part of the bigger picture as well. Together, they will be looking for ways they can each contribute to a healthy and vibrant economy, while ensuring that their efforts are in sync and providing the greatest possible benefit to the city and its residents.
“Economic Development is a very important driver for our businesses and our membership. We have a keen interest in it and it became clear that there was a need for a cohesive plan that would really help to provide a community economic vision for Brandon,” Ruston said. BBR
At the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, we’re excited to offer high-quality events designed to benefit our members and the Brandon business community. From casual mixers to elegant galas, there’s always something happening at the Chamber. Explore our featured events below.
Our Luncheon Series are a key highlight, offering valuable insights and networking opportunities with industry leaders and experts. From exploring economic reconciliation and small business success to delving into economic trends and youth retention strategies, each session is designed to address pressing topics and foster meaningful connections. Join us to stay informed, engage with fellow professionals, and gain actionable knowledge that drives business success.
Kick off each month with our First Friday Coffees—casual, hour-long networking sessions where you can connect with fellow Chamber members over a cup of coffee. These informal gatherings are perfect for exchanging ideas, building relationships, and engaging in open, unstructured conversation. Join us to start your month on a positive note, meet new people, and network in a relaxed setting.
Our Annual Awards Gala is the highlight of the year, where we come together to honour the outstanding achievements within our business community. Enjoy a night of elegant dining, live entertainment, and inspiring recognition as we present the Business Excellence Awards. This prestigious event is not only a celebration of success, but also an opportunity to connect with leaders and peers in a spectacular setting. Don’t miss this chance to toast to excellence and be part of a memorable evening!
Business After 5 provides a relaxed networking experience hosted by our members at their facilities or preferred locations. These complimentary, come-and-go events are perfect for mingling with fellow professionals, enjoying light refreshments, and learning about the host company. Join us to build valuable connections and engage with the community in an informal and welcoming setting.
Chamber 101 is here to help you maximize your membership! This session provides a comprehensive overview of the resources and opportunities available to you, including how to promote your business, save money, benefit your staff, and build valuable connections. Join us to discover all the ways the Chamber can support your business growth and career development.
Fore! Who is ready for a great day filled with golfing, networking, fun games, and great prizes to be won? The Annual Chamber Golf Tournament has successfully run for 34 years now and is always guaranteed to be a great time. Start practicing that swing of yours, and we will see you on the green!
Our Workshops & Learning Lunches are designed to provide valuable learning experiences and practical skills to help you and your team succeed. Past events have included insightful sessions like our half-day conference on workforce alignment, featuring topics such as tapping into talent, Compliance 101, and expert panel discussions. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities that will offer hands-on learning and actionable insights to enhance your business and professional growth.
The Women of Westman Conference, formerly the Superwoman Conference, is a dynamic experience designed to inspire, connect, and empower women. This rebrand reflects our commitment to empowering all who identify as women,
recognizing that they do not need to be “superheroes” but can thrive as they are. Join us for an all-day event in March featuring keynote speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to leave you inspired and motivated.
At the Brandon Chamber, we’re always seeking innovative ways to provide value to our members through unique and engaging special events. From round tables with visiting electoral officials to specialty conferences and election debates, our special events are designed to educate, advocate, and offer valuable networking opportunities. Stay connected with us to learn about these dynamic events and how they can benefit your business and community involvement. We’re dedicated to bringing you events that make a difference!
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Join a Committee: Enhance your leadership skills and meet new people by participating in our committees.
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Participate in the Brandon Business Review: Feature your business in our annual Chamber magazine.
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CARLA MILNE MNP LLP
BY JILLIAN AUSTIN
Hard work, confidence in her abilities, and a leap of faith are what launched Carla Milne’s successful career right out of university.
Milne, a Partner & Regional Leader at MNP LLP, recalled an opportunity that she was presented with after graduating from Brandon University and becoming a Chartered Accountant.
“I had the opportunity to take over a full practice in Killarney…so that was a fairly large venture to do at my age, when I had just graduated,” she said. “But I was very much open to the challenge.”
“I’ve always kind of felt like there isn’t anything I can’t do," Milne added, “so I knew I could do it. It was just going to take some work, some learning, and some growth.”
Milne hasn’t looked back since. She held that role for 10 years, while also building her practice in Brandon. She started with MNP in 2000, and has continued to grow her career there for the past 24 years.
“The highlight of my job absolutely is helping the businesses and the team grow, and seeing just how much we can achieve together,” she said.
Milne is a member of MNP’s Assurance and Business Advisory team. She has a national role with her firm in the real estate, construction, and succession sectors. She specializes in financial statement preparation, succession services, business performance improvement, and corporate and personal tax compliance, including planning.
Milne was the first female president of the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM), an organization that is near and dear to her heart.
“CARM is quite special to me. It’s a great group of people and they’re not necessarily always used to having to work together on bigger global issues,” she said. “So it’s really important to try to help facilitate pulling the important information from everybody to make sure we’re making the right choices that are best for the overall group.”
In addition to being named Business Person of the Year, Milne has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. She was honoured with the Carla Milne Outstanding Women in the Industry Award through CARM. The award is presented to a woman who contributes to the success and advancement of the construction industry. She was a recipient of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, as well as The CPA Manitoba Distinguished Service Award.
“We all are busy leading and doing what we feel is right and it’s always special when somebody recognizes that and showcases it,” she said.
Milne has been active in the community as well, being a member of Assiniboine College’s board of governors for six years, in the capacity of finance chair, as well as a member of their building committee.
“That’s a dynamic group… I absolutely loved just seeing how their vision was going to be unfolding and how much we could make a change with the North Hill campus and their existing campus.”
continued on page 29
The highlight of my job absolutely is helping the businesses and the team grow, and seeing just how much we can achieve together.
CARLA MILNE
continued from page 27
Milne is also part of the Pension Commission of Manitoba. Through her role with CARM she is now sitting on a national advisory council for the Canadian Construction Association, “further bridging our local construction association to the national group.”
She has been involved with the local Chamber, at one point taking on the role of chair of the government relations committee where she worked in an area she said she is quite passionate about: removing hurdles for businesses for the larger benefit, and being an advocate for local businesses.
Over the past 24 years, one area that has seen a lot of change is technology, especially over the past five years.
“We’re very much in a state where we, as advisors to our businesses, we need to be right in the business with them and helping them,” she said. “That can
also mean advancing in digitalization technology, performance improvements, and all those sorts of things that are needed when there’s a war for talent and when there’s been a lot of pressures with inflation and interest rates.”
Looking ahead, Milne said she looks forward to helping businesses transition to the next generation, and adapting to the new ways of running their businesses, so that they can be “effective and efficient with many of the different generations that are operating in it.”
She is also looking forward to growing the team at MNP and developing future partners.
“Whatever I’ve learnt—and sometimes it’s the difficult things and sometimes it’s the good things—I want to pass that on to as many as possible to help their journey be either easier or learn from it, learn from my past as well as their own.” BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
There was no question for the Business Excellence Awards Selection Committee who would receive this year’s Lifetime Business Builder award. Ben Hernandez.
