Top 10 Kootenay Business People of 2018

2018 brings the Winter Olympics, a quadrennial event or one that happens every four years. We watch the Olympian athletes and get inspired to exercise more and eat healthier—eh? Looking over our list of Top 10 winners, five of the 10 are in the health-care or food industries. Is this a coincidence?

All of these Top 10 business people are remarkably successful in their chosen fields, and their hard work has paid off as reflected by the growth and expansion of their businesses. Furthermore, most of these business leaders have been awarded Business Excellence awards by their local chambers of commerce.

We proudly present this year’s Top 10 Business People. For the full-length versions of these stories, go to http://www.kootenaybusiness.com/10people

Danny Rickaby, who passed away early in 2017, was the managing partner at the Adventure Hotel in Nelson, B.C.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Top 10 Business People

Danny Rickaby

In posthumous recognition of Danny Rickaby’s years of influence in Nelson, we include him on our list of 2018’s Top 10 Kootenay business people.

by
Angela White is the office manager for Fairmont Creek Vacation Rentals in Fairmont Hot Springs, B.C.
East Kootenay, Fairmont Hot Springs, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism, Top 10 Business People

Angela White

Fairmont Creek Vacation Rentals has a treasure in its office manager, Angela White.

by
Suzanne Thompson stands in Kootenay Therapy Center.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness, Top 10 Business People

Suzanne Thompson

Suzanne Thompson is a 30-year physiotherapy veteran, owner of Kootenay Therapy Center and a 2018 Top 10 Business Person

by
Rob Jay and Terra Park own and operate Terra Firma Farms in Revelstoke, B.C.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Agriculture, Retail, Small Business, Top 10 Business People

Terra Park and Rob Jay

Terra Park and Rob Jay are intimately connected to the people of Revelstoke—their organic farm provides food for the community.

by
Mike McPhee on a mountain
East Kootenay, Fernie, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism, Top 10 Business People

Mike McPhee

The director of sales and marketing at Island Lake Lodge, Mike McPhee, has taken the business to mountainous new heights thanks to his creative ingenuity

by
Allissa Keane headshot
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness, Top 10 Business People

Allissa Keane

The owner of Fruition Wellness, Allissa Keane, is healing East Kootenay residents via acupuncture

by
Dr. Rebecca Kolbenson took over the Golden Optometric Clinic in Golden, B.C., in 2013.
West Kootenay, Golden, Health & Wellness, Top 10 Business People

Dr. Rebecca Kolbenson

The Golden Optometric clinic received the 2017 Professional Service Excellence Award from the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce.

by
Kayla Sebastian stands in front of her store signage
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Cuisine, Small Business, Top 10 Business People

Kayla Sebastian

The Wooden Spoon in Grand Forks is attaining acclaim and so is its owner and chef, Kayla Sebastian

by
Darrell Kemle is the owner/operator of Kokanee Ford and Kemlee Equipment Ltd. in Creston, B.C.
East Kootenay, Creston, Retail, Small Business, Top 10 Business People

Darrell Kemle

Darrell Kemle’s businesses run on a tried-and-true combination: high-quality product at a fair price, backed by exceptional customer service.

by
View Top 10 Business People lists for other years