Traveling Cowboys: An Active Chamber of Commerce Keeps Growing the Okotoks Business Expo, Alberta

Enthusiastic Okotokian Businesses

The Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce is growing dramatically with about 150 companies added in the past eighteen months.

The past weekend we checked in with Andrew Gustafson, the President of the Chamber, to find out what is the cause for this enthusiasm and growth. "It is simple", he says. "We are advocating for our members. We are communicating, educating and networking with business." They have 45 events planned for 2017. There is even a business Boot Camp for up and coming entrepreneurs.

The one event we love to attend is the Okotoks Business Expo. See the highlights below for 2017.

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Business is booming in Okotoks, despite the general doom and gloom in the Alberta economy. It is because there is a community for businesses eager to support each other and see each other succeed. When it doesn't go well in one area, then people are enterprising and flourish in others.

This year saw a food truck section added to the Expo. We caught up with Gus Leduc from Lynnwood Ranch for our favourite brisket. The vehicle exhibition expanded into the curling rink arena. There was barely enough parking on the Friday evening when we attended. We heard that Saturday was crazy busy due to the Festival of Flavours where local food establishments and producers can showcase their delights.

Observations

A Business Expo is an ideal opportunity to showcase the services and products that are available within a community. It is a time to connect with potential and existing customers. Also, a time to reach out to fellow businesses owners and explore opportunities together. What stood out for us this year is to see how the entrepreneurs collaborate and support each other. It was packed with local businesses and a few creative entrepreneurs from Calgary that came to test the water.

New businesses, like Two Birds Furniture, are growing. Established businesses, like Integrity Post Structures, were recognised as industry leaders in Alberta by the Alberta Chamber of Commerce during their annual Business Excellence Awards in February. All round, Okotoks is the ideal place outside the city for entrepreneurs.

We thank Andrew and Cheryl from the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce for hosting us again this year. It is always fantastic to catch up with old friends. Good luck with a busy business summer in Okotoks. We will see you for 2017's Lemonade Day!

Hendrik van Wyk

Business Expo Cowboy

We earn our livelihood from producing great content about inspiring people and their stories. We use Patreon to help us earn from our work. Please support us and get VIP privileges like early access to content and special offers. Alternatively, please sponsor us: http://www.travelingcowboys.com or Donate to our cause on GoFundMe: http://www.forwardthefavour.com. It helps us to promote our local people, businesses and events and to keep entertaining you.

Two Cowboys: Discovering the Role of Business Awards with Westpac Auckland Business Excellence Awards 2016, NZ

Competition

According to evolutionary theory, competition within and between species for resources is important in natural selection. Life is about competition.

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People compete. Businesses compete. Regions compete with regions and countries with countries. Without competition, we won't be where we are today as a civilisation and an economy. Competition is good. It favours the agile, enterprising, and resilient members of society. The strong thrive by continually adapting and adjusting.

We are talking about all kinds of competition. Not just the "fair" and "just" competitions. The rules are not always clear or referenceable. A large part of persevering in the heat of battle is knowing which rules favour survival and prosperity, and which do not.

The "favouring" rules serve as catalysts for renewal and growth. The rules against competition contribute to the softening of a population, making it inflexible and complacent. Such a population is one step away from demise. Without the stronger members of our society persevering and growing through competition and sharing the value of their success, the survival of life as we know it may be at risk.

Here are a few benefits of competition in business:

• Competition makes customer service better. If more businesses are after the same customers' spend, then customers benefit from increased focus on their needs, better pricing and more attention.
• It forces innovation. With more business going after the same reward there is an incentive to find better, faster and cheaper ways to deliver to customer expectations.
• Competition exposes strengths and weaknesses. With this self-knowledge, businesses have the opportunity to improve and grow.
• Competition opens up new opportunities and forces learning. New products and services are invented. New markets are discovered and opened thanks to the need of business to survive and grow. 

Everything businesses do every day against the constant backdrop of being in competition. By being in this mode, they often don't have a chance to take time out to reflect. The annual Westpac Business Excellence Awards provides a valuable opportunity to New Zealand businesses. It celebrates business success in New Zealand countrywide. It is also an opportunity for the competing business to learn, reflect and validate themselves with others.

11 Weeks of Focus

The Two Cowboys & A Camera took 11 weeks out this year to interview more than 180 people from more than 148 finalists, sponsors and judges, for the 4 Auckland regional award events. Just saying it is a mouth full.

The real work was producing and packaging around 200 small video clips from this content for four high-profile gala events. It is an annual affair. It is a marathon learning experience that allows us to meet and interact with some of Auckland's most progressive businesses. We cherish the opportunity every year.

