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In the summer of 2016, KelownaNow rolled out a new series to showcase young entrepreneurs in our community.
As more and more people under 40 take the plunge into business ownership, how could we ignore their valiant work?
We’ve been talking to some prominent people as well as some up-and-comers and have been publishing a weekly story about them and their business.
Not only are they sharing their stories with KelownaNow, but they are also sharing their secrets with our readers.
So far this year, we’ve talked to Crimson Hair Salon owner Tara Sebastianis, BNA owner Kyle Nixon, Amy Rauscher from MOGA Moms and the Gordey sisters from Naked Cafe, to name a few.
“We really appreciate what you guys do for the community,” said Naked Cafe co-owner Tessa Gordey. “It helped us a lot.
“You guys portrayed our business how we would’ve wanted it portrayed and you really got to the heart of it.”
Since the story was posted, Gordey said new customers have come in, saying they discovered the cafe on KelownaNow.
“Really it just takes someone coming in the door and knowing you’re there.”
In October, Kelowna was ranked as the top entrepreneurial city in Canada by the Financial Post, something experts say shows the city's vibrance.
"Entrepreneurship is important because it helps a community,” said Dr. Julien Picault, a professor of economics at UBC told KelownaNow. “Entrepreneurship can form the backbone of a city’s economy because it creates jobs that pay well and are enjoyable.”
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 are excited about being part of the Kelowna business community.
"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,” he said.
For more on exciting businesses in the Kelowna area, check out our previous stories and stay tuned in the new year for more.
KelownaNow is looking back on 2016, a year of impactful news locally and worldwide. Stay tuned until New Year's Eve to see what we think our biggest stories were over the past year.
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