News – Community Futures North Okanagan

‘An amazing opportunity’: Registration now open for Enterprize Challenge

January 12, 2023/in News

One year after 2022 North Okanagan business challenge, winners finding success and growing their companies

Olive Butler will never forget the night she stood on the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Stage. It was an evening she went into with no expectations and one that has changed the course of her small business.

It was the night that, after weeks of workshops and one-on-one mentoring, she won the 2022 Enterprize Challenge and took home more than $20,000 in prizes to help make her business a reality.

Nine months later, Butler has grown her natural, low waste and vegan cosmetics company, Conspiracy Cosmetics, from a small e-commerce shop to an authentic beauty brand available in shops from the South Okanagan to Ontario.

“The main thing that’s evolved since joining the Enterprize Challenge is my confidence to move my business forward,” says Butler. “When I started the program, I didn’t feel like I knew enough. I felt like an imposter who needed more experience and better connections. By the end of the program, I had the knowledge and connections I needed to move past that fear, that imposter syndrome. I realized that my business does make sense.”

Registration is now open for Community Futures North Okanagan’s 2023 Enterprize Challenge. Starting in February, participants begin a series of business workshops and work one-on-one with a local mentor to refine their business plans. The program culminates in a live pitch and awards showcase at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre May 18 where the first, second and third-place winners and people’s choice victor will be crowned.

“After seven years of Enterpize Challenges, we’ve seen such incredible demonstrations of creative thinking, problem solving and determination as our local entrepreneurs bring their business ideas to life,” says Kazia Mullin, business services manager, Community Futures North Okanagan. “We can’t wait to see how this year’s participants will rise to the challenge.”

Last spring, Sean Ling-Allen of Centred Pilates rose to the challenge with a thoughtful pitch and took home second place plus more than $10,000 in prizes.

“The Enterprize Challenge gave me a big push to launch the studio more publicly,” Ling-Allen says. “It gave me exposure to a local studio that helped me with my marketing plan and led me to my mentor, Ken McLeod, who helped me refine my business idea. Now, I have a plan for the next five years of my business.”

Since participating in the challenge, Ling-Allen has hired two part-time instructors and grown the group classes side of the studio.

James Stuart, founder of Uplift Aero Greens, has also seen his business grow since he took home third place and $6,000 in prizes last April. Before the Enterprize Challenge, Uplift Aero Greens was pre-revenue. The vertical farming business had four grow walls with 108 plants each, and Stuart spent his days designing, constructing and refining his aeroponics system.

“Everything about the Enterprize Challenge was out of my comfort zone. I’m not a public speaker, I’m usually quite reserved, but the challenge pushed me and helped me and my business grow,” says Stuart. “Now, I’ve increased my production by three times, which made it possible to reach out to grocers. Between Butcher Boys and Swan Lake Market & Garden, they purchase all the produce I’m able to grow.”

For Leanna Maksymik of Waste Not Wool, the biggest takeaway from the program was not the prize package she won, but the opportunity to share her excitement about her product with the community.

“When we did the Enterprize Challenge, I didn’t even have my wool pelleting machinery yet. When I won People’s Choice, it was so good to know that, even though my business was still just a plan, people believed in my product,” says Maksymik. “It was an amazing opportunity. Every entrepreneur should try to get into the program.”

Registration for the 2023 Enterprize Challenge closes Feb. 6 at 12 noon. For more information about the challenge, prizes and registration, visit futuresbc.com/enterprize-challenge.

‘It’s done wonders for our community’

October 17, 2022/in News

Event celebrates the hundreds of people contributing to the region through the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot—and the program’s new expansions

VERNON, BC—They came with their newborn daughters, their sisters-in-law newly arrived, their bright hopes of becoming a permanent resident and, someday, helping others do the same. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Vernon Recreation Centre Thursday night to welcome families of the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program, and celebrate its successes.

The RNIP program helps rural communities attract skilled immigrants by matching jobseekers with employers and creating a path to permanent residency. Since 2020—when the North Okanagan became one of two BC regions and 11 in Canada to participate in the pilot—296 vacant jobs have been filled locally by RNIP newcomers from 48 different countries. Along with primary candidates’ family members, 624 newcomers now call the North Okanagan home.

Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director, Community Futures North Okanagan, recalled when the organization and City of Vernon first applied to host the pilot, which then had no funding source and no blueprint for operations. Now, standing in front of dozens of families from all over the world, elected officials from all levels of government now contributing support, and eager-to-help local agencies, Horsfield said:

“From the beginning, this has been a true community project with support and volunteerism from many stakeholders and individuals who have worked to ensure the success of the project. We are so grateful to all of you who have been involved.”

