SMARTstart Airdrie

10/10/2026

"My business idea grew from my own challenges accessing timely women’s health care in Alberta. As a woman and a nurse practitioner, I have seen how difficult it can be to find a female provider and consistent support. "

Learn more about Heather Campbell and Legacy Health, in the fall issue of airdrielife magazine.

Thank you to airdrielife magazine for giving back to Airdrie and showcasing our SMARTstart entrepreneurs and their ventures!

10/08/2026

"I wanted a business that was essential, simple in operations and scalable with strong systems. After talking to laundromat owners across Calgary and Airdrie, we found one open to selling and that conversation is what turned the idea into reality. Today, Airdrie Laundromat offers self serve machines, wash dry fold service, pickup and delivery, commercial laundry, alterations and dry cleaning."

Learn more about Fil Rodriguez and Airdrie Laundromat, in the fall issue of airdrielife magazine.

Thank you to airdrielife magazine for giving back to Airdrie and showcasing our SMARTstart entrepreneurs and their ventures!

10/02/2026

We have one final mentor to recognize for their five-year milestone with our program.

Ankur Goklaney joined our mentorship group in 2022. He understands entrepreneurship in Airdrie firsthand. Before moving into financial services and real estate, Ankur spent six years as the managing partner of a restaurant in Airdrie. He’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs to manage costs and assess the viability of their idea or existing business. His understanding of cash flow, financial planning, risk management, and long-term growth is especially valuable for new entrepreneurs.

Thank you, Ankur, for being such an engaged and caring member of our mentorship team.

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

09/29/2026

It's time to recognize two mentors for their five-year milestone with the program. They each received a traditional anniversary gift of wood, crafted by a local Airdrie business.

First up is Tara Pickford. Tara joined our mentorship group in 2022, at a time when she was still in COVID recovery mode in her own business, Ambition Performing Arts. In addition to the one-to-one mentorship that she provides, she has also volunteered to give several Ted-talks at our SMARTstart bootcamp. The learning that she shares about creating systems and documentation for your business has helped our participants free up valuable time, increase consistency and get the work out of their head and into employee hands.

Thank you, Tara, for your five years of commitment to this program.

09/25/2026

Last night, we celebrated our favourite event of the year: the SMARTstart Graduation.

Congratulations to the 2026 SMARTstart graduates who spent the past seven months building their businesses, expanding their networks and developing the skills needed for long-term success.

Their achievements are a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, mentorship and community collaboration. Thank you to our mentors, sponsors and partners who make this program possible year after year.

We're proud of what this cohort has accomplished and excited to see what's next for these growing Airdrie businesses.

Applications for the 2027 program open October 19.

09/24/2026

Our next 10-year mentor milestone to celebrate is Tracy Goodbrand. Tracy joined us as a mentor in 2017 and hasn’t missed a year since. Tracy built a successful business from the ground up, identifying a market need, conducting extensive feasibility studies and market research, and developed Irricana Kountry Kennel into a thriving pet care business on their property. The importance of planning and research is a key insight she shares with her mentees.

Beyond SMARTstart, she is deeply involved in her community. The Town of Irricana named a dog park in her honour, reflecting the positive influence she has had on the community and the respect she has earned through her work and volunteerism.

Thank you for investing in Airdrie’s business community, Tracy.

09/22/2026

We're proud to share that Airdrie Economic Development has received the 2026 Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Business Retention & Expansion Excellence Award for Large/Urban Communities for our delivery of The Cashflow Canvas.

This national recognition celebrates more than a program. It recognizes a community-wide effort to help entrepreneurs build the financial confidence needed to make informed decisions, understand profitability, manage cash flow and prepare for growth.

Whether you're starting a business, seeking financing, exploring a new revenue stream or looking for greater confidence in your numbers, The Cashflow Canvas can help.

Register for the upcoming sessions:
📅 Oct. 21 and 28, 2026
🕡 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
📍 Inspire, Airdrie

Learn more: https://airdriecommon.ca/cashflow-canvas/

09/21/2026

SMARTstart has been around for over a decade. We recognize mentors as they reach five and 10 year milestones with the program. We have four milestones to celebrate over the next couple of weeks 🎉.

First up is an OG! Sid Van der Meer has been a mentor since the very first year of SMARTstart. He has taken some “time off” from the program in recent years while he project-managed hurricane restoration efforts at his second home in Florida, but we all know he’s never really off.

Sid has maintained decade-long relationships with former mentees. He’s coined himself a ‘street fighter’, feeling like he learned all his lessons in business the hard way. He is passionate about staying involved in the Airdrie business community through mentorship. This year, he has been a mentor at large for the program and has participated in our group mentoring events and met one-on-one with several of our entrepreneurs. Thanks, Sid, for all you have done to shape what this program is today.