Jennifer Keith has had an interest in entrepreneurship that was seeded in childhood as she watched her family start and operate businesses related to travel and food. She is a two-time alumna of the University of Alberta, holding a BCom (2011) and MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2017), and her life vision is to be a force of positive change in the world.

Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, Jennifer could see firsthand how much hard work, dedication, and perseverance was required of owners. One major trait she inherited from her family was her strong work ethic and ability to be steadfast in achieving goals, and she shined as a star student and leader in her community from a young age through to her early career. Known to many of those close to her as the ultimate go-getter, Jennifer has always kept herself busy with multiple projects and groups, along with always looking for ways to lead, to volunteer, and to give back to her community. Throughout her life, she has volunteered for years as Youth Leadership Advisor and Program Coordinator for the YMCA, took on top leadership roles in various school clubs and charitable organizations, and worked with terminally-ill children as a Wish Grantor for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Growing up, Jennifer was encouraged by her family to focus on studies and make the ultimate goal to find a safe, stable, government job. After graduating from the U of A, Jennifer worked with a few large organizations in Human Resources, quickly climbing the corporate ladder, and became a Senior Manager by age 28. Although she was discouraged from a life of entrepreneurship, Jennifer always knew she wanted to one day make a bet on herself and start her own business.

In 2020, Jennifer co-founded EPIC, which builds venues and events technology as a platform to showcase and provide economic opportunity to the best local food, drink, and events talent in every city it operates. EPIC opened its first venue in Downtown Edmonton in October 2021 and started out as a proptech company with a mission to build physical and digital infrastructure to enable restaurateurs to open new restaurants quickly and easily. After testing this model for over a year, the company pivoted to providing a more platform approach and is now building its second location on Whyte Ave in Edmonton’s first shipping container park, Station Park. Having previously built a proprietary end-to-end food hall management system and POS, EPIC is expanding on its technology to build an events management software platform that enables clients to easily plan, package, and pay for events.

Check out Jennifer’s company here.

Introducing Tiffany Petite, the visionary Co-Founder, Clinical Director and driving force behind Virtuous Circle Counselling (VCC). With a passion for clinical social work, VCC was founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Tiffany’s vision was to provide timely mental health access and foster her client's personal growth and desire for self-determination. Drawing from 15 years of experience and expertise in the non-for-profit sector, VCC’s small business has cultivated a deep understanding of the essential need for accessible mental health services and a keen eye for innovation in private practice.

Tiffany’s dedication to excellence, client-centred care and commitment to VCC providing empirically researched treatments, have all been pivotal in establishing Virtuous Circle Counselling as a trusted brand within the industry. As the Clinical Director of a dynamic team, Tiffany leads by example, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Tiffany’s leadership style emphasizes adaptability and a genuine desire to make a difference in people's lives, ensuring that Virtuous Circle Counselling stays ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving mental health landscape .In her spare time, Tiffany’s inspiration and balance is experienced by spending her time in the outdoors, cheering on the Calgary Flames, and creating cherished memories with her family and friends.

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Meet Melissa Petite, the creative mind, Co-Founder and Director of Business Development & Strategy behind Virtuous Circle Counselling (VCC). With a passion for business, Melissa co-founded VCC in 2020 with a vision to provide accessible mental health services that stands out for its innovative access, high quality, and superior client-centred care in counselling.

Drawing from 16 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, Melissa has honed her expertise in project controls, a commitment to customer satisfaction and attention to detail which has earned Melissa a reputation for excellence within the community. Known for her entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving acumen, Melissa has successfully navigated challenges and seized opportunities to propel the growth of Virtuous Circle Counselling.

With a relentless drive for success, Melissa continues to lead VCC towards new heights, delivering exceptional solutions and building lasting relationships with clients and partners alike. Outside of business, Melissa enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends which also inspire the creativity and innovation reflected in VCC’s services.

Check out Virtuous Circle Counselling LTD. here.

Jamie Minshull is the founder and owner of LandCo Earthworks & Consulting. Her company specializes in residential grading and landscaping, an industry she has been working in for over sixteen years. She started out as a young receptionist in garage door installation and has worked her way through the construction industry to where she is now. Over the course of her professional career, she has learned the ins and outs of the construction world, eventually finding her way working as a trade partner in grading and landscaping. This is where she found her passion. She excelled in the high volume and demand that the grading industry had. She was able to harness her prior experience and knowledge in the industry to help her build a company that provides the type of services that Builders, Developers, and Homeowners need and want.

She takes immense pride in the quality of work that LandCo provides. In a male dominated field, she strongly values the relationships she has built with her team as well as the companies she works with. Being only one of a handful of women leaders in her field has provided some challenges, but she has always fought through adversity in her life, and this would not be the exception.

Visit Landco Earthworks here.

Spirit Staffing & Training Edmonton is a 100% Indigenous Women owned Business in Edmonton serving western Canada for the past 20 years as of May 1, 2023. in Employment & Training for Indigenous people. We have a 102,000-resume database and 80% success in placing Indigenous people. Industry use our services to recruit, screen and make a match to their position they are hiring for. Spirit is privately owned and has no Government funding, therefore we charge for service. There are approximately 55 privately owned Employment Agencies in Edmonton we directly compete against daily. The only difference is, that we are a proud Indigenous Company and our mandate to help our people in training and to find jobs.

