All Small Business articles

Close-up of Kootenay West Distilling Vale Vodka bottle.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Raise your spirits (and a glass) at these Kootenay craft distilleries

Explore this list of distilleries from across the Kootenay region in British Columbia.

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Sarah Dinsdale has long blonde hair. She smiles while wearing a blue shirt.
West Kootenay, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Sarah Dinsdale of the Boundary Chamber of Commerce

Sarah Dinsdale, executive director of the Boundary Chamber in Grand Forks, is thrilled with the region’s new reliable pumps and dike infrastructure

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Glass 2023 Business Excellence award, City of Nelson in background of photo.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business Nelson’s 2023 Business Excellence awards warmly welcomed back

Forced to the sidelines for three years because of the global pandemic, the annual awards were a welcome return

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Jess Paloposki, owner of Mamacita’s Empanadas in Golden, B.C., standing in front of sign.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Cuisine, Small Business Oh, Mamacita! Building a specialty food business at Mamacita’s Empanadas

Jess Paloposki first started selling Argentinian empanadas as a side hustle. Mamacita’s Empanadas is now selling these frozen pastries throughout the Kootenays

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Treanne and Shaun See stand in front of a black and transparent sign that reads Jaffray-Baynes Lake Farmers’ Market. There is greenery in the background as well as a red barn with white doors.
East Kootenay, Cuisine, Small Business, Tourism The Kootenay’s original farmers’ market is stronger than ever

Treanne See, market manager for the Jaffray-Baynes Lake Farmers’ Market, explains how this historic market is still the standard bearer across the Kootenays

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Mélanie Mercier is the owner of Araucaria Gardening Services where she practices ecological landscaping and garden maintenance.
West Kootenay, Rossland, Environment, Small Business 5 ways to create a beautiful and eco-friendly yard and garden

Mélanie Mercier of Araucaria Gardening Services in Rossland has some tips for homeowners on ways to create a gorgeous green space in their own backyard.

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The owners of Mountain Soul Winery at a vending booth selling their wines
West Kootenay, Trail, Agriculture, Retail, Small Business, Tourism Crafting award-winning wines in Trail, B.C.: Trevor Miller shares the story of Mountain Soul Winery

A family's passion transforms a rugged piece of property into a bustling winery

by Danielle Brost
Expansive view of Mountain Soul Vineyard showing vines and distant mountains.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Agriculture, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism Pay a visit to these wineries and vineyards in the Kootenay region of B.C.

The Kootenays are an emerging wine region in B.C. Here’s a list of the 8 Kootenay wineries—and 2 meaderies

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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

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Three owners of Funk Haus Craft Lab holding art supplies
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Retail, Small Business Crafting a strong business relationship

Kimberley’s Funk Haus Craft Lab is run by three dedicated entrepreneurs who found their respective niches.

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Sisters Stephanie and Cassidy Tilling posing behind display of baked goods.
East Kootenay, Creston, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Fulfilling the vision at Good Company Coffee in Creston

Good Company Coffee embraces the collaborative nature of community, bringing a big city feel and small-town warmth to their business

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Dana Sproule standing by bright window looking outside, holding cup of coffee. She's wearing a mustard yellow sweater.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Small Business 5 ways to grow your leadership, your business and yourself

As a life and leadership coach, Dana Sproule is passionate about developing successful leaders. Learn five things to focus on for your own leadership journey.

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A boy looks through a glass enclosure that houses an orange and black tarantula.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Animal Care, Small Business, Tourism It’s little wonder why critters are gathering in Invermere

Wild Wonders Insectarium in Invermere named New Business of the Year and won People’s Choice award at Columbia Valley Chamber awards

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Aysha and Joanna standing in the doorway at Drift and Sonder in Fernie
East Kootenay, Fernie, Retail, Small Business Curating thoughtfully made goods and low-waste products in Fernie

Sisters Joanna and Aysha Haines choose the most ethical and sustainable brands for their retail store, Drift + Sonder.

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Dragons' Den stage with logo.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business The Dragons’ Den is calling Kootenay Business owners

Alicia Chirrey, producer at CBC’s Dragons’ Den, explains how Kootenay entrepreneurs can apply to be on the show

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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

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Becky McArthur (left) and Robyn Hansen are proud owners of their second business together—Twisted Peaks, a frozen yogurt shop in Cranbrook, B.C.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Family and fro-yo at Twisted Peaks in Cranbrook

When twins Robyn Hansen & Becky McArthur bought their first business, they each had toddlers. Now, they’re serving up frozen yogurt alongside their teenagers

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Puppy sitting in a green bucket surrounded by treats and toys
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Animal Care, Retail, Small Business This award-winning West Kootenay pet store is barking up the right tree

With multiple locations and a flourishing online shop, Blue Barn Pet & Hobby Farm is a community success story.

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Kerry Pagdin holding up one of her feather prints
West Kootenay, Nelson, Retail, Small Business Social media for small business: Tips from a successful Nelson entrepreneur

Kerry Pagdin of Wayward Citizen gives us the inside scoop on social media promotion.

