It reminded her of a passion she had for a lifetime, but was distracted from during other exciting life events and experiences. As Thompson pondered the idea of becoming a writer, she came across the journalism program at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and after a few months she’d been accepted and moved to Calgary, Alberta to start the program in 2019.
“I really didn’t realize it until I started my first day, how much I enjoy telling stories about people around me. I’ve always been fascinated at the fact that we're all here in the same place with different journeys. When seeing someone who catches my attention, I always say, ‘I wonder what their story is’,” says Thompson.
Tourism writing was the first inspiration in Thompson’s mind when she signed onto the journalism program, but as she wrote more and more about business owners in her program, she’d recognized a new love for writing.
“That is what I love most about my position with Community Futures Entre-Corp, is hearing the passion business owners have in our community, and sharing their words and journeys with those who are eager to read along,” says Thompson. “The process of interviewing and writing gives me energy and a new sense of excitement, and I view so many of our local businesses differently in such a positive way.”
In 2020, classes moved online, and Thompson knew she’d have more time on her hands. She designed the magazine, YXH Magazine, that started as a mental health awareness publication, but quickly transformed to a full-fledged local business feature publication.
“I’ve always had this perspective that the core of a business is the person who owns it. It’s important to know who we’re supporting. For so long, an image or brand was the face of the business, but I’ve always been interested in knowing who the person is behind the brand, and now sharing their stories with readers,” says Thompson.
She says Community Futures, no matter what city it's in, is extremely supportive of local businesses and has a goal to ensure local business owners find success in their passion. To work with people who only want to see others succeed is inspiring and brings hope to a community.
“I am currently writing all of the feature stories of everyone in the office, and it’s so interesting to learn about how everyone made their way here, those who work with Community Futures, and business owners who reach out. Writing all these reminds me of those movies where there’s over a handful of storylines happening at once, and at the end they all meet. That’s what it feels like to write and share these stories through Community Futures, which is pretty cool,” says Thompson.
