40 under 40: The East Kootenay list

Introducing the East Kootenay nominees for our 40 under 40 list

Every year, our Kootenay Business audience nominates their favourite local entrepreneurs under the age of 40. The result is our 40 under 40 list, a collection of the brightest rising stars in the region.

These are the nominees from the East Kootenay region:

Tamara Mercandelli, Christel Hagn and Caitlin Berkhiem, co-owners of Kootenay Soulfood Cooperative. — Photo courtesy Kootenay Soulfood Cooperative

Cranbrook
CAITLIN BERKHIEM, CHRISTEL HAGN & TAMARA MERCANDELLI,
co-owners
Kootenay Soulfood Cooperative
The co-owners of Soulfood have skills that make them a strong team. Soulfood is a farm-to-table, whole-foods restaurant operated co-operatively by locals who care deeply about building community and eating good food. The three women have recently transitioned from a partnership to a co-operative and moved Cranbrook locations. 

Louis Nelson, owner of Domino's Pizza Cranbrook. — Photo courtesy Louis Nelson

Cranbrook
LOUIS NELSON,
owner/operator
Domino’s Pizza Cranbrook
Since he took ownership of Domino’s Pizza, Louis Nelson has made a positive impact on Cranbrook. He received 5/5 stars on the business’s first evaluation from corporate this year, and he’s one of four nominees for the Manager of the Year award in Canada.

Ashley Pedersen, owner of EK Freedom Business & Tax Centre Inc. — Photo courtesy EK Freedom Business & Tax Centre Inc.

Cranbrook
ASHLEY PEDERSEN,
owner
EK Freedom Business & Tax Centre Inc.
Ashley Pedersen offers year-round, full-service bookkeeping and tax services to her East Kootenay clients. Her team has grown in leaps and bounds, not just in terms of size but also their qualifications and business community involvement.

Jesse Roberts and Fred Williams, owners of Fire Hall Kitchen & Tap. — Photo courtesy Jesse Roberts

Cranbrook
JESSE ROBERTS & FRED WILLIAMS,
owners
Firehall Kitchen & Tap
Offering exclusive B.C. brews at their craft beer taphouse and gastropub, Jesse Roberts and Fred Williams also play an integral role in their community and are starting their own charity to assist local youth in need.

Zach Silver, owner, designer & illustrator at Reflect Design Co. — Photo courtesy Zach Silver

Cranbrook
ZACH SILVER,
owner, designer & illustrator
Reflect Design Co.
Zach Silver specializes in distilling clients’ passions, drive and hard work into engaging visuals for their businesses. He has worked with companies across North America to create brand identities and grow their following. 

Gavin Thomas, Realtor at Realty Executives Kootenay. — Photo courtesy Gavin Thomas

Cranbrook
GAVIN THOMAS,
Realtor
Realty Executives Kootenay
Gavin Thomas facilitates real estate transactions, but his biggest priority is helping people make thorough, informed decisions to achieve their real estate goals. Those goals include quality of life, present and future needs and financial implications. 

Cranbrook
NIKKI VAN BOEYEN,
general manager
Gipman Kitchen & Cabinetry
Nikki Van Boeyen joined Gipman’s five years ago and quickly advanced to her current position. She oversees all designs and sales with clients, a 15,000-square-foot cabinet manufacturing facility and on-site installations. She has been part of the Sam Steele Sweetheart Committee for 13 years, just one of countless volunteer activities.

Amanda Murray, owner of AM Event Coordination. — Photo courtesy Amanda Murray

Creston
AMANDA MURRAY,
owner
AM Event Coordination
When she started her event planning business in Creston, Amanda Murray was clearly on the right track. In just a short while, AM Event Coordination grew to include a team of three staff members, with the strong support of Creston customers. Murray’s goal is to continue boosting her community, bringing more tourism and entertainment to the town.

Brittany Tilling, owner of Brittany’s Flower Farm. — Photo courtesy Brittany Tilling

Creston
BRITTANY TILLING,
owner
Brittany’s Flower Farm
Brittany Tilling opened a flower farm and studio this past January. She and her mother (also her business partner) use locally foraged material and their own grown blooms to create beautiful wreaths, bouquets and more. Tilling looks forward to incorporating many of the farm’s blooms into her 2019 wedding designs.

Amy Cardozo, owner of Crumbs Cakery. — Photo courtesy Amy Cardozo

Fernie
AMY CARDOZO,
owner
Crumbs Cakery
A lifelong lover of the culinary arts, Amy Cardozo is stoked about her job. She owns and operates Crumbs Cakery in Fernie, and her delightful baked goods are getting more creative all the time.

