October 23, 2013

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star Z1

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Business Week 2013 October 20 - 26 2013

Proudly

creating a ripple effect in the

LOCAL ECONOMY

Considering Selling Your Business?

Community Futures provides succession planning support.

Assistance is available to help you sell or transition your business to a family member, employee or outside buyer.

Call us today.

3105 - 33rd Street in Downtown Vernon • 250-545-2215 ext 256 • info@futuresbc.com • www.futuresbc.com

Z2 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star

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Business Week 2013

Building a Business from Square One GRAEME CORBETT Morning Star Business Editor

From the floor of the family kitchen in Armstrong, to a prime storefront location on Vernon’s 30th Avenue, Rachelle Dixon has come a long way in 15 short years.

Dixon, owner and lead designer of Square One Apparel & Salon, has been handy with a sewing machine for half her life, starting when she would create custom prom, bridal and dance wear for family and friends out of her home.

“I took textiles from Grade 8 to 12 and realized I was good at it and carried it on,” said Dixon, 30.

“I ended up getting quite a few orders, so that’s where we really started. The dance wear was really big for me for the first few years. That was my bread and butter.”

While she still carries a full line of dance and athletic wear (the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club remains one of her oldest clients), Dixon has expanded into mid- to high-end ladies boutique fashion.

To stay abreast of industry trends, Dixon religiously watches the pre-season fashion shows featuring the big designer labels from around the world – Paris, Milan, New York.

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“All the clothing lines all over North America base their collections off these shows because that’s the trend setter for the industry,” said Dixon.

“I keep up with fashion as much as I can. It’s more than just knowing what is happening in fashion, it’s what are the Okanagan stores buying out of the lines that are coming into this valley.”

Dixon used to get giddy whenever she would be around town and spot a random person wearing her label. She still does.

“It’s hard not to walk up to them, even now, and say ‘I made that,’” she laughed.

Dixon will have to get used to increased Square One sightGRAEME CORBETT/MORNING STAR ings. In addition to three stores Rachelle Dixon, owner and lead designer of Vernon’s in Kelowna (Bella Clothing Square One Apparel & Salon, cuts out a pattern at Boutique, Green & Bear It her shop on 30th Avenue. and Influence Clothing), she now wholesales her line in Kamloops, Vancouver, Port Alberni and Invermere.

“It’s been cool to see how each store is building the line. It pushes me into different directions as a designer,” she said.

Square One is an in-season, cash-and-carry line, and they are in the midst of shipping their fall collection. As Dixon explains: “If I’m in fall, I’m selling fall. I have some spring, but for the most part I’m in-season.

“It gives me the opportunity to go to the shows and see what’s really happening in the industry for the next season before I build my collection.”

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star Z3

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Business Week 2013

CONTINUED FROM Z2 The wholesale expansion hasn’t been without its challenges. Aside from her mother, Cindy, Dixon has one other employee in apparel. She recently signed on with a small Vancouver company to take on some of the extra manufacturing because she has struggled to find qualified seamstresses locally.

“We haven’t been able to find sewers,” said Dixon, who has also found it difficult to find experienced customer service staff.

“There used to be so many here. We’ve had ads everywhere forever. I’ve probably had one resume in six months.”

Dixon said the advantage of outsourcing to Vancouver is the availability of a larger, more skilled garment and textiles workforce, thanks to a larger ethnic population on the Lower Mainland.

Dixon opened her first store seven years ago across 30th Avenue (now Carousel Consignments). Her mother owns the current building, and has been a rock for her daughter.

“As much as she is the financial backing, she’s been a big part of all the design and the process.”

$35

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Dixon, a member of the City of Vernon’s economic development board, diversified the Square One brand with the addition of an onsite hair salon that features two fulltime stylists. That venture came online shortly after she opened her new location on Christmas Eve, 2011.

After watching her parents grind out a living as hay farmers in Armstrong, Dixon vowed she would never work that hard to make a living. However, on many a night, she works until midnight. She is the company designer, janitor and errand girl.

“I don’t think I’d want to work this hard for somebody else, for any amount of money,” she grinned. “It’s not easy, and it never will be, but it’s definitely possible.

“You should be a little crazy. The hardest thing about being self-employed is the motivation it takes to do it.”

Without the support of other North Okanagan business, she isn’t sure Square One Apparel would be where it is.

“You have those connections that help make it work,” she said. “You work on trades, you help each other out, you refer people. It’s building a business in a community where you have the roots to do that.”

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Vernon Monashee

Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole Psychotherapist and Hynotherapist

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We provide • personal care • companionship • safety checks • medication administration • meal preparation • grocery shopping LE B A AFFORD CARE • housekeeping • and more

Whether you are looking to make positive changes in your personal, spiritual or professional lives, wanting to reduce your stress, or seeking to ease your pain, Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole‘s professional sessions can help.

