Hayley Wickenheiser was recently announced as the guest speaker for the 2018 P.W Enns Business Awards Gala.

The 2014 gold medal Olympian will share her story on April 19 in Winkler.

"It's a great time to promote women in business," Winkler Chamber of Commerce President Kori da Costa says. "She is a great role model, I think she has a lot of motivational stories of overcoming obstacles business people may have, especially women with stereotypes."

"She just represents such great things you can do if you keep at it," da Costa says.

Nominations are now open for the annual awards gala.

"That's one of the biggest thing the chamber can do," da Costa says. "Recognize and reward for the hard work that goes into owning your own business."

The announcement was made at the chamber's annual small business luncheon last week. The event highlighted three local businesses.

Adele Dyck of Star 7 International shared her story of creating a company to improve the immigration process to Southern Manitoba.

Dyck explains she was told "if you want to work in hell, work in immigration."

"If there's hell, there needs to be a heaven," she says.

Adele Dyck of Star 7 International

After overcoming many roadblocks, Dyck continues to make breakthroughs in helping more newcomers make a new life in the Pembina Valley.

She says the region is doing a great job of integration and celebrating multiculturalism.

Wendy Klassen of Winkler Arts and Culture also shared during the event, sharing stories from the relatively new arts centre.

Klassen explains she was especially inspired by one regular visitor to the centre, a 100 year old man.

"He never a stops learning," she says, adding he's always creative and never settles with where he is at.

"Art is necessary to survive, thrive," she says.

Jeremy Matuszewski of Thunderstruck Marketing highlighted their keys to success as a company, noting the importance of hiring a good team, taking a chance on people who are passionate, and celebrating perseverance.

"But never forget to show gratitude," he says.