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Massage School Changes Hands

April 24, 2017/in Success Story

Last September, at a staff dinner for all the instructors and administrators who work at Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy (OVCMT), Roxanne Petruk joked to the founder, Doug Fairweather, “Yeah, well, when I’m running this place…”

She was teasing, of course. And then Fairweather, replied: “OK.”

Petruk is a registered massage therapist (RMT) and graduate of OVCMT who was now a sessional instructor. A few days after the dinner, she sat in Fairweather’s office and asked, “Were you serious?”

He was.

What began as banter quickly became an exit strategy for Fairweather, who had been running the school since its founding in 1994 and was now ready to retire, and a business opportunity for Petruk, who fell in love with the people and the passion behind the school in 2009 when she entered it as a student pursuing a second career.

“The staff here are wonderful. I’ve seen it from all sides, as a student and as an instructor, and that was a big motivation for me to want to buy the school,” says Petruk. “They’re so passionate about massage therapy and they’re really engaged in student learning. In turn, the students become engaged with each other and with their own learning, and it’s become a great opportunity to engage with the public.”

The hitch was, Petruk didn’t know anything about buying a business. Fairweather, who had once sat on the Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) board of directors, suggested Petruk visit the organization for guidance. Community Futures Loans Program supports existing and start-up businesses in the region. Petruk ended up in the office of Rob Short, loans coordinator.

“I said, ‘I’ve never valued or purchased a business. I’m a teacher. I’m passionate about massage and students and teaching, but this opportunity has come to light.’

Short said, “Well, let’s explore it.”

Soon, Petruk had handouts and links and a to-do list to help her get started on Step 1, the business plan. Back and forth she went in and out of Short’s office as he continued providing feedback on her business plan. During one of those visits, Short told her he had an idea for Step 2, the financing, and an application was started.

“I knew this was a project Community Futures would want to support,” says Short. “It ticked so many boxes for us—employment, economic development, business retention, and we were very confident that Roxanne was really invested in its success.”

Every day, dozens, if not hundreds, of cars and people pass the OVCMT building on the corner of 30th Ave and 34th Street, without realizing the machine running in its two floors and 14,280 square feet. With twice-yearly intakes of classes ranging from 25-46 students and four classes running simultaneously, at any given time, there could be nearly 150 students taking the two-year program, which prepares students to become registered massage therapists.

At the school’s on-site training clinic, more than 400 residents take advantage of affordable massages, and dozens more receive treatment through community outreach clinics. In a year, thousands of locals improve their health through the offerings at OVCMT.

The school employs nearly a dozen management/administration staff and up to 50 part-time or contract teaching and supervising staff, many of whom have a practice in Vernon as well.

Most of the students come from across the Thompson-Okanagan to study here, and so contribute significantly to the economy, particularly downtown, where they congregate in the cafes and restaurants, and later, after becoming registered, set up their own practices.

“There were other parties outside the Okanagan interested in buying the school because of its great reputation, and we knew it was really in the best interest of the community to keep the school here,” says Short.

Petruk’s loan application was approved. On March 10, she officially became executive director.

Today, from a corner office where she sits below thumbnail images of all nearly 120 current students, and an abstract painting somehow as vibrant and optimistic as her, Petruk talks about what she sees for the future of ‘our’ school. She envisions online education, research partnerships, acting as a hub for an entire alternative health education community.

“We really want to develop the leaders in massage therapy and be at the forefront of research and innovation in the industry,” says Petruk, practically fizzing with enthusiasm about building on the great work of her predecessor.

She says it’s hard to believe just eight months ago she was in the waiting room at Community Futures, sitting with just those ideas.

“They believed in me. They believed in the history of the college and what we do well and what we can do. It’s exciting.”

 

Are you looking at buying or expanding a business in the North Okanagan, and need someone to believe in you? Reach out to the Community Futures North Okanagan business loans department and find out how we can help!

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Roxanne-3-copy.jpg 2705 3000 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2017-04-24 10:20:382017-04-24 10:20:38Massage School Changes Hands

Jolly Good Spudz Takes Top Prize at Enterprize Challenge

April 18, 2017/in News

Martin Paris dared to hope his business idea would be chosen as one of the top three winners in the Enterprize Challenge. He moved from his native England to Vernon five years ago, and while he’s held jobs in construction, his love is in the kitchen, namely potatoes.

