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Hold the fort; Fort McMurray's newest martial arts academy "The Fort Martial Arts" has opened its doors.

5/30/2019

McMurrian Media had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Co-owners Scott Campbell and Tristan Parker about their new business The Fort Martial Arts.

MM: How did you guys decide that you wanted to open your business?

Tristan: Well, we've been doing this for a long time, I've been training in martial arts for almost ten years.

Scott: I've also been training for about ten years.

Tristan: We always trained at the other martial arts academies in town and a lot of our additional training came from our good friends Zach and Sarah's garage. They moved away; which cut our training class times in half, so we decided if we had the opportunity to expand the training times and bring something that has a structured schedule and more availability and flexibility for people that want to try or train in martial arts; we were going to do it!

Scott: It's been a long time coming here in the community, we spent a lot of time training and getting to know people in the area and across the province, we just felt like it was time to expand and grow. To reach that next level we needed to open this studio up.

MM: This particular spot in town seems to be the new hub for fitness and general health and wellness, did you know you wanted to be located here or was it a happy accident?

Tristan: From a startup perspective, you always have to be conscious of your budget. North of the bridge can be a little difficult so if you have to be downtown this is where you want to be. You've got Dr. Offices, the float tanks and fitness centres.

Scott: I found out about this location from a guy I work with who is actually a trainer over at Cross Fit Crude; the opportunity came up where we could come to check out this location. These bay style facilities are perfect for martial arts. Right away both Tristan and I saw the vision of what this place could become.

MM: How did you guys come up with your name; did you know right away that this is what you're calling it?

Scott: We absolutely did not know what the name was going to be!

Tristan: The name was so difficult, the planning of this took about six months and the name didn't come until the last day of planning. We decided tonights the night we have to come up with a name. Out of the blue Scott said how about "the fort" I actually wasn't sold. But Scott stumbled across the logo and everything fell into place.

Scott: We wanted something simple, yet bold that represented the community. Martial arts in a general sense there is a lot of unity and family. Being born and raised here; there's not many of us around here so I felt really strongly I wanted the name to represent the community.

MM: What are some of the classes you'll be offering?

Scott: Kids Jujitsu, Adult Jujitsu, MMA, Kids Kickboxing. We will also be branching into adult kickboxing. Because of mat space and time slots, we are going to be doubling down on classes people are interested in and want.

Tristan: At 16 years old your eligible to join adult classes.

MM: What are some struggles you've run into opening a business in Fort McMurray.

Tristan: Obviously there are learning curves being a startup. But the help that we have had in the community; we’ve always been able to solve every problem. From community futures to Susan Lore from the Lore Group and the friends in the community who have helped us build this out as quickly as we have.

Scott: It's just the way we are, yes there are difficulties but we have always treated them more as a problem to solve. Once we found our location, we were able to take care of every other problem that has come up.

MM: Is there anything you would like the public to know about your classes?

Tristan: A lot of parents have questions about our children's programs. We have programs suited for ages four and up. What martial arts does is teach your kids coordination, balance, discipline and as they get older their self-esteem. I encourage all parents to come in and check out the academy and our classes.

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Slip on the slippers, pull on the robe, grab your glass of champagne and get ready to unwind with Alethea Austin co-founder and CEO of Achieve Wellness Spa.

5/23/2019

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Alethea Austin Achieve Wellness Spa McMurrian Media

Self-care can mean different things to different people but the one thing I think we can all agree on is that self-care means we deliberately do an activity in order to take care of our mental, emotional, and physical health.

Where better to take care of all three of these needs than at Achieve Wellness Spa. They offer services ranging from massage & physical therapy to microdermabrasion & nail treatments. To see their full list of available services visit their website.

MM: You've won a fair amount of awards over the last couple years but you've just won one recently?

Alethea: We won the top 25 spas of Canada in early 2018 which we're very proud of and we've won the Gold Star Award for customer service.

MM: Are you the sole owner or is it group ownership and can you tell me a-little bit about your background?

Alethea: I am a co-founder with my husband, I moved here 15 years ago for our three-year plan and I fell in love with the community; I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

I'm a physical therapist by trade; I've worked in hospitals, schools, private clinics & rehab facilities. I just didn't like any of the models out there for wellness; I wanted to create something better.

In 2009 my husband and I came up with the idea while we were on our honeymoon. We looked into different franchise models that were out there but nothing fit what we were looking for, so we did it ourselves.

I wouldn't recommend going this route; its a lot of work but it's paying off.

We opened our first location uptown five years ago and we opened our second location downtown a year ago. We are actually planning on franchising this year and we will have locations opening in Edmonton, Red Deer & Calgary shortly.

MM: You said you were on your honeymoon when you decided to open your business, how did you come up with the concept and decided what services you would offer?

