2018 40 under 40 rising stars of business

Our third annual 40 under 40 list is a salute to some of the leading entrepreneurs in the Kootenays. The younger business people listed here were nominated by our readership—many thanks to the nominators for their kind and revealing comments. And congratulations to all those on the 2018 40 under 40 list. We wish you much future success.

Did we miss somebody? Nominate your 2019 40-under-40 candidate today!

40 under 40
40 Under 40

40 UNDER 40—RISING STARS OF BUSINESS IN THE KOOTENAYS

Our 2018 salute to our younger business people

Jacey Paton in a field, smiling with her camera
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Jacey Paton

Jacey Paton is a gifted photographer and a devoted volunteer in her community.

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Joanna Sleik playing with Buddy, her adorable golden doodle dog
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Animal Care, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Joanna Sleik

This skilled physiotherapist provides canine therapy through her Kimberley company.

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Holly Smee
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Holly Smee

Holly Smee uses her natural empathy and compassion to assist her clients at Hollytree Wellness.

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Chantel Delaney portrait shot
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Health & Wellness, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Chantel Delaney

This talented Kootenay businesswoman has a number of exciting projects on the go.

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Danielle Labelle helping a young girl learn to dance
West Kootenay, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Danielle Labelle

This dedicated dance instructor helps her students reach their full potential.

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Nicole Cherlet
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Nicole Cherlet

Cherlet has a shining reputation in Revelstoke for her business, Big Mountain Kitchen & Linen.

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Sara Sansom doing a lady's hair
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Sara Sansom

This owner of Feather & Stone Day Spa and Birch & Lace Hair Salon is also on the board of directors for the Revelstoke chamber.

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Tanya Finley at her bar and grill
West Kootenay, Nelson, Cuisine, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Tanya Finley

This young entrepreneur runs Finley’s Bar and Grill and Sage Tapas & Wine Bar in Nelson, B.C.

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Alissa Bryden at her desk
West Kootenay, Rossland, Financial, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Alissa Bryden

Alissa Bryden takes the stress out of virtual accounting via her business in Rossland, B.C.

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Eden Yesh and his son, Liam, enjoy the beauty of the Columbia Valley in winter.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Eden Yesh

Eden Yesh is setting up investment co-ops to help entrepreneurs access business capital and mentorship.

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Dennis Scott is the founder of DC Scott Construction & Installations in Cranbrook.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Dennis Scott

Dennis Scott’s passion for his craft and close communication with his clients are helping him build a reputation for excellence.

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Chris Mansbridge owns and operates Chris Mansbridge Acupuncture In Castlegar
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Chris Mansbridge

Chris Mansbridge, traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, brings positivity and realism to his healthcare practice in Castlegar.

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Stephanie and Aaron Van de Kemp opened Cleanline Automotive in Invermere in 2013.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Stephanie Van de Kemp

Stephanie Van de Kemp’s approach to business includes teamwork, community support and a purpose beyond profits.

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Carina Klassen is the sole proprietor of Spinning Fables Children's Apparel & Crafts in Winlaw.
West Kootenay, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Carina Klassen

Fulfilling a need for a children’s clothing store in the Slocan Valley, Carina Klassen opened Spinning Fables Children’s Apparel & Crafts.

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Carly Hadfield stands before the bar at the Lion's Head Smoke & Brew Pub in Castlegar, B.C., where she is the co-owner and vice-president
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Carly Hadfield

Carly Hadfield deserves recognition for her role in starting a successful taphouse and furthering the craft beer industry in the West Kootenay.

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Bethany Thate is the owner and founder of Divinyl in Grand Forks, B.C.
West Kootenay, Grand Forks, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Bethany Thate

Bethany Thate provides a way for us to create special messages for display in our homes and offices.

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Mandy Chutskoff of Oranj Express fitness studio teaches yoga classes and encourages general fitness
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Mandy Chutskoff

Mandy Chutskoff of Castlegar is sharing her love of yoga with her clients, and encouraging improved wellbeing in the region.

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Lee Tengum is the president of 7am Development in Cranbrook.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Technology, 40 Under 40

Lee Tengum

Lee Tengum believes that the success of business depends on an expanded reach into the marketplace.

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Suzie LaRose of Suzie's Designer Nails is a young entrepreneur in Castlegar, B.C.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Suzie LaRose

Passion, determination, ongoing education and a support system are the cornerstones of success for Suzie LaRose.

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Dawn English opened Diggers and Daisies, a children's consignment and toy store in Castlegar, in October 2017.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Dawn English

Diggers and Daisies Children’s Consignment has been welcomed to the Castlegar retail scene with open arms.

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Sierra Dante is the founder and operator of Sweet Sleep Consulting in Nelson, B.C.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Sierra Dante

Pediatric Sleep Consultant Sierra Dante comes to the rescue of sleep-deprived parents and their children.

