Small Business Week

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S1

Small

BUSINESS WEEK 2013

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October 20 - 26

The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Need a more

personalized approach for your

accounting needs?

Think...

Gibson & Associates

GIBSON & ASSOCIATES Certified General Accountant 767 Seymour Street, Kamloops, B.C. V2C 2H4 Phone: 250-828-1945 Fax: 250-828-1630 www.gibsoncga.ca

Donna Gibson CPA, CGA

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S3

Above, RiverFresh crews fish Kamloops Lake and the Thompson River. Top left, RiverFresh manager Rhonda Leech with some of the freezer packed product available. Bottom left, the RiverFresh storefront and delivery vehicle at 680 Athabasca St. W.

RiverFresh Wild BC Salmon K

amloops Lake and the Thompson River are more than just beautiful recreation spots, they are also home to a thriving fishing industry, with local salmon caught, processed, and distributed right in our own backyard.

RiverFresh has been operating as the only commercial fishery of its kind in the Interior of B.C., providing fresh, wild salmon to Kamloops and its surrounding areas since 2005. The company began out of the Shuswap Tribal Council office and grew to need more space, says Murray Ross, director of fisheries for the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission.

“We developed a whole line of products available for sale and we had them in cold storage but we didn’t really have a proper

“

We try to harvest only the stronger (salmon) stocks and leave the weaker ones alone.”

store,” he says. “We were just taking phone calls and meeting people at our reception desk and we were delivering to restaurants.”

This past spring, RiverFresh was finally able to create its own retail space at the Tribal Council offices on Athabasca Street near the Red Bridge, complete with display cases and deep freezes, and now customers can buy local, sustainable salmon yearround. Maintaining a sustainable fishery is the top priority for RiverFresh. The key to

sustainable salmon fishing is selectivity, and by moving commercial fisheries out of the ocean and into fresh water, RiverFresh achieves just that.

“There are a lot of different salmon stocks and when they travel, many travel together,” says Ross. “Some of them are fairly endangered or not doing as well as others. We try to harvest only the stronger stocks and leave the weaker ones alone.”

By fishing in the fresh water of the Thompson River and Kamloops Lake, RiverFresh is able to be more selective and careful about which types of salmon they capture. As a result it gives the weaker salmon species, such as the Interior Fraser Coho salmon, a chance to bounce back.

Through sustainable efforts and local

Contact: 680 Athabasca St. W. 778-471-8210 www.riverfreshkamloops.com info@riverfreshkamloops.com

awareness, Ross hopes to see RiverFresh slowly expand its market reach beyond the Kamloops area.

“We’ve had a lot of sales enquiries that we haven’t been able to take advantage of, including Calgary and Manitoba and even Toronto,” he says. “Kamloops is a pretty big city, so we’ll see how well sales go here, and we’ll expand when we’re ready.”

RiverFresh is open from Tuesday to Friday from 10:30 a.m to 6:30 p.m., and can be found at the Saturday Kamloops Farmer’s Market during the summer. Visit their website at www.riverfreshkamloops.com and find them on Facebook and Twitter.

The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Underhill & Underhill is a group of professional BC land surveyors providing full-service geomatics consulting and technical services. In operation since 1913, Underhill is recognized as one of BC's most trusted professional surveying companies.

Our firm provides services throughout BC, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Canada and worldwide.

Operating in Kamloops since 2002, Underhill Geomatics Ltd. continues to provide technologically advanced, flexible and efficient geospatial solutions throughout the Interior of British Columbia.

Visit our website for further information 204 - 153 SEYMOUR STREET KAMLOOPS 250.372.8835 www.underhill.ca

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Travelwise T

here was a time when many people thought the Internet would be the end of traditional travel agencies.

Those people were clearly wrong, as is evidenced by the continued growth and success of Kamloops’ Travelwise.

The travel agency, owned and operated

by Roxanna Ferguson for 18 years, employs nine staff after acquiring Thomas Cook Travel approximately two years ago.

Together, the staff has nearly 200 years of collective travel experience, and they’ve travelled the world.

“Our longevity speaks for itself,” says Ferguson who has been an agent for 31 years.

A proud Rotarian and board member of the TRU Foundation, Ferguson moved to Kamloops 23 years ago from Alberta and feels community involvement is essential, and allows her to give back to the city that has been so supportive of her.

The key to developing a successful travel agency is trust, says Ferguson.

“Our guidance is far more powerful and beneficial than anything you can find on the Internet. We’ve been on every cruise

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S5

Contact: 456 Victoria St. 250-851-0271 www.travelwise.ca

line, and every tour bus. Our first hand knowledge is what sets us apart and has helped to build the business to what it is today.”

Another factor setting Travelwise apart are the tour groups to various locales that are organized several times annually. Ferguson is taking a group to Kenya and Tanzania in February, Sri Lanka in March and on a river cruise in June.

“When you have those kinds of experiences with your clients it just helps to build a bigger, more loyal clientele.”

This will be Ferguson’s second excursion to Kenya, having taken another group last March. The group she escorted the first time had such a great experience, they told their friends and family and as a result the upcoming trip booked up almost immediately.

“The goal is to give them the best experi-

Roxanna Ferguson and the staff at Travelwise are experts at escorted tours with a group heading to Kenya and Tanzania in February.

ence possible. They’re taken care of and they appreciate that. I can take care of those extras because they’re clients and you learn to read them well enough to do that.”

Looking ahead, Ferguson expects continued growth.

“I’m looking forward to more great years

of building relationships with clientele and the good fortune of building clientele through referrals.”

Hers is a dream job, she admits.

“I’ve been escorting groups since I was 23,” she says, adding she never tires of it. “I can’t wait to do more traveling and to explore the world with our valued clients.”

Inclusions:

A TASTE OF BURGUNDY & PROVENCE WITH A TOUCH OF PARIS

• Return airfare from Kamloops to France • Four nights Paris with breakfast daily • High speed train Paris to Lyon • All transfers, and all taxes.