“This is a special award in many ways; we look at it as a Business Builder Hall of Fame that was created to establish an honour roll of individuals who have successfully achieved, toiled, and contributed to Brandon’s success through a lifetime commitment to business and community service,” said Tanya LaBuick, past president of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, and member of the committee that chose Hernandez for the award.
“We all felt Ben exemplified that criteria. Of all the opportunities I have been afforded during my tenure with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, this is one of the most meaningful.”
provided by Hernandez family
The business community felt a huge loss when Hernandez suddenly passed away at age 61 last September. His impact on the business community and friends and family was evident and still very much felt today. At the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in May, Hernandez was chosen as a Lifetime Business Builder
“There is nothing better to offer a guest than great food and amazing service,” Hernandez is quoted as saying on Westmanzone.com.
“Ben has been an unconscious mentor to many of us, teaching us about service and his industry. Every time I visited his restaurant, he would make a point to visit my table and welcome me. No matter how busy he was he took two minutes to say hello, always pronounced my name correctly, and made me smile. His passion for what he was doing was evident,” LaBuick said.
Hernandez’s wife, Debbie, and daughters, Elizabeth Hernadez and Natalie Bell, accepted the award at the Gala.
“His family showed strength and resilience when accepting the award, the same strength and resilience we have come to know and love of Ben. I think he would have been very proud,” LaBuick said.
Elizabeth, Ben’s eldest daughter, said her father would have wanted the award to go to a more “deserving” business owner.
“He wouldn’t have wanted to accept it. Just because he’d be like, ‘there are so many other people that do better things than me,’ and he would just try and highlight other people in the community that are doing big things,” Hernandez said. “But he would have graciously accepted the award, thinking it should go to someone else.”
LaBuick said the decision to give the award to Hernandez was unanimous.
“There are countless lessons that I learned from my visits and time spent with Ben. He is a community treasure and exemplifies a true entrepreneurial
There are countless lessons that I learned from my visits and time spent with Ben. He is a community treasure… His relentless commitment to good food and great customer service has left an indelible impression on me and many others.
spirit, having reinvented himself and his business multiple times. His relentless commitment to good food and great customer service has left an indelible impression on me and many others.”
Hernandez left a positive impression on everyone he met since he first came to Brandon to manage Remington’s Seafood & Steakhouse in 2002.
He left Remington’s briefly and worked at Montana’s and opened a Five Guys
restaurant before returning to Remington’s. After Remington’s closed, he spent a short time running his own catering business out of his home, much to the chagrin of his family.
After months of cooking his own dishes out of their small shared kitchen, his family put their feet down.
“We kind of said, ‘Okay, this is kind of a little too much.’ And my mom said, ‘We can’t live like this,‘” said Hernandez. She said he then started looking for spaces to rent for his catering business.
“He was just interested in catering, because that was more like you got to cook your food, but then you got to enjoy people that sit with them and help them with their event. And that just fit him a little bit more,” Hernandez said.
Ben hadn’t found a permanent place and wasn’t really thinking of opening his own restaurant until the prior owners of the Green Olive approached him. “He asked our opinion around the table about what we thought about opening a restaurant. Is it something that jives or is it something that’s just maybe not helpful? And we said, ‘Yeah, let’s go for it!’ He always wanted to run his own business so we said, ‘let’s make this happen.’”
continued on page 33
continued from page 31
With the support of his family and friends, Ben opened his very own restaurant in 2016. His whole family worked at Benny’s Restaurant, which he operated until his passing. The restaurant has been sold to new owners, but Ben’s wife and daughters have continued to help train staff and help with catering through the wedding season.
“We just want it to be successful. He worked so hard for it. He just did so much and he was so proud of that place. And he was so excited to have his own business. We want to be able to see my Dad’s dream through. We want to be helpful and be around for the new people to just show them this different style of restaurant, and we just want to be able to at any point in time, just be a text, a phone call, an email—whatever you need—away.
“That’s what he did. That’s what we do. That’s our family,” Hernandez said.
Ben was a long-time member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Hernandez said she was not expecting the call about the Lifetime Business Builder award. “Receiving the phone call from Tanya was shocking. It was moving. Like the moment that she said that your dad was nominated for a Lifetime Business Builder… I’m sitting there. And like, what? It’s awesome that he’s recognized for that and so many people believe that he deserved it, and we know he deserves it as well. It’s just hard to enjoy because he’s not here,” Hernandez said.
“Everybody loved him, and everybody still loves him. I love when people like to share a memory they have of him, and it’s always about him going above and beyond for someone and we’re like, ‘Oh, this is normal.’ It continues to blow my mind that he had that kind of impact on so many people.”
“Just before the video started [at the Gala], we all raised a glass to Ben with a toast that seemed very fitting. ‘What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others,’” LaBuick said. BBR
TY WORTHINGTON Pinnacle Event Rentals
BY KYLA HENDERSON
Ty Worthington, owner of Pinnacle Event Rentals, credits his company’s focus on reliability, creativity, and professionalism as being key to creating unforgettable event experiences for his clients.
Worthington’s company blossomed from his first business, which he started at the young age of 19 with the purchase of a few sets of laser tag guns off Facebook. Now the 28 year-old Young Entrepreneur of the Year has a steady staff of 22 and a seasonal staff of about 40 working together on a hefty share of the event-related business in the Westman region and beyond. And Worthington enjoys every minute.
“I love events. I really love the live event aspect. I suffer from the ‘FOMO’ syndrome—Fear Of Missing Out,” Worthington joked.
Pinnacle Event Rentals came about when Worthington bought out quite a few of his competitors, in a span of three years, beginning in 2018. A few acquisitions later, Pinnacle Event Rentals was born.
Worthington picked up the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s May Awards Gala not only because he owns and runs Pinnacle Events, but also as owner of Limitless Events and VIP Portable Restroom Rentals. The trio of businesses allow Worthington to be a leader in his market, offering a one-stop shop to those planning weddings, parties, events, festivals, and more.
Limitless Events is the “festival” arm of Worthington’s collection of companies, offering rentals of inflatables, zip lines, mechanical bulls, mechanical rides, arcade games, and even more “fun stuff.”
Pinnacle Event Rentals offers tents, tables, chairs, linens, and more. VIP Portable Restrooms, as the name suggests, offers really nice portable bathrooms, which Worthington said have been a big hit at outdoor weddings.
“The purpose of Limitless Events was to provide entertainment to public or private events. In 2019, I began Pinnacle Event Rentals as a sister company to Limitless, to get my foot in the door with bigger and more upscale events. Pinnacle expanded to provide not only tents, but also dance floors, decor, catering supplies, and more. Between the two companies, I was able to provide entertainment, as well as enhance our services to accommodate for fairs, festivals, trade shows, and weddings. Since then, both companies have only grown,” Worthington said. “As we continue to grow, we have embarked on endeavours like adding VIP Portable Restroom Rentals to our production to truly provide everything a client needs for an event all in one place. These business ventures have been strategic and helped to establish us as a reliable company that can meet diverse client needs.”
Worthington even bucked the trend during the COVID years, with most of his business growth happening at that time.
