The event, co-hosted by The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, IDEA START, and Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation, brought our UM community together to learn about entrepreneurship in various forms.

After an inspiring welcome from UM Chancellor, David Angus, four faculty members shared their experiences applying entrepreneurship and innovation:

• Associate Professor Kathy Yerex, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, shared about a new module in the Dental Hygiene program to help students develop skills for professional innovation and small business.
• Dr. Wenxi Pu, Asper School of Business, shared about his new research method that uses linguistic analysis of U.S. media, supported by machine learning algorithms and AI, to reveal cultural attitudes about entrepreneurship.
• Dr. Stephane McLachlan shared how his work in Indigenous data sovereignty led him to create a social enterprise that supports an app called Our Data Indigenous.
• Dr. Geoff Tranmer shared about the journey to create Borotherapeutics, an early-stage drug development company that seeks to develop boron-based therapeutics particularly focused on ALS disease.

Attendees also heard brief introductions from the units on campus that support entrepreneurship in all its forms:

• Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship, The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
• Debra Jonasson-Young, I.H. Asper Executive Director, Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Moe Levy, Director, IDEA START
• Dr. Loren Oschipok, Director, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation

November marked the third annual Entrepreneurship & Innovative Thinking Month at the University of Manitoba. Along with the symposium, the month featured events, initiatives and highlights of how entrepreneurship and innovative approaches can support the pursuit of big ideas to help make the world a better place.

Check out the latest Entrepreneurship & Innovative Thinking Report on Activities for 2024/25.

At this point, she’s on fourth day of Manitoba time after two weeks of Hong Kong time (14 hours difference). It was enough to drive Naylor, who works as the Marketing Coordinator of the Asper School’s Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship to get a lunchtime coffee, and she’s not even a coffee drinker.

Was she in Hong Kong for business or pleasure? Well, depends on your definition: where does representing Team Canada for the International Bowling Federation (IBF) Championships fall?

Representing Team Canada

At any point during the last 20+ years, one of the most likely places to find Marissa Naylor would’ve been the bowling alley (the other is the golf course, but that’s another story).

Bowling steady (and competitively) since she was six years old, these days you can find her heading straight to the lanes from the Stu Clark Centre three or four times a week.

So, she’s had some practice. Much like an entrepreneur, she has harnessed focus and dedication over a long time to deliver an amazing product.

The skills she developed made her a perfect candidate for the Canadian team, but first, she had to make the team. This, Naylor says, can be a “ruthless” experience. Canada’s best bowlers come together and each bowl 36 games over three days. 12 a day. The scores are tallied, and the top six make the team.

She first made the team in 2023, and represented Canada at the IBF Championships in Kuwait. But just because she’s been at the IBF Championships before, doesn’t mean that it wasn’t a completely different ball game this time around.

At the 2023 Kuwait Championships there were only seven national teams, but in Hong Kong, there was 32—many of the teams filled with pro bowlers paid to be there.

“It was a whole new level of competitiveness,” she said.

Naylor bowled in four events— Women’s singles, doubles, trios, and team bowling. The unfortunate part to report is that neither Naylor, or her Canadian teammates medaled. But in competitive bowling, making the cut can hinge on the tiniest score differentials.

“I’m talking five or 10 pins,” says Naylor. “So a nailbiter, in other words.”

The upside: Naylor gave her all, got to explore the culture of Hong Kong (Disneyland, “the big buddha,” and unique foods) and learned life lessons.

“That’s the beauty of sports,” she says, “it’s a double-edged sword, right? You want to make the cut but you also realize that not everything goes your way, and that’s okay.”

Community and the next challenge

Perhaps with some inspiration from the Asper School’s values of always prioritizing community impact, Naylor has begun giving back to the bowling community.

Over the last year, she has started coaching 12–21-year-olds. Up until then, she had been so busy that it wasn’t a priority.

