Success Story – Community Futures North Okanagan

‘Fantasy becomes a reality’: Echo Lake Resort fully booked in new owners’ first season

August 15, 2022/in Success Story

The sound of kids laughing fills the air as a young family throws a frisbee on the main lawn. On the lake, generations of families cast a line into the water in hopes of reeling in an eight-pound Rainbow Trout.

Originally built in 1943, the nearly 80-year-old resort has drawn generations of families who love the rustic charm of Echo Lake. For Echo Lake Resort’s new owners Sara Spearman and John Elley, seeing people enjoy the space and connect with nature makes the months of hard work and uncertainty all worthwhile.

“Everyone who comes here says it’s their special place. They’re able to overlook the small quirks that come with simple living,” says Spearman. “What actually matters is that people can come together.”

Elley and Spearman purchased Echo Lake Resort at the start of 2022. Former investigators for the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia, the couple decided it was time for a change. With an interest in real estate and a love of the outdoors, Spearman and Elley decided to buy a resort.

That’s when the couple hit their first roadblock. Their dream of a fishing resort that brought families together outdoors was outside the traditional commercial mortgage structure of hospitality and tourism businesses. For Spearman and Elley, that would’ve meant unrealistic interest rates and unattainable loans from traditional lenders.

If they wanted to breathe life into their dream, they knew they needed to find another way. And then their accountant and good friend, Debra Neufeld, recommended Community Futures.

“We were in the right place to meet the right people and the right lender at the right time,” says Spearman. “Community Futures helped our fantasy become a reality.”

The couple’s love of the Cariboo started their search for properties north of Kamloops. But, after having little luck finding a resort that fit their vision and business plan, the search lead Spearman and Elley to the Okanagan.

“I broadened our horizons and saw Echo Lake Resort online. I told Sara, ‘This place is stunning. You should look at it.’ Sara asked if it was in the Cariboo, and when I said no, she said she wasn’t very interested,” Elley laughs. “But Sara came back a week later after looking at it online and we arranged to go see it. As Sara was on call, I viewed it alone on a beautiful September day, and it was absolutely amazing.”

Sara viewed the pictures and by Halloween, they had an accepted offer.

Excited to launch their new careers and lives in the Okanagan, Spearman and Elley reached out to Community Futures North Okanagan in the fall of 2021. While Spearman and Elley refined their business plan, Scot McNair, Community Futures North Okanagan loans coordinator and business analyst, worked alongside the couple to secure funding.

“There were a lot of risk points that needed to be mitigated, and Community Futures helped guide us through the process,” says Spearman, noting the need for special insurance policies and transferring the BC Park Use Permit to operate the resort. “The timeline was tight. We had to make a lot of things happen with a lot of balls in the air. It was very challenging.”

Conditions were removed in January and Spearman and Elley took possession on April 2. The couple packed their bags, left the Lower Mainland and got to work.

With only a few short weeks before the start of the season in May and fresh snow still falling in the Okanagan, Elley and Spearman had one month to turnover campsites and make improvements.

“It was overwhelming. After the first week, I said to my best friends who came to help that even my fat hurts. I was so not ready for this,” says Elley. “But you just have to be able to roll with the punches.”

In the weeks that followed, Spearman, Elley and, later, their two new employees Maggie and Dean, made improvements such as adding hot water to the bathroom sinks, installing paper towel dispensers in the bathroom and making the lawn and campsites shine.

With a fully booked summer to start their first year in business and next year already 80 per cent booked, they’re confident they’re on the right path. But, for Spearman and Elley, the real highlights have been teaching a group of young kids to fish and seeing families connect and recharge offline.

“The year of start-up trials and tribulations was all worth it,” says Spearman. “It’s not just the location in the Okanagan or the cabins, it’s a special lake in a special valley and it will always be like this. We don’t feel like owners. We’re caretakers and stewards. And we’ll steward it towards its future.”

Want to learn more about Community Futures North Okanagan’s flexible business loans? Reach out to our business advisors at 250-545-2215 or visit futuresbc.com.

Textile shop creates safe space for all in downtown Vernon

June 27, 2022/in Success Story

Sally Snarf didn’t know that they were creating a safe space for Vernon’s LGBTQ2S+ community until a famous Canadian drag performer told everyone to check out Furhouse: Vernon’s new queer hangout.

It was the start of April in 2022 and thick snow blanketed Silver Star village. Rebellious Unicorns, an inclusive events, broadcasting and media company, was in town to bring about the return of Peak Pride, the largest series of Winter Pride Events. After a glorious weekend celebrating LGTBQ2S+ in the North Okanagan, the community gathered on the final day of Peak Pride for the Drag Brunch and Toddy of Call Me Mother (a Canadian reality TV drag competition) and renowned two-spirit drag star Ella Lamoureux, also a Call Me Mother contestant and House Mother at Friends of Dorothy’s in Kelowna, helped Snarf realize the vision for Furhouse.

