Kyle Born writer profile

Kyle Born is a writer at Kootenay Business. Kyle writes about people and what makes them tick. He’s written hundreds of articles that tell the story of individuals and their passions. Kyle is naturally curious and enjoys breezing past the small talk so he can learn the fascinating details of an individual’s journey through life. He specializes in storytelling and isn’t afraid of asking the hard questions such as, “Where is your bathroom? I really need to go.”

Kyle has held a variety of job titles through the years: radio announcer, voice actor, English teacher, delivery driver, missionary, wedding DJ, comedian and several other things that he may have forgotten because his memory isn’t always the best, which is why he writes things down.

Kyle Born spends much of his time building in his Lego Room (Star Wars, Castle, Pirates), playing video games (Mario, Rocket League, XCOM, Zelda) and watching his favourite football team, the Green Bay Packers—he even owns a share of the team (for real!). He lives in Cranbrook, B.C., with his bodacious wife, Becky, and two little kids, Augustus and Annabelle. There aren’t any pets in the Born household because Kyle has allergies. But if he sees you walking your dog, he will stop and pet it because dogs are cool.

Most recent articles by Kyle Born

A child climbs up a colourful wall inside Arq Mountain Centre.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Top 10 things to do in Cranbrook with kids

Children can climb, swim, bowl and mini-golf their way to adventure in Cranbrook, B.C.

A boy looks through a glass enclosure that houses an orange and black tarantula.

East Kootenay, Invermere, Animal Care, Small Business, Tourism It’s little wonder why critters are gathering in Invermere

Wild Wonders Insectarium in Invermere named New Business of the Year and won People’s Choice award at Columbia Valley Chamber awards

East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business The Dragons’ Den is calling Kootenay Business owners

Alicia Chirrey, producer at CBC’s Dragons’ Den, explains how Kootenay entrepreneurs can apply to be on the show

A sasquatch-costumed Taylor Jenkins stands on a snowy main street downtown Fernie.

East Kootenay, Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood, Education, Retail, Small Business, Tourism The results are in. The Elk Valley Business Retention and Expansion survey says . . .

Taylor Jenkins, Elk Valley economic recovery advisor, outlines what Elk Valley businesses can do to address their big three problems

(L to R) Courtney Edwards, David Dudar, Tina Knooihuizen, Dolly Edwards, Sandra Dempsey-Koch, Chelsea Potter, Chris Galea.

West Kootenay, Nakusp, Tourism One-on-one with Tina Knooihuizen, new President of the Nakusp Chamber of Commerce

Tina Knooihuizen, President of the Nakusp Chamber of Commerce, loves the range of community programs already in place and is excited about potential growth

A football is on its end on a football field next to a photo of Mark McLoughlin smiling.

West Kootenay, Trail, Financial Field goals to finance: How Mark McLoughlin went from Stampeders standout to Kootenay Savings CEO

Mark McLoughlin, all-star CFL kicker, is the new President and CEO of Kootenay Savings Credit Union in Trail, B.C.

Image rendering of the Castlegar Confluence of Tourism and Economic Development shows gray walls with some wooden siding.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business, Tourism The Castlegar Chamber’s fancy new home is in the works

Tammy Verigin-Burk, executive director of the Castlegar Chamber, highlights opportunities for entrepreneurs within Castlegar’s new Confluence building

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Real Estate Why are houses (still) selling like hot cakes in the Kootenays?

Bruce Seitz, sales representative at Royal Lepage, explains why the real estate market is hot in the Kootenays

A group of employees pose in front of Boundary Electric in an old photo.

West Kootenay, Christina Lake, Energy One of the Kootenay’s biggest businesses celebrates 75 years

David Evdokimoff, CEO and managing director of Boundary Electric in Grand Forks, B.C., highlights 75 years of lessons learned in business

Jacomien van Tonder, the director for Metal Tech Alley, was recently presented with the Global Green Business Award’s Best Eco-Friendly Battery Metal Producer. She wears a purple shirt and stands on a bridge over frozen water in Trail. B.C.

