It’s tempting to chalk business success up to being in the right place at the right time. To hold the notion that a little (or a lot of) luck can make all the difference. Though luck is undoubtedly always involved to some degree, great success befalls to the business that has positioned itself and is nimble enough to take advantage of luck’s opportunities. Put another way: everyone experiences a bit of luck, it’s what you do with it that matters.     For E3 Lithium, it’s that perfect combination of entrepreneurial vision, focused perseverance, attention to opportunity and –  ..read more

If you believe like I do, that the oil and gas industry is ready for even bigger gains, now is the time to get your stuff in order so you are ready to prosper in the next wave.  The evidence is clear, and the statistics don’t lie. While we are experiencing a massive push towards EVs and overall electrification, oil and gas consumption is up, not down.   It causes me to recall a quote by Joel Barker in his book, The Business of Paradigms, that goes like this: “Those who say it shouldn’t be done, should get out of the way of those who are doing it.” Nothing could be more truthful ..read more

In the dynamic realm of the oil and gas industry, the provision of cutting-edge, forward-thinking and meticulously-crafted oilfield services stands as an indispensable cornerstone. Such offerings not only signify a commitment to innovation and excellence but also serve as the bedrock upon which the esteemed reputation of ProTorque Energy is firmly built. “We have been serving the oil and gas industry since 2004,” says the upbeat Landon McDonald, ProTorque president. “We are fiercely proud of our expertise, our exceptional client relationships, and we continue to evolve and grow.” “ProTorque is ..read more

Politically moderate Canadians across the country have every reason to be concerned about the federal government’s pending emissions cap on Canadian oil and gas. Just look at the financial implications.    Says the Conference Board of Canada:  Alberta government revenues could shrink by $73 billion to $127 billion over the next 10 years, and $84 billion to $151 billion in federal revenue could vaporize over the same period.  Between 82,000 and 151,000 jobs could disappear by the end of the decade across Canada – including between 54,000 and 91,000 in Alberta alone.&nb ..read more

You know the name Crystal Glass. It is one of – if not the – most recognizable local names in its industry, with 50 regional retail stores, 11 warehouses, 2 manufacturing facilities and a commercial glazing division. In 2022, Crystal Glass opened its largest flagship warehouse in west Edmonton, a 100,000 square foot facility that is a milestone addition to the growing brand – a brand that has been growing since 1949 when Ed Bean opened the first Crystal Glass shop on Whyte Ave in Edmonton.  In 1997, General Manager Ken Franczek joined Crystal Glass.   “I started as a customer se ..read more

Succession planning. Those words bring to mind the family business being passed down to the next generation. However, that is not the only option. A practice that is rapidly gaining in popularity is transitioning established corporations to employee ownership – and there are many different ways to do this.  Rachel Bachmann, board chair, Employee Ownership Canada, explains, “New legislation for Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) is coming into effect this year.”  An EOT is an employee ownership structure where a trust retains a business’ shares for the advantage of the company’s workforc ..read more

Recent stats show that the close-to-Edmonton recreational property market – from west of Stony Plain to the Pembina River and from Lake Wabamun to Isle Lake and Lac Ste Anne – is somewhere between stable, strong and hot.  Some reasons are pandemic and post-pandemic bumps of interest in being outdoors, the power of Wi-Fi and working from remote locations, inflation, the economy, benchmark prices and spiked mortgage rates, high demand and low supply.  According to national trends and numbers in the late-2023 Royal LePage (RLP) Winter Recreational Property Report, 24 per cent of RLP exp ..read more

Golf, a globally adored sport with over 60 million players worldwide, is more than just a game of clubs and balls. This sport, dating back to the 15th century, is a mix of precision, patience and strategy. However, beyond the fairways and bunkers, golf serves as a catalyst for social interaction and community building.  The appeal of golf lies not only in the challenge of the game itself but also in its ability to bring people together. From friendly weekend matches to high-stakes professional tournaments and community fundraisers, golf has a unique way of fostering connections. Its slow ..read more

While Edmonton’s commercial real estate market continues to transform itself and trigger renewed momentum, it is also dealing with lingering challenges and unavoidable speedbumps. Factors include economy and interest rates; work-from-home (WFH) and other post-pandemic workplace trends; the changing wants, needs and expectation of commercial tenants and their employees and the sad but negative Edmonton downtown image and perception of homelessness and on-the-street social and safety issues.  Although actual Edmonton commercial real estate stats and trends are fluid and changeable, there ar ..read more

In collaboration aimed at enhancing community and workforce support systems, United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, Canadian Mental Health Association – Edmonton Region and Distress Centre Calgary proudly highlight the essential service of 211. This service, pivotal in connecting individuals to a wide range of social and community services and support, is now more vital than ever, with the 2023 statistics revealing a significant increase in community needs.  The 211 code is accessible around the clock by phone, text and online and has become an indispensable resource for those seeking ..read more