International Women’s Day: Medicine Hat businesswoman honoured for community impact

Dallas McManaman and her husband Terry

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Four years ago, Dallas McManaman was a university grad and had a dream to become a teacher. However, the pandemic forced her into a different career.

McManaman found a job as a grocery clerk in British Columbia, but quickly worked her way up the ranks.

She went from grocery clerk, to franchise owner of the Medicine Hat FreshCo in just two and a half years.

“I’ve always been a bit ambitious,” McManaman told CHAT News.

“I try really hard to be the best that I can be and that really served me well.”

McManaman opened her store in August of 2023 and works alongside her husband Terry and their son.

Terry said his wife’s hard work and dedication has helped her succeed in a male dominated industry.

“If you knew my wife, you’d understand how it’s possible when she sees something and wants it, she gets it,” Terry said.

Soon after opening shop in Medicine Hat, McManaman knew she wanted to establish FreshCo as more than just a grocery store.

To start making a community impact, McManaman reached out to the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub to get involved in their brown bag lunch program and food collab program.

Dallas McManaman volunteering at the Root Cellar in Medicine Hat

“Dallas reached out to us immediately when they moved to town,” said Melissa Mullis, executive director of the Root Cellar.

“She’s been a pleasure to work with, her staff is amazing. They really are community focused and really, reaching out to us and saying, ‘what do you need?’ as opposed to us reaching out to them.”

When McManaman started her franchise, she also organized a hiring fair and interviewed and hired a few individuals from Redi, an agency dedicated to assisting those facing challenges in entering the workforce.

Robin Keenan at Redi said this gesture meant a lot, especially since her clients are often overlooked in the hiring process.

“We’re thankful that she is open to stepping up and creating spaces for people and so committed to creating inclusive workspaces,” Keenan said.

“The people that [are] associated with the Redi organization are here because they showed the skills and abilities, they have the right attitude, they’re trainable and they’ve been fantastic employees, that’s all I asked for from any employee, right?” McManaman told CHAT News.

In the past seven months, McManaman has also donated to the Mustard Seed, sponsored young sports team and become involved with the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Dallas McManaman and FreshCo at a Medicine Hat Tigers game

With her extensive community outreach and drive to give back, Keenan says she’s not surprised McManaman is being recognized for her efforts.

“Less than a year in the community and she’s already somebody to be noticed, somebody to be recognized,” Keenan explained.

McManaman has big goals ahead and is eager to keep supporting the community that has her back.

Today’s recognition on International Women’s Day and nomination from her husband, only strengthens that commitment.

“I’ve worked really hard over the last few years to do what I’m doing and I’m still working and learning. [Terry McManaman] been there kind of cheerleading me along every step of the way and that’s of course priceless.”

“I feel very humbled and so special.”

by Lisa Parent

International Women’s Day: Medicine Hat businesswoman honoured for community impact

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