West Kootenay, Trail, Energy, Technology Global Green Business Award goes to Metal Tech Alley in Trail, B.C.

Jacomien van Tonder takes Trail, B.C., to the world stage as the only presenter from a rural community in North America at World Circular Economy Forum

A group of white water rafters smile as they dip into deep water on a raft.

East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Tourism This legacy award-winning business knows how to retain staff and delight clients

Lynn Muller, co-owner of Canyon Raft Company in Fernie, B.C. outlines how to run a successful business for over a quarter century

Hedin Nelson-Chorney smiles while leaning against a vat.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Retail, Small Business Castlegar’s young brewer snags two prestigious awards

Hedin Nelson-Chorney, owner of Tailout Brewing, highlights how his business won Castlegar’s Young Entrepreneur Award and Green Award

(L to R) Mackenzie, Marina, Jayden, Jeremiah and Maya Pauw in front of a hotel with a big bright orange image of a fox.

East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Technology Fernie Fox Hotel aims to become the most sustainable hotel in B.C.

Jeremiah Pauw has rebranded the Super 8 into the Fernie Fox Hotel in Fernie, B.C.

Two cars, one black, one blue, are parked in front of Cranbrook Hyundai’s new showroom with large glass windows.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Transportation Cranbrook Hyundai has a shiny new showroom

Bob Bullock, owner of Cranbrook Hyundai, has transformed the location inside and out

Four employees stand in front of a Boundary Electric sign in Grand Forks, B.C.

East Kootenay, Grand Forks, Small Business How to hire and maintain employees during a labour shortage (or any time)

Mike Freed, director of sales and marketing at Boundary Electric in Grand Forks, B.C., highlights how businesses can become great places to work

A row of snowmobilers parks at the top of a snowy mountain as the sun breaks through the clouds up above.

East Kootenay, Tourism Kootenay-made snowmobile film is creating an avalanche of attention online

Sheldon Kelly, snowmobiling filmmaker in the Kootenays, highlights what makes Sledfarm Rising such an epic movie worth watching

Jody McInnes has a reddish brown beard and wears a grey jacket.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Education, Small Business Jody McInnes, multi-business owner, entrepreneurial master strategist and calculated card player

Jody McInnes, President of Stillwater Consulting in Cranbrook, B.C., has formed several businesses based on changing lives in a positive way

Elena Sterritt sits at a desk in front of several monitors showing off a presentation.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Education, Small Business Gen Z gets a boost thanks to the NexGen Business Training program

Stillwater Consulting is now offering NexGen Business Training, a virtual program that helps youth across B.C. develop and launch a business idea

Ella Harris and Breanna Fast sit down at a table to share a drink in front of a brick wall at The Hourglass in Kimberley, B.C.

East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Small Business Two longtime friends fulfill their decade ambition to mix drinks together in Kimberley, B.C.

Ella Harris and Breanna Fast have fulfilled their dreams of opening a cocktail bar, The Hourglass, in Kimberley, B.C.

Beverly MacNaughton smiles in a colourless photo.

East Kootenay, Sparwood, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Beverly MacNaughton, executive director of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce

Beverly MacNaughton, executive director of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce, is excited about mines and local businesses being busier than ever

Tom Thomson leans against a desk in the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Tom Thompson, executive director of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce

Tom Thomson, executive director of the Nelson Chamber, has been proactive in advocating for business support, including a Keep Us Open for Business campaign

Brad Pommen rides a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle over an orange bridge in Nelson, B.C.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Technology Catching up with Brad Pommen, Nelson’s motorcycle-riding tech founder behind SMRT1 Technologies

Brad Pommen, President of SMRT1 Technologies in Nelson, B.C., explains how to come up with a useful product and bring it to the marketplace

A dirt bike rider gets big air off a jump on the Kootenay Motocross track at sunset.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Tourism What does it take to run a world-class motocross track and ORV area in the Kootenays?

