Donald Physiotherapy
Fit for SABEX Business of The Year Award
Image: Sik Pics
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION
TCU PLACE YOUR PLACE TO SHIFT TCU Place has stood much quieter than normal in 2021, but it has come alive again with safe, structured and flexible offerings to help people gather safely. Virtual has served its purpose, but the focus on digital communication has left us wanting MORE. We miss those opportunities for interaction, connectedness, and spontaneous idea generation that are so much richer when they happen live. And so, we are inviting you back to live, at TCU Place, so you can help SHIFT your business forward in a monumental way. Traditionally conferences and meetings have mostly centered around information and networking, through an engaging speaker, a great presentation, or a lively workshop. All good things. But the model is shifting, and offering a unique and memorable experience is rising to the top of the objectives for live event planners and attendees.
While the past 18 months have tested our resilience and our creativity, the live events industry has emerged stronger and more agile.
Also near the top of the list is creating intentional space in your agenda for connecting. While content is important – we have many ways of acquiring content. What we need is time to have that spontaneous conversation that results in a great new idea or inspiration. TCU Place can help to shift your event set-up to inspire these natural connections with different set ups, furniture and even comfort zones that incite conversation and creation. The live event world has been lucky to have time over the past several months to shift gears. (Silver lining?) Your business has also shifted. Our team at TCU Place is your place to bring that to life – together, safely. Think about your next live gathering, and how you can shift with the team at TCU Place to bring it to life. Call our sales team at 306-975-1466 or ask a question at inquiries@ tcuplace.com. Tammy Sweeney, Chief Operating Officer, TCU Place
BOOK YOUR EVENT TODAY 306.975.1466 | inquiries@tcuplace.com www.tcuplace.com 35 22nd St E, Saskatoon SK
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair, Graham Snell, Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan 1st Vice-Chair, Colton Wiegers, Wiegers Financial & Benefits 2nd Vice-Chair, Tanis Taylor, CCA Consulting Past-Chair, Carla Browne, Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc. Todd A. Denzin, Nutrien Joseph Gill, McKercher LLP Tara McKeown, Conexus Credit Union Heather Ryan, Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL) Claire Marentette, PCL Construction Management Inc. Joel Pedersen, Fitness 2J2 Tammy Sweeney, TCU Place Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon Gabe Lafond, Luthercare Communities
STAFF
Jason Aebig, CEO Margot Orr, Director of Policy and Government Relations Terry Lawrence, Business Manager Roz Macala, Office Manager Treena Skaalid, Events Manager Henry Buitrago, Marketing and Communications Manager Pamela Kenny, Member Relations Manager Matt Morrison, Business Development Manager
PRODUCTION
Layout & Design: Henry Buitrago Contributing Writers: Véronique Loewen, Jason Aebig, Graham Snell, Margot Orr
BUSINESS VOICE is a publication of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce
Image: Sik Pics
Featured Content 4
14 Profile Stories
SABEX Remarks
Mayor Charlie Clark
YWCA North Prairie Developments Curbie Hometown Homes Nutrien Wonderhub Wanuskewin Heritage Park JNE Welding Rivercity Innovations Raj Manek Mentorship Program
5 SABEX Remarks
Hon. Don Morgan
6
Coming Events
7
Members in The News
Copyright 2021 Phone: (306) 244-2151 Email: chamber@saskatoonchamber.com Website: www.saskatoonchamber.com On Social Media: @TheChamberYXE
11 Donald Physiotherapy
Fit for SABEX Business of The Year Award
An Evening To Celebrate the 2021 SABEX Awards Recipients:
26 SABEX Awards 2021
Highlight Reel
36 Chamber Happenings 37 Totally Locally 38 Chair’s Message
Disclaimer: BUSINESS VOICE makes no warranties of any kind, written or implied, regarding the contents of this magazine and expressly disclaims any warranty regarding the accuracy or reliability of informations contain herein. The views contained in the magazine are those of the writers and advertisers: They do not necessarily reflect the view fo the Business Voice magazine and its publisher the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce.
BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 3
SABEX REMARKS
"Saskatoon Spirit" alive and growing Greetings Minister Morgan and dignitaries. To Jason and your great team at the Chamber, congratulations on organizing this event so we can gather in person. It is so great to begin to be back together in person. A special welcome to all of the nominees for the SABEX awards tonight and your supporters. This night is about you. As we gather here on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Metis, I am heartened to see that there are steps tonight that take us beyond the land recognition. I have learned about the new award being introduced tonight. Mistahi Mamîcîhîtowin – Great pride in you. The Chamber of Commerce has taken this step of having a pipe ceremony and being gifted this name. This is the work that goes beyond a land acknowledgement – relationship building, learning, exploring ways to foster new relationships, celebrating success. Thank you to the Chamber for taking these steps and showing this important leadership. Well my friends, we live in interesting times. The Chamber was founded in 1903. 118 years of bringing business and community together. Through previous pandemics, world wars, depressions, recessions, droughts. Massive city transformations. Our city has been through a lot to get here. Winter in 1906/07 was a rough year for our city. CN bought the CP rail line between Regina and Prince Albert but didn’t have enough rail cars to service it. Getting supplies into the city became difficult. There were heavy snows, cold weather, and
supplies for fuel, and food became short. At one point there were plans made to cut all of the trees along the riverbank to provide badly needed fuel to heat houses. Then on top of this, fires took out the offices of the local newspaper, and JF Cairns warehouse burned down. The community rallied on all of these fronts and worked together, according to John Archer who wrote Historic Saskatoon (1882 – 1947). “The willingness to aid friend or rival, plus a loyalty to local business firms and the drive to better the city in every way, crystallized into what has been called the “Saskatoon Spirit.” We will get through today’s challenging times.
City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark
We have all of the building blocks as a community to support tremendous growth and opportunity into the future. These SABEX awards are coming as a booster to remind us of the talent and resilience that lies in our city. To all of the businesses and organizations who have been nominated and who will be recognized, congratulations. Whether for entrepreneurship, or being a new business, supporting Saskatooning, or demonstrating COVID grit.
4 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
The lineup is stellar. And special mention to the Raj Manek Foundation being installed in the Hall of Fame as a recognition of your extraordinary work for the past 25 years fostering mentorship and entrepreneurship in our city. Thanks to Jason, the Board and the Chamber team for all of your work bringing us together and the TCU staff for your hard work to make this happen and keep us all safe in the process. Have an awesome night.