“I didn’t foresee I was creating a queer space until Toddy told everyone to check out Furhouse. I thought I just had a sewing shop,” Snarf smiles. “There are so many queer people who are ready to be loved and seen and take up space and not apologize.”

Snarf left Peak Pride energized. For eight months, Snarf had been working with Community Futures North Okanagan to bring their idea for a creative space focused on textiles, sewing and community to life.

That dedication to cultivating Vernon’s queer space took hold. With the local queer community, Snarf began planning Vernon’s Pride Week set for Aug. 8-14 and within weeks Rebellious Unicorns was back in town on June 4 for the Fruit Cake Drag and Dance Party—being hosted at Furhouse and featuring Lamoureux and Wanda Lust.

“I’ve never seen any kind of magic like that in Vernon. People danced until 1 a.m. and it was so extraordinary to see queer people feeling comfortable in this space,” says Snarf. “While it’s a textile shop, it’s also become this other thing I didn’t anticipate. Furhouse has become a recipe for healing in the community. It’s a space where people can just gather and be.”

Rebellious Unicorns brings the Fruit Cake Drag and Dance Party to Furhouse in Vernon June 4. (Lianne Viau Photography)

During the pandemic after losing their job as a tattoo artist in Vancouver, Snarf started an online store to share their handmade jewellery, prints and accessories. As restrictions began to ease, chronic pain from tattooing and a diagnosis of depression, anxiety and ADHD forced Snarf to make a change and return to the Okanagan.

“Furhouse happened because of challenges I didn’t expect,” Snarf recalls. “It was really hard for me. I needed a studio to thrive. I needed a place to create.”

Situated in the heart of downtown Vernon, Snarf secured the location in May 2021 and soon after met Community Futures North Okanagan’s Business Services Manager, Kazia Mullin, who introduced them to the self-employment program.

Through Furhouse, Sally Snarf creates a sense of community for Vernon’s LGBTQ2S+. (Greg Huszar photo)

“I grew up being told by society that I wasn’t supposed to ask for help, and that’s just not the reality for a lot of people. It took a lot to be able to say that I need help,” says Snarf. “Community Futures helped me to see that I need to do things differently. They were really encouraging and made me realize that I’m not alone.”

For the first 13 weeks of the self-employment program, Snarf worked with Community Futures and professional editor Janice Love to develop their business plan before officially opening the doors in January.

“Every little piece of understanding myself and letting go of what people think has helped me take care of myself in a way that I need to run a business,” says Snarf. “It has been a wild ride and there has been no shortage of curveballs.”

Snarf says Furhouse wouldn’t be what it is without the help of Community Futures, Janice Love, Mel Schmidt of The Simple Clothing Company, their family, the community and, especially, their partner April Olson.

“Furhouse made no sense to anybody for a long time. It was so chaotic and a direct representation of my struggle with mental health and finding a place for my creativity within the community,” Snarf says. “Now, when people see the bright colours and queer people see the rainbows, they feel good here. It’s a space for everyone no matter where they come from.”

With supplies, classes, restoration services and more, the retail aspect of the business has grown and evolved over time. And, throughout Furhouse’s growth, Snarf’s dedication to creating a safe and creative space has thrived.

“People still say they don’t get it, but in a positive way,” Snarf smiles. “I don’t think you need to get it. Just come inside and experience it for yourself.”

Want to learn more about the self-employment program? Visit Community Futures North Okanagan at futuresbc.com.

‘Camaraderie with other business women’: Momentum helps salon grow

April 8, 2022/in Success Story

It’s late afternoon and the sun beams in to the salon, brightening everything: the mirrors, the shiny nails in the latest purple, the curling irons, the eyes of women, smiling. The talk is of spring, of trips to Mexico, of moving, kids and work. There’s laughter. As Eileen Fox glances up from hand-painting her client’s nails, she sees it: the community and good vibes she has built.

Fox was 23 when she opened Cheek to Chic Salon and Spa in the mall in 2008. She’d recently finished training as an esthetician school in Kelowna when she saw an opportunity to open a salon in Vernon.

“I wanted to create an all-inclusive salon where you could get everything done and offer the kind of premium makeup found at boutiques in bigger cities,” says Fox, whose parents both owned businesses growing up. As she began to make plans to open Cheek to Chic, Fox opted to create her own line of makeup and skincare, and she also launched mobile hair and makeup service for weddings and graduations.

