2023 Roundtable Mentor Event

The Business Development Committee is excited to offer the Steinbach Chamber's Roundtable Mentor Event again!

This event is targeted towards our local entrepreneurs, managers and leaders who are interested in tapping into the wealth of local experience from seasoned business leaders from our community.This is a great opportunity for you to ask questions of these local experienced business owners at a moderated event. Hear how they have weathered the difficult times, and maximized the good times for growth.

Thank you to our generous Mentors who have graciously donated their time and expertise to help make this event happen this year.




MEET OUR MENTORS




AMANDA LANTEIGNE - GNM FINE JEWELLERS

Born and raised in Steinbach, Amanda showed an early interest in the world of business and jewellery. After graduating from RRC Polytec, she enhanced her skills with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) before taking over the family's jewellery business in 2009. The story of Amanda and her family's jewellery store is a testament to dedication, resilience, and love for the industry. Over three generations, they have transformed a humble kiosk into a prominent 4000 square foot fine jewellery store, reflecting not just the family's heritage but also their unwavering commitment to excellence, industry leadership, and community engagement. Gold-N-Memories LTD was founded in 1986 by Amanda's parents, Orville and Gerda Schinkel. Amanda joined the business in 1987 and the business continued to grow and thrive, relocating to Clearspring Centre in 2002. In 2011, Amanda and husband Paul purchased majority shares from her parents and in 2016, Amanda's son Nick joined the business, infusing fresh energy and ideas. In 2021, the name was changed to GNM Fine Jewellers LTD and in April of 2023, they moved to their new location at 375 Main Street. Throughout her career, Amanda has received recognition for exceptional craftsmanship, design innovation, and commitment to quality. She sat on the board of the Canadian Jewellery Group for 11 years, where she played a pivotal role in shaping the industry and fostering collaboration among Canadian jewellery professionals. Amanda has been married for 34 years and has 3 children and 6 grandchildren. She continues to enhance her education and skills while finding joy in traveling and spending quality time with family.





CHRIS DYCK - SMITTY'S FAMILY RESTAURANT

Chris Dyck is CEO of Dyck Family Hospitality Group and one of the owners of Smitty's Restaurant and Lounge Steinbach, Meadowood, Pembina South, Pembina Grant and Niverville. Chris started at Smitty's Steinbach as a kitchen helper as a teenager, when his father, Robert Dyck, was CEO, and that's where his passion for hospitality was born. Today, he focuses on operations for the businesses and leads his teams with determination and enthusiasm. Chris holds a diploma from Red River College for the hotel restaurant management program. He is also a Dale Carnagie graduate and award winner and has led his management team to achieve the Smitty's franchises highest sales in Canada for three consecutive years. Chris loves to grow himself as a leader and encourages his management teams to do the same. Chris loves spending time with his three children at their cottage at Lake of the Woods. 







HERMANN GRAUER - NATURE'S FARM

Hermann Grauer was born near Stuttgart, Germany. He graduated from the Friedrich-List Gymnasium in Reutlingen in 1983. After graduation, he performed his military service in Ulm, Germany, and then continued on to complete his bank merchant education in Tübingen in 1986. Hermann moved to Southeastern Manitoba in 1987 where he founded Nature's Farm^TM and now owns and operates it with his wife, Sheryl. While running his business, Hermann attended the University of Winnipeg and Red River College, earning his Business Administration diploma from RRC in 1991. That same year, he launched the first vegetarian egg in Canada and in 1993, he founded Nature's Pasta^TM - an artisan pasta manufacturer. In 1996, Hermann's farm was among the first 11 in Canada to bring Omega 3 eggs to market and in 2000, Hermann made the move to free run egg production, becoming the first egg producer in North America to use an aviary environment to house commercial poultry. In 2003, Hermann developed an organic line of eggs, and continued to expand his line of organic products in 2006 when he began producing organic pastas. In 2010, the company started producing an artisanal line of granolas and in 2011, Nature's Farm^TM launched their Smart Egg line as part of a continual effort to deliver nutritious foods through sustainable production practices.





KEITH FRIESEN - PENNER GROUP OF COMPANIES

After high school, Keith worked for just over nine years at a GM car dealership. His introduction to the automotive industry involved various roles as gas station attendant, wash bay attendant, parts delivery driver and counter worker. After leaving the GM dealership, Keith took a parts counter position at a local automotive jobber store in Steinbach where he worked for several years, eventually becoming the Assistant Store Manager which gave him the opportunity to work with store operations and staff training. After the business was sold to UAP/Napa, Keith was given the opportunity to manage the store, which he did for over 10 years, and serve as District Manager for Corporate Stores, overseeing up to 20 Napa stores in three provinces. After over 30 years in the automotive industry, Keith moved on to try something new - business consulting. Over his 16 months as a Business Consultant and Executive Coach, Keith learned a lot working in the small/medium business sector. He was offered an opportunity to work with Russ Penner and his group of companies, which led to becoming a partner with the Penner Group of Companies in 2017. As Vice President, Keith focuses on business development and coaching and directing the Management Team. He works closely with the accounting department to direct financial decisions made in each of their ten companies and works closely with the Director of Human Resources to ensure a healthy work culture. The Penner Group has grown to over 125 employees in 10 business units, all of which are growing and seeing much success. Keith and his wife Kristine have been married for 32 years, living in Kleefeld on a beautiful country property for the last 28 years, which was Kristine’s grandparents’ original farmstead. When he’s not working, Keith loves woodworking, working on their hobby farm, and fishing/exploring the outdoors at Shoal Lake, Ontario with his nephews.






STELLA UNRAU & VERNA MARTENS - SUPER SPLASH AUTO CLEANING

Stella Unrau and Verna Martens are sisters who have worked together, with their husbands, at Shell (Super Splash) since 1995. They strive to serve the community in which they have grown up with excellence, offering Shell quality fuels, washes and convenience store.