• Seven night River Cruise - French balcony cabin

River Cruise Inclusions: • Gourmet food & wine ~ All beverages (open Bar) • Free shore excursions ~ All gratuities

Package cost: $6595 per person

JUNE 23RD - JULY 5TH

(double occupancy)

Please inquire about cabin categories with no single supplement.

~ 4 NIGHTS PARIS ~ 7 NIGHT FRENCH RIVER CRUISE

RIVER CRUISE WITH ROXANNA! Contact ROXANNA - TRAVELWISE 456 VICTORIA ST. 250 851 0211 (EXT 211) roxanna@travelwise.ca

TRAVELWISE

250.851.0211 • 1.800.811.1833 456 Victoria Street, Kamloops www.travelwise.ca

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Best Travel Agency

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The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Western Industrial Solutions Contact:

Nominated for BCLC Technology Innovator Award

ability to fill out necessary documentation quickly and remotely.

In the oil and gas industry, as well as in mining, most workers are responsible for completing reams of safety documentation — something that can be an exhaustive process. “We saw an opportunity to save some time and make it more effective and we automated the whole process,” says Mitra.

The trio spent nearly a year developing the software and has been marketing and selling it since January 2013. So far, the product has received a great response.

Success came from designing a solution to a common problem, says Mitra. “(All organizations) have the same headache as far as getting all the documentation done and managing the paperwork —

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

Western Industrial Solutions includes, from left, Chris Mitra, Grant Schaffer and Mike Waithe.

The company has been nominated for BCLC Technology Innovator in 2013 Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

this is a solution that will take this headache away from them.”

Currently, Western Industrial Solutions has limited its reach to Western Canada in order to ensure the product and the technical support remains consistent. “We want to make sure we build a product that we can properly support… we’re taking baby steps.”

The future of Western Industrial Solutions looks bright, says Mitra, not only were they nominated for a Business Excellence Award, but the company has also closed some significant deals.

“It’s giving us a lot of momentum. We’re really excited about what’s going on … we’re forecasting some huge growth.”

A Winning Idea WESTERN INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS & TASK SAFE

You want your team to work SAFE and go home ALIVE! That's why we built our company.

Awarded "BEST CONCEPT IN BC" in the Small Business BC "Successful You" Awards.

Finalist "BEST TECHNOLOGY INNOVATOR" in the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce 2013 Business Excellence Awards.

Learn more about the award winning safety document management software at www.westernindustrialsolutions.com

103 - 1339 McGill Road Kamloops, BC 250-318-8006

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or many entrepreneurs, all it takes is one great idea, and that’s certainly true for Chris Mitra, Mike Waithe and Grant Schaffer of Western Industrial Solutions.

The trio founded the company in early 2012. Previous to the launch, they worked in the IT department of another company and fell victim to corporate restructuring.

“We all got let go and decided we didn’t want to have to worry about working for anyone else,” Mitra says, explaining the route to entrepreneurship.

Western Industrial Solutions is the software development company responsible for Task Safe, software designed to allow resource companies to streamline the completion of safety documentation in the field. The software is combined with a military-grade tablet PC, and provides workers in the resource sector with all the necessary safety information at hand, and the

1339 McGill Rd. 250-318-8006 westernindustrialsolutions.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S7

KEITH ANDERSON/THE DAILY NEWS

Fresh Is Best Salsa Company owners Lisa Graham-McGaffin and her husband Colin McGaffin are nominated for Best Manufacturer in the 2013 Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

Fresh Is Best Salsa Nominated for BDC Manufacturer Award

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B

ack in 1998, Colin McGaffin made a batch of fresh salsa for friends as a Christmas gift. Today, he and partner Lisa Graham are the owners of Fresh Is Best Salsa Co., a made-in-Kamloops success story and a nominee for Best Manufacturer in this year’s Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

The business incorporated in 1999, a year after McGaffin began selling his dips and salsas at the Kamloops Farmer’s Market. In the absence of a commercial kitchen, McGaffin and Graham spent late nights at Hot House Bistro, using the kitchen to make the dips and eventually the chips. Chips, says Graham, proved a stumbling block at the start.

“We used to buy chips but the chips were too salty for the salsa,” so they began making their own. Business took off, so the couple found a space on Hugh Allan Drive. Last February Fresh Is Best moved out of that space into a factory on Cariboo Place.

“We started at Hugh Allan Drive with 1,500 square feet, then we went to 3,000 square feet and now we’re at 12,000 square feet,” Graham says, noting the new space allows room for the automated chip fryer.

Despite beginning the business with salsa and dips at the core, today, the chips make up 65 per cent of total sales.

Fresh is Best now offers about a dozen dips, including several varieties of salsa.

Contact:

12-1425 Cariboo Pl. 250-377-7555 www.freshisbest.ca

The company employs 30 people, most at the Kamloops factory and wholesale retail outlet, and several demo and sales staff in B.C. and Alberta. There is also a distribution warehouse in Vancouver, along with a full-time driver and a sales staff, and an independently owned and operated retail outlet on West Broadway in Vancouver.

The products made in Kamloops are now carried in more than 800 grocery stores in B.C. and Alberta, and due to a demand for fresh, preservative-free products, Graham expects the steady growth to continue.

“We’d like to go across Canada,” says Graham, who adds that the main challenge to growth is the product shelf life. Because there are no preservatives, to reach the nation Fresh Is Best would require a production facility in Eastern Canada.

It may happen, she says, because there’s certainly an appetite for what Fresh Is Best offers. “Our product was poised at the right time. People are turning their attention toward their health and more healthful options.”