That first summer, things were good: The salon’s offerings quickly caught on and she had so much enthusiasm and energy for this business that seemed to have so much possibility. A few months later, the financial crash of 2008 happened. Eventually, things picked back up but over the next few years, Fox carried on, despite the strain of mall hours and rent, and a growing team. The business shifted from a 530 square foot space into one more than twice the size a few doors down.

“I was getting to a point where it felt like I was so burnt out, I didn’t know if I could do it anymore.”

By the spring of 2020, just ahead of months of pandemic closures, that ‘burnt out’ feeling had gone from hard to almost impossible. Then, a client mentioned Momentum, a Community Futures North Okanagan program for women entrepreneurs. The client, also a Momentum participant, told Fox about the learning and mentorship, the funding for business development and the forum for sharing struggles.

“Why don’t you look into it?” the client had said.

Fox, who had long recognized a need to gain more business management skills, was soon in the next intake, and the timing couldn’t have been better. That summer, with all the challenges of COVID, Fox would have to find a way to renew her joy for the business, and make it sustainable.

“For a long time I’d felt like I needed to be a part of some camaraderie with other business women, to have a safe space to bounce off ideas and share your wins and your struggles.”

Fox appreciated the program’s first steps, which include uncovering your values and gaps in processes, policies and operations.

“Working out the values was super important because that can get a bit lost and it grounds you. It reminds you of why you’re doing this,” says Fox. “With Momentum, I finally felt like I’d caught a break and could move forward.”

In addition to using some of the business development funding for employee contracts and developing an online store to sell her makeup and skincare, Fox set her sights on a location that would better serve her and her team. In January 2022, Cheek to Chic moved into a new 1,300 square foot space on Anderson Way—a game-changing step that’s given her and her team much more work-life balance and calm.

“Momentum helped me fight one more fight,” she says. “It’s so important to have the chance to be open and honest with other business owners who are going through the same things.”

Cheek to Chic is now hoping to reach markets beyond Vernon with its skincare and makeup, and Fox hopes to mentor other young women breaking into the salon industry.

Are you interested in Momentum, the business accelerator for women entrepreneurs? Visit CF North Okanagan at futuresbc.com.

Ready to Grow: How Anna’s Vitamins Plus Scaled Up through Momentum

April 8, 2022/in Success Story

Early in her twenties on a Friday night shift at a bulk health food store, a coworker took Daina Bull under her wing and shared everything she knew about the healing power of supplements and foods. It was the beginning of a lifelong career and passion for Bull, and after eventually buying her own natural health products store—Anna’s Vitamin’s Plus—she found herself hoping for the same kind of mentorship in running a business.

“Here I’d had this great mentor to guide me in learning about vitamins and healthy lifestyles, and I had people to encourage me along the way, but I wanted to develop my management and leadership skills and I didn’t have the same kind of mentor for that,” says Bull. She bought Anna’s Vitamin’s Plus in 2004 after moving to Vernon from Salmon Arm, where she’d spent six years working at two health food stores.

“I was here looking at what was out there and saw the ad that Anna’s was for sale,” says Bull. “My husband at the time said, ‘You do all of that for someone else.’ I ended up buying it and never looked back.”

Named after the previous owner’s mother, Anna’s was located in an 800 square foot space in Vernon Square, “a door amongst many doors,” says Bull, who soon bought a converted house on 27th Street and instantly doubled the store’s size. Anna’s carries everything from supplements to help with sleep and immunity to bulk herbs and natural shampoo bars.

Early on and over the years, Anna’s grew a loyal following of customers who appreciate the store’s extraordinary customer service and array of bulk and local natural products. In 2006, Daina gave birth to a daughter who “grew up in the store” (and is now a part-time team member). That flexibility was a bonus, says Bull, but being a new mom and new owner of a business “didn’t leave a lot of time for management courses.”

“I had lots of education in the field and I was great in customer service, but in running a business, I was kind of winging it.”

By 2021, a year after the onset of all the business challenges that came with COVID and a desire to take her business to the next level, Bull went out looking for help, and found it in Momentum—the business accelerator program for women run by Community Futures North Okanagan. Through funding, learning and peer mentorship, Momentum helps growth-minded entrepreneurs who are motivated to realize their business’s potential.

“I wanted to grow my business and get some guidance, and I just didn’t know how to go about it.”

Just a few weeks into the program, which takes participants through core sessions that focus on defining values, goals and opportunities as well as steps such as formalizing processes and employee contracts, Bull was seeing the difference.

