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What’s in it for you at The VIEW?

August 31, 2020/in News

As The VIEW (Vernon Innovation & Entrepreneur Workspace) prepares to open its doors this week, Community Futures North Okanagan and Accelerate Okanagan can’t wait for the energy of its first tour guests and tenants in downtown Vernon!

Here is an overview of what this amazing centre has to offer you and our community, and how it all came about.

What is THE VIEW?

The VIEW is an innovation centre designed to bring together North Okanagan’s community of innovators, creators and entrepreneurs.  

Tenants and community members have opportunities to access:

  • mentorship
  • support services
  • collaboration

The goal of The VIEW is to provide a connection point for all these groups and create opportunities for entrepreneurs and community members to benefit from the region’s ‘innovation ecosystem.’

What does the space have to offer tenants & community members?

The VIEW is conveniently located in downtown Vernon, just next to Marten’s Brew Pub. It’s been renovated to act as a flexible, multi-purpose office space that lets tenants and community members access:

  • coworking desks
  • private offices
  • meeting rooms
  • lounge space and kitchen
  • collaboration

Who is involved in running THE VIEW?

CF North Okanagan has proudly been involved in this collaborative, grassroots project from early on.

The centre grew with support of several local stakeholders. Along the way, it was propelled with funding and project management led by CF North Okanagan, and a local advisory committee created critical roadmaps and relationships to help bring the project to fruition.

We are fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Accelerate Okanagan in running a thriving innovation centre!

Accelerate Okanagan manages THE VIEW—drawing on AO’s expertise while mindfully fueling the vision and values of this uniquely Vernon centre.

Jessica Wicks, a familiar face in the local tech community, is the North Okanagan Community Lead who will be at the centre providing tours and fostering opportunities.

Through the VIEW, tech-enabled businesses in the North Okanagan can get direct access to Accelerate Okanagan’s resources and accelerator programs—such as VAP, RevUP and W Venture.

How can you tour and get involved in The VIEW?

If you’re interested in working from The VIEW or learning more about getting involved,

  • book a meeting time with Jessica here 
  • book your tour with Jessica here

Stay tuned this fall as The VIEW announces events and opportunities!

The VIEW is supported by Western Economic Diversification Canada.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MG_5823-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2020-08-31 14:58:582020-08-31 14:58:58What’s in it for you at The VIEW?

‘I have accomplished so much’: How Momentum is helping women grow businesses

August 13, 2020/in News

Kristen Trovato and her team have spent the last several weeks turning 55,000 pounds of cherries, 50,000 lbs of blueberries and soon 80,000 + lbs of apples into juice—all destined for export markets, especially Asia. Trovato and her husband, Remo, own Mobile Juicing and they also import and sell the fruit processing machinery that turns extra fruit into delicious juice.

The couple had talked of creating a juice they could export for years, but the steps to get there—namely earning licensing from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)—kept getting put off. And then this year, Kristen joined Momentum, a women’s business accelerator hosted by Community Futures North Okanagan.

“I was able to prioritize it and make it a goal,” says Trovato, who is now embarking on a stationery juicing facility to increase capacity. “We had that focus: What’s the best thing you can do for your business in this moment? It was getting that certification in place, and I did it.”

This summer, Mobile Juicing’s sales have increased by 40 per cent.

Kristen Trovato, owner of Mobile Juicing & Momentum participant, and her children.

Helping women entrepreneurs identify and achieve their goals is a big focus of the program, which brings together like-minded professionals for learning, peer support, one-on-one coaching and funding for business development.

Trovato put some of her Momentum funding toward legal support in creating employment contracts, and focused much of her off-season months on how to have her values articulated and ‘show up’ in the day to day.

“That’s been really grounding for me, to see how we can make changes so the business is more in line with our core values, and it’s been so helpful.”

Collaboration is another key element of the Momentum program. Trovato has had the chance to further develop her relationship with Momentum participant and BX Press owner Melissa Dobernigg as well as Jill Hemich, owner of Correale’s Wine Cellar. Now that Trovato has the CFIA certification, she and Jill are able to pursue opportunities for Mobile Juicing juice to be included in Correale’s wine kits. It’s early days, but both are excited about the possibilities.