As Horsfield spoke, toddlers with painted faces and Canadian flags ran about, a father kissed the cheek of a weeks-old son and sisters held hands.

One such family was that of Claire Amisco, who arrived in Vernon from the Philippines with her husband and two daughters just three weeks ago. She is an office administrator at 250 Handyman.

“I believe this program will help a lot of people so we can get jobs and have a good family life.”

250 Handyman co-owner Dior Amisco, Claire’s sister-in-law, has been able to hire and bring over two other employees through RNIP, one from the Middle East and another from her native Philippines.

“It’s a pathway for us to share the blessings of being here and help others realize the Canadian dream as well,” she said.

Among the 173 businesses participating to date, there were several employers at the event who’ve hired multiple staff members through RNIP, including City Furniture business development manager Justin Sharma. Along with two newcomers on their way to Canada, over the last two years Sharma has hired nine people from all over the world—India, Germany, Australia and the Philippines.

At the podium speaking to all the new families in the audience, Sharma said: “We are grateful to have you join our community and help our community grow. This program has been a saving grace, and we hope you stay here and grow old here.”

One of Sharma’s sales team members, Germany native Alex Schoepp, said that will absolutely be the case for him. “We love it here. It’s safe. I have a good job. Our kids go to daycare. You’ll have to kick us out.”

The North Okanagan has become a destination of choice for skilled immigrants and their families: Right now there are 48,000 jobseekers in the queue. The local RNIP program has just been expanded to include the Shuswap, where it’s hoped the workforce will benefit from the chance to fill skill shortages. Once there’s a match between qualified employers and applicants, a Committee reviews applications and recommends candidates for the program. The number of primary candidates the community can recommend every year has just been increased from 220 to 250 per year, and CF North Okanagan’s goal is to reach 300 in 2023.

Harwinder Sandhu, Vernon-Monashee MLA, shared her own experience of arriving in Mackenzie BC in January more than 20 years ago, and commended both the participants and the program organizers.

“I’ve shared so many stories of how this program has done wonders in our community and I’m fortunate to know some of these families. You bring your talents and much-needed skills to our community…and looking out tonight at all of you, this is what makes the fabric of Canada so beautiful.”

To learn more about the RNIP program and stay up to date with new changes, visit www.rnipnorthokanaganshuswap.ca/

CF North Okanagan is Rainbow Certified

August 26, 2022/in News

All walks of life are welcome at Community Futures North Okanagan—and now it has the logo to act as a beacon for safe and inclusive support. The business and employment services organization recently earned the national ‘Rainbow Registered’ certification indicating it meets third-party standards for inclusivity with the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are proud to celebrate diversity of every kind and want to make sure that people from the LGBTQ+ community know this is a safe place to land for services, and that we are able to support those who identify in various ways,” says Leigha Horsfield, executive director, CF North Okanagan.

The Rainbow Registered accreditation program grants a time-limited recognition to businesses and organizations for demonstrating compliance with standards across four pillars: policies and practices, training for diversity and inclusion (D&I), inclusive leadership and a culture of inclusivity.

When the opportunity arose to get Rainbow Registered, CF North Okanagan had already been on the path to creating an environment of inclusivity, including:

Policies and practices for the team and clients are written and communicated through a lens of respect for all genders and orientations, and comply with all relevant Acts
Staff training using facilitators with lived experience sharing learnings with the staff
Inclusion committee works to educate staff and support inclusion initiatives through information, activities and celebrations
Volunteer days give staff a chance to support organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community, such as Armstrong Pride
Marketing materials demonstrating diversity and inclusion

The certification process included multiple meetings and a thorough one-on-one review of the application with an assessor. Accredited organizations are given the right to be associated with the program’s prestigious Rainbow Registered designation mark, now displayed on the CF North Okanagan website and the Vernon-based organization is findable in an online directory.

“Our team is very proud that we’ve been able to achieve this certification and it’s validating to know the work we’ve been doing is recognized by an external body,” says Horsfield, adding that anyone wanting to join the CF team will also now be able to see that CF North Okanagan is supportive, open-minded, eager to learn and doing recognized work to walk the talk.

RNIP program evolves to ‘meet local economic needs’

August 23, 2022/in News

Rural Northern Immigration Pilot policy changes effective Sept. 1

VERNON, BC—More businesses will be able to take advantage of a program that connects local employers with skilled international workers.

