Some businesses carry their values right in the name. Honest Auto was founded by Soren and Jennie Lesfruds, a husband-and-wife team with over a decade of experience in the automotive industry and a clear vision for doing things differently. Operating out of a home-based workshop in Auburn Bay, southeast Calgary, they built something real: a loyal client base, a reputation for straight-talk service, and a business rooted in the community around them.

In Alberta’s Centre West region, the business landscape stretches from Lake Louise through Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, Airdrie, Crossfield, and Bragg Creek. It is a region defined by contrast. World class tourism hubs sit alongside tight knit rural towns and fast growing residential communities.

Why This Year Mattered

Seven out of ten Canadian entrepreneurs expect to transition ownership within the next three to five years. In Alberta, only 20% of business owners have a formal exit plan in place. The gap between the number of owners approaching a transition and the support available to help them is exactly the problem ExitNavigator was built to address.

We sat down with Jordan to discuss why business succession planning is so critical for rural communities and what business owners should know before they start the process.

If you're losing sleep over this question, you're not alone. It's one of the most common dilemmas we see with new business owners in rural Alberta, and honestly? There's no universal right answer. But there is a best answer for your specific situation, and we're going to help you figure out what that is.

You've done it! You've bought the business. The keys are in your hand, the paperwork is signed, and now you're standing in your new space thinking: "How do I make a great first impression on this community?"

Thinking about trading your commute for community impact? If you’ve ever wondered whether you could own the local business that’s been quietly for sale in your hometown, the answer is yes—and your rural Alberta roots might be your biggest advantage.

Buying a business in 2025 means inheriting more than just equipment and customers—you’re also stepping into a digital presence that can make or break your success. From websites and social media to software subscriptions and email systems, your digital due diligence matters.

Explore the critical economic challenge facing rural Canadian communities as business owners approach retirement without exit plans. Learn how proper transition planning preserves local jobs, maintains essential services, and ensures community stability. Discover strategies for connecting established businesses with qualified buyers to protect rural prosperity for generations to come.

For many rural and small-town business owners in Alberta, the idea of stepping away from their business can feel complicated. Whether you're considering retirement, selling your business, or transitioning leadership to the next generation, planning your exit is essential—not just for your financial future but also for the health of your local communities. That’s where ExitNavigator comes in.