Top 10 KootenayBiz stories of the year

From small-town passion projects to entrepreneurial breakthroughs, these articles left their mark.

We had the privilege of speaking with some of the brightest entrepreneurs in the region, and we’re grateful to share their stories once again in this year’s Top 10.

Another year of innovation, resilience, and creative thinking has unfolded across the Kootenays, with local businesses and entrepreneurs continuing to shape the region in thoughtful and inspiring ways. From small, values-driven operations to bold ideas rooted in community, 2025 offered no shortage of stories worth telling.

At KootenayBiz, we’ve curated a list of our Top 10 stories of the year—articles that reflected the momentum, challenges, and opportunities shaping our business landscape. Behind each story are passionate entrepreneurs, community builders, and leaders whose work left a lasting impression. Here are just a few of the many stories that resonated most with our readers.

Aiyana (Sa’tahtaki) Twigg is carrying Ktunaxa language and knowledge into global conversations on culture and reconciliation. - Photo courtesy Aiyana Twigg

1. The woman who spoke Ktunaxa at the United Nations

Aiyana (Sa’tahtaki) Twigg is part of a new generation of Indigenous scholars who are transforming how language, culture, and identity are understood and preserved. As a member of the Ktunaxa Nation through her mother and Kainai (Blackfoot) through her father, Aiyana’s work is deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems, ceremony, and land-based teachings. Her research bridges Western linguistics with traditional practices, ensuring that language revitalization is not just an academic exercise, but a lived, community-centred practice that honours the voices and stories of her ancestors.

From speaking Ktunaxa at the United Nations to developing innovative digital tools for language learning, Aiyana’s journey highlights the power of Indigenous languages to heal, connect, and inspire.

Kristy Jahn-Smith, Executive Director, gave us a behind-the-scenes look at Visit Cranbrook’s rebrand. - Photo by Kerry Shellborn

2. Behind the brand: Visit Cranbrook unveils new brand identity

Visit Cranbrook’s new brand identity is rooted in something deeper than a cosmetic overhaul. Through the “True Stories” initiative, the organization set out to reflect the city’s authentic character, drawing on community surveys, stakeholder workshops, and years of thoughtful groundwork to uncover what truly defines Cranbrook.

In this interview, Executive Director Kristy Jahn-Smith walks readers through the rebrand’s evolution, from honouring Ktunaxa heritage and complex local history, to inviting businesses to play an active role in shaping the visitor experience. The result is a destination brand focused on honesty, storytelling, and pride of place—both for those passing through and those who call Cranbrook home.

Executive Director Dana Wesley is working to make systemic change part of campus culture. - Photo courtesy Dana Wesley

3. Shaping the future of reconciliation at College of the Rockies

When Dana Wesley became Executive Director, Indigenous Strategy & Reconciliation at College of the Rockies, she brought a clear vision and the expertise to make it a reality. A member of Moose Cree First Nation with a Master’s in Gender Studies, Wesley has dedicated her career to turning reconciliation from a concept into a lived practice, emphasizing that it is an ongoing relationship rather than a checklist.

Under her leadership, the College has embraced systemic accountability, embedding reconciliation into culture, policy, and governance. From launching the Indigenization Strategy and forming the Indigenous Advisory Committee to co-creating murals with Indigenous artists, Wesley’s work ensures that reconciliation is a shared, sustainable commitment that touches every part of the institution.

Carter Flexhaug brings fresh, locally sourced produce to the Cranbrook community with his stand that runs seven days a week. - Kerry Shellborn photo

4. Flexy’s Fruit Stand has deep roots and big plans

Carter Flexhaug’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged early. By age 14, he was independently running a fruit stand in Nelson, B.C., carrying on a family tradition that dates back to the 1960s. Now in his early 20s, he has brought that passion to Cranbrook, transforming Flexy’s Fruit Stand into a well-loved local business. 

Flexhaug’s growth is the result of hard work, dedication, and a clear vision. He sources high-quality produce, works seven days a week, and even makes late-night supply runs to keep everything stocked. Beyond business, he invests in his community, donating thousands of dollars’ worth of fruit to the Cranbrook Food Bank. Since being named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2023, Flexhaug continues to refine and expand his venture, showing how commitment and community-mindedness can turn a small family tradition into a thriving enterprise.

Jenn Robson, Director of Operations, and Hon. Nils Clarke at the Yukon launch event. — Photo courtesy of Interchange Recycling

5. Turning waste into opportunity: Inside Interchange Recycling’s environmental mission

People don’t often think about recycling motor oil, antifreeze, or oil filters—but they should. These common automotive products can be extremely hazardous if disposed of improperly, yet they are also highly recyclable. In British Columbia, Interchange Recycling is leading efforts to keep these materials out of landfills, waterways, and soil, while ensuring valuable resources stay in circulation.

