Julie Matchett writer profile

Photo of Julie Matchett

Julie Matchett is a writer and content coordinator for KPI Media. She ranks as a 7 on the Introversion vs. Extraversion scale out of 100, which might help to explain why she chose a career of quiet contemplation as opposed to public speaking.

She’s never without her trusty pair of headphones and enjoys grooving to loud 80’s rock, New Wave and electronic music while weaving words and stories together. She’s a self-professed geek and enjoys avid video gaming, flower gardening, sewing, historybounding, collecting LEGO and puttering. 

Most recent articles by Julie Matchett

Melanie Myers, new executive director at Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce.
East Kootenay, Golden One-on-one with Melanie Myers, executive director of the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce

Golden’s new executive director shares news and views about the community.

City of Nelson sign on Baker Street with mural painted on building in background.
East Kootenay, Grand Forks, West Kootenay, Castlegar, Kaslo, Nelson, Revelstoke, Salmo, Trail, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Tourism West Kootenay festivals inspire fun and friendship

Uniting in a shared experience like a festival helps to forge community connections, fun and new friendships

A large group of people, tents and food trucks at the Round the Mountain Festival in Kimberley.
East Kootenay, Canal Flats, Cranbrook, Golden, Creston, Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley, Sparwood, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Tourism Festivals in the East Kootenay bring fun, friendship and smiles

Uniting in a shared experience like a festival helps to forge community connections, fun and new friendships

Vendors at Revelstoke Food Initiative Market.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Agriculture, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Tourism A love for local: Farmers market season across the Kootenays brings communities together

Local farmers markets help to increase food security and create sustainable communities—check out our list of markets across the Kootenays.

Young restaurant owner leaning in doorway with arms crossed, smiling.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business Entrepreneur 101: Successful Kootenay business owners share their best tips

KootenayBiz chatted with local business owners to find out what advice they would tell themselves in their first year of business

Exterior view of the Leland Hotel, showing timber-framed building painted white, expanse of lawn and tree in foreground.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay Milestones: a list of the oldest businesses in the Kootenays

Weathering the storms of business ownership over the long-term is commendable, especially when you’ve managed to survive for over 50 years

Kimberley Business Excellence award in foreground, tech working on bike in background.
East Kootenay, Kimberley Tied for tops at the 2022 Kimberley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

Thirteen businesses were recognized at the annual awards ceremony

Artist's rendition of Shoreline development in Nelson.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Developments, Health & Wellness, Real Estate Nelson’s building boom brings record-breaking construction and developments

From a much-needed long-term care facility to new commercial and residential builds, Nelson is seeing record growth

Owner of Humble Bee Builds, Dennis Scott (middle) and his employees Clayton Champagne (left), and Blair Halifax (right).
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Developments, Environment, Real Estate, Small Business The humble bee is the inspiration behind this Cranbrook tiny home construction company

Owner Dennis Scott is the owner of Humble Bee Builds and is passionate about alternative living

Team from Papa Bear's Kitchen accepting award at gala.
East Kootenay, Golden Golden Chamber Business & Community Excellence awards handed out

The Business & Community Excellence awards are hosted annually by the Kicking Horse Country Chamber of Commerce

White tiny home sitting on gravel road.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Developments, Real Estate Tiny houses in the Kootenays: Rent, buy or build

Interested in tiny homes? Explore our list of tiny house resources in the Kootenays

Ethan Dortman with walking stick display.
East Kootenay, Sparwood Walking into greatness at Sparwood’s Business Excellence awards

The annual Business Excellence Awards were held on October 20th, 2022

Top 100 Kootenay Employers graphic.
East Kootenay, Creston, West Kootenay Is your business one of 2023’s Top 100 Kootenay Employers?

Many diverse companies and businesses call the Kootenay area home. Fill out our form with your business information if you have over 40 employees

Outside of Popeye's Chicken franchise in Cranbrook showing drive-thru window and side of building.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Developments Cranbrook Business: Embracing new developments and revamping the old

Cranbrook is focused on revitalization and attracting new businesses and opportunities

Graphic showing pie chart.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay Top Instagram Brands in the Kootenays

Which brands in the Kootenays have the largest followers on Instagram? Find out on this list of top Instagram influencers in the Kootenays.

Business Excellence: A list of award-winning chambers text, with stylized golden star on dark background.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business Business excellence: A list of Chamber award-winning businesses

Read our list of Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence award winners

Group photo of Business Excellence winners.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Small Business Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce honours business excellence

The Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards were held in late October.

Dylan Hardy, winner of the Citizen of the Year Award.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke Winners stoked at Revelstoke’s annual Business Excellence Awards

The 29th annual Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards were held in early November.

Group photo of Wapiti Music Fesitval Society members.
East Kootenay, Fernie Indie music, innovation and incredible food celebrated at Fernie’s Business Excellence Awards

12 deserving businesses and individuals were celebrated at the annual awards

Venessa Loubert and Perry Dzuris, owners of Arcane Coda in Salmo, B.C.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Retail, Small Business Local businesses promote Kootenay-inspired apparel

Find uniquely home-grown Kootenay clothing, wearables and gear from these local companies

Female owners of Moonrise Boutique, The Roasted Chickpea and Tailout Brewing, sitting at table with awards and smiling into camera.
West Kootenay, Castlegar Castlegar Chamber of Commerce plays host at 2022 Business Excellence Awards

A total of 15 winners were recognized at the annual Business Excellence awards.