“There’s running a business and doing everything, and then there’s managing a business and working smarter. This was a time of asking hard questions and getting the encouragement that I needed. We’d been this ‘mom and pop shop,’ but we were getting bigger and needed guidelines in place in order to grow.”

Through the Momentum funding for business development, Bull soon tackled one of her biggest business opportunities yet: launching an online store. The timing was ideal. The online shopping habits developed during COVID had spilled over, and people liked having the chance to do their ‘homework’ ahead of popping into the store or being able to order and get curbside pickup.

“As a whole people are thinking so much more about their health now, so going online and meeting that need was an ideal opportunity. I realized through Momentum that I don’t want to be bigger, I want to be better. This was part of that. Behind the scenes, I’m able to run the business much more smoothly.”

And when there are bumps, there are other women to share in the struggles and inspiration through peer mentorship calls.

“You realize, ‘I’m not the only one’ getting hit with things. It’s been so great to have the ideas and suggestions and support of the group. The motivation is huge: It’s holding me accountable in some of the things I want to do.”

What would she say to other women entrepreneurs considering joining Momentum?

“Truly, it’s that support of not doing it alone, having that guidance. We all share our experiences we save each other some headaches.”

Interested in finding out if Momentum is for you? Learn more about the benefits of this unique business accelerator for women and apply.

Women with Momentum

July 27, 2021/in Success Story

From a craft cidery to a dance studio to custom metal fabrication, their businesses couldn’t be more different. But there’s one word that ties Missy Dobernigg, Becky Martselos, Holly Cleveland and their respective businesses together: Momentum.

All three have momentum guiding them through big changes and developments in their businesses, and each is a member of the Momentum Women’s Business Accelerator program run by Community Futures North Okanagan.

With 35 members across many different industries, Momentum helps women entrepreneurs realize their potential through access to business development learning, business coaching, government funding and a peer support network.

“It’s really easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, hustle and bustle of, ‘I have to get all this work done,’” says Cleveland, owner of Dimension Metal. “Momentum helps you stop and focus on running your business.”

On the heels of hiring an employee to aid in production, Cleveland was able to access government funding through the program to implement a new employee package as well as streamline administrative tasks through estimating software.

“Eight years ago, if you told me that I’d be running my own business, I never would have believed you. There were times in the first few years where it was touch and go. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work or not, but I had a support group around me that believed I could do it. Whenever things got tough, it always seemed to work out. I was able to just keep on going,” says Cleveland, who is now preparing to hire someone and hopes to expand her shop.

READ HOLLY’S STORY

Meanwhile, fellow Momentum member Becky Martselos is getting ready to start a dance academy in partnership with School District 22. Through the academy, local dancers can put their passion to work for high school credits and grow into Accentz Dance Studio’s welcoming community of dedicated dancers. Starting in September, 14 students from SD22 in Grades 8-12 will spend half-days training with Martselos and Accentz Dance Studio instructors as part of their curriculum.

“We really are a family. Some of the dancers spend as much time in the studio as they do at home,” says Martselos. “It’s amazing to see them growing into these beautiful women inside and out that have gained confidence through dance. That support and confidence comes from other students.”

As the only dance or fitness studio Momentum, Martselos of Accentz Dance Studio agrees with Cleveland on the benefits of the program.

“Whether you’re welding or picking fruit, it all applies,” says Martselos. “Plus, having an all-women group is amazingly supportive.”

READ BECKY’S STORY

Missy Dobernigg of The BX Press Cidery also has big plans for the ciderhouse this year.

After the cidery’s patio closes for the season, massive renovations will begin as The BX Press transforms to add indoor dining and a full commercial kitchen.

“We’re focused on farm-to-table dining as we grow the business. Our concept is unique for Vernon. With the expansion, we’d like to be able to expand the menu to reflect this passion,” Dobernigg says. “We take great care with the ingredients in our ciders. We use real fruit, never any artificial flavouring, and the apples are all grown right here in our orchard. We want our food to be the same way.”

And, with the substantial renovation plans starting soon, Dobernigg says she’s thankful to be involved in a community of growth-focused women entrepreneurs.

“There are some really inspiring women in the program,” says Dobernigg. “Running a business can be isolating. You’re never off. Having that intentional time to connect with other women entrepreneurs running the same grind is mentally uplifting.”

READY MELISSA’S STORY

Cleveland agrees.

“We’re all geared towards growth and just being the best boss ladies we can be.”

Are you a women entrepreneur interested in developing your business? Momentum Women’s Business Accelerator is open for applications for a September 2021 intake. Visit CF North Okanagan online at futuresbc.com.

Growth Sparks Opportunity at Dimension Metal

July 14, 2021/in Success Story

A flat deck trailer sits outside the Falcon Road shop. It’s an early Friday morning in the BX. Birds chirp to welcome the June sun that warms the shop through an open garage door.