SABEX REMARKS
Saskatchewan can lead the nation Greetings Mayor Clark, dignataries, SABEX finalists and guests. The dark cloud of covid is starting to move off. Sporting cultural and recreational events are returning. Families are sharing visits, trips, meals and hugs. Borders are opening and people are excitedly packing their bags and rebooking trips and vacations. With COVID we know we are not completely out of the woods yet. We know that vaccinations are the path forward. Saskatchewan’s economy is doing incredibly well. Our manufacturing sector has increased by 53.2%. Retail is up 7.2%. Housing is amazing with an increase of 55.3%. Hotels are recovering slowly, daily and family stays are coming back. The government is making major infrastructure investments in highways, schools and health care. We are working very hard to get new private sector projects to go forward. BHP has announced it is moving ahead with its $12 billion Jansen Potash Mine. This decision marks the single largest economic investment ever made in Saskatchewan's history. The project is expected to create around 3,500 jobs annually during construction. Once in operation, the project will support over 600 direct jobs at the mine site and at the corporate office in Saskatoon. Ceres Global Ag is investing $350 million USD towards a new 1.1 million metric tonne integrated canola crush facility at Northgate. Viterra is investing in a new $2.5 million metric tonne canola processing plant, with construction beginning in early 2022 with production underway in 2024. Cargill is investing $350 million in a new 1 million metric tonne canola processing plant, with operation beginning in 2024. Richardson International will be investing in a major expansion to its canola crush facility, doubling its annual capacity to 2.2 million tonnes of canola seed annually. Red Leaf Pulp is leading a project to commercialize new technologies to produce
pulp from wheat straw, which can be used to manufacture paper and packaging products. The facility is estimated to be worth $350 million and is expected to create 110 permanent full-time jobs and 250 jobs during construction. Northern Nutrients is investing in a new $25 million sulphurenhanced urea fertilizer manufacturing facility near Saskatoon. The facility will be the first in Canada to utilize the innovative Shell Thiogro technology, a patented process to make highquality sulphur/urea prills for crop production. The company expects to hire about 30 new employees when the plant is operational. One Sky Forest Products is investing in a new Hon. Don Morgan, Q.C. Oriented Strand Board mill in Prince Albert. The $250 million mill is operations through the lease of a newly expected to create over 700 jobs in northern built 16,000 square foot facility located Saskatchewan. in Saskatoon. The facility will focus on electronics and machine assembly, sales, Paper Excellence is reopening the Prince and service. Clean Seed becomes the first Albert Pulp mill, and is expected to create company in the province to benefit from over 1,650 direct and indirect jobs, while the Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation enhancing northern and Indigenous economic Incentive (SCII) program. The first of its and labour development opportunities. kind in North America, SCII is a newgrowth tax incentive that offers eligible Carrier Forest Products is investing several corporations a reduction of the provincial million dollars to increase production at its Corporate Income Tax Rate to six per cent Big River Sawmill. for 10 consecutive years for corporations that commercialize their qualifying intellectual And, Dunkley Lumber is investing $100 property in Saskatchewan. million in an expansion to its Carrot River mill which will lead to significant growth in We will continue to do everything to continue lumber exports and create 240 new direct bringing these projects to life. It is time for and indirect jobs. Saskatchewan to lead the nation. Lastly, Clean Seed is expanding their
Thanks to you, we can do it.
BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 5
EVENTS
POWER UP! SERIES Leadership & Psychological Safety: How to create a high-performance organization
Speaker: Brett Elmgren
AXOM LEADERSHIP
Date: January 12th Time: 12pm - 1pm Via Zoom Meetings
Complimentary to Chamber Members
2022
JAN. 5
Troy Davies City Councillor Ward 4
season
FEB. 2
Brent Gudelot Alex Cruder CURBIE CARS
MAR. 2 Katrina German
Ethical Digital
Hosted by: Nadine Kanigan • Sound by: Soundlounge by Tbone • In-Person at Lucky Bastard Distillery
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @TheChamberYXE
TO STAY INFORMED OF NEW EVENTS AND DATES
FÕdjù
Free Conexus Business Accelerator webinars! To view upcoming webinars and past content visit conexuscourseregistration.net
6 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
Brought to you by
NEWSMAKERS
NEW MEMBERS Axom Leadership Inc. Providing consulting support on HR/ Talent Management strategy, leadership development programming, keynote speaking and executive coaching. 10-345 4th Ave S, Saskatoon p: (306) 250-4551 w: www.axomleadership.com Consultants – Leadership
Ehrenburg Homes Ltd. Building homes since the dark ages (1983). Experience the royal treatment. Customer focused and proud of it! Founded in 1983, Ehrenburg Homes has become one of the most reputable names in the industry, earning a reputation for producing superior homes in Saskatchewan through expert workmanship, outstanding service and premium materials.
Best Version Media Helping local business get in front of affluent homeowners in a family-friendly and community-oriented manner. A little positivity goes a long way.
1802 Ontario Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 384-1473 w: www.ehrenburg.com Home Builders / Renovations AND Contractors
Brett Elmgren
Vik Patel
602 Sherry Crt, Saskatoon p: (306) 514-0415 w: www.bestversionmedia.com Business Services Cascade Communications A 100% woman and BIPOC-owned boutique podcasting company specializing in branded podcasts for educational, commercial, and editorial clients. Farha Akhtar
54 Leddy Cres, Saskatoon p: (306) 230-1877 Communications Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Ltd. Sales and distribution of Coca-Cola products including: Coca-Cola®, Diet Coke®, Coca-Cola® Zero Sugar, CocaCola® Stevia, Sprite®, Fanta®, Barq’s®, NESTEA®, POWERADE®, DASANI®, vitaminwater®, and distribute partner brands Canada Dry®, Monster Energy®, and A&W®. Devin Baxter / Natalie Brons
315 Circle Dr E, Saskatoon p: (306) 717-3195 w: www.cokecanada.com Beverages
DO BUSINESS WITH
Conrad Her
Emco Plumbing Ltd. Plumbing wholesale and retail showroom. One of Canada’s largest integrated distributors of products for the construction industry offering products in the distinct categories of plumbing, waterworks, industrial and HVAC. We strive to satisfy the needs of our customers with a focused product assortment, transported and sold through an extensive network of Profit Centres, distribution warehouses and showrooms across Canada. Chris Matishak
3009 Millar Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 652-7474 w: www.emcoltd.com Wholesale GMG Jewellers A locally owned and operated jewellery store located in downtown Saskatoon for the past 37 years. Specializing in bridal jewellery, rings, pendants, earrings and also repairs and appraisals. Gerry Griffiths / Janet Griffiths
1-105 21st St E, Saskatoon p: (306) 665-8463 w: www.gmgjewellers.com Retail - Jewellery / Accessories
OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 2021 HomeQuarter Coffeehouse & Bakery The BEST Coffee in Saskatoon! Its always a sunny day at HomeQuarter, with its large floor to ceiling windows, fireplace, and fresh baking. Every day we will bring a smile to your face every time! Grace Whittington
110-405 Avenue B South, Saskatoon p: (306) 975-2010 w: homequartercoffeehouse.com Restaurants Homerock Painting Ltd. A commercial and residential painting company in Saskatoon with extensive experience in coordinating the proper finishes for your home or business interior and in helping you pick the perfect color. There are many benefits of painting your property's interior and Homerock has the expertise to make sure its done professionally, on time and most importantly on budget. An exterior makeover gives your property a whole new look, whether you do just paint, or a complete renovation. Fredi Celis
1110 Kolynchuk Link, Saskatoon p: (306) 203-3503 w: www.homerock.ca Construction AND Contractors J. Mendoza & Associates Canada Immigration Consulting Group and a multiawarded Canadian immigration consulting and foreign worker recruitment company, based in Saskatoon, SK. Jeric Mendoza 201 21st St E, 10th Flr, Saskatoon p: (306) 262-6936 w: www.jmendozaimmigration.com Immigration / Relocation AND Consultants JKM Strategies Inc. Your business has a purpose! Struggling to exist should not be one of them. Coaching clients to get and stay financially sound, so they can focus on WHY their business exists, rather than HOW it exists. Janet Mercredi
A CHAMBER MEMBER FIRST
p: (306) 270-6753 w: www.jkmstrategies.ca Business Development / Information Services AND Home-Based Business
BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 7
NEWSMAKERS
NEW MEMBERS Lake Life Beverage Co. Saskatoon-based, Western Canadian crafted premium vodka soda that inspires. Now available in SK. Four exciting flavours to choose from: Wave, Bonfire, Paddle, Beach.