For Hemich, who bought Correale’s in 2008 and largely grew her business on her own since then, Momentum has opened so many doors.

“When I first started the business, I did a lot myself. I didn’t know what was out there, but to see how we can grow and help each other is great. You are busy, but you find the time. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get out of your business to find those opportunities.”

Hemich was able to use the program’s business development funding to create a website that’s helped customers across Interior BC find her. Many of them now drive to Vernon for her wine-making kits.

Jill Hemich, owner of Correale’s Wine Cellar & Momentum participant.

“Having the website has been so beneficial for me.”

Another Momentum participant with a store that may never have otherwise gone online or created a digital inventory system is Maggie Niewinski of Cobbler’s Rack Shoes and Repairs.

“It has been so beneficial to be able to point people to the website so they can see what we carry.”

For Niewinski, the one-on-one coaching with Momentum facilitator Connie Viszlai over the last 10 months has also been invaluable.

“I had a lot of questions about accounting or about my team and she was always able to point me in the right direction. I had to do the work, but she gave me a starting point. A lot of these things, I didn’t know how to do or I was scared to try, and I have accomplished so much. It’s helped me in so many ways.”

As an introvert, Niewinksi always appreciate the option to participate in group discussions and workshops, or have individual coaching time with Connie.

Connie has continued to lead program virtually since the spring, and who has helped participants access additional funding supports to overcome the impact of COVID-19. She says it was an especially important time for members of the group, many who are sole proprietors running businesses on their own, to be able to turn to one another.

“The whole notion of collaboration and mutual support has meant just having a place to go to voice frustrations and look for solutions, and know there are others out there feeling the same pains. It helps you feel that you are not alone and it removes that sense of isolation.”

Are you a woman entrepreneur interested in learning more about how Momentum can help your business grow and thrive? We have a new intake starting in September! Learn more and reach out to Momentum facilitator Connie Viszlai.

(Feature image, Maggie Niewenski, Cobbler’s Rack Shoes & Repairs)

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_20180314_000252_075.jpg 1280 1024 Kazia Mullin https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Kazia Mullin2020-08-13 08:00:002020-08-13 08:00:00‘I have accomplished so much’: How Momentum is helping women grow businesses

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan in Partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

August 10, 2020/in News

Community Futures North Okanagan and eight other Community Futures offices in the Thompson Okanagan region are working in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) to assist the tourism industry in overcoming the challenges presented by the current COVID-19 crisis through the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program. In July 2020, a formal agreement was formed to create the Community Futures – TOTA Taskforce in commitment to the development of an active and meaningful relationship on the path to rebuilding a resilient tourism industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Community Futures – TOTA Taskforce is now offering the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan Program for tourism businesses in the North Okanagan area.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan Program

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan is in alignment with the previously announced Regional Relief & Recovery Fund (RRRF) which has provided $587,000 to more than 20 tourism businesses in the region, as of August 2020.

Micro loans start at $200, up to $25,000. Terms and conditions apply which are specific to each Community Futures office.

How To Apply

To apply for a Tourism Micro Loan, tourism stakeholders must be referred to a Community Futures office by a Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor.

The Tourism Resiliency Program offers many benefits, with no cost to participate. Participating companies will receive ongoing support from an advisor through one-on-one phone or video meetings. The advisor will develop a Business Support Plan and provide key updates to programs and services.

or register by phone: 1-877-431-8489 (ext 8)

About Community Futures – TOTA Taskforce

The Community Futures – TOTA Taskforce will implement projects, access needed resources, and share best practices to revitalize, support, and grow the tourism sector, during the pandemic and beyond. Efforts and strategies will focus on tourism growth, development, sustainability, and long-term resiliency.

Helping the tourism industry recover and become more resilient for the long term is imperative. Ongoing exchange and discussion will facilitate further advancement of best practices relating to the development of sustainable communities and destinations. Specific joint strategies will target identification and support of business funding opportunities as well as advancing knowledge on the visitor experience, training, employment, and innovation.

For more information on the Community Futures – TOTA Taskforce email the Community Futures office or TOTA at recovery@totabc.com.

https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png 0 0 https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png 2020-08-10 13:21:002020-08-10 13:21:00Thompson Okanagan Tourism Micro Loan in Partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

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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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