All Small Business articles

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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Hedin Nelson-Chorney smiles while leaning against a vat.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Retail, Small Business Castlegar’s young brewer snags two prestigious awards

Hedin Nelson-Chorney, owner of Tailout Brewing, highlights how his business won Castlegar’s Young Entrepreneur Award and Green Award

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Dancing employees, indoor camping, high fives and bloopers—it’s all part of the fun that shows off the personality and people behind the automobiles at Cranbrook Hyundai. Photo collage.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business What does a social media manager really do all day?

What does a social media manager really do all day?

by Kerry Shellborn
Row of metal tags.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Animal Care, Small Business Artisan handcrafted dog and cat tags (and one for a cow) from Robson, B.C.

Each mountain-inspired pet tag from Kootenay Tags is “very personal and special”

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(L to R) Mackenzie, Marina, Jayden, Jeremiah and Maya Pauw in front of a hotel with a big bright orange image of a fox.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business, Technology Fernie Fox Hotel aims to become the most sustainable hotel in B.C.

Jeremiah Pauw has rebranded the Super 8 into the Fernie Fox Hotel in Fernie, B.C.

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A man and woman holding their young son
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Animal Care, Small Business A couple builds a puppy paradise in the community of Wycliffe

After the pandemic inspired a surge of new pet adoptions, Kootenay Canine Adventures was perfectly positioned to meet customer demand.

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Dan Innis (left) and Ben Brown, owners of Selkirk Pest Control.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business Selkirk Pest Control offers an eco-friendly approach for the increase in rats in the West Kootenay

Selkirk Pest Control in Castlegar is a new business with an eco-friendly approach

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Stacy Batchelor (left). Allie Bruni (centre) and Kristin Olsen (right) fill out the team of co-owners of Fable Book Parlour.
West Kootenay, Revelstoke, Entertainment and Hospitality, Retail, Small Business Books, music and community come together in one special business in Revelstoke, B.C.

More than a bookstore, Fable Book Parlour fosters music, cookies and community in Revelstoke, B.C.

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Grant Sharam and Jim Cunnington sitting on eTrikes
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Environment, Retail, Small Business, Transportation Keeping the Kootenays up to speed with eco-friendly electric trikes

Grant Sharam and Jim Cunnington saw the need for affordable, accessible, green transportation—leading them to start eTrikes Canada in Kimberley.

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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.

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Two cars, one black, one blue, are parked in front of Cranbrook Hyundai’s new showroom with large glass windows.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Small Business, Transportation Cranbrook Hyundai has a shiny new showroom

Bob Bullock, owner of Cranbrook Hyundai, has transformed the location inside and out

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Four employees stand in front of a Boundary Electric sign in Grand Forks, B.C.
East Kootenay, Grand Forks, Small Business How to hire and maintain employees during a labour shortage (or any time)

Mike Freed, director of sales and marketing at Boundary Electric in Grand Forks, B.C., highlights how businesses can become great places to work

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Dave Thomson and Coraley Letcher, owners of 5 Gen Construction.
East Kootenay, Fernie, Small Business Collaboration—not competition—is embraced by two rival Kootenay companies

Two rival Kootenay construction companies believe business should be about supporting each other

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Jody McInnes has a reddish brown beard and wears a grey jacket.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Education, Small Business Jody McInnes, multi-business owner, entrepreneurial master strategist and calculated card player

Jody McInnes, President of Stillwater Consulting in Cranbrook, B.C., has formed several businesses based on changing lives in a positive way

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Elena Sterritt sits at a desk in front of several monitors showing off a presentation.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Education, Small Business Gen Z gets a boost thanks to the NexGen Business Training program

Stillwater Consulting is now offering NexGen Business Training, a virtual program that helps youth across B.C. develop and launch a business idea

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Dale and Diana Olinyk standing side-by-side
West Kootenay, Salmo, Small Business Northern Teardrop RV manufacturers find their niche in Salmo, B.C.

Dale and Diana Olinyk took a honeymoon tour of the Kootenays and ended up building a legacy.

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Group photo of Business Excellence Award winners.
East Kootenay, Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Invermere, Radium Hot Springs, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Retail, Small Business Columbia Valley Chamber celebrates 22nd annual Business Excellence Awards

The 22nd Annual Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence awards were held on November 18, 2021.

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Ella Harris and Breanna Fast sit down at a table to share a drink in front of a brick wall at The Hourglass in Kimberley, B.C.
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Small Business Two longtime friends fulfill their decade ambition to mix drinks together in Kimberley, B.C.

Ella Harris and Breanna Fast have fulfilled their dreams of opening a cocktail bar, The Hourglass, in Kimberley, B.C.

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Beverly MacNaughton smiles in a colourless photo.
East Kootenay, Sparwood, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Beverly MacNaughton, executive director of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce

Beverly MacNaughton, executive director of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce, is excited about mines and local businesses being busier than ever

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Cherie Evans, standing beside black van that has Morning Mountain Coffee Co. logo on it.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Nelson’s Morning Mountain Coffee Co. aims to be a game changer in the coffee industry

Morning Mountain Coffee Co. in Nelson produces convenient and portable coffee bags—an alternative to K-cups.

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The owner and two managers of the Huckleberry Mountain Market standing behind a counter
West Kootenay, Christina Lake, Retail, Small Business Christina Lake employer retains satisfied staff despite a widespread B.C. worker shortage

The owner of Huckleberry Mountain Market stepped up and rewarded his staff with $30,000 in bonuses after a grueling COVID summer.

