Small businesses are a key part of nurturing a strong, diversified and sustainable economy in Canmore. They are also the heart of our community.
Around 96 percent of local businesses in Canmore are small businesses. Each one contributes to the vibrancy, innovation, and character that make our town unique.
Across the Bow Valley, these independent businesses provide essential goods and services, create local jobs, and help sustain the welcoming, connected community that residents and visitors alike value deeply.
How we support Canmore business owners and entrepreneurs
The Town of Canmore's Economic Development team works closely with local business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to foster a diverse and sustainable economy.
We offer programs like SMARTstart, Canmore's entrepreneurial training and mentorship program, along with workshops, networking opportunities, and one-on-one support for those looking to start or grow their business.
If you have questions about operating a business in Canmore or want to connect with our team, we're here to help. Send us an email or call us at 403.678.1505.
Small Business Week spotlight
In celebration of Small Business Week from Oct. 20 – 24, we spoke with three Canmore business owners to learn more about their stories — their "why," what makes their work meaningful, and why they chose to build their business right here in Canmore.
Liz Willard, Owner, Rock Cycle & Studio
Tell us about your business — what do you do, and what makes it special?
Rock Cycle and Studio is a boutique fitness studio with two spacious studios for classes such as spin, yoga, Pilates, strength, TRX and much more. Our classes are so much fun and community-oriented — we cheer each other and our members on whole-heartedly! I am a Barre instructor at the studio, with a Pilates/TRX class coming soon.
What inspired you to start your business in Canmore, and what first drew you to this line of work?
I moved here from Calgary 10 years ago to take over The Loft Hair salon, which I recently sold in August of this year. I decided to open a second business, Rock Cycle and Studio, nearly four years ago after getting knee surgery and finding that spin classes really helped with my recovery. Canmore didn't have a spin studio, so I was driving to Calgary a lot. This need for a spin studio was felt by a lot of people, so I bit the bullet and put my heart and soul into Rock Cycle. It's been such a wonderful addition to the Bow Valley.
What’s your favourite part about being a small business owner? What do you love most about being part of this community?
I love the freedom of creating my own schedule and holidays as a business owner. I have two little girls and spending as much time with them as possible is what I enjoy most. I love being a part of the community and watching people come together to not only try new things, but to push themselves in ways they never thought they could. Some of our members started, unsure how or what to do, but took that first step anyway. Now, they are physically, mentally, and emotionally so strong. It’s rewarding to see such positive changes.
What’s one thing you’d like your customers to know about you?
I grew up in northern Alberta and my family was too poor to put me in sports or any activities. I was very out of shape until my early 20s. One day, I decided to try running — I had no stamina, and I didn't tell anyone I was doing it, but holy moly I fell in love with it! So, I pushed myself to keep going; I signed up for 5k and 10k runs and did really well for someone who didn't know what I was doing and didn't have a buddy to go with. Sometimes you just have to go for it, even if it feels strange and you're all alone. There are so many people in the exact same boat!
Fergus Butt, Owner, Intelligent Lawn Solutions
Tell us about your business — what do you do, and what makes it special?
Intelligent Lawn Solutions helps homeowners in Canmore keep their yards healthy and looking their best throughout the season. We offer complete lawn care programs that focus on long-term health with fertilization and weed control, as well as full-service maintenance like mowing, seasonal cleanups, and smaller landscaping projects such as re-sodding and topdressing. What makes us special is the experience I bring from years in the golf course industry, where attention to detail and turf health are everything. That background enables me to deliver the same high standard of care you’d expect on a golf course — while tailoring it to the unique growing conditions in the Bow Valley.
What inspired you to start your business here, and what first drew you to this line of work?
I moved to Canmore in 2012 to work as a ski instructor and quickly fell in love with the mountains, the lifestyle, and the strong sense of community here. Over the years, I’ve built my life around everything this town offers — skiing in the winter, mountain and gravel biking in the summer, and golfing. A passion for the outdoors drew me into the turf industry through working at a local golf course, eventually leading me to study Turfgrass Management. I wanted to take what I’d learned and put it to use for people here in town, making lawn care and maintenance easier for homeowners in a place where growing grass isn’t the easiest.
What’s your favourite part about being a small business owner? What do you love most about being part of this community?
What I enjoy most is the people. My years in the golf industry were mostly behind the scenes, making turf look great but without much connection. Owning my business here flips that — I get to meet homeowners, talk with them face to face, and see the impact of the work right away. As for the community, I love how welcoming it is. There is a lot of support for new small business owners in town, which was incredibly motivating for me when I was starting.
What’s one thing you’d like your customers to know about you?
Back in Scotland, I was pursuing a Master’s in International Business with a Modern Language — essentially preparing to sit in an office and sound sophisticated. After taking a year out to live in Banff for a ski season, I returned home to study. I quickly realized in my second year that this trajectory probably wasn’t for me. Once in the golf industry, I did my Bachelor’s in Turfgrass and Golf Course Management. It turns out that it was exactly what I needed, and it gave me the perfect foundation to succeed in both the golf course and lawn care industries.
Have you connected with the Town of Canmore’s Economic Development programs or supports?
I went through the SMARTstart program the Town of Canmore offers, and it was really helpful when I was getting my business going. It gave me some solid tools for planning and managing a seasonal business, and the mentorship side of it was huge — having someone local to bounce ideas off made a big difference. I also met other business owners in town who were at the same stage, and those connections have stuck with me. It made the whole process of starting feel a lot less overwhelming.
Mich Lam, Owner, Pen Pals Design
Tell us about your business — what do you do, and what makes it special?
My business, Pen Pals Design, offers graphic design and communications services based in Canmore. This includes branding, designing for print, copywriting, building campaigns, and so much more. The name of my business stems from the concept of relationships built over time, similar to connections that grow when writing back and forth with a pen pal. I love being rooted in our community and working with local organizations and businesses to share their stories.
Feel free to connect with me as I'd love to chat!
What inspired you to start your business here, and what first drew you to this line of work?
I've been in the Bow Valley for the past nine years. I'm very intertwined in our community, especially in Canmore. Some people might recognize me through my engagement with Canmore Pride. I'm committed to building more inclusive spaces for our 2SLGTBQIA+ community in Canmore because it's the same community that shows me acceptance as a queer and trans person. And in that sense, that community is what keeps me here.
I've always been a creative and I pride myself on challenging the status quo. Graphic design was my way of turning my creative energy into a career.
What’s your favourite part about being a small business owner? What do you love most about being part of this community?
I like working locally as a small business owner because of the relationships I have in the community. I'm someone who attends (and organizes) a lot of community-based events and strives to build more inclusive spaces, especially for equity-deserving groups of people. I love building one-on-one relationships as both a community member and small business owner.
Have you connected with the Town of Canmore's Economic Development programs or supports?
I'm currently in the SMARTstart program, which I learnt about through the Bow Valley Pride Network. I am excited to be part of this entrepreneurship program and learn.