We are celebrating 25 years of empowering and inspiring Métis entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan at the Clarence Campeau Development Fund.

To help commemorate this achievement, we have our CEO, Pam Larson, as a guest on the podcast speaking to us about the milestones achieved and the exciting new partnerships to come.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné and Pam Larson will cover many of the major accomplishments of CCDF since 1997. Pam discusses how her career path converged into becoming the CEO at CCDF, the new key partnerships CCDF has established, the significant support Metis people have received over the years to start their businesses, and other memorable stories. 

Pam discusses:

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About Guest:

Born and raised in Prince Albert, Pam Larson is the CEO of the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF). As CEO, Pam is proud to provide leadership and innovative finance opportunities to CCDF’s clients. Since taking over as CEO in 2017, she has achieved record-breaking loan and grant issuance for CCDF and says her top priority is the success of Métis entrepreneurs and communities. She is a believer in lifelong learning and professional development, has a love for travel and experiencing new cultures, and enjoys spending time with her children, parents, and two dogs. She is passionate and brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to her work, and sincerely enjoys supporting Métis entrepreneurs in achieving business success.  

Today we introduce you to two entrepreneurs, Shauna Frederick and Shannon Pestun, who developed a financial literacy platform to address the unique needs of women entrepreneurs.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné is joined by the co-founders of The Finance Cafe, Shauna and Shannon. They discuss the barriers that women face with both financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Shauna and Shannon also share their history with money and how it led to the formation of The Finance Cafe. 

Shauna and Shannon discuss:

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About Guests:

Shannon Pestun

Shannon is an experienced entrepreneur and courageous leader who breaks barriers to advance an inclusive and sustainable economy. Recognized for creating innovative funding models and solutions that challenge the status quo, Shannon is a trusted voice on women’s entrepreneurship for educators, government, industry and the media. She was one of the first women in the country to lead a women’s banking strategy and one of seven women appointed to serve on Canada’s women entrepreneurship expert panel. Her commitment to advancing equality has been widely recognized. Shannon is a member of the Mount Royal University board of directors and a member of the President’s advisory committee on equity, diversity and inclusion. A proud Cree Metis woman, Shannon recently created the Gifting circle for Indigenous women entrepreneurs, the first community-funded bursary that supports Indigenous women who pursue entrepreneurship.

Shauna Frederick

As a women entrepreneur and skilled Chartered Professional Accountant, Shauna is an on-the-go CFO who takes the frustration and anxiety out of the accounting unknowns. Working with entrepreneurs from across a variety of sectors, Shauna helps them navigate the financial and accounting challenges that come with running a business.

Shauna is passionate about entrepreneurship, diversity and advancing the rights of women and girls. She spent close to 10 years with the Famous 5 Foundation and chaired the Foundation for five years. Through that experience, she had the opportunity to learn from women entrepreneurs, oversee committees across Canada, work with external partners and Government officials and co-lead the creation and delivery of a Girls’ Leadership Program. This five-week program builds leadership skills in girls.

When people think of starting an entrepreneurship journey, they either think of starting a business, purchasing a business or expanding a business. 

In this week’s episode, Victoria Gagné is talking to Métis entrepreneur Rebeca Johnstone. Rebeca saw an opportunity to purchase a Budget Blinds business that wasn’t originally for sale.  Over the past eight years, she’s successfully grown her business, expanding into new territories. And coming full circle, she sold her business even though it wasn’t originally for sale. Rebeca shares the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Victoria and Rebeca discuss:

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Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About Guest: 

Rebeca Johnstone is a Saskatchewan based Métis entrepreneur who is raising three children while married to a farmer. Rebeca purchased her first Budget Blinds territory in 2014. Over the past eight years, she expanded to three showrooms and seven territories building a team of 22 staff members. At the time of the sale of her business in 2022, Rebeca sold her business, even though it wasn’t listed for sale. She loves the art of making a deal and has a breadth of business knowledge she’s gained over the purchase, expansion and sale of her business. 

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

Transitioning into entrepreneurship often leads to starting a new chapter in life.

But, your experiences in your former career might help you along your journey much more than you realize.

In this episode of Make It Your Business, Victoria Gagné is joined by former professional hockey player and entrepreneur Dwight King. Dwight talks about his new business, Kingdom Golf, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how his hockey career helped him through it.

Dwight discusses:

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Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About Our Guest:

Dwight King is a Métis entrepreneur from Local 31.  Dwight is a retired professional hockey player and won two Stanley Cup Championships with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014.  After retiring from his professional hockey career, Dwight moved back to his hometown of Meadow Lake to start the next chapter of his life, starting and running a small business, Kingdom Golf. 

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

When we think about developing a growth mindset, growth can be scary.  

However, remember that there are a lot of tools and business advice you can draw from to understand when’s the right time to grow.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné speaks with Karey Kapell, a business coach and mentor for coaches, course creators, and service-based business women. Karey sheds light on what tends to hinder the ability of business growth while offering her wisdom in entrepreneurship and her advice on overcoming barriers to align your business.  

