Building a hospitality empire

July 31, 2025 0:19:39

Sky McLean is a Canadian entrepreneur building a hospitality empire with her company Basecamp Resorts, the fastest growing hospitality brand in Western Canada. Born and raised in Ontario, she earned an MBA in real estate at the Schulich School of Business at York University. Her appreciation of the outdoors and winter sports led her to Calgary after graduation, where she worked for a local real estate developer. At age 29, Sky bought her first property, a condominium in Canmore, and rented it out on AirBnB. She instantly fell in love with the business model, and since then has successfully owned and operated 8 modern boutique hotels in mountain towns across Alberta and British Columbia under the Basecamp Resorts brand. An outdoor enthusiast, Sky is an avid downhill skier, Nordic skier, snowmobiler and mountain biker. She lives in Canmore, AB with her husband and two children.

Basecamp Resorts, under the strategic and innovative leadership of Sky McLean, functions dually as By Basecamp, a prominent real estate development and investment group. This multifaceted group brings substantial, collective experience, utilizing over two decades of expertise in the acquisition, meticulous development, and professional operation of various high-value hotel and commercial assets throughout the entirety of Western Canada. The core team is fundamentally composed of highly experienced real estate professionals and dedicated adventure enthusiasts who share an unwavering, unified passion for significant mountain real estate development and the distinctive, vibrant mountain lifestyle.

The foundational mission of Basecamp extends far beyond the basic goal of generating profits; it is specifically to profoundly and substantially enhance the travel experience for every single guest and investor. This constant enhancement is systematically achieved through the consistent and meticulous development of sustainable, truly unique, and highly functional accommodations that are expressly designed to cater to the diverse and continually evolving needs of their expansive clientele. Basecamp’s fundamental commitment is to reliably create a truly memorable and effortlessly managed experience, thereby successfully providing a comfortable and inviting home away from home amidst the spectacular natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies region.

The long-term and highly ambitious vision for the entire Basecamp enterprise is to strategically grow the brand into an innovative, widely recognized, and deeply trusted hospitality power throughout all of North America. This considerable growth is meticulously guided by strong core operational values that are strategically centered on three powerful, interrelated pillars. These pillars are: first, providing financially viable projects that consistently offer strong, attractive returns to their valuable investors; second, promoting highly sustainable communities through responsible development practices that deliberately minimize environmental impact; and third, consistently delivering superior quality guest experiences that unfailingly exceed customer expectations in every single aspect of their stay.

Basecamp’s impressive and rapidly expanding portfolio now includes a significant number of successful operational properties situated in highly sought-after Canadian mountain towns such as Canmore, Banff, Revelstoke, Fernie, and Golden. Since the company’s efficient founding in 2017, the organization has achieved truly remarkable and rapid expansion, now proudly boasting 13 successful operational hotels and 6 substantial new hotel projects currently actively under construction. The future development pipeline remains exceptionally robust, with 5 future land holdings already secured for upcoming and exciting ventures, ensuring continued strategic market expansion for the organization.

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Why Empathy Is the Future of Security

July 24, 2025 0:25:35

Chris Kerr is the President and Founder of XA Security, Western Canada’s leader in proactive risk reduction and people-first security solutions. Driven by strong ethics and a commitment to community, Chris believes every security concern is, at its core, a human one. He and his diverse team treat every person as a valued guest, handling every situation with curiosity, empathy, and strategy. The company’s success is uniquely measured by the number of incidents de-escalated rather than the number of ejections.

In addition to leading XA Security, Chris serves as a special projects Production Manager for Grammy-winning artist Zedd and produces numerous outdoor music festivals across Western Canada. He also volunteers on several nonprofit boards, including serving as Vice Chair of the Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC), where he advocates for advancing global event and crowd safety standards. He is Treasurer of the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA), Learning Chair of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Calgary Chapter (EO), a Board Member of Kidzinc School Age Care Society of Alberta, and an active member of the Canadian Ski Patrol.

In 2024, Chris was named one of Calgary’s Top Business Leaders by Business in Calgary magazine, in recognition of XA Security’s 20-year milestone and his leadership in elevating standards across the security industry.

