Growing up with a grandfather and uncle in the concrete trade, Rick Eckes fell in love with concrete finishing. In late 2018, Rick launched his own company, Next Gen Concrete Finishers. As the third generation of his family working in concrete, Rick’s uncle showed him that customer service, fair treatment of customers, and nurturing relationships was as important as the quality of the concrete work itself. It is on those pillars that Rick operates Next Gen.

Rick saw a Community Futures Entre-Corp billboard on 13^th Avenue, and the rest is history. He signed up for the self-employment program, and, realizing he wasn’t alone out there, and seeing where to find resources, advice, and training, he launched his business. Rick applied for and received RRRF funding and slowly built his business from the ground up.

Rick is up at 5:30am to take advantage of the short construction season. He has grown the business substantially in the last two years and is poised to double his workforce from two full-time employees to four. Next Gen Concrete does all kinds of concrete finishing, from new home builds to stand alone projects. Rick does his best to juggle his love for the outdoors with the short building season.

As Next Gen Concrete Finishers enters the next phase of its business life cycle, Rick is looking to train up new employees, keep building his customer base, and continue building on the word-of-mouth advertising that he has created.

Rick’s advice to those thinking about starting a business is research your market thoroughly, be a life-long learner and embrace constant training and improvement, and never be too shy to ask questions or ask for advice.

Terralta Inc., is locally owned by Laura Shivak and Marcus Campbell. The business’ focus was geo-thermal product when it opened in 2006, and since then has shifted and expanded into an electrical, plumbing and solar company. When Shivak and Campbell were faced with the opportunity to potentially purchase a locally owned business in the area, they reached out for support from Community Futures Entre-Corp. Air-Tech Ltd., became a division of Terralta on Sept. 1, 2020 as an outcome.

Jerredi Hauck opened Limelitez Dance Academy in 2008, when she envisioned a studio that offered a unique perspective with a variety of dance styles to practice. Public health orders during the COVID-19 pandemic made in-person classes a concern for the business owner. With support from Community Futures Entre-Corp Hauck was able to access iPads and other technological equipment and use them to conduct online classes for her students.

“It’s been really great to have the opportunity to move classes back and forth between in-person and online,” she says. “And it’s an easy process for the teachers to set up the iPads in the studio.”

Pamela Lanz opened Pamela’s Foot Care Service in June 2011. She took a course while she worked as a nurse beforehand to learn about the trade and could instantly see herself doing it professionally. She went door to door, purchased advertisements and reached out to Community Futures Entre-Corp for support the same month and year to start Pamela’s Foot Care Service.

“They’ve helped me from the very beginning and the whole experience has been so comforting.” says Lanz.

When Bailey Tucker graduated from high school, she always knew she had an aptitude for design. She remembers the urge to redesign room layouts, process possible layout possibilities, good colour options and even fabric options.  These were designs she imaged for her bedroom, even at a young age. Bailey indicates that she is sure her artistic talent came from her mom, a talented painter and crafter.

Bailey shared a bit about herself, “I love nature, exploring and camping.  I enjoy doing things spontaneously but also appreciate structure and routine.  I have always enjoyed working with my hands and creating, whether it is interior design related or not.”  

Brian Tkachuk and Renee Gaudreault moved to Medicine Hat from Edmonton in 2016. Brian worked in the oil and gas industry which meant long periods of time away from home. After commuting to work in the oil and gas industry for 12 plus years, Brian  decided it was time for a change.  Although the industry paid very well, it would never replace the precious time he was losing with his young family because of the long commutes to and from work.  Brian and Renee have 3 children aged 6, 3 and 7 months old.

Brian started a search and found a local established sandblasting shop that was for sale in Medicine Hat. The owner presented an offer to Brian to purchase the shop. The timing of the offer was perfect.

Trevor Eichelbaum has a unique skill.  He can fix things, take them apart and put them back to together with relative ease.  After all, it is what he did for many years growing up on a small farm where fixing things was necessary all the time.

“I grew up in farming,” he says. “I didn’t know what I would ever become in life. I tried on several jobs, in many fields. I had a job as a farmhand, and got a small injury in 1999. This ended up leading me into my career path, though I had no idea at the time.”