Back in Coventry, UK, his family once owned a shop like the one he plans to open here—Jolly Good Spudz—in which patrons walk alongside a glass counter, selecting delicious locally-inspired toppings like pulled pork for their baked potato.

“I just thought I’d give it a try,” said Paris, who, for the time demands, nearly pulled out of the intensive, eight-week long competition, in which participants make presentations to judges and receive mentoring as they prepare to prove their financial viability and marketing plans.

Nearly 20 Enterprize Challenge sponsors, finalists and participants showcased their businesses at a tradeshow in the Okanagan College cafeteria April 13, which was preceded by the awards event.

But last Thursday, as passersby at the trade show and awards event held in the Okanagan College cafeteria swallowed his pork-laden spudz, nodded as they chewed and said, ‘Wow,’ he knew he’d been right to stick it out.

Then, Roxanne Davyduke, VantageOne Credit Union sales and service manager, began announcing the winners, and when he wasn’t chosen for third place (Rebecca Hackman, Bites Creative), or second place (Juanita Miller, Juanita Miller Nutrition), Paris began to lose hope.

But as Davyduke spoke of the first place winner, he recognized some of her words: “This product is niche in nature and shows strong growth potential…Judges loved the passion and commitment to providing a unique healthy alternative in the market.”

And then she said it: “Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of VantageOne Credit Union, I am very pleased to announce the first place winner of the 2017 Enterprize Challenge, Martin Paris of Jolly Good Spudz.”

Martin Paris won the Enterprize Challenge 2017 first place for Jolly Good Spudz, soon to be a downtown storefront offering baked potatoes topped with healthy fillings. Paris won more than $19,000 in prizes to get his business off the ground.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” said Martin, red-cheeked and soft spoken, even minutes after hearing those words over the microphone. “I don’t know what avenues it will open so I’m quite excited.”

First place in the Enterprize Challenge earns a prize package worth more than $19,000, and includes start-up capital, free business banking for a year, and a range of packages, including legal, accounting, marketing and web design, and graphics as well as a radio and print campaign.

Paris says the support will bring Jolly Good Spudz to downtown Vernon all the quicker.

The other two finalists, sharing the remainder of the $35,000 in prizes, will also give Vernon a taste of their talents.

Third place winner Rebecca Hackman’s catering company Bites Creative brings gourmet, organic food sensitivity-minding dishes right to customers’ door (and she’ll even do the clean-up and decorating).

Rebecca Hackman, owner of catering company Bites Creative, won third place.

Second place winner Juanita Miller, already based out of the Mustard Seed Clinic, helps women achieve health and beauty through her nutrition coaching, skin analysis, wellness education and grocery store tours.

Juanita Miller of Juanita Miller Nutrition won second place.

Community Futures North Okanagan board member Michele Blais said among the 23 contestants who entered this year’s third annual Enterprize Challenge, many had business ideas that were influenced by the bounty of the Okanagan or the environmental and wellness values of its residents.

“One of the things that I think is so impressive is how these businesses reflect what is so great about the Okanagan,” said Blais, citing Power Trips, a Tesla car rental company, The Rumpus Raft, a lake-floating convenience store, and, of course, the winning businesses offering healthy fare which dozens of people had the chance to taste at the tradeshow and awards event.

To all participants, board chair Michele Hill congratulated them on their efforts and reminded them of Community Futures’ support.

“We applaud you for stepping up and taking this challenge. You’ve been given a tremendous opportunity to begin your journey, and you have a huge step up.”

The Community Futures Enterprize Challenge is presented by VantageOne Credit Union, and another 12 organizations sponsored the event to make the challenge and its prizes possible.

 

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Martin-Paris-jolly-Good-Spudz-award-for-thumbnail-2-e1492476241301.jpg 1566 1943 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2017-04-18 16:05:162017-04-18 16:05:16Jolly Good Spudz Takes Top Prize at Enterprize Challenge

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About Community Futures

From our office in downtown Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan offers employment, business and economic development services to help residents build their future and the community. We service Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band,  Spallumcheen, Splatsin and Vernon.

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