Our sister Company is a license safety training provider for Energy Safety "FLS" and we work with the First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Communities in providing safety ticket training urban & rural. We are also engaged in private career fairs, and we attract our Indigenous applicants urban & rural to apply with our Company for jobs. We support the workers in safety ticket training, travel & accommodations if needed, we mentor the Workers to complete their site orientations, Drug & Alcohol testing, provide PPE, Advance for per diem if in hotel/motel, support, and mentor worker. We subscribe to a number of Indigenous Memberships. CCAB, NAABA, Aksis, Cando and many more. We attend many Indigenous conferences and we support other Indigenous Businesses.

Jobs can vary from:

• Professional & Technical

• Administrative

• Industrial skilled trades

• Temporary, contract, or permanent

Visit Spirit Staffing & Training here.

Kristina Botelho, the visionary founder of Kb&co, has made a significant impact on the culinary world with her passion for plant-based cuisine and unwavering commitment to community and healthy eating. Since its establishment in 2016, Kb&co has blossomed from a single location to a thriving restaurant chain, boasting seven successful outlets, with many more on the horizon.Kristina's journey towards founding Kb&co began with a deep-rooted love for both food and the environment. As a young girl. Inspired by the potential of using fresh, wholesome ingredients to create delicious and nutritious meals, Kristina immersed herself in the world of plant-based cuisine.

Driven by her passion, Kristina set out to revolutionize the restaurant industry by offering innovative plant-based dishes that delighted the taste buds and nourished the body. In 2016, she took a bold step and launched Kb&co in the heart of downtown Edmonton, the first of its kind plant-based restaurant in her community. The response was overwhelmingly positive, as people flocked to experience the flavors and benefits of plant-based eating.Kristina's commitment to healthy eating extended beyond the walls of her restaurant. She actively engaged with local farmers and suppliers, forging partnerships to source the freshest organic produce. Her dedication to supporting local agriculture and promoting sustainable farming practices not only ensured the quality of her ingredients but also strengthened the ties between Kb&co and the community.Community engagement has always been at the core of Kristina's values. She saw her restaurant as a hub for fostering connections and promoting healthier lifestyles. Kb&co became more than just a place to dine; it became a gathering spot for like-minded individuals who shared a passion for plant-based living. Kristina organized educational workshops, cooking classes, and community events, all aimed at empowering individuals to embrace a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.With the success of the first location, Kristina's vision expanded. She tirelessly worked to open additional Kb&co outlets, spreading her message of health and wellness to new communities. The growth of the restaurant chain allowed her to reach a broader audience, inspiring countless individuals to adopt plant-based eating as a way of life.Despite the rapid expansion, Kristina remained personally involved in each location, ensuring that her commitment to quality and community was upheld. Her hands-on approach and meticulous attention to detail were instrumental in maintaining the consistency and integrity of the Kb&co brand.As Kb&co continues to flourish and expand, Kristina Botelho's passion for plant-based cuisine and dedication to community and healthy eating serve as a guiding light. Her innovative approach has not only revolutionized the culinary landscape but has also had a profound impact on the well-being of individuals and the environment. Through Kb&co, Kristina has proven that food can be both a delicious indulgence and a catalyst for positive change.

Find a kb&co location or check out their menu here.

Tanis is the owner of Qiviut Inc., a 100% Inuit-owned qiviut fiber mill located in Nisku, Alberta. She is Inuvialuk, originally from Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories. Qiviut is the undercoat of a muskox: this fiber is one of the rarest and softest in the world, and Inuvialuit have always valued it for its incredible warmth and insulating properties. When she was growing up in the Arctic, her grandparents used to comb qiviut from muskox hides and add it to the children’s mitts and boots so that they could play outside longer.

In 2019, Tanis and her brother, Bradley, decided to purchase a set of vintage fiber mill machines, and Tanis and her brother got to work learning how to make yarn.

Today, they produce luxurious high-end yarn and knitwear, and they also make their reusable, washable, biodegradable Nuna Heat hand warmers from pure NWT qiviut fiber. She and her brother work by hand to comb out the qiviut fibre from muskoxen hides in the same way that their grandparents did: with a fork. This process is slow, but they also get the whole length of the delicate fibers–and fewer guard hairs!

She is proud to share their culture with the world. When she was growing up, there were no Inuit-owned qiviut companies operating, and Tanis believes it’s important that their own people have a central role in an industry based on their traditional fiber. Today, in addition to making yarn at their small mill, a lot of her work involves education: running mill tours, visiting classes, and talking to customers about where they source their qiviut, how it supports their traditional food system. It’s very important to them to purchase muskox hides from harvesters in their home territory, since they are keeping their traditions strong and also feeding their communities. As they grow, they hope to continue building opportunities for their people, both in the NWT and in the city.

Shop Qiviut Inc. here.