We spoke with Jenn Robson, Director of Operations at Interchange Recycling, about how the organization is transforming used-oil recycling across B.C. and beyond. From new infrastructure in the East Kootenay to a permanent facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, Interchange Recycling is showing that, with the right systems, recycling can be both easy and highly impactful.

KAST Executive Director & CEO Priya Biswas is leading a push to make technology and innovation accessible across the entire Kootenay region. —Photo courtesy Priya Biswas

6. Building a stronger tech ecosystem in the Kootenays

The Kootenay region continues to emerge as a vibrant centre for innovation and technology. At the heart of this growth is the Kootenay Association for Science & Technology (KAST), an organization committed to supporting entrepreneurs, advancing emerging technologies, and providing the resources needed to create impactful solutions. With a renewed emphasis on accessibility, collaboration, and long-term sustainability, KAST is helping ensure that the benefits of innovation are available to everyone in the region.

Leading this new chapter is Priya Biswas, KAST’s recently appointed Executive Director & CEO. Drawing on experience across global corporations, entrepreneurship, and community initiatives, Biswas combines strategic vision with people-focused leadership. In our conversation, she outlines her goals for expanding technology access, strengthening the local economy, empowering youth and underrepresented innovators, and cultivating a culture where collaboration drives meaningful change.

Over the past 15 years, the Pauws have quietly reshaped what hotel ownership can look like. - Photo courtesy the Fernie Fox Hotel/Peacock Hospitality Group

7. How community and care built the Fernie Fox Hotel

Under the vision of Jeremiah and Marina Pauw, the Fernie Fox Hotel has become a model for sustainable, community-minded hospitality in the Kootenays. What began as the purchase of a small chain-brand property in 2007 has grown into an independent hotel and the foundation of Peacock Hospitality Group. Through continuous renovations, eco-conscious upgrades, and staff-focused initiatives like affordable housing and year-round team activities, the Pauws have built a hotel that prioritizes both people and the environment, earning awards for sustainability and family-run tourism excellence.

Beyond the property itself, the Fernie Fox Hotel actively invests in the local community, contributing tens of thousands of dollars to events, grants, and initiatives that enrich Fernie. With plans for a 40-room expansion, the Pauws are demonstrating that growth can be thoughtful, values-driven, and deeply connected to the people it serves. 

Southern Interior captures the unique flavour of West Kootenay life. — Photo courtesy of Southern Interior/Watershed Productions

8. Kootenay-made series Southern Interior launches with national support

Nelson-based filmmaker Amy Bohigian brings Kootenay life to screens with Southern Interior, a new sketch comedy series now streaming on YouTube. Backed by local and national supporters, the show turns everyday regional moments—farmers markets, downtown encounters, and overheard conversations—into sharp, relatable comedy.

Filmed entirely in Nelson and area with a local cast and crew, the series captures the community’s quirky, inclusive spirit. Bohigian, known for her documentaries, applies the same grounded storytelling to comedy, creating a show that’s both authentically Kootenay and appealing to viewers beyond the region.

L to R: Aimee Macready, Michelle Torbic-Smith, Al Boucher, Lisa Boutilier. — Photo courtesy Trail Hammer and Bolt/Caster Town

9. Stronger together: A merger grounded in experience and vision

Founded in 2018 by a close-knit team of industry veterans, Trail Hammer and Bolt has earned a reputation for deep product knowledge, customer-first service, and strong local roots. After the passing of longtime partner and founder Scott Macready in 2024, his legacy of care and community lives on through a new generation of leaders.

In 2024, Trail Hammer and Bolt merged with Caster Town Ltd., a family-owned Western Canadian distributor of casters, wheels, and material handling equipment. At the center of this partnership are Adrianna Hanson, president of Caster Town, and Michelle Attwood, Trail branch manager. In our interview, they discussed merging values, expanding vision, and what it means to lead with compassion, competence, and community at the forefront.

Heidi Klima helps clients understand what their bodies are trying to tell them. - Photo courtesy Kerry Shellborn

10. The healing conversation between body and mind

Heidi Klima nearly became an accountant, but a chance conversation and a gut feeling redirected her path. Today, as founder of Broken Wing Massage Retreat and author of Hello, It’s Your Pain Talking, she helps people understand what their bodies are communicating—especially when pain appears without an obvious cause.

Klima’s work blends science with intuition, offering Fernie and Cranbrook clients a space where emotional and physical healing intersect. In this interview, she reflects on how stepping off a traditional path led to her unique approach, the importance of treating the whole system rather than just symptoms, and why understanding pain can be profoundly empowering.