Posted on

Want to read about a Middle Eastern Canadian culinary entrepreneur, based in Saskatoon? Meet Ebtsam Elsheikh of Nile River Food!

I’m delighted (again, this week) to be able to share with you another article (an extended blog posting) from the first wave of the Covid pandemic. As I’ve earlier mentioned in this blog, over the past nine months, I’ve been part of a team of creative entrepreneurs to commemorate something good for a change about 2020! This year, for all its challenges, also marks the 30th anniversary of Praxis’ School of Entrepreneurship’s startSMART program.

As an alumna of the program from 2018-19 and occasional facilitator of the program’s business communication modules, I know how powerful startSMART is, in teaching entrepreneurs the skills we need to succeed.

Today, I’m pleased to post the link to the third of my interviews, featuring the wonderful Middle Eastern specialty cook, Ebtsam Elsheikh. Ebtsam sells her flavourful falafel at the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market and is working to expand her market to local supermarkets. She applies her detailed knowledge of Sudanese cooking and her significant education from living in Egypt to develop “Nile River Food.” Read about her fascinating entrepreneurial journey, in this week’s blog posting.

Enjoy!

Praxis Alum and Culinary Specialist Ebtsam Elsheikh

Posted on

Want to read how a local horticulturalist is growing Saskatoon’s own microgreens? Meet Richard Jelsma of Grassland Greens!

I’m delighted to be able to share with you, more of the fruit of my labour from the first wave of our Covid days. As I’ve earlier mentioned in this blog, over the past nine months, I’ve been part of a team of creative entrepreneurs to commemorate 2020 as the 30th anniversary of  Praxis’ School of Entrepreneurship’s startSMART program.

As an alumna of the program from 2018-19 and occasional facilitator of the program’s business communication modules, I know how powerful startSMART is,  in teaching entrepreneurs the skills we need to succeed.

Today, I’m delighted to post the link to the second of my interviews, featuring the wonderful Netherland-Canadian horticulturalist, Richard Jelsma. Through his startSMART training, Richard is propagating highly nutritious and delicious microgreens in his home-based laboratory, for customers in Saskatoon and area.  His diverse life and mission-based philosophy of service to the community will inspire you to keep fighting in these pandemic days.

Enjoy!

Praxis Alum and Horticulturalist Richard Jelsma

Posted on

October 2020–Tell Your Story Newsletter (TYSN)

October 2020 Vol 2 Issue 10

Tell Your Story Newsletter (TYSN):

Specializing in Entrepreneurial and Organizational Storytelling

Let me tell your story!

Welcome Mid-October, 2020!

I’m delighted to announce the “soft launch” this week of a project I worked on last spring and summer, during the first wave of Covid. While some creatives pressed “pause” at that time, I downloaded Zoom and got busy! The articles that resulted  feature successful grads of the Praxis School of Entrepreneurship’s startSMART program. (Please scroll down to the bottom, after you click on the link, below.) The stories all celebrate the astonishing milestone of Praxis’ 30th anniversary, in 2020!

https://praxisschools.ca/entrepreneurship/global-praxis-30/

Alongside the work of fellow alumni, podcaster Christina Cherneskey and videography project manager Megan Kent, I interviewed and wrote articles on four remarkable graduates of Praxis’ startSMART program. I asked these grads to share their insights with those outside of the program, but with whom we share our community.

Special thanks for the excellent (very patient) layout and web production by Saskatoon’s own Trusted Marketing specialists, Renee Larre and Nicole Grimley (https://trustedmarketingservices.com/). And thank you, as well, to Praxis CEO Monica Kreuger and Praxis administrator Elaine Mantyka, for instigating and overseeing the project. Continue reading “October 2020–Tell Your Story Newsletter (TYSN)”

Posted on

Buying local still wins out. . . . with Debra Marshall Photography

Lately, I have especially appreciated the work of small, local business owners, who persevere amid the worries of Covid-19. . . . Before returning to my Praxis 30th anniversary, entrepreneurial portraits, in this week’s blog posting, I will profile another outstanding, local small biz, that you may not know exists!

Long before it became a “thing,” I remember wanting to support local businesses. In Mr. Jacoby’s English class at Aden Bowman Collegiate in the late 80s, we listened to fellow alumna, superstar Joni Mitchell; and we read about the origins of medicare in Saskatchewan. Part of being of fierce Prairie stock was knowing and supporting our neighbours.

Three decades later, “Buy Local” is emblazoned on Tshirts, bumper stickers and ball caps . . . . It’s become virtually a cliché. . . . And yet some local businesses offer such quality services, in a quiet and reliable way, that they cry out for some hard-earned praise. . . . And one such case is Debra Marshall Photography.

Have you had a recent family portrait, business headshot or promotional picture taken? In the “dog days of summer” in August, the planets (mid-Covid) aligned long enough for me to replace the “dated selfie” on my website with a professional headshot.

Enter Debra Marshall, one of the province’s finest portrait photographers (https://debramarshall.ca/). Five minutes into a photo shoot, I found that a process that I half-dreaded had turned out to be a fun and career-centred conversation. Debra described herself as “an introverted photographer”; I knew instantly why we (pardon the pun) just “clicked.” Continue reading “Buying local still wins out. . . . with Debra Marshall Photography”

Posted on

Want to read about a great local chef and community leader? Meet Joscelyn Armstrong of Honey Bun Cafe!

I’m thrilled to be able to share with you, starting this week, the fruit of my labour from the Covid period, thus far. While some creatives paused during Covid, I kept steadily busy. I’ve  worked as part of a team of creative entrepreneurs to commemorate 2020 as the 30th anniversary of the Praxis’ School of Entrepreneurship’s startSMART program!

As an alumna of the program from 2018-19 and occasional facilitator of the program’s business communication modules, I know how powerful startSMART is, in teaching entrepreneurs the skills we need to succeed.

Today,  I’m delighted to post the link to the first of my interviews, featuring the fabulous chef and community leader, Joscelyn Armstrong. You may know her for her delicious stuffed buns and other delicacies at Honey Bun Cafe.  Her wonderful story will inspire you to keep fighting in this time of pandemic!

Enjoy!

Praxis Alum and Culinary Expert Joscelyn Armstrong