As a highly trained and experienced professional, Phebe will assist you in discovering the sense of balance and inner peace you’re looking for. She will work with you to improve your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Dr. Poole believes that transformation occurs through gently accessing your own inner knowledge. Through self-awareness and self-acceptance comes healing of mind, body, and spirit.

250.307.3015

www.pjpoole.com pjp@pjpoole.com

Attentive Bookkeeping Service provides professional bookkeeping, payroll and government remittance services for sole proprietors and small to medium sized businesses.

Anne Tosse owns and operates Attentive Bookkeeping Services and offers twenty-five years of experience and knowledge in a variety of small to large companies and publicly traded companies.

Services provided such as books set up, accounts payable and receivable, data entry, government remittances, and account reconciliations are managed on the Simply Accounting Program. On site bookkeeping or pick up and delivery of bookkeeping services are available on a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis.

Attentive Bookkeeping also offers Simply Accounting set up and training as well as business coaching and consulting to assist you in successfully managing your business.

Attentive Bookkeeping Services

Phone: (250) 503-4979

Email: attentive.bookkeeping@live.ca

Z4 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star

Small Samantha Plovie Feng Shui Consultant

Samantha Plovie is a Senior Practitioner and Lecturer of Classic Feng Shui from the Feng Shui Research Centre in Toronto.

Studying directly with world-renowned Masters, Teresa Hwang and Joseph Yu, she consults with clients throughout North America.

With her extensive knowledge in the complex areas of Chinese Metaphysics, she helps clients achieve success. Feng Shui consults provide the foundation for a strong and healthy home, and thriving business.

BaZi (Destiny Analysis) provides direction and selfawareness so you may understand how to utilize your strengths effectively.

Samantha can help you: o achieve better health and wellness for your family o build stronger personal relationships o gain more financial security o climb that corporate ladder Together we can build a solid foundation for your success. If you want changes for tomorrow, then contact Samantha today!

“Success is a science. If you have the conditions, you get the results.” - Oscar Wilde

www.vernonmorningstar.com

Business Week 2013 Get the best value for Your Investment LEIGHA HORSFIELD

T

Special to The Morning Star

wenty years ago, for every worker retiring from the workforce, there were two young Canadians entering the job market.

That number has changed. In today’s labour force, we do not have enough Canadian workers to replace those that are retiring. This reality has implications for employers requiring staff, and small business owners looking to sell or transition out of their business.

In the next five years, 45 per cent of all businesses across B.C. will be looking to transition. In the Okanagan Valley, this will impact more than 14,000 small- and medium-sized businesses. Many of these owners are counting on the sale of their business to fund their retirement. With an ever shrinking pool of qualified buyers, and a competitive for sale market, small business owners will need to position their business very well in order to get the best value for their investment.

Many owners are unprepared for a sale. Some have limited knowledge of the tools and resources available to assist them in preparing their business for a sale, a family transition or an employee buyout.

To get started, here are a few things businesses can consider: ■ Identify the current strengths and future

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growth potential for the business.

■ Prepare for valuation by ensuring business information, market data, contracts and inventory are up to date.

■ Undergo a formal Leigha Horsfield business valuation to determine the worth of the business and its assets.

■ Prepare and normalize financial documents and having three years available.

The price for a failed business succession will be felt throughout communities across B.C. It will affect economic output, future business formation, community amenities and unemployment. The best way to sustain a strong economy is to support the health of existing business.

Facilitating and supporting succession planning is an investment Community Futures considers a top priority. We can assist with this planning to help ensure the business is prepared for a transition and secures the best return on the owner’s investment.

Leigha Horsfield is the business services co-ordinator with Community Futures North Okanagan.

Pardon Now Enterprises

Your Local Pardon, U.S. Travel Waiver & Digital Fingerprinting Specialists 1(866)997-2736 or (250)307-7104 www.PardonNow.com Located in Downtown Vernon

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star Z5

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Business Week 2013

Dresses For Every Occasion New “2014” Grad Gowns arriving weekly.

Don’t miss out on Your Colour & Style…

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Support Local Business

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Soap, Soap Nuts, Natural Lotions, Lotion Sticks, Bath Salts, Body Scrubs, Bath/Massage Oils, Floral Sprays

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www.latherupcanada.ca • contact@latherupcanada.ca

2904B - 32nd Street (Hwy 97), Vernon

TEL. 250.542.8255

Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong

Grand OpeninG

Open HOuse

✴ Saturday, Nov 9 ✴ Doors open 9 am ✴ Class at 10 am ✴ Refreshments ✴ Prizes FREE CLASSES nov. 11 - 16 Check us out!