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The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

429 St. Paul Making home ownership possible in the heart of Kamloops’ vibrant downtown

Contact: 429 St. Paul St. 250-374-6585 www.429stpaul.ca info@429stpaul.ca

and bicycle parking. Units feature private balconies, additional same-floor storage, in-suite laundry, energy efficient appliances, and nine-foot ceilings. Those who purchase now have the opportunity to choose some of their own finishing touches. All owners have access to a private rooftop garden with barbecue area and patio.

Living in the downtown core is ideal, especially for those who also work in the downtown and struggle to find affordable and convenient parking, says Vision 429 spokeswoman Mary Ann Milobar.

“Parking rates are going up all over the downtown. For those who work in the

In the heart of downtown Kamloops, 429 St. Paul is ideal for those who work and play in the city centre.

downtown, the cost of parking directly affects their bottom line,” she says.

429 St. Paul is ideal for everyone — from those wishing to downsize and looking for the convenience and ease of living in the vibrant downtown core, to recently graduated university students who are ready to stop renting.

The goal is to create a vibrant residential space, made up of people across all age groups, says Milobar.

The development offers: outstanding design; an enviable central location that eliminates the need to find convenient parking; and home ownership assistance. Pre-sales are on now!

Why rent when you can own your own home?

429 St. Paul offers a program that will allow qualified buyers to purchase a home without a down payment and requires a deposit of only 1% of the purchase price.

Studio, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom quality condo homes featuring: private balconies, 9'ceilings, insuite laundry, exclusive rooftop patio, secure underground parking within the vibrant downtown community. Experience the variety and convenience of this area.

Leave your car at home; walk to work and eliminate the expense and hassle of parking at your workplace.

Call: 250.319.6848 • Email: info@429stpaul.ca • www.429stpaul.ca

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f you work in downtown Kamloops and have always dreamed of owning your own home but felt it was out of reach, look no further than 429 St. Paul. Kamloops United Church is ready to help make it possible for qualified purchasers to finally enjoy the security of home ownership.

429 St. Paul offers a unique solution on most units that allows qualified middle-income earners the opportunity to own a home without waiting years while saving for a down-payment. The church carries 10% of the purchase price which eliminates the need for a down-payment. That amount will be posted as a second mortgage, but will carry zero interest and is only paid back to the church when the homeowner decides to sell the property.

Condos range from studio, one, two and three-bedroom units. The building is equipped with an amenity room, secure underground parking as well as scooter

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S9

All the Best Brands Under One Roof

Appliance Gallery offers stunning appliances that can’t be found anywhere else in Kamloops, including the Brigade series shown above.

Appliance Gallery T

Come see us at our new Valleyview location inside J. Walsh & Sons. We now have more room so we can carry more European, Professional and Designer Aplliances

Appliance Gallery owner Durvene Gal

Contact: 2321 Trans Canada Hwy. E. 250-372-2536 www.appliancegallery.ca

Durvene is excited about the partnership with J. Walsh & Sons, and says it really rounds out the businesses to have them together in one place. “(The Appliance Gallery has) relocated and we’re still independent, but now we have everything: we’ve got service and warranty and installs, as well as appliances, plus all the J. Walsh products,” says Durvene.

A Store within a Store at J. Walsh & Sons

2321 E. TRANS CANADA HWY.

250.372.2536 www.appliancegallery.ca • appliancegal@shaw.ca

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he Appliance Gallery is focused on providing exceptional service, knowledge and products to its valued customers.

The Gallery showcases appliances that can’t be found anywhere else in Kamloops such as Brigade, Dacor, Thermador, Liebherr and Gaggenau, as well as European brands including AEG and Bertazzoni from Italy.

Appliance Gallery is now also thrilled to carry GE Café and GE Profile — lines that can fit any budget.

As well, the Gallery specializes in ventilation units including Vent-A-Hood, Faber and Zephyr, among others.

Appliance Gallery held its grand reopening a year ago, and now shares a location with J. Walsh & Sons on the Trans Canada Highway.

Running as a “store within a store” concept, the idea is to provide customers with all they need for their homes in one place, from purchase to installation to service and repairs.

Appliance representatives who visit the shop have been saying it’s the nicest showroom in the Interior.

Durvene has owned the Appliance Gallery for 10 years, having bought part of a company she previously worked for. She then created something of her own.

S10 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

B.A. Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre

Contact:

A small business at heart, B.A. Robinson has access to renowned manufactures in both lighting and plumbing, and the staff have more than 120 years of plumbing and lighting knowledge under its collective belt.

“People are looking for solutions — whether it’s a new build or a renovation, they want to know how to get the look they desire,” says B.A. Robinson sales consultant Kim Loth.

The products that the store offers are as spectacular as the service, she says.

“We have things people may have not seen before — and this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choices for both styling and price point,” she says, glancing around the impressive showroom on Laval Crescent.

Freestanding tubs, she says, are functional works of art — becoming that fix-

ture that turns an ordinary bathroom into something quite stunning.

“They are a bit beyond the ‘every day,’” she says, “they definitely have that ‘wow’ factor.”

Unlike many big-box stores, B.A. Robinson staff is armed with tremendous product knowledge, and the No. 1 goal is to work with clients to achieve solutions to their lighting and plumbing needs.

“I’ve had lots of customers come back to me time and time again, and they’re sending their friends in now,” Loth says.

The reason for the referrals is the commitment to service. “We can make it easy — they come in here and think it’s going to be a really stressful process, but it doesn’t have to be.”

KEITH ANDERSON/THE DAILY NEWS

B.A. Robinson Lighting & Bath Centre sales consultants Kim Loth and Suzette Pelletier look over plans in the showroom.

®

Western Canada's Premiere Showrooms www.robinsonlightingandbath.com 830 Laval Cres. • 250.372.7738 • Open Saturday Showroom Open Saturdays* 9am - 3pm *Home consultants not available on Saturdays

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he key to success for any small business is the team of people who work there, and this is especially true for the staff of B.A. Robinson Lighting and Bath Centre.

