In his first year of business, Caleb is already cleaning up. Though the future did not always appear so clear for the owner of Focus Window Cleaning, a small local business in Calgary. “Starting the company, I didn’t know how I was going to pull it off. It was a long shot. It was my last shot,” says Caleb in a soft but steady… Read more
Business Development, People of Momentum
Jagvinder (Jag) Singh loves cars. With focus, optimism, and determination, he’s driving a straight trajectory towards his dreams. Jag originally started his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering in India to learn all that he could about cars, their inner workings, and the global automotive industry. These studies were interrupted when his family moved to Canada in 2015 in search of a better life for him, his… Read more
Employment Skills, People of Momentum
Originally featured in a blog post last autumn, Momentum caught up with Michael of Carrver Creations at our annual Business Breakfast on March 1, 2019. We were fortunate at the event to receive a chainsaw-carved totem in tribute to the learning and growth Michael experienced while a part of the Self Employment program.
Business Development, People of Momentum
Giving birth isn’t easy. Whether it’s giving birth to a child or a dream, unexpected struggles can hit anytime. Amber found this to be especially true when she developed diabetes type 1 shortly after she had her first child. “When you’re pregnant, you don’t envision having to now also pay for insulin, medical supplies, and additional health services for yourself,” she explains. Familiar with living… Read more
Money Management, People of Momentum
Those who attended Momentum’s annual Business Breakfast on March 1st were fortunate to hear the personal story of Dapo, a newcomer to Calgary who found his way into a successful IT Career in Canada. In his own words, this is Dapo’s speech. There are certain events and days that define our life stories. For me and my family, one of those is the day we… Read more
Business Development, Employment Skills, People of Momentum
Ksenia judges books by their covers – and then she elevates them into works of art. Hand-crafted, one of a kind, leather-bound novels line the walls of Ksenia Kopystyńska’s downtown limestone brick studio in Kingston, Ontario. The towering windows of Ars Libri Studio (latin for “the art of books”) feature her handiwork, giving passers-by the opportunity to browse beautiful hand-bound books and other leathercraft items. Even… Read more
Business Development, People of Momentum
Most people don’t just pick up chainsaw carving. But that’s exactly what Michael Carr did. When he was working making props for film and television, he picked up a chainsaw on a whim. “It wound up being quicker and faster to cut up the Styrofoam. And I sort of built it from there.” Chainsaw carving has always called Michael’s name. It was a whisper in… Read more
Business Development, People of Momentum
When Francisco Javier Cao first walked through the door of the shop he was working at in Montreal, he caught the smell of pine wood and thought, “This is awesome. This is what I want to do. I want to work in a shop where I can smell wood every time.” Francisco has always loved carpentry and has good memories of his grandfather teaching him… Read more
Employment Skills, People of Momentum
Tara was a “willy nilly” spender. “I felt bad every time I went to the salon and got my hair done. It felt and looked better, but I always wondered if there would be enough money left for the necessities.” When Tara learned about budgeting, it was helpful to learn that she didn’t need to feel guilty about getting her hair done if she made… Read more
Money Management, People of Momentum
Monika worked hard for 8 years to study to become a licenced Minister. She wanted to pursue a career in that industry, but she couldn’t find the time between her shifts as a bus driver in Calgary. “I thought I could do both,” she says. “I thought I could perform marriage and celebration of life ceremonies in between the other job. But it was hard.”… Read more
Business Development, People of Momentum