Kristen Mitchell writer profile

Photo of Kristen Mitchell

Born and raised in the Kootenays, Kristen hopes to always call this area home. She studied at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and has worked in a variety of industries, from agriculture to construction, retail to restaurants. She now brings her understanding of the area to Kootenay Business magazine.

Most recent articles by Kristen Mitchell

Man sitting with his dog, a cute blue heeler
East Kootenay, Invermere Building with stone in the Kootenays

With decades of experience, Russell Buksa of RNB Works still enjoys bringing high-quality projects to his clients around the province

Aerial photo of Cartwheel Farm.
East Kootenay, Creston, Agriculture, Environment, Technology Creston organic farmer is aiming for year-round food without fossil fuels

A solar array and Chinese-style greenhouse technology will be impacting Cartwheel Farm and its ability to produce vegetables year-round without fossil fuels

Jess Paloposki, owner of Mamacita’s Empanadas in Golden, B.C., standing in front of sign.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Cuisine, Small Business Oh, Mamacita! Building a specialty food business at Mamacita’s Empanadas

Jess Paloposki first started selling Argentinian empanadas as a side hustle. Mamacita’s Empanadas is now selling these frozen pastries throughout the Kootenays

Megan MacPhee, education and communications manager with EKISC, pulling baby's breath in Invermere.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Agriculture, Environment Invasive species in the Kootenays: Red flags and other things to know

Kootenay Business talks with the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council about making a difference and some of the plants to be aware of in your backyard.

Mélanie Mercier is the owner of Araucaria Gardening Services where she practices ecological landscaping and garden maintenance.
West Kootenay, Rossland, Environment, Small Business 5 ways to create a beautiful and eco-friendly yard and garden

Mélanie Mercier of Araucaria Gardening Services in Rossland has some tips for homeowners on ways to create a gorgeous green space in their own backyard.

The Cardinal family sitting under a tree with their dog.
East Kootenay, Creston, Agriculture, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality Fun and fermenting at Red Bird Winery in Creston

For the Cardinals, building a winery was both a passion and a desire that they have turned into reality with Red Bird Estate Winery

The Francis family, Nigel and Laura, with their two young boys.
East Kootenay, Creston, Agriculture, Environment Community and commitment at Cartwheel Farm in Creston

For Nigel and Laura Francis, farming has given them a sense of meaning and satisfaction in both life and work

Matthew Carr crouching in field of veggies.
West Kootenay, Agriculture Growing with a lot of grit at Linden Lane Farms

Matthew Carr started selling plants while still in high school. Now, more than a decade later, he’s running a successful business and following his passion

Aidan McLaren-Caux.
West Kootenay, Nakusp Engaging a community to support the economy

The village of Nakusp is growing and thriving thanks, in part, to the Nakusp & Area Development Board.

Sisters Stephanie and Cassidy Tilling posing behind display of baked goods.
East Kootenay, Creston, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Fulfilling the vision at Good Company Coffee in Creston

Good Company Coffee embraces the collaborative nature of community, bringing a big city feel and small-town warmth to their business

Dana Sproule standing by bright window looking outside, holding cup of coffee. She's wearing a mustard yellow sweater.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business 5 ways to grow your leadership, your business and yourself

As a life and leadership coach, Dana Sproule is passionate about developing successful leaders. Learn five things to focus on for your own leadership journey.

Becky McArthur (left) and Robyn Hansen are proud owners of their second business together—Twisted Peaks, a frozen yogurt shop in Cranbrook, B.C.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Family and fro-yo at Twisted Peaks in Cranbrook

When twins Robyn Hansen & Becky McArthur bought their first business, they each had toddlers. Now, they’re serving up frozen yogurt alongside their teenagers

Lin and Oliver Egan together with Anna Steedman and Chef Randy MacSteven and sons in garden field making funny poses.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Agriculture, Small Business Winderberry Farm—A business that has grown to work for a family

A family business, Winderberry Farms, found innovative ways to grow and create a place for everyone to contribute to a bright future

Outside of Radium Brewing, timber-framed building painted grey, sloped roof.
East Kootenay, Radium Hot Springs, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Turning hobbies into a passion project at Radium Brewing

For Jacob Houghton and Stephan Gale, starting Radium Brewing was the realization of their dreams, passions and hobbies coming together.