Join Vernon’s Best Business Network at www.vernonchamber.ca

Jazzercise Vernon - Sally Benson

3704 - 32 Street, Vernon P: 250.558.9875 E: sallybenson_jazzercise@telus.net

This month’s Feature, available for a limited time

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Not just accessories!

Come see ALL that we have!

Many items exclusive to Pink Lady Bug

Great for Birthday Christmas and gifts for ‘ME’! fonts CAC Champagne Brockman Swash Bold

Michael Sowa & Sam Toft Prints Fedora, Felt & Wool Hats Train Cases Heelio Deelio’s Sling Bags Skull Merchandise Knitwits Originals Hair Accessories Scarves & Scarf Hangers Jewellery for all Occasions 3208 30th Avenue, Vernon

250-275-6767

— DANCE — HIGHLAND, STEP, BALLET, RECREATIONAL DANCE FUSION (JAZZ), TAP COMBO & LYRICAL CONTEMPORARY — BABY BALLET — — MUSIC — PIANO, HARP, GUITAR, PIPING AND DRUMMING —ADULT — BALLET BARRE, LYRICAL, FLEX ‘N FLO YOGA & PILATES

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NEW PILATES MAT — ZUMBA & ZUMBATOMIC In the Alpine Centre, Kalamalka Lake Road (next to Kal Fitness)

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www.argyllschool.com

JENNIFER

Z6 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star

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Business Week 2013 Beginner ADULT and SENIOR

PIANO LESSONS • Learn in 6-months what normally takes years!

• Play with both hands from the first lesson!

• Learn how to improvise in a group setting!

Makes a Great Holiday Gift!

Brian Sanjenko Home Inspector

Alba Healing Arts aims to support the body’s natural ability to heal and self-regulate by tapping into the innate “body knowledge” using the gentlest and least invasive means necessary to restore balance in an effective way.

This support is provided in a safe, sacred healing space for those who are drawn here.

Call Amanda Smiley 778-475-0085 www.EzeePianoSystems.com

P: 250-542-4351 • C: 250-309-0185 E: homeinsp@shaw.ca • License #47679

NEED CHILDCARE? Visit Our New Location Today!

Pet & Show Grooming 30 Years Experience 3410B 31st Avenue, Vernon, BC albahealingarts.com

We are a full service home inspection business, offering a wide range of inspection services to the Okanagan/Shuswap area anywhere within a 2 hour radius of Vernon. We will make every effort to answer all your questions, and do out best to inform you as to the condition of the home or building you are purchasing, and what the solutions would be to rectify any issues with the building.

Joy & Stu #B - 2813 35 th Street

250-545-8054

house of dwarfs daYCare & presChool #108-109, 5145 26th Street, Vernon • 250-542-3736 www.houseofdwarfs-daycare-preschool.com

Did you know…

CLEAN • BRIGHT • EFFICIENT Commercial, Drop-Off & Self-Serve Coin Laundry Service The Staff at Sunshine Laundry Express would like to send out a big THANK YOU to all our customers for their support in our first year of business.

It is our goal to provide an efficient, clean and reliable experience for all our customers.

Dirty Coveralls?

We clean them for $5 a pair.

Just drop them off anytime.

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… you can now BYO favourite wine for a small corkage fee!

Serving Vernon & area for the past 7 years!

For information call the House Watch Team Claudia and Ulrike

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260-0174 or 260-0155

Next to Tim Horton’s on Hwy 6

www.libertyhousewatch.com

3024 - 30th Ave, Vernon • 250-549-4438 email: info@crushbistro.com www.crushbistro.com

Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star Z7

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Business Week 2013

Small Businesses create critical jobs GEORGE DUFFY

I

Special to The Morning Star

f you watch the headlines, you might think that pipelines, LNG and mines are the bread and butter of B.C.’s business community.

And in sheer dollars, you’re right: these projects are economic game changers, with the ability to inject huge sums of money into B.C.’s economy.

But when it comes to actual employment numbers, there’s another sector writing more paycheques: the small business sector.

Small businesses, defined as businesses with less than 50 employees, make up 98 per cent of businesses in B.C. and account for a full 56 per cent of private-sector employment in the province.

And if 50 employees doesn’t sound “small” to you, dig a little deeper into the numbers and you’ll discover that a full 82 per cent of the small business count is made up of “micro” businesses, with fewer than five employees.

These small and micro businesses are a critical complement to the bigger players in B.C.’s resourcebased, export-oriented economy. It’s this diversity of players that makes our economy strong.

And, like their larger counterparts, small businesses bring unique strengths to B.C. Small business owners add energy, drive and entrepreneurial spirit to their communities. These entrepreneurs work tirelessly, determined to beat the sobering statistics about how many businesses fail.