There were two takeaways this year. Firstly, businesses are relying more and more on social media resources to market and engage with customers. Some industries are adopting faster than others. It is top-of-mind for everyone. The businesses that thrive incorporates video into their strategy.

The second realisation is the rise of the "Social Enterprise". Since the Two Cowboys are on the forefront of making this our contribution to our stakeholders, it was encouraging to see that more and more businesses recognise the capacity they have for investing in social capital or cause as a force in their business strategy. Companies realise that they have a responsibility in their industry and their community that goes beyond shareholder value creation.

Enjoy the video with us about the highlights of this year's awards.

A big thank you to the Auckland Chambers of Commerce for permission to produce and publish this amazing adventure.

Hendrik van Wyk
Competing Cowboys

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Two Cowboys: Businesses are Working On A New Chamber of Commerce for the Bow Valley in Canmore, Alberta

One Voice Many Songs

"A chamber of commerce (or board of trade) is a form of business network, for example, a local organisation of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses. Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community." Wikipedia

"For as little as $1/month you will get the inside track on content like this and follow the travels of the Two Cowboys & A Camera. Join here."

If you've been following the events of the past year and knew about the demise of the Canmore Business and Tourism (CBT) (see the video here) you will think that the voice of business in the town of Canmore is no more. Let's find out.

The Unrepresented

We've attended a recent gathering of some of the town's business folk at an event referred to as "Conversation Cafe". It is a continuation of one of the CBT initiatives. Since the demise of CBT, it is spearheaded by Stephanie O'Brien of Carmella Consulting.  We wanted to find out what they have in mind to get an organisation off the ground with the goal of representing the interests of businesses in the town and in the rest of the Bow Valley.

It is accepted that businesses in the Bow Valley will do well with a unified voice. Something like a Chamber of Commerce. However, we've discovered the valley is already a crowded place for voices professing to be speaking on behalf of business.

There is the Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association (BOWDA), which is a membership driven networking and advocacy group focused on the needs of the building & development industry in Canmore and the Bow Valley. Membership according to their website is at 210. There is the Canmore Downtown Business Association. The Canmore Hotel and Lodging Association represent more than 65% of the Canmore and area hotel and lodging properties. Then we have Banff where you will find organisations such as the Banff and Lake Louise Hospitality Association and the Banff Hospitality Collective. The Banff Hotels Association and the very well funded and high profile Banff Lake Louise Tourism destination marketing organisation.

I've not even touched Google to find out if there are any other Associations, Organizations, Collectives, Lobbyers, Investors, Benefactors or Instigators around, which may also profess to represent the interest of "businesses in the Bow Valley."

Brave People

Back to Stephanie and her group of supporters for a Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce. Suffice to say; the group has their work cut out for them. Getting a Chamber of Commerce off the ground may be a noble idea, but it may not be as easy as they may think. Others have tried before.

It is our opinion that to have Chamber of Commerce succeed in the Bow Valley, all the various organisations that profess to represent interests of members or taxpayers for destination marketing, will have to come together to support the initiative. Keep in mind that many of these organisations are already well established with a solid track record for their membership.

A newcomer to "furthering the interest of businesses" may not be as welcome as everybody thinks. Add to this that the local councils of these towns already have their hands full with balancing competing agendas from all directions and interested parties. An effort to herd cats sounds like a more feasible endeavour.

Without all round buy-in, the initiative is at risk of being a "filler" organisation. With "filler" we mean that the organisation will try to represent businesses overall, but end up representing the unrepresented instead.

The effort will also require a strong, respected and inclusive leader from the Bow Valley. A person revered in Banff and Canmore. Someone who can broker cooperation between all the business associations and still succeeds to motivate affiliation with yet another "uber" organisation: A Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce. If you are this leader, then the time is now to step forward.

We applaud the enthusiasm of Stephanie and her collaborators as we continue to follow the journey to establish a strong voice for all businesses in the Bow Valley and in particular: Canmore, Alberta.

Hendrik van Wyk
Business Cowboy

We are a content company. We earn our livelihood from producing great content about inspiring people and their stories. We use Patreon to help us earn from our work. It allows us to have a closer relationship with our collaborators and grow our audience. If you Sponsor us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/twocowboys or donate to our cause on GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/twocowboys we can do a lot more.

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Two Cowboys on a Journey: Natural High Fitness in Okotoks, Alberta

It's Your Life, Live it

(Learn: * Inspire: *** Amaze: * Live: *****)
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Andrew Gustafson and his team at Natural High Fitness in Okotoks proclaim to mould dynamic lifestyles by helping their members follow the most effective and encouraging path to aspire to their peak fitness goals. A lofty statement and a lofty goal indeed.

