Blog

Navigating a health condition or disability at the same time as growing a business can feel overwhelming. Having the right kinds of support around you matters. Two supports available for entrepreneurs are business coaches and business mentors. While these roles can sound similar, they serve different purposes.

Community Futures Lesser Slave Lake Region is proud to present Business on the Lake: Bridging the Gap 2026 — a one-day mini business conference created in direct response to the most recent research on the region’s business challenges. This event is the answer many in our community have been waiting for: practical solutions, strategic insights, and real conversations that address the current workforce gaps, leadership gaps, and shifting business dynamics impacting northern Alberta today.

The start of a new year is a great time to reflect and set intentions for your business. But if you’re an entrepreneur living with a disability, health condition, or neurodivergence, your goals need to fit your reality—not someone else’s. Here’s how to create goals that are achievable, flexible, and empowering.

Starting or growing a business can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. Through the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), rural Albertan entrepreneurs living with disabilities, health conditions, or neurodivergence can access free coaching packages designed to meet your unique needs.

Starting or growing a business is exciting, but it can feel overwhelming if you’re not sure what the process looks like. At the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP), we provide individualized coaching to support you. Here’s what you can expect when you apply:

Special Projects funding from EDP Alberta helped Community Futures Meridian Region design and deliver a practical, inclusive way for rural youth to learn the basics of small business ownership. All 10 seats filled within 7 days, and every participant completed the program by October 2025.

Running a business is exciting—but it can also be stressful. For rural entrepreneurs living with disabilities or health conditions, those challenges can feel even heavier. At Community Futures, we believe that supporting your success means supporting your whole well-being. That’s why many Community Futures staff receive Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.

Every year on December 3rd, the world comes together to recognize the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). Established by the United Nations, this day promotes understanding of disability issues and mobilizes support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It’s also a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of individuals living with disabilities in every community.

 At Community Futures Alberta, our Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) is designed to help rural entrepreneurs overcome barriers and build businesses that fit their lives. Today, we’re proud to share the inspiring journey of Bonnie Kroeker, owner of Wiggle Butts Day Home—a safe haven for dogs that’s rooted in trust, compassion, and community.

Community Futures Alberta’s Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) helps rural business owners overcome barriers and succeed. One powerful tool for managing the day-to-day business load? Project management skills. Even an informal approach can make a big difference for entrepreneurs with disabilities.