David Ketel, president of the WKRDAS near Castlegar, B.C., delves into the exhaustive and fulfilling work required to operate a family-friendly ORV destination

Jared Williams stands in front of Northstar Bicycle Co., a lime green building in Cranbrook, B.C.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness, Retail, Small Business Bikes and coffee—what could be a better Kootenay combo?

Jared Williams, manager of Northstar Bicycle Co. in Cranbrook, B.C., has adapted his love of bicycles and coffee into a popular Kootenay Business

Charmain Bibby smiles, wearing glasses and a blue shirt with red flowers. Mike Bibby carves into a piece of wood on a work bench.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business From oil rig workers in Africa to designers in Nelson, B.C., the Bibbys are ultimate entrepreneurs

Mike and Charmain Bibby, owners of Bibby Fine Interiors and Bibby Fine Furniture in Nelson, B.C., help people design their perfect home and work space

Stacey Brensrud has long brown hair and wears a grey shirt and red scarf. She smiles in the photo. Snowy trees are in the background.

West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Stacey Brensrud, executive director of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce

Stacey Brensrud, executive director of the Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce, highlights why Revelstokians have reason to be stoked for their city

A blue sign that says Blue Canoe Orchards next to a box of cherries on a stump in the midst of a cherry farm.

West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Agriculture, Cuisine, First Nations , Small Business Creston’s new Blue Canoe Orchards is doing everything imaginable to put fresh cherries in YOUR hands

Trent Mason, Aboriginal owner of Blue Canoe Orchards in Creston, B.C., aims to distribute fresh cherries throughout the Kootenays

Shawna Bryant has black-rimmed glasses and dyed blonde hair.

East Kootenay, Elkford, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Shawna Bryant, executive director of the Elkford Chamber of Commerce

Shawna Bryant, executive director of the Elkford Chamber of Commerce, highlights accomplishments of the past year and issues to address in the future

Daniel Holden smiles, wearing black-rimmed glasses and a salt and pepper beard.

East Kootenay, Kimberley, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Daniel Holden, general manager of the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce

Daniel Holden, general manager of the Kimberley Chamber, has implemented a variety of necessary changes to bolster Kimberley’s presence

Derrek Kittson stands in front of his business, Central City Shoes.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Castlegar Chamber President Derrek Kittson

Derrek Kittson, President of the Castlegar Chamber of Commerce, is excited about a new Chamber building and upgraded infrastructure on Columbia Avenue

Mario DiBella has light white hair and wears a grey shirt.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Technology Kootenay entrepreneur’s specialization led to Martech’s business growth and spin-off companies

Mario Dibella, owner and president of the Martech Group of Companies in Castlegar, B.C., discusses how his company has maintained unprecedented endurance

Eric Ridington looks out his glider canopy window to see a huge snow-covered mountain in front of him.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, Tourism Kokanee Soaring Adventures has taken flight in Nelson

Eric Ridington, owner of Kokanee Soaring Adventures in Nelson, B.C., offers glider tours over Kootenay Lake and Kokanee Glacier

Jeff Davie (up front in the middle with a black hat), his wife, Monica Davie (behind Jeff, wearing a blue shirt), and the team at Kaslo Building Supplies pose for a group photo.

West Kootenay, Kaslo, Retail, Small Business Commitment to customer service: Kaslo Building Supplies owner Jeff Davie leads the way

Jeff Davie, second-generation owner of Kaslo Building Supplies, describes how exceptional customer service leads to longevity

Karma Halleran in a black-and-white photo.

West Kootenay, Kaslo, Tourism Chamber president Karma Halleran anticipates another impressive year of growth in Kaslo, B.C.

Karma Halleran, president of the Kaslo Chamber of Commerce, highlights new programs being implemented, including Kaslo ArtScape and a Kaslo Anthem contest

Helen Barron smiles. She has long curly brown hair and wears a white shirt.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business One-on-one with Helen Barron, executive director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

Helen Barron, executive director of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce, highlights new programs implemented amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Chris Policar and Ryan “Butter” Karl stand in front of a sign that reads The Station Pub.

