Early Days

In this episode of Early Days, host Jackie Rae speaks with Chris Morris, the new President and CEO of the Edmonton Elks, about the early days of his leadership role, the challenges of rebuilding a historic franchise, and the key strategies he's implementing to create long-term success.Chris discusses the importance of continuity in leadership, how a strong business strategy support

In this episode of Early Days, we explore the world of Aimée Beaudoin, co-founder of Spotlight Cabaret in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona. Spotlight Cabaret is a one-of-a-kind venue featuring dinner theater, burlesque, drag, comedy, live music, and more, all with a 1920s vibe. Aimée shares how she and her partner, Jeff Halaby, turned their creative vision into a successful business.F

With over three decades of experience, Bruce Alton has built a career at the forefront of innovation, blending technology and traditional industries. As the founder of A-Partners Ventures Inc, Bruce focuses on solving real-world problems, mentoring startups, and driving growth through strategic investments and product development.Through ventures like RoBIM Technologies, which appl

Laughs and insight with Mike Anderson, founder of Trixstar and the visionary behind The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. From his early days climbing the ranks at Big Valley Jamboree to creating a unique comedy festival experience that spans Canada and beyond, Mike shares the lessons, challenges, and triumphs of building an event empire.Discover how a late-night inspiration led to a

In this episode of Early Days, we sit down with Shawn Kaminski, founder of Lui Chi’s Coffee, an Edmonton-based coffee offering known for its unique wood-roasted and whiskey barrel-aged beans. Shawn shares his journey from the early days as a barista at Starbucks to launching Lui Chi’s as a mobile espresso truck on Jasper Avenue. Discover how a love for coffee, a passion for com

In this episode of Early Days, Ted Kouri, founder and president of Incite, shares his entrepreneurial journey from co-founding the marketing services agency to transforming it into a strategic consulting firm. He discusses the challenges of starting young, the importance of strategic focus, and how his firm's evolution has aligned with Edmonton's business landscape. Ted also highli

In this episode of Early Days, we sit down with Joe Ammar, President and CEO of River City Events. Joe shares his entrepreneurial journey, from his early work experiences inspired by his father's grocery store to launching River City Events in 2007. He reflects on the challenges of growing the business, acquiring Big Top Tent Rentals, and navigating the impact of COVID-19. Joe also

In this episode of Early Days, we speak with Catherine Vu, owner of Proactive IT. Catherine shares her incredible journey from immigrating to Canada from Vietnam as a child to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the male-dominated tech industry. She reflects on how her early experiences shaped her resilience, her accidental start in IT, and the importance of mentorship and commun

In this episode of Early Days, Janice Krissa Moore, founder of DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen, shares her inspiring journey from working with Junior Achievement to her humanitarian efforts supporting Ukrainian newcomers. She discusses the free store model that helped thousands of Ukrainians restart their lives in Canada and the creation of DON'YA Ukraine's Kitchen, a business rooted in c

In this episode of Early Days, we sit down with Collin Prince of Prince and Associates, a wealth management expert with over 25 years of experience. Collin shares his unique journey from a small town in Saskatchewan to leading his own financial planning firm. He delves into his philosophy of simplifying financial complexities, the importance of emotional intelligence in wealth mana