Alethea: The services came about somewhat gradually, we knew right of the bat we wanted to open a wellness centre we just didn't know exactly what that would look like. We even trialled yoga when we first opened up but it didn't fit with our model; having yoga classes going on at the same time as a relaxing spa atmosphere. We tried counselling services, holistic nutritionist, hypnotherapist, those more holistic services didn't really fit the city wasn't really ready for them so we stuck with more "mainstream" services.

MM: Is there a particular struggle you've had to overcome having a business in Fort McMurray?

Alethea: Yes many; we signed our lease deal in 2013 when times were still booming. We signed in for a 10-year lease at a very high cost.

It's a very high cost for personnel here; it's much higher than anywhere else. When the minimum wage increased to $15 an hour we all kind of joked because it wouldn't affect anyone here.

We also had the economic downturn and a lot of people weren't spending money on luxuries like spa treatments.

Then, of course, we had the 2016 wildfire which shut us down for two months and as we were about to open our doors there was a flood when the city flushed all their water lines that shut us down for another two months.

Its also not easy to find good quality staff members, so we offer retention bonuses and signing bonuses to bring people from across Canada to work here because we don't have a big pool of qualified professionals here.

Theirs no aesthetics school here in Fort McMurray so not a lot of aestheticians are wanting to make the move up here to Fort McMurray.

MM: Is there anything particular that you're proud of with your business?

Alethea: I think the reasons we have survived five difficult years are we really did a lot of strategic planning and business planning. We stuck to our core values we never skimped on anything; if it didn't fit in with what our core values were and our ethics were and the character of our company then we didn't do it. There were times when we didn't think we could stay open, financially it was tough for a lot of years. It's still tough because we keep reinvesting into the business, but we know it can be something fantastic.

I'm really proud of our quality, we are one of only twenty-one spas in Canada that is quality assured. so that means we bring people in that pick through our HR, charting, sanitation & training process.

MM: What is your most popular service here.

Alethea: Definitely massage, part of that is most people have benefits and they realize the importance of getting a regular massage. If you're going to get a massage that's paid for in part or full from your insurance would you rather go to a stale boring clinic or get the robe and slipper experience somewhere you can enjoy a glass of champagne and still get a therapeutic massage paid for by insurance.

We have some very exciting news we have made a deal with Arlene Dickinson from dragons den, she has invested in our company. She believes in our model so much that she is now going to help us spread our wellness across Canada.

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Casual dining at its - tastiest! Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual is open and ready to feed you!

5/16/2019

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Whether you're looking to take the family out for dinner or just want to hang out with friends for appy’s and a drink - Mr. Mike’s has something for everyone. Their late night menu makes the patio a very appealing spot for post-game drinks and $5 appy's with your team.

Mike Durocher one of the owners and general manager of Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual in Fort McMurray, answered some questions for McMurrian Media and let us know about their history and their involvement in the community.

MM: Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual is a Canadian franchise, how did your group decide Mr. Mike’s was the right business for you?

Mike: We’re a group of five, we are majority indigenous-owned. We chose Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual because it has a great reputation across Canada, they began with a single restaurant that opened in 1960 in Vancouver, British Columbia, the restaurant aimed at providing a low-cost dining experience for families and it became a hit.

We researched several different investment opportunities before choosing Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual. Then while attending a franchise show, we noticed Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual they really stood out from the others.

We didn’t want to compete with the many fine dining restaurants in Fort McMurray, our primary goal was to create an atmosphere where families can come in and talk, turn off their phones and have quality time with their families.

MM: As a new business, what is your biggest struggle being a business owner in Fort McMurray?

Mike: Staffing is always an issue; in the service industry- You can have a great product and tons of customers, but if you don’t have experienced staff, it’s difficult to run a business. Finding experienced staff is tough!

Getting the word out that we’re open for business has been a bit of a struggle, as well.

We're not fast food-so plan to stay for about an hour, everything is cooked fresh for you, so it’s worth the wait. Our happy hour and our late-night menu rum from 2- 5 & at 9 to close, we have $5 off all our entrees and appetizers for $5.

MM: When will the patio open for the season?

Mike: The patio is open now- when the weather cooperates. Once the weather stays nice for a longer period, we’ll do a big advertising launch for its opening.

MM: What are you most proud of about your business?

Mike: We’re most proud of our social aspect, we’ve provided equal opportunity jobs for all members of the community without discrimination, and all we ask for is job experience.

We've brought families together got then off social media so they can enjoy family time together.

MM: Is there anything going on that you would like to share with the community?

Mike: We are attending two golf tournaments this summer, first is the REMAX Charity Golf Tournament in support of Northern Lights Health Foundation and the Stollery Children's Hospital, we feel that is a very good cause. We've donated a dinner for 8 and a gift basket. We did that last year before we even opened and we're doing it again this year.

Next, we will be attending the first responder's golf tournament June 29th and we'll be running the BBQ giving out free Mr. Mike’s burgers. Once again that's a cause we feel we can get behind, first responders have done so much for our community so to help recognize them is awesome.