Karey discusses:

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Connect With Karey Kapell:

Connect with Victoria Gagné:

About Our Guest:

Karey Kapell is a business coach and mentor for coaches, course creators, and service-based business women looking to grow their income and impact online by stepping more into alignment with their innate wisdom and way of being.

She’s been an entrepreneur for 10 years now, growing and selling a profitable retail business and now coaching other female businesses owners for 5 plus years. She’s worked with well over 200 entrepreneurs helping them get out of their own way and increase their sales while staying true to who they are and how they want to show up in their business and life.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

In a business, nothing will be perfect. There will always be things that go wrong, people who criticize your ideas, and self-doubt that arises, but to be truly successful, you must learn to overcome these obstacles.

In this episode, Victoria Gagné speaks to Audra Hill, founder of Farmer John’s Local Market & Kitchen, a coffee shop and grocery store that provides local and fresh products from Saskatchewan farmers to the community. Audra highlights her experience as an entrepreneur and the barriers she’s learned to overcome through her journey.

Audra discusses:

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About Our Guest:

Audra Hill is the founder of Farmer John’s Local Market & Kitchen, which provides customers access to farm-fresh produce and meat grown in Saskatchewan. Audra grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan and has always found her most passionate roles working with producers.

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

Do you believe that previous experiences shape who we are and contribute to what our futures will be?

Former Saskatchewanderer and CIVL Creative’s founder and creative director, Zane Buchanan  knows this first hand.

In this episode, Zane joins Victoria Gagné to unveil how his past experiences shaped him as the person and entrepreneur he is today. He also reveals CCDF’s role within his entrepreneurial success while highlighting how his time as the Saskatchewanderer led him to build CIVL Creative.

Zane discusses:

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Connect with Zane Buchanan: 

Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About our Guest:

Zane Buchanan is the founder and creative director behind CIVL Creative. CIVL Creative is the culmination of many professional and personal experiences Zane experienced over a handful of years.  Since graduating from a rural Saskatchewan high school in 2010, Zane has lived, studied, and worked across Canada.  Zane moved back to Saskatchewan in 2019 when he was appointed The Saskatchewanderer.  This experience laid the groundwork for what is now CIVL Creative, a content creation firm that works with diverse organizations to showcase their positive impact on our communities

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to appear on Canada’s popular reality-entrepreneurial show, Dragons’ Den?

In this episode, seasoned Dragons’ Den contestants and entrepreneurs Geoff and Colette Heschel sit down with Victoria Gagné to share the show’s trade secrets. They also highlight how they built their first business, along with entrepreneurial tips and tricks you should know as you look to start and solidify your business. 

Geoff and Colette discuss:

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About our Guests:

Geoff and Colette Heschel and their three children live in Morse, Saskatchewan. They own and operate a boiler, superheater, and agricultural trucking business called GH Well Services Inc. In addition to GH Well Services Inc. In 2012, Geoff decided to build an above-ground deck that could easily be adjusted should the soil shift. Not liking the appearance, quality, or ease of use of any of the products in his local building supplies stores, he decided it would be simpler to build his own. This is how the GH The Leveller was born.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

Business owners and entrepreneurs, how many of you are looking for ways to build community within your business?

Learn how Métis entrepreneur and owner of Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Regina South, Amber Richards, implemented her strengths and passions while creating her business model in this episode of Make It Your Business. 

This week, Amber joins Victoria Gagné to unveil Clarence Campeau Development Fund’s role within her success and how her achievements and barriers have shaped her into the prosperous entrepreneur and business owner she is today. 

Amber discusses:

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Connect with Amber Richards:

Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About our Guest:

Amber Richards is the Owner of Oxygen Yoga and Fitness Regina South in Regina, Saskatchewan.  She began her journey of true entrepreneurship in 2018 and has a background in sales & sales management, community engagement, and customer service. Amber took her Yoga and Fuse 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018, teaches yoga and fitness but also manages the day-to-day at her studio.  

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)

Are you a Saskatchewan-based Métis entrepreneur looking to start or grow your business?

Welcome to Make It Your Business with Victoria Gagné, business development specialist at Clarence Campeau Development Fund!

In this inaugural episode, Victoria outlines everything you need to know about CCDF, including how they provide Métis entrepreneurs with innovative financing options and business advice they need to start or grow their business. Victoria also speaks about who she is inside and outside of the office and why she’s passionate about the work that she does.

Victoria discusses:

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Connect with Victoria Gagne:

About Your Host:

Victoria Gagné works for the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF) in Regina, Saskatchewan, and sits on the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District Board. Victoria is committed to seeing Métis people fully engage in the Saskatchewan economy and share in its prosperity.

Internationally, Victoria has worked for UnitingWorld and A Girl and Her World – organizations committed to seeing women in the Pacific participating in education and local economies.

The music is by John Arcand (artist) and Andy Dejarlais (composer)