November 2018 - Community Futures North Okanagan

Charging Ahead: New Business Owner Overcomes the Odds

November 20, 2018/in Success Story

Before arriving in BC in 2008, Darcy Lacombe did not have a fixed address. He had been incarcerated for a time and spent more than a decade homeless, living on the streets in Calgary.

“When I was released from prison, I managed to use the acquired skills that I learned there, such as carpentry, to find the odd job. I basically bounced from job to job,” said Darcy.

In 2009, Darcy moved to Cherryville, a small community 60 kilometres east of Vernon. It was around then he was introduced to the programs Community Futures North Okanagan provides through Employment Services.

The Future is Now

Darcy is proof that the past is not what defines your future. With a strong ambition and willingness to put in hard work, he has overcome a troubled past to become an accomplished business owner.

After finding out he was eligible for Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO)’s Self Employment Services, Darcy attended business workshops and received one-to-one coaching. Darcy worked hard to create a solid concept and business plan, and applied for financial support through CFNO’s Business Loans program to get everything rolling.

Darcy is now the proud owner of Big Bear Landscaping, which provides a number of home and business services within a 200-kilometre radius from its headquarters in Cherryville, BC.

A Big Bear of a Business Idea

Big Bear’s clientele has also broadened from Cherryville and Lumby to Vernon and other parts of the Okanagan, and includes both residential and commercial jobs.

“I found there were lots of opportunities for creating my own work,” says Darcy.

“Since we started, our work has snowballed to include everything from building retaining walls, excavating, backfilling, irrigation, aeration and planting to home improvement jobs such as drywalling, painting, and tiling. We’re even thinking of offering snow removal and are looking to start up a small wood mill as well.”

When he’s not attending to the labour side of operations, Darcy also manages every aspect of his business from marketing —Google and Facebook are the best way to find Big Bear— to preparing the books.

“I learned a lot from the Community Futures North Okanagan’s Self-Employment Services. I was told by my tax preparator that they trained me well there,” Darcy shared.

“I’ve come a long way and hopefully I can help turn the next guy’s life around.”

Giving Back as a Way Forward

Although Darcy has moved on from his past, he hasn’t forgotten it. He often provides a hand where he can by putting those less fortunate to work.

“I’ve worked with homeless people and have helped out at Howard House. I try to offer jobs to some of those guys as I know how hard it can be for anyone wanting to hire you when you’re down on your luck,” says Darcy.

“I’ve come a long way and hopefully I can help turn the next guy’s life around.”

Community Futures Business Services is available to those who want to start a new business or take an existing business to the next level. CFNO also offers business loans for most business-related purposes, including start-ups, seasonal requirements, working capital, and expansions. To learn more, contact our Lumby office at 250-547-6483 or in Vernon, call 250-545-2215.

Multi-community Job Fair Seeks Employers, Sponsors

November 16, 2018/in News

In the first event of its kind, the communities of Enderby, Armstrong, Spallumcheen and the Splatsin First Nation will host the North Okanagan-Shuswap Employment and Business Fair in March, bringing together employers and job-seekers from across the region.

“We’re hoping to see 100 employers join us for this event,” says Sabrina Vergata, administrative assistant, Splatsin Development Corporation (SDC). The event will be held March 11, 2019, at the new Splatsin Centre, and with the date now set, organizers are spreading the word to encourage employers to participate.

“This is a great opportunity for employers to reach out into areas where they maybe don’t have a presence and connect with new talent,” says Vergata.

The employment fair is being organized jointly by SDC , Enderby and District Chamber of Commerce and the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, along with support from Nexus BC and Community Futures North Okanagan.

“I’m really thrilled we’re all working together because there are no boundaries when it comes to addressing labour needs in our area, and it’s especially great to be partnering with the Splatsin Community,” says Patti Noonan, executive director, Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce.

“There are no boundaries when it comes to addressing labour needs in our area.”

She says the event will be an effective way for employers to create awareness about the kinds of employees they want to attract, whether they’re hiring at the time or not.

“I think most people still appreciate having that one-on-one personal human contact, and it’s a nice chance to meet people outside your usual network,” says Noonan. “Even the businesses who aren’t hiring, we’re encouraging them to participate to help build our business community.”

In addition to employers, fair organizers are also seeking a handful of event sponsors. The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, the Township of Spallumcheen, the City of Armstrong and the Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce have committed to sponsor and help cover costs.

“This is a terrific opportunity for businesses to gain some excellent exposure because we’re anticipating this will be a really well-attended event,” says Jessica Aguilar, membership manager, Enderby & District Chamber of Commerce.