Letty Bartel, owner of Otter Books, stands in front of bookshelves holding a large stack of books.
West Kootenay, Nakusp, Nelson, Revelstoke, Rossland, Trail Read ’em and reap: A list of West Kootenay bookstores

If you’re a devoted bookworm, you’ll love the varied selection of new and used bookstores across the Kootenay region

Interior of Four Points Books in Invermere.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Golden, Creston, Fernie, Invermere Read ’em and reap: A list of East Kootenay bookstores

Can’t get enough reading material? Check out this list of bookstores in the East Kootenay.

Stone
East Kootenay, Elkford One-on-one with Ariadna Laris, executive director of the Elkford Chamber of Commerce

Elkford’s new executive director shares news about the community and what’s new on the horizon for the town.

Interior of 2nd Edition Coworking in Fernie, showing comfy set of chairs, small table and windows with mountain view outside.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Golden, West Kootenay, Kaslo, Nelson, New Denver, Revelstoke, Small Business, Technology These 11 Kootenay coworking spaces offer community and creative collaboration

Shared workspaces in communities like Cranbrook, Golden, Fernie, Nelson and Trail provide flexibility and support in a communal environment.

Person snowboarding down hill at Panorama Mountain Resort, wind-swept snowy mountains in background.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism Top ski resorts in the Kootenays and Canadian Rockies to find legendary powder

Check out this list of ski destinations in the Kootenays and Canadian Rockies region

Michelle Fairbanks, dressed in pink old-fashioned dress and floppy white hat, holding a selection of books.
West Kootenay, Rossland, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Rossland’s Gold Rush Bookstore keeps the history pages turning

The Gold Rush Bookstore is a valued part of the downtown Rossland business landscape.

Interior of the Grist and Mash Brewery, showing tables, bar along one wall.
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality Kimberley’s Grist & Mash Brewery hits all the right notes

It’s all about community at the Grist & Mash Brewery, where guest brews are regularly on tap and local musicians and artists are welcomed.

Close-up of Kickturn Coffee Roasters bag and scale with bowl of coffee beans.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay Kootenay coffee roasters help you get your buzz on for National Coffee Day

Read about local coffee roasters as you celebrate National Coffee Day and the beverage that’s an essential pick-me-up for many people

Porcupine Wood Products sawmill, with stacks of logs in foreground of photo.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Forestry Kootenay lumber mills have roots that run deep

From large forestry companies to smaller, independent, family-run operations, lumber mills are a vital part of our regional landscape

Overview of Trail, showing two bikers in foreground of photo.
East Kootenay, Golden, Creston, West Kootenay, Castlegar, Kaslo, Nelson, New Denver, Rossland, Salmo, Slocan, Trail, Environment These Kootenay communities have made a clean energy commitment

Thirteen communities across the Kootenays have now made a commitment to 100 per cent clean energy by 2050.

Family members at Linden Lane Farm standing in field.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Nakusp, Nelson, Revelstoke, Rossland, Slocan, Agriculture Market gardens in the West Kootenay: Bringing fresh produce, meat and more to local tables

Throughout the West Kootenay area, local farms and food producers sell directly to the public through roadside stands and farmgate sales

Assortment of fresh produce, wine in background.
East Kootenay, Canal Flats, Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley, Agriculture, Entertainment and Hospitality Market gardens in the East Kootenay: Bringing fresh produce, meat and more to local tables

Throughout the East Kootenay area, local farms and food producers sell directly to the public through roadside stands and farmgate sales.

Lake and mountains in background.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Real Estate Rocky Mountain real estate: 10 waterfront acreages in the Kootenays

Waterfront and acreages are among the most desirable pieces of real estate. Check out our list of 10 prime Kootenay properties.

Team from Sweet Gestures.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook Cranbrook Chamber honours business excellence at annual awards

The annual Business Excellence Awards were celebrated earlier this year

Sarah Pike sitting outside studio, holding mug and looking off into distance.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business Pottery perfection: Sarah Pike is a Fernie-based creator in clay

Clay is the medium of choice for Fernie potter Sarah Pike

Owners of Happy Hills Farm standing in greenhouse with kids.
West Kootenay, Trail, Agriculture, Entertainment and Hospitality, Retail, Small Business, Tourism Trail’s 2021 Business Excellence Awards celebrated in style

Twelve custom hand-painted awards were handed out at this year’s Business Excellence ceremony

A deer munching through a residential garden.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Kimberley, West Kootenay Deer-resistant plants: Avoiding destruction in your garden

Having a deer-resistant garden is possible with careful planning and some knowledge of suitable plants

Two men standing beside Royer Landscaping truck.
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Animal Care, Entertainment and Hospitality, Health & Wellness, Small Business, Tourism Best of the best: Kimberley’s 2021 Business Excellence Awards handed out

Kimberley’s businesses and remarkable individuals help the community to become B.C.’s best small town.

Nelson's Streetcar 23 on a fall day.
Entertainment and Hospitality, Tourism West Kootenay museums and heritage sites allow visitors a step back into history

History buffs are drawn to these popular heritage sites in the West Kootenay

Owners of Ernie's Auto Parts accepting award.
West Kootenay, Castlegar Castlegar’s 2021 Business Excellence Awards celebrated after two-year hiatus

The Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce celebrated their Business Excellence Awards in style

Views of the glamping tents with scenic mountain views.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Entertainment and Hospitality, Environment, Health & Wellness, Small Business, Tourism This eco-retreat in Nelson embraces sustainable living with a food forest and an upcycle shop

Bear Spring Eco Retreat offers urbanites an escape from big-city living and a chance to decompress close to nature.