The lighting and plumbing company was recently boosted by the addition of lighting consultant Suzette Pelletier, who had spent seven years working in the lighting industry prior to joining the team at B.A. Robinson. Pelletier is thrilled to begin sharing her knowledge with new clients and reconnecting with former clients, and she couldn’t be happier to join such a knowledgeable team.

“Everyone who works here is phenomenal. They have made me feel very welcome, and B.A. Robinson is a very wellknown company — the showroom is beautiful and I love lighting … it’s all very exciting.”

830 Laval Cres.

250-372-7738 www.barobinson.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

U Weight Loss W

hatever the reason people come to U Weight Loss, one thing is for sure — if they are committed to achieving their healthy lifestyle goals, they’ve come to the right place.

Franchise owner Monika Abounassar opened U Weight Loss more than five years ago and in that time has helped more than 1,500 Kamloops residents achieve their health goals.

The U Weight Loss system is comprehensive, in that it includes one-on-one coaching sessions three times per week, and each client is provided with nutritional counseling as well as a personalized exercise portfolio, along with 5 Star Gold Rated supplements, creating a balanced and enjoyable experience.

Clients arrive at the clinic for a variety of reasons, says Abounassar, but generally there’s a triggering factor. “It can be anything from having seen a picture of themselves to having a wedding or a big trip coming up. Some have been to their doctor and have been told if they don’t address their

The Daily News, Kamloops S11

Contact: 284 Lansdowne St. 250-434-6474 www.uweightloss.ca

health they’ll become diabetic or have high blood pressure,” she says.

While the reasons for seeking change vary, the reason for using U Weight Loss to kick start those life goals are very similar.

“We’re all about customer care. We work on a one-to-one basis — everybody’s personality and lifestyle is very different,” she says, as are every client’s specific goals.

While one person may want to lose 200 pounds, another may not be interested in weight at all, and is looking for nutritional guidance to improve energy levels. “The very first day is always going to be the most motivational day. They are ready to change their lives.”

Abounassar and her staff — Stacey Kendrick and Kristy Tomada — love what they

Monika Abounassar, owner of U Weight Loss, loves her job.

do, she says. Being able to witness the lifestyle transformation their clients go through is often overwhelming.

“That’s what it’s all about. They’re able to shop in regular clothing stores and jump on the swings with their kids,” she says of the

simple pleasures many clients now enjoy.

“I get to help change people’s lives every day. It’s always different and it’s always fresh. When I look at myself in the rearview mirror at the end of the day, I know I have made a difference in someone’s life.”

Connect with us: Tel: 250.434.6474 Email: ukamloops@uweightloss.com 284 Lansdowne Street Kamloops, British Columbia V2C 1X7

Our Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 10:00am - 2:00pm Sunday: Closed

of Kamloops 284 Lansdowne St.

KRISTA LOST

108 LBS AT U KAMLOOPS

www.becomeuagain.com

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It's time for your amazing transformation Contact us to help you create your success story.

S12 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Mortgage Centre A

DIANE PETERS

LARRY BRINKWORTH

Contact:

207-242 Victoria St. 250-374-2222 www.mortgagesbc.ca sandra@kamloopskidz.com

Part of a Canada-wide franchise, the business is held as part of Dico Holdings Inc., and can offer brokering in both B.C. and Alberta, with one staff member located in Alberta.

And it’s almost all at no cost.

“I would say 90 to 95 per cent of our mortgage applications are provided to our clients at no charge to them,” says Brinkworth. The way it works is the lender pays the fees. While the Mortgage Centre is independent and untied to any lender, it does provide a valuable service to lenders by introducing them to valuable clients.

“Our objective is always to do what’s right for the customer,” he says.

Borrowers can apply for mortgages through the Mortgage Centre in person, by

KATIE LARSEN

SHARON PITTS

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, The Mortgage Centre can help.

phone (1-877-574-3426), fax or online.

The centre’s website, www.mortgagesbc. ca, provides a wealth of information for borrowers looking to get educated. From doing market research, to checking out mortgage calculators, economic analysis and commentary, and a B.C. mortgage blog, it can help provide the information needed to make one of life’s most important decisions.

TEAGUE BRINKWORTH

You are more than your mortgage™ When choosing a mortgage, you want advice that you can count on. As one of Canada’s longest established national broker networks, we’re dedicated to providing you with all the information you need to make a well-informed decision on your mortgage financing needs. Our mortgage professionals update their knowledge of the current market trends, rates, and regulations regularly, allowing them to provide you with sound guidance.

Talk to one of our Mortgage Centre professionals today! www.mortgagebc.ca

RYAN FOREMAN

The Mortgage Centre deals with established, reputable Canadian financial institutions, and as specialists the team has an understanding of how to negotiate with lenders to get the best deal. Besides, mortgage counsellors are motivated to keep a customer’s mortgage moving forward quickly, because they only get paid once it is complete.

TANYA EVANS

JOANNE QUIGLEY

The Mortgage Centre/Dico Holdings Inc. #207, 242 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2A2 Tel: 250.374.2222 Toll Free: 1.877.574.3426 Fax: 250.374.2219 Toll Free Fax: 1.877.374.2219 Website: www.mortgagesbc.ca Each Mortgage Centre is independently owned and operated.

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mortgage is the biggest debt anyone takes on in a lifetime, and Mortgage Centre Manager, Larry Brinkworth and staff, find satisfaction in helping people deal well with this part of their lives.

Advising people in handling their personal finances is what they’ve been doing for years. “Our tagline is, ‘Let us put you in a better place’ – and that not only means housing, but financially as well,” he says.

“Ultimately our goal is to help people either get into a house, or find ways to keep that house and maybe to use that house more effectively to structure and eventually eliminate their debt.”

The Mortgage Centre’s team of licensed staff work to find mortgages that suit client’s needs and with a lender offering the best possible interest rate at the time.

From home purchases to refinancing to construction loans, debt consolidation, home-improvement loans, and reverse mortgages and commercial financing, the Kamloops Mortgage Centre has been brokering since 1991.