This is a complete, holistic commitment to proactive risk reduction across all operational facets, setting industry standards. It is truly the gold standard for people-first security solutions, emphasizing a critical human-centric approach. The very foundation of the organization is built on strong ethics and an absolute, unwavering commitment to community welfare and safety. All security concerns are viewed as fundamentally a human one, requiring sensitivity, understanding, and strategic care.

His diverse team expertly treats every person encountered as a respected, valued guest. Their refined methodology focuses on using curiosity, empathy, and strategy to handle all situations effectively and professionally, minimizing escalation. Success is uniquely measured by the number of incidents de-escalated successfully and safely. This is a significantly better and more meaningful metric than the raw number of ejections reported annually.

Chris also has extensive experience as a special projects Production Manager for large-scale, high-profile events, which provides invaluable operational logistics and crowd management knowledge globally. He tirelessly volunteers on several nonprofit boards, where he actively advocates for advancing global event and crowd safety standards and protocols, showcasing his dedication. He demonstrates powerful leadership through his various crucial board roles, including Vice Chair of the Event Safety Alliance Canada (ESAC) and Treasurer of the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA). The prestigious recognition as one of Calgary’s Top Business Leaders by Business in Calgary magazine justly celebrates XA Security’s significant 20-year milestone and his enduring commitment to elevating standards across the security industry. His active membership in the Canadian Ski Patrol showcases his personal dedication to emergency preparedness and public safety across the region. This commitment to excellence ensures XA Security remains the premier choice for sophisticated, ethical, and effective risk management across Western Canada and beyond, offering unparalleled service.

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Making life easier for people with disabilities

July 18, 2025 0:20:52

Entrepreneur with Heart: Meet James Teague, Founder of the Canadian-owned and operated My Everything Store. At the heart of My Everything Store is James, a passionate entrepreneur driven by purpose. His motto is “Making life easier for people with disabilities.” With lived experience of disability, James founded the Calgary-based company to make a real difference in the lives of others. Through My Everything Store, he provides essential medical products to individuals with disabilities across Canada delivered direct to their door—helping them live with greater independence, dignity and comfort.

In October of 1991, James was in a motor vehicle accident that left him paralysed from the waist down. He embarked on a journey of healing and learning about the medical supplies that he would require for the rest of his life. He wanted to create an experience that is easy to use, promotes trust, is fast and efficient and that you can count on with something as important as your medical supplies.

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The entrepreneurial spirit is in her blood

July 10, 2025 0:19:40

Christine Buhr is a Calgary-based entrepreneur and community builder dedicated to creating innovative wellness and entertainment experiences. As the Calgary franchisee for FS8, a next-generation fitness concept, Christine is focused on expanding its unique blend of movement, mindfulness, and community across the city. She’s also preparing to bring Vaura Pilates to market in the future.

]With over 15 years in the family entertainment and retail industries, including operating Shakers Family Fun Centre and working with brands like The Body Shop, Christine has launched and scaled multiple ventures. She previously hosted The 3rd Degree Podcast and The Weekly LBX Show, spotlighting trends and leaders in the experience economy. Her work has been featured in Maclean’s, The Calgary Herald, Business in Calgary, and Fun World. Christine earned her Entrepreneurial Masters Certificate at MIT’s Endicott House and believes that experiences, whether in wellness, business, or community are the true currency of the future.

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From Unlikely to Unstoppable: Rana Vig on Playing the Long Game, Building Smart, & Investing in Canada’s Mining Future

July 8, 2025 0:21:49

What does it take to build a company that beats the odds — and wins the permit that only 1 in 9 has done this decade?

🎙 Episode Overview:

In this powerful episode of Canada’s Entrepreneur, Angela Faye sits down with Rana Vig, President & CEO of Blue Lagoon Resources, to unpack one of the most underrated yet urgent entrepreneurial stories in Canada right now.

With the Dome Mountain Gold Project set to enter production in summer 2025, Blue Lagoon is making a rare leap — from exploration to gold producer — in a capital-intensive, highly regulated, and notoriously slow-moving industry.

Yet this episode isn’t just about mining.