Holly Cleveland sits at the far end of a long table. She’s spent the morning preparing for a long day in the shop. A smile crosses her face as she talks about some of her upcoming projects. She takes pride in crafting beautiful yet functional metalwork for her clients.

Through Dimension Metal, Cleveland has spent the past five years building custom railings for high-end residential properties. She does other work, she says as she gestures towards the flat deck for a truck outside, but railings are her specialty.

“There aren’t many aluminum welders in Vernon that do what I do. My goal was always to take over that niche in this area,” says Cleveland.

Cleveland excels at making complex angles appear seamless through hidden fasteners. Whether she’s fabricating ornate wrought iron, tensioning cable, or crafting elegant interior or exterior glass railings, it’s the small details that set her work apart.

“It’s important to take the time to be accurate and still acknowledge your mistakes,” she says, contributing Dimension Metal’s growth to her attention to detail and her values. “Now, I just have too much on the go so I need to hire somebody.”

Soon, she will welcome a new employee.

“I think legacy is so important when running your own business. I’ve always wanted to grow the shop beyond myself and extend the future of Dimension Metal,” Cleveland says as she rests her elbow on the table.

Warm weather radiates through the open garage door. Summer is starting in the Okanagan, and that means Dimension Metal is getting ready for its busy season.

“For the last three months, I’ve been quoting, quoting, quoting,” Cleveland says. “Just in the last two weeks, almost all have been approved.”

Cleveland looks around the shop, located in her father’s garage and smiles.

“Eight years ago, if you had told me that I’d be running my own business, I never would have believed you,” Cleveland says. “There were times in the first few years where it was touch and go. I wasn’t sure if it was going to work or not, but I had a support group around me that believed I could do it. Whenever things got tough, it always seemed to work out. I was able to just keep on going.”

She stands up and walks across the small space before crouching next to a large piece of equipment in the centre of the room. She lifts the thick rubber cable hanging off the side of the machine.

“I only have enough power to run two of these at a time,” she says as she drops the plug. “I want a bigger space, but I’ve been more focused on growing my arsenal of tools to fit a bigger shop first. I’ll make this work for a while longer if it means I can get another piece of equipment each year.”

But, with only enough power for two machines at a time, Cleveland is careful about what equipment she purchases and when.

The bigger problem that comes from her small space is planning.

“It takes time to be able to step back and be organized with eight jobs on the go and two people in the shop,” she says, her elbow once again leaning on the metal table along the shop’s eastern wall. “Sometimes, that’s hard to do. There are those nagging little things, cobwebs, in the back of your mind that need to get done. But when you finally do get them done, it makes everything so much better. It makes your little heart happy.”

Cleveland is part of a business accelerator program for women through Community Futures North Okanagan that she says helps her slow down and focus on the bigger picture of running Dimension Metal.

Through Momentum, she’s secured funding to create new employee packages and purchase estimating software to streamline the administrative process of running a custom metal fabrication company.

“It’s really easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, hustle and bustle of, ‘I have to get all this work done.’ Momentum helps me understand where I’m going with my business,” Cleveland says.

“Everybody, no matter what industry, comes across the same problems. It’s interesting to see how they deal with it. We’re all geared towards growth and just being the best boss ladies we can be.”

Are you interested in Momentum, the business accelerator for women entrepreneurs? Visit CF North Okanagan online at futuresbc.com.

Accentz Dance Studio Community is Moving into Schools

June 17, 2021/in Success Story

When indoor fitness came to a halt and classes were moved online last spring, Accentz Dance Studio director Becky Martselos wasn’t sure what the next year would bring for her students. But Martselos’ dancers rallied around their community. They remained dedicated to dance even when it meant spending hours practicing alone in their bedrooms.

“We really are a family. Some of the dancers spend as much time in the studio as they do at home,” says Martselos. “It’s amazing to see them growing into these beautiful women inside and out that have gained confidence through dance. That support and confidence comes from other students.”

As the dancers celebrate the beauty of the Okanagan with outdoor videos for their virtual recital, Accentz Dance Studio is ready for its family to get a little bit bigger.

Through a new Dance Academy through School District 22 (SD22) developed and led by Accentz Dance Studio director Becky Martselos, local dancers can put their passion to work for high school credits and grow into Accentz’ welcoming community of dedicated dancers.

Starting in September, 14 students from SD22 in Grades 8-12 will spend half-days training with Martselos and Accentz Dance Studio instructors as part of their curriculum.

“The students come to us with dance backgrounds. It’s not an elective subject where students can decide, ‘I’m going to learn to dance,’ at 16,” says Martselos.

