The Legacy of a Small Business: Celebrating the Work Place

Every October, Small Business Week occurs across Canada, with the intention of celebrating the success of small businesses, recognizing their hard work and persistence, and creating opportunities for small business owners to connect, learn, and reflect. In Grande Prairie, the Chamber of Commerce hosts three primary Small Business Week events annually, where they proudly present local entrepreneurs with their Business Awards of Distinction. 

This year, we are pleased to report that three of the winning businesses were Members from downtown Grande Prairie! Please join us in congratulating The Work Place (Legacy Business Award), The Liminal Place Cafe (Best New Business Award) and Peak Beauty Academy (Small Business of the Year, 15+ employees).

The Work Place (Carlson & Company Inc.) provides employment services to both job seeking individuals, and employers in Grande Prairie and the broader area. See our interview with Denise and the team at the Work Place below!

Congratulations on your win of the Legacy Business Award! What does winning an award like this mean to you and your team? What do you want your business’ legacy to be?

Winning this award is an incredible honour for Denise and the entire Carlson & Company Inc. team. It recognizes over 30 years of dedication, perseverance, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of individuals, employers, and the Grande Prairie community. For Denise, it is particularly meaningful to see the business that began as a small home-based operation recognized for its lasting impact locally and throughout Alberta. It also acknowledges the many employees, partners, and community organizations who have contributed to this journey.

Our desired legacy is to be remembered as an organization that genuinely cared, opened doors, created opportunities, and helped people realize their potential. Equally important is Denise’s legacy of sharing knowledge, mentoring others, and inspiring the next generation of business leaders and career practitioners.

Ultimately, success is measured not simply by years in business, but by the opportunities created, lives changed, relationships strengthened, and lasting contributions made to our community. This award is a wonderful affirmation of that commitment.

 

What makes the Grande Prairie (and more specifically, the Downtown GP) business community so great to be a part of?                                                                                                                                                                            

What makes the Grande Prairie business community, and particularly GP Downtown Association, so great to be part of is the strong sense of connection, collaboration, and shared commitment. We believe in the philosophy of strength in numbers: when local businesses, community organizations, and service providers work together, share resources, and support one another, everyone benefits.

The Downtown Association plays an important role in bringing businesses together, promoting the city centre through events and initiatives, supporting local business opportunities, and advocating for a vibrant, thriving downtown. Its commitment to maintaining and enhancing our city core helps create an environment where businesses and the community can grow together. We believe our success is interconnected. By building strong partnerships, supporting local businesses, and working toward common goals, we strengthen not only individual businesses but the economic vitality of Grande Prairie as a whole.

 

Why did you choose downtown as the home for your business?

Choosing downtown Grande Prairie as the home for our business was a practical and purposeful decision. The downtown location offers job seekers convenient access to public transportation, is easy to find, and provides an accessible, central place for individuals and employers to connect with our services.

Equally important has been our long-standing relationship with the GP Downtown Association. Being part of the downtown association for 18 years has allowed us to build meaningful partnerships, support local initiatives, and contribute to the continued vitality of the city centre. We believe a strong downtown is essential to a strong community, and we are proud to have been part of its growth and development.

 

Downtowns are often hubs of creativity and culture in their communities – how does creativity play into your business’ success?

Creativity has always been an important part of our success. In the career and employment industry, no two individuals or employers have the same needs, so we must continually think outside the box, develop innovative programs, and find new ways to connect people with opportunities. From creating unique workforce development initiatives to adapting our services to changing labour market needs, creativity allows us to remain relevant, responsive, and effective. We believe innovation comes from listening, collaborating, and being willing to try new approaches.

 

Is there anything new and exciting on the horizon for your business?

Our message is simple: Are you looking for work, or do you know someone who is? That’s what we’re here for! We understand that searching for employment can be challenging, particularly in today’s tough economic climate. Our commitment is to support job seekers in overcoming barriers, connecting with opportunities, and getting back to work. By helping individuals find meaningful employment, we are also strengthening our local workforce, supporting employers, and contributing to the overall economic health of Grande Prairie. Our goal remains the same after more than 30 years: making a meaningful difference, one person and one opportunity at a time. We encourage anyone looking for work or needing employment support to reach out to The Work Place. We’re here to help!

 

We are excited to present our “New Year, New Resume, New Job!” 2027 Workshop Series at the Grande Prairie Public Library!

Join us throughout January and February 2027 for a series of career development workshops designed to help you build confidence, strengthen your job search skills, create a standout resume, explore career opportunities, and successfully navigate your career journey. First workshop will be Tuesday January 5, 2027 from 1 pm to 3 pm with the topic: “Resume & Cover Letter: New Year, New Resume, New Job!”

 

Once again, we would like to congratulate the Work Place on this well-deserved recognition after more than 30 years of hard work serving Grande Prairie! 

For more information, please visit their website: https://www.gpworkplace.ca/