It’s about how bold vision, disciplined execution, and public-private navigation can turn a long shot into a moonshot — and what every Canadian entrepreneur can learn from Rana’s playbook.

🔍 What You’ll Hear:

How Blue Lagoon became 1 of only 9 companies in a decade to receive a BC mining permit
What business owners can learn about timing, strategy, and raising capital in complex sectors
The future of Canadian-built companies that create real, rooted value in people and place
How mining might just be Canada’s most surprising startup space
A special invitation for entrepreneurs looking to partner, invest, or contribute to Canada’s future

💎 BONUS:

8-9 JULY DESTINATION TOUR: DOME GOLD MINE & SMITHERS BC

Canada’s Entrepreneur & Blue Lagoon Resources invites you to be celebrate the opening of the Dome Gold Mine, and explore what destination Smithers, BC offers. Make your way to Smithers BC, 8-9 July 2025, and here are some highlights we’ve put together for you:

Dome Gold Mine – Underground mine tour on 8th July
Dome Ribbon – Ribbon cutting ceremony with local celebrities, politicians, First Nations, industry, and community supporters, 9th July
Meetup in person with Rana Vig, CEO
Join a tour of commercial/industrial properties for sale
Find out more about visiting Smithers BC – https://tourismsmithers.com/

🎧 Register Interest to unlock destination and event tour details. More details coming soon.

💎 BONUS: Members Hub

Launching later this year is our Members Only Content. For the second half of the conversation, exclusively for Canada’s Entrepreneur members — where we break down:

Blue Lagoon’s capital strategy & business model
Opportunities for collaboration and investment
What it will take to accelerate Canada’s 4 Moonshots through partnerships like this

🎧 Become a member to unlock full access.

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Calgary is having a cultural renaissance

June 23, 2025 0:18:22

David Leinster leads Contemporary Calgary with a strong vision, a creative mindset, and a focus on community, collaboration, and partnership. Since joining the organisation in 2018, David has been dedicated to advancing the gallery’s mission of making modern and contemporary art accessible to all while fostering a vibrant cultural hub in Calgary.

David’s connection to Contemporary Calgary runs deep. As a key leader in the city’s Expression of Interest process for the Centennial Planetarium, he collaborated with arts community leaders to secure the Planetarium’s future as a home for contemporary art. His dedication to this process cemented his reputation as a creative and strategic thinker, advocating for modern and contemporary art in Calgary. This work followed his involvement with the Institute for Modern and Contemporary Art (IMCA), which later merged with other arts organisations to form Contemporary Calgary in 2014.

Under David’s leadership, Contemporary Calgary has achieved transformative milestones. He secured a 35-year lease of the historic Centennial Planetarium, guaranteeing the gallery’s future in one of Calgary’s most iconic buildings. Additionally, he led efforts to secure a $30 million federal government commitment for future renovations and expansions and has helped raise millions of dollars in private philanthropy, significantly elevating the gallery’s profile locally, nationally, and internationally. In 2024, David’s advocacy was instrumental in achieving Civic Partner status for Contemporary Calgary, aligning it with the City’s major cultural and tourism attractions and ensuring its financial stability.

Before joining Contemporary Calgary, David built a diverse professional background that uniquely prepared him to meet the challenges the gallery faced. At Enbridge, the largest energy transportation company in the world, he oversaw the strategic development and execution of the company’s long-term brand vision. He also led high-profile corporate and nonprofit accounts at Karo Group, a leading Western Canadian branding agency. These roles gave him a deep understanding of the many facets of business, equipping him with the diverse skills needed to lead a complex cultural organization at a pivotal moment.

David’s passion for art stems from his grandmother, an artist who inspired his lifelong appreciation for art, culture and creativity. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Francis Xavier University, where his education also included studies in drawing and painting. This unique combination of artistic insight and business expertise shapes his leadership style and continues to guide his vision for Contemporary Calgary.

Committed to accessibility, collaboration, and innovation, David leads a team of passionate employees who are driving change in Calgary’s arts community and beyond. His work has earned recognition, including being named one of Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2022..