“But then I was really thinking about it with a mentor of mine who helped me, […] And he was like, if you’re gonna coach, we need female representation. So in the bowling community in Winnipeg, specifically, there’s only a handful of coaches, and two of them are female,” Naylor says.

She’s proud to be someone female bowlers can turn to, and the time she’s cut out of her busy schedule has been worth it. “In 2025 diversity is so important, especially in sport.”

Already, she’s having the champagne problems of having to compete against people she’s coached in order to earn a spot on Team Canada.

For Naylor’s next challenge, she is already preparing for the 2027 championships, which are going to be in Korea. It’s the biggest stage yet, promising to again make the Asper School proud, in what can best be described as a blockbuster sequel to this year’s championship.

“In Korea, it’s like hockey in Canada, but for bowling,” says Naylor.
—
Through the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, Marissa Naylor will be holding a webinar “Marketing Strategy for Startups” on January 30th, 2026. She will be exploring how early-stage entrepreneurs can build a strong brand, attract the right audience, and turn limited resources into meaningful results. Learn how you can register for her webinar.

For the Footwear Fanatic: Unboxed Customs

We’ve all been there. You’ve found yourself doing a double take at a pair of bold, branded Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets or Winnipeg Sea Bears shoes, going, “how?”

Recent Asper grad Yashan Wu [BComm(Hons.)/25], that’s how. This alum is the founder and creative director of Unboxed Customs—a custom shoe company that creates one unforgettable piece of wearable art after another. We’re talking Nike Air Force 1s with Demon Slayer characters rendered on the sides; New York Yankees shoes that make the shoe’s stitching look like baseball stitching; we’re talking Woody and Buzz of Toy Story on a children’s pair of kicks. Did we mention brand partnerships with every CFL team?

These shoes are the kind of thing that, when placed under a tree and given to someone who doesn’t even know these things are possible, will be talked about with “wow that was a great gift” energy for years to come. And while you’re on her website throw in a shoe-themed rug or candle!

For the Bison Believer: Mondetta X Bisons Hoodie or Crewneck (Available December 8)

Recently, Ash Modha, CEO of Mondetta Clothing and UM alum [BA/98] (who created Mondetta alongside his brother, Asper alum Prashant Modha [MBA/98]) was speaking on a UM sustainability panel when he remarked that as he left for the engagement that day, his wife said to him “aren’t they sick of hearing from you yet?”

After being featured in UM Bisons at the Centre campaign AND creating a custom line of UM hoodies and crewnecks, it’s safe to say: no, Ash, we aren’t sick of hearing from you.

The latest clothing line from Mondetta takes the new Bisons logo and takes it to icon status, mixing modern, clean and classic with the feeling of a well-worn leather jacket. With Mondetta’s quality craftmanship, which factors sustainability into their manufacturing, these pieces are sure to be “borrowed” by partners, friends, and acquaintances across campus. 

It goes on sale December 8 – be the first to get your hands on one!

For the person who has everything: Take them out to King + Bannatyne, Nola, or Bar Accanto

During his days grinding through his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree, Mike Del Buono [BComm(Hons.)/13], spent a lot of his time dreaming about opening restaurants. Since then, he’s become managing partner of Burnley Place Hospitality, which operates King + Bannatyne, Nola, and Bar Accanto.

Del Buono has elegantly forged his restaurants as representations of their neighbourhoods—King + Bannatyne, named after streets it is intersected at, is a quick spot in the exchange for a carefully crafted sandwich, Nola is a fine-dining gem in St. Boniface that became (and still is) a word-of-mouth sensation, and Bar Accanto, located steps away from Nola, is the equal-parts-sophisticated-and-cozy wine bar you might take someone you’re trying to impress.

Del Buono doesn’t have a background in culinary arts, and thus, his secret is letting the chefs’ creativity bloom from his foundation: “I like to say that I’m here to build the runway so they can take off,” he told UM Today in 2023.

__
Asper School of Business students and alumni bring bold ideas to life every day, whether in the classroom or the marketplace. Be part of a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders. Learn more about Asper programs of study today!