Launched in February 2020, the Rural Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) helps smaller communities benefit from the immigration of skilled workers by creating a path to permanent residency. Once there’s a match between qualified employers and applicants, a Community Futures North Okanagan committee reviews applications and recommends candidates for the program.

Starting on Sept. 1, employers are limited to six community recommendations per year. Each candidate can now apply for two recommendations throughout the entire program. Before the changes, there was no limit on the number of community recommendations for employers and skilled workers.

“Due to significantly increased demand for the program, these limits help ensure more employers in our community have a chance to benefit from the RNIP program,” says Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director, Community Futures North Okanagan.

However, Horsfield says, priority jobs such as registered and licensed practical nurses, medical lab techs, nurse aids, early childhood educators and assistants as well as certain skilled trades workers are exempt from this new cap.

Vernon is one of two communities in B.C. and one of 11 in Canada selected to participate in the pilot. Through the program, the community can recommend up to 220 applicants per year.

“The program’s ability to fill skill shortages in our workforce is exceptional,” says Horsfield. “Through the program, we’ve seen the North Okanagan promoted as a destination of choice for skilled immigrants and their families.”

Businesses interested in hiring skilled workers through the program attend training sessions with Community Futures. Employers must meet several eligibility requirements, including offering full-time, non-seasonal employment, have at least three full-time employees, and offer competitive wages.

To learn more about the RNIP program and stay up to date with new changes, visit www.rnip-vernon.ca.

‘Make the employer’s job easier’: Community Futures team, services grow

July 19, 2022/in News

VERNON, BC—Community Futures North Okanagan has a new support system to help local employers combat the national labour shortage.

“Many employers are focused on just making it work right now,” says Johanna Currie, Community Futures North Okanagan’s new Business Services Advisor with WorkBC Vernon specializing in employer support. “It’s my job to help business owners identify needs and get back to work on the business instead of working head down in the business.”

Through WorkBC’s employer support services, Currie offers tools, resources and one-on-one coaching that supports small businesses throughout the employee experience. Currie brings to the team more than 20 years of management experience across a variety of industries and a background in adult education.

“There has been a shift in the market, and we realized we needed to elevate the employer support that comes with that,” says Currie. “Gone are the days of multiple applications. Instead, employers are looking to attract the same candidates and need support creating engaging job postings and an HR toolkit built to keep employees happy and engaged.”

According to the City of Vernon’s 2020 Community Profile, 52.8% of Vernon residents are employed. For local employers looking to hire, whether to fill vacancies or grow their business, Currie says selling your business’s culture and benefits is critical to finding success in today’s labour market.

“We have to get creative with the demographic pockets we don’t normally target, such as seniors supplementing their pension income and stay-at-home parents, and ask ourselves how we can encourage flexibility. There are people out there that we need to support, and it’s a great opportunity for employers willing to make the shift,” says Currie. “Employers need to ask how they can give the job seekers what they need. It’s not about finding the right person for the right job anymore. It’s about creating the right job to fit the right person.”

And, once employers have found the right person, Currie’s customized retention programs can help small business owners keep current employees happy and motivated.

“I’m passionate about helping people,” says Currie. “For me, it’s a win when I can help people make connections. It’s my job to make the employer’s job easier, and any time that happens, it’s a big win.”

Community Futures North Okanagan names 2022 Volunteer of the Year

July 12, 2022/in News

Penny McDonald loves helping businesses grow. That’s why she started volunteering for Community Futures North Okanagan in 2012, and that’s what keeps McDonald volunteering a decade later.

But when McDonald, the Community Futures North Okanagan 2022 volunteer of the year, originally joined the Community Futures Self-Employment Committee, the North Okanagan business landscape looked far different than it does today.

“The local business community has become more diversified. With the growing population, there’s more opportunity for entrepreneurs than ever before,” says McDonald, CGA, CPA and senior manager with KPMG LLP. “Overall, that has kept me engaged for all these years. I have a personal interest in businesses of all types and it’s exciting to see what businesses are succeeding today.”

With more than 20 years of experience in providing accounting and tax services, McDonald sits on the Board of Directors and is the Community Futures North Okanagan treasurer.

“Community Futures is continually evolving, and its strength comes from the people that work there,” says McDonald. “We’re very fortunate to have this organization in our community. What they give to the community and people from all walks of life is amazing.”

A strong supporter of business development, McDonald spearheaded Community Futures’ popular Enterprize Challenge competition and continues to support the initiative.