“COVID was really weird for us. We adapted really quickly. We made some changes and we purchased VIP Portable Washrooms in the middle of COVID. We kind of adapted into more of the sanitation side of the world,” Worthington said, adding he hadn’t originally planned to add high-class portable toilets. “We’re doing stuff I never dreamed I’d be doing before. The VIP Portable Washrooms are gorgeous, actually. I never expected to be running that type of thing.”
When Worthington says his VIP Portable Washrooms are gorgeous, he is not kidding. They aren’t the foul smelling units you find at construction sites, fairs, and highway rest stops.
“We do have those porta-potties but it all goes back to service. We make sure they are in good condition and replace them often. All of our luxury washrooms have running water and lights, and they all have real toilets. They’re functional units; they flush,” Worthington said.
Many of the clientele of VIP Portable Restroom Rentals are festivals and corporate companies who do long-term rentals. These washrooms have even helped solve problems. Walmart in Brandon has quite a few of the VIP Portable Restrooms after a fire damaged the front of the store.
Besides coming to the rescue of companies in need, Worthington and his staff have an astonishing 1,000 events this year—mostly in the summer months.
“Our numbers haven’t grown so much as the size of the events have grown,” Worthington said. “Now we’re doing a lot more bigger festivals; we have customers like Dauphin’s Countryfest, a big festival that has multiple tents on site. The biggest event we will do is going to be coming up this year. We’re doing a job for the Assembly of First Nations.”
He hopes to grow more in the coming years to truly meet his customers’ diverse needs.
“Right now my goal for the future is to expand Pinnacle’s reach to a broader horizon. Although we are labeled as an event rental company, I want clients to know that we offer the whole solution—planning, coordinating, event foundations, full setups, etc. The goal is to consistently grow and really establish Pinnacle as the top tier choice for anything event related, due to our reliability, creativity, and professionalism. Simply, I want Pinnacle to reach as many people as possible, and leave them with an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Worthington said his businesses are intensely busy during the warmer months, but tend to drop off during the cold winter months, which can be a struggle. “I think the biggest challenge is our seasonality. That’s the hardest thing, is the fluctuation in our season going from zero to 100 in a matter of three weeks.”
Despite that hiccup, Worthington said he has no regrets about being an entrepreneur.
“I love it. There’s no question I would not do anything else but this. I love walking through the warehouse, saying ‘hi’ to all my people in the back and my staff. I love seeing them, talking to them, and hearing about their weekend. I love seeing people at the events. And honestly, I would get fired if I worked anywhere else,” he laughed. BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
You might think Glen Parker was a natural choice for the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Community Impact - Individual award, as he has been the Ward 9 councilor on Brandon City Council since 2016, when he won the seat in a by-election. City councilors are very involved in their wards—it’s part of the job. But Parker has been in the habit of going above and beyond for his community since he was barely out of high school.
And most recently, he added a memorable new chapter to his volunteer career as he helped his son coach his granddaughter and her U7 female hockey team this past season.
“I have coached in the past with my sons so it was nice to do the three generation team thing with my youngest son and his daughter,” Parker said. “It was a blast. Maybe the most fun I’ve had coaching. A bit like herding mice at times, but just awesome overall.”
The Brandon Chamber of Commerce recognized Parker with the Community Impact – Individual award, which he took home from the Chamber Gala in May.
“The award was a surprise, as the other nominees do great things in our community,” said Parker, who is currently serving as Deputy Mayor in addition to his role as Ward 9 Councillor. “I suppose, though, the nomination came as an equally big surprise.”
Parker suspects a co-worker nominated him, but who wouldn’t, especially after you peruse Parker’s volunteer resume.
Parker grew up the son of a single mother, who was also a committed volunteer. He coached his first hockey team with a friend at 18 years old. And that was only the beginning. After getting married, Parker’s wife, Shannon, also inspired him to get more involved in his community.
“It is something I have been surrounded by my whole life. Both of my parents volunteered extensively and my wife was a tireless volunteer for as long as I’ve known her. When I was growing up my mom was a single parent and we certainly weren’t flush financially, but I was still able to participate in some higher levels of youth hockey, play ball, and some of those things,” Parker said. “It was because someone in our community stepped up, and I’ve never forgotten that. I guess I look at this as a way to say thanks.”
Parker has said thanks again and again.
He was a key player in bringing The First Shift Program to the Wheat City. First Shift is a hockey program for kids ages six to 10 years who haven’t previously signed
up for minor hockey, and introduces them and their families to the sport.
“I helped coordinate [First Shift] and served as the on-ice lead since it started nine or 10 years ago. I have been on the board of the East End Community Centre for the past nine years, but have been a volunteer by marriage for much longer,” Parker added. “My wife has been on the East End board for well over 30 years.”
Parker has also served as a long time board member—24 years—at Hockey Brandon and Hockey Manitoba.
“Hockey has always been a source of enjoyment for me. Playing and competing was fun, but forging life-long friendships has been the most important byproduct,” Parker said. “Coaching and trying to have the players see that the lessons you learn and the friendships you build are far more important than the game itself was important to me.”
“Volunteering with Hockey Manitoba and others to give kids the opportunity was important to me," he added, “as I’ve seen what a lasting impact a positive experience can have on people. Maybe I’m an example of that.”
Parker said passing on his love of hockey has been a fulfilling way to give back.
“Watching young kids grow to be good people and contributing to our community feels good. Seeing new families to Canada learning to skate together just reminds you of the good that is still around us. Being able to help someone in need just feels good,” Parker said, adding he encourages more people to think about being a volunteer.
“Not everyone has the means to enroll in activities that require cash. By volunteering, we can make healthy activities for youth and their families either free or at least more affordable. We have a great community of philanthropic-
“Volunteering with Hockey Manitoba and others to give kids the opportunity was important to me, as I’ve seen what a lasting impact a positive experience can have on people. Maybe I’m an example of that.”
GLEN PARKER
minded people who really make a difference. For those of us who can’t make a big financial impact, we can help out with our time,” Parker said.
It’s volunteers, Parker said, who really make the difference.
“We have great volunteers in our city and the surrounding area, which is evident every time there is a major event. But more so on a daily basis. Think of all the ball, soccer, hockey coaches, the numerous charity volunteers, service club members, and more specifically, my fellow nominees. And to be named the recipient from that vast talent pool is pretty humbling,” he said. BBR
BY JILLIAN AUSTIN
The old saying, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rings true for Kuipers Family Bakery.
“I never had to reinvent the wheel,” said owner Curtis Fedorowich, who worked at Kuipers for 10 years before buying it in 2019. “We’re just doing the exact same stuff, exact same recipes… The cheese buns have the same amount of cheese, the chocolate chip muffins have the same amount of chocolate chips—we’re just making it fresh.”
Another aspect of the business that doesn’t need any tweaks is its generosity to local causes. In its 31 year history, Kuipers Family Bakery has become known for its commitment to the community, by donating food, financial resources, and volunteer time. Kuipers supports initiatives like the Christmas Cheer hamper program, Brandon School Division’s breakfast program, the United Way of Brandon and District initiatives, hospital functions, fundraisers, and socials.