Browse the Asper Gift Guide archive for even more gift ideas!

In a week-long workshop called Ignite: Your Future as an Artist, MFA students explored essential professional skills, including legal and bookkeeping basics, art pricing strategies, and effective approaches to communicating their artistic brand.

The first of its kind at UM, Ignite is an exciting partnership between IDEA START and The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (The Centre), and participating schools or faculties.

“Ignite demonstrates the power of collaboration. IDEA START initially connected the School of Art with The Centre. The School of Art provided important direction on program nuance and introductions to appropriate artists who could serve as guest speakers. And, The Centre designed and delivered the workshop,” said Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist for Entrepreneurship at The Centre who facilitated the workshop together with Jackie Hope, Educational Developer at The Centre.

Hope, who makes adventure films with her husband Ray, recently appeared on the IDEA START Podcast to share about their filmmaking company Midlife Mountaineer. “Ignite was an exciting project to be a part of. How lucky am I to spend a week with these talented students in a program that combines my love of art, entrepreneurship and education?”

Key features of Ignite: Your Future as an Artist included:

• Panel discussion with alumni and staff from the School of Art who have had commercial success in their career
• Career planning and networking with the Career, Community and Experiential Learning Centre
• Focus on legal and accounting best practices, including a student presentation from the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts in the Faculty of Law
• Art pricing strategies
• Meaningful reflection activities

“A highlight of the week was the day spent off campus. Shaun Mayberry, co-owner of Mayberry Fine Art, gave students an insider’s look at gallery operations and practical tips for approaching and working with galleries. The day continued with lunch at Creative Manitoba, where staff shared the programs and supports they offer to help Manitoba artists thrive. The day wrapped up with a tour of three UM faculty’s studio spaces, giving students a close look at professional practices,” Carmichael added.

Associate Director of Graduate Programs, Dr. Oliver Botar added: “Every second year our MFA students participate in a week-long workshop on curation. We are so pleased to now offer this workshop on the alternate years. It’s important for students to wrestle with the thorny issues of artistic integrity and commercial viability while they are in our program.”

As for Carmichael and Hope, they can’t wait to do it again.

“Students in the MFA program are incredibly creative and curious and we can’t wait to refine our next offering for them in 2027. We also can’t wait to partner with other schools and faculties who want to do something similar,” Carmichael added.

Because Ignite bridges curricular and co-curricular learning, it can be fully customized with program length, learning goals, delivery format and more.    

Interested? Please reach out to Janine Carmichael, Faculty Specialist, Entrepreneurship in The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL).

At the heart of this thriving community is the Startup Coach Program, led by Ben Isakov, whose supportive approach and wealth of experience have guided more than 250 students this past year alone. For many, the program isn’t just about launching a business; it’s about finding clarity, confidence, and a sense of community.

The stories of students like Eniola Osabiya, who achieved an acquisition for this company, CreditCliq, Anthony Theriault, Co-Founder of Eleven59, and Matthew Larson of Larson Advertising illustrate the profound and personal impact Ben Isakov has on turning student business ideas into thriving ventures.

Eniola Osabiya: Co-Founder of CreditCliq

For Eniola Osabiya, a Computer Science Honours student in the Faculty of Science, entrepreneurship began with a challenge: how could international students use their existing credit history when applying for loans abroad?

That question gave rise to CreditCliq, a venture designed to bridge global credit systems. Earlier this year, CreditCliq reached an exciting milestone: an acquisition. But before that success, Eniola found essential support through the Startup Coach Program.

“The Startup Coach reminded me that you’re not building your venture alone, your part of a community,” Eniola shared.

Through guidance from Ben Isakov, Eniola gained not only introductions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem but also the clarity needed to move forward strategically.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned from Ben is a sense of clarity,” he explained. “I’m someone who tends to jump ahead, but Ben helped me slow down, evaluate opportunities, and keep moving forward.”