Martselos and Accentz’ team of 16 dance instructors will work with students to find opportunities for individual growth. Students will set personal goals at the beginning of the course and have weekly check-ins with instructors to measure their progress.

“For the past 18 months, I’ve been talking with vLearn. In December, I proposed an official Dance Academy attached to the school district to the school board trustees,” says Martselos. “And, after three months of back and forth with the District Parent Advisory Council (DPAC) and trustees, it was accepted.”

But dancing, while the focus of the program, is only part of the new academy.

As Martselos prepares for hip surgery, she understands the need for injury prevention training.

“Physiotherapists will be in the class every other week to talk about injury prevention, training for longevity, and just taking care of the developing body to lessen the risk of injury,” says Martselos. “We’ll keep their bodies nice and healthy as we train because it’s so important.”

Becky Martselos of Accentz Dance Studio will welcome 14 students to the new Dance Academy through School District 22 in September.

Before starting SD22’s Dance Academy, Martselos and Accentz Dance Studio worked with School District 83 to offer a day program. Through the program, students spent five hours per week in the studio pursuing dance as an elective instead of traditional electives like woodworking or drama.

But, after running the program for a few years, Martselos noticed a flaw: only her current students were exposed to the day program.

“I just thought, there are kids at other studios that can really benefit from this and should be able to take advantage of the programming. Only, it wouldn’t be right for me to go to these studios because it might feel like I’m taking their students,” says Martselos. “I felt like I needed a bigger umbrella to operate under.”

In preparation for its inaugural year, Accentz’ Dance Academy will see six students from other studios and dancers moving to the area from the Lower Mainland and Kootenays.

“I’m in the process of working with the foreign student coordinator because I feel it would be an excellent program for exchange students,” says Martselos. “They’ll come straight into a community they’re familiar with. They’ll be embraced and supported right away by friends.”

Martselos’ own community, outside of Accentz Dance Studio, is a significant motivator in the studio’s growth.

While at a three-day training conference for dance instructors in Vancouver, Martselos received an email from Community Futures North Okanagan about a new program aimed at women in business. Called Momentum, the accelerator program connects like-minded and growth-focused entrepreneurs with resources and government funding to reach their business goals.

“I knew Momentum was what I really wanted. It was a no-brainer for me,” says Martselos.

Through the program, Martselos secured funding to build a new website, hire a professional photographer, and engage a lawyer. Beyond the funding, Martselos says the real strength of the program is in the connections between members.

“Even though I am the only dance or fitness studio in Momentum, everything we discuss applies. Whether you’re welding or picking fruit, you’ll learn something, and having an all-women group is amazingly supportive,” says Martselos.

“I’m so grateful to have spent the last two years growing with these women.”

Are you interested in learning more about Momentum? Visit CF North Okanagan online at futuresbc.com.

BX Press Cidery Expansion Plans Bear New Fruit

June 7, 2021/in Success Story

A sun sets above the orchard as the new indoor restaurant fills with laughter. Inside, guests bond over the season’s craft cider and artisan farm-to-table food. It’s an image that lies on the horizon for The BX Press Cidery.

If you had asked her when she opened the cidery, Missy Dobernigg would have told you that the cidery would never serve food. Now, more than eight years into the business that’s kept her family’s orchard alive, Dobernigg is preparing to do just that. When the cidery closes for the season in the fall, massive renovations to the iconic outdoor-only ciderhouse will begin.

“It’s lovely here when the weather is perfect, but not having indoor dining limits our season to three months,” says Dobernigg. “It’s a very different experience if you’re here during a thunderstorm compared to a beautiful sunny day.”

This year, Dobernigg extended the covered outdoor patio so guests can enjoy the cidery and its woodfire flatbread regardless of the weather. When construction begins in the fall, Dobernigg said the new patio will come down and the building will expand to add indoor seating and a commercial kitchen that overlooks the orchard.

“We’re seeing the demand for indoor dining. People really want a farm-to-table experience where they can connect with their food and its origins,” says Dobernigg. “It’s an opportunity that, right now, feels like a logical way for the business to expand. We would always regret it if we don’t take this opportunity.”

A concept image shows the indoor dining plans for BX Press Cidery’s upcoming expansion.

As Dobernigg prepares to renovate the cidery and make the most of the beauty of the orchard, she’s building connections with local growers and producers to craft the menu. Currently, the BX Press serves thin-crust flatbreads and charcuterie boards.