“We are very grateful to Penny for sharing her valuable time and expertise to improve and enhance the organization and the community we serve,” says Leigha Horsfield, CF North Okanagan executive director. “Her passion for business and devotion to owner-managed businesses makes Penny an invaluable member of the Community Futures North Okanagan team.”

Volunteers are the reason Community Futures can contribute meaningfully to the North Okanagan business community. For more information about how to volunteer with CF North Okanagan, visit futuresbc.com.

May 18, 2022/in News

Tasha Swite, owner of Spirit of the Lake Native Boutique, speaks to School District No. 22 students at the district head office May 5 for the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Day. Organizers hope to expand the event next year to include more learning, business pitches and opportunities to gain materials they need to take their business ideas forward.

When Tasha Swite introduces herself at the inaugural Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Day in Vernon, she says: “I’m a mother. I’m a wife. And I’m a fourth-generation entrepreneur.” Also, the first woman among that long line of self-employed Swites. Tasha Swite is the owner of N’ha-itk, Spirit of the Lake Native Boutique in West Kelowna, and she was one of several people sharing her story of entrepreneurship to help educate and inspire Indigenous high school students Thursday.

“I put my whole life into my business—and I love every minute,” Swite told the students, now three years after taking the leap to open the gift shop that sells everything from intricately beaded earrings to handcrafted-in-BC rabbit fur moccasins. In addition to supporting Indigenous artisans, she says it’s also her way of sharing Syilx culture. Her great-grandfather was a trapper on Swite Mountain, her grandpa ran a horse corral and sold firewood, and her father ran a fruit stand and is now a contractor. “This, now, is my legacy as well.”

Giving Indigenous students from across School District 22 a chance to see themselves in other entrepreneurs was just one of several reasons why the district, along with Community Futures North Okanagan, set up the first Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Day, which ran May 5 at the district office.

“One of our wishes is that these students who want to start their own business someday will know that it’s absolutely possible, with hard work,” says Debbie Meyer, career coordinator, School District No. 22. “We also want them to know that they don’t have to do it alone—there are resources in the community to support them. And we wanted them to have that connection with mentors to make it more of a reality for them.”

(from left) Budding entrepreneurs and fellow Charles Bloom Secondary School students Chase Martin, 16, and Daniel Drysdale, 17, learn about what it takes to launch a business from several speakers during the inaugural Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Day.

Twelve students from across the school district attended the event, filled with activities and speakers from the local Indigenous entrepreneur community.

Daniel Drysdale, a 17-year-old Charles Bloom Secondary School student said the day has helped him begin to imagine his dream of running an HVAC business after he graduates.

“I liked hearing about other business owners’ stories, the challenges they’ve been through and how they’ve overcome them.”

Andrea Mack, a 16-year-old Kalamalka Secondary School student, says, “It has been a great learning experience. Now I know that starting a business is probably not going to be a straight line,” and her hands zig and zag to indicate the winding road that is running a small business.

Chase Martin, another Grade 11 student at Charles Bloom has already started a business, Insight Glowing, selling glow sticks and LED rings often sported at raves. What would he take away from the speakers? “That you need to follow your passion if you really want it to go further.”

Overhearing the excitement and imagining among the participants is a welcome response for Kazia Mullin, business services manager at Community Futures North Okanagan, co-organizer of the event.

“Entrepreneurship is really an important skill for any young person to have, whatever path they take It’s using your creativity and problem-solving skills, and we already know that these students come from a culture of creativity and overcoming obstacles, and they’re makers, so it’s a natural fit and we always want to support any opportunity to give young entrepreneurs a great start.”

Tasha Swite, owner of Spirit of the Lake Native Boutique, speaks to School District No. 22 students at the district head office Thursday for the Indigenous Youth Entrepreneurship Day. Organizers hope to expand the event next year to include more learning, business pitches and opportunities to gain materials they need to take their business ideas forward.

Next generation of Vernon business leaders find success with Community Futures

May 3, 2022/in News

Community Futures North Okanagan’s Fresh Trax program is a 16-week business launching pad for entrepreneurs aged 15-29

They’re young, they’re ambitious, and thanks to the support of a youth entrepreneurship program, they’re ready to launch their new businesses.

Vernon’s newest entrepreneurs have officially wrapped up Community Futures North Okanagan’s Fresh Trax program. Funded by the Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada through the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement, Fresh Trax equipped business-minded youth aged 15-29 with the skills, tools, coaching and funds needed to take a business from idea to launch in 16 weeks.