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Whether you're looking to get a hot shave, a quick trim or a completely new hairstyle owner Ali Kdouh and the team at The Thickwood Barber Shop have got you covered.

5/9/2019

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Welcome to the gentleman's club, or more commonly known as the Thickwood Barber Shop by the Black Horse Pub. Everyone is welcomed into the shop and greeted - usually by name.

Shop owner Ali Kdouh prides himself in learning all his client's names and memorizing their particular hairstyle, and it shows. Many of his clients will wait until he's free to cut their hair; instead of getting in one of the other barbers chairs.

MM: How long have you been living in Fort McMurray?

Ali: I've been living in Fort McMurray since 2009, I moved from Windsor Ontario; I lived there for three days before moving here?

MM: How long have you been in business?

Ali: I started my business in 2011.

MM: How did you decide to open your business?

Ali: I didn't' decide, I came to Fort McMurray not knowing what to do. I was always a computer science guy. I came here and started working with my degree and it didn't work for me. I wanted to work a job that I could sleep next to my wife every night and see my children every day.

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So I started looking for a new opportunity, I started looking for a new job.

I got an offer from my old boss, he told me to come work for him and he'd teach me how to cut hair.

MM: What's the largest struggle you find having a business here in Fort McMurray?

Ali: The biggest struggle I face and I'll be facing forever is finding the right barber; I've been looking for barbers for the last few months. We have high standards for the barbers that work here; we are all highly skilled.

This business is different because you can't just hire anyone. A barber is "the full package"; he's a character, he's a good barber who can cut hair, he's a listener and he's a friend.

MM: What are you really proud of with your business?

Ali: The friendships and relationships I've made. This is the biggest thing I've achieved in my life. It's not just a job this is a lifestyle. Getting to know customers, their names & their hair cuts because you get to know them.

Whether you're looking to get a hot shave, a quick trim or a completely new hairstyle Ali and the team at The Thickwood Barber Shop have got you covered.

No appointment necessary, just walk in and have a seat!

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When one door closes another door opens; local business owner Keith Coleridge is picking up the pieces after Greyhound closure.

5/2/2019

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McMurrian Media Fort McMurray Alberta facebook and twitter

Many Greyhound passengers were left stranded last October when the company announced they would be ending their service across the prairies.

Local business owner Keith Coleridge is picking up the pieces with his company's KM Courier and Cold Shot Parcel and Bus Services. Located at 345 Sakitawaw trail; they offer passenger bus services, overnight delivery & in town courier services.

MM: So how did you decided to start your business?

Keith: My business started by fluke I guess, I answered an ad in the newspaper and taking opportunities one after another that we're put in front of us over the last 12 years.

We started with Red Arrow and rented a van from them per month; then we grew to two vans after six months and eventually went to Greyhound as their agent managers until they closed last fall.

A new company Cold Shot, a bus company that is basically our infrastructure was left behind from Greyhound in Edmonton; the same as I was in Fort McMurray. Instead of folding with Greyhound they decided to start a small bus company and replace Greyhound so we became their partner in Fort McMurray.

MM: I didn't realize you guys move people as-well as freight?

Keith: Yes, we are moving passengers and freight similar to what Greyhound did. We're just using smaller equipment our busses are smaller but we are priced comparable to Greyhound. We're just trying to fill the void that Greyhound left behind.

MM: Are there some struggles you find after you've separated from Greyhound?

Keith: We're trying to make people aware that we are here, it's basically the same business just a new name. It's relatively the same people; it's my wife and I running cold shot vs. running Greyhound. It's still the same driver on the road doing delivery and pickups in town. For the most part, the people that were doing the leg work in Edmonton for Greyhound; are still in place, they are just working for a different company.

MM: How long have you been in this building?

Keith: Since Greyhound closed, they closed their doors downtown October 31st and we opened here November 1st. We've been growing day by day and adding new products and services.

MM: Other than getting the word out and letting people know you are here; is there anything you would like the public to know about your business?

Keith: For people doing any outdoor activities like quading or snowmobiling, because of the fire and that situation there are no more dealerships in town so you have to get parts from Edmonton. Well, we can have them here overnight ready for pick up at 6 am. Nobody else in town can offer this service.

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Fort-McMurray-Alberta-Marketing-Agency

Hold the fort; Fort McMurray's newest martial arts academy "The Fort Martial Arts" has opened its doors.

Slip on the slippers, pull on the robe, grab your glass of champagne and get ready to unwind with Alethea Austin co-founder and CEO of Achieve Wellness Spa.

Casual dining at its - tastiest! Mr. Mike’s SteakhouseCasual is open and ready to feed you!

Whether you're looking to get a hot shave, a quick trim or a completely new hairstyle owner Ali Kdouh and the team at The Thickwood Barber Shop have got you covered.

When one door closes another door opens; local business owner Keith Coleridge is picking up the pieces after Greyhound closure.

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