Michelle Martel-Andre
p: 1-888-435-LAKE w: www.drinklakelife.com Beverages AND Home-Based Business M3 Exteriors Ltd. We are your Saskatoon and surrounding area residential exterior experts. We specialize in Hardie and vinyl siding, soffit/fascia, eavestroughs, and stone. Brad Morrison / Mandy Morrison
Site 600 Comp 199 RR 6, Saskatoon p: (306) 229-7310 Construction March's Fire Safety Ltd. Extinguisher sales and service. Darren March
939 Kolynchuk Bend, Saskatoon p: (306) 750-8874 Contractors North Prairie Developments Our team of innovative design and construction professionals ensure superior craftsmanship, excellence in building, and a commitment to excellent customer service. We hold the values of trust, honesty, integrity and family dear. We value the competence, work ethic and attitude of our employees and provide them with opportunities for personal growth and development. Finally, we value creativity and innovation as part of our ongoing commitment to providing quality affordable homes! Angela Williams / Teagen Williams
100-319 Wellman Lane, Saskatoon p: (306) 931-2880 w: www.northprairiehomes.com Home Builders / Renovations AND Construction
Pitchfork Market + Kitchen Providing a more wholesome shopping experience with a full grocery selection and real Chef inspired creations in our Kitchen. Chris Brychun
30-3020 Meadows Pky, Saskatoon p: (306) 986-5886 w: www.pitchforkmarket.ca Food Stores AND Restaurants
Prime Equine Helping the average horse owner become exceptional. Offering boutique boarding, premium retail sales, horse health education.
Adelle Stewart
Site 504 Comp 28 RR5 Stn Main, Saskatoon p: (306) 229-9772 w: www.primeequine.ca Veterinarians / Animal Services Pristine Car Wash Inc. Saskatoon’s ultimate car wash offers both touchless and soft-touch wash automation or 12 self-serve bays with the most extensive wash menu in Saskatoon. Trevor Reid 2558 Dawes Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 931-9274 w: www.pristine-carwash.ca Automobile - Other Vehicle Services Sabtronics Telecommunications Corporation A telecommunications contractor that operates throughout Saskatchewan. Matt Hooper
400 Avenue A S, Saskatoon p: (306) 370-3395 w: www.sabtronics.ca Technology AND Telecommunications / Wireless Sandler Training Saskatchewan A world leader in innovative sales, leadership, and management training. For more than 50 years, Sandler has taught its distinctive, nontraditional system. Blaine Arnold
OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 2021 Sandra Kary
619 20th St W, Saskatoon p: (306) 242-5122 w: www.friendshipinn.ca Non-Profit Organizations SCAT Street Cat Rescue Program A charitable organization established in 1996 to rescue homeless cats and kittens off the streets of Saskatoon and surrounding areas. Colin Wilson
108-2750 Faithfull Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 955-7228 w: www.streetcat.ca Non-Profit Organizations Speech Language Network Ltd. A team of speech language therapists and occupational therapists who are passionate about learning, communication, and full engagement in daily life activities. Kara Broks
110-410 Jessop Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 933-3222 w: www.thesln.com Health Care - Services / Supplies AND Education / Training The Prairie Grazer Food Company Saskatoon's original artisan box company, creating unique charcuterie experiences through hand-crafted artisan boxes featuring local products and ingredients. Meghan Hawkins
5-3801 Millar Ave, Saskatoon p: (306) 700-3117 w: prairiegrazer.ca Caterers / Food Services
141 Greenbryre Cres N, Corman Park p: (306) 222-8998 w: www.sandler.com Consultants - Employment / Training
Trini Weld Specs Ltd. Providing welding services of all welding processes in different materials or alloys, contracted by hand or with welding rig.
Saskatoon Friendship Inn Without proper nutrition, people living in poverty experience high levels of illness and stress. Hunger negatively affects every aspect of daily life in ways that are difficult to understand by those who have not experienced this challenge. By responding with two nutritious meals, 365 days of the year, the Inn empowers youth and adults to bridge the gap between cheques and better manage other daily issues. Serving the needs of vulnerable, marginalized people strengthens our community.
11 Agar Pl, Saskatoon p: (306) 717-2696 Construction
8 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
Curtis Bertrand
Vinnang Freight Carriers Flatbed transportation company providing service across Canada and USA. Brandi Schumaker
510 Ledingham Dr, Saskatoon p: (306) 280-3100 Transportation Industry
NEWSMAKERS
MEMBER RENEWALS 101065586 Saskatchewan Ltd. 101078600 Sask Ltd. 14North Construction Ltd. 2 Web Design Inc. 614225 Saskatchewan Ltd. ABE Quality Consulting Ltd. Action Office AlSask Property Contract Services Ltd. Archwest Tools Ltd. Assante Capital Management Ltd. Assante Wealth Management - Briske Financial Group Assemblée Communautaire Fransaskoise Athabasca Basin Security LP Australian Sheepskin Apparel Avenue Restaurant Inc. Biggsy Enterprises Inc. Blue Moose Media BNT Sales Agency Ltd. Board Dynamics Booth Burnett Insurance Ltd. Boyes Group Realty Inc. Bridges Health Canadian Brewhouse (Mcclocklin Rd) Canadian Linen and Uniform Service Canadian National Canadian Tire Associate Store Caron Transportation Systems Choice Payment Solutions Circle Dr & 8th Street Dental City of Saskatoon - City Manager's Office Comfort Suites Saskatoon Commerce Holdings Limited CRG Strategies CyberVision Inc. Ddiy Property Maintenance & Renos Ltd. Definitely You Spa Inc. Della's Music House Don Morgan Downtown Saskatoon Dr. Leslie Macaskill Medical Prof. Corp. Dr. M. Gurgul Podiatrist Prof. Corp. Early's Farm & Garden Centre EJS Equipment Services Electronic Products Recycling Association Saskatchewan Elim Church Ellen's Whole Body Health Ltd. Excelsior Mechanical Inc. F5 Holdings Ltd. Fab Tech Welding Inc. Firesign Holdings Corp. Furbaby Pet Care Inc.
Furniture World, Bridge City Ltd. Gall Law Office Greenlight Truck & Auto GT Glass Ltd. Henry Moulin & Associates Hnatyshyn Gough Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites ImageWorx Auto Impact Diesel Performance Inc. Ingredion Plant Based Protein Specialties (Canada), Inc. Interlink Research Inc. International Road Dynamics J & S Picture Frame Warehouse J.O.B. Heating & Air Conditioning (2011) Inc. Jamaica Food Basket Jennifer Kotko Karnalyte Resources Inc. Keepsake Keto Candies & Chocolates Kinnaird Bagpipes & Reeds Inc. Lane Mechanical Inc. Laser Impressions Inc. Living Skies Cannabis LutherCare Communities Mac & Sons Plumbing & Heating Mackie Physiotherapy MacMat Education Services Martensville Plumbing & Heating Ltd. Michael Rogalski Mid-West Group of Companies North Country Customs Nu-Fab Building Products - Kitchen Craft Cabinetry O'Reilly Insurance and Financial Services - The Cooperators Oakville Investment Properties Outtabounds Parr Auto Body Paul Davis of Saskatoon Peace Hills Trust Company Pembrook Capital Advisors Inc. Pinnacle Distribution Saskatoon PINTER & Associates Ltd. Prairie River Cruises Ltd. Professional Computer Services Provincial Car Service Queen Street Pharmacy Quorex Construction Services Ltd. Riverside Country Club Rock Creek Woodsmoke Grill & Bar Royal University Hospital Foundation Inc. Sabtronic Systems Inc.
