YORKTON - A ‘Meet, Greet & Connect Networking Event’ event was held Thursday by the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Women Entrepreneurs of SK (WESK).
The event hosted at the Suncrest College Trades & Technology Centre featured a panel discussion focused on women entrepreneurship.
A group of about 20 had a chance to hear panellists Alicia Simoneau, Kaitlyn Kitzan and Nicole Campbell – all local business women – reply to a series of questions asked by moderator Juanita Polegi, executive director of the Chamber.
The trio of panellists all said Yorkton was a community they wanted to be in business in.
“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur . . . own a business,” said Simoneau, who said as she researched where to make that happen “Yorkton kept coming up as having so much potential.”
So she took the step.
“I just quit my job and moved here,” said Simoneau.
For Kitzan Yorkton was a more obvious landing spot having grown up on a farm in the Theodore area.
“Moving back to Yorkton was always my goal,” she said.
Kitzan said once she finished school she was ready to return and start a business as it “aligned with what I wanted to do in life.”
While business was always in the cards for the three entrepreneurs it was not always easy.
Campbell said especially early on there was lots of stress in terms of cashflow, but she said it ultimately came down to “coming out the other side with careful planning.”
That however is not easy either. “You have to be willing to have the courage,” said Campbell.
Over the years Campbell said she has learned to take a slightly more relaxed view, one where she says “everything is going to be OK, and things are going to work out.” She said when things don’t go as planned you just have “to pick yourself up off the ground and work on it the next day.”
Simoneau said taking leaps of faith comes more naturally to her.
“I like to take risks. If there’s something I want to do I’ll figure it out,” she said, adding you also have to understand in business “nothing is guaranteed.”
But, you also need to find career / life balance.
Kitzan said as a young entrepreneur finding that balance has been a lesson she had to learn “take time for yourself or burn out.”
Part of the evolution for Kitzan has been turning to others for help.
For example she said she has used a lot of WESK resources, adding “I was a Chamber member before I had a business license.”
Simoneau too struggled with a desire to do it all herself.
“It was only in the last two years I learned I can’t do everything. I’m one person.”
So Simoneau has hired people that “are better at particular jobs” and as a result “. . . I enjoy my business way more.”
Kitzan said part of developing a business is networking, so 小蓝视频 on boards, helping at events, and volunteering are all paths to creating that network.
Campbell agreed involvement is important.
She also said the local business community is typically supportive.
“It’s a very, very good core business community.”
Simoneau concurred.
“I think we all support each other,” she said, adding while on a broader scale women in the fitness business are not always seen on the same level as male counterparts “not from my community.”
Looking ahead the trio are optimistic about Yorkton.
“I think with Yorkton there is a lot of potential,” offered Simoneau. “. . . The opportunities are endless.”
Kitzan said you only need to look at the strength of the local agriculture sector to see local potential.
“Agriculture is booming in Yorkton,” she said, adding she sees even greater potential. “Yorkton is going to really explode and grow.”
Campbell was in agreement regarding the future.
“I felt it once before . . . we’re on the cusp of exponential growth . . . I’m excited for what the future holds,” she said, adding the city is great because “. . . of the life you can create for yourself here.”
In that regard Campbell said there is a need to tell others about the city.
“I think we don’t tell enough of our success stories,” she said.