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Graphic that says
Small Business How to write a cold email that actually works in 6 steps

Writing effective cold emails that get a response is possible by following some easy-to-do steps

by Kerry Shellborn
Lin and Oliver Egan together with Anna Steedman and Chef Randy MacSteven and sons in garden field making funny poses.
East Kootenay, Invermere, Agriculture, Small Business Winderberry Farm—A business that has grown to work for a family

A family business, Winderberry Farms, found innovative ways to grow and create a place for everyone to contribute to a bright future

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Kat Cadegan sitting in her jewellery making shop
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Retail, Small Business Turning a one-woman-show into a cohesive jewellery-making team

Kat Cadegan Jewellery in Revelstoke has gained a valuable new staff member thanks to a Columbia Basin Trust program.

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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

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Outside of Radium Brewing, timber-framed building painted grey, sloped roof.
East Kootenay, Radium Hot Springs, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Turning hobbies into a passion project at Radium Brewing

For Jacob Houghton and Stephan Gale, starting Radium Brewing was the realization of their dreams, passions and hobbies coming together.

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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.

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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

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Graphic image showing stylized computer plus text.
Retail, Small Business Business owners: What is the most important page on your website? (Hint: it’s not your home page)

Learn the six features that your web page needs to convert visitors into buyers

by Kerry Shellborn
Kyle Thornley wearing his blacksmithing apron and smiling at the camera
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Small Business Forging the way: How this B.C. artist is taking blacksmithing to new heights

Kyle Thornley of Metal Mind Forge produces stunning metalwork creations in Revelstoke.

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Group of award winners all smiling and holding awards.
East Kootenay, Elkford, Small Business Elkford’s Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards celebrated with six winners

Elkford’s 2022 Business Excellence Awards were held on October 22.

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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.

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Andrea Legg holding a cup of tea and smiling
West Kootenay, Nelson, Retail, Small Business From acrobatics to aromatic tea: How Virtue Tea in Nelson was born

Imagine two members of Cirque du Soleil finding love and running off to start a business in the Kootenays.

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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.

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Desiree smelling a white flower wearing a white dress
East Kootenay, Sparwood, Retail, Small Business Stepping out of her comfort zone and starting a business in Sparwood

Desiree Markewich found herself reinvented by flowers, and she wants to pay the joy forward.

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Dayna Leduc, filling large industrial container with fluid.
East Kootenay, Creston, Energy, Environment, Small Business, Technology, Transportation Finding a way forward with Leduc Biodiesel Energy

By collecting and recycling used cooking oil into green, biodiesel products, Dayna Leduc has found his passion

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A sasquatch-costumed Taylor Jenkins stands on a snowy main street downtown Fernie.
East Kootenay, Elkford, Fernie, Sparwood, Education, Retail, Small Business, Tourism The results are in. The Elk Valley Business Retention and Expansion survey says . . .

Taylor Jenkins, Elk Valley economic recovery advisor, outlines what Elk Valley businesses can do to address their big three problems

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Fern Sabo wearing a grey shirt, professional portrait shot
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, Technology Helping business owners navigate a digital world

Spring Creative Inc. in Nelson brings entrepreneurs together to facilitate positive change, effective branding and healthy collaboration.

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Image rendering of the Castlegar Confluence of Tourism and Economic Development shows gray walls with some wooden siding.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business, Tourism The Castlegar Chamber’s fancy new home is in the works

Tammy Verigin-Burk, executive director of the Castlegar Chamber, highlights opportunities for entrepreneurs within Castlegar’s new Confluence building

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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

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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

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Thomas and Ash Hodgson standing by table.
West Kootenay, Trail, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business All their roads led to opening Kootenay West Distilling in Trail, B.C.

For Thomas and Ash Hodgson, a lifetime of chronic entrepreneurship has led them to becoming the Kootenays’ newest distillers.

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Julie doing acupuncture on one of her clients
West Kootenay, Salmo, Health & Wellness, Small Business Promoting wellness in the West Kootenay

Pivot Point Acupuncture has proven to be a welcome addition to the community of Salmo

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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.

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Deirdre Howard wearing a yellow beekeepers suit
East Kootenay, Creston, Agriculture, Retail, Small Business Bolstering the bees and benefiting the Creston community

Catching up with Deirdre Howard, proud beekeeper and owner of Pure Honey Products in Creston.

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Karli and her daughter, Karli is wearing a Kootenay Cancer Survivor t-shirt.
East Kootenay, Creston, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business, Tourism Kootenay Livin’ Apparel makes Kootenay-inspired clothing, including a line for cancer survivors

Giving back to her community is important for Karli Melnychuk, owner of Kootenay Livin’ Apparel

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Owner of Kootenay Made Co., Leanne Hawkins at her store with a customer.
West Kootenay, Trail, Retail, Small Business When it comes to Kootenay-crafted merchandise, Leanne Hawkins has it made

The owner of Kootenay Made Co. in Trail shines her light on local artists and artisans, promoting their products in her brick-and-mortar shop.

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A group of white water rafters smile as they dip into deep water on a raft.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Tourism This legacy award-winning business knows how to retain staff and delight clients

Lynn Muller, co-owner of Canyon Raft Company in Fernie, B.C. outlines how to run a successful business for over a quarter century

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Audrey taking two students mountain biking on the forest trails
East Kootenay, Golden, Education, Small Business, Tourism Forging a sisterhood on mountain bikes in the Kootenays

The owner of Shred Sisters came all the way across Canada to teach mountain biking to like-minded women.

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