East Kootenay, Invermere, Cuisine, Small Business New owners and a new look—The Station Pub in Invermere is BACK!

Chris Policar and Ryan “Butter” Karl, new owners of The Station Pub in Invermere, B.C., have major upgrades in the works for their restaurant

Laura Price smiles wearing a pink shirt.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Retail, Small Business Scout Clothing in Nelson is persevering through the pandemic by connecting with customers online

Laura Price, owner of Scout Clothing in Nelson, B.C., is showcasing how small retail shops can offer an excellent online shopping experience

(L to R) Patrick Carrick, Toni Coward and Pete Bourke in front of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce sign.

East Kootenay, Invermere, Tourism One-on-one with Pete Bourke, executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce

Pete Bourke, executive director of the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce, has seen businesses in the region adapt as needed this past year

Amanda Mary laughs while wearing a dress in front of an orange bridge in Nelson, B.C.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business Brand photographer Amanda Mary—the Kootenay’s new hype girl—has arrived in Nelson

Amanda Mary, owner of Amanda Mary Creative in Nelson, B.C., uses her photography to help businesses build confidence in their brand

The exterior of The Grater Good has wooden railings and large lined windows.

East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Retail, Small Business Good to great: Kimberley’s Grater Good has new owners

Floris and René Steenkamp, new owners of The Grater Good Kitchen Supply Company in Kimberley, B.C., are excited to share their passion for cooking

Kris Eliuk has black-rimmed glasses, a stubbled face and a grey Yoshi hat.

East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business This hometown Cranbrook entrepreneur fidgeted and spun his way to success

Kris Eliuk, owner of Yellowday Energy in Cranbrook, makes functional metal art, including flashlights, high-end fidget spinners, patches and bottle openers

Melissa Welsh and Mike Irvine smile next to each other.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Education Live It is changing the way educators teach and children learn online in the midst of the pandemic

Mike Irvine and Melissa Welsh, founders of Live It in Nelson, B.C., are delivering online programs, featuring stories that bring the natural world to life

Carpenters throw their hard hats in the air in front of a log building.

East Kootenay, Golden, Forestry, Small Business This intrepid teacher is building log homes while training the next generation of carpenters

Dave Stonehouse, founder of the BC School of Log Building and owner of Stonehouse Woodworks in Golden, B.C., is teaching the next generation of carpenters

Zan Comerford smiles while kicking her leg up to open the door to her business, Liteworks Marketing.

West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business International marketing agency sets up shop in Nelson’s downtown

Zan Comerford, founder of Liteworks Marketing, has officially opened the doors to her brick and mortar boutique agency in downtown Nelson, B.C.

Luz Hernandez and her four children smile while hugging each other.

East Kootenay, Invermere, Cuisine, Small Business Feel the warmth of Mexico in the mountains at Su Casa Authentic Mexican Kitchen

Luz Hernandez, owner and chef of Su Casa Authentic Mexican Kitchen in Windermere, B.C., runs her restaurant with her four children

(L to R) Dustin Gilchrist, Jacob Shimell and Wyatt Profili show off their custom creations at KYR Original in front of Nancy Greene Lake, near Warfield, B.C.

West Kootenay, Rossland, Retail, Small Business Kootenay roots run deep at KYR Supply in Warfield

Dustin Gilchrist, director of operations at KYR Supply in Warfield, B.C., creates Kootenay-inspired outdoor apparel that is made in Canada

Tammy Verigin-Burk is white with long black hair and wears a black shirt and silver necklace.

West Kootenay, Castlegar, Developments, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Castlegar Chamber executive director Tammy Verigin-Burk

Tammy Verigin-Burk, Castlegar Chamber executive director, highlights some accomplishments of 2020 and challenges moving into 2021

Brad Parsell sits at his desk next to a binder, a phone and a computer.

East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Tourism The Work in Fernie initiative is attracting much-needed workers from outside the region

Brad Parsell, executive director at the Fernie Chamber, is enticing out-of-town workers with a diversity of careers and lifestyle opportunities available