Stories From the Trails: A Sweet Approach to Community Wellbeing
Connection, conversation, and community – all of this began with one simple question, ‘What if we start a donut business?’. While their sweet treats may catch your eye (and taste buds), Frankie D’s Donuts is striving towards a thriving community where everyone belongs in Banff, Lake Louise, and beyond.
Why Donuts?
Born during COVID lockdowns when conversations around mental health began to surface more frequently, ‘Donut Days’ were Frankie D’s Donuts first point of action on making people in the community feel less lonely. By simply ordering a donut – or five – you would receive a comforting message inside a box, as well as an invitation to connect with Frankie D’s and the broader community online.
This unique business and BLLT member has grown and evolved. Now, Frankie D’s aims to draw people in with their irresistible glazed goodies and send them off with thought-provoking and moving conversations in their pocket.
“Donuts, dogs, pets, all these things disarm us and allows us to bring our walls down and have connection and conversation,” shared Makaylah Rogers, co-owner, and program facilitator at Frankie D’s.
The donuts are a tool to promote mental wellbeing and foster meaningful dialog amongst friends, family, work colleagues, and even strangers. They’re a conduit for making this community a thriving place to live, work, and visit.
Mental wellbeing is essential, but as Mak shared, "there is no wellbeing without belonging." This place is special and unique – people come to Banff and Lake Louise from all walks of life and cultures. That’s why they say fostering a vibrant and inclusive community is so important.
Empowering Conversation
After a year of sharing curbside donuts and engaging with the community on social media, Frankie D’s launched ‘Donuts & Conversation’ offering work colleagues and other groups a way to connect and have meaningful and brave discussions.
Mak says this facilitated and unique experience is for community and visitors alike. It can be tailored to a conference, team building days, annual planning meetings, and much more. Facilitated by Mak and their wife Fia-Lynn Crandall, the Donuts & Conversation experience can be crafted to whatever fits a groups’ needs, but Mak says the result is always connection and impact.
An attendee from one of their many workshops shared, “This was a great community building event where I was able to connect with people through meaningful and vulnerable conversation. They created a brave space where we were able to talk through uncomfortable conversation. It was a warm, welcoming space to learn, grow, and ask questions!”
Social Impact Program
Although Donuts & Conversations is a more intimate method of empowering and holding space for difficult dialogue, Frankie D’s also offer Donut Decorating Workshops – a more fun way to create bonds, bring walls down, and celebrate individuality.
Ten percent from every workshop held goes towards Frankie D’s Social Impact Program which helps to fund community events and givebacks.
Future for Donuts
Frankie D’s are focusing on facilitating more workshops and engaging more of the community. They’re continuing to celebrate local life, identity, and culture and have begun exploring how the business can connect with visitors too.
Congratulations to Mak for winning the ‘Innovation Award’ at the YWCA Change Makers 2024! Their advocacy and business truly helps our community by fostering a supportive environment and amplifying marginalized voices.
Find out more about how you can bring Frankie D’s Donuts experiences to your next event.
Frankie D's Donuts
Stories from the Trails is a series sharing learning, success, and insights, from our members and partners as we journey together towards the 10-Year Vision for Tourism. This story embodies the Community Wellbeing Trail.
Share your story! What initiatives are happening in your business or organization that support our shared vision for tourism? Email us! memberservices@banfflakelouise.com