Lorie Watson

Village of Burns Lake

About Lorie:

Lorie has worked as an Economic Development Officer for the Village of Burns Lake for the last three years where she implements Economic Diversification and Community Development strategies. Before this, she received a diploma in business administration with a major in marketing and completed the economic development project management program at the University of Calgary. Lorie’s past work endeavors include owning her business and working in business administration.

Lorie took the CED program to increase and refresh her understanding of community economic development to guide future development of community projects.

Project:

For Lorie’s final project, she created ASPIRE Okotoks, a bootcamp for women entrepreneurs.  The initiative provides women with the essential tools, resources, and connections necessary to help them achieve success in their business. The program includes online tools, workshops, group activities and peer support to expand participants' knowledge of entrepreneurship and sustainable management and improve and foster the skills needed to start and manage an enterprise. Being that women-owned businesses are still in the minority, and the experiences of women entrepreneurs are vastly different than their male counterparts, the overall goal of the ASPIRE Okotoks initiative is to empower and support these women as they embark on their entrepreneurial journey.