The Daily News, Kamloops S13

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Celebrating our

30th Anniversary!

Thank you to all our friends & pp customers ffor y your continued support.

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

Kamloops Dance Academy owner Sandi Lewis works with Grade One ballet students at the Valleyview studio.

Kamloops Dance Academy

• Ballet • Jazz • Tap • Hip Hop • Lyrical • Preschool Dance • Musical Theatre

Contact:

sandi@kamloopsdance.com

out of more than 1,000 entrants. Three of Sandi’s former students moved to Vancouver in the summer after gaining admission into the intensive training program at Harbour Dance Centre — which is a testament to the dance education the young women received.

Because of the studio’s history in the community and in Valleyview, many of the young students enrolled are children of Ginny’s original pupils.

Many of the instructors, says Sandi, are also former students, who have been trained and certified.

“All of our teachers are certified. We’re affiliated with an institution in England and we do exams and upgrade consistently. If you never better yourself you run out of things to give to the kids,” says Sandi.

“That’s how a studio keeps moving forward and doesn’t get stale.”

Looking ahead, Sandi says she sees a bright future, but one that focuses on student experience rather than growing the company.

“It’s not about the money for me, it’s about knowing people’s names when they walk through the door.”

BEST DANCE STUDIO

BEST DANCE STUDIO BEST DANCE STUDIO

WINNER 2010

WINNER 2011

Kamloops Dance Academy LOCATED IN VALLEYVIEW

#7-2121 East Trans Canada Hwy.

250-828-0499

WINNER 2012

www.kamloopsdance.com

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ommunity, history and an inclusive atmosphere devoted to nurturing the creativity in every student — that’s what the Kamloops Dance Academy offers.

Studio owner Sandi Lewis says that what motivates her every day is the desire to maintain a tradition of excellence established by Kamloops Dance Academy founder Ginny Lewis back in 1984.

Sandi took over the studio from Ginny (no relation) in 2001. It was the place she learned to dance and she wanted to make sure that after Ginny retired the studio would continue to provide the same experience she had as a child.

“I’m always trying to stay true to what Ginny envisioned for the studio. It is really family-oriented and friendly. We’re open to anyone who wants to dance, regardless of shape or size.”

Currently, Kamloops Dance Academy offers ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, musical theatre, pointe, and lyrical styles of dance. Ages of students range from two years old to seniors.

This has been a tremendous year for the studio and its students, with a major win at the Western Canadian Championships as well as the Great Canadian Dance Challenge. Kamloops Dance Academy students came in first overall at the dance challenge

7-2121 Trans Canada Hwy. E. 250-828-0499 www.kamloopsdance.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

S14 The Daily News, Kamloops

Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Centre S

andra Jodoin knows how difficult it can be for parents to choose a daycare for their children. That’s why she created Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Centre, which started as a small family daycare and has blossomed into so much more.

Kamloops Kidz has expanded each year in order to keep up with the demand and meet the needs of growing families. Today, it consists of three campuses — in Pineview, Valleyview and Sahali — with 13 classrooms and 30 staff.

Having struggled to find adequate daycare for her oldest child, Jodoin says she knows how stressful it can be to search for childcare, and has a lot of empathy for parents.

“We are so thankful to all our amazing families for entrusting us with the care of their children,” she says. “Kamloops Kidz truly is part of our family. It was my dream

Contact:

1764 Valleyview Dr. 250-319-9044 www.kamloopskidz.com sandra@kamloopskidz.com

to start this ‘small business’ 10 years ago …

I have been truly blessed and am so thankful.”

The evolution of Kamloops Kidz has been a natural one, starting out as a preschool and then offering full-day care. Then, as the preschoolers got older, Jodoin says she wanted to make sure they had a place, and so began after school care as well.

“We didn’t want to lose anybody so every time we didn’t have space for the children who had moved up, we kept expanding.”

Kamloops Kidz aims to prepare children

Sandra Jodoin, known as Teacher Sandra to the preschool children of Kamloops Kidz Early Learning Centre, couldn’t imagine a better job.

for learning success in school and in life.

The goal is to make children comfortable in the classroom setting before they enter elementary school. Jodoin, or “Teacher Sandra” as her preschool children know her, couldn’t be happier with the way her small centre has evolved.

“The most rewarding part of my job is

seeing these amazing children every day and getting to spend time with them. Getting a zillion hugs daily and so many smiles — I have the greatest job ever. I have truly found my passion and the children keep me young.”

For more information or to book a tour, please call Sandra at 250-319-9044.

REGISTERING NOW!

“A lifetime of learning begins here” Sahali Campus 1585 Summit Drive Preschool Childcare - Ages 5 to 12

Pineview Campus 1711 Copperhead Drive Preschool Childcare - Ages 1 to 12

... always putting children first & always going several steps beyond!

250.319.9044 • www.kamloopskidz.com

D001848399

Valleyview Campus 1764 Valleyview Drive Preschool Childcare - Ages 1 to 12

“Best Preschool and Best Daycare”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Hi-Tech Vacuums D

on Campbell will admit freely that his vacuums suck. The founder of Kamloops company Hi-Tech Vacuums says that in this case, that’s a good thing.

Offering full service on residential, commercial and industrial cleaning equipment, Hi-Tech does sales, repairs and installations on all makes and models of vacuums, and well as offering parts, accessories and cleaning products.

Campbell knows what he’s talking about when it comes to vacuums, as he has been in the business since the early 1970s. Starting out selling Electrolux on the Prairies, Campbell moved west to Kamloops and opened the Hi-Tech store in 1988.

“I didn’t want to keep travelling all over the world,” he says. From humble beginnings in a 700-square-foot Kamloops shop, Hi-Tech has come a long way. Now owned as part of Campbell’s Smooth Air Systems Canada Ltd., the company at large boasts an 11,000-square-foot manufacturing facil-

The Daily News, Kamloops S15

Contact: 918 Victoria St. 250-372-3825 www.hitechvacuum.com

ity where it builds its own line of vacuums.