For Eniola, the program provided more than just advice; it offered a sense of belonging and perspective at a critical stage of growth.

Anthony Theriault: Co-Founder of Eleven59

Anthony Theriault, a student studying Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Management Information Systems at the Asper School of Business, developed Eleven59. This app helps students stay on top of deadlines and key academic dates.

Eleven59 emerged from the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship ENTR Pitch Competition. Anthony, who started his first business, Kingdom Cards, at just fourteen, always knew he was destined to be an entrepreneur, but he had his moments of doubt.

“A common struggle for entrepreneurs is knowing what to do next and dealing with imposter syndrome,” Anthony said. “Connecting with Ben gave us a leg up. He’s always in your corner, helping you focus and take the next step.”

Having started his first venture at just fourteen, Anthony understood the excitement and uncertainty that came with building something new. The Startup Coach Program provided not only business guidance but also encouragement, the kind that keeps an idea alive when challenges feel overwhelming.

“Ben’s feedback helped us refine Eleven59 and move from concept to reality,” Anthony added. “It’s been an incredible resource.”

Matthew Larson: Founder of Larson Advertising

For Matthew Larson, a student at the Asper School of Business, entrepreneurship has always come naturally. From creating comic books in elementary school to launching small side hustles, he’s been driven by curiosity and creativity from an early age.

Today, Matthew runs Larson Advertising, a venture that turns reusable grocery bags into advertising opportunities for local businesses, an idea that blends innovation with sustainability.

After experimenting with vending machines and other projects, Matthew turned to Ben Isakov, the Startup Coach, to help refine his ideas and take confident action.

“Ben has helped me in numerous ways,” Matthew said. “I’ve always had a lot of ideas but was afraid to put myself out there. He encouraged me to take that step to act on my ideas and see where they lead.”

Looking back, Matthew’s only wish is that he had joined the program sooner.

“If I could advise my younger self, I’d say just do it,” he reflected. “Don’t be afraid to take the first step — start the business, start the idea, and learn as you go.”

From combating self-doubt to achieving major business milestones, the support provided through the Startup Coach Program has proven invaluable to students across campus, from the Asper School of Business to the Faculty of Science.

Whether you’re just starting to explore entrepreneurship, have an idea in progress, or are ready to grow your existing venture, the Startup Coach Program is available at any step of your entrepreneurial journey.

Learn more about the Startup Coach Program and other opportunities available through the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship.

Every chance she gets to go out of her comfort zone, she takes. It’s this attitude that led her to the CANDO Economic Development Youth Summit in Edmonton this summer, where she and her team placed second in a case competition.

Morin and her team at the CANDO Economic Development Youth Summit in Edmonton

The five-day event in August 2025 had about 300 applicants but only accepted around 50 young up-and-coming leaders. As a marketing major starting her final year at Asper, she was just happy to get in.

“I’m so glad I went,” she says. “It was really great to put theories that I learned in school into actual practice.”

By day, the summit hosted various panels and speakers. By night, the young leaders would break into teams and work on a case competition.

The real-life case asked the teams how they would develop 64 acres of land located in Lloydminster, Alberta, acquired by Frog Lake First Nation.

“I really had to dive deep into my first-year accounting and marketing classes,” she says, emphasizing the importance of learning to think quick on your feet.

On the final day, teams presented their economic development plans to a panel of judges. After travelling by herself and learning so much over the five days, she was thrilled her team got second place.

She says their success is owed to the diverse perspectives of her team, who each brought something new the others wouldn’t have thought of.

“Being surrounded by my people and being surrounded by culture was really inspiring,” says Morin. “I left that whole week feeling inspired and ready to work hard, and do good for my community.”

Something From Nothing

Morin may be majoring in marketing, but what she really wants to do is create something from nothing. In other words, she’s passionate about entrepreneurship.

Maybe this has something to do with how she felt coming into Asper School. In her first year, she would’ve described herself as “a very shy, timid, small-town girl.”

