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KelownaNow is rolling out a new series to showcase young entrepreneurs in our community.
Lately, it seems that more and more people under 40 are taking the plunge into business ownership.
We’ve been talking to some prominent people as well as some up-and-comers and have compiled a great assortment of stories to show what the Okanagan is made of.
From a 12-year-old who started her business to save up for a big purchase, to a man who is manufacturing multiple product lines in Asia, Kelowna is a hot bed of big ideas and hard work.
Not only are they sharing their stories with KelownaNow, but they are also sharing their secrets with our readers. For those who are toying with the idea of starting a business, it seems like the time is now.
Drew Vincent, officer of the Okanagan Young Professionals, said young people-- especially entrepreneurs--are thriving in the Kelowna business community.
He said many people have been exiting businesses in Calgary and Vancouver to come to Kelowna and start a business, especially those ages 30-40, with some people in their early 20s getting right into it after college.
One reason people seem to be drawn to the city, is because the community pretty heavily supports entrepreneurship, Vincent explained.
"I think more so than most other communities and cities. We really see it as a part of the fabric that makes up the community."
Because of the size of Kelowna and the Central Okanagan, Vincent said sometimes when someone is looking for a business opportunity, it means they have to create their own.
The pendulum swings back and forth, but the current generation is into entrepreneurship.
"The draw and the allure of being able to be responsible for your own actions and to ideally make your own hours is really an attractive thing to some people to be able to have that balance and know that if they work hard, then they are in charge of their destiny.”
You may be thinking, ‘Well people are starting businesses, but are they successful?’
Vincent said the answer is mostly yes, though success looks different for different people.
"I think I see most people succeeding at a level of supporting themselves. I think that there's a big gap in the private jets that people desire,” he said laughing. “I'm seeing a lot of people make it work, and sometimes that's hard.”
“It doesn't mean that they're flourishing but most businesses take years to do that anyways.”
To put your best foot forward, Vincent suggests reaching out to everyone you can as mentors are the key to success in many cases.
“I think the biggest mistake that I've seen many entrepreneurs make is a fear of failure and a fear of asking for help. We've got so many resources available to people who are starting their own business.”
For more on exciting businesses in the Kelowna area, stay tuned for the first installment of our series.
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