Community Futures North Okanagan shares news of change in business services leadership

There was the single mom, determined to break free from a cycle of unemployment and holding on to the hope of running her own business. The pride she had in showing off her first business cards lit up the whole office. And there was the man who, on his first day in the self-employment program, doubted himself so much he teared up and thought about quitting. He surprised himself by completing the self-employment program and his company truck can still be seen driving through town. As Kazia Mullin reflects on her time as business services advisor and manager at Community Futures North Okanagan, helping guide self-employment and economic development opportunities, it’s moments like these that she’ll carry with her.

Kazia Mullin

“Being able to witness and support the profound impact starting a business has on people—to be a part of that change in people’s lives and put my skills toward that, I just loved it,” says Kazia, just before her last day at CF North Okanagan. “People come into our office and say, ‘I’ve had the dream of starting this business since I was a kid,’ and here they are, about to do this amazingly brave thing. And here we are with the tools, the supports and coaching to help make it happen.”

Kazia joined the business services team nine years ago, bringing extensive experience in project management with business startups. In addition to supporting clients through the WorkBC self-employment program and business coaching, Kazia also took on leadership roles with Enterprize Challenge and economic development initiatives such as The VIEW coworking space and the formation of the Land to Table Society. Seven years ago, she became the manager of Business Services, a role she leaves as she and her family move to Victoria.

“Community Futures really is a remarkable place to work,” says Kazia. “You’re side by side with all of these amazing people who come to work everyday wanting to make a positive impact on the people in our community. It’s an inspiring place to be.”

Margo Fleming

One of the people she’s been working side by side with is business advisor Margo Fleming, who is the new manager of Business Services. Margo grew up in Vernon and has deep community roots here, with her family having lived in the area for several generations.

“It’s definitely impacted my desire and passion for the economic development of the region,” she says. “I want to see the area thrive and be a positive environment for business, and I’m happy to be part of an organization that continues to positively impact our community through an economic development lens.”

Over the last six years, Margo has supported several CF North Okanagan teams, and business services is the place where she feels especially excited about her role in empowering others. Special projects she’s supported include the REACH agricultural accelerator program, a disaster recovery initiative for tourism business owners in the aftermath of wildfires, and also the workforce housing project. Right now, she’s looking forward to being a part of developing the team and continuing the important work of business services.