MAY TO SEPTEMBER 2021
Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association Saskatchewan Pension Plan Saskatchewan Research Council Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership Saskatoon Cabinet Office Saskatoon Community Foundation Saskatoon Fire Protection (1983) Ltd. Saskatoon Import Auto Service Saskatoon Media Group Saskatoon Public Library Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre Saskatoon Sexual Health Centre Saskatoon Soccer Centre Inc. Saskatoon Tribal Council Scirulìn Site Services Ltd. Sheri Willick, REALTOR® Sherwood Chevrolet Inc. Sik Pics Productions Stephen H. Walker Stor-All Mini Storage LLP Sugar Spa YXE Synergy Sales Inc. The Barrister Group The Keg Steakhouse & Bar The Mosaic Company The Neighbourhood Church The Print Baron The Rent-It Store The Saskatoon Colostrum Company Ltd. Thomson Jaspar & Associates TownePlace Suites Saskatoon by Marriott TPK Management Consulting Inc. Tri-Star Transport U of S - President's Office unINK Internet Marketing Corp. University of Regina - University Advancement & Communications Valerin Technologies Ltd. VB Strategic Planning Solutions Vendasta W.D. Plastics Ltd. Wallace Klypak Architects Ltd. Wanuskewin Heritage Park Wells Interiors Inc. Wiegers Financial & Benefits Wurtz Industries Ltd. YasTech Developments Inc.
BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 9
Congratulations!
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR Sponsored by
TO THE 2021 WINNERS:
SAFETY CULTURE
Sponsored by
COVID GRIT
Sponsored by
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT Sponsored by
WELDING
COMMUNITY IMPACT Sponsored by
MISTAHI MAMÎCÎHÎTOWIN Sponsored by
NEW BUSINESS VENTURE Sponsored by
SASKATOONING Sponsored by
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTING PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR MEDIA PARTNERS
10 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Sponsored by
HALL OF FAME Sponsored by
COVE R STORY
Donald Physiotherapy Fit for SABEX Business of the Year Award Being recognized as the SABEX Business of the Year is no small feat. It takes planning, excellence in operations, strategic execution and a commitment to continuous improvement. The SABEX Business of the Year is truly one that has set the highest standards, achieved success, enhanced the Saskatoon business landscape and contributed to the wellbeing of the community as a whole. This year, Donald Physiotherapy is that business. BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 11
Image: Sik Pics
By Véronique Loewen
Image: Sik Pics
COVE R STORY
Being recognized as the SABEX Business of the Year is no small feat. It takes planning, excellence in operations, strategic execution and a commitment to continuous improvement. The SABEX Business of the Year is truly one that has set the highest standards, achieved success, enhanced the Saskatoon business landscape and contributed to the wellbeing of the community as a whole. This year, Donald Physiotherapy is that business. From the start of their business seven years ago, Trevor and Michelle Donald have focused on excellence, the key to improving their patients’ quality of life. Starting small as a one man show with Trevor running a clinic independently as the sole physiotherapist, administrator, financial officer and marketing manager, they have grown steadily into a two-location business – in Saskatoon and Davidson - with thirteen employees. So, what’s the secret of their amazing success in such a short span? As they tell their clients when talking about injury recovery “it is linked to finding your ‘why’ and striving to achieve it through hard work. There are no shortcuts, there are no cheats or hacks.” There is demanding work and a commitment to safety, service, community investment, Indigenous relations, growth and entrepreneurial spirit. Committed to Safety Donald Physiotherapy’s Client Life Cycle approach is all about safety. It means that at every touchpoint with the client, from the very first phone call, through the assessment and the treatments, they make sure that their safety and wellbeing is the focus. “For us, both staff and clients are family. It’s not just a term that we use lightly, it is a sentiment that guides how we treat each other and everyone. We demonstrate it through everything we do to promote and deliver family-oriented wellness programs for greater prevention of illness and medical issues in the very young and old,” says Michelle Donald, owner and physiotherapist.
Trevor and Michelle also demonstrate their focus on the safety of their employees through initiatives such as the weekly availability of healthy snack options in their lunchroom, the offer of regular mental health seminars and a multifaceted wellness program, and an Employee and Family Assistance Program. Further, the ergonomics in their clinics benefit not only their clinicians but also the patients. For example, the high-low adjustable treatment beds with foot pedal adjustments allow the patients to access the bed with ease and prevents awkward positioning of the therapists while treating the clients. It is thanks to these types of measures that, to date, Donald Physiotherapy can boast never having any lost time due to a workplace injury. Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the need and type of safety measures. In hindsight, Trevor Donald sees many of these measures as progress for staff and clients safety. Aside from forcing some physical changes to their workplace, such as new PPE and sanitizing requirements, installing plexiglass shields and reorganizing client flow through the clinic, it sped up the expansion of their use of technology. “We increased our use of virtual platforms for client assessments and treatment during the lockdown and since the reopening of our facilities, we have continued to offer high quality patient care remotely,” says Michelle. “We have been able to engage with clients far outside of the brick-and-mortar reach of our clinics.” Committed to Service, Community and Indigenous Relations Donald Physiotherapy’s services start with their Client Life Cycle approach. Their patient experience coordinator guides the patients’ journey. The physiotherapists assess clients and work with them to determine their “why,” or simply put the results they hope to achieve, and design a plan to educate and treat them. Whether their clients come for physiotherapy, pelvic floor physiotherapy, acupuncture, dry needling, strength and conditioning services or for a fitting
12 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
COVE R STORY
Donald Physiotherapy helps patients recover from accidents or sport and everyday injuries. They also help them address back, shoulder and jaw pain, manage arthritis and osteoporosis and even pregnancy care. Regardless of the type of service they provide, their commitment to helping patients does not stop at the doors of their clinics. Trevor, Michelle and their team offer a variety of free online seminars available for everyone to attend live virtually or watch later on their website or social media platforms. Their free online educational workshops and YouTube exercise videos promoting physical activity for children and seniors have had a resounding success, so much so that Shaw Cable TV approached them to air their videos on its channel. Their Polar Bear Walking Club consists of weekly walks led by a physiotherapist on local trails while providing tips and advice such as the benefits of Nordic Pole walking. And Donald Physiotherapy’s “Coffee With a Physio” is a free 15-minute Zoom call with one of their physiotherapists to discuss an area of concern and determine whether physiotherapy might be appropriate for the individual. Michelle also explains that “the shift to virtual assessment and therapy opportunities has allowed us to become a provider of physiotherapy services to remote northern Saskatchewan Indigenous communities, where distance and costly travel are often a barrier to care. Now our clinicians can get a clear understanding of the living environment of their northern clients, which allows them to better incorporate their treatment within the context of their communities and traditions.” Beyond their extracurricular community engagement programs, they also invest in community organizations campaigns and programs such as the C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research and the Raj Manek mentorship program. “Trevor and I were protégés in the Raj Manek program and have benefited greatly from the mentorship we received. So, I was honoured to be asked to become a mentor this year and truly happy to pay it forward by helping someone else grow their business in Saskatoon,” says Michelle.
