Business: Warkentin Real Estate Projects

Personal History:I moved with my family to Red Deer in February 2006 from BC. My husband and I have two children.

Business Info:We chose to move to Red Deer as it was and still is considered on of the top ten towns to invest in Real Estate in Alberta by the REIN group (Real Estate Investment Network) of which I am a member. Since moving here we have purchased 8 rental properties - both residential and commercial - that will provide a positive monthly cash flow through joint ventures. I show people who to use the equity in their homes to purchase such investment properties. I work out of my home and can be contacted by email or by phone for more information.

Community Involvement: I am involved with my church overseeing different service ministries.

Hobbies/Interests: I love to read and garden

Business: Refreshing Your Space

This is my fourth year in business. A big part of what I do is consultations, assisting clients with paint choices, room layout, accessorizing, overall design style, shopping (this is a favorite for me).Another aspect of my business is project management with renovations. This consists of meeting with clients, setting up a budget, arranging for trades such as: electrician, plumber, woodworking, dry walling, and painting. Assisting my client with choices such as: flooring, tile, paint colors, trim, cabinetry, hardware, fixtures, lighting, and all the finishing touches, such as: window treatments, furniture, artwork, accessories.I do consultations for design and layout of custom closets. They are 100% solid wood, stained and finished. This product can be purchased as a DIY project or installed. Please check out the photo gallery on my website for some before and after shots.

Born and raised in Saskatchewan. We moved to Red Deer in 2001. Merv and I have been married for 25 years. We have a son Jesse (24), daughters Raelene (17) and Emily (13).

Darlene also works part-time as Fund Development Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. If you are looking for a great organization to volunteer with, do a corporate project, or need information, please let her know.

Red Deer Chamber of Commerce

Personal History: Born and raised in Alberta, Danielle moved to Red Deer in 1997 and then to Penhold in 2001, where she still lives. She is married with three grown children, one step-daughter and two grandsons.

Business Info: Danielle’s background in writing, non-profit and for-profit management, as well as Business and Community Development have given her a well-rounded perspective on the world, and provided a solid foundation for her current position as Manager of Policy, Advocacy and Communications at the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.

Community Involvement: Danielle has served on many community and charitable boards, including four years as President of the Board of Directors for The Champions Centre Inc., a national charity that provides permanent, supportive housing to men at risk of homelessness. Currently Danielle serves as a Councilor for the Town of Penhold, Co- Chair for Child & Youth Friendly Red Deer as well as on the Board of the Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society.

Hobbies/Interests: Music, hiking, cycling, camping and travel are among the interests that take up Danielle’s spare time.

Business: Heritage Makers

Personal History: In 2003, I graduated from RDC with a major in Marketing but without the self confidence or outgoing personality to really flourish. In 2007, I found myself trying out a part time home business and experienced rapid self growth, shed my shy side and became the fun “Party Lady” I am today. I currently live with my husband Tyler & new baby Dexter in Red Deer, AB

Business Information: Heritage Makers is a way to showcase moments & people from our lives into beautiful books, posters, cards, canvas art and more! Build It caters to the not-so-creative with ready made templates as well as to the hands-on type with the ability to build projects from scratch or even tweak the templates to their liking. Projects can be built online in minutes & published within a few weeks. Let me show you how to give your memories a story!

Personal History: In 2003, I graduated from RDC with a major in Marketing but without the self confidence or outgoing personality to really flourish. In 2007, I found myself trying out a part time home business and experienced rapid self growth, shed my shy side and became the fun “Party Lady” I am today. I currently live with my husband Tyler & new baby Dexter in Red Deer, AB.

Hobbies/Interest: Whenever possible I spend my time reading, writing, scrapbooking, watching movies, traveling and enjoying life.

Business: Carolyn F. Jones and Associates-Ethical Solutions

Mgmt/HR Consulting -Wellness in the Workplace. Workplace analyses, evaluation, recommendation and program development, based on a wellness model. This model focuses on solutions for barriers to a productive, harmonious and healthy environment. Success in these areas has shown to increase retention and productivity in the workplace. The LifeStyle Series is a dynamic program that offers a variety of workshops, and can be tailored to each workplace or situation.

I am from Central Alberta, but lived in South Eastern Ontario with my husband and daughter for a number of years. I have worked in the Education and non-profit sectors and for the provincial government, developing, delivering and managing programs in rural areas. I am alumni at Red Deer College, Grant McEwan College and Sir Sanford Fleming College.

I currently enjoy a fabulous life in Delburne with my husband. Our daughter and grandson live in residence at Red Deer College, where our daughter attends the fine arts program and grandson attends the RDC Child Care Centre and Kindergarten.

