Adrienne Paul has been involved in the oil and gas industry her entire life. In 2017, a new relationship brought her to Grande Prairie, and with a Ford half-tonne truck and a savings account she co-founded Mackenzie Petroleum Technologies.
Dave Brosha Photography
When asked about the most rewarding components of entrepreneurship, Adrienne says that creating jobs and treating employees right are major aspects she enjoys.
“In just over two years, we have employed 33 people full time. As an employer, I am grateful for how people are treated, and I ensure my staff are taken care of. It’s important to get the team behind you that you need, not just the ones that are looking for a job.”
Staying true to herself while expanding her horizons is something Adrienne is passionate about.
“Being born and raised in a very small town, I had to drive to see what the world had to offer, and I had to explore. While I was exploring, I got to see how Aboriginal families in other provinces live. Some of the stories I heard and situations I saw made me want to be a leader for Aboriginal people, especially Aboriginal women. I wanted to show that no matter where we come from we can do whatever we want if we work hard and follow what makes us happy.”
While being in business has its rewards, it also has its challenges—especially when it comes to being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
“There have been times when I go into meetings and people assume that my husband is the owner and I’m his back-up. I’ve made it my mission to continue to prove them wrong.”
In entrepreneurship, it is important to surround yourself with the right people. In 2018, Adrienne enrolled in AWE’s PeerSpark program to build her network and get hands-on support to grow her business.
“I really enjoyed the PeerSpark program. The networking and the group I was part of have been so helpful. Even now that our session has officially ended, my peer group and I still turn to each other for support and advice. We email each other all the time.”
Adrienne’s entrepreneurial spirit shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. When asked what is next, she says starting another business is definitely in her future.
For now, Adrienne is continuing to grow Mackenzie Petroleum Technologies and continuing to fuel growth in Alberta’s economy.
