From the trenches

The Island Coastal Economic Trust strategically invests in inclusive economic development, diversification, and innovation in partnership with communities across Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and island and inlets from the Salish Sea to Cape Caution. Learn about how they empower communities and their regional impact in their  latest Impact Report . To learn more, please visit:  i...

Orion Construction is an all-in-one construction partner. They provide design, permitting, pre-construction, and construction management for innovative light industrial and commercial developments. Orion is dedicated to its clients’ success by delivering an exceptional commitment to all projects. To learn more, please visit:  orionconstruction.ca. Joshua's Final 4: Books:  Red Notice - B...

The Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) is a registered non-government, non-profit society spearheading regional economic development for the entire Vancouver Island and rural islands region. The society is funded by memberships, sponsorships and gate receipts from events. Their initiatives that you might recognize include: Island Good product brand , Foreign Trade Zone Vancouver Island , ‘S...

At Miracon, their design, construction and customer service teams are committed to creating innovative, functional and award-winning communities for their homeowners. Their team consists of talented professionals who have over 50 years of experience working in the residential construction industry. Miracon’s success is a result of the collaboration and innovation of their team and their commitment...

The Western Retail Lumber Association Inc. today is comprised of over 1,150 member firms involved in the building supply industry on the prairies. The WRLA represents the interests of members in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, NW Ontario, Yukon and Nunavut, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information in the industry. The WRLA office is located in the Electri...

As the world’s first skincare line based on USDA certified organic seaweed, Seaflora Skincare aims to preserve and promote thalassotherapy: the healing powers of wild seaweed, marine minerals, ocean mud, and sea salts, for health and beauty. They only incorporate whole, wild, raw seaweeds into our product line – no other company in the world meets this standard. For more information, please visit:...

Peninsula Co-op is a Vancouver Island based co-operative with their core business in grocery, petroleum and convenience stores employing more than 350 full and part-time employees. Their services include: 18 gas centres with convenience stores located on Southern Vancouver Island between Sidney and Duncan; in Comox and Campbell River. 5 local network cardlocks and 7 system-wide cardlocks on the Is...

Frontline Real Estate Services is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver. Their acute local focus, innovative marketing systems and cooperative team structure enable them to deliver powerful results. The company has invested heavily in advanced administrative systems that allow their brokers to maximize their efficiency and spend more time selling. Th...

NAI Commercial (Victoria) Inc. specializes in commercial real estate sales, leasing and property management, as well as residential sales and development, working with local business leaders in brokerage services and asset management. Their qualified professional team offers years of specialized experience in all aspects of Real Estate. NAI Commercial (Victoria) Inc. is licensed under the Real Est...

EHN Canada's network of recovery centres offers medically excellent mental health treatment from coast to coast. They cover a wide range of needs, from outpatient therapy to short-term detox stays and multi-month treatment for mental health and substance use disorders. For more information, please visit: www.edgewoodhealthnetwork.com . Dr. Christina's Final 4: Book: A House in the Sky: A Memoir -...

Talon Signs offers a wide array of services providing clients with a single accountable source for signage that saves time, provides manufacturing continuity, and guarantees premium quality. The breadth and variety of Talon Signs’ fabrication and installation capabilities encompass the full spectrum of visual communication from corporate identity signage to comprehensive way-finding packages ​incl...

Futurpreneur has been fueling the entrepreneurial passions of Canada’s young enterprise for over two decades. We are the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Our internationally recognized mentoring program hand matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,600 volun...

John Cooper is a seasoned real estate professional who launched his career just before the global economic recession hit. Despite this challenging time, John worked hard and quickly rose to the top of his local RE/MAX office's list of top agents. He has been helping families buy and sell homes on Vancouver Island since 2007 when he and his young family moved to Nanaimo from Vancouver. With a backg...

The  Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce  is a professional, membership-based, business organization. The Chamber collaborates with its' members to foster growth, community, and best business practices. The Chamber works on behalf of its' members to provide opportunity for Chamber members and employees. The Comox Valley Chamber's mission is to: ​​Advocate for local business: Repre...

The Electrical Contractors Association of BC (ECABC) was founded in 1952, when electrical contractors decided that a strong central voice was needed to speak on their behalf. Electrical and line contractors help build our province by installing and maintaining generated electricity to communities, and ensuring the safe transmission of high-voltage electricity from power plants to end-use markets....

The largest financial institution based on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Island was recently re-certified as a Great Place to Work® for the fourth year in a row. The Great Place to Work® certification is based on a thorough independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work Institute® Canada. It’s based on direct feedback from employees, provided as a part of an extensive and anonymous survey a...

Acera Insurance is a fiercely independent, employee-controlled company with strong roots in Alberta, BC, Ontario and the Yukon. Created through the merger of CapriCMW and Rogers Insurance, the company brings decades of specialized expertise and experience within the insurance industry. With 1,000 employees in over 50 offices across Canada, $1 billion in gros...

Patrick MacKenzie is the CEO of the Immigrant Employment Council of BC. He has made a career of public service from coast to coast, working in policy and program areas aimed at supporting many of Canada’s most vulnerable communities through economic and social development as well as international relations. Previously, Patrick spent 11 years working for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada...

The Pacific Prosperity Foundation (DBA Pacific Prosperity Network) believes that empowering individuals, grassroots organizations and civic leaders at the local level is the best way to enact positive change in the day-to-day lives of British Columbians. They are dedicated to providing proponents of economically strong and vibrant local communities with the education, training and tools needed to...

Peter Richmond is the President and CFO of Ladysmith's 49th Parallel Grocery. Currently they operate 4 locations in Ladysmith, Chemainus, Cedar and Duncan, in addition to a flower shop (Blooms At the 49th) and printing business (49th Parallel Printers). This interview covers how 49th is managing the current supply chain and HR challenges facing many organizations right now. We also explore how the...

Sharie Minions is the Mayor of the City of Port Alberni, leader of Sharie Minions & Team Mortgage Brokers, and owner of the restaurant Brie & Barrel in Port Alberni. Her unique background and skillset lead her to a term on City Council from 2014-2018, and into the Mayor's seat from 2018 till now. The interview covers a review of her first term as mayor, entrepreneurial journey, the challen...

ColdStar Solutions is a Vancouver Island based grocery wholesaler, a transport company that specializes in hauling food products between Vancouver and all parts of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Vancouver Island, and the Gulf Islands of Georgia Strait and a public Cold Storage operation. This interview covers the company's unique history, and their focus on sustainable innovation, includi...

Wilson’s Transportation is a locally-owned and operated charter bus company serving Victoria and Vancouver Island. In operation since 1962, they are a trusted provider known for their exceptional service, transporting groups large and small from one destination to another – safely and on time. As Vancouver Island’s largest charter transportation company with over 140 vehicles available, they offer...

Alexzi Building Solutions is a local Vancouver Island based green manufacturing company working with Nexii, to bring a sustainable, near-zero waste, and natural disaster resilient building alternative to the construction industry. Alexzi is currently working towards the construction of its 100,000+ sqft state of the art manufacturing plant which will create 150+ direct jobs. Learn more about them...

Guest 1: Coastal Community Credit Union wants to help you grow your business, our communities and financial health for all. Learn more about them by visiting: www.cccu.ca . Guest 2: LlamaZOO Interactive was co-founded by game industry veterans who wanted to make more practical, yet disruptive use of 3D game visualization technology. They knew that they could take gaming tech and transform it into...