When you’re timid and shy, the world can seem small. But the resources and opportunities offered at the Asper School transformed her outlook: “Now I see things so much bigger than I used to. There’s so much more potential,” she says.

She specifically cites Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) as a program that made going out of her comfort zone easier.

“Finding my community and learning about my background, that was huge. I think knowing more about yourself helps you grow and that was very life-changing for sure,” says Morin.

She developed a superpower for networking. Her goal is to see a friendly face wherever she goes.

“You never know who or where you’re going end up working with in the future. You never know who could potentially be a good connection,” she says, stressing the importance of networking and taking on any opportunity that presents itself.

Morin embraces curiosity when approaching strangers: “you’re always trying to figure out the puzzle pieces.” She starts with a simple question like “What brings you here?”

To fellow students, she recommends volunteering time with a student group, or even better, making a student group.

Her entrepreneurial mindset led her to revitalize an Asper School student group called, well, The Entrepreneurial Mindset, with her friend Anthony Theriault. Morin also previously volunteered as Director of Communications on the UMQAS student group (University of Manitoba Queer/2SLGBTQIA+Asper Students).

“I think everyone should join a student group. It just gives you purpose, even on campus, because you have friends, you have a community, and you need that in order to get through hard times,” says Morin.

Morin has grown so much that it’s impossible to see how she was ever shy or timid. The Asper School may have caused the change, but what’s her secret?

“I live on Red Bulls,” she says.
—
IBEP offers tutoring, mentoring, financial aid, and more to Indigenous students pursuing a business degree at the Asper School of Business.

A Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the Asper School of Business is your ticket to a successful, meaningful future. Turn ideas into thrilling business ventures, make a difference in the world around you, and gain the business knowledge, leadership skills, and networking opportunities you need to achieve your dreams. Learn more.

Asper is bursting with student groups and opportunities to make genuine connections with your fellow classmates and the greater Manitoba business community. Learn more on our student experience page.

There are a variety of events taking place through the month of November. These free events will build your entrepreneurship mindset, develop your skills and connect you with other innovators.

Check out all the free events and registration information here.

Witness a live pitch competition, visit the Indigenous Winter Market, participate in lunch hour learning opportunities, and so much more.

EIT Month coincides with Global Entrepreneurship Week and International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, but UM supports are available year-round.

• Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation
• The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
• IDEA START
• Faculty of Science – Science Innovation Hub
• Lab 2 Market Prairies

Explore the many opportunities that support and celebrate entrepreneurship and innovative thinking at UM.

For the University of Manitoba alum Emily Thoroski, that step came when she decided to combine her two biggest loves: music and the environment.

“The Environmental Musician started as a dream through my passion for music and the environment while studying at the University of Manitoba,” Emily explains.

While completing her thesis in Environmental Science, Emily asked biologists why wildlife mattered to them. Those answers inspired her to create something unique: writing songs that brought research, science, and stories about nature to life through music to inspire children to think positively about the environment. Through performing in schools across the province, Emily makes her side hustle business as The Environmental Musician with a mission to connect people, especially children, to the environment in new and meaningful ways.

But even with a clear vision, Emily knew there were gaps in her knowledge. She had spent years immersed in science, but not in business. That’s when she discovered the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship’s How to Start a Side Hustle Course, sponsored by The Asper Foundation, a six-week virtual workshop open to UM students, faculty, staff, and alumni who want to explore entrepreneurship on their own terms.

“Being a part of the How to Start a Side Hustle Course gave me the business knowledge to get me started in my side hustle that I never had,” Emily says. “I’ve attended the University of Manitoba for several years, but never knew the business side, which is where this course has helped me the most.”

Photo by Mikaela Mackenzie for the Free Press, used with permission of the photographer.

For Emily, the course was more than a crash course in entrepreneurship. It was a space for personal growth.