Michelle Donald, Owner and Physiotherapist Donald Physiotherapy
Committed to Growth and Entrepreneurial Spirit Like most business owners, Trevor and Michelle spent many days wondering how the business would fare in the early days of the pandemic when the first shutdown limited revenues. Their adaptability, innovations and ability to quickly implement virtual services and increase their free educational programs paid off as their accelerated growth continued despite the pandemic. The increased demand for physiotherapy services in 2021 has resulted in a 40% combined increase in clinicians and administrative staff and a projected 28% increase in revenue compared to 2020 and 2019. “This growth in staff means that we need about 75% more clinical space in the coming months,” says Trevor. Michelle and Trevor haven’t quite decided yet whether they will expand their existing space or create a second clinical space in Saskatoon, but they are clear on one thing, they are determined to continue to grow and contribute to their local and provincial economies. Trevor says, “We are doing our best to contribute to job creation in Saskatoon and at our satellite location in Davidson. We also make every effort possible to purchase the additional equipment and supplies we need through local Saskatchewan businesses.” Donald Physiotherapy’s focus on customer service, community support and operational excellence truly exemplifies what it takes to become the 2021 SABEX Business of The Year. “We are truly grateful for the recognition of our efforts by the business community. It is truly a testament to the dedication of our staff and our continued desire to put our clients and the community first as we innovate to provide the utmost care and support whether in person, in our clinics, or online,” concludes Michelle. www.donaldphysiotherapy.com
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We increased our use of virtual platforms for client assessments and treatment during the lockdown and since the reopening of our facilities, we have continued to offer high quality patient care remotely. We have been able to engage with clients far outside of the brick-and-mortar reach of our clinics.
Donald Physiotherapy’s team does not limit its commitment to working with children to their online presence and in-clinic patients. It extends to assisting with health and wellness initiatives at local schools such as the Stonebridge, St. Kateri and Chief Whitecap Elementary schools. “Our involvement with these schools is definitely not a one-way street; in the process, we learn about the history of the Whitecap territory, Indigenous traditions and culture and novel approaches to create space and respectful relationships with Indigenous clients and community members,” remarks Michelle.
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and purchase of compression socks, their focus is on providing a unique experience through which the clients can regain or enhance their health and wellness. And they also offer educational seminars for employers interested in identifying injury risks, patterns and develop effective preventative approaches.
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PROFILE
An Evening To Celebrate The 2021 SABEX Awards Recipients By Véronique Loewen The past year was a year of uncertainty and changes for many in the community. It was also a year of opportunity and growth for some. And for others, it was a year to rise above challenges and seize the occasion to shine. Some contributed to the community’s well-being as non-profit organizations. Others fueled the socioeconomic growth of the city by providing jobs, goods and services as businesses. Some were new, others were long-standing, yet they all shared their knowledge, experience and expertise. Regardless of their status, they never gave up, came together and generated successes in their own way. The organizations featured in the following pages exemplify high performance, excellence and great achievement. These organizations are Saskatoon’s 2021 SABEX Awards recipients. This fall, thanks to our sponsors, supporters and friends, we were thrilled to celebrate them in person.
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PROFILE
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The YWCA: 111 Years of Community Impact
Established in 1910 to ensure that women, girls and their families are empowered in a safe, equitable community, the YWCA Saskatoon is celebrated as the 2021 recipient of the Community Impact SABEX Award. Although conditions have improved for women, the YWCA Saskatoon’s role is still relevant. The facts are that in Canada: • Every 6 days, a woman is killed by her intimate partner. • Women are 10 times more likely than men to be victims of sexual assault and 553,000 women reported sexual assaults last year. • Women earn on average 75 cents for every $1 men make, with similar experience, socio-economic and demographic background. • Just 8.5% of the highest-paid positions in Top 100 companies are held by women, although 56% of postsecondary graduates are female. In addition to its core programs like the Crisis Shelter, which served
321 women in 2020, the YWCA Saskatoon is also focused on its Turning Points program. “Turning Points is a long-term housing program that helps women ready to make change and start their healing journey by providing continuous support and a safe place to call home,” explains Carla Delgado, Director of Development & Engagement at YWCA Saskatoon. “These women are struggling with addictions, mental health issues and have often been victims of violence, trauma and abuse. Our dedicated counsellors work with them to create stabilization and healing plans. They teach them self-care strategies, life skills, and connect them to other supports or opportunities.” The program has an 83% success rate with participants securing longterm housing and overcoming addictions. Almost 40% of the women work full-time and 8% are pursing post-secondary education. And 70% of mothers, whose children were in care, are reunited with them or gained access visits. The impact of Turning Points on the lives of these women is profound. The impact of the YWCA Saskatoon on the community cannot be understated. www.ywcasaskatoon.com
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PROFILE
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North Prairie Developments Invest in the Community
The 2021 Community Investment SABEX Award goes to Saskatchewan’s well-known homebuilder, North Prairie Developments. Having built over 3,500 single and multifamily homes, North Prairie Developments has made it its mission to also contribute philanthropically throughout Saskatchewan. Over the years, North Prairie Development has supported community projects and organizations, such as the Gordie Howe Sport Complex, Oxford House Saskatchewan, Nutrien Wonderhub Children’s Discovery Museum, Merlis Belsher Place, Remai Modern, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Ronald McDonald House, Read Saskatoon, and all four hospital foundations in Saskatoon. In 2020, North Prairie Developments and its affiliate Canwest Commercial and Land Corp. made their single largest community contribution. They announced a $3 million land donation for the construction of the Martensville multipurpose recreation facility. “North Prairie has built many homes and condos throughout Martensville and also developed some large
land developments, including McCormak Ranch, Black Iron Crossing and Sunset Ridge sub-divisions. It is important to us to support the city and the people who supported us,” says John Williams, founder and partner of North Prairie Developments. “Surrounding area recreational facilities are over booked and Martinsville residents have to travel quite far to access sports and events facilities. We are proud to be involved in a project that will give the residents a place to go to close to home.” The past twelve years, North Prairie Development has also donated 1,990 turkeys and 2,257 hams to the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. “We raise money from our employees, subtrades and business associates and match their donations. With the funds raised we purchase turkeys and hams to add a little extra cheer to the Holiday Season for people in need,” explains John. Whether the company is contributing to the creation of affordable housing and shelter, health and wellness programs, sports and recreation amenities, education and literacy initiatives or arts and culture facilities, or simply encouraging employees to volunteer, North Prairie Developments’ commitment to community investment has definitely earned the recognition as 2021 Community Investment SABEX Award recipient. www.northprairiehomes.com
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PROFILE
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Curbie Demonstrates it's Grit in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic
When Alex Cruder and Brent Gudelot launched Curbie Cars in late 2017, their goal was to offer a customeroriented process to purchase a preowned vehicle online. With their proprietary advanced pricing and inventory management digital technology, they provide a transparent all-in price, a sevenday test-own period, a money-back guarantee, a free three-month (10,000km) warranty, a 240-point inspection on all vehicles, and a contactless service with free home or office delivery. They make shopping for a pre-owned vehicle as easy as shopping for music, clothes and meals. No need to spend valuable time in a dealership speaking with a salesperson or agonizing over price negotiations. They knew they were onto something good as they watched the rise of online purchasing, but they couldn’t have predicted what would happen just three years later.
