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‘Take flight’: REACH ag program returns after successful first year

September 22, 2021/in News

When a group of North Okanagan agricultural entrepreneurs joined together last fall, many felt like their business had hit an impassable roadblock.

Lost farmgate sales, COVID-19, and marketing efforts that weren’t seeing a return led eight small business owners to the REACH agricultural business accelerator program. Through Community Futures North Okanagan, the participants gained access to the tools and support they needed to scale up and succeed.

“The REACH program put real data onto what I was doing instead of going on intuition,” says Doug Gordon, Owner and Beekeeper of The Okanagan Honey Co. “You don’t know. You might be spending half of your time on something that only makes you 10 per cent of your profit. It was really nice to get all those numbers, put them all on paper, and figure out what’s actually happening.”

Based on the success of the pilot program and the response of REACH members, CF North Okanagan recognized the continued need for the program.

“When we introduced the program, we sought to bring the agricultural business community greater support in identifying opportunities that will help them stay strong and resilient,” says Kazia Mullin, Business Services Manager, CF North Okanagan. “Now that we’ve seen how great the need is and what a difference it makes, we wanted to bring this opportunity to more producers.”

Starting in October, the 22-week program moves participants through five phases of business development to identify gaps and opportunities. Along the way, REACH members will participate in workshops, gain access to federal and provincial grants and funding, grow a network of peers in the North Okanagan, and engage in one-on-one coaching with program facilitator Andrea Gunner—a leading agrologist and agricultural consultant who also runs a pastured poultry operation in the North Okanagan.

“It’s such a delight to very gently guide people and watch them take flight,” says Gunner. “The business growth that has happened through the program is incredibly inspiring.”

When the program ends in March 2022, participants leave the program with an actionable plan that paves the way to reaching long-term and short-term business goals.

“Last year’s participants entered the program looking for support. Many felt like their business was done because of COVID. Their marketing model didn’t work anymore. They felt stalled,” says Gunner. “By the end of the program, REACH was full of enlightened people. Not because of me, but because of their hard work and their new community of people running a business with the same obstacles. Having that support group was tremendously empowering for them.”

Rising food supply costs also present a challenge to agricultural entrepreneurs, Gunner says.

“As someone who cares about my community and people who are disadvantaged, that’s of great concern to me,” says Gunner. “But there’s also an opportunity for someone to fill that need. REACH can help you find those opportunities and efficiencies by helping you look at your business with a different mindset.”

Now, six months after the pilot program ended, Gordon says his biggest takeaway was identifying and overcoming his business’s weaknesses.

“It’s just really helpful to have that solid information,” says Gordon. “I feel like I actually know my business better.”

To learn more and apply for the REACH program, presented in partnership with Accelerate Okanagan and the Regional District of North Okanagan, visit www.futuresbc.com/reach. The deadline for applications is Sept. 30.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REACH-Mike-BabottRhythm-Productions.png 1079 1919 Natalie Appleton https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Natalie Appleton2021-09-22 09:37:412021-09-24 15:17:13‘Take flight’: REACH ag program returns after successful first year

‘Encyclopedia of business knowledge’: Business Exchange program open to applicants

September 13, 2021/in News

Ask Judy Dangel about Business Exchange, and she’ll tell you all about the benefits of the peer networking program. That’s because, when she purchased her Enderby business 30 years ago, she quickly recognized gaps in her knowledge.

“I was young, bought my store, and thought I knew everything,” says Dangel, owner of Enderby Jewellers. “I soon found out owning a business means I also need to be an accountant and advertiser.”

That’s when Dangel heard about a new pilot program in Vancouver. Dangel joined and stayed on as Community Futures North Okanagan brought the Business Exchange program closer to home.

Delivered in bi-weekly meetings, Business Exchange is a small group forum that welcomes non-competing businesses. In each meeting, members learn about and discuss diverse topics ranging from business growth to accounting, marketing, legal, and everything in between.

“Business Exchange is great. Where else do you get a lawyer, accountant, and advertising professional sitting around a table for 90 minutes? If you have a legal question or accounting question, those questions are brought up in the discussion and answered,” says Dangel, the program’s longest-standing member.

Joanne Weatherill, owner of Briteland in Vernon, joined the program shortly after Dangel. After a few years in the program, Weatherill left Business Exchange only to rejoin after an invitation to become a guest speaker.

“I went back because Business Exchange truly brings the community and members together,” says Weatherill. “Plus, you always learn something. Everyone takes something away from the meetings. Community Futures is an encyclopedia of business knowledge.”

And, even after three decades in the program, Dangel agrees.

“Every year, I said if I didn’t get anything out of it, I’d leave. But, every year, I come out of it with something,” says Dangel. “For me, Business Exchange is about having those like-minded people around you that act as a sounding board.”

With a diverse, non-competitive membership spanning multiple industries, Business Exchange welcomes small business owners to share their experiences and learn from one another.

“One of the real strengths of the program is having a place to solve problems and come up with new ideas and strategies to address business challenges. Members bring unique perspectives, expertise, and support that everyone benefits from,” says Kazia Mullin, Business Services Manager, CF North Okanagan.

That program diversity, Weatherill says, grants members access to a network of professionals to navigate common business problems.

“Business is challenging no matter how big or small you are,” says Weatherill. “Friendships have formed through the program, and you can always pick each other’s brains after the discussion. I would tell anyone thinking about Business Exchange to apply. You and your business will benefit.”

Business Exchange, sponsored by Nixon Wenger and Clark Robinson, meets for bi-weekly virtual discussions and workshops. If you are interested in applying to become a member, visit CF North Okanagan online at futuresbc.com/business-exchange.

https://www.futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/210909-briteland-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 Natalie Appleton https://futuresbc.com/wp-2/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Community-Futures-North-Okanagan-Logo.png Natalie Appleton2021-09-13 09:48:372021-09-13 09:48:37‘Encyclopedia of business knowledge’: Business Exchange program open to applicants

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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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