Our community values of Impact, Pride, and Legacy reflect the personal values of our Team Members. One of the organizations we have proudly sponsored for a number of years is Alberta Women Entrepreneurs (AWE).
Publicly supported and funded since its launch in 1995, AWE is a not-for-profit organization providing tools and resources to help women across the province build successful businesses. AWE has supported women in business with access to start-up and expansion capital, entrepreneur training and workshops, business advice, service provider referrals and partnerships, and mentorship opportunities.
Half of small businesses in Canada are owned or partially owned by women, and many of our commercial real estate tenants are these women-lead, small and medium-sized businesses.
“It makes good business sense for Strategic Group to partner with AWE and support women entrepreneurs,” CEO Riaz Mamdani says.
Cindy Luffer, owner of iPhix – a cell phone repair store – is just one of many successful Alberta-based entrepreneurs. Her business took off in 2009 after she realized the necessity for local repair shops when she dropped her iPhone. This led to great opportunity for Luffer, who since has hit many milestones; opening multiple locations and even making Alberta Venture’s Fast Growth 50 list – twice!
There are now four iPhix stores open to the public, one tablet and laptop shop and the mobile unit she originally started with. One of their biggest successes has been the corporate repair program. iPhix currently has 38 companies signed on with the latest being CP Rail and Conoco Phillips!
When asked what her recipe for growth and success is, Luffer says it was growing the business only when she had enough financial success to carry on further.
In the next five years, Luffer hopes to have five more stores open and in the next 10 years, she would love to have at least one in each province Canada-wide.
iPhix HQ is located in Strategic Group’s Avenida Place at 311, 12100 Macleod Trail SE.
Strategic Group will continue to support women entrepreneurs and great organizations like AWE because of the positive impact they have on our community, our business and our economy.