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Pa r k l a n d Parkland Dauphin & District Chamber of Commerce Roblin & District Chamber of Commerce Rossburn & District Chamber of Commerce Russell & District Chamber of Commerce Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce New & Noteworthy Salon owner Mary Newton (above), restaurateurs Linda Regehr and daughter Wanda Jordan (opposite page) and boutique owners Angela and Melissa Martens (left) mind their own businesses. Photos by David Square and women. The owners of the The Secret Butterfly Boutique transformed another former secondhand store before they opened their popular shop three years ago. Angela Martens and daughter Melissa stock an eclectic collection of merchandise, from jewelry to LUG handbags, home decor, gifts and party supplies. "I'd always wanted to own my own business," Angela says. "When my husband, who is a pastor, resigned from the local church in 2010, I decided the time had come to become an entrepreneur." Daughter Melissa graduated from high school the same year and joined her mother in the business. As it happened, local jeweller Kim Campbell was closing her own shop and offered to help with the jewelry side of the new business.  "In return, I purchased Kim's leftover stock and cabinets," Angela says.  Campbell accompanied Angela to her first gift show in Edmonton, helping her select the best products for her niche market.  The Martens also rent out wedding supplies, such as glassware and tablecloths, and Angela says customers are spreading the word about The Secret Butterfly. "We're beginning to make progress in paying down debt and, if the economy remains stable and we can continue to attract customers without spending a lot of money on advertising, I believe we're positioned to make a real success of our venture."  >> The fifth annual Take the Leap rural entrepreneurship conference drew business owners from across the province to Dauphin on Oct. 21. Jones Soda Co. founder Peter Van Stolk was the keynote speaker at the event, which provides tips and practical information to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. >> Ontario sculptor Ruth Abernethy's life-size bronze statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, Oscar Peterson and other luminaries grace public places across the country. Now you can add Rossburn's Duke the Bear to the list. Abernethy was in attendance when the statue of the 812-pound, eight-foot tall black bear who roamed the area from 1978 until 1992 was unveiled at Rossburn's centennial celebration in July. Duke holds a place of honour at the town's Memory Park. MBiz November 2013 15

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