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Lindsay Reynolds smiles in her store, Three Sisters Day Spa.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Retail, 40 Under 40

Lindsay Reynolds

Lindsay Reynolds, owner of Three Sisters Day Spa in Fernie, B.C., pampers her guests with Aveda-exclusive care

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Chantel Vincent smiles in her store.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Chantel Vincent

Chantel Vincent, owner of Freyja Lifestyle Fashion in Fernie, B.C., provides trendy clothes to women in the Kootenays

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Siobhan O'Connor smiles for a photo.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Tourism, 40 Under 40

Siobhan O’Connor

Siobhan O'Connor, retail and guest services manager at of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, has guided the company to new heights

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Nicole Kauffman poses next to a Cap-it sign
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Retail, 40 Under 40

Nicole Kauffman

Nicole Kauffman, owner of Cap-it Cranbrook, keeps truck users stocked with everything they need

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Kristie Norquay smiles for a photo
West Kootenay, Golden, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Kristie Norquay

Kristie Norquay takes a holistic approach to wellness, integrating yoga philosophy with physiotherapy at Element Therapeutics and Golden Lotus Yoga Studio

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David Read stands next to a Jeep
East Kootenay, Invermere, Small Business, Technology, 40 Under 40

David Read

David Read’s business, Valley Hawk Security, offers safety to the Columbia Valley

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Ryan Doehle stands next to a computer
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Technology, 40 Under 40

Ryan Doehle

Ryan Doehle, CEO of Isosceles in Cranbrook, B.C., offers computer retail sales, computer service and support.

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Lavinia Lidstone sits near a waterfall
West Kootenay, Slocan, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, 40 Under 40

Lavinia Lidstone

Lavinia Lidstone’s Slocan Valley business, Kootenay Kombucha, is good for guts

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Mike and Melissa MacKay own Cinch Homes in Fernie.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Developments, Real Estate, 40 Under 40

Mike and Melissa MacKay

Mike and Melissa MacKay, owners of Cinch Homes in Fernie, B.C., provide high-quality, affordable housing options in the Elk Valley and surrounding areas

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Greg Fortier is the founder and operator of Trapper Snowboards in Revelstoke.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Greg Fortier

Passion for the Revelstoke lifestyle, commitment to quality, and a strong work ethic are the foundations of Greg Fortier’s success.

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Dana DiPonio and Kevin Hagel are shown in a health food store. They are co-owners of Nelson Naturals, producing a natural toothpaste.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Environment, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Think outside the tube

Kevin Hagel and Dana DiPonio of Nelson Naturals create natural toothpaste. But don’t expect to find any tacky, distasteful plastic tubes in their business.

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Mateus Dachwitz is the owner-operator of Red Path Movement in Nelson, B.C.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Health & Wellness, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Mateus Dachwitz

Twenty-four year old Mateus Dachwitz has turned his long-held passion into a career and a business.

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Aaron Davidson of Revelstoke is the brains behind a popular nutrition, fitness and health tracking app called Cronometer
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Health & Wellness, Small Business, Technology, 40 Under 40

Aaron Davidson

Revelstoke’s Aaron Davidson has designed a health tracking app that is growing in popularity in Canada and internationally.

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Sean McTernan owns and operates Beyond the Summit Print & Digital Design in Fernie B.C.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Technology, 40 Under 40

Sean McTernan

A business approach that includes client collaboration and exceptional client service is winning Sean McTernan, web designer, a loyal following.

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GeoLyn Mantei is the CEO at Moda Partners, chair at Kootenay Quick Shot Media and founder of Muddy Stiletto.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Technology, 40 Under 40

GeoLyn Mantei

GeoLyn Mantei of Nelson is a motivational speaker, a successful entrepreneur, a mother and an inspiration to women everywhere.

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Kat Cadegan, jewelry designer, poses wearing a wide-brimmed hat
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Retail, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Kat Cadegan

Kat Cadegan, designer and creator of handmade jewelry, talked with us about entrepreneurship.

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Wabie Quayle of Nelson is making a great success of her business, Starbird Bakehouse
West Kootenay, Nelson, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Wabie Quayle

Wabie Quayle of Starbird Bakehouse creates exquisite feasts for the eye as well as the palate.

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Kyle Hamilton is the owner/operator of Kyle Hamilton Photography, and co-owner of birr marketing agency.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, 40 Under 40

Kyle Hamilton

Kyle Hamilton of Fernie is a photographer, a chronicler, a marketer and a community supporter.

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A Madden Timber Construction interior staircase is the backdrop for company owner David Madden and his beautiful baby.
West Kootenay, Nakusp, Environment, 40 Under 40

Dave Madden

Dave Madden of Madden Timber Construction Inc. is a local leader in his industry and a champion of regional prosperity.

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