For an entrepreneur, getting in front of new customers can be just as important as having a great product. KDays gave more than 55 entrepreneurs and small businesses connected with Action for Healthy Communities’ (AHC) Entrepreneurship Supports Program (ESP) a chance to do exactly that.
From July 17–19, the AHC Market Place at KDays Market Hall brought participating businesses to the Edmonton EXPO Centre, where they introduced their products to KDays visitors. Offerings included specialty foods, cultural products, fashion, home décor, beauty items, gifts, and children’s products.
For the entrepreneurs, the event was about more than making sales. It was an opportunity to connect with customers and introduce their businesses to people who may not have encountered them before.
From Business Ideas to Real-World Experience
AHC’s Entrepreneurship Supports Program supports aspiring and existing entrepreneurs as they build, operate, and grow their businesses.
Many participants are newcomers to Canada who are building on skills and experience they already have while creating new economic opportunities for themselves and their families. Starting a business in a new country can also mean navigating unfamiliar regulations, understanding the local marketplace, finding customers, and building professional networks.
Entrepreneurs can use the tools, training, and connections available through ESP to build on their strengths, make informed decisions, and move their businesses forward.
Growing Through New Opportunities
An event like KDays can offer more than a single weekend of sales. Conversations with customers can give entrepreneurs insight into what people are looking for, which products attract attention, and where there may be opportunities to expand.
The connections made at an event can also continue beyond it. A new customer, referral, or business relationship can become a starting point for future growth.
Celebrating Edmonton’s Entrepreneurs
The AHC Market Place also reflected the diversity of Edmonton’s entrepreneurial community. Visitors could discover locally made products, specialty foods, cultural products, fashion, home décor, beauty items, gifts, and children’s products while supporting small businesses.
For entrepreneurs, events like KDays create opportunities to share what they have built and contribute to the community they call home.
For the entrepreneurs who took part, the Market Place was another step in building businesses on their own terms. Through ESP, entrepreneurs can access the tools, connections, and opportunities to help turn their goals into their next chapter.
Whether you are developing a business idea, growing an established business, or exploring what comes next, your experience and ideas have value. Explore what is possible through AHC’s Entrepreneurship Supports Program and take the next step toward your goals.