Janice Alpine is a business development officer/tourism engagement with the Ktunaxa Nation.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, First Nations The Ktunaxa mean business

Janice Alpine is an expert on the diversity of Ktunaxa businesses, the skills they bring to the table, and the opportunities that exist within the community.

Kris Newman and Kevin Blackwell at the opening of a show home.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Developments, Real Estate Talking real estate market with TRC Projects Ltd.

Kevin Blackwell, a housing project developer, talks to Kootenay Business about the housing industry in the Columbia Valley

Exterior shot of the Backroads Brewing Company, pink blossom trees in foreground.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Retail All in the loop at Backroads Brewing Company

The circular economy may be a buzzy-sounding term but at this Nelson brewpub, participating in it is an obvious benefit to the company and the community.

Dayna Leduc, filling large industrial container with fluid.
East Kootenay, Creston, Energy, Environment, Small Business, Technology, Transportation Finding a way forward with Leduc Biodiesel Energy

By collecting and recycling used cooking oil into green, biodiesel products, Dayna Leduc has found his passion

Patrick Tolchard holding a bunch of helmets.
East Kootenay, Radium Hot Springs, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Three outdoor tourism businesses leads to adventure for this Columbia Valley entrepreneur

Patrick Tolchard tells Kootenay Business all about managing multiple companies and why he loves the outdoor adventure industry.

Jeb Ferster owns The Trails at Windermere Lake and manages its solar aquatic facility. Here he is grooming the tanks by thinning out plants to make room for smaller ones.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Developments, Environment, Technology Trailblazing solar aquatic system at The Trails at Windermere Lake housing development

A development in Windermere is treating wastewater with a solar aquatic facility, an underutilized process that produces clean water without chemicals.

Thomas and Ash Hodgson standing by table.
West Kootenay, Trail, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business All their roads led to opening Kootenay West Distilling in Trail, B.C.

For Thomas and Ash Hodgson, a lifetime of chronic entrepreneurship has led them to becoming the Kootenays’ newest distillers.

Rows of garden beds.
West Kootenay, Agriculture, Environment For the sake of the soil

Rachael Roussin talks about the importance of soil health, and how it can work hand-in-hand with conventional fertilizer in agriculture.

A blind golf competitor uses the assistance of a coach as he sets up a shot.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Creston, Kimberley, Tourism The Kootenays: a destination for blind golf this summer

With three events planned for July, the East Kootenay is a busy location for the sport of blind golf thanks to local advocate and competitor, Darren Douma

Practitioners at the Full Circle Health Centre are excited to have a newly re-opened clinic to serve their clients.
Creston, Health & Wellness Moving forward at Full Circle Health Centre

The Full Circle Health Centre in Creston, B.C., has welcomed new practitioners and is now qualified as a traditional Chinese medicine centre

Ben and Claudia Herrera are standing in one of their wheat fields in Creston, B.C.
Creston, Agriculture When it comes to wheat

The owners of Treasure Life Flour Mills have invested years into growing grain products that they can stand behind

Paris Marshall Smith, kneeling in a large cultivated field.
Creston, Agriculture Cultivating opportunity with Fields Forward

The Creston Valley has a new initiative that is moving the food and agriculture economy forward.

Bill Doeleman, owner and instructor at Creston Driving Academy, is standing next to one of the academy cars.
Creston, Small Business, Transportation Driving safety forward

Bill Doeleman is helping Creston’s driving students learn new skills with his business, Creston Driving Academy

The Yaqan Nukiy School at the Ktunaxa reserve in Creston, B.C., has recently opened a new school building.
Creston, Education, First Nations A place to grow and learn

The Yaqan Nukiy School on the Ktunaxa reserve in Creston, B.C., has a new building to best serve its elementary students and community

Trent Mason is the owner/operator of 2 Percent Realty, which is based in Cranbrook, B.C.
Cranbrook, First Nations , Real Estate Two Percent Realty a reality

Entrepreneur and realtor Trent Mason has brought the Two Percent Realty franchise to the East Kootenay

Tammy Murphy (L) and Jessica Piccinin own Quack Me Up! Farm and Hatchery, a duck business that has relocated to Creston, B.C.
Creston, Agriculture, Animal Care A future in her roots

Jessica Piccinin, owner of Root and Vine Acres, found her calling in producing wholesome food on her farm in the Creston Valley

The Ryman family enjoys a kayak/paddleboard adventure.
Castlegar, Tourism Living Endless Adventure

Chris and Andrea Ryman brought their love of paddling and the great outdoors to the Kootenays 10 years ago, and they haven’t looked back

College of the Rockies has unveiled a new logo which, by happy coincidence, coincided with its 40th anniversary celebration.
Cranbrook, Education A refreshed brand at College of the Rockies

With a new logo and brand strategy, College of the Rockies is turning 40 and feeling fine.

