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.

Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) has prepared the 2024-2025 Annual Report, marking an incredible 40 years of dedication to fostering economic growth and sustainable development in the North Okanagan region.

This past year has been particularly successful, showcasing our commitment to growing communities one idea at a time.

In 2024-2025, CFNO significantly supported local businesses and entrepreneurs. The organization provided 13 business loans totaling over $1.59 million, and offered business counselling to 981 entrepreneurs and small business owners.

CFNO’s programs also saw 37 businesses and not-for-profit organizations participate in peer-mentoring programs, and 120 business workshops were delivered to 660 participants.

CFNO’s employment programs also made a tangible difference with 34 youth participating in The Employ Program, leading to 30 youth successfully transitioning to work or school. The report also highlights our community economic development initiatives, including the successful Enterprize Challenge, which provided start-up capital and prize packages to aspiring entrepreneurs.

As CFNO reflects on 40 years of service, the organization remains committed to creating opportunities for growth and success in communities throughout the North Okanagan. 

We welcome you to view the full 2024-2025 Annual Report linked here. Also available, previous years’ Annual Reports and Financial Statements are linked here. 

Working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Community Futures North Okanagan and Community Futures Shuswap is pleased to announce the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) in the North Okanagan/Shuswap region. This initiative aims to support economic development by strengthening the region’s capacity to attract, integrate, and retain a skilled workforce. RCIP will play a vital role in addressing persistent and emerging labour market needs and assist with tackling demographic challenges in our communities.

The pilot program focuses on attracting foreign workers to fill jobs in five broad categories crucial to the local economy:

• Health
• Education, law and social, community and government services
• Sales and service
• Trades and transport
• Manufacturing

The first intake window for prospective candidates will be from May 12 to May 26, 2025. A comprehensive schedule outlining the full application process and timelines is available on the RCIP program website https://rcipnorthokanaganshuswap.com/

Local employers will play a central role in the RCIP program. To participate, employers must become designated and participate in mandatory training to become approved. Once designated, they will be eligible to apply on behalf of qualified employees or candidates.

“This pilot represents a significant opportunity to address the critical labour shortages facing our region,” says Leigha Horsfield, Executive Director of Community Futures North Okanagan. “By attracting skilled workers and supporting their integration into our communities, we can address critical labour shortages and grow the workforce in the North Okanagan/Shuswap.”

Community Futures encourages local employers to visit their website for detailed information about RCIP, including eligibility criteria, and application processes: https://rcipnorthokanaganshuswap.com/

Further information about the Rural Community Immigration Pilot program can be viewed here: Canada launches Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots – Canada.ca

Five female entrepreneurs from across the North Okanagan make it to the finale!

VERNON, BC—From small-scale farm operations to software development services, Enterprize Challenge 2025 finalists are bringing exciting business ideas from all corners of the North Okanagan.

Presented by AgileBK, the 10th annual Enterprize Challenge will culminate in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on May 8th, 2025. Over the past two months, the finalists and other participants worked with local business mentors and attended workshops as they refined their business plans.

“Although we experienced a slow start to registration in January, we’ve observed remarkable innovation from new businesses across the entire region participating in this year’s Enterprize Challenge,” says Margo Fleming, Business Advisor, Community Futures. “We’re incredibly inspired by the creativity and dedication displayed by this year’s finalists, who represent the best of small-town and rural entrepreneurship in the North Okanagan.”

The winner of the Enterprize Challenge, voted on by a panel of volunteer judges at the end of the final pitch in May, takes home start-up capital and more than $50,000 in business services prize packages.

This year’s five finalists include:

Dora – Ecotecture

Dora Anderson, Ecotecture Design Inc.
Building a green future, brick by sustainable brick is Dora Anderson with Ecotecture.

Founded in 2024, Ecotecture has emerged from a collective of diverse eco-certified professionals that are passionate about making sustainable & resilient building development mainstream in order to protect our otherwise vulnerable community. Right now, the Ecotecture team is hard at work developing new specifications grounded in leading green building standards like Passive House, Net Zero, LEED, and WELL.

In Dora’s experience, our built environments have for too long followed linear, wasteful, and frankly, environmentally harmful practices. From the materials and systems we use to the way we construct and furnish our spaces, the impact on our planet and our well-being has been significant. At Ecotecture, Dora and her team believe it’s time for a change – a significant shift towards a circular economy mindset in building that encompasses people, place and planet.

This means embracing sustainable building practices that contribute to healthier, more resilient spaces and a greener future for all of us – where we live, work, and play.

Kylee – Vicky’s Play Place

Kylee Howard, Vicky’s Play Place
More than just play, discover the heart of community at Vicky’s Play Place by Kylee Howard.

Vicky’s Play Place has grown out of Kylee’s own experience with her young family, seeing first-hand the need in the North Okanagan for a play and family connection hub.