Alicia Clarke, owner of Grow Children's Boutique. — Photo courtesy Alicia Clarke

Fernie
ALICIA CLARKE,
owner
Grow Children’s Boutique
Alicia Clarke opened Grow Children’s Boutique to provide quality educational toys and gear to youngsters. Clarke received a Gold award for the Best of Fernie 2018, as well as a Platinum Best of Business award in 2018 for Best Toy Store in the East Kootenay.

Val Lanthier, owner of Pet Tech Care, with her partner in crime, Chief. — Photo courtesy Val Lanthier

Fernie
VAL LANTHIER,
owner
Pet Tech Care
Pet Tech Care is Val Lanthier’s vision—she offers professional pet sitting and dog walking in the Elk Valley, 365 days a year and 24/7. Her empathy, determination and years of experience working as a veterinary technician make Lanthier a trustworthy option for the care of your furry family members.

Coraley Letcher and David Thomson, owners of 5 Gen Construction. — Photo courtesy 5 Gen Construction

Fernie
CORALEY LETCHER & DAVID THOMSON,
owners
5 Gen Construction
David Thomson and Coraley Letcher, a husband-and-wife team, have developed a successful general construction company with a specialty in roofing—all while juggling the demands of three small children.

Alesha Thomson, owner of Lilac Media. — Photo courtesy Alesha Thompson/Lilac Media

Fernie
ALESHA THOMPSON,
owner
Lilac Media
This single mother and successful business owner provides customized printing in Fernie and the Elk Valley region. Thompson volunteers her time and services to local organizations such as the Wapiti Music Festival, which plays a huge role in local culture and tourism for Fernie. 

Graeme Nunn and Karen Tse, principals at Rockies Law Corporation. — Photo courtesy Rockies Law Corporation

Fernie/Sparwood
GRAEME NUNN & KAREN TSE,
principals
Rockies Law Corporation
This husband-and-wife team are lawyers at Rockies Law Corporation and are the principals of the Fernie and Sparwood offices. Karen practices family law and civil litigation, and she is an accredited Family Law Mediator. Graeme’s practice areas include real estate, wills, estates, business, and personal injury law. He also has a master’s degree in tax law.

Crystal Leonard and Stuart Cope, owners of Gerry's Gelati, Leo Burrito and Stolen Church Coffee Co. — Photo courtesy Crystal Leonard

Invermere/Radium Hot Springs/Windermere
STUART COPE & CRYSTAL LEONARD,
owners
Gerry's Gelati (Invermere, Radium Hot Springs & Windermere), Leo Burrito (Radium Hot Springs) & Stolen Church Coffee Co. (Windermere)
These busy Columbia Valley entrepreneurs recently expanded the Stolen Church staff team, and they are excited about their new manufacturing facility in Windermere. Plus, their Ethiopian Single Origin coffee recently won Best Brew at the Invermere Coffee Fest.

Lucas Roach, creative director of Big Magic Designs. — Photo courtesy Lucas Roach

Kimberley
LUCAS ROACH,
creative director
Big Magic Design
Lucas Roach has the skill and drive to take on in-depth branding contracts and other creative opportunities. He has recently expanded Big Magic Design to offer large-format digital printing for vinyl stickers and small signage.

Patrick Tolchard, owner of Valley Zipline Adventures. — Photo courtesy Patrick Tolchard

Radium Hot Springs
PATRICK TOLCHARD,
co-owner
Valley Zipline Adventures
Patrick Tolchard let nothing stand in his way when he decided to make Valley Zipline Adventures a reality. Tolchard has dreams of making his adventure playground the number one Columbia Valley attraction. 

Rochelle Bertucci-Olson, banquet manager at the Causeway Bay Hotel. — Photo courtesy Rochelle Bertucci-Olson

Sparwood
ROCHELLE BERTUCCI OLSON,
banquet manager
Causeway Bay Hotel
As banquet manager at this Sparwood hotel, Rochelle Bertucci Olson thrives in the fast-paced, high-energy environment. She uses her organizational talents and passion to inspire her staff and incorporate their individual strengths to make each event proceed seamlessly. She’s a skilled multi-tasker with plans to take on more clients and expand her services.

Sparwood
RYAN HOETMER,
owner, practitioner
Sparwood Chiropractic and Wellness
Ryan Hoetmer has built and grown Sparwood Chiropractic and Wellness immensely over the last few years with a wide range of health services for his community. He looks forward to helping each person live a healthier, happier and more productive life.