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The team at Blend Bistro are all smiles after winning the Small Business of the Year award.
East Kootenay, Elkford, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Elkford Chamber’s 2021 Business Awards celebrate small-town success stories

The Elkford Chamber of Commerce Excellence Awards were held virtually on October 29, 2021

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owner of Vintage Pour Mobile Bar pouring a drink with the trees and lake in background
West Kootenay, Nelson, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Vintage Pour Mobile Bar brings the party to you

Inspired by her travels, Megan DeVries invested time, money and considerable elbow grease to create her flourishing mobile bar in Nelson.

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Ali Hadikin (L) and Melanie Joy standing in front of Simply Raw counter.
East Kootenay, Creston, Cuisine, Small Business Simply Raw in Creston brings healthy fast-food options to the community

Tired of the same old fast-food fare? Simply Raw offers customers a selection of healthy, good-for-you options

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Holly Tayal standing in front of Modern Purair sign.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business Great earning potential led this entrepreneur to buy two Modern Purair franchises

Franchising in the Kootenays: Meet Hollie Tayal of Modern Purair

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Tom Thomson leans against a desk in the Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business, Tourism One-on-one with Tom Thompson, executive director of the Nelson Chamber of Commerce

Tom Thomson, executive director of the Nelson Chamber, has been proactive in advocating for business support, including a Keep Us Open for Business campaign

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Wade Jarvis (L) and Trevor Semchuck standing in front of distillery equipment.
East Kootenay, Kimberley, Cuisine, Entertainment and Hospitality, Small Business Kimberley’s newest distillery, Bootleg Spirits, proves that collaboration is key

Trevor Semchuck and Wade Jarvis are the business partners behind Kimberley’s newest distillery, Bootleg Spirits

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Co-working space with wood floors, row of tall chairs along window, plant in background.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Golden, Fernie, Invermere, West Kootenay, Nelson, Revelstoke, Small Business, Technology Kootenay co-working spaces offer community and creative collaboration

They’re a growing trend across the Kootenays—check out this list of the region’s co-working spaces.

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Rendition of Canal Flats sign.
East Kootenay, Canal Flats, Developments, Financial, Retail, Small Business Canal Flats, B.C., wants your business to move there

Canal Flats, B.C., wants to grow its population and is offering a tax break to businesses that relocate to this small East Kootenay town

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Andy and Sinead Britner stand behind Property Guys SOLD sign.
East Kootenay, Real Estate, Small Business An East Kootenay couple has found their perfect home as franchisees with PropertyGuys.com

Franchising in the Kootenays: Meet the Britners of PropertyGuys.com

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Owner of Glacier PhysioLab, Marie-Michelle Lafontaine
East Kootenay, Golden, Health & Wellness, Small Business This Golden physiotherapist put her dreams into motion

Marie-Michelle Lafontaine let nothing break her stride when she started Glacier PhysioLab in Golden, B.C. - and now she’s added bike-fitting to her services

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interior of Barks and Recreation, with pet supplies on various racks
West Kootenay, Trail, Animal Care, Retail, Small Business Artistic animal lovers open a pet centre in Trail that does it all

The owners of Barks and Recreation pooled their talents to forge a comprehensive pet service and supply company.

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Earthy Organics farm with many plants growing on it
West Kootenay, Agriculture, Small Business It takes a village: This West Kootenay farm is on the right track

The owners of Earthy Organics in Fruitvale, B.C., are huge proponents of community-supported agriculture.

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Melinda Nealis and Kayla Carley standing in front of their farmers market booth.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Nelson, Rossland, Salmo, Slocan, Trail, Environment, Health & Wellness, Small Business Replenish, refill and recycle at this West Kootenay business

Based in Nelson, B.C., Melinda Nealis and Kayla Carley are the mother-and-daughter duo behind Replenish—The Kootenay Refill Store

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A lightweight backpacking tent  made by Durston Gear in Golden, B.C.
East Kootenay, West Kootenay, Nelson, Revelstoke, Rossland, Salmo, Small Business KORE—Canada’s first craft outdoor industry cluster is right here in the Kootenays

The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise is helping Kootenay businesses design and build outdoor gear that rocks

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Veronica Roberge stands in front of a partially open closet, smiling into camera.
West Kootenay, Castlegar, Small Business Mo’ Better Organized in Castlegar helps clients clear away clutter

Mo’ Better Organized assists clients by helping them organize their homes and lives

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Jared Williams stands in front of Northstar Bicycle Co., a lime green building in Cranbrook, B.C.
East Kootenay, Cranbrook, Health & Wellness, Retail, Small Business Bikes and coffee—what could be a better Kootenay combo?

Jared Williams, manager of Northstar Bicycle Co. in Cranbrook, B.C., has adapted his love of bicycles and coffee into a popular Kootenay Business

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Kelsey Gosse (Left) and Leah Pavlick (right) wearing Kootz Collective merchandise and pouring coffee into a mug
West Kootenay, Trail, Small Business A side hustle that captures the Kootenay spirit

These sisters from Trail, B.C., decided to give back to their community through their Kootenay-inspired clothing company.

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Charmain Bibby smiles, wearing glasses and a blue shirt with red flowers. Mike Bibby carves into a piece of wood on a work bench.
West Kootenay, Nelson, Small Business From oil rig workers in Africa to designers in Nelson, B.C., the Bibbys are ultimate entrepreneurs

Mike and Charmain Bibby, owners of Bibby Fine Interiors and Bibby Fine Furniture in Nelson, B.C., help people design their perfect home and work space

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