“We say ‘yes’ a lot, and we’re proud of that,” Fedorowich said. “Anytime you can help a friend…and some of these people have become friends of ours, it’s kind of neat, it’s tradition. You can’t help but feel good when you’re helping kids or someone that’s sick or something like that.”
Kuipers was the recipient of the Community Impact – Business award at the 2024 Brandon Chamber of Commerce Gala in May. Fedorowich said it was an honour for the business to be recognized.
“It’s been a tradition of Kuipers for donating to the community for over 30 years, so I’m just kind of representing what they had been doing,” he said. “It feels good to be recognized by your peers whenever that happens. I know a lot of the business people, so we support each other in lots of ways, and we work together at different functions. So it’s nice—definitely feel proud.”
Fedorowich’s passion for baking started at a very young age, when he was growing up in Killarney. He started baking with his mom—everything from angel food cakes and tarts to pies and cookies.
“My dad was a mechanic, so I just kind of spent more time in the kitchen than I did on vehicles…so here we are,” he said with a laugh.
It just so happened that his neighbour in Killarney owned a bakery, and that’s when Fedorowich first met Harold Kuipers.
“My sister babysat his kids, so he called me one day and asked what I was doing
for the summer…and if I’d have enough time to work a part-time job,” he said.
He went to the bakery the next Friday and then the Friday after that, and then worked every day that summer. Once school started up again, he worked four days per week, sometimes even before school started in the morning.
Fedorowich stayed in Killarney for six years, went traveling for three, and then went to Calgary where he earned his Red Seal baker certificate at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.
He came back to Manitoba where he lived in Dauphin for four years before moving to Brandon and joining the Kuipers team. After a decade there, he purchased the bakery in 2019 when Harold retired.
“I love the bakery and baking,” he said. “Owning it is awesome. Being able to be part of the community–I find it easy. I have a generous nature so it’s kind of nice to work with the people we do, who are also generous, so it works well.”
Kuipers currently has about 20 staff members, including some youth members. Fedorowich said it is a great first job for many teenagers.
“There are lots of benefits. I think people who want to work, it doesn’t matter what age you are, if you are a good worker, you’re going to make a difference,” he said, adding that there are a lot of transferable skills. “Working with people, working the tills, a high-paced environment.”
The busiest times are long weekends, Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.
“They get put under pressure, step up for people and work hard; that’s another good test for them, and they always pass with flying colours,” he said.
Looking ahead to the years to come, Fedorowich said he is planning to continue the bakery’s commitment to the community.
“I love the bakery and baking… I have a generous nature so it’s kind of nice to work with the people we do, who are also generous, so it works well.”
CURTIS FEDOROWICH
“It seems we are getting busier, which is nice. More people are finding out about us and coming in and supporting us,” he said. “Part of our success is because people want to support places that support their children, or their schools, or [whatever] they’re participating in, whether it’s a sports club, hockey, baseball or anything like that.”
He also continues to upgrade the facility and operations while keeping the tried and true traditions alive.
“We just put [in] two new air conditioning units. We just got a new cooler. We just did the front of the bakery…put new stone on it,” he said, adding they will also install a brand new sign.
So, after 31 years, what are the most popular items at Kuipers? Fedorowich said the top four continue to be sticky buns, monster cookies, white bread, and rye bread. The most popular pastry is the cream horn—but get there early as they often sell out! BBR
BY JILLIAN AUSTIN
Watching her members gain confidence, succeed in their fitness goals, and build relationships at the gym are some of the best parts of Angie Ball’s job.
As owner and head trainer of Circle B Fitness, Ball said making people feel comfortable and part of a supportive community is top priority.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a 24-hour member, if you’re a class person, or if you’re a program design athlete, everybody who walks in, I will introduce everybody to everybody,” she said. “I want people to have those bonds and those relationships.”
It’s not just a place to work out, it’s where you get together and talk with friends— an important aspect of overall health and well-being.
“I talk to my members about it all the time, how much having this space helps them in their everyday life, just knowing they have that team of people and a place to go where they can just be their best selves,” she said. “People need people. Especially after COVID, people felt really alone and it was…a very sad time.”
Circle B Fitness began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Ball was an avid CrossFitter and had to find a way to continue training somehow when all the gyms shut down. She purchased some equipment and started training in her garage.
“People kind of started getting the itch to go out. It was hard for people to be alone at home, so I just invited some of my closest friends to work out with me,” she said.
She bought more equipment as more people joined, and by the end of the pandemic she had about 60 people coming out to her Kemnay gym.
“I had matted my whole three-car garage, and just kept on slowly buying equipment,” she said.
The garage was getting pretty busy, so when a gym on 10th Street came up for sale in Brandon, she jumped at the opportunity.
“I’d always wanted to have my own gym. I never actually thought I’d ever do it. But I wanted to,” she said. “It was shown to me on the Thursday and I put the bid in on Monday and it was mine. It was super fast.”
Circle B Fitness, a nod to her family’s bison ranch near Shilo, opened its new location at 345-10th Street in Brandon in September 2021. It has continued to grow with more members, more coaches, and a popular youth gymnastics program.
“With only one gymnastics centre (in Brandon), it was always packed and there was always a waiting list for it, so I just went and bought some very basic, beginner gymnastics equipment and started doing classes,” Ball said. Children’s birthday parties are offered in the gymnastics area in the basement, and Ball said they have become quite popular.
Gymnastics is where Ball’s passion for fitness began. She did gymnastics from the age of eight to 15, followed by cheerleading. After graduating high school, Ball moved to Calgary where she got her first personal training certificate. That led to personal training for sports teams. Around 2015, she said she decided to really dive in and take training even more seriously. She started doing threehour-a-day training sessions for about three years.
“When you start to take care of your body and you start eating healthier, you get nourishment to your body, which creates endorphins that make you happy,” she said.
“A lot of people do struggle right now… Being able to provide people with a space where they can come and work on their health, and see the benefits they can get for their mental health and overall health, [is very important]. It doesn’t take much, but the benefits that you get all around, just from moving your body, are huge.”
Circle B Fitness offers fitness classes, personal training, and is a 24-hour facility so people can come train on their own at any time. Ball writes program designs for members as well.
Looking ahead to the future of Circle B Fitness, Ball is excited to continue to grow the business and grow as a coach.
“I talk to my members about it all the time, how much having this space helps them in their everyday life, just knowing they have that team of people and a place to go where they can just be their best selves.”
“I really would like to finish expanding my basement area so that I have a little hockey station down there, too,” she said, adding she plans to train more coaches and get more staff on board.
When asked what advice she would give to someone wanting to start focusing more on their health and fitness, Ball said “just come in.”
“It’s not as scary once you walk through the door. You just got to get yourself to the door,” she said. “It’s really easy from there…you just become part of the community, and we help you learn the movements, we teach you how to eat properly, we support each other, and everybody that’s in that gym wants everybody else to succeed.” BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
From a cardboard box to a building with a showroom and four bays, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, Darren Darvill has come a long way in six years. The owner of Resurrection Auto Detailing — Tint & Protection, picked up the Business Excellence – Small Business award at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in May.
