RABC Opportunity Centre By: Michelle Andrishak, SBA for RABC-RMH Our experience with the Business Incubator in Rocky Mountain House Who we serve  Serves the region of West Central  Rocky Mountain House,  ,  ,  Condor,  Caroline,  Alder Flats,  Buck Lake   Sylvan Lake  all the rural areas in between RABC – Rocky Mountain House

• Town of Rocky Mountain House is the partnering organization

• RABC Centre is situated within the Town Administration Building (near Economic Development Department) Location of our Centre  Located in high traffic area on the corner of 50th street and 50th Ave. The centre of main street, Rocky Mountain House.  Within walking distance of the RABC Centre  Meets “downtown revitalization” goal for the Town.  Great windows provide additional exposure for tenant businesses. Our Set up

 2200 square feet  8 offices  Reception/retail area  Downstairs meeting room  Building was chosen for location on main street & it was a “turn-key” opportunity  Incubator model was based on “mixed-business” and not targeted to one industry  Rent is charged at market rate to cover all costs and ensure sustainability. Value Added Benefits  Tenants of the RABC Opportunities Centre have priority access to one on one consultations with SBA.  Tenants can attend all RABC workshops and learning opportunities for free.

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Hanging out the “For Rent” sign

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our tenants- Pure Healthy Essential Oils Our Tenants – MINT Media Services

Video Production & Digital Marketing

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Tenants Creative Communications

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Tenants – Kis sai wah toe tat towin society

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates – Cougar Ridge Bookkeeping

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates – C&B Oriental Store

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates Sourpuss Safety Consulting & Keltic Safety Training

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates- Remax

Jodi Saarela & Kim Elliot – Open their first brokerage at the RABC Opportunities Centre

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates Gypsie West Boutique

“I was in the incubator from Mar 2013- January 2014. What I liked about it was the opportunity to grow and develop my business, not knowing how to accomplish this before the incubator. Next, I was excited about the opportunities to go to courses and network with the other members within the incubator! My business has now grown and I attend markets and trade shows in the area and am looking forward to Gypsie West Boutique hitting the road as a travelling mobile fashion truck .I could have never done this without the RABC Opportunities Centre!” Colinda Scott – Owner Gypsie West Boutique

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates– That Game Store

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre I first came to speak to Michelle in January after seeing an ad in the Mountaineer hinting at the opening of a small business incubator on Main Street. I had LOTS of ideas, but the one that I had the most hands on experience with was video games. After a few appointments speaking with Michelle at the Rural Alberta Business Centre Rocky Mountain House, I was ready to sign a lease and That Game Store was officially on the ground and running. I spent eight months in the Small Business Incubator on Main Street. Eight months that I would not have been able to afford to get the ball rolling on my own. Through an intense combination of hustle and continued support, That Game Store was able to grow it's customer base and inventory to a point that moving on was the only way we could grow further. Full reward with minimized risk. Without the RABC, I fear I would have not made it through those first key building months. Above and beyond the obvious financial benefits to starting small, there was the education! The RABC offers a TON of options and learning sessions to further the tact of today's entrepreneur. From Social media and financing options down to why it's so hard for me to type just a 30 word e-mail (Colorful Personalities - I went twice this year) there is no limit to what a person can learn about themselves through these sessions. I rip down the fourth wall with such enthusiasm because I know there are more people like me in this town. People with excellent training in their field who just need a little help in making it THEIR field! Where there's a will there's a way, and the RABC can get you on the right path if you're willing to do the work to get there. This is a service that can (and already is) changing the face of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta for the better! Lastly Michelle, THANK YOU. I mean it more than I think a Facebook post is going to reiterate but I hope your clients truly realize what an impact you are having on improving the amenities in this town. When I first came to speak to you, i was in between two corporate job offers both coming from the largest malls in , and . I didn't want to leave Rocky, there is truly just something special out here. In the span of twelve months since we first spoke, my life has changed dramatically for the better. The freedom your advice and guidance has afforded me is (ten minute pause before I decided there was no word to describe it). I consider myself very fortunate to have met you, and it has been an absolute privilege to work with you this past year.

- Dustin Wright That Game Store

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates – KES Graphic Designs

“The incubator was great for all the support from both Michelle at RABC and the other tenants. It gave me a place, resources and support to start up and has allowed me to network/make connections. I may not have made otherwise. I am very thankful for the opportunity to start my business in this affordable way, it allowed me to grow and build my client base.” Kaitlin Sambrooke. RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates– Deep Reflections

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates:

Art Scene Moved to her own store (1200sqft) in the down town core after a great six weeks in the incubator. As of March 2014 she has expanded her business again to a larger space on Main Street.

“The good news is that that incubator is working!! Thank you so much for the opportunity and believing in my idea! Heather Molchanko o/a Art Scene”

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates: ART Business Development

“Thank you so much for the opportunities afforded at the Opportunities center.

Warm Regards,

Co Stiganduhr Business Developer ART Business Development”

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates– Dori Westin Coldwell Banker Realty “Having an office at the RABC was a great and affordable opportunity for my business. I appreciated the convenience of the fax/photocopier machine and Internet, necessary for my work as well as the professionalism of the other tenants. Without the availability of that office, I would have been very challenged to keep my business moving forward. I have and will continue to recommend it to other new businesses.” Dori Westin Associate Broker Coldwell Banker ONTRACK Realty

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Our Graduates: Ron Alvord Design – CAD Designer

“I would like to thank you and the RABC for the unique and helpful opportunity the incubator program gave me. My business has grown from an idea to an actual profiting business, and I believe that the incubator program is responsible for that. Without the opportunity and support I have received from you Michelle and the RABC my continued growth and success would not have been possible. Thank you Michelle, the RABC, and the town of Rocky Mountain House. I am forever grateful and wish the program and all those lucky enough to be a part of it continued success.

Yours,

Ronald James Alvord”

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Goals & Deliverables The location of the RABC Opportunities Centre on main street is in line with the Town’s Economic Development goal of business revitalization in the down town core of our community.

To date four of graduates have leased spaces in the down-town area.

The ultimate goal of the incubator is to enhance economic development in the area. Since the inception of the project , four businesses have moved into the incubator from a home- based location – expanding their business to store-front, while ten businesses were brand new start-ups.

The growth and expansion of the businesses while in the incubator has also generated employment growth. As two businesses in the RABC Opportunities Centre have hired employees to assist in operations. Total employment growth to the community including graduates and current tenants is 4 full-time equivalent positions. The impact of the RABC Opportunities Centre can be seen throughout the province as has modeled their mixed incubator after the Rocky Mountain House Model. The Town of Rimbey and the Rimbey Chamber of Commerce has also partnered to develop a mixed business incubator in Rimbey using the same model established by the RABC Opportunities Centre.

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre Questions?

RABC - RMH Opportunity Centre