And if they do fail, more often than not, these entrepreneurs regroup, come up with a better idea, and try again.

That’s a great spirit to have in B.C., a spirit of innovation, resourcefulness and determination.

It’s a spirit that helps our province dream big, bite off more than we can chew, and achieve more than we ever thought possible. And George Duffy it’s a spirit that drives positive, tangible action in our communities.

It’s a well-known fact that small businesses create critical jobs in communities. But if you attend local civic events, you might also know this: small business owners are often some of a community’s most engaged citizens, bringing leadership, common sense and out-of-the-box thinking to community projects and goals.

Not only do these entrepreneurs find time to build and beautify a community, but they’re often a voice of both reason and vision, challenging local politicians to spend sustainably, plan for the long term, and take bold, forward-thinking action to build a brighter future.

So as B.C. celebrates Small Business Week (Oct. 20 - 26), consider all the small businesses you count on for your everyday goods and services, and take the time to celebrate that entrepreneurial spirit.

Because without our small businesses, B.C. would be far the poorer.

George Duffy is the general manager of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, and take advantage of our valuable resources.

Introduce yourself ... ✓ FREE listing in our online business directory ✓ Highly effective marketing and visibility opportunities ✓ Business advocacy

✓ Business relocation and recruitment information

Michelle Beeton After 17 years in the consumer finance industry Michelle Beeton has joined the LendingMax team as a licensed mortgage specialist.

Michelle can assist you with buying a home, refinancing your existing one, consolidations or renovations.

3550 Bridge Street, Armstrong • 250.546.8155

Authorized Parts Canada & Motovan Dealer

#1 - 4600 29th Street, Vernon Behind Canadian Tire 250.545.3379

www.thunderalley4600.com

Each year, South of Pine Street hosts two fashion shows at the Vernon Golf and Country Club. All proceeds from these fun events, which includes dinner and fashions, goes to Vernon Hospice House.

✓ Invitations to attend educational seminars and networking events

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GLOVES & ACCESSORIES

Stop by and check out the latest selection of jewelry

by Vancouver artisan, Karyn Chopik, the fun colors of the ever popular Hanky Pankies or the newest styles of Nelson’s own Lille and Cohoe’s hats .

✓ Business development programs

ARMSTRONG SPALLUMCHEEN

CHROME • SADDLEBAGS • TOUR PACKS

is a charming heritage home on Pottery Road filled with ladies fashionable treasures! Carrying designer lines such as Sympli, Cut Loose, Velvet, Chalet, Sandwich, Eric Alexandre, Tribal, Jag, Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, and more, Shella Ledingham, owner operator provides a unique shopping experience for ladies looking for affordable quality clothing.

business becomes a member of the Armstrong

If you are interested in learning more about how we can work for you and your business, please visit us online at www.aschamber.com, or call 250.546.8155

CLOTHING • FOOTWEAR • HELMETS

South of Pine Street

Introduce yourself to the community when your

Community

THUNDER ALLEY Hawg Pen

Store hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10:30-5:00.

Drop in, have a latte and biscotti while you enjoy a quiet, non pressured shopping experience!

As a licensed credit counsellor, Michelle can assist you with any credit issues, re establishing your credit or if just want budgeting help.

If you are looking for mortgage financing or you want to put your finances in order, call

250-549-0945.

Michelle at …

mbeeton@lendingmax.ca michellebeeton.com

476 Pottery Road,Vernon Phone: 250-558-5159 Cell: 250-308-9814 www.southofpine.com

Z8 Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - The Morning Star

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Business Week 2013 Signing up for renewable natural gas is really easy.

You’re working with a trusted partner in FortisBC, and it’s not just benefiting your own company, it’s benefiting the community.

Duncan Johnston, CFO Purdy’s Chocolatier

Purdy’s Chocolatier said YES to renewable natural gas At Purdy’s Chocolatier, they work as hard to reduce waste and emissions as they do to make decadent chocolates. So they signed up their Vancouver distribution centre for renewable natural gas, a carbon neutral* source of energy derived from local organic waste.

Sign up your business for renewable gas at fortisbc.com/rng.

Renewable natural gas is currently available for homes and businesses in the Lower Mainland, and Inland (Interior and North) and Columbia (Kootenays) regions. *FortisBC’s renewable natural gas has been designated as carbon neutral in B.C. by Offsetters.

FortisBC uses the FortisBC Energy name and logo under license from Fortis Inc. (13-023.5 10/2013)

13-023.5_RNGBusinessWeekPrintAd_P1.indd 1

10/15/2013 11:02:37 AM

fashion. beauty. décor.

Viisit the Sho ops on Anderson and discover the

4800–5100 Anderson Way fb.com/theShopsOnAnderson