“I was a shy kid my whole life, but when I saw this opportunity come up, I knew I had to go for it, and I’m so excited I did,” she shares. “Seeing the excitement on children’s faces when I perform, and how it opens their eyes, it feels like the start of something bigger for the future.”

Since its launch in September 2024, the How to Start a Side Hustle Course has already welcomed over 250 applicants and supported 60 participants, all exploring their own unique passions and ventures. For Emily, being part of that growing community has been just as valuable as the skills she learned.

“The Side Hustle community has been helpful not only for the business side, but also in growing connections with entrepreneurs from other industries,” she says.

Looking back, Emily is glad she took the leap into the How to Start a Side Hustle Course.

“My advice to anyone thinking about this course is don’t be afraid—just go for it,” she says. “You won’t know what you’ll get out of it or how it can help your business until you try. I’m so glad I did.”

—

Applications for the Fall 2025 cohort of the How to Start a Side Hustle Course are open until September 19, 2025. Learn more on the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship website.

VIBE is hosted by Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP). Located within the Drake Centre, this unit of Asper School of Business supports Indigenous business students as they develop the vision, grit and passion needed to become business leaders of tomorrow.

This year’s VIBE Awards take place November 6, 2025. The two recipients are Cody Gonsalves of Purposeful Movements Ltd. and E. Oliver Owen of Amik Aviation.

The two recipients of this year’s awards tell stories of entrepreneurs who lived through the issues that their businesses solve. They both lead by example, consistently going out of their way to provide the best possible experience for their clients while keeping community at the forefront of decisions.

“In Cody and Oliver’s stories, they followed their personal passions and ended up quickly becoming a staple presence in their respective community circles,” says IBEP Director Riley Proulx [BComm(Hons)/19]. “By staying true to themselves and leading by example, both provide valuable and essential services to Indigenous communities across Manitoba.”

2025 VIBE Award Winner – Purposeful Movements Ltd. (Cody Gonsalves)

Cody Gonsalves used to be a boxer. When he first started, he would move around the ring constantly, trying to fake out his opponent and get the upper hand.

That was, until his coach told him: “Cody, you need to stop wasting energy and move with purpose.”

Cody’s company, Purposeful Movements Ltd., is the full manifestation of his story. He hopes to empower Indigenous individuals to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through exercise. To help people connect back to themselves and reclaim their health, just as he once did.

Of Cree ancestry from Red Pheasant First Nation, Gonsalves struggled on and off over 15 years with “using external solutions such as drugs, alcohol and takeout.” His internal solution was movement: he boxed and got a job as a personal trainer, which showed him focus, discipline, and how to impart those qualities to others. To Cody, movement is medicine.

Along the way, he completed his BComm (Hons) in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, graduating in 2015. His participation in the Indigenous Business Education Partners (IBEP) gave him a strong foundation of mentorship, cultural connection, and entrepreneurial instinct that paved the way for his company’s values.

Purposeful Movements Ltd. works in and together with Indigenous communities, providing in-person and virtual lessons, one-on-one sessions and group classes, to youth and elders alike.

They created an innovative Wellness Ambassador Program, training and mentoring locals to be role models for their community. In May 2025, Purposeful Movements Ltd. collaborated with Indigenous organizations AMC, SCO, MKO & NCN to organize and operate the first Movement is Medicine 5K Walk/Run, which gathered over 200 participants.

Cody’s vision with Purposeful Movements Ltd. is to positively change Indigenous communities by creating strong, resilient individuals that will have a ripple effect across generations.

With every challenge they encounter, Purposeful Movements Ltd. continues to grow while meeting people where they’re at.

2025 VIBE Award Winner – Amik Aviation Ltd. (E. Oliver Owen)

When E. Oliver Owen was growing up, air travel to and from Indigenous communities in Manitoba was difficult, to say the least.

Owen’s hometown community, Pauingassi didn’t have an airport. If you needed a plane, you had to travel more than 40 minutes by boat over mini-rapids, then organize a ground transportation to get yourself the last half-mile to the landing strip. At best, this is a challenge, at worst (in the case of a medical emergency) it’s a nightmare.