Fast forward to March 2020, the world shuts down with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and Curbie’s sales dried up overnight. But the drought didn’t last long. They had what other Saskatchewan vehicle retailers didn’t - people could purchase their vehicles entirely online – contactless. “Although vehicle inventory issues also affected the used vehicle market, we quickly developed new connections across the country and hired vehicle purchasing specialists to ensure we would have a steady supply of vehicles,” says Alex Cruder, Co-founder and CEO at Curbie. Their focus on the digital customer experience before, during and after purchase, and on quality vehicles, earned them a 95% increase in sales in 2020. They expanded into the Alberta and Manitoba markets next and grew from fourteen people to 43 today. With over 500 happy customers and vehicles sold, and a growth forecast of 300%, they expect to expand into new markets across North America in 2022. That’s fortitude, deserving of a COVID-19 Grit SABEX Award. www.curbie.ca
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Hometown Homes a SABEX Award Winning New Business Venture
What do you get when you put a meticulous electrician and a people and process specialist together? You f ind yourself dealing with the SABEX award winning dynamic duo, Kurt and Rodelle Genoway, owners of Hometown Homes.
provide their clients with a personable approach, transparency in their streamlined processes and pricing, and plenty of creativity in their design. They also built a team of subcontractors that shared their values of attention to detail and artisanship, relationship building with clients and brought some fun to their projects. “We found our passion. Each workday is fun and meaningful, no matter what kind of issues arise. We truly enjoy curating a rewarding experience for our clients,” says Rodelle.
When Kurt, a journeyperson electrician, and Rodelle, a business coach and human resources consultant, launched Hometown Homes, in early 2020, they had no idea that a pandemic was right around the corner. The impact of the pandemic didn’t stop them. They had a vision for their new home building company: to put the hometown feel back into dealing with a contractor.
Setting themselves apart, they invested in technology to offer their clients the ability to view their home’s creative design in a realistic 3D model, which also allows them to see how design and style changes affect their total cost at any given point. “We have invested heavily in technology. It’s currently overkill for a business our size, but we wanted to set things up right the first time in order to be able to scale up Hometown Homes quickly,” explains Rodelle. That’s exactly the forward-looking thinking that made Hometown Homes the 2021 New Business Venture SABEX Award recipient.
To achieve their vision, Kurt and Rodelle, felt it was important to
www.hometownelectric.ca
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PROFILE
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Saskatooning Made Perfect at the Nutrien Wonderhub
If you’re looking for a family-friendly location to experience year-round the unique vibe, welcoming spirit and go-forward attitude that Saskatoon offers or “Saskatooning” as everyone calls it, look no further, the Nutrien Wonderhub is where you must go. It is also the recipient of the 2021 Saskatooning SABEX Award. Wonderhub is Saskatchewan’s only children’s discovery museum, offering an exceptional experience for children under twelve and their adults. There, children are free to lead their adults and friends through the exhibits at their own pace, letting their curiosity guide them. The Wonderhub team members provide visitors, young and young-at-heart, with an engaging experience that reflects the cultural diversity of the community. Wonderhub is the perfect place for tourists and Saskatoon residents
to spend time connecting with their children through play, where adults bring back their inner child, and where every child has the opportunity to learn while having fun and making new friends. Its diverse exhibits include the Toon Town city scape that lets kids become business owners, builders and performers, the Cosmic Commotion a crocheted masterpiece of swings, tunnels and nets to climb, and the Discovery Mine exhibit to explore a miniature potash mine, among many other activities. “Our Wonder for All program allows us to offer opportunities such as free admission days, low sensory days, and immune compromised visits. We also take our programming outside in every corner of the city to bring fun learning experiences wherever children are in the community. And to contribute to building a positive and welcoming community for all, we partner with other family attractions and events in the city, like Wanuskewin, Western Development Museum, Saskatoon Zoo, and the Children’s Festival,” says Amanda McReynolds Doran, Wonderhub CEO. Truly, Wonderhub demonstrates its Saskatooning spirit for all within its walls and beyond. Experience this Saskatooning attraction at www.wonderhub.ca
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PROFILE
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"Great Pride in You" Wanuskewin Heritage Park
2021 marked the inaugural edition of the Mistahi Mamîchîtowin SABEX Award, which means Great Pride in You, in Cree and recognizes a Saskatoon organization that is working to foster good relations with Indigenous people in our community and promote economic reconciliation. Wanuskewin Heritage Park was a natural fit to be the first recipient of this award.
erase stereotypes and fostering appreciation,” says Darlene Brander, Chief Executive Officer of Wanuskewin
A national heritage site that celebrates the cultures of northern plains Indigenous peoples, Wanuskewin sits on a land that has been a gathering place for over 6,400 years and is the site of the longest running archaeological dig in Canadian history. It is also on the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation tentative list. “Since opening in 1992, we have created an unprecedented model for reconciliation in Canada. We welcome over 40,000 school children each year and another 25,000 visitors (pre-pandemic), raising awareness, helping
Expanding its reach, during the pandemic, Wanuskewin created a video subscription service featuring their cultural programs and tours and sold it to most of the school divisions in Saskatchewan. Now, the service is also selling in Alberta, Manitoba and the United States. As Wanuskewin prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2022, it continues to exemplify the spirit of Mistahi Mamîchîtowin.
Hosting Indigenous culture learning events for schools, businesses and non-profits alike, such as with the University of Saskatchewan, Walmart Canada and the Saskatchewan Rattlers, Wanuskewin helps foster connections. With a focus on residential school trauma and the TRC Calls to Action, Wanuskewin also works with organizations that assist Indigenous people in their road to healing and wellness, such as Str8 Up, Métis Addictions Counselling Services and Prairie Harm Reduction. And its gift shop and restaurant offer mentorship, promotion and business opportunities for their Indigenous artisans and traditional ingredients suppliers, such as NWC Wild Rice, Boreal Heartland and Askiy Garden. “We feel strongly that as an established Indigenous owned and operated that it is our role to help bring in the next generation of entrepreneurs,” says Darlene.
Discover www.wanuskewin.com
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PROFILE
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JNE Welding Safety Across the Organization
Fostering a strong safety culture through training, development and continuous improvement is not just vital to the success and performance of JNE Welding, it is part of its DNA. One of Saskatchewan’s largest fullservice engineer-to-order steel fabricator, the Indigenous owned organization has welded safety in every part of its operations f rom project estimating, to employee onboarding and product delivery. “At JNE, one of our core values is compassion. It means that safety culture runs deeper than having the proper PPE and safe work practices. It’s about supporting employees, including their mental health, within JNE’s walls and outside, so employees can commit themselves to safety every day. It’s a philosophy of positive reinforcement,” explains
Shallyn Nowakowski, JNE Welding’s Administrative Specialist. JNE supports its philosophy with a robust safety management system, which includes potential hazards identification for every task, weekly toolbox meetings to discuss safety initiatives, near miss incidents and various safety topics, and monthly “Shop Talks” led by JNE’s CEO, Adam Logue, to share best practices as well as recognize employees’ career and safety milestones and celebrate exemplary safety behaviour. Open communication and a proactive approach are at the core of JNE’s safety culture. They use several tools, such as CorePoint, to immediately record and share safety incidents and near misses to prevent reoccurrence. They encourage employees to speak up about potential safety issues and hold each other accountable. “We have also adopted a behavioural based safety reporting system. It allows us to recognize positive behaviours and increase overall safety awareness by establishing a positive environment, while preventing complacency in safety,” adds Shallyn. With 134 employees boasting an average tenure of 9.80 years and achieving an average of 9.12 years with zero lost time incidents throughout its 41-year history, JNE standard of safety excellence deserved the 2021 SABEX Safety Culture Award. www.jnewelding.com
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PROFILE
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Rivercity Innovations, a Hat-Trick in Entrepreneurship
When Jeff Shirley launched Rivercity Technology Services in 2015 and quickly followed with the launch of Blue Heron Gardens and Rivercity Innovations in 2018, he didn’t realize that he was about to achieve an entrepreneurship hat-trick that would garner his newest venture the 2021 Entrepreneurship SABEX Award.
to great mentors and support systems like the BDC, Innovation Saskatchewan and Co-Labs, we continue to grow,” says Jeff.