“I originally started this business in 2018 out of a cardboard box, with my polisher and some compound, specializing in Harleys, hotrods, and boats. That quickly became a need for a vacuum and interior cleaners. It then advanced from there. It started as an effort to add additional income for my kids,” Darvill said. “We eventually moved into our first brick-and-mortar [location] on 18th Street, thanks to the help of a great friend. And since then it has evolved into our current shop.”
Resurrection Auto Detailing—Tint & Protection was nominated for the Business Excellence – Small Business award and Darvill was also a nominee for the Top 4 Under 40 award. He didn’t take home that one, but Darvill said he was very happy and proud of his six employees when they were chosen for the Business Excellence award.
“I was extremely proud to be nominated. We have had amazing growth over the past six years and we’ve been able to maintain amazing relationships with our clients that have certainly pushed us into this path. Winning the award surprised me very much,” Darvill said.
Darvill had previously won the Chamber’s Outstanding New Business award in 2022, and he said he didn’t expect to bring home another award.
“Being nominated with two other great businesses, Red Kayak Flooring and Create Marketing, I figured this would be something out of the cards. So, when they announced us as the winner, I was extremely surprised and proud of my team,” Darvill said.
Resurrection Auto Detailing—Tint & Protection is on top of the latest trends and passionate about keeping their customers’ vehicles clean, protected, and safe.
“We are an innovative automotive auto detailing, window tint, and protection centre that specializes in keeping you in your vehicle for as long as possible while maintaining that ‘like new’ feel,” Darvill said. ’“We specialize in all things that keep your vehicle clean, [and] germ and bacteria free. Your family is safe and you are ultimately protecting your investment. We are trained and certified in auto detailing, window tint, Nano Ceramic Coating, paint protection film, and flat glass architectural window tint.”
Darvill said one of his company’s biggest challenges is navigating rapidly changing
trends in the industry to ensure they are able to provide what customers want.
“Before the pandemic it was easy to understand high times and low times. During the pandemic that all changed where previously slower months became busier months, and then after the pandemic previously busier months became slower months,” Darvill said.
But, Darvill and his team forged ahead and stayed on top of the rapidly changing industry.
“When I started this company there were two of us, and now it’s definitely become a trend and a need for auto detailing in the Westman area with many new companies popping up. It’s nice to see that,” Darvill said.
“Since 2018, we’ve worked hard at educating [our customers about] the importance of auto detailing and automotive protection, which shows the general public understands the importance of taking care of your vehicle, opening up gateways for new companies,” Darvill said, adding there’s a change in the customer, too, as they want to keep the value of a hard sought vehicle.
“We’ve seen people wait months and months for a new vehicle and now they’re wanting to protect that vehicle so they can stay in it longer since, in most cases, vehicles aren’t readily available the way they were pre-pandemic,” said Darvill.
Darvill credits his team as his biggest success so far.
“Ultimately, I think my sweetest success has been the amazing team I have standing behind me or in front of me in most cases. They all value what they do and they believe in the work they produce on a day-to-day basis. They never shudder at new ideas or changes that need to be made,” Darvill said.
“As a team we’ve been able to achieve great things, like the 2022 Outstanding New Business, the award at SEMA
“Ultimately, I think my sweetest success has been the amazing team I have standing behind me or in front of me in most cases. They all value what they do and they believe in the work they produce on a day-to-day basis. They never shudder at new ideas or changes that need to be made.”
[a trades-only show in Las Vegas], the award at Mobile Tech Expo in Orlando, Florida, and many other awards. This was all while we were building a company and a reputation out of a business I was told would never be a viable business,” Darvill said.
Looking ahead to the future, Darvill said he and his team at Resurrection Auto Detailing—Tint & Protection will stay on top of training and continue to offer the best in service in an ever-changing industry. BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
The incredibly brave animal lovers at The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre have once again proven their dedication to our beloved pets—taking on tasks like bathing and grooming cats that few dare to do. Their unwavering commitment and overand-above dedication were recognized by their peers when they picked up the Business Excellence – Large Business award at the Chamber Gala in May.
Since opening The Paw Resort and Wellness Centre in 2011, Dr. Frank and Joanne Nichols have elevated pet care to new heights. Their holistic approach includes caring for their staff, reducing their carbon footprint, and continuously enhancing their services. The Paw Resort is a household name known for exceptional boarding, grooming, day care, and training, but their recent innovations have taken pet care to an extraordinary level. It’s like Disneyland, but for pets.
“It took us almost three years, but we have built our very own Scentral Park which is a huge outdoor space with all sorts of digging pits, climbing tires, swings, swamps, and everything dogs love. Then we made another area named Boulder Blvd. This is especially for the big rowdy dogs to chase and play hard in. We are so happy with our small pool and fantastic splash park, big and small,” Joanne said. “We laid turf for a wonderful spot for our Little Gaffers to play safely. Our Frolic Field is about an acre and we use it for agility, training classes, Frisbee, and a fabulous place to get out the zoomies and stretch those legs!”
The Paw’s a la carte menu for both dogs and cats allows pet parents to customize their pet’s experiences with exciting activities and treats. Cats can enjoy stroller rides, activity centre visits with dancing fish, bubbles, bug hunting games on the cat tablet, and FaceTime visits with moms and dads. Dogs can indulge in frozen yogurt, bones, and pupcakes, snuffle matts, or oneon-one story time with a pet care attendant. Dogs can choose a decompression stroll or a sniff and saunter around the farm yard, even mega ball time in the Frolic Field.
Both dogs and cats can be treated to custom pawcuterie boards featuring fruit, vegetables, sardines, and even quail eggs.
Joanne said she and Dr. Nichols were breeding dogs when the pups started coming back to be dogsat. Soon they were looking after their neighbours’ dogs and started to get a very full house.
“The inspiration behind The Paw came from our love for pets and the lack of satisfactory boarding options at the time. We built The Paw after years of researching and integrating the best elements from kennels we visited worldwide. Now we have a team of 39 dedicated staff members—many who have been with the company for ten years or more—who help implement the many services and programs,” Joanne said.
The Paw offers a wide range of services including grooming, boarding, dog
daycare, training, and retail boutique. The staff includes Pet Care Attendants who put on miles walking, feeding, medicating, attending to all pets needs and requirements, a la cartes, and handle housekeeping.
Playcare enrichment coaches who plan daily activities for the one of a kind Muttessori Enrichment Academy. The academy is almost always full to capacity, challenging pets with sniffaris, scavenger hunts, gym days, dance parties, and puzzle days On cold or rainy days the dogs in playcare use the 3,000 square feet,rubber floored Zoom Room.
Joanne said the front end staff run the show. “They manage all the bookings… They answer the phones, emails, Facebook Messenger, and anywhere else pet parents reach out to us. They take photos and help with social media posts. They make sure our retail area is well stocked, neat and tidy.”
The Paw Spaw Salon groomers are another group of hard working people who believe your companion deserves the finest pampering experience and the talented stylists provide nothing short of excellence.
“Focus Forward Training Centre and its trainers help people and their dogs enjoy each other to the fullest with caring, common sense, and positive-based dog training approaches,” Joanne said.
