I didn’t come to Canada to start a business – I came to build a life.
After years of leading retail teams and developing corporate wellness programs in Austria, my husband and I set off on a global journey – from Europe to Asia – and eventually landed in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
We were tourists when we bought our first house here. It had no insulation, no heating – and absolutely no business plan. Just heart, hope, and a lot of hustle. We renovated that house ourselves with David’s 20 years of carpentry experience – brick by brick – and in many ways, that’s exactly how we’ve built our life here. We raised three children with no family nearby. We navigated immigration, rebuilt our careers, and created something meaningful in a place that now truly feels like home.
Then something unexpected happened.
One summer night, at a bonfire, surrounded by new friends – entrepreneurs we’d met through parenting groups and baby classes – we started telling the story of how David and I met: at a team building seminar in Turkey. How we’d run fire walks and high ropes courses in Austria. How we helped companies create powerful moments of connection and personal growth.
They looked at us and said: “Fredericton has nothing like this. You should bring it here.” That was the spark. That night, the seeds of our business were planted.
We launched Level Up Teambuilding not because we had everything figured out, but because we knew we had something unique to offer. In Austria, team building was part of company culture. In Canada – especially after a global disruption like COVID – the need for meaningful team connection had never been greater. But the options were limited. We saw an opportunity to fill that gap with our team building programs.
Our programs combine custom built equipment (thanks to David’s carpentry skills) with professional facilitation to create experiences that are fun, yes – but also deeply impactful. Whether it’s our Soapbox Car Rally or our problem solving challenges, every activity is designed to build trust, communication, and collaboration.
But it hasn’t been easy.
I started the business just after giving birth. I didn’t qualify for maternity leave, and I had no connections in the local business scene. I was building a brand from scratch – while literally raising three small children and managing a household. It took time to adapt. The Austrian approach was too intense for Canadian teams. I had to re learn everything – how to market, how to pitch, and most of all, how to listen. But every challenge taught me something. And every client gave us the chance to grow.
Today, we serve clients across the Maritimes. We adapt every program in real time based on the team’s needs, energy, and dynamic. And we’re proud to say there’s no one else in our region doing what we do – because we don’t just run activities. We create transformation through our team building programs.
Why these team building programs matter for teams
Here’s what the research tells us: teaming up isn’t just “fun time with games.” It drives real results:
- Team building programs improve cohesion and task performance. (mmanc.org)
- Teams that build trust and communication are more resilient, creative, and productive. (joinblink.com)
- Taking teams out of the usual space – into nature or unfamiliar settings – can boost creativity, connection and performance. (mckinsey.com)
We bring that into every session we deliver – whether you’re a corporate team in Moncton, a growing startup in Halifax, or a sports squad in Saint John. We don’t just check boxes; we deliver team building programs where people shift how they see themselves, each other, and what’s possible together.
Our story, your invitation
The bonfire moment reminds us that the most powerful business ideas often start from simple human connection. It was just a camp‑fire chat, a story shared, and a “what if?” – and now we are here, transforming teams across Atlantic Canada.
If you’re a business leader looking to strengthen your team – not just for the next quarter, but for the long run – let’s talk. Because when your people feel connected, your whole company levels up.
— Martina Bernhofer
Founder, Level Up Teambuilding
Key Takeaway
- A spark of connection (like a bonfire conversation) can launch something meaningful and enduring.
- Team‑building done right is more than fun – it builds trust, collaboration, and performance.
- Changing contexts (new country, new career, new culture) reveal opportunity when you lean in.
- The strongest team experiences combine real‑world challenge + expert facilitation + custom design.
- Action Step: Schedule a 30‑minute conversation with your leadership team this week – ask: “What’s one moment that could help us connect more deeply as a team?”