Rivercity Innovations was born out of Jeff ’s thirty years of IT experience and his passion for apiary, with the creation of a successful product to protect beehives. For Jeff and his wife, Julie, growing three businesses at once came with sacrifices, including downsizing their home to create cashflow and financial stability at the beginning, when banks weren’t forthcoming. “We even borrowed from the ‘bank of mom and dad’ to make payroll a few times, but we persevered. And thanks
To say that Jeff and the team at Rivercity Innovations have courage and conviction to build a successful business and that they embody the enterprising spirit of Saskatoon is an understatement. They are true risk-takers, innovators, creators, well deserving of the Entrepreneurship Award.
Jeff has big plans for Rivercity Innovations to become a world class leader in IoT (Internet of Things) sensor solutions and he is already well on his way. From its initial BeeSecure solution, as a LoRa (low-power wide-area modulation) technology specialist, Rivercity Innovations is now scaling into diverse markets across Canada such as the pharmacy and grocery businesses with a focus on cold-chain monitoring. The company is also growing the distribution of its proprietary GPS sensors for bikes and pets. As part of its expansion, it has secured a key partner in France and is also spreading into other parts of Europe. Jeff adds, “we offer made-in Saskatchewan products country-wide and internationally, thanks to our great team of home-grown graduates.”
www.rivercityinnovations.ca
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PROFILE
Raj Manek Mentorship Program Inducted into the SABEX Hall of Fame such as the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce for referral of their members to participate as mentors and protégés. The Program also works with the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce, the Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce, the NSBA and WESK.
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“Mentorship was at the core of Raj’s beliefs and values. Rather than starting a business of his own, he saw business mentorship as an opportunity to ‘celebrate the success of many rather that just one.’ Raj took the greatest fulfillment from this, and he would be so pleased to see this spirit continue through the business community,” explains Kanchan Manek, Secretary of the Board of the Raj Manek Mentorship Program.
The 2021 Hall of Fame inductee is not a business in the true sense of the word, yet it is an organization that has contributed greatly to the growth of the local and provincial economies and the lives of almost 550 business people and entrepreneurs. This year, the Raj Manek Mentorship Program celebrated its 25th anniversary and entered the SABEX Hall of Fame. The Raj Manek Mentorship Program started in memoriam of the late Raj Manek by his family. Raj emigrated from his native Kenya to Inuvik, Canada in 1974 and quickly relocated to Yellowknife, NWT, before settling in Saskatoon in 1979, where he became a prominent member of the business community until his passing in 1996. Raj served as a mentor to countless business students and entrepreneurs. He helped foster strong business relationships between Saskatchewan based companies, the University of Saskatchewan and foreign jurisdictions such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. He had a gift for facilitating business development. The establishment of the Raj Manek Mentorship Program was a natural succession to build on his legacy. A leading provider of business coaching, mentorship and related educational and training tools for small and medium-sized businesses and their entrepreneurs, the Raj Manek Mentorship Program is fully run by volunteers. Aside from the hundreds of mentors who donate their time and experience to foster growth and prosperity amongst young entrepreneurs, the program has partnered with organizations
Although the focus is truly on creating opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to connect with experienced business owners and professionals and also network with their peers, the Raj Manek Program also offers an extensive collection of resources accessible to all on its website. From accounting guides to human resources best practices, information technology toolkits, marketing tools and strategic planning insight, the vast array or resources available gratuitously, along with direct contacts to experts in these fields is another benefit of the program for the members and the broad business community. In addition, the Program facilitates peer-topeer mentoring for participants in the Program. “From the inception of our Mentorship Program, we believed 25 years ago that businesses build great communities. Saskatchewan has proven that to be very true over the years. We have been the benefactors of this great Saskatchewan business community that is never ending in its support, with the participation of our sponsors, board members, mentors, other volunteers and our protégés now coming back to the program to pay it forward,” said Raj Manek, Jr., Chairman of the Board. Over the past 25 years, the Raj Manek Program, has become a pillar in the business community. Beyond commemorating its namesake, it is truly a testament to the dedication of Raj’s family, his widow, Kanchan, and their children, Raj Jr. and Sona, who have devoted countless hours to make it the success it is today. With program offerings across Saskatchewan and Alberta they have contributed to the growth of the business community and economy and to the prosperity of hundreds of business owners. The Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to recognize the Raj Manek Program’s contributions through its induction in the SABEX Hall of Fame. “My father often said, ‘In Saskatchewan we measure the temperature by the warmth of the people.’ The 2021 SABEX Hall of Fame induction of the Mentorship Program is a recognition of the warmth that he spoke of. The success of the Foundation is thanks to the eagerness of the business community to come together in support of the next generation of entrepreneurs. We are so honoured to be receiving this prestigious distinction,” concluded Sona Manek. To get involved please visit www.manekmentorship.com
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PRO MOTIONAL FEATURE
The Honeycomb Model by Mouneeb Shahid, CEO of 2Web.ca Over a decade ago, in 2011, a group of Canadian professors devised a model to review the effectiveness of social media. The goal was to identify the reasons for engagement on social media platforms. The research conducted by Jan Kietzmann, Kristopher Hermkens and Ian McCarthy helped develop the "Honeycomb model," named after the formation of its diagram shape that comprises the building blocks. Since its inception, the Honeycomb model has provided a framework to build the foundation of many social media campaigns we see today. The seven blocks that make up the framework are as follows: Identity – The extent to which users reveal themselves. Conversations – The extent to which users communicate with each other. Sharing – The extent to which users exchange, distribute and receive content. Presence – The extent to which users know if other users are available. Relationships – The extent to which users relate to each other. Reputation – The extent to which users know the social standing of others and content. Groups – The extent to which users can form communities and subcommunities. You can use some or all of these seven blocks based on your marketing goals. The metrics gathered will help you understand what your audience is paying attention to within your social media ecosystem. Start by picturing, "How do you want your audience to engage with your brand content?". The framework is a model to ignite conversations, each of a different type, based on the building block you focus on. Let us dwell deeper into each of the blocks.
Identity: With a click of a button or a swipe, we compromise our privacy for convenience. To protect privacy, we have guidelines and legislation that enforce marketers to prevent abuse of user data. To gain confidence from your audience, you have to balance protecting their privacy and allow minimal sharing of identities between platforms. Accurate and up-to-date data is like gold to data-driving online apps. Your audience's information about their identity is crucial when conducting social media marketing campaigns. Platforms like Facebook (or Meta) allow advertisers to leverage identity traits and behavioural insights for promotional purposes. Conversations: Interactivity is a vital part of social media. We wouldn't have "duck faces," and Donald Trump would not have become president without it. Understand and evaluate how your audience is conversing on each platform and to what extent the engagements reach. Each social media platform has its own agenda, and by making use of timely and customized content, you can benefit with greater attention. By utilizing social media listening tools, you can track trends and get conversational insights that can help you better shape content for your target audience (Optimize.net is a good source) Sharing: The universal rule that applies to all major social media platforms is: Shared content scores higher in social media algorithms (the learning brains of apps). Endorsement of content requires users to put their reputation on the line to share their voice and be heard. There is a lot at stake when sharing. Not only do you have to have a compelling reason to do so, but it also shapes your digital identity over time. Brands that go deep and develop a powerful meaning to their customers can become highly conversational and shareable.