Dr. Frank, as he is best known, has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 45 years, formerly as senior partner at Brandon Hills Veterinary Clinic. He works almost every day with his three assistants in the Brandon Humane Society mobile trailer adjacent to the main building.
“Not only does he care for The Paw clients, but [he also] helps many, many rescues both day and night,” Joanne said.
Joanne, Dr. Frank and The Paw staff are also excited to introduce a quaint little canteen/cafe they named Fiona’s after their lovely British Blond Golden Retriever.
“It’s a nice place to relax, get a snack and beverage…and enjoy watching your pup play with its friends,” she says.
The Paw is also committed to sustainability. Their 7,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility includes geothermal heating and cooling completely powered by three large solar arrays, rainwater saving unit, and ecofriendly cleaning supplies. They minimize plastic use, recycle, and encourage staff to carpool. This year they added garden boxes for the staff to grow their own produce.
The Paw Resort ensures that pets receive quality grooming, brain stimulation, and physical exercise. Frank shared, “we are focused on enriching pets’ lives and caring for their health. We spend a great deal of time researching our products and diligently search for healthy, organic, synthetic-free food and treats… Six of us went to Toronto to learn about pet nutrition, and Joanne and I are taking extensive courses to gain more knowledge as well. Our new focus is to share what we learn about pet health from the inside and help with the longevity and wellness of our customers’ pets,” he said.
“Because they are family, too, we strive to have a paradise for your pets, and peace of mind for you,” Frank added. BBR
BY KYLA HENDERSON
It’s time to get green, Brandon. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce (MCC) have announced a new program that supports local business transformation with financial support and a plan to help the business community move toward a net-zero emissions future.
PrairiesCan and the MCC announced $1.6 million in funding last March for the Chambers to develop the Manitoba Green Advantage. The Manitoba Green Advantage team has been out spreading the word and gathering information from the business community while the work is being done on a Green Economy Roadmap, expected to be complete this fall.
“We’ve been laying the groundwork for the initiative, which consists of two key components: the Green Economy Road Map and the SME (small and medium-sized enterprises) Granting Program,” said Christa Rust, Program Director for the Manitoba Green Advantage. “The Green Economy Road Map is our blueprint for forging a greener and more prosperous Manitoba. It will pinpoint strategies to harness our strengths, seize new
opportunities, and deploy cutting-edge technologies as we propel the province towards a net-zero future.”
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has stressed the importance of accessing the province’s vast supply of critical minerals— including lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements—in accomplishing this goal.
“Every Manitoban should benefit from our province’s wealth of critical minerals,” said Kinew in an announcement in March.
“Working with community leaders, Indigenous nations and industry, we can protect our environment, and grow our lowcarbon economy. Our new critical mineral strategy will set Manitoba on a positive path forward, for generations to come.”
Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses announced alongside Kinew that Manitoba has a whopping 29 of 31 minerals on Canada’s Critical Minerals list.
The Government of Canada has launched the Canada Critical Minerals Strategy, a plan to increase the supply of responsibly sourced critical minerals, supporting the development of Canadian and global value chains that contribute to our country’s green and digital economies.
By doing so, we aim to significantly enhance the region’s economic resilience and environmental sustainability,” Rust said.
That is where the Manitoba Green Advantage comes in, says Rust.
“We are engaging with a broad range of stakeholders to advance our initiative. Currently, our primary focus is on local business leaders, environmental experts, associations, industry specialists, and representatives from provincial and federal governments as we work on the Green Economy Road Map,” Rust said. “As we shift our focus to the SME Granting Program, we will actively engage with a diverse range of SMEs across all sectors. Our goal is to ensure inclusive representation, including Indigenous communities, rural businesses, and northern business communities, thereby engaging with appropriate representation from across the province.”
“Our initiative is open to collaborating with businesses across all sectors throughout Manitoba that are eager to invest in a greener future. We are committed to supporting SMEs in adopting sustainable practices such as renewable energy use, energy efficiency improvements, waste reduction, and innovative green technologies. By providing grants, we aim to enhance the overall sustainability and resilience of businesses throughout Manitoba.”
Much of the Manitoba Green Advantage’s work to this point has been gathering information from business and stakeholders.
Our initiative is open to collaborating with businesses across all sectors that are eager to invest in a greener future.
Rust said the SME Granting Program funds could be the difference in businesses being able to make changes that can make their operations greener or develop new technologies using critical minerals.
“Funds could be used to help businesses take their first step in climate action through green assessments to understand and set their baseline, or to make informed green investments to enhance competitiveness and reduce costs. The grant program will be flexible enough to meet businesses where they are at in their sustainability journey,” Rust said, adding the SME Granting Program is expected to launch in the late fall or winter of this year.
CHRISTA RUST PROGRAM DIRECTOR, MANITOBA GREEN ADVANTAGE
“This initiative is beneficial for businesses looking to adopt more sustainable practices or seeking financial support to do so. We recognize that the sustainability movement is complex and looks different depending on the industry and your business. Limited financial resources, competing priorities, and lack of awareness of the types of support available are all barriers to businesses. We’re hoping this program helps businesses get started or keeps them moving towards their sustainability goals.”
The Government of Manitoba also has a short survey online at engagemb.ca/critical-minerals-strategy, where you can share your thoughts on the subject.
“The Manitoba Green Advantage initiative emphasizes the importance of conducting baseline green assessments for SMEs to understand the business case for green investment. This assessment helps businesses identify opportunities to adopt renewable energy sources, improve energy efficiency, and innovate in green technologies,” Rust said. “These steps are essential for achieving net-zero emissions and promoting sustainable economic growth across the prairie provinces. By advocating for these strategic investments, our goal is to stimulate long-term growth, job creation, and cultivate a cleaner, greener future for the Westman region, aligning with provincial and federal objectives.”
As an example, in the Brandon and Westman region, the Manitoba Green Advantage and the SME Granting Program can be a conduit to more sustainable agriculture.
“The Grant Program plays a crucial role in driving progress towards achieving net-zero emissions in the Westman region. Leveraging the region’s abundant natural resources—such as fertile agricultural land and ample water resources—essential for sustainable agriculture, this initiative focuses on empowering local SMEs across key economic sectors to adopt green practices.
Rust said that Manitoba is a prime location for businesses interested in establishing a green business. More details will be released in the Green Economy Roadmap.
“The Roadmap will leverage research and economic analysis to identify Manitoba’s optimal strategies for leading in the green economy. Manitoba is already well-positioned for clean energy and green business development, with abundant hydroelectric power as a reliable and renewable energy source. Additionally, Manitoba possesses significant reserves of critical minerals like lithium and nickel, crucial for manufacturing batteries and other clean technologies.
These resources make Manitoba an ideal location for green businesses seeking to invest in sustainable and innovative practices,” said Rust. BBR
ANNUAL BUSINESS AWARDS GALA
[ MAY 2, 2024 ]
BELOW: The stage was set beautifully for an incredible evening celebrating Brandon business and honouring the 2024 Business Excellence award nominees and recipients.
by
This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of individuals under the age of 40 who work in a leadership role in any size organization from the public, private, or non-profit sector. The ideal candidates are active and engaged in work and the community, as well as being creative problem solvers, disciplined in performance, and generous in spirit.
