Every year, billions of dollars in government funding go to the organizations that best understand the process. In this inaugural episode of Winning the Public Purse, David Kincade sits down with Mona Pinder, Executive Director of the Alberta Hospitality Association, to discuss the economic realities of an industry operating on "full tables and paper-thin margins."
As a former healthcare administrator turned pastry chef and provincial advocate, Mona provides a unique perspective on the "double whammy" facing the hospitality sector: skyrocketing input costs and shifting consumer demands. We discuss the data from the 2026 ATB report, explore why 44% of operators are currently at a breaking point, and learn how the industry accounts for nearly 40% of the tourism workforce.
This conversation moves beyond the high-level stats to focus on the "Pursuing the Public Purse" round, where David and Mona decode the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Grant. From $5,000 hiring incentives to the "Indeed vs. Handshake" gap in youth employment, this episode reveals what restaurateurs and small business owners need right now to transform student hiring into a predictable pillar of their success.
Ready to transform grant writing into a predictable pillar of your success? David's students have already won over $61M in funding using the frameworks taught in the Advanced Grant Writing Course. You can get started now at https://albertabusinessgrants.ca/grant-writing.
To ensure you never miss an insight into the world of public funding, subscribe to Winning the Public Purse with David Kincade on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. If you found value in this episode, please consider leaving a rating and review to help other mission-driven leaders unlock the public purse.
Highlights From This Episode:
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A look at the fascinating pivot Mona made in her career and how 20 years in healthcare administration prepared her to lead the Alberta Hospitality Association [2:44]
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The key reasons why record-breaking sales in 2026 haven't translated to profit for restaurant owners [8:43]
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Why it takes 11.5 people to make $1M in a restaurant compared to only 3.5 in retail [10:46]
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What's really happening with youth unemployment hitting 14% while restaurants are desperate for staff [17:41]
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The "necessary evil" of third-party apps and the simple website trick that saves restaurants thousands in fees [24:11]
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Why unique, independent businesses, and not large chains, are the true drivers of rural tourism and community vibrancy in Canada [27:53]
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A step-by-step breakdown of how to access $5,000 in funding to bring students into your business using the WIL Grant [30:05]
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Mona's philosophy on "collecting people" and how breaking out of professional silos is the true key to successful advocacy [37:32]
Key Guest Quotes:
"Increased sales does not equate to increased profits. The margins have always been thin in restaurants." [8:56]
"Our advocacy is we want governments at all levels to think like a small business owner. So you've got to be good with your money and you've got to consider the trickle-down effects." [14:16]
"We are still a human contact world. But I think for a lot of young people, it's more of this online world, and that's just hard when you get this random resume." [20:03]
"If you're good with computers, the application [for the WIL Grant] takes three minutes. If you're bad with computers, it takes 8 minutes." [32:24]
"I always say I like to collect people. So I like to make connections with people and I always try to keep in touch with them... because they can always help you out." [37:32]
LINKS:
Mona's LinkedIn
Alberta Hospitality Association Website
Learn More About The Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Grant
January Jump
ATB Wealth Report: Full Tables, Tight Margins
Mealshare
SAIT (Southern Alberta Institute of Technology): Baking and Pastry Arts Program
