Start your day on a high note with a virtual coffee session as we celebrate and honour the achievements of exceptional small business owners. Join us for an engaging and inspiring morning discussion with three award-winning entrepreneurs who have redefined success.
Hear firsthand from the award-winning small business owners as they share their stories of passion, dedication, and the journey of turning their entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
Featured Entrepreneurs:
Bridget Lennartsson, Owner, Vinesation Olive Oils & Vinegars
Lana Phillips, Owner, Operator, Founder, Bikes & Bites
Mariah Braun,Owner & Director of Business Development, M3M Marketing
Conversation moderated by:
Tanya Kroeker, Vice President, Entrepreneur Growth, ATB
It's time to grab your favorite cup of coffee, connect with like-minded individuals, and immerse yourself in a morning of inspiration and celebration of small business excellence.
Featured Entrepreneurs:
Bridget Lennartsson, Founder, Vinesation Olive Oils and Vinegars
Bridget Lennartsson, a proud member of Beaver First Nation from Treaty 8 territory, co-founded Vinesation Olive Oils and Vinegars with her son in 2014. Celebrating a decade in business this year, the company offers a diverse range of over 40 Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar flavors sourced globally from Modena, Italy, and beyond.
Known as a go-to destination in downtown Camrose, Vinesation provides daily tastings to its valued patrons. In recognition of their dedication, the business was awarded the esteemed title of the 2024 Indigenous Business of the Year by the Camrose Chamber of Commerce, Alberta.
Lana Phillips, Co-Owner, Bikes and Bites
Lana brings her passion for community and professional experience to Bikes and Bites, an adventure company providing e-bike tours, rentals and picnics in Drumheller. She’s the company's behind-the-scenes master!
Lana loves to travel! “Renting a bike is one of my favourite ways to explore a place. Biking takes you further than walking, but can still stop and check out things that catch your eye. It brings me joy to see people using our e-bikes to check out Drumheller valley, such a unique and beautiful place here in Alberta. Hearing the stories from guests is vicarious travel for me!”
Mariah Braun, CEO, M3M Marketing
Mariah Braun is a multifaceted marketing agency CEO, independent filmmaker, and creative industry advocate in northwest Alberta. Her contributions to her community have been celebrated, with her receiving the City of Grande Prairie 2022 Young Woman of Influence Award and the 2023 Northwestern Polytechnic Alumni Entrepreneurship Award.
Her business, M3M Marketing, has provided marketing support to over 100 brands ranging from small local businesses to nationally recognized names. Mariah expanded the M3M brand in 2023 to fill an infrastructure gap to support northwestern Alberta creatives by opening M3M Studios– a creative destination offering access to customizable studio spaces and resources for producing photo, video, and audio content. That same year, M3M was also awarded Small Business of the Year (Under 10 Employees)by the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce.
Mariah’s diverse background in marketing, business, economic development, and indie filmmaking allows her to bring value and perspective as an elected board member for the Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce and board member of the Peace Region Independent Media Arts Association (PRIMAA). Enthusiastic about seeing her community thrive, Mariah has focused on supporting local businesses and northwestern Alberta’s creative industry. Her passion for media arts is evident through her active volunteerism, advocacy, and industry engagements both in and outside the region.
Conversation Moderated by:
Tanya Kroeker, Vice President, Entrepreneurial Growth, ATB
Tanya Kroeker has been part of the financial service industry for 22 years. She has spent 17 years in leadership roles at ATB in both Everyday Financial Services (EFS) and Business Banking. Currently as the Vice President Entrepreneurial Growth in EFS Tanya is responsible for leading a team focused on the micro and small business client segment. EGT strives to deliver consistent client experiences through a profitable and efficient client centric service model to make ATB the bank of choice for Alberta small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Tanya’s deep passion for supporting Albertans and helping grow this province stems from being born and raised in Alberta and growing up in an entrepreneurial family. When she is not working you will find her spending time with her family either in the mountains, at the lake or on their family cattle ranch where she lives.