If you are an employer or business sponsor who would like to learn more or save your spot, please reach out to your local chamber in Enderby (250-838-6727) or Armstrong (250-546-8155).

Employment and Business Fair Info (8×11)

For the Love of Dogs: Employ Participants Overcome Challenges, Raise Funds

November 1, 2018/in Success Story

Growing up on his grandfather’s Westside ranch, Cyprian Louis was more accustomed to the movements of horses and the family’s 12 blue heelers than the small talk of strangers. But he wasn’t just shy around people. He also had anxiety, and as a young adult trying to secure—and keep—a job, Cyprian struggled.

“I was really shy and reserved,” says Cyprian. So shy his answers were rarely more than one word long, and usually spoken looking down. He tried a few employment support workshops before landing at EMPLOY! three-and-a-half years ago.

EMPLOY! is a 10-week employability skills training program for youth providing paid training to improve interview and communication skills with the support of a job coach to find employment.

“The program really got me out of my shell.”

Cyprian’s job coach connected him with Wiggle Waggle Dog Hotel. He recalls how in the interview, owners Mary Zamniuk and Lyle Rauser made him feel so comfortable.

“They were so welcoming.”

Cyprian was hired. Over the next few weeks and months, Mary and Lyle encouraged Cyprian to step out of his comfort zone.

“Whether it was in the yard or on the computer, if it was something we thought he could do, we had him do it, and it stretched his boundaries,” says Lyle. “That helped him gain self-confidence.”

“Whether it was in the yard or on the computer, if it was something we thought he could do, we had him do it, and it stretched his boundaries,” says Lyle. “That helped him gain self-confidence.”

“When Cyprian came here, he was a different person,” says Lyle, recalling a younger Cyprian who would have preferred sticking with the dogs rather than talking to the owners at the end of the day, but he did it, and in time the owners came to appreciate and respect Louis.

“We’re proud of him.”

Cyprian has come a long way, and in addition to building communication skills, he’s built some special relationships.

“I love the dogs so much,” Cyprian says, as a pack of dogs paw at his legs for attention. He leans down to pet each one. “It’s not work to me. It’s like a second home.”

Over the years, several dogs have especially grown on him, including a four-year-old Bernese Mountain dog named Odin.

A FOUR-LEGGED GOFUNDME

Employ! youth employability participant Cyprian Louis initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Odin.

After trying to jump over an air conditioner, Odin tore his cranial cruciate ligament and needed tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery—at a cost of $10,000 to do both legs so they’re even and he has full mobility.

When Cyprian found out, he offered to create a GoFundMe page to help raise the fee. Wiggle Waggle was in full support, putting up posters around town and a sandwich board outside their front door to raise awareness about Odin’s plight and how others could help.

After gaining some local media attention, the full amount was raised in just a few weeks.

“That was amazing. I didn’t think it would happen so quickly,” says Cyprian, moments after learning Odin had just come out of the surgery. “I hope he rests well and gets better quickly.”

A number of key people, including Cyprian, wanted to make this happen for Odin.

INSPRING A SOCIAL ENTREPRISE

When news about Odin and the GoFundMe reached back to the current group of EMPLOY! youth, it was clear that Odin would be the recipient for their social enterprise fundraiser.

As an ongoing exercise to help improve their service skills, participants sell pizza and ice cream to staff at Community Futures once an intake, and donate the profit to a local charity selected by the youth. Odin’s surgery would be the perfect cause.

“When we heard about it, we thought, ‘Yes, we are doing this,’” recalls April Fletcher, who is also working to overcome shyness and anxiety.

And so they did. That day, the group raised $150 to contribute to Odin’s surgery fund.

“It felt really good to be a part of that.”

April may soon have a chance to meet Odin.

ANOTHER DOG-LOVER WALKS IN

Youth Employ! participant April Fletcher

Just as Cyprian prepares to move on from Wiggle Waggle and pursue computer science studies, April has been hired to help out at the hotel.

Just a few weeks in and she’s got a favourite shepherd cross she loves to play with, and a whole host of things she can do.

“They have been great at helping me feel comfortable and boosting my confidence. There’s no babying around. It’s just, ‘Let’s do it,’ and I realize I can do it and it’s not as scary as I thought.”

In one of the grassy play areas outside, both April and Cyprian share another sentiment: “I couldn’t have done it without EMPLOY!”

Are you or someone you know a youth looking for opportunities to improve employability skills and receive paid training? Learn more about EMPLOY!