“Fresh Trax has really helped me take my business a lot more seriously. It helped give me a foundation and solid business plan,” says Theo Hansen, a musician and professional music instructor who teaches students how to DJ through his business Theo Hansen Music. “I was just looking for extra part-time work, went to Community Futures North Okanagan and it all sounded almost too good to be true. It truly has been a golden opportunity for me and my business.”

Separated into two parts, Fresh Trax kicked off with 10 weeks of business development. Each week, Hansen and other members of his cohort used interactive digital business planning tools and engaged in virtual group workshops and one-on-one mentoring. In the final six weeks, the participants took the findings of their self-paced learning and put them to work while implementing their business plans.

Throughout the program, participants also received living supports to help make building and launching a new business possible.

When Louis Saitowitz first heard about the program, he was skeptical. The Red Seal chef already had years of business experience behind him but sought extra support as he shifted into the owner-operator role of Okanagan Foothills Poultry.

Saitowitz sought to expand Okanagan Foothills Poultry through an innovative approach to expanding farmland. By renting land from local property owners, Saitowitz can expand production while the landowner earns money and the multiple benefits of farm status.

That’s when he met the Community Futures North Okanagan team and signed up for Fresh Trax.

“Fresh Trax is one of those opportunities that doesn’t come up often. I believe it’s time well spent,” says Saitowitz. “Even as someone who had business knowledge, it was good to go through the program. It was a great explanatory course that answers what it means to start a business, step by step.”

The program helped Saitowitz better understand the process for many of the administrative tasks he had done in the past. But, for Saitowitz, the real value was growing his network and hearing others’ business stories.

“I loved hearing how guest speakers started their businesses, got over the humps and refused to give up,” says Saitowitz. “You leave the program with the resources you need and a great support team standing behind you.”

Kitty Boda also had three years of experience running Miscellany + Co. before enrolling in Fresh Trax. Like many creators, Boda turned her passion for making wooden spoons, cold-pressed soaps and floral arrangements into a side business. After finishing the 2021 harvest at her farming job, Boda shifted her focus to Miscellany + Co.

“I came into it thinking Fresh Trax will help me figure out bookkeeping and the administrative side of my business. It did that, but it also got to the emotional side and talked about how to run a business sustainably,” says Boda. “It gave me a lot more confidence. I’m investing in myself and my business, and I can already feel it paying off.”

Before Fresh Trax, Boda says she felt like she was “just winging it. Now, I feel like I know what’s worked. I’m winging it wisely.”

Conspiracy Cosmetics crowned 2022 Enterprize Challenge champion

April 28, 2022/in News

VERNON, BC—”Did you know the average woman eats four to nine pounds of lipstick in her lifetime?”

From her opening line during the 2022 Enterprize Challenge finale at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre April 27 to the moment she was declared the first-place winner, Olive Butler of Conspiracy Cosmetics impressed the live audience and panel of volunteer judges with her thorough business pitch.

“I’m really surprised and thrilled,” says Butler. “I think it’s going to take a bit for it to fully sink in, but I’m so happy.”

Butler takes home more than $20,000 in prizes, including $5,000 in start-up capital, free business banking for one year, a legal package, marketing and web packages and more.

“I’m going to use the capital on packaging for my product so I can have a more polished-looking product,” says Butler. “I’m really looking forward to all of the support that comes from this Challenge.”

With the help of mentor Teresa Sanders, owner of FILL-Vernon’s Refill Store and the 2019 Enterprize Challenge victor, Butler refined her business plan for Conspiracy Cosmetics—a makeup brand that sells natural, low waste, vegan cosmetics with minimal and compostable packaging.

With an online store that connects customers with cosmetics no matter where they live and partnerships with local storefronts throughout the Okanagan, Butler is focused on growing her business and team with the support of the Enterprize Challenge and Community Futures.

Presented by VantageOne Credit Union, the 2022 Enterprize Challenge welcomed 28 participants and saw seven competitors present their final pitches to volunteer judges from VantageOne Credit Union, Sproing Creative, Nixon Wenger LLP, Wayside, and BDO Canada LLP.

With a plan to create a natural fertilizer by, “Turning a waste into a want,” Waste Not Wool’s Leanna Maksymik took home the People’s Choice Award sponsored by Sproing Creative.

In second place, Sean Ling-Allen of Centred Pilates leaves the Enterprize Challenge finale with nearly $10,000 in prizes. Third place, with a package valued at $6,000, went to James Stuart and Uplift Aero Greens.

