Owner’s love of cutting meat proves successful in small-town Alberta, attracting customers from throughout the region
Hines Creek, Alta. — In the village of Hines Creek, butcher Dale Stark jokes that his love of cutting meat has become so strong it’s now in his blood. “We’re a dying breed,” he said. “Nobody wants to do the work anymore because it is hard, hard work. Your hands are cold but, once you […] Read moreTag Archives rural business
Personal service key to business success
MARWAYNE, Alta. — A small business owner in Marwayne credits support from her rural community with sustaining her through health and economic challenges. Since 2006, Kari Rooks-Whelan has operated No Need to Nock, a mini-mall offering boutique fashions, gifts and a bistro in addition to her main focus, an ATB Financial agency. During that time, […] Read more
Program helps women start business
New Alberta program is designed to help rural women tackle challenges of financing and time management
A woman’s idea for a rural-based agri-food business may be excellent but seeing that idea come to fruition can be fraught with obstacles. She may be juggling many demands on the farm, such as machinery operation, child care, livestock care and an off-farm job. She might lack confidence in her business skills or would benefit […] Read more
Greenhouse operators grow with help from social media
HIGH PRAIRIE, Alta. — Few greenhouse operators open for business in the middle of November, but it’s not the first greenhouse rule Christie and Tanner Pollack have broken in their three years in business. The Alberta greenhouse had just been built, the heat needed to be on anyway and Christmas was coming. “We said, ‘let’s […] Read more
Calder man finds passion in video
Home-based studio | Raymond Lacusta shoots, edits and produces prairie videos
CALDER, Sask. — Videographer Raymond Lacusta documented Mother’s Nature power in July as water roared two metres above normal levels over the Shellmouth spillway near Roblin, Man. Images of the Assiniboine River churning under a bridge and water rushing over the road at Bear Creek represent his latest project focusing on flood waters on the […] Read more
B&B offers haven for rest, romance
CANORA, Sask. — The man on the phone sounded nervous. So much so that Linda Osachoff wasn’t exactly sure what to think of this guest booking a room at La Campagna, the bed and breakfast she and her husband, Alfredo Converso, operate from their farm home east of Canora. But he and his girlfriend arrived, […] Read more
Creativity keeps florist’s job interesting
Creativity keeps florist’s job interesting
BIGGAR, Sask. — Few bouquets, arrangements and photo albums are available for customers to peruse when buying flowers at Designs by Ann. “You tell me what you want and I’ll create something that’s original,” said Saskatchewan business owner Ann Sapsford. The florist tends to a rainbow of coloured flowers inside Biggar’s 1912 Bank of Commerce […] Read more
Coffee importer believes in a fair shake
Man. business deals directly with growers | Father-daughter duo sell coffee to businesses in and around Winnipeg
CLANDEBOYE, Man. — Derryl Reid believes in sharing the wealth. The coffee importer from Clandeboye, Man., buys organic beans green from South American growers, roasts them and sells them to businesses in and around Winnipeg. Dealing with growers directly and enabling them to recoup more of the money are keys to Reid’s business strategy at […] Read more