Community Involvement: I have been involved at the board level with groups offering services to seniors, victims of domestic violence and rural service and program development. Currently, I am working on developing public health services for children and business development opportunities in rural areas in the Dominican Republic.

Hobbies/Interests: Fitness, health, gardening, language studies, dancing, traveling.

Business: Millennium Dental Hygiene Centre

I have been a dental hygenist for almost 30 years. I really enjoy my career, I find it very satisfying and rewarding. I try to keep preventative dental care affordable so it allows more people to access treatment in maintaining their smiles.

I opened the first independant dental hygiene office in the Province of Alberta. I work with my sister, Deborah Kowalski; she is a denturist. We can provide better care for alot of elderly clients because we can offer two services to them in one place

I live in Lacombe and really haven't got into many community involvements oher than collecting food for the local Food Bank at Christmas In the past, I have done alot with the Salvation Army and MS Society

I enjoy sewing, quilting, crafts - all kinds, scrapbooking (one of my favourite) and walking my dogs. I also enjoy doing house renovations with my husband. We own an older home in Kimberley, BC so we get lots of practice.

Business: Ffraser Law Office

Sole practitioner in a general law office with a focus on real estate, wills/estates and family law. I graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Calgary in 2001 and was called to the bar in Alberta and the Northwest Territories in 2002.

I provide a collaborative law alternative for clients who want to avoid litigation and the court process in favour of a mediated agreement. My office is located in downtown Red Deer at #303, 5008 – 50 Street, Red Deer, AB T4N 1Y3.

Business: Magnacatta British Shorthair Cats

I am a hobby breeder of the most relaxed, amiable breed of cats, the British Shorthair. I have brought in cats from all over the world to ensure we have top championship lines. I was the first British Shorthair breeder in Canada to breed colourpoint British Shorthair kittens. We have Westways and Stonehaven Cats in the pedigrees of in our foundation breeding cats.

British Shorthair Cats come in every colour but our primary focus is currently on British Blues, the traditional colour for Brits. Our kittens tend to have a silvery sheen to their fur and brilliant copper coloured eyes. The length and texture of the fur is their feature.

Business: Integrated Financial Services Inc.

I moved to Red Deer in 1996 to follow my husband's career path and have made him stay ever since! We love the sense of community that exists here and the thriving family and small business networks that abound on every block. It certainly took us a couple of years to feel like we belonged here, but like everything else in life you get what you put in.

I joined Integrated Financial in 1998. Joining their team was an easy decision. In a highly competitive environment I knew that I wanted to be surrounded by some of the best in the industry, to harvest their energy, experience and professionalism and make it my own. Working with this driven team of professionals has pushed me to achieve the CFP designation and more recently the Elder Planning Counselor EPC) designation. Day to day business sees me working with clients to help them achieve their financial goals. I help with retirement and investment planning, planning for a child's post secondary education as well as ensuring that families are protected against personal disaster with life and disability insurance. If you are looking for more information on the work I can do please check out-

I spent several years on the Independent Achiever's board and see a future in the community supporting all the activities that having a young family involves you in.

Other than working my days are filled up chasing two busy little boys, age 6 and 4. My R&R and escape is almost always with a book and it is seldom that I don't have a stack sitting on the bedside table.

Royal LePage Network Realty

Personal History: I've lived in Red Deer since 2001 and was working at CIBC as a personal banker and also running my own karaoke business. After 11 years in that business I chose to become a realtor and will happily do this for the rest of my life.

Business Info: I've been a successful Realtor for 3 years and love working with people to help them buy and sell. I've received awards every year for sales performance and had Most Improved Realtor in 2008 with an 85% increase from previous years. I'm also a Senior Real Estate Specialist and have my Green Agent designation.

Community Involvement: Volunteer with CAWES and support the Royal LePage Shelter foundation fundraisers. Support the homeless shelter and MAT program.

Hobbies/Interests: Reading a good mystery or Nora Roberts novel, exploring ghost towns with my husband Johnnie and collecting antiques, bottles and cans.

Business: Adrienne Marie Photography

I moved to Red Deer with my family from Saskatoon in July 2002 and opened my photography business in October that same year.

Full service photography that celebrates. From consultation to framing, the entire process is relaxed, fun and very “you”! Images that show who you are and what you love are what we specialize in.

I am Program Chair for Central Alberta Mountain Club. I’ve coached soccer and am a Chamber of Commerce member.

I enjoy running, hiking, backpacking, reading and my family.