By John Bruce
The second annual Survive and Thrive conference attracted entrepreneurs, students, and business owners from across the Interlake and beyond. They gathered April 28 and 29 at Lakeview Gimli Resort for inspiration, connection, and support.
Organized by Samantha Hampton, the conference aimed to inspire and educate entrepreneurs. She knew it would be important to her attendees for the conference to be somewhere outside of Winnipeg because of the unique challenges they face running their businesses in rural Manitoba.
“If rural entrepreneurs wanted a city experience, they would be in the city, but they’re looking for connections and support on a different level,” said Hampton.
Attendees came not just from the Interlake, but as far as Brandon. They heard from a variety of speakers, including successful entrepreneurs, business coaches, and marketing experts. Many attendees found inspiration in the stories of speakers.
“I enjoyed connecting with other like-minded individuals,” said Hugh Beck, who runs a flooring business in the Interlake region. “It was so helpful to connect with other entrepreneurs who could relate to the everyday trials and tribulations that come with owning your own business”
Sherry Benson-Podolchuk, a successful entrepreneur and speaker from Gimli, emceed the conference and ran two workshops on workplace harassment and bullying.
“I decided to take some of the negative experiences from my career and flip them into a positive,” said Benson-Podolchuk. “Often the workshops evolve into really beautiful conversations about various stages of success or growth where we’re all learning from each other. I thought it was great.”
The conference included workshops by Dawn Madahbee Leach who spoke about topics like indigenous economic development, the presentation of the Owen Eyolfson Entrepreneur of the year award, and many opportunities to network and connect.
For Hampton, who is originally from Winnipeg, the conference was a way to give back to the Interlake community she now calls home. Her business, Creative Community Promotions, helps local businesses with communications and publicity. She’s also president of the Gimli Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve had so many people reach out who say they were dreading Mondays, but for the first time in so long, they feel motivated and reenergized to run their businesses,” said Hampton. “They said that the resources and skills they picked up and the people they met at Survive and Thrive really gave them inspiration.
Many attendees were already looking forward to next year’s conference.
“I had people asking if they can preregister for 2024,” said Hampton. “I think people appreciate that they can get together at events like this and regardless of what stage you are in your business, whether it’s an idea in your head or you’re actually in the thick of it, there’s a place you can come to each year to obtain new skills and grow as a group”
Overall, the Survive and Thrive conference provided a much-needed source of inspiration and education for entrepreneurs from rural Manitoba
“I am excited for the future of my business and new opportunities,” said Anita McAliden, owner of Interlake Handmade Boutique. “The speakers were so inspiring I feel like there is nothing I can’t overcome.”
