Carly Hadfield

In the bustle and busyness of a normal workday at the Lion’s Head Smoke & Brew Pub in Castlegar, co-owner/operator Carly Hadfield is a centre of calm. Her insistence on quality and her passion for craft beer have supported the growth and success of the Lion’s Head and its staff.

Hadfield shared her point of view with us on business ownership in the Kootenays.

What qualities does a successful business person need in today’s world?

Passion and commitment. If you expect others to buy into your brand, you must wholeheartedly believe in and care about the product you are offering.

Finish this sentence: Entrepreneurs need a lot more _____.

Ambition. In order to make your business successful, you must be willing to put in those long hours and to make the necessary sacrifices in your life. It may take a lot of determination, but if you stick to what you believe in, it will be worth it.

What’s a common myth or misconception about entrepreneurship?

That owning your own business is easy. It is important to remain solution-focused when new challenges arise. It will get easier, and you will learn a lot.

What makes the Kootenays attractive to an entrepreneur?

The quality of life. We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful and affordable area that offers so many recreational amenities. The Kootenays has a lot of room for growth, and with that a lot of business opportunities.

What trends have you observed in your community that might impact the local economy in the next five years?

Being part of the B.C. Ale Trail, I have enjoyed watching the local craft beer market expand here in the Kootenays. It is a growing trend, and I look forward to seeing more breweries open throughout the Kootenays in the future. I find that when a new brewery opens up it is not necessarily seen as new competition—it brings more awareness to a growing provincial industry. It’s a fun industry to be involved in.