"For as little as $1/month you will get the inside track on content like this and follow the travels of the Two Cowboys & A Camera. Join here."

Simply put, it is a place where you can hang out with your friends and enjoy your workout. They have everything you need for reaching your fitness (and your social) goals.

A gym is a gym, is a gym. There are a few places in Okotoks where you can deposit your sweat, move and pick up heavy stuff. Natural High Fitness is different in one very large respect. They are a community focussed enterprise. They are dedicated to supporting the community by giving back. They do it through charity work and other community-related involvements.

They help local Okotokians live healthy and active lifestyles. “Being an active part of the community is just good business, plain and simple,” says Andrew Gustafson, the founder and co-owner.  “It shows that we care enough about our town to help out in more than one way, we help many important local causes and feel we truly make a difference by creating a stronger and healthier community.”

The business is locally owned and operated by the Gustafson's who also work in partnership with the Town of Okotoks.

When we met up with Andrew, we were struck by his enthusiasm and passion for people. When I asked him about it, he made it clear that his passion for people is the single most important driver for his business. We don't find this surprising. Every small business owner in a healthy community can only be successful if they care about their people and that of their community.

At Natural High Fitness this stands out above everything else.

It's About the People

Being an entrepreneur is supposed to be simple. Firstly, find something you love to do. Something that has value for you personally. Do it. Enjoy it. Get personal value from it. Secondly, share it with those around you. Your family. Your community. If they like it too and get value from it, then keep doing it. Continue to share it with even more people.

By sharing it, you exchange value for a measured return. If you can get a large enough and profitable return, you can continue to share it and enrich more people's lives. Without this return, it remains a personal affair.

The next step is to use the return incentive and find ways to improve what you do even further and share it with more people. Then you are in business. Then you are an entrepreneur and a Producer.

The difference between a hobbyist and an entrepreneur in many cases simply comes down to the incentive or return. Return can take several forms. Monetary return or profit is the simplest, most obvious and flexible means of unlocking the value. There are other ways for value to be rewarded. Increasingly, people do what they do for more reasons than for profit. The ultimate success is to do it for profit that can be applied to add even more value to people's lives.

Community focussed businesses, or as we call it - businesses with a purpose - are taking the path of obtaining a return through social incentives. They are doing it for a cause. The cause can be to address a social or community shortcoming, such as feeding hungry children (http://www.eatmylunch.nz) or to address a lack of awareness or knowledge through education (http://www.socialenterprise.academy). There are many examples of businesses that stepped out of the more conventional profit structure by taking on a social or community cause. If a small business in a community does not have a community focussed cause, they can no longer compete on value alone. Large corporations can do things much cheaper, faster and better.

This is not a new phenomenon. If you are familiar with community-based businesses, you will know that this is the operating norm. Supporting a local business keeps money and value in the community.

The town's baker is the business that sponsors the Peewee Hockey team's uniforms. The butcher donates hams to the Foodbank. The builder donates time and materials to fix the Recreation Centre's roof. These businesses trade with each other and befit from each other. The dollars stay in the community for longer. The examples are endless. Local businesses employ the people of the community, often at incomes higher than the norm. They do it because they invest in their community's people. The value they provide benefits the community.

It should then be simple to realise that buying a cup of coffee from your local coffee roaster puts a dollar back into the dancing school. Getting a loaf of bread from your local baker pays for the hockey rink's ice. Getting your eggs from the local farmer puts shoes on a kid that otherwise may not have it. Supporting your local fitness entrepreneur supports a local cause.

If you want to take care of the people in your community and have a healthy community, then take care of the local businesses that support each other. These are the people that matter.

The best way you can do it is to spend your dollar locally and do at least twenty push-ups every day.

We enjoyed telling Andrew's story. It is not a gym story. It is a community story. We are proud to know him and hope this is the first of many stories we get to share about Natural High Fitness.

Hendrik van Wyk
Getting Fit Cowboy

Get rewarded for supporting our local Producers: Receive special offers and invitations from the Two Cowboys and our Producers when you subscribe to our email list.

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Two Cowboys on a Journey: Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 2016 in Okotoks Alberta

Business Excellence in Okotoks and District

Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce recently celebrated their best of the best and rolled out the red carpet for their Annual Business Excellence Awards.

"For as little as $1/month you will get the inside track on content like this and follow the travels of the Two Cowboys & A Camera. Join here."

The evening was a gala affair with awards, a sumptuous sit-down meal and the recognition of businesses that make Okotoks an amazing place to live and an amazing place to work and operate a business.

It is a celebration of the hard work and success of entrepreneurs in the area as they employ, grow and develop their community.

