When you ask Afolabi, the owner of Delightsome Ventures Window Cleaning, what drives his work, it’s all about taking pride in his community.

“When you look out of your window, you should be able to see far and near. It makes you feel good.

When cousins Tristan Pettis and Dane Williams took over Drumheller’s bowling alley, Sandstone Lanes, they knew it would take more than a love of bowling to succeed—it would take the right team.

The pair got the keys a year ago and wanted to create a welcoming, family friendly atmosphere for staff and customers alike.

At Draw A Fence, Marc and Tamara are no strangers to carving out their own opportunities. On immigrating from South Africa in 2012, Tamara says “we came here with $400, our suitcases, and a job offer.” Given this, they’re experienced in tackling challenges with limited resources, relying on hard work and thorough research.

With Tamara’s 25 years in the fence industry and Marc’s background as a CAD operator and tradesperson, they found a problem in the fence building industry:

Meranda LeBlanc had the idea to open a wedding dress boutique in February 2025, and she didn’t waste any time getting started. “Do your research; come up with a plan,” she advises other entrepreneurs, as she used that time to map out the details including the business plan and the perfect space for her boutique. 

For Meranda, Prairie & Lace is a contribution to her hometown. “I grew up here, raised my family here, and built my life here,” she says. Her roots in the community inspired her to fill a gap she saw; with the nearest bridal shop over 100 km away, local brides were left without convenient or affordable options. “If you’re from Hanna, Stettler, or Three Hills, maybe you don’t want to drive into the city, or spend $4,000 on your wedding dress.” 

Since its founding in 2008, the Drumheller & District Humane Society has worked to ensure surrendered and stray cats in the valley receive the care they deserve. Run by a mix of staff, volunteers, and board members, the non-profit has evolved into an important community resource—one that wouldn’t exist without the support of those around it.

“The community keeps our doors open,” says Lindsay Rothman, a volunteer since 2023 who joined the board in 2024. Through donations, local partnerships, and volunteer hours, the organization has been able to house and care for, on average, 50-80 cats per year. The society is truly grateful to their sponsors who make this possible, including Western Financial, the estate of Clifford & Eileen Ing, Freson Brothers, and contributions made in Hadyn McFadden’s memory.

Still, the number one need remains the same: community support. The group is preparing to expand its mission—with the launch of a dog rehoming program. Currently, there’s no safe overnight facility for dogs in the area. The goal is to change that by renovating their space and grounds.

Liane Pinel wasn’t always an entrepreneur. She spent many years in the corporate world, working hard for others. Eventually though, it became clear that the corporate environment was not designed for single moms. This realization prompted her to take a leap of faith – to create a business that would unite like-minded individuals, fostering collaboration and autonomy while nurturing personal passions. The outcome? The Spirit Within, a metaphysical business cooperative now with three locations, and ambitious plans for more.

Dr. Devaleriola (Chelsey), is the founder and clinic director of Sacred Roots Wellness. She is a board-certified Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a Registered Acupuncturist. Her passion lies in the delivery of integrative patient-focused healthcare. Prior to studying Eastern Medicine, she spent six years as a Registered Nurse with Alberta Health Services, working in emergency medicine and acute care.

Chelsey graduated with her Doctorate Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in June 2022, and knew that by the late fall she wanted to have her practice up and running in Drumheller – she just wasn’t sure where. She searched commercial listings and found a few options, eventually settling on a smaller, downtown space. While growth and expansion were always part of her five-year plan, a smaller more manageable space made sense to start. Her goal was to build a clinic that would bridge the gap between Eastern and Western Medicine.

Janice and Margo are the sisters behind Poor Sisters in Rosedale. Though it might be hard to find on maps, it’s easy to get to, and only minutes east of Drumheller, where they grew up. This isn’t Janice’s first career, far from it. She has worked in varied roles from emergency dispatch to eldercare. A common thread throughout her work has been looking after those around her. Janice studied holistic nutrition, with a special interest in using food for healing. She loves creating menus and caring for others through food.

Lana Phillips and Natalie Lum arrived in the Drumheller Valley for a quick summer getaway in 2020 – the Ontario transplants were living in Edmonton at the time. When they arrived in Drumheller they were intrigued by what they saw – a coffee roastery, a pride crosswalk, and miles and miles of scenic bike paths! Within a year of that initial trip the couple were serving their first customers at “Bikes and Bites”, a creative enterprise bringing together their experience, talents and passions.

Michael Love was the first client of Bikes and Bites when the business opened and now Bikes and Bites is a happy client of Community Futures Big Country!