At Vicky’s Play Place, play is the heart of childhood, igniting imaginations and fostering development. But Kylee also understands that connection is the bedrock of a strong community. That’s why she’s lovingly designing a space where both kids and their families can thrive.

Imagine a safe and dynamic environment where children can explore a multi-level play structure, perfect for climbing and adventure. For the littlest ones, Kylee is planning to have a dedicated toddler zone, a haven for safe imaginative play and gentle tumbling. Vicky’s Play Place is in the development stages and gaining community support fast.

Shelley – North Okanagan Consulting

Shelley Lavigne, North Okanagan Consulting
Navigating the permit maze, Shelley Lavigne and North Okanagan Consulting are your guides.

North Okanagan Consulting is your trusted partner, dedicated to ensuring your projects proceed smoothly and efficiently by expertly navigating the sometimes-daunting world of permits.

Shelley’s goal is to provide vital support to contractors who might lack the time or resources to effectively manage the intricacies of permits. Imagine freeing up valuable hours to focus on what you do best – building and creating – knowing that your permit needs are in capable hands. North Okanagan Consulting offers professional permit management services, easing your workload and allowing you to concentrate on the construction itself.

But Shelley’s commitment doesn’t stop there. Homeowners often feel lost and confused when faced with permit applications and regulations. That’s why North Okanagan Consulting aims to empower homeowners with expert permit consulting, providing clear guidance and support, enabling homeowners to confidently manage the permitting process for their own projects, big or small.

Kaitlyne – Sweetpea Farms

Kaitlyne Peden, Sweetpea Farms

From the pastures to your plate, Kaitlyne Peden and Sweetpea Farms bring quality meat products, raised with pride to the North Okanagan.

Sweetpea Farms is a small-scale, family-owned farm, just a stone’s throw from Vernon, dedicated to bringing you the finest quality meat and meat products, raised right here in our fields with the utmost care and respect.

For Kaitlyne, it’s more than just farming; it’s a commitment to our local community, to ethical animal husbandry, and to the pride that comes with knowing exactly where your food comes from. Kaitlyne specializes in pasture-raised pigs and poultry, and we’re excited to share that cattle will be joining our happy farm family soon!

And Sweetpea Farms’ dedication goes beyond the animals themselves. Kaitlyne is also passionate when educating others about animal care and sustainable farming, especially how caring for our land to ensures its health and vitality for generations to come.

Amber – Your Friendly Dev

Amber Wetherill, Your Friendly Dev

Your Friendly Dev will be your new “Techie Bestie”.

Your Friendly Dev offers friendly, people-first software development and tech consulting to local small businesses and non-profits in the North Okanagan. Backed by technical expertise and a passion for empowering others, YFD helps clients get seen online, streamline their systems, and build confidence with tech that works for YOU.

Amber founded Your Friendly Dev after seeing a gap for women and other underserved entrepreneurs wanting help with their websites, SEO, tech strategy and more.  She’s excited to use her geek for good to empower our local businesses to use tech effectively, save time, and solve those pain points.

Examples of other services they will offer include: technical audits, software training, change management, technical liaising, and more – all with a friendly approach. Whether clients need full implementation or just a hand with the tricky parts, YFD meets them where they are and helps them move forward.

With a commitment to kindness, quality and innovation, Your Friendly Dev is built to be the go-to tech partner for small businesses at every stage of growth—local, trusted, and ready to help.

Join this year’s five finalists for a night of live pitching in front of a panel of volunteer judges on May 8th, 2025 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m. Pitches start at 6 p.m. with the winners announced before the finale ends at 9 p.m. Tickets are available here.

The talk of tariffs has everyone unsure of what’s to come, and Community Futures North Okanagan has found help for local businesses.

In partnership with the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures North Okanagan will offer two workshops – one virtual, one in-person – led by Amber Piche of Export Navigator BC.

In times of turmoil, it’s important to understand the risks of doing business and how to mitigate them.

In the new workshop “Growing Your Market in Times of US Tariffs,” participants will:

• Learn the importance of market research and analysis for successful exporting.
• Discover how to effectively use data and analytics to compare and contrast potential
  markets.
• Understand the cultural, economic and political factors that can influence your market
  choice.
• Get practical advice on how to weigh different criteria that may affect your decision.
• Have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with export advisors who have
  successfully navigated the export market selection process.

Who should attend? Entrepreneurs, small business owners and large corporations looking to expand their business beyond their current market(s). If you’re considering exporting to an adjacent province or state, or you are looking to cross international borders, the market comparison

Workshop dates:

February 27th – virtual

March 12th – in-person

Questions? Please contact Kazia Mullin, Business Services Manager at Community Futures North Okanagan – kazia@futuresbc.com or 250-545-2215.