Selling built-in vacuuming systems and shipping all across Canada, Campbell sells his own brand of Smooth Air as well as Eureka vacuums, SEBO, Panasonic, Samsung and more at the Hi-Tech store. And he is quick to remind customers the shop still rebuilds other brands and products as well, at the store’s full service facility.

Canister and upright vacuums are available, as well as portable ones, carpet extractors, floor polishers and more. The store accepts trade-ins, and all reconditioned materials come with a written warranty. Offering a large inventory of parts

Hi-Tech Vacuums, founded by Don Campbell, offers full service on residential, commercial and industrial cleaning equipment, and also offers Smooth Air Systems, pictured above.

and accessories, Hi-Tech Vacuums really is a one-stop shop in Kamloops.

Located at 918 Victoria St., the staff has the knowledge to advise customers on any vacuum-related question – such as whether a repair is a good idea, or whether it is time to trade in and trade up to a

new model.

Along with his reputation for knowledge and dependability, Campbell says he’s always developing new products. Growing up from a small storefront to a national vacuum manufacturer certainly requires that kind of ingenuity.

Hi-Tech Vacuums is Kamloops'

full-service source for residential, commercial, and industrial cleaning equipment. We offer sales, repair, and installation of all makes and models of vacuums, as well as parts, accessories, and cleaning products.

The With over 40 years in the industry, and offering new and fully-warrantied reconditioned equipment as well as a large inventory of parts and accessories, Hi-Tech Vacuums truly is your ONE-STOP VAC SHOP.

vacuums we offer in clude: • Built-In • Canister • Upright • New and Recond itioned • Residential, Com mercial & Industria l

WE SERVICE EVERYTHING WE SELL.

HI-TECH VACUUM

Remember, Our Vacuums Suck! And that's a Good Thing!

Exclusive SmoothAir Dealer

Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM | Saturday & Sunday: Closed Holidays: Closed

918 VICTORIA STREET, KAMLOOPS

toll free 800-990-8088

D001851578

Hi-Tech Vacuums has the experience and MADE IN !

PS KAMLOO knowledge to advise you on any vacuum question. We can tell you whether a repair is sufficient or if it’s time to trade in that old equipment for a new unit or system.

250-372-3825

S16 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Mt. Paul

MENU October Specials MONDAY TO FRIDAY

The famous

Mount Paul Breakfast Special $5.75 includes coffee Daily Lunch Special $5.95 Daily Sandwich Special Served with homemade soup, salad or fries.

Served from 11:00am

$6.95 Daily Hot Lunch Special $9.95 Best Borscht in Town!

Offsite Catering Available Call for details.

All Day Breakfast October - March 1st

D001846665

Open Year Round at 7:00 AM

RESTAURANT

250-374-4672 www.mountpaulgolf.com

OPEN DAILY FROM 7:00 A.M. YEAR ROUND • LICENSED

JUST ACROSS THE RED BRIDGE FROM DOWNTOWN

Whatever Your Banquet Needs...

Golf Tournaments, Birthdays, Corporate Gatherings or Christmas Parties.

Talk to Dianna about booking our facility for your event. Clubhouse available November to April.

Accommodates up to 90 people.

Don't forget to book your golf tournament.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

At the Mount Paul Golf Course Clubhouse, from left, General Manager Dan Latin, Restaurant Manager Dianna Parr, Chef Sharon McKay, Golf Pro Mike Latta.

Mt. Paul Restaurant Popular and delicious twelve months of the year

T

he Mt. Paul Golf Course Restaurant offers homestyle cuisine “par none” in its licensed family restaurant.Mt. Paul’s legendary breakfast — starting at 7 a.m. daily, all year long — features two eggs any style, ham, bacon or sausages, hash browns and toast for only $5.75.

Breakfast is served until 2 p.m. daily all winter.

From 11 a.m. onwards, tantalizing lunch specials take the stage with the famous Borscht leading the way. Lunch specials range from homemade soups and sandwiches, to the staff’s favourite, beef dip.

Contact: 615 Mt. Paul Way 250-374-4672 www.mountpaulgolf.com

If it is a special event or occasion, (tournament, anniversary, birthday, office, retirement or Christmas party), the staff at Mt. Paul can look after your needs. For information or bookings call restaurant manager Dianna Parr, 250374-4672.

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

Dano's Seafood Club and Mike's Buffalo Wrap are two of the many scrumptious choices featured on the Mt. Paul Restaurant menu.

The Daily News, Kamloops S17

S18 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Anderson’s Sewing Centre Contact:

151 Victoria St. 250-374-1154

V

ery few small businesses make it to the half-century mark.

Through ever-changing technology and the ups and downs of the economy, Anderson’s Sewing Centre has thrived and remained a fixture in Kamloops’ downtown core for more than 50 years.

Charlene Sawers bought the shop from its previous owner 25 years ago. Today, Anderson’s Sewing Centre employs five people including Sawers and her husband Kris, the shop’s certified sewing machine mechanic. The store offers Pfaff, Janome, Elna and Singer sewing machines, and services all major brands. Anderson’s Sewing is a complete sewing centre, with a variety of notions and threads, sewing machine parts and accessories available.

While sewing is an ages old pastime, the technology involved is rapidly changing.

“Our sewing machines have gotten really high-tech,” says Sawers, explaining that

one of the Janome models is wireless and comes with an iPad. It’s possible to download apps to allow the user to complete commercial-looking work from home, including intricate embroidery.

These types of machines require a significant investment, says Sawers, which is why it is so important to purchase from a trusted local dealer.

Along with top quality machines, Anderson’s Sewing Centre also hosts a variety of classes, from beginner to advance, including quilting.