We are glad we could be there. We hope this is the start of many more celebrations as we slowly begin to feature the many producers and inspiring businesses in this lovely town.

Please enjoy this with us.

Hendrik van Wyk
Producer and Entrepreneur

Get rewarded for supporting our local Producers: Receive special offers and invitations from the Two Cowboys and our Producers when you subscribe to our email list.

Who we are: We are a social enterprise. We are funded through donations and sponsorship. 

All our earnings are applied back to covering our costs of marketing and promoting Producers and inspiring local communities. Please support us to bring you more (www.forwardthefavour.com)

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Two Cowboys on a Journey: District Chamber of Commerce Okotoks, Alberta

The Chamber of Commerce 

It is a form of business network, for example, a local organization of businesses whose goal is to further the interests of businesses.

Business owners in towns and cities form these local societies to advocate on behalf of the business community. Local businesses are members, and they elect a board of directors or executive council to set policy for the Chamber. The board or council then hires a President, CEO or Executive Director, plus staffing appropriate to size, to run the organization.

The first Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1599 in Marseille, France. Another official Chamber of Commerce would follow 65 years later, probably in Bruges, then part of the Spanish Netherlands.

The world's oldest English-speaking Chamber of Commerce, in New York City, dates from 1768. The oldest known existing Chamber in the English-speaking world with continuous records, the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, was founded in 1783. 

As a non-governmental institution, a Chamber of Commerce has no direct role in the writing and passage of laws and regulations that affect businesses. It may however, lobby in an attempt to get laws passed that are favourable to businesses. They also work closely with a number of other youth organizations in the country about the value and role of business in our society today.

Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce

The Okotoks & District Chamber of Commerce mission is to actively promote, facilitate and strengthen the business climate by providing: Leadership, representation, networking opportunities, service and education to their Chamber members. Their vision is to be a committed, visibly supportive organization contributing to the ongoing health of the Okotoks and District business community.

Chamber members are invited to engage in valuable networking events to exchange ideas, make new business contacts, solve problems, lend support and plan for the future growth and direction of the business community. 

The Chamber offers industry and business insight and information at our monthly member luncheons, participate in community initiatives such as Parade Day, Community Clean-up and municipal events. 

They provide members with a monthly newsletter of Chamber events, and activities. They host and present The Okotoks Trade & Lifestyle show, Business Excellence Awards and other events throughout the year to connect people to their local business community.

Standing Up for Business

Where will our society be without people that produce, add value and exchange this value freely through trade?

This should not be a rhetorical question, it should rather be a statement that exclaims the significant role Producers play in making our civilized society possible. If you have any doubt, there are many examples of countries where business departed, were confiscated, curtailed, depressed, annexed, overtaken and real Producers stopped producing. All of those societies imploded, and some countries that disregarded this, are now facing these dire consequences. 

It still happens every day. Ask any business owner (not just the Producers) how hard it is to start, operate, progress and grow business in today's supposed Developed and Free Market world. Ask the small businesses in the little towns in Canada how easy or difficult it is, and you may be surprised by their answers.

We now live in a society where most people is quite content with abdicating control and responsibility for their daily lives, health and welfare to a federal, provincial or local government. Public spending and services are growing at an alarming rate, and secure employment (or hangers-on businesses) in these services are fast becoming the norm for all student-debt-laden, mortgage-loaded, credit-card-carrying graduates. Starting a business that does not benefit from government handouts, or working for such a private employer is risky business, and less attractive than ever before.

Most businesses (that are not government endorsed, sponsored, initiated, granted, protected or controlled) are at odds with this transition and monopolization of value creation. It should not be government's job to look after people. Instead people should be free to create, produce and exchange value without the interference of an authority. People should look after people and be rewarded to do so by allowing them to be recognized for their contribution.

It is becoming more and more obvious from the amount of taxes, regulation, tariffs, licenses and other stumbling blocks that are placed in the path of entrepreneurial producers, that production and the free exchange of value is not a priority in the majority of our society anymore. 

We are all poorer for it financially, and also mentally. There is inspiration in making something that you value. There is even more inspiration when, what you make is of value to others. Now, all we need to do is restore the opportunity for people to make something, start businesses and freely exchange this value without having to get the permission of a government.

The fact is, that these businesses need all the help they can get. This is where a Chamber of Commerce comes in.

Hendrik van Wyk

Producer 

Get rewarded for supporting our local Producers. Receive special offers and invitations from the Two Cowboys.

Who we are: We are a social enterprise. We are funded through donations and sponsorship. 
All our earnings are applied back to covering our costs of marketing and promoting Producers and inspiring local communities. Please support us to bring you more (www.forwardthefavour.com)

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