Virginia Rasch writer profile

Franchising in the Kootenays: Meet the Britners of PropertyGuys.com

Dreaming of a Rocky Mountain home? Realtor® Sandy Smith can help you buy affordable real estate in B.C. remotely

The Ktunaxa Nation and the City of Cranbrook are partnering to create a new cultural and interpretive centre as Cranbrook’s new-and-improved visitor centre

The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise is helping Kootenay businesses design and build outdoor gear that rocks

The consumer trend towards buying locally-grown flowers is booming in the Kootenays as proven by this list of 10 flower farms

Craft beer lovers in Creston, B.C., are tipping a glass (or two) to the new business in town—Wild North Brewing Co.

Based in Fernie, B.C., Robertson Estate Wine Vinegar produces the perfect Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar that is sought after by top chefs

Ki Mana Acres Farm near Creston, B.C., is a model for regenerative agriculture and meeting the demand of discerning consumers

With CEO Dave MacLeod at the helm, ThoughtExchange in Rossland, B.C., has seen 1,000 per cent year-over-year use of the tech platform

A new book by CEO of ThoughtExchange Dave MacLeod, Scaling Conversations: How Leaders Access the Full Potential of People, is a goldmine of insights

Women can have fulfilling careers in industry, according to Vanessa Terwoort, Director, Environment, Mercer Celgar

Growing fatter by the month: Feastify is adding 6 to 8 new communities a month across Canada

The 100% Renewable Kootenays campaign for clean energy, led by the West Kootenay EcoSociety, continues to grow, adding No. 10: Fruitvale

The Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce is increasing its staff to accomplish more projects

Sucre Interactive Technologies in Fernie, B.C., uses virtual-reality technology for immersive safety training in mining and other high-risk industries

Dark Horse Innovations in Nelson, B.C., is a new B2B business in the outdoor product development industry

The Kootenays’ first-ever pitch competition for the tech sector was organized by KAST and attracted 25 entrepreneurs vying for valuable prizes

Emma Beaton, manager of the Slocan Valley Chamber of Commerce, has seen an uptick in people and businesses moving there since the pandemic

Business baron Brian Fehr is bullish on his four Kootenay businesses with more exciting plans forthcoming

The seed-to-vase movement is blossoming in Kimberley, B.C., in Ritual Gardens with locally-grown, sustainable cut flowers

The City of Cranbrook begins its fleet transition to EVs with the purchase of its first electric vehicle

Chocolate alchemist Beth Campbell of Viva Cacao in Slocan, B.C., has advice on scaling up a small business

Nelson, B.C., is overflowing with sewists, thanks to the enthusiastic owners/teachers of the Nelson Stitch Lab

Downtown revitalization in Grand Forks, B.C., was led by a unique five-week initiative

Entrepreneur Chandler Lang has national aspirations for his Revelstoke Delivery platform

Here’s a new idea from Backwoods Sauna in Salmo, B.C.: A rental and mobile wood-fired sauna

The Kootenays are an emerging wine region in B.C. Here’s a list of the 7 Kootenay wineries—and 1 meadery

Pandemic pivot to virtual services is key to success of KCDS, helping both businesses and job seekers

What if you love your location but not your house? Do you buy a house or build one? Read how one Cranbrook couple took an unusual path to get their dream home.

Raylen Tress of Whiskey Hill Farms in Golden won Young Entrepreneur of the Year from the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce

Katie Yuris of All Pro Realty in Trail, B.C., won Business Person of the Year from the Trail and District Chamber of Commerce

Despite a challenging year, KootenayBiz told many inspiring and informative stories—here are our Top 10 from 2020

Viibrant Earth Cafe and Bistro is a welcomed boutique eatery in the tiny community of Canal Flats, B.C.

One lady’s incredible jam journey in Elkford, B.C. started with pina colada

Spunky young entrepreneur’s coffee is flowing across the Kootenays and Canada from Rooftop Coffee Roasters in Fernie, B.C.

KootenayBiz’s bimonthly eNewsletters keep you informed and inspired about business successes in your communities

Dan Nicholson and Jan McMurray, owners of The Valley Voice in New Denver, B.C., have faithfully contributed to the West Kootenay’s media diet for 17 years

Michael Keefer, an exemplary entrepreneur, owns three green businesses in the Kootenays

Prestige Hotels and Resorts are business leaders with 7 “green” certifications from Sustainable Tourism 2030

A certification from Sustainable Tourism 2030 is good for people, the planet and profits

Kootenay Computer helps with the digital divide and picks up a Business-to-Business Excellence Award from the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce

The third annual scarecrow contest is underway and sponsored by the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce.

The Forest Practices Board released a report that recommends better reforestation practices in B.C.’s dry fir forests, including less clearcutting

B.C.’s Forest Basket is featured in a new podcast series by the BC Interior Forestry Museum in Revelstoke, B.C.

Hire Smarter, Sell More: An interview with book author C. Lee Smith on hiring top sales staff

Attorney Alan J. Burch in Nelson specializes in wills, and he’s seen an increase in demand during the pandemic

A trip of goats are trained as targeted grazers for a unique business: Vahana Nature Rehabilitation in Ta Ta Creek, B.C.

Two Cranbrook homeowners bought their dream homes with the expeditious assistance of Sandy Smith Personal Real Estate Corporation

Kootenay companies innovate to help Canada become self-sufficient in PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic

Pandemic bad haircuts and lessons learned by Kellie Wolf, owner of Wolfy’s Hair Den in Kimberley