“A common theme tonight is a care and concern for the environment,” says Beach Radio’s Rebecca Barton, emcee. “The Enterprize Challenge is about creating opportunity for North Okanagan businesses to start off on the right foot. They’ve all worked so hard on these pitches and should be proud to be up here tonight.”

The seven final pitch participants include:

Louis Saitowitz, Okanagan Foothills Poultry

Olive Butler, Conspiracy Cosmetics

Sean Ling-Allen, Centred Pilates Studio

Stephlynne Wilbrink, Wildflower General Store

Leanna Maksymik, Waste Not Wool

Adrianna Stange, Townships and Tales

James Stuart, Uplift Aero Greens

Wednesday’s finale marked the return of the Enterprize Challenge’s in-person pitching after a cancelled challenge in 2020 and a virtual event in 2021.

“The last two years have really been about flexibility and seeking new opportunities,” says Kazia Mullin, business services manager, Community Futures North Okanagan. “These seven finalists are great examples of entrepreneurs who have a dream, see possibility and understand that there are new opportunities in the market.”

Creativity leads the way for Enterprize Challenge finalists

April 25, 2022/in News

Community Futures North Okanagan’s business bootcamp returns to the stage, live at the Performing Arts Centre April 27

Inspired by businesses who were forced to pivot and find new ways to be successful, innovation is a key driver for this year’s Enterprize Challenge finalists.

“The last two years have really been about flexibility and seeking new opportunities,” says Kazia Mullin, business services manager, Community Futures North Okanagan. “These seven finalists are great examples of entrepreneurs who have a dream, see possibility and understand that there are new opportunities in the market.”

Hosted by CF North Okanagan and presenting sponsor VantageOne Credit Union, the 2022 Enterprize Challenge connected 28 new entrepreneurs with local business mentors. Over the three months leading up to the final pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on April 27, participants accessed online workshops and one-to-one coaching as they refined their business plans.

All 28 entrepreneurs who began the program in February had a unique business concept. The thread tying each of this year’s finalists together is a dedication to the environment.

“Many of the program’s participants are coming into the market with a product that is not only strong on its own but also has a low carbon footprint, is eco-friendly or uses compostable packaging,” says Mullin. “The environment is so important to young entrepreneurs.”

The seven finalists will share their business ideas with the community in a Dragons’ Den-style night of live pitches before a group of volunteer judges. The winner takes home start-up capital and thousands in business services prize packages.

This year’s finalists include:

Stephlynne, Wildflower General Store

The new Wildflower General Store is a modern take on general store shopping in downtown Vernon. With a relaxing and comfortable shopping experience, Wildflower sells a curated assortment of unique and affordable home goods including everything from stationery to table wear, jewellery, gifts and beauty items.

Leanna Maksymik, Waste Not Wool

As a rancher who raises sheep for fibre, Maksymik knows firsthand how much wool ends up in the landfill. After selling out of her own wool clip, Maksymik decided to gather fleeces wasted by other ranchers and process them for wool. But, with the incredible amount of dirty, unusable wool, Maksymik sought a way to keep wool out of the landfill. Through Waste Not Wool, Maksymik purchased a wool pelleting machine that turns unusable wool into natural fertilizer. As a result, Waste Not Wool is now a zero-waste business.

Adrianna Stange, Townships and Tales

Create a ripple of kindness through e-commerce: that’s the inspiration behind Townships and Tales. This curated subscription box supports small-town B.C. entrepreneurs and artisans through regionally themed seasonal boxes. Each box features between five and seven items, ranging from houseware and décor to personal care and artwork, and a hand-written note detailing an act of kindness made possible by the purchase. Through Townships and Tales, Stange has partnered with local mechanics to give single mothers free automotive repairs, completed yard work for seniors and even fixed a leaking roof.

James Stuart, Uplift Aero Greens

What if there were a way to increase year-round food security and save water at the same time? That’s the question that sparked Uplift Aero Greens. Stuart’s indoor lettuce farm uses aeroponic technology he designed himself to produce hundreds of heads of lettuce per week in an 800 square-foot, artificially lit building without any sprays or pesticides. And, Stuart says, each head of lettuce required only half a litre of water compared to an estimated 56 litres when grown in traditional outdoor methods.

Tickets for April 27 final pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre are free. Register online through Eventbrite to reserve a spot in the audience. Stay tuned for details about how to watch the event via livestream. Doors open at 3 p.m. Pitches start at 4 p.m. with the winners announced before the finale ends at 7 p.m.