Another factor that sets Anderson’s Sewing apart is access to Kris, a certified sewing machine mechanic. Like everything else, the technology in sewing machines

HUGO YUEN/THE DAILY NEWS

Charlene Sawers of Anderson’s Sewing Centre says an honest approach to sales keeps customers returning.

has changed dramatically through the years, so in order to be able to fix everchanging machines, Kris is constantly updating his skills, Sawers says.

“That’s a big part of our business,” she says, adding that they’re currently servicing a machine that a client purchased from the store in 1990.

hes rolled edge reading

The key to maintaining such a loyal clientele for such a long time is simple, says Sawers.

“It has to be our honest approach to sales. We don’t try to push certain machines. We are informed and keep our education up to date — we always try to have the best service possible.”

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Kamloops Paint & Window Coverings K

amloops Paint and Window Coverings, the exclusive dealer of Benjamin Moore products, has been proud to call Kamloops home since 1985. Current owner Aubrey Dangerfield took over the business in 2005 and says success is a direct result of excellent staff providing exceptional service.

“It’s a very service-oriented, quality-oriented company,” he says of Kamloops Paint and Window Coverings and Benjamin Moore. What you get when you choose a small business like this as opposed to a big box retailer is expertise and professional quality products.”

As the name suggests, Kamloops Paint and Window Coverings sells all the major brands of blinds and shutters, as well as custom draperies, which are becoming increasingly popular.

There is a professional designer who works out of the store who can be hired as a

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S19

Contact: 805 Notre Dame Dr. 250-828-1800 www.benjaminmoore.com

colour consultant to come to your home and assist, and all of the staff are an excellent resource when it comes to choosing the appropriate paints and window coverings.

While some businesses were impacted by the 2008 economic slowdown, Kamloops Paint remained strong, says Dangerfield.

“We fared quite well. We were able to carry through because we sell a lot of paint to homeowners and Canadian homeowners are more interested in higher quality products.” Today’s busy renovation industry is making for brisk business at Kamloops Paint. Many clients are becoming

KEITH ANDERSON/THE DAILY NEWS

Kamloops Paint & Window Coverings staff, from left, Jessica Glanzer, Karin Walker, Aubrey Dangerfield and Mandy Langereis look forward to seeing you.

empty nesters, and are deciding to improve rather than move, he says.

“A lot of them are approaching retirement and setting up the place they want to retire into and spend the next chapter of their lives.”

If you’re looking to improve your home,

the staff at Kamloops Paint and Window Coverings can help.

“When you go to a business that’s specialized, the staff is going to have more expertise. Our advantage over our competitors is the service. We can spend time helping people get things right.”

The “New” Neutral Palette

D001844890

We have designed a pallette of 23 colours that work well together.

It is a response to the colour cues popping up in the home decor industries, furnishings, textiles, flooring, wallpaper, pottery, even landscape design, fashion and graphics. Visit benjaminmoore.ca to find out more...

Locally Owned & Operated

KAMLOOPS PAINT & WINDOW COVERINGS

805 Notre Dame Drive, Unit #105, Kamloops, BC, V2C 5N8 • Phone: (250) 828-1800 • Fax: (250) 828-2335

S20 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Lil Monkey’s Treehouse

1801 Princeton-Kamloops Hwy. No. 701 250-377-7529 lilmonkeystreehouse.com

surveys to see if the need existed, and they discovered that many parents had the same frustration.

They opened in March of this year with much excitement from local parents. “A lot of people really appreciate having something like this in Kamloops, a place where they can bring their kids to,” Correia says.

“We offer more than just the slides and the tunnels, we have an art side to it as well.

Everyday we have new crafts set up and parents love that. It’s something they can sit down and do with their kids, and take it home.” As well as the arts and crafts, Lil’ Monkey’s Treehouse also plays host to special events, with fun planned for Halloween as well as Christmas. Also hidden up-

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

Tracee Fawcett, left, and Vanessa Correia opened Lil Monkey’s Treehouse as a place parents can relax and children can explore.

stairs at Lil Monkey’s Treehouse you will find birthday party rooms so children can celebrate their big day here. “We love being able to offer birthdays here at Lil Monkeys. The children have a chance to climb around with their friends and the parents don’t have to worry about a messy house afterwards - it’s a win, win” Fawcett says.

Of course, the best thing about owning Lil’ Monkey’s Treehouse is seeing the smiles on the faces of the little ones when they arrive for the first time. “You can’t go wrong with kids who are happy and having fun,” she says. “The parents are just as happy because they can sit down, have a coffee and relax. That’s definitely what I love.”

Come in from the cold!

We are a safe, clean and interactive indoor play centre for children and their families to have fun, play, learn and create together!

• NEW INDOOR PLAYGROUND • INTERACTIVE GAME FLOOR • BIRTHDAY PARTIES • CRAFT AREA WITH A DIFFERENT THEME EA EACH WEEK

LEAFY GREENS CAFE

D001850620

W

ith the winter months approaching, cabin fever is bound to set in.

Luckily for parents there is Lil’ Monkey’s Treehouse, a place where parents can relax and kids can play and explore in a warm and safe environment.

Tracee Fawcett is originally from Maple Ridge and was surprised that Kamloops didn’t have an indoor playground or something similar to bring her children.

Vanessa Correia ran out of local options to keep her two-year-old entertained. “We would do gymnastics, Mother Goose and other things that were great, but I wanted something more for her to do so she could run around and burn off some energy,” she says. “There was nothing here and I found that we were driving to other cities. Eventually I just said, ‘this is silly. Kamloops needs to have something like this.’”

With that, Tracee and Vanessa began talking to other parents and putting out

Contact:

Mon. to Thurs.

9:30-4:30, Fri. 9:30-7:00 Sat./Sun. 10:00-5:00

Snacks, Sandwiches, Coffee, Lattes, Smoothies and more!