“We’re focused on farm-to-table dining as we grow the business. Our concept is unique for Vernon. With the expansion, we’d like to be able to expand the menu to reflect this passion,” Dobernigg says. “We take great care with the ingredients in our ciders. We use real fruit, never any artificial flavouring, and the apples are all grown right here in our orchard. We want our food to be the same way.”

Before the indoor dining overlooking the apple trees opens to the public, Dobernigg is starting the transition to full organic production at the orchard. That transition began in 2021 and will take roughly three seasons to complete.

“It will be a big change for the farm that will help balance the business,” she says. “We use about half of the apples we grow in the cidery, and the rest go to BC Tree Fruits for the fresh market.”

From the plans for an indoor commercial kitchen and seating to a fully organic orchard, Dobernigg says the business is expanding to support the needs of the community.

“When we were one of few craft cideries in the province, it was easy to get on the liquor store shelf. Now, there are close to 40 of us all vying for those same four shelves. But what we have here at the orchard is unique to and we want to share it,” says Dobernigg.

“The community has been amazing to us. Rather than pushing wholesale, we want to build our business in a direction the people in Vernon want to support.”

Missy Dobernigg is a member of Community Futures North Okanagan’s business accelerator program, Momentum.

As growth at the iconic North Okanagan orchard ramps up, Dobernigg says she is thankful for the support of like-minded entrepreneurs in Momentum, Community Futures North Okanagan’s business accelerator for women.

“There are some really inspiring women in the program,” says Dobernigg. “Running a business can be isolating. You’re never off. Having that intentional time to connect with other women entrepreneurs running the same grind is mentally uplifting.”

Through Momentum, Dobernigg secured funding for professional photography to promote her business, legal advice on contracts, and enlisted an HR specialist to aid in growing the cidery’s staff.

“Having access to these professionals has made a huge difference for my business,” says Dobernigg. “It’s had a tangible impact through available government funding and intangible impact through its discussion topics and speakers.”

But, most of all, Dobernigg is thankful for her community, both in Momentum and Vernon as a whole.

“I’m so grateful that opportunities continue to open up and that the community continues to stand behind us in whatever direction we take the cidery.”

Are you interested in learning more about Momentum, our business accelerator for women entrepreneurs? Visit CF North Okanagan online at futuresbc.com.

Armstrong Videographer Helps Community Carry on During COVID

April 16, 2021/in Success Story

Self-employment program graduate Mike Babott of Rhythm Productions uses his videography skills to help Armstrong businesses adapt to COVID-19

It’s a day when children race around the playground with syrup fingers from the pancake breakfast and red lips from the Canada Day cake. When hundreds of people stand on the grass under a July 1st sun to sing Canada Day together following a tribute to veterans at Memorial Park. It’s a day that’s loud, because the entertainers sing and dance and laugh with all their heart under the gazebo, above the squeals of children enjoying a free swim at the pool and all kinds of games on the lawn. This is Canada Day in Armstrong, for as long as most can remember. So, what would this community do in 2020, when COVID asked people to celebrate apart, at home?

Nearly one year has passed since the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, like so many others over the past year, was forced to adapt. The Chamber set out to bring the spirit of Canada Day to residents another way—online. Mike Babott, owner of video production company Rhythm Productions, was only too keen to help make their idea a reality.

“It’s a big to-do, and everyone was crushed that it was shut down, so we looked for a way to pivot and create an online event.”

Babott filmed personal messages from local officials, performances by dancers and bands, demonstrations by artists and even a homemade ice cream tutorial. Residents also got in on a Canada Day baking contest, a livestreamed car rally through town and a virtual dance party via zoom. Every half hour, the Chamber then released new videos via a special Facebook page so people could enjoy the festivities throughout the day.

“People loved that they could watch those videos when it worked for them, and they didn’t miss anything. We had people from all over, not just Armstrong, celebrate with us.”

By all accounts, the event was a success.

“People still had a day to connect and celebrate,” says Babott. “It turned into an amazing event and the community really responded to it.”

It was just one of several ways Babott has been able to use the power of video to help support his community over the last year.

Rhythm Productions has helped numerous BC organizations and events since opening in 2018.

The Armstrong-Spallumcheen’s ‘Cheese, It’s a Natural’ festival—a highly anticipated event held annually in September that normally draws hundreds of vendors and attendees—also had to make a change in 2020, and Babott was there with his camera gear.

“We said, let’s keep it going, let’s let people experience this festival from the comfort of their home.”

So, Babott went out and brought the dairy stories to the dairy community, filming a cheesy Farmstrong Cidery pizza being made, a cheesecake class with Orchard Blossom Honey, a tour of a dairy farm—and more.

“It turned into such a great event. The videos have had hundreds of thousands of views, and for a small city of 5,000 people and a small chamber to have that kind of presence online is remarkable.”