When Tricon first started in 2005, there were two major gaps in our industry:

1. No packaged solution for project delivery.

2. No community to support project experts to grow together.

Back then, most consultants would work short contracts and leave, never feeling like part of a team and always starting from scratch – lonely, inefficient, and hard!

We saw a better way.

With our first ‘PMO In-A-Box’ contract, the community began to form. Then developing our Staff Augmentation side became a necessity – and quickly our most highly engaged area of expertise!

From day one, to today, we’ve raised the bar on how consulting services are delivered.

The key to our success? Focus. We know who we are.

We are project experts, specializing in functional, mission-critical roles. And that focus? It leads to real, proven excellence.

… to experienced support that lets our consultants know they’re not alone on an island.

… to a structure and methodology they can leverage to move ideas from intake to execution to finalization.

… to a reputation for understanding exactly what your project needs so we can carefully place and support exactly who your project needs.

We aren’t software matching candidates for keywords, we are all experts in the functional space. We know projects, we speak the language.

Client or consultant, Tricon has your back.

And because we know our greatest ideas come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds, and experiences, we have always prioritized attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent based on a deep appreciation of our unique differences – seen and unseen.

We’re committed to developing the Tricon Army as an inclusive and diverse Community of Rockstars so that our clients can tap into its enhanced potential and keep fostering those big victories.

We are a women-owned company – bringing a fresh, relationship-based perspective to a traditional industry.

Because the sweet spot is achieving great success together.

Check out Tricon Solutions here.

At Towne & Countree Kitchens, we are tirelessly focused on our relationships with our clients and with our teammates. We know the secret to success is about people, culture and social responsibility. For over 45 years, we have been honing our craft with our design abilities, attention to detail and industry leading installations. Our partnerships with our trades, from manufacturing to installations, is deeply rooted and founded upon trust. We help homeowners navigate their kitchen and bathroom renovations, and we work with home builders that see the value in a smaller organization that cares deeply about quality and longevity

As a leader, Tara is focused on the operational side of the businesses and on the people. With an insatiable curiosity, you will find Tara getting comfortable being uncomfortable, reading all there is to read about leadership and business and searching for the balance between family time and work time.

Tara loves the platform that she has to push forward with giving back, sharing kindness and celebrating joy.

As a Rotarian with Glenora Rotary, Tara’s belief is "Service before Self", and Towne & Countree Kitchens tries to embody that through volunteer hours, both individually and collectively, as well as monetary donations. Some of their charitable work outside of Rotary is Edmonton Humane Society, Hope Mission, the Bissel Center, Operation Friendship, the Edmonton Food Bank and the Alberta Beach Food Bank.

From the flowers that will greet you outside of our showroom, to the warm way in which you will be engaged, Tara’s team is driven and passionate about make a difference in the community, in their clients homes and with each other. Their mission statement is simple and defined: "We bring families and friends together!"

Visit Towne & Countree Kitchens here

Katie Ekroth is a remarkable individual whose unwavering commitment to excellence and exceptional leadership has made her a respected figure in the real estate industry. As the broker and owner of 20|20 Management, a prominent condo management company based in Fort McMurray, she has demonstrated her extraordinary entrepreneurial prowess and dedication to customer service, innovation and hard work.

Katie's journey in real estate began in 2005, where her passion for the business and strong work ethic quickly propelled her to the forefront of the industry. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and desire to immerse herself in every aspect of the field earned her the admiration and respect of her peers. Such recognition led to her taking on the role of broker at RE/MAX Fort McMurray in 2012, solidifying her position as a trailblazer in the local real estate market.

In 2017, Katie identified a gap in the condo management sector. Her astute observation and confidence in her skills and knowledge inspired her to venture into uncharted territory. Fuelled by the vision of filling this void, she took the bold step of establishing 20|20 Management.

Drawing from a foundation of customer service, innovation, and strategic planning, Katie nurtured her newly-founded company with great care. She firmly believed that every individual, be it homeowners, business owners, tenants, or team members, deserved to be heard and to have confidence in the efficiency and competence of their management services. She meticulously built a team of knowledgeable and skilled professionals who shared her vision and commitment to excellence. Through their collaborative efforts, 20|20 Management began to thrive during a period of rapid growth.

Under Katie's visionary leadership, 20|20 Management expanded its services beyond Fort McMurray, venturing into the cities of Edmonton and Cochrane. The company now offers a comprehensive range of management solutions, including condominium, commercial, property, and leasing management. The firm's portfolio of managed doors has impressively grown to over 4,300 across the province, a testament to Katie's commitment to innovation and strategic expansion.

Throughout her career, Katie has remained dedicated to her core values of integrity, empathy, and strong communication. Her ability to build meaningful relationships and connect with clients and team members alike has been instrumental in the success of 20|20 Management. Her passion for providing unparalleled service and her forward-thinking approach has allowed the company to continuously adapt to the ever-changing real estate landscape.

As a true trailblazer and visionary leader, Katie's journey has been a testament to the power of determination and the value of fostering strong human connections in business. Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, proving that with the right blend of expertise, innovation, and genuine care for others, success knows no bounds.

Check out 20|20 Management here.