Parker: Enterprise Hyperlink launches pilot Mentor Program

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Enterprise Hyperlink has launched its pilot Mentor Program, designed to help grassroots small companies in Alberta. The provincial help group for entrepreneurs this system is designed to assist aspiring house owners together with retailers, mom-and-pops, consultants and sole proprietors in Alberta.

“Beginning a enterprise might be overwhelming,” says Paul Cataford, govt director of Enterprise Hyperlink. “Our Mentor Program ensures that budding entrepreneurs don’t must navigate this path alone. Our purpose is to create a supportive atmosphere the place new enterprise house owners can develop and develop with the steering of those that have expertise and beneficial recommendation.”

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Cataford is devoted to selling and growing entrepreneurship in Alberta, with a number of the fitting expertise to guide Enterprise Hyperlink.

He accomplished his engineering diploma at Queen’s College and earned his MBA in finance and technique on the Schulich College of Enterprise at York College. His profession covers a 15-year stint on Bay Avenue as a company banker and a enterprise capital and personal fairness investor. He has led a know-how switch workplace, created an early-stage firm creation incubator on the College of Calgary and co-founded a medical machine product improvement and manufacturing firm in Calgary.

Cataford has been an impartial company director on the boards of over 35 corporations and organizations together with publicly-listed companies and several other not-for-profits and associations.

He says when the chance was introduced in 2022 to function govt director of Enterprise Hyperlink, he believed it an ideal match for his govt abilities and his ardour for selling small companies.

Enterprise Hyperlink was established in 1996 as a non-profit group to nurture the expansion and success of Alberta’s small companies. Authorities funded — federally by Prairies Financial Growth Canada and provincially by the Ministry of Jobs, Economic system and Innovation — it has 30 workers all through the province and providers round 5,000 purchasers per 12 months.

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Applications are designed to help mainstream companies, new Albertans, and Indigenous entrepreneurs with complete providers together with customized teaching, market analysis, academic packages, on-line assets, networking alternatives, and focused referrals.

The brand new free Mentor Program adopts a “velocity relationship” method for mentor-mentee pairing, guaranteeing a personalised and efficient match, ensuring that experience and expertise align carefully with the mentees enterprise wants and targets.

To this point, greater than 55 seasoned entrepreneurs have already signed up as mentors.

The pilot program kicks off with an preliminary 30-minute consumption assembly to ascertain and talk about potential challenges, adopted by a 90-minute session geared toward growing methods and set the trail for future success. From there mentees and mentors have three distinct paths to select from: formalizing their relationship by common conferences, choosing a extra versatile method with casual interactions, or persevering with to entry Enterprise Hyperlink’s assets and occasions if rapid challenges are resolved.

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To be eligible for this system, companies should be Alberta-based and in operation for lower than a 12 months or within the preliminary levels of growing a marketing strategy.

Cataford says the Enterprise Hyperlink Mentor Program is devoted to testing and refining efficient help methods for brand new entrepreneurs, an method that ensures this system I conscious of the wants of Alberta’s small enterprise group.

International doughnut and coffeehouse chain Krispy Kreme is increasing within the Calgary market and with the assistance of Monika Blachut and Michael Kehoe of Fairfield Industrial Actual Property have secured an excellent location alongside Macleod Path South.

Building will start later this 12 months on loads owned by Lansdowne Fairness Ventures instantly in entrance of its Schanks Sports activities Grill.

In accordance with Kehoe, Krispy Kreme officers plan their first Calgary location as a ‘doughnut theatre hub’ the place prospects can observe the doughnut-making course of because the candy snacks journey alongside a 12-metre manufacturing line, which features a glaze waterfall. The free-standing flagship constructing may have a dine-in part plus a drive-through.

Looking for the fitting employment? Individuals can get in entrance of hiring managers, community and apply with employer exhibitors on the free Calgary Profession Truthful and Coaching Expo being held Thursday, Feb. 6, on the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

David Parker seems commonly within the Herald. Learn his columns on-line at calgaryherald.com/enterprise. He might be reached at 403-830-4622 or by electronic mail at information@davidparker.ca

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