Karina Birch is co-owner and CEO of natural body care purveyor Rocky Mountain Soap Co. She and her husband Cam nurtured the company from its days as a 300 square foot shop in Canmore to the now 13 retail stores and 16,000 square foot workshop in Canmore.   Believing ‘what goes on the body, goes in the body,’ Rocky is on a mission to created small-batch products using simple, natural and fresh ingredients.

The Case Study model at SVI provides an opportunity for the entire conference to gain powerful and tangible skills to support running a successful social venture. Thriving businesses identify a specific challenge which our panel of experts and conference attendees will help provide insight on.

How does a community redevelop to work better for the people who already live there? What does it look like to harness the local knowledge, relationships, unique characteristics, and assets which exist in community to build an inclusive local economy? Come learn how Business Improvement Areas, Community Development Corporations, and Municipalities are approaching local economic development from the ground up, putting residents at the heart of redevelopment.

Relationships make a conference meaningful. It’s rewarding to discover what makes people tick, ideas fly and hearts sail. The whole of you is creating your business and we thought it’d be generative, even restorative to also pay attention to what you do when you’re not working. Since quarantine many have re/discovered their creativity. Many have been tending to their inspiration, honing skills and seeking solace and delight in self-expression. Let’s share that in our So Very Interesting Coffee House meets Show and Tell. Did you spend time writing, painting, making music (original or interpreted), baking, creating raised beds, tailoring clothes or crafting? Can you share an example in 5 to 10 minutes? Play us a song, show us pictures, read from your favourite book (who doesn’t love being read to?), teach us to dance the Git Up, or even demonstrate the best Life-hack you learned in quarantine. This online coffee house is a chance to share what’s been nourishing you in these days of flux. We are inspired by the whole of you. Show up and shimmer at the SVI So Very Interesting/Inventive/Intentional/Imaginative coffee house!

Adnan Durrani is the founder and CEO of Saffron Road Foods, the fastest growing natural frozen entrée brand in USA. He has been a serial social entrepreneur and venture capitalist for almost 30 years.

Get advice on your own challenge and support fellow entrepreneurs in Peer Coaching Circles.

We are all being asked and know that we must approach business in a different way, one that leads with a more robust and active lens of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. As an entrepreneur and leader, are you hungry to go deeper and actually develop the steps to more fully embrace these essential steps? This session will provide the tools and resources for you to approach this from an individual and organizational level all the while answering the question of how you will meet this moment. In this workshop we share frameworks and conversation about the ways we can collectively and individually be making the world work better through our businesses. We will: - Explore the kinds of strategies, values, goals and commitments required to meet the moment, this movement for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). - Start to design your own JEDI Learning + Doing journey.

An evening of energizing rapid fire storytelling and joyful connection! Hear from SVI longtime alumni about the impact SVI has had on their lives, and from the next generation carrying the flame forward.

The Case Study model at SVI provides an opportunity for the entire conference to gain powerful and tangible skills to support running a successful social venture. Thriving businesses identify a specific challenge which our panel of experts and conference attendees will help provide insight on.

Our old economic systems are crumbling. New ways are emerging. What are the practical and tactical steps that individuals and investors can and must do to create more inclusive economies? Hear from some of the leading finance practitioners from across North America share their strategies and game changing perspectives in playing a key role in the transition towards a more just, inclusive and sustainable economy. You will gain insight, knowledge and tools to help you be an active part of the solution. Featuring Valerie Red Horse Mohl, Kristin Hull, Carol Anne Hilton, & Esther Park

It wouldn't be an SVI gathering without a dancing. Connect with fellow participants for an evening of movement and conversation.