Page 46 - 01-Jan-Feb-2024

Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, begins the Mother Goose nursery rhyme.
After 20 years in business, Cameron Johnson knows these qualities are the key to riding
the highs and lows of the Alberta economy.
“To survive as a business
owner you have to be willing to change quickly or you’ll fail,” says Johnson, the owner of California Closets Alberta. “We’ve been such a hot and cold economy in this province that we have to react
to make sure we survive. We respond depending on where the
californiaclosets.ca
economy is heading. We have the ability to ramp up or down quite quickly, and we’ve done so many times over 20 years.”
Johnson’s survival strategy has also seen him diversify into a variety of other solutions, includ- ing libraries, lighting and commer- cial applications. He hopes Edmonton’s business community will be bolstered by continued support for small business and entrepreneurship, tax credits and new training programs.
“Small business drives our economy. If it’s thriving, our economy is doing well.”•
The Helm
California Closets (Cameron Johnson)
(Chad Helm) thehelmclothing.com
Chad Helm, founder of The Helm Clothing, sees a tide of optimism coming to
Edmonton’s core.
“With new restaurants opening,
with businesses reinvesting in their downtown locations, there are glimmers of hope. I think
we’re moving in the right direction,” he says.
As Edmonton’s population grows and developers continue to invest in the core, Helm sees a vibrant future for the city, with an array of interesting businesses.
Helm Clothing has seen three strong years of growth, a trend which makes Helm hopeful for both his business and the city as a whole. Edmonton’s success is Helm’s success. Investing in the city, shining a light on what makes it great, is how he makes his own business stronger.
“We haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to the amount of business we can do and the ways we can be involved in our city,” says Helm.•
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Paid partnership with Edmonton Chamber of Commerce