Mosaic Engagement Group
BY KYLA HENDERSON
Megan Foster is busy building up other business while growing her own. The Mosaic Engagement Group founder has been recognized by the Brandon Chamber of Commerce for her positive impact on the local business community. Foster was named a Westman’s Top 4 Under 40 recipient at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in May.
Foster was one of four young entrepreneurs and leaders to be honoured with The Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Westman’s Top 4 Under 40 Award. The award recognizes those who make an impact in business and in the community.
Foster said she was nominated by a colleague, Cora Dupuis, who she has come to know through networking, both in business and in the community. “I was pleasantly surprised and honoured by the nomination. It’s always a good feeling to know that my efforts in both professional and community settings are noticed,” Foster said.
Foster, who turned 38 this year, started Mosaic Engagement unofficially in 2005 and made it official in 2017. Since then, Mosaic Engagement has assisted businesses of all sizes and kinds in Brandon and is now expanding its services across Canada.
“Mosaic Engagement specializes in business-to-business services, focusing on helping small and very small businesses, nonprofits and government departments lead more efficiently and
effectively. We provide facilitation services for strategic planning, culture reviews, and team retreats, as well as DIY programs like the Strategic Plan Development Program (SPDP). Our core values are intentionality, creativity, inclusion, and fun. One recent participant said ‘you bring the meaning to the experience’ and that was music to my ears,” Foster said.
Foster, who has a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership, said she has always had a passion to help others succeed.
“I founded Mosaic Engagement based on my passion for helping groups of people thrive through effective leadership and intentional choices,” Foster added.
“My background in strategic organizational change and facilitation inspired me to create a business that supports others to discover the power of true teamwork, vulnerability, and sharing their strengths.”
Since its inception, Foster has built her business up to seven contractors and expanded the services and programs Mosaic offers.
“Since starting, we’ve expanded our team and services, developed new programs like the SPDP, and established a strong presence in the Brandon business community. Our client base has grown significantly, and we’ve built a reputation for delivering impactful results,” Foster said.
The biggest challenge in building her business, she says, is explaining what Mosaic Engagement actually does.
“Unless people have experienced truly effective facilitation, they don’t often realize the value we can bring. Psychological safety is very important to me and we keep that top of mind with every design choice we make. Often, staff, business, or board leaders will take on the facilitation of their own meetings which means they can’t fully participate in the conversations. We take that off of their plate, working in our zone of genius, so they can work in theirs—their organizational decisions,” Foster said.
Locally, Mosaic has worked with clients like The City of Brandon, Prairie Mountain Health, Shilo Military Family Resource Centre, Brandon Teachers’ Association, and Healthy Brandon In Motion. Nationally, Mosaic has brought its style of leadership magic to organizations such as The Indigenous Sport Council, Skate Canada, Equestrian Canada, and The Alberta Lymphedema Association.
Foster said hearing about the successes of her clients is the best part of her work.
“We regularly hear, ‘Wow, that was actually fun!’, ‘We got way more done than I expected we would,’ and ‘We’ve been trying to get this done for the last six months and you got it done in half a day.’ Those kinds of comments are great to hear,” Foster said.
In fact, some clients can benefit leaps and bounds from Mosaic’s services.
“We’ve had a few notable successes. Canadian Connections Inc. is a fantastic example of our SPDP’s success. They had very recently been granted non-profit accreditation, and knew they needed a strategic plan. The volunteer Executive Director, using her personal credit card, purchased the program and she and the two other part-time staff members, who are both refugees who had participated in the organization’s programs themselves, worked through the program over the weekend. They met with Mosaic to review and refine, and two weeks later had already started working through one of their action threads,” Foster said. “Within three weeks from there, they had hired a grant writer, applied for a grant, and were successfully granted $450,000 of sustainable multiyear funding to work out the rest of their
“I founded Mosaic Engagement based on my passion for helping groups of people thrive through effective leadership and intentional choices.” — Megan Foster
plans. This is exactly what the SPDP is there for. Recently, another client checked in and in the year since working directly with us, they went from 1,500 client visits to more than 5,000,”
Now, Foster is predicting more growth for Mosaic by looking into new ways to share their expertise.
“Looking ahead, we are updating our SPDP to ensure we are always offering the most current information. We are
exploring other do-it-yourself options to support those organizations who need their own plans and don’t have the budget to work with a live facilitator, and we are really excited to host our next Women’s Retreat here in Brandon,” Foster said. “It’s a fun, interactive day where women from the business and non-profit sectors learn more about their own selfawareness and effective communication, about others on their teams, and how to improve communication throughout all relationships in their lives.” BBR
[ [
BY KYLA HENDERSON
Kim Magalhaes is reaping the benefits of the kindness she shows on a day-to-day basis. The Chief Financial Officer of Westman Communications Group was recognized as one of Westman’s Top 4 Under 40 at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in May.
Magalhaes, a 39-year-old mother of two, said she makes it her everyday goal to come into work and lift everyone else up.
“I am very grateful and I am truly humbled by the recognition because my mission everyday is to come in and work hard and make a difference in other people’s lives,” Magalhaes said.
Magalhaes joined Westman Communications Group in 2021 and was promoted to her current role as part of the leadership group in 2022. She said helping Westman Communications Group employees with whatever they need, whether it’s solving a problem, accessing training, or helping them to advance in their careers, is a very important part of her everyday at the organization.
“As a leader at Westman Communications Group, I have a significant positive impact on our younger generation of employees and a lot of our female staff who are desiring to be future leaders. One of my goals always in my professional career is to ensure that I can help others to continue to progress in their careers and in their professional development as well,” said Magalhaes. “One of my mantras is that I want them to be my boss one day. I really encourage collaboration and continued growth. I think that is how we are all successful.”
Magalhaes views it as her responsibility to set an example in her office. “Because I am part of the senior leadership team, I have the ability to make an impact every day. It could be a short note to encourage someone or congratulate them for work they have done. Or I could spend a mentor session with them, discussing what their career goals are and how I could assist in achieving them,” she said.
Magalhaes said she is also an active volunteer in the community. She is currently acting as a mentor to two individuals going through their CPA, through CPA Alberta.
As a busy mom with busy kids, aged four and eight years old, she is also very involved with what her kids are doing and is balancing work and home life with furthering her own education at the same time.
Magalhaes is currently studying an advanced executive program through Queen’s University Canada.
She said she does all this with a positive approach and the goal of giving back, because that’s how she was taught.
“I was raised in a small community where everyone came together for the community to thrive. Growing up, my parents were always very involved in different aspects in the community and helping each other. I think I was just raised that way,” said Magalhaes.
“I’ve been very lucky to have some very good colleagues and mentors who have supported me in my journey and this is just a way for me to make sure I am paying that forward and giving back to thank everyone who has helped me on my way.” BBR
“I was raised in a small community where everyone came together for the community to thrive. Growing up, my parents were always very involved in different aspects in the community and helping each other. I think I was just raised that way.”
