40 under 40—Our first-ever salute to the Kootenays’ younger business people

Commonalities exist within this dynamic group of young business leaders

Kootenay Business noticed some fascinating trends when we received nominations for our brand new 40 under 40 list, which celebrates young business owners, partners, managers or key employees in the Kootenay/Boundary/Revelstoke areas.

First, we learned that many of these younger business folks live here for the spectacular Kootenay lifestyle. Some were raised here, left for adventures or educations, but returned home. Others escaped the big cities and sought out our region’s amenities. And a few of these Kootenay kids—now adults—never left.

What is it about the Kootenay lifestyle specifically that is so attractive? It’s a beautiful area with fantastic outdoor activities. There’s a down-to-earth small-town feeling that is supportive of raising a family and supporting a business. The bottom line is that the Kootenays offer residents a perfect work/life balance.

Second, we learned that many of these younger business folks are entrepreneurs—they started their own businesses here. As one told us, “You can’t really find employment in my line of work in a small town, so becoming an entrepreneur was the only option to live here and still work in my profession.”

All of these under-40-year-old business leaders stand a head above the rest of their peers for their achievements, their community involvement, but most of all their youthful enthusiasm.

We salute all the nominees that appear on our first-ever 40 under 40 rising stars list. Additionally, Kootenay Business publisher Keith Powell will select four individuals from the East Kootenay and a similar number from the West Kootenay for special recognition at a luncheon on April 8, 2016.
 

Join us for lunch

We will celebrate our 40 under 40 stars at a luncheon at the Prestige Inn in Cranbrook on Friday, April 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Guest speaker Gord McArthur is a world-class climber from Cranbrook who now travels the world every winter to compete for Team Canada on the World Cup Ice Climbing Tour. His presentation is entitled Climbing for Success in Sport, Business and Life.

The luncheon will also feature one-on-one interviews with Invermere mayor Gerry Taft, who is B.C.’s youngest mayor, owner of Gerry’s Gelati and under 40 himself, as well as Kootenay Ice coach Luke Pierce, 31 years old and in his first WHL season as a head coach. Local performer/musician Dawson Rutledge will be performing from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

To register for the 40 under 40 Awards Luncheon please call 250-426-7253 or email [email protected].