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Great Business Success Stories
A huge range of ventures have been supported by Community Futures to help stimulate the Island and Coast economy.
Financial help, business advice, mentoring and training have all been part of the mix to encourage diversification and stimulate enterprise.
If you feel your business idea might catch our eye, check out the general Help with Business Finance page of this site and get in touch with your Community Futures local office if you wish to pursue the idea.
What follows are just a few success stories from a cross-section of businesses in both the manufacturing and service sectors in the Island Coastal Region.
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In Port Hardy, Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish started up with finance from Community Futures Mt Waddington and continued to receive support as it expanded, including a loan to renovate an old warehouse into a processing plant and retail shop. Now employing 15 people year-round in addition to seasonal staff, the company processes more than a million pounds of fish from both the commercial fleet and visiting sport fishermen each year. Owners Carol and Bruce Diram say getting the first loan wasn't all plain sailing. "They had us jump through all kinds of hoops," Carol recalls. "But the second loan was a lot easier because I guess they saw that we knew what we were doing." |
| Not far away in Port McNeill, Arend Munroe recently started up Island Gem Water, filtering tap water using a reverse osmosis process to remove 99.9% of particulates and then bottling it for onward sale. He also refills the 18.7-litre containers in which water is supplied after providing a cleaning service using a gas ozonator rather than harsh chemicals, further reducing any pathogens. "The water in Port McNeill is really good," he says. "I'm just making it a little bit better." |
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At Comox, Steve Roscoe's Woodland Flooring Company recently broke through sales of $1 million in a single year. Roscoe, his wife and 11 employees manufacture wide-plank flooring from sustainable sources – products that have been laid in properties from high-end homes to the orchestra stage of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Roscoe says Community Futures Strathcona has been with him "every step of the way," adding: "Banks have to be careful with money invested with them, but I wonder how many great ideas never get off the ground because of their reluctance to take some small risks?" |
| In Courtenay, Classic Printers has been helped with loan finance to buy a state-of-the-art printing press which will help retain more work on the Island presently subcontracted by print shops to Lower Mainland suppliers. Kathy McIntyre of the company says "Community Futures has been very supportive – they look right in to the heart of a business, not just the dollar figures but the people behind the enterprise. They were also really helpful with business training, so it all became a big package of encouragement and support." |
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Five years ago, Troy Schmitz and Alyson Martel wanted to get involved in value-added wood products in Port Alberni. With loans from Community Futures Alberni-Clayoquot, they set up West Coast Firewood, taking low-value wood fibre and manufacturing it into packaged firewood and cedar shake blocks. Their shrink-wrapped bundles are a familiar sight at many provincial park campgrounds and Island stores. Such has been the growth in the market that in the peak season they now need up to ten employees to fulfil demand. |
| Also in Port Alberni is the Del Rio Academy of Hair & Esthetics, run by hair stylist Rhonda Del Rio. Premises were renovated to establish a hairstyling school and professional salon, complete with day spa, which opened in the fall of last year - and where eight people are employed. Rhonda says the involvement of Community Futures has helped her live her dream, with a thriving local clientele and several students already enrolled in recognized diploma courses. |
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In Nanaimo, More than Movies opened its first location 15 years ago with just three employees. Today there are four outlets, 47 people at work and franchise opportunities for further expansion. The company, which offers movie rentals, internet access and convenience store merchandise, was founded by Elaine Peligren. She was so impressed with the one-on-one business support and counselling offered by Community Futures Central Island she eventually joined their Board to share her own experiences with budding entrepreneurs. |
| The Painted Turtle Guesthouse is one of Nanaimo's unconventional success stories. Bruce Barnard wanted to renovate an 1875 heritage property into a fusion of a boutique hotel, cosmopolitan hostel and homey B&B. It was so unconventional that banks wouldn't back the idea. But, he says, "It was Community Futures who had confidence in our business plan, who could understand and respond to our small business needs, and who could see the economic impact the Guesthouse would generate." |
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Turning a challenge into an opportunity is what Alana Elliott did when her youngest child developed a severe peanut allergy. When she couldn't find nut-free granola bars in stores, she started making them herself – founding Nonuttin' Foods in Duncan as the first company in North America to manufacture them. With loans and advice from Community Futures Cowichan, the company invested in a packing machine and is continuing to develop niche markets such as kosher foods and allergy-free cooking ingredients. |
| When Bill and Verna Smith built their dream retirement home, it turned out so well that they went back to work manufacturing dream homes for other people. Logsmith Homes in Chemainus creates eco-friendly log homes made entirely from low-grade waste wood, formed into insulated building blocks that simply snap together for rapid construction. Logsmith Homes and its sister company, Bill Smith Forest Products, have received encouragement and loan support from Community Futures, and between them now employ more than ten people. |
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Over at Lund on the mainland, a dilapidated old hotel has been turned into an historical treasure through a partnership of the Sliammon First Nation and local businessman Dave Formosa, supported by a loan from Community Futures Powell River. Eight years in to the project, the hotel now employs 30 people year round and 75 in the peak season. It is continuing to expand through adding more guest rooms and launching Desolation Sound Tours using a 58-ft boat that carries 50 passengers. |
| In Powell River, Laural Eacott gave up her job at a retail store to start her own pet-grooming and pet supplies business, having spotted a market opportunity serving people who had very large dogs needing pampering. Start-up and training costs had been a concern because of family health issues, but Laural was able to get a small loan from Community Futures for equipment, renovations and some opening stock, as well as training support through Career Link ‒ and has not looked back. |
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At Madeira Park on the Sunshine Coast, Bruno Pahljina's inspirational idea is helping transform a specialist aspect of the construction industry. His company, EZ-Molds Canada, has created a product that enables both contractors and do-it-yourselfers to create elegant balusters and railings from poured concrete. With loan support from Community Futures Sunshine Coast, Mr. Pahljina's enterprise has gone from selling a few moulds on E-Bay in 2004 to one which has a network of distributors all over North America and significant online worldwide sales. |
| Mark and Jane Yellowley started their home-based bakery in 1996, and five years later opened their own premises, Wheatberries Bakery and Café in Gibsons, to rave reviews. They now have four thriving outlets along the Sunshine Coast and a big fan base. "Working with professional local financial institutions like Community Futures has been invaluable in obtaining the business support we needed to grow and prosper," says Mark, who has since joined the local CF board to share his expertise with other entrepreneurs. |
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Also prospering from catering is Gregg Van Hierden, who used to be chief cook at Woodfibre, Squamish's biggest pulp mill. Like so many others he became unemployed, but created a new opportunity by providing catering services for the new Quest University in town. Gregg established his venture with the help of a loan from Community Futures Howe Sound, and now has 12 employees with plans to take on several more - proving that even in an area where small town economies change rapidly, people with initiative can flourish with a little support. |
| The Sea-to-Sky region's premier residential outdoor adventure camp and education centre ‒ Camp Summit ‒ attracts young students from all over the world, and the 35-acre Squamish centre is also a popular choice for university and corporate programs. With loan support from Community Futures, the facility was established in 2001 by Geoff Park, who previously operated out of Whistler. In 2008, around 30 staff will be needed to run the centre and its many activities, including rafting, mountain biking, climbing and hiking. |
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For more details about local business loans and their availability, contact Community Futures by clicking on the appropriate local office below:
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