Mayor of Castlegar, Lawrence Chernoff
Castlegar, Environment Sensible and sustainable

The city of Castlegar has several green initiatives underway that are good for the city, for the environment and for the people who call the area home.

There are autumn colours on a small tree in the foreground, an old wooden fence and mountains set against a blue sky in the background.
Cranbrook, Kimberley, Nelson, Rossland, Small Business Why we choose the Kootenays

For these business people, there is no shortage of reasons to love living in this beautiful mountain region

Lindsay Reynolds is the owner of Three Sisters Day Spa in Fernie.
Fernie Lindsay Reynolds

After she found a home in Fernie, Lindsay Reynolds discovered a passion to bring the business of beauty to town.

Gina Medhurst is the owner of Kootenay Forge.
Riondel Gina Medhurst

Gina and Cory Medhurst succeed at the unique challenge of running a 21st century blacksmith shop.

Father-and-son team John Urquhart Sr. And John Urquhart Jr. operate Valley Firearms together in Trail, B.C.
Trail John Urquhart Sr. and John Urquhart Jr.

At Valley Firearms, a father and son make sure they can offer the best service to local hunting, shooting and fishing enthusiasts

A woman representing Lethbridge College interacts with two attendees at the College of the Rockies Career and Job Fair.
Cranbrook, Education Discover your opportunities at this year’s career fair

The College of the Rockies Career and Job Fair is set to be another successful event this March.

Laurie Goodlad standing next to some of merchandise at Muriel and Jane's General Store.
Cranbrook Laurie Goodlad

Opening a retail business allows Laurie Goodlad to combine her love of customer service with her enjoyment of merchandising.

Pierre Dupont stands outside the Le Grand Fromage location in Fernie.
Fernie, Nelson Pierre Dupont

Opening Le Grand Fromage in Fernie and Nelson has offered a way for Pierre Dupont to share his taste and knowledge for quality cheese with Kootenay residents

Lori Craig balances on a fitness ball at her business, Better Life Fitness in Rossland.
Rossland Lori Craig

For Lori Craig, the owner of Better Life Fitness in Rossland, work is about a passion for fitness and helping clients succeed.

Kootenay Meadows
Creston Wayne and Denise Harris

At Kootenay Meadows, organic milk comes in glass bottles and raw-milk cheeses are a gourmet delight.

Jenna Merrill is the owner of new business, Cloth Me Closely Natural Parenting in Creston, B.C., serving the Kootenays.
Creston, Retail, Small Business Cloth Me Closely: natural products for Kootenay babies

New parents in the Kootenays now have a local resource for baby products as well as somewhere to find community and information.

Kathy Moore is the new mayor of Rossland, B.C.
Rossland Moore for Rossland

With an eagerness to keep learning and to serve her community, Kathy Moore was successful in her bid to become mayor of Rossland.

A headshot of Mike Martin, the mayor of Trail, B.C.
Trail A chat with Trail’s mayor

Mike Martin, the new mayor of Trail, B.C., talks about anticipated challenges, goals and his dedication to advancing the community.

Deb Kozak is the mayor of Nelson, B.C.
Nelson A new mayor for Nelson

Deb Kozak is taking the lead in Nelson as she steps into position of mayor after nine years on council.

Lawrence Chernoff is the mayor of Castlegar, B.C.
Castlegar Questions for Castlegar’s mayor

Lawrence Chernoff has returned as the mayor of Castlegar, bringing his upbeat outlook back to the city for a fourth term.

Ron Toyota has been re-elected as mayor of Creston, B.C., for his third term.
Creston Leading Creston into the future

Creston’s mayor Ron Toyota has won a third term to continue working on initiatives with a new council.

Mayor Mark McKee of Revelstoke.
Revelstoke Returning to serve Revelstoke

Mark McKee, who has been elected mayor of Revelstoke, is back in office with a history of experience and a plan to get things done.

Newly redesigned labels for beer made by Fernie Brewing Co.
Fernie, Developments Keeping it fresh at Fernie Brewing Company

With a new brew house, storage area and tasting room, Fernie Brewing Company is building a facility that can keep up with demand for its tasty brews.