Early Days

Reviving Baseball in Edmonton: How Dr. Randy Gregg Built the Riverhawks Around Community

Dr. Randy Gregg has worn many hats: five-time Stanley Cup champion, Olympic athlete, family physician—and now, community builder through baseball. In this episode, he shares how his love for the game and belief in accessibility sparked the revival of Remax Field and the creation of the Edmonton Riverhawks [https://riverhawksbaseball.com/]. From $3 hot dogs to leadership lessons from Wayne Gretzky, it’s a story about building something bigger than sport: a place that belongs to everyone. The "Early Days" podcast [https://earlydays.ca/] provides insights and tips for business owners and entrepreneurs as it relates to their early days. This includes the actual start of their business and the successes and challenges. "Early Days" also explores the highlighted businesses in terms of new offerings, services, team growth, expansion to new locations, and more. Proudly presented by Prowse Barrette LLP [https://prowsebarrette.com/]. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55. Located in Edmonton, Alberta. Road 55 creates content that connects! For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca [http://www.road55.ca/]

Building Results: Jeff Tetz on Leadership, Learning, and Long-Term Success

After a turning point in his real estate job, Jeff Tetz took a leap into the unknown—and never looked back. Now the CEO of Results [https://unleashresults.com/], he helps leadership teams across Canada build trust, structure, and lasting impact. From launching a shuttle bus service in grade nine to creating Alberta’s BEx Summit, Jeff shares powerful stories of resilience, reinvention, and leadership. Discover how vulnerability, curiosity, and a commitment to growth can build better teams and businesses. The "Early Days" podcast [https://earlydays.ca/] provides insights and tips for business owners and entrepreneurs as it relates to their early days. This includes the actual start of their business and the successes and challenges. "Early Days" also explores the highlighted businesses in terms of new offerings, services, team growth, expansion to new locations, and more. Proudly presented by Prowse Barrette LLP [https://prowsebarrette.com/]. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55. Located in Edmonton, Alberta. Road 55 creates content that connects! For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca [http://www.road55.ca/]

Breaking the Mold: Mikayla Balfour on Reimagining Women’s Snow Gear

Mikayla Balfour is changing the landscape of snow sports with Nexarina [https://nexarina.com/], a brand built to serve women who’ve long been overlooked in the outerwear industry. What started as a personal struggle to find snow pants that actually fit evolved into a mission-driven business centred on inclusivity, community, and performance. Through hands-on research, pitch competitions, and three seasons of prototyping, Mikayla has turned a simple idea into a growing brand with real traction. Her focus on smart design, customer feedback, and authentic storytelling has helped Nexarina stand out in a crowded market—proving that when you build for people who’ve been left out, they show up. The "Early Days" podcast [https://earlydays.ca/]provides insights and tips for business owners and entrepreneurs as it relates to their early days. This includes the actual start of their business, the successes and challenges. "Early Days" also explores the highlighted businesses in terms of new offerings, services, team growth, expansion to new locations, and more. Proudly presented by Prowse Barrette LLP [https://prowsebarrette.com/]. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55. Located in Edmonton, Alberta. Road 55 creates content that connects! For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca  [https://road55.ca/]

Building a Winning Culture: Chris Morris on Leadership & the Business of the Edmonton Elks

In this episode of Early Days, host Jackie Rae speaks with Chris Morris, the new President and CEO of the Edmonton Elks [https://www.goelks.com/], about the early days of his leadership role, the challenges of rebuilding a historic franchise, and the key strategies he's implementing to create long-term success. Chris discusses the importance of continuity in leadership, how a strong business strategy supports on-field performance, and what it takes to keep a professional sports team relevant in today’s fast-paced digital world. He also shares valuable lessons on leadership, decision-making, and culture-building that apply far beyond football. In this episode, you’ll learn: * What Chris identified as immediate priorities when stepping into the CEO role * The impact of stability and continuity on both the business and football operations * How professional sports teams must adapt their marketing and fan engagement strategies * The challenges of keeping fans engaged outside of game days * Key leadership insights on building a winning culture and long-term organizational success Listen now to hear how Chris Morris is working to reshape the Edmonton Elks [https://www.goelks.com/] for a sustainable and successful future. The "Early Days" podcast provides insights and tips for business owners and entrepreneurs as it relates to their early days. This includes the actual start of their business, the successes and challenges. "Early Days" also explores the highlighted businesses in terms of new offerings, services, team growth, expansion to new locations, and more. Proudly presented by Prowse Barrette LLP [https://prowsebarrette.com/]. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55. Located in Edmonton, Alberta. Road 55 creates content that connects! For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca  [https://road55.ca/]

Curtains Up: Aimée Beaudoin on Reimagining Dinner Theater

In this episode of Early Days, we explore the world of Aimée Beaudoin, co-founder of Spotlight Cabaret [https://spotlightcabaret.ca/] in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona. Spotlight Cabaret is a one-of-a-kind venue featuring dinner theater, burlesque, drag, comedy, live music, and more, all with a 1920s vibe. Aimée shares how she and her partner, Jeff Halaby, turned their creative vision into a successful business. From finding the right location and dealing with licensing challenges to embracing diversity and managing seasonal changes, Aimée talks about the ups and downs of building such a unique space. She also shares how Spotlight Cabaret handled early shutdowns, learned from COVID, and continues to create unforgettable experiences. Aimée’s honest and funny insights highlight the mix of creativity, hard work, and determination behind the business. The "Early Days" podcast [https://earlydays.ca/]provides insights and tips for business owners and entrepreneurs as it relates to their early days. This includes the actual start of their business, the successes and challenges. "Early Days" also explores the highlighted businesses in terms of new offerings, services, team growth, expansion to new locations, and more. This series is proudly produced by the team at Road 55. Located in Edmonton, Alberta. Road 55 creates content that connects! For more information, please visit: www.road55.ca    [https://road55.ca/]