2024 Red River Métis Business Expo

Day 1: Buyer Booths, Workshops, and Presentations

The first day features buyer booths where you can learn about various organizations and their procurement needs.

This day will also feature workshops and presentations to provide insights and strategies tailored to support your business.

Day 1 - Building Your Business

8:30am Opening Prayer - Elder Greg Balmer
Mayor Scott Gillingham - Greetings
MMF Minister Anita Campbell - Greetings

9:30am My Entrepreneurial Journey

"Fireside chat" style panel discussion about their entrepreneurial experience(s), unique challenges, and successes.

Moderator: Shaun Hampton

Shaun has been working with entrepreneurs in the field of business development for over twenty-five years. During this time, he has helped over 750 business start-up and or expand all over Manitoba from Churchill to Gretna and has been on every stretch of road except for three. In any of the positions that Shaun has had and in the work that he has done his overriding goal is to build a culture of entrepreneurship through consultation, teaching and collaboration.

Entrepreneur: Melissa Legacé

Melissa Lagacé, founder of Hustle from Home, created a training and coaching platform for aspiring virtual assistants after identifying a gap in the Canadian market while searching for coaching herself in 2021. A dedicated mother of two, Melissa's mission is to empower Canadians to start freelancing businesses from home or anywhere with Wi-Fi, offering them financial control and flexible work schedules. Hustle from Home provides essential resources, strategies, and support for students to launch and grow their businesses. Melissa, who began her journey in digital marketing in 2016 through direct sales and quickly rose to the top 2% of income earners, now specializes in digital marketing, communications, public relations, and sales, helping clients transform websites, create sales funnels, generate leads, and develop effective marketing strategies.

Entrepreneur : Colin Rivard

Colin, a lifelong member of the Manitoba Metis Federation, has dedicated the past seven years to growing and operating RivaCore Surveys & Locates, a Red River Métis company providing high-quality technical services to the construction industry. His attention to detail ensures exceptional service for clients, establishing RivaCore as a key partner for both large and small construction companies across Canada. Colin's deep commitment to his staff and clients makes their experience a priority, reflecting his steadfast dedication to the company's values and success

Entrepreneur : Nicole Chabot

Nicole Chabot is a respected leader in the heavy construction industry, serving as Vice-President of L. Chabot Enterprises Ltd., a 100% Métis-owned company with a legacy spanning over 50 years. Under her guidance, this third-generation family enterprise has significantly influenced Manitoba's landscape, contributing to landmark projects such as the Red River Floodway.

11:00am Choice of one of the three following workshops:

Workshop #1 - Pitch your business - Plenary Room

A strong and concise business pitch is an essential tool for effectively communicating your company's mission. It helps build credibility, enhances customer engagement, and fosters strategic connections that will help your business thrive. This interactive workshop will help you perfect your business pitch by developing a compelling narrative, highlighting your unique value proposition, and tailoring your message to your audience.

Presenter: Natalie Kulczycki

Natalie is a proud Red River Métis woman from Winnipeg who has a deep-rooted passion for local Manitoba-based business. She has over 15 years of business experience developing sales, marketing, management, and client services. Additionally, Natalie owned and operated a successful small business for many years bringing extensive knowledge of what it takes to start and run a successful business in Manitoba. As Manager of the Métis Women Entrepreneurship Program with LRCC, Natalie is thrilled to use her knowledge and expertise to empower Métis citizens in their entrepreneurial journey.

Workshop #2 - The Importance of Planning - Milineium Room

A business plan is an essential tool for starting a business but what really goes into the planning stages for a business start-up or the assessment of the viability of a business idea? This workshop will provide tips and guidance for those that are contemplating starting a business in the short-term or in the future and will also be of interest to that have already commenced operations but have not finished that elusive plan.

Presenter: Shaun Hampton

Shaun has been working with entrepreneurs in the field of business development for over twenty-five years. During this time, he has helped over 750 business start-up and or expand all over Manitoba from Churchill to Gretna and has been on every stretch of road except for three. In any of the positions that Shaun has had and in the work that he has done his overriding goal is to build a culture of entrepreneurship through consultation, teaching and collaboration.

Workshop #3 - Start-Up Financials Statements & Cash Flow - PanAm Room

Financial statements are a key tool for running your business and provide a snapshot of where your business finances and performance are at. This workshop will be an introduction or refresher, depending on where you are at in your business cycle and business planning phase.