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Reducing the amount of money spent on services

June 12, 2025 0:27:09

Now with Schooley Mitchell I’m helping entrepreneurs save money, which means effectively make money by reducing the amount of money they spend on services.

Stan has over twenty five years experience in management and business consulting. He currently helps business clients of all sizes realize greater profitability and improved cashflow by optimizing their expenses in a range of basic business services such as telecommunications, electronic payments, software licenses, small package shipping, waste management, uniforms and facility supplies. He latest venture being a Strategic Partner of Schooley Mitchell, North America’s largest independent cost reduction consulting organization. For many years Stan’s been a global business unit leader, advanced technology marketer and an innovation advisor to startups, SMEs and innovative entrepreneurs. He’s also an active investor, avid reader and public policy wonk.

#expenseoptimization #costreductionanalysis #expensemanagement #expensereduction #businessconsulting

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Helcim – most loved payment company

June 2, 2025 0:26:44

At the very core of who we Helcim is, is the mission to be the world’s most loved payments company. We are relentless in our pursuit to provide a radically transparent and honest payments solution that flat out saves business owners money, all while treating them like human beings.

Nicolas Beique is the founder and chief executive officer at Helcim. His goal is to deliver a better payment, experience and better tools to merchants who just want to run their business. Today Helcim serves thousands of merchants in Canada and the United States, and has been has built a reputation for being a friendly and transparent payment processor. At the very core of who we are is our mission to be the world’s most loved payments company. It’s like a necessary kind of evil that you have to have but and we really try to. You know, flip that on its head and be like, what if?

Nicolas has been recognized for his contributions to the payment industry and technology as the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Prairies technology overall category winner in 2018, and is a member of the Avenue Calgary top 40, under 40 class of 2019.

#payments #accounting #entrepreneur #entrepreneurinsights

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Helping transform the workplace

May 27, 2025 0:19:52

Sam Jenkins is the managing partner of Punchcard Systems, a digital transformation studio focused on transforming people, workplaces, and communities through technology. He has always believed that enriching people’s whole selves serves as a cornerstone to creating a better community. That’s why his entrepreneurial journey started as Co-Founder and CEO of Wellnext, a software startup focused on building technology for workplace wellness, and later as one of the founding team members of Startup Edmonton.

He has provided leadership and expertise to several organizations, including the boards of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts Awards Foundation, as well as held governance roles with the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival.

Sam’s commitment to his community led him to being named one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine (2012), and in 2013 the University of Alberta recognized him with the Horizon Award as an outstanding young alumnus. Currently, Sam serves as Vice Chair of the Winspear Centre for Music, and is leading the facility’s 40,000 square foot expansion, including new performance venues, classrooms, and creative spaces.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/samjenkins/
https://www.instagram.com/samjenkins/

#TechForGood #DigitalLeadership #StartupCommunity #YEGBusiness #SocialImpact

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What makes a good leader

May 22, 2025 0:24:11

Andrew Brooks, CPA, ICD.D, BBA
Executive Leader | Fractional CEO | Board Director | Strategic Advisor |Speaker

Andrew Brooks is a respected executive and strategic advisor with extensive experience leading organizations through transformation, growth, and transition. As the founder of Had To Holdings Ltd., he provides fractional CEO and executive advisory services to companies across Canada and internationally.

He began his relationship with Waiward as a fractional CEO before becoming its President and CEO, and has held similar leadership roles with the Alberta Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association and Flint Transfield Services.

Andrew’s early international experience in Nigeria helped shape his global perspective and culturally informed leadership style.

Today, he serves as Vice Chair of the Calgary Drug Treatment Court, a board member of The Future of Energy Global Summit and a director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, where he supports corporate and economic development with cross-cultural collaboration.

As a public speaker, Andrew regularly shares insights on energy, leadership, organizational alignment, and navigating change. Whether on stage, on a panel or in the boardroom, he’s known for his solid integrity, loyalty, steady presence, and his belief that “everyone has a story.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-brooks-leadership/
https://hadtoholdings.com/

#LeadershipMatters #FractionalCEO #BusinessTransformation #GlobalLeadership #EntrepreneurInsights

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