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Presence: Real-time, live feeds, instant updates and direct message notifications are examples of promoting a user's presence. It is the reason why Google acquired YouTube in its time, and Facebook acquired Instagram. These platforms enabled "presence" by putting the spotlight on the user. Today, Tiktok is the fastest growing platform because it takes presence and spotlight to a new level. A good rule of thumb is to go where your audience is getting the highest level of dopamine hit (in a good way). Relationships: We form a relationship when we have something in common to share, explore and believe. Understand how your audience connects, what values they share, and how your brand value can resonate with theirs? Reputation: People like to be associated with those that have a good reputation. Building your reputation is crucial for extending your brand on social media. It can be a competitive advantage, especially when the medium of transaction or interaction is online because that is what your audience has to go. Groups: Communities can consolidate all the blocks of the Honeycomb model. Engaged users in communities can become brand evangelists that are a force to be reckoned with. It can take a lot to start, grow and scale a community, and it can also be the most potent part of your social media marketing strategy if done right. To learn more about tools and apps, you can use to supplement each block of the Honeycomb Model, visit our blog at www.2web.ca
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CHAMBER HAPPENINGS
Chamber Happenings Power Up Series - Jolene Watson The Chamber hosted a member exclusive networking skills session on creating connections amidst the pandemic. This Zoom event was presented by Jolene Watson from Clarity Coaching and Development. State of the Province with Premier Scott Moe The Premier addressed Saskatoon’s business community, providing an overview on our province’s economy, recent investments and emerging opportunities to drive Saskatchewan’s economic growth. Chamber on Tap John Gormley At November’s Chamber on Tap popular Radio personality John Gormley shared his life experiences, career progression and ambitions for the future.
Chamber on Tap Trevor & Michelle, Donald Physiotherapy At the season finale of Chamber on Tap Trevor and Michelle Donald shared their path to success as we celebrated their 2021 SABEX Business of the Year award. 36 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
CAMPAIGN
There’s never been a better time to live Totally Locally! On November 15th we launched the Totally Locally Market hub, an initiative of the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Western Economic Diversification and Saskatoon’s business improvement districts. The Hub features locally owned and operated businesses that contribute jobs, incomes and community sponsorships to help Saskatoon thrive. Every day, these businesses provide goods and services made right here, served up with a smile and “thank you” every time. Many also contribute to the vibrancy, safety and beauty of Saskatoon’s downtown and retail districts in heritage neighbourhoods. Because they open their doors, and welcome visitors from around the corner and around the world, they generate revenue to beautify our streets, improve accessibility and create a safer environment for everyone. Every time you choose to shop, support and enjoy local, your dollars grow Saskatoon’s economy. The Hub is all about connecting you with local businesses that are eager to serve you. Rediscover Saskatoon’s locally owned and operated businesses, visit www.totallylocally.ca Interested in participating? We have limited complimentary spots remaining if you wish to participate, contact Pam, Member Relations Manager at memberrelations@saskatoonchamber.com
Wish you had someone to help with your company’s on-line facelift? We’ll offer to “do the heavy lifting” so you can run your business without any distractions. www. myhomefield.ca Text or call 306-230-0567
myhomefield.ca/saskatoon
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CHAIR’ S MESSAGE
It couldn’t be more straightforward than that and we are proud of the work we are able to collaborate on and for our members and future members. Our events are back in person and have been a success. We held our SABEX awards on October 21st at TCU Place in a unique and exciting format. We had over 400 in attendance that included local dignitaries. The night was a triumph for multiple reasons and congratulations again to all our finalists and winners. The first of our PowerHouse Series was held a few days later with Premier Scott Moe giving his state of the province address where he highlighted the successes of our province and emphasized the positive outlook moving forward that are in the plans. We were honoured to host this event. This series is here to stay and will always feature prominent, insightful, and knowledgeable leaders in our community who will share their experience and expertise with our members and future members. If you haven’t been to a Chamber on Tap event, what are you waiting for? The same qualifications I mentioned above apply for our guest speakers and I promise you will always leave the room having learnt something you will be able to apply to your own business strategies. Much gratitude to the Chamber staff for their tireless efforts in planning and putting on these events. We launched "Totally Locally", a city-wide campaign and market hub website to make it easier to support Saskatoon’s locally owned and operated businesses. This makes it easy
to search and connect with local businesses by providing consolidated listings of their e-commerce and web links, physical locations, and videos of the people behind the products and services. I want to take moment to acknowledge our Board of Directors and their work behind the scenes on our standing committees. Apart from a couple internal committees such as HR and the Executive, we have four committees who meet frequently with engaging and meaningful work. Advocacy is working on an abundance of issues ranging from COVID, to municipal, provincial, and federal matters and our local business sector. Finance is committed to making sure our books are in line and transparent. Our Governance committee is responsible for reviewing the governance structures and practices of our organization and reporting its findings and recommendations to the Board. Our Call to Saskatoon Chamber Board Chair Graham Snell #92 Committee is our most recent addition and is committed to the principles stated in the Truth and Saskatchewan of America but with corn Reconciliation Commission. Call to Action instead of wheat), I have lived in our province #92 declares: “Ensure that Aboriginal peoples my whole life. I love it here and can’t imagine have equitable access to jobs, training, and living anywhere else. As I write this message, education opportunities in the corporate we are in the middle of a one-day cold snap sector, and that Aboriginal communities gain which, really isn’t cold at all compared to long-term sustainable benefits from economic what is going to happen in January and development projects”. Our Chamber is February but since we aren’t used to it yet, wholeheartedly committed to this and proud it feels worse. Welcome to winter everyone. to do so. One of the committees first order of I hope you all stay safe and warm. business was in the signatory celebration of the Indigenous Engagement Charter. We are Sincerely, committed to advancing TRC Call to Action #92 through open dialogue, education, and stronger connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in our business community. Graham Snell, Chair I’m born and raised in Saskatchewan Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and apart from a brief hiatus to Iowa (the
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The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce exists to be “The voice of business”. It says on the first page of our website that “We are Saskatoon’s voice for business, representing a powerful network of businesses, organizations and community-minded leaders who want the best for our city”.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Graham Snell
Colton Wiegers First Vice-Chair Wiegers Financial & Benefits
Second Vice-Chair CCA Consulting
Past-Chair Real Canadian Property Management Professionals Inc.
Joseph Gill
Stephanie Clovechok
Todd Denzin Director Nutrien
Gabe Lafond
Director Luthercare Communities
Claire Marentette
Tara McKeown
Joel Pedersen
Heather Ryan
Chair Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan
Secretary McKercher LLP
Director PCL Construction Management Inc.
Tammy Sweeney Director TCU Place
Director Tourism Saskatoon
Director Conexus Credit Union
Tanis Taylor
Director Fitness 2J2
Carla Browne
Director Federated Co-operative Limited (FCL)
Chamber Board of Directors: Working for You! BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON
SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021 39
HELPING OUR CLIENTS SUCCEED We had many contributing factors to the success of our campaign; primarily, donors were concerned about their friends and neighbours due to COVID uncertainty, job loss, food insecurity, etc. The Saskatoon StarPhoenix campaign provided a great boost for our cause and we look forward to continuing to work closely with our StarPhoenix media sales consultant to achieve our fundraising goals. Deborah Hamp Director of Operations & Engagement Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre
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FOLLOW US 40 BUSINESSVOICE SASKATOON SABEX 2021 SPECIAL EDITION / 2021