Once it was safe to reopen, the owners of Farmstrong Cidery wanted to help guests understand ahead of time what steps they’d be asked to follow, and the steps the staff would follow in this new environment. Babott packed his camera and drove up Salmon River Road to the popular cidery (where he is a regular).

The Farmstrong Cidery reopening walk-through video takes guests from the parking lot to being seated and ordering to paying their bill amidst arrows and masks and plexiglass, and it’s had more than 2,000 views.

“It was such a different experience, so they wanted to let people know in advance what to expect. They’ve said the video really helped because when people arrived, they already knew the drill and it saved their staff time in explaining so they could just focus on serving people.”

Behind the scenes with Mike Babott and Rhythm Productions.

Babott says visuals go a long way in helping people understand new ways of doing things they’ve always done, and consumers have shown this year that they have an appetite for connecting with their favourite brands however they can. If that’s video, Babott says it’s providing an important connection point and source of support.

Babott opened his business in Armstrong in 2018 after taking the self-employment program (delivered by Community Futures) through WorkBC Vernon. A member of the CF North Okanagan Business Exchange group, he says the organization’s continued support has made all the difference.

“They were always happy to answer questions or take a call to help me navigate opening my business, and without their support, I wouldn’t be here making videos.”

That support has also been important throughout difficult times as Babott sought out opportunities and silver linings. He says he’s grateful he’s had the chance to help his community make an impact through video.

“I love telling people’s stories.”

Are you considering becoming self-employed? Learn more about WorkBC’s Self-Employment program and eligibility requirements. Contact the WorkBC Centre in Vernon at 250-545-2215 ext. 233 or visit workbccentre-vernon.ca for more information.

Employ Participant Wakes up to a Brand, New Day

February 5, 2020/in Success Story

The alarm jolts Jareth Leo from a deep sleep. Rubbing his eyes, he checks the clock reading out the 6 a.m. wake-up call. With little time to get dressed, have breakfast, shower, and brush his teeth, Leo is determined to be on time for his daily commute.

The 21-year-old high school graduate woke up early willingly so he could catch a ride from his home in Cherryville to Vernon to be a part of the Employ Youth Employment Program offered by Community Futures North Okanagan.

Often one of the first participants to arrive, Leo spent those 10 weeks attaining valuable employment and life skills, with all the tools to help him succeed.

Banking on a Future

A self-declared Jack of all Trades, Leo has always had a willingness to learn. After graduating from Charles Bloom Secondary School three years ago, he found himself working in factories, which he says did not offer much in the way of job security.

However, the most significant barrier for Leo finding meaningful work was a lack of confidence.

“Before I would have looked at a job board and thought ‘I can’t do that,’” he says.

Admittedly shy, Leo says he spent the first few weeks of Employ sitting quietly in the corner, not wanting to associate with others. But he soon found his voice through partaking in workshops, talking to different business mentors, and working with Employ Job coach Angela Bushey.

“The interview skills were imperative. They also taught me how to make a document that was enticing and honest,” Leo says.

“Before I was thinking about bookkeeping jobs, then I thought they couldn’t teach you to be good at customer service, and what I really would like to do is work in banking,” he says. “People think it’s hard to get into, but what you really need is to have a good attitude and be a good team member.”

With support from Bushey, Leo sent his newly created resumé to employers where he could improve on his customer service skills. One of those businesses was the Subway restaurant franchise in Vernon’s Fruit Union Plaza.

“The interview went so well, they hired me on the spot,” Leo says, adding that Employ also helped him find a place to live in Vernon so he wouldn’t have to make the long commute to get to work.

“Now I have the energy because I don’t have a long commute. I can now walk to work and hope to work up the chain to a management position.”

Leo also just received his first review from his employer. Besides being attentive to detail, he was told he has a responsible attitude and can work with a team.

“They also appreciated me being on time,” he says.

Walking Through the Door

Leo not only credits the Employ program for helping him get to where he is today, but he also credits himself for being brave enough to tackle all the challenges he faced.

“Community Futures and Employ helped me find employment with me in mind and showed me jobs that I felt secure with and that I’m interested in. They taught me things that I didn’t know I was good at,” Leo says, adding, “If you’re willing to put in the effort and are provided with a way to get here, then it’s incredibly worth it. It helps with your attitude, confidence, and skills you need to improve on. It helps with talking to people that have connections and with employers. It’s a great resource… All it took was walking through the door.”

Are you or someone you know 16 to 30 looking for opportunities to improve employability/life skills while receiving a wage? The next intake of Employ starts March 16th, 2020. Contact Angie at 250-545-2215 ext. 215 to learn more.