Meet Helen Hafke, Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce President and owner of Pink Bee Marketing and Consulting.
Helen Hafke moved to Didsbury and joined the Chamber in 2019.
“I am someone who definitely likes to think outside the box and explore new ideas,” says Hafke. “Being the President of the Didsbury & District Chamber of Commerce presents challenges as well as joy. To be able to go beyond ‘this is the way we have always done this,’ to trying new thoughts/processes is a great example. You have to be open to listening and acknowledging all the sides of an issue and always seek more information if you feel there is something missing. One must not be afraid to challenge or accept being challenged.”
Joining the Chamber was a natural step for Hafke, as she is also a long-term entrepreneur and an experienced woman in business.
“I have run my own businesses for over 35 years,” she smiles. “Entrepreneurship means being willing to follow your ideas and dreams to create something. Does the idea always work? No. But it does open the door to new paths; you need the drive to keep following the path.”
She continues, “Many women feel they can’t do it. They don’t have the training or schooling …but women really undervalue themselves. There was a study done a number of years ago about what it would cost to replace women’s work in a household. You could only be replaced by four full-time employees! This was just for the work performed, not the relationship. So, women have far more value than they realize.”
How does she encourage other women in business and in the community? Hafke says, “I try to inspire by example. I am now in my 60s but that does not stop me from continually looking for training, networking and the exploration of new ideas. Be involved. Look at your passions and how you use that passion to drive yourself forward. Women work and strive in a very different manner to men. Seek other women in business and form alliances. You are not alone. Again, look at your passions. How do you use that to move yourself forward and never undervalue yourself? The largest sector in entrepreneur growth right now is women. Surprisingly the largest group of women are those over 50! Why? Because it is now their time. When is yours?”
In 2021, Hafke was thrilled when the Didsbury Chamber won the Chamber of the Year Award from the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. In 2022 Pink Bee Marketing & Consulting won the Didsbury Chamber Business of the Year award.
“The Business of the Year award was a wonderful acknowledgment of how we run our business and put customers first,” she smiles.
The future holds many exciting opportunities for both Hafke and the Chamber.
“We are exploring how to reach those who live outside the Town limits,” she explains of the Chamber’s next steps. “This includes getting to know them, finding out their agri-business needs and how the Chamber can assist in providing access to resources. Additionally, our new business centre is an exciting expansion of the office. Desk/office rentals are available by the day, week or month. This gives businesses a professional space to help build and support their growth.”
She continues, “A new opportunity the Chamber was offered in our 1st Annual Women in Agri-business Conference on March 28. This was an exciting day where we planned to bring women business owners together for a day of networking and learning.”
“What’s next for me personally,” Hafke concludes, “is to keep exploring and growing. On the Pink Bee side, we are looking at expanding our customer base and we are always looking for that next really unique item.”
Learn more about the Chamber online and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Learn more about Pink Bee Marketing online and on Facebook.
