City councillor Jonathan Torresan presents Red Bicycle Communications founder and owner with a letter from Mayor Aalbers, congratulating her on ten years in business in Lloydminster. Jeannette Benoit-Leipert Meridian Source
A local marketing company marked a decade in business on Jan. 26, hosting a gathering at their downtown location.
In honour of their 10th year in business, owner and founder of Red Bicycle Communications, Jill Kelly, announced their pledge to donate $10,000 to local non-profits throughout the year.
“Our first donation will be to the Olive Tree ($1,000). We’re giving $10,000 out for the year. Each month-ish we’ll release another organization name, that we’ll give $1,000 dollars to,” said Kelly.
Before the cake was cut, there were a few special guests who offered congratulations to Kelly and her staff.
“I’m here on behalf of the City of Lloydminster to say congratulations and happy 10th anniversary to Red Bicycle,” said councillor Jonathan Torresan, adding that he and Kelly grew up in Lloyd around the same time and it’s nice to see a fellow classmate return to Lloyd as an entrepreneur.
“I’m really impressed with everything, been watching from a distance the whole time when you started this thing, because we kind of knew each other, and to have 10 years into the game and to have so much success is really impressive,” said Torresan.
Teri-Lynn MacKie, executive director of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce, was also on hand to congratulate Kelly and her staff.
“I’m excited to extend heartfelt congratulations to Red Bicycle on their 10 years in business. This is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to your dedication, creativity and excellence in your field of marketing,” said MacKie.
“As a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce, Red Bicycle has not only demonstrated excellence in marketing campaigns, but has also actively contributed to the success and growth of local businesses. Your commitment to innovation and community engagement has set you apart as a leader.”
Kelly said her community-mindedness is something she comes by honestly.
“I love the relationships, I love the connection, I love the community aspect of it. I remember, growing up, my dad always asking ‘what’ we were doing for the community, not ‘if’ we were doing something,” said Kelly.
“So, it’s always been ingrained in me. He was an entrepreneur in Lloyd as well, so it’s always been important … running a business in Lloydminster you need to give back to Lloydminster, regardless of what level you can afford to do, you still need to be doing something.”
Kelly moved away for university and ended up getting a position at a marketing agency in Halifax for a few years, which she really enjoyed. When her then-boyfriend, now husband, was offered a job back in Lloyd, she decided to come back and landed a job with King’s Energy Group (formerly King’s Husky), which is what led to the birth of her business.
“They were looking for marketing and re-branding and so I helped them transition to King’s Energy Group. And as people kind of found out that I had experience in doing that kind of stuff, and knew what I was talking about—then I got more job offers and I just took them all at once, and started an agency,” explained Kelly.
“We’ve had our ups and downs, like any business. We’ve been really fortunate to have built such strong relationships with our clients, and really getting to know who they are and what their goals are.”
