Written by Evelyn Mytka, Contributing Writer
In 1996, starting a business often meant picking up the phone, navigating a menu, and waiting for information to arrive by fax.
If you needed more help, you might visit in person. You’d walk into a space lined with shelves of business books, flip through directories, and maybe sit down at a public computer to look up market information. If there was a lunch-hour session happening, you could stay, eat, and learn something new before heading back to work.
Today, that same entrepreneur is just as likely to book a meeting online, attend a webinar, or access tools and resources from their laptop.
A lot has changed in the past 30 years.
And at the same time, not much has.
How entrepreneurs accessed support in the early days
When Business Link Alberta first opened its doors, support looked very different from what it does today.
Entrepreneurs could call a toll-free number to speak with a business information officer or use an InfoFax system to request documents. By following a phone menu, they could have information on topics like financing or regulations sent directly to their fax machine.
There was also a strong in-person component. Early locations included a physical reference library with thousands of publications available to browse on-site. At one point, that collection grew from over 4,000 to more than 6,000 resources, covering everything from market research to business planning.
For many, visiting the centre was part of the process. Entrepreneurs would come in, use public computers, access databases, and speak directly with staff. Learning often happened through informal, drop-in sessions, like the “brown bag” presentations where people could bring their lunch and pick up practical business knowledge in an hour.
At the time, the model was simple: call, visit, or request information.
The shift to digital
As technology evolved, so did the way entrepreneurs accessed support.
The introduction of the internet changed everything. Early websites made it easier to search for information, and over time, more tools and resources became available online. Programs like the e-future centre reflected a growing need to help businesses get online and adapt to a more digital world.
Printed newsletters gradually became digital. In-person sessions expanded into webinars and video conferencing, making it possible for entrepreneurs across Alberta to access support without needing to travel.
Even the way events were delivered evolved. What started as in-person lunch sessions grew into a mix of training, networking events, and online learning opportunities that could reach a much wider audience.
Through all of this, one thing remained consistent: the goal was always to make information easier to access, whether that meant a fax machine in the 90s or a webinar link today.
Today, Business Link Alberta supports thousands of entrepreneurs across the province each year.
- Over 5,000 entrepreneurs supported annually
- More than 40 webinars and events delivered each year
- 100,000+ website users accessing resources online
What once required a phone call or in-person visit can now happen in minutes, from anywhere in Alberta.
From one-time questions to ongoing support
Another shift over time has been how relationships with entrepreneurs are built.
In the early days, many interactions were brief. Someone might call, get the information they needed, and move on. In some cases, there wasn’t even a way to follow up or stay connected.
Over time, that changed.
Today, there is a stronger focus on ongoing support. Entrepreneurs often connect more than once, whether they are refining an idea, navigating growth, or adjusting to new challenges. Programs have also evolved to meet more specific needs, including support for Indigenous entrepreneurs, newcomers to Canada, and those looking to connect with peers or industry experts.
The approach has shifted from answering individual questions to helping entrepreneurs move forward over time.
This shift is reflected in how entrepreneurs engage today. Rather than a single interaction, many return for continued support as their business evolves.
On average, clients connect with Business Link Alberta four times, reflecting a more ongoing, relationship-based approach to support.
What hasn’t changed
While the tools and delivery methods have evolved, many of the core challenges entrepreneurs face have stayed the same.
Looking back at past newsletters and resources, the topics are familiar: understanding regulations, finding financing, doing market research, and figuring out how to grow a business.
Even broader themes repeat. Economic uncertainty, changing markets, and the need to adapt are not new challenges. They show up in different forms, but they are part of a cycle that entrepreneurs continue to navigate.
What also hasn’t changed is the experience of starting something new.
There is still uncertainty. Most people are still trying to figure things out as they go, asking the same question in different ways: “Where do I even start?”
Over the past 30 years, this support has contributed to a stronger small business ecosystem across Alberta, helping entrepreneurs start, grow, and sustain businesses that support local economies and communities.
Looking ahead
Entrepreneurship will continue to evolve.
New technologies are already reshaping how businesses operate, from AI tools and automation to new ways of reaching and serving customers. The pace of change is faster than it was 30 years ago, and for many entrepreneurs, it can feel like there is always something new to learn.
In many ways, though, this pattern isn’t new. What’s different now is the speed of change and the number of options available at any given time.
Looking 30 years ahead, access to support will continue to evolve alongside these shifts. Artificial intelligence, automation, and real-time data may make it easier to start and run a business, but they will also introduce new layers of complexity.
Entrepreneurs may have more tools than ever, but the challenge will be knowing which ones to use, when to use them, and how to apply them effectively.
Business Link Alberta will continue to adapt, helping entrepreneurs navigate that complexity by making information clear, practical, and accessible, no matter how the tools evolve.
Because while the tools may change, the need remains the same: having someone to help you make sense of it all.
Start your next step
As Alberta’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to grow and change, the need for accessible, practical business support will remain essential.
Business Link Alberta’s role will continue to be helping entrepreneurs navigate that change with confidence, ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and support to build resilient businesses that shape and support Alberta’s economic future.
Whether you are just getting started or looking to grow your business, you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
You can connect with Business Link Alberta to explore your next steps, find the information you need, and access support tailored to your business.
Book a free one-on-one with a Business Strategist and take the next step with confidence.