— Kim Magalhaes
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BY KYLA HENDERSON
Mayur Nankar was surprised and flattered to be nominated for Westman’s Top 4 Under 40 award. He was even more surprised when he and three others were named winners at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala in May.
“I was surprised when I was nominated. Between a busy schedule at work, attending various networking events, and being part of the Brandon Leadership cohort, it can be difficult to keep track of everything,” Nankar said. “This was something new and exciting for me. Kim [Magalhaes] from Westman Communications Group, Megan [Foster] from Mosaic Engagement Group, and Katie [Peters] from Alair Homes were nominated as well and we were awarded the Top 4 Under 40 award. They all are incredibly talented individuals. It was an honour to share the podium with them during the event.”
“After getting my license to practise, my family moved to Brandon and I started working at West-Fit Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic as a physiotherapist,” said Nankar, who originally hails from India and has also completed a Master of Rehabilitation Science, focusing on healthy aging. “I have now worked at West-Fit for six years. Owning my own business was always a dream and this opportunity came at West-Fit. I am grateful to get an opportunity to carry on the legacy of exceptional client and patient care in the Westman region.”
Nankar is proud of his team, which includes four physiotherapists, three massage therapists, and five full- and parttime front desk staff. It’s a team that Nankar says helps people feel comfortable.
“We have people with diverse backgrounds, and hence we can provide services in a few different languages. Also, 92 per cent of our staff is female,” Nankar said.
Nankar, the owner of West-Fit Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic, said his clinic approaches each case with a holistic approach.
West-Fit, established in 1990, was one of the first physiotherapy clinics in Brandon. It now offers multiple specialities under one roof, including pain management strategies, customized exercise programs to improve function, massage therapy, electrotherapeutic modalities, and acupuncture and dry needling. West-Fit also provides custom orthotics and offers concussion evaluation for all age groups, along with vestibular rehabilitation.
Vestibular rehabilitation is therapy that aims to improve balance and dizziness disorders caused by issues with the vestibular system, which is located in the inner ear. The skilled physiotherapists at West-Fit use a combination of exercises and manoeuvres that can improve symptoms of dizziness, vertigo, and more.
Nankar said he and his staff keep on top of the latest training, advancements, and research, and had an exciting opportunity to expand their services and knowledge when they welcomed a new research partner last year.
“In the fall of 2023, we collaborated with the University of Manitoba to add research-based therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease to improve their balance and cognition,” Nankar said. “We not only specialize in attentively listening to your concerns but also take pride in your success and achievements.”
The collaboration with the University of Manitoba is only one of Nankar’s successes since taking over West-Fit. He said the clinic has also been a place where students and newcomers can grow their skills.
“We have been providing clinical placements and mentoring physiotherapy students from the U of M for their clinical placements and have been working with Westman Immigration Services for the Manitoba Adult Language Training for Immigrants (MALTI) program. It is a four-week work placement program to help newcomers gain customer service experience. We had our first placement this spring,” Nankar said.
The MALTI program (or The Bridging to Employment Program) is a Westman Immigration Services initiative aimed at helping newcomers gain valuable skills in the workplace to help them secure sustainable employment.
Nankar said he is supported by a great team of professionals and is looking forward to offering more services and more specialities to clients in the future.
“I work with amazingly talented individuals. They make all challenges look easy and work together as a unit. There is always room to grow and get more professional staff and expand our team,” Nankar said.
“We would like to support the athletic community of the Westman region. We would also like to focus on seniors health, healthy aging, and preventing age-related cognitive decline. This will reduce the burden on healthcare in the long term. And finally, [we always strive to] improve our community outreach to provide timely access to care. The future at West-Fit looks bright!” BBR
“I work with amazingly talented individuals. They make all challenges look easy and work together as a unit. There is always room to grow and get more professional staff and expand our team.” — Mayur Nankar
Supporting growth and local causes in Brandon, Minnedosa, Wawanesa,
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BY KYLA HENDERSON
Katie Peters, the 39 year-old general manager of Alair Homes, was one of four recipients of the Westman’s Top 4 Under 40 award, which Peters picked up in May at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala. Peters said she wasn’t expecting the award at all.
“I was very surprised! It’s super humbling to know that someone recognizes the work you put into your business and community,” Peters said. “I can say the other three who received this award were absolutely deserving of this nomination. Everyone works hard in their businesses and still takes time to support their community. That says a lot about Westman and how much we value living in this area.”
Peters keeps the office running and compliant, and helps build customer and industry relationships in her day-to-day role.
“I oversee and execute our strategic marketing plan and culture strategy for Alair Brandon. Managing and maintaining our client experience program has been important to me to ensure every experience working with us is the best. I also manage the company’s policies and procedures and offer training on those to every employee,” Peters said.
“My role further developed this past year into providing operational support within the company internally and externally, as well as maintaining franchise compliance. I developed a Warranty Management Program for our office and implemented it this year. I also provide oversight and management of the company’s COR Safety program.”
Alair Homes Brandon is part of a franchise started by Katie’s husband, Mike Peters, and his brother, Corey Peters. As part of a franchise system that reaches across Canada, Alair Homes is the first of its kind in home, commercial, and construction management. Peters said Alair Homes currently has the largest footprint of any premium custom builder in the world and has more than 100 offices in five Canadian provinces and 13 U.S. states.
“Today, Alair has the largest footprint of any premium custom home building and large-scale renovation and remodeling brand in the world,” Peters said. “In Brandon we have been a part of the growth and innovation of Alair by contributing input and time into helping Alair expand. One of the partners in our office is actually the Regional Partner for all the offices in Manitoba.”
Alair Homes Brandon calls the Wheat City its home base, but has provided its services throughout Westman and the province—as far north as Flin Flon.
One of the current challenges for Peters and Alair Homes is the lack of qualified tradespeople.
“There are simply not enough trades to do all the construction of new homes and renovations. A lot of times our trades are overlapping and scheduling can become an issue. With this issue, we do our best to navigate it with our live schedules that give access to our trades in our software. This way they can see when things are happening and we are transparent with them about our timelines and expectations,” said Peters.
Because of clever scheduling and the advancement in software, Peters said they recently had great success.
“We successfully completed a custom home project eight hours away without having to physically be there every step of the way— thanks to technology and our great trades and market partners,” Peters said.
For her part, Peters maximized her skills and developed new human resources programs to help her team.
“Within our office, I have developed a few new programs to help with company culture—one being The People Plan I can say since I started, our culture has improved immensely, which has created an exceptional team here,” Peters said.
Peters said she is inspired to continue to elevate her team and help grow Alair Homes Brandon.
“[I want] to grow in experience and become a more confident leader. I plan to continue to help move the company in the directions we need to go and I hope to be more connected in the community to ensure I can help the industry in all ways possible,” Peters said.
“It is a passion of mine to give back; one of our core values here at Alair Brandon is generosity, which we strive to and base a lot of decisions on. I am currently leading our team in an international campaign to contribute one hundred acts of helping others live better.” BBR
[ I want] to grow in experience and become a more confident leader. I plan to continue to help move the company in the directions we need to go and I hope to be more connected in the community to ensure I can help the industry in all ways possible. — Katie Peters