Planes were essential for supplies, travel, and medical assistance, but they weren’t readily accessible or affordable. So Owen, who was fascinated with aviation his whole life, set out to change that.

He created Amik Aviation with the simple goal of making air travel more convenient for Indigenous communities.

It wasn’t long before he amassed a network of solutions: he located Amik in St. Andrews Airport, 20 minutes north of Winnipeg; built docks to make landing easy in certain communities; and expanded his operations to Little Grand Rapids, Pauingassi, Bloodvein, Berens River and Poplar River.

He was awarded the prestigious Pioneer of Flight award by the Manitoba Aviation Council in 2019 for his specific innovation in using the quiet and fuel-efficient Cessna 208—usually used for utility transport—for passenger services. He was the first person to do it.

With a fleet of six planes and close to 20 employees, many of whom speak Ojibwe or other Indigenous languages, Amik Aviation shows no sign of slowing down.

Though Owen has been the cause of seismic change in this area, the little things count just as much. Even the transportation of envelopes used to be tough. Some couriers would charge up to $25 to ship to Winnipeg. Give an envelope to Owen, and he’ll gladly get it there.

The fee? No charge. 

Investing in future Indigenous business leaders

IBEP Director Riley Proulx knows that students will come away from the VIBE Awards with more than they came in with.

“VIBE is a moment where we can reflect on the people who, through their drive, thoughtfulness, and community-involved leadership, inspire us to keep striving for greatness. Our guests are always thrilled to attend and learn about our recipients because they have stories that come from the heart. And for the students, our recipients are reminders that they too can achieve success in business while staying grounded to their communities.”

The VIBE awards directly benefit Indigenous students at Asper. Each year, 100% of event proceeds benefit IBEP students through scholarships, bursaries, academic supports, and more.

___

IBEP offers tutoring, mentoring, financial aid, and more to Indigenous students pursuing a business degree at the Asper School of Business. The annual VIBE Awards Gala is IBEP’s largest fundraising event for these services. Learn more about the 2025 VIBE Awards here.

A collaborative project between IDEA START and The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, the IDEA START Podcast amplifies voices from across disciplines and corners of campus.

Hosted by Rajeev Koyal of IDEA START and Janine Carmichael of The Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, each episode dives deep into the stories and ideas that demonstrate UM’s innovative spirit and meaningful support.

“We created this podcast to celebrate and connect with the many people across campus who are reimagining what is possible,” says Koyal. “It’s also a space to learn from each other and to make the work of innovation more visible.”

Highlights from Season One:

• UM President Dr. Michael Benarroch shares his vision for entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial learning at UM.
• The 100^Th UMSU President Divya Sharma and UMSU General Manager Thomas Blumer introduce UMSU Ventures – a new space to help student entrepreneurs bring their venture to life on campus.
• Debra Jonasson-Young, Director of the Stu Clark Centre for Entrepreneurship, outlines key supports for students of all disciplines.
• Dr. Brenda Stoesz, who leads the Science of Teaching and Learning Team shares how Virtual Reality is being used to reimagine faculty development.
• Dr. Loren Oschipok, Partnerships, Knowledge Mobilization and Innovation Office Director dives into strategies for protecting and advancing intellectual property.

With episodes running approximately 30 minutes, the podcast is designed for busy students, faculty, staff, and alumni who want to stay inspired and connected.

Where to Listen

The IDEA START Podcast is available on all major platforms: Listen or watch on YouTube, Yuja, or listen on Spotify. New episodes drop monthly during the academic year.

“Whether you’re launching a venture, integrating creativity into your teaching, or just curious about how innovation shows up and is supported at UM, there’s something in these stories for you,” says Carmichael.

To listen or learn more, visit IDEA START Podcast.

Do you have guest suggestions for Season 2? Reach out to Rajeev Koyal or Janine Carmichael.