Presenter: Michelle Syntak, CPB

With over 20 years of experience in both public practice and private enterprise, Michelle specializes in full-cycle bookkeeping, accounting, and consulting. For more than twelve years, Michelle managed a successful bookkeeping business, providing services to a diverse group of small to medium-sized businesses in the retail, construction, and restaurant industries. She is very proud to have joined the Red River Métis Business Development Corporation in Spring 2024, where she will continue working with Métis entrepreneurs and businesses to succeed.

11:45am Lunch

12:40 pm MLA Billie Cross - Greetings

12:45pm Introduction of Dignitaries and Keynote Address - President David Chartrand, Manitoba Métis Federation

1:45pm Ask the Expert Panel

Panel of business experts, legal, human resources, accounting, and finance, providing best practices and key ideas to ensure entrepreneurs navigate business challenges professionally and safely.

3:00pm Choice of one of the three following workshops:

Workshop #4 - Legal and Human Resources - PanAm Room

A presentation on what human resources can provide for small businesses related to recruiting, overseeing training programs, ensuring compliance with labour laws and regulations.

Legal: Yvan Larocque CD, LLM, Larocque Business Law Corporation

Yvan is an accomplished Indigenous business lawyer and educator. He is the Co-Founder of Hall & Larocque LLP, a 100% Indigenous-owned law Firm that provides services to Indigenous Governments and Indigenous Owned businesses in the areas of Indigenous Economic Development and Governance. Yvan is also the Clinical Counsel in Private Law at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Law where he runs a pro-bono business law clinic and teaches in the areas of corporate and commercial law, Indigenous economic development, and legal negotiations. Yvan is Red River Métis/Michif from Sainte-Anne, MB, and is a proud citizen of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Human Resources: John Lemire, MMF

With over 25 years of experience across both union and non-union sectors in industries such as aerospace, broadcasting, manufacturing, education, retail, industrial supply, non-profit, and government, John has been the HR Director at MMF since 2021. I have led a team of nine HR professionals and have been instrumental in building the HR department since 2019, when it became a stand-alone function at MMF. I oversee the delivery of comprehensive HR services for over 600 MMF staff and managers, as well as select affiliates, covering areas like recruitment, performance management, health and safety, group health benefits, and pensions. I am passionate about mentoring and sharing my knowledge with the next generation of HR professionals.

Workshop #5 - Accounting Practices - Milenium Room

What Business Owners Should Know Small business owners have numerous responsibilities in the management of their operations and a basic understanding of accounting is essential. What do you need to know about payroll systems, what are your tax obligations, are you comfortable analysing and interpreting your financial information?

Presenter - Terryl Luhowy, CPA, CA, is a Partner with MNP's Assurance Services team in Winnipeg. Terryl offers customized assurance and business advisory services to small businesses and organizations in the private and public sector, as well as the not-for-profit sector, including working with First Nations and government organizations. Terryl provides practical options for his clients, whether he is engaged in business advisory and training services, assisting clients with succession planning or expanding their business. A trusted advisor, Terryl works closely with clients to understand their business and the community they live and work in to better help them achieve their business objectives.

Workshop #6 Accessing Capital - Plenary Room

Financing options available to small businesses, loan readiness, and how to leverage funding programs. A great resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to secure funding for their ventures.

Presenter: Candyce Amos

Candyce Amos is the Manager of Commercial Financial Services at Louis Riel Capital Corporation. At LRCC we offer tailored loan and grant programs to assist Metis entrepreneurs with their financing needs for startups, expansions or acquisitions, empowering businesses to thrive. Candyce has 25 years of financial services experience and enjoys fostering long term relationships with clients, ensuring they receive personalized support and guidance through their entrepreneurial journey.

Presenter: Carly Souque

With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, Carly specializes in providing tailored financial solutions to Red River Métis businesses. At the Louis Riel Capital Corporation, Carly is dedicated to building strong relationships with clients to understand their unique needs and goals. She is committed to helping clients navigate the complexities of financing, from start-ups and expansions to acquisitions.

4:00pm Red River Métis Business Association Presentation

Presentation: Stan Higgins, Red River Métis Business Development Corporation

Executive Board Member, Secretary/Treasurer

Stan Higgins is a Metis entrepreneur and the founder and sole owner of VersaPile, Inc., a leading high-capacity helical pile contractor and listed as one of Canada's fastest growing businesses. VersaPile specializes in supporting vital infrastructure in the energy sector, telecommunications sector and working closely with Indigenous communities to support infrastructure while building capacity and local economy. Stan is excited to participate as a board member with the Red River Metis Business Development Corporation, he has two boys (9 and 11) and has been married for 13 years to Sande Higgins.

4:15pm Closing Prayer - Elder Greg Balmer

4:30pm - 5:30pm Wine & Cheese Networking and Tradeshow