CITY VIEW SHOPPING CENTRE, CENTRE 701 701-1801 1801 Princet Princeton-Kamloops Hwy 250.377.PLAY (7529) www.lilmonkeystreehouse.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Innovex Engineering Nominated for BCLC Technology Innovator Award

I

n a way, without a summer work placement in Kamloops Innovex Engineering may never have found its way to the Tournament Capital.

Founders Casey Dundass and Andrew Ross both completed their graduate studies in mechanical engineering from Waterloo University, and both moved west for job opportunities upon graduation.

After spending some time working in forensic accident reconstruction as well as product design for the transportation safety business, the pair decided to meld their skill sets and create Innovex, which develops new technology in an innovative way.

Today, Innovex is three years old and employs six people. The consulting engineering company delivers product design and engineering analysis to local and regional businesses — mostly throughout B.C. and Alberta. Innovex works primarily with the mining, oil, gas and forestry industries as well as several other heavy industry clients.

It has been a busy three years for Dundass

The Daily News, Kamloops S21

Contact: 805 Notre Dame Dr. 250-828-1800 www.benjaminmoore.com

and Ross, culminating with the most recent news that their company has been nominated for the BCLC Technology Innovator Business Excellence Award. Along with accolades, the pair is also finding success working with several local companies.

“We’re working with Moly-Cop and doing design work for the new plant,” says Dundass, explaining the role his company will play in equipment layout and arrangement of material flow. Innovex also works with several local machine shops, including 4D Welding.

The future looks bright for the company, says Dundass, and part of the reason their expertise is being drawn upon is due to their use of state-of-the-art technology.

“Being able to offer new technology to our

clients has helped us gain market share,” says Dundass, who explains that simulation technology has become vital to securing contracts.

“We design something and in a 3D virtual world we test it. We put it through structural tests to make sure it performs reliably,” he says.

• • • • • • • • •

“Some of these pieces can be very expensive. If it’s a million dollar piece of equipment (the client) is understandably nervous. We can use our software to simulate conditions and put it through a battery of virtual tests to optimize design for performance and for low-cost of manufacturing.”

3D CAD DESIGN 2D FABRICATION DRAWINGS ADVANCED SIMULATION (FEA, STRESS ANALYSIS) ADVANCED ANALYSIS (CFD, FLOW AND HEAT) PLANT LAYOUT AND 3D PIPING MATERIAL HANDLING DESIGN MACHINE AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT DESIGN (TANKS) FAILURE ANALYSIS (FATIGUE, WELD CRACKS) PROJECT MANAGEMENT

D001838732

www.innovexeng.com Ph: 250.372.7676 Kamloops, BC

Innovex Engineering, nominated for the BCLC Technology Innovator in the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards, includes Graham Funk, left, David Botha, Casey Dundass, Andrew Ross, Dustin Remillard and Ryan Leggett.

Providing complete mechanical engineering design and analysis from start to finish of a project.

S22 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Papa G’s Cafe

Opened for business on Oct. 7 in the McGill Industrial Park

G

erald Thiessen has been cooking all his life, so when the opportunity to move to Kamloops and set up a café presented itself, the prospect sounded so appealing he couldn’t resist.

Papa G’s opened its doors on Oct. 7 in the McGill Industrial Park. The café, which operates from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays is the perfect spot to get a great, satisfying breakfast or lunch. The café is licenced to sell beer and wine, and also offers free wifi.

“We’ve cleaned this place up. It’s spotless,” says Thiessen of the café at 1011339 McGill Rd. The small shop is run entirely by Thiessen, who does the cooking, and Charese Weatherbee who does the serving.

No stranger to entrepreneurship, Thiessen says he thrives in a fast-paced environment.

“I have run small cafes before and I started in the kitchen when I was

Contact: 101-1339 McGill Rd. 778-471-4799

14-years-old working for somebody washing dishes. He liked the way I worked so he taught me how to cook. I’ve been cooking ever since. I love to cook.

“I serve an awesome meal. There’s homemade soup every day, and I bake my own muffins every day along with a hot lunch special and a sandwich special.” In the brief time the doors have been open, Thiessen says business has been good, and it gets better every day.

Papa G’s is bright and cheerful, easily accessible and has plenty of parking — all factors Thiessen took into consideration when he opened the place up.

Papa G’s Cafe offers fresh soups and daily specials.

“The people coming through the doors are extremely happy that we’re here,” he says.

Along with daily specials, Papa G’s of-

fers as many local and fresh ingredients as possible, including preservative-free sandwich meats and farmer’s sausage from Vernon.

Join us for Breakfast and Lunch Fully Licensed to serve beer & wine

101-1339 McGill Rd.

7am - 3pm

778.471.4799

D001850625

FREE WI-FI!

Open Mon - Sat

Ra Hair Studio W

Nominated for Kamloops Ford Lincoln Service Provider Award 11+ staff hen elbow room is a scarcity, the one thing that makes sense is to move into a larger, more open space. From its beginning in downtown Kamloops on Seymour Street, Ra Hair Studio and Spa has stretched its arms out not once, but twice, and is offering even more services than ever.

Established in 2006, Ra made the jump from its downtown location to Notre Dame Drive in 2011, and relocated again this past September to Summit Drive as the business amalgamated with the Cutting Lounge. All of the traditional salon and spa services are still available, plus a few new features have been added thanks to the bigger space says Ra general manager Mandy Sanders.

“We took on some new employees and were able to diversify our services again, now we do all the traditional spa services, like manicures, pedicures, facials, gel nails,” she said. “We are also now able to do body wraps and scrubs and that kind of fun stuff, as well as waxing.”

With 33 staff members, 19 hair styling

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S23

Contact: 1300 Summit Dr, 250-372-8746 www.rahairstudio.com

stations, a mezzanine for colour services, and an entire second floor for spa services, Ra is taking advantage of every inch of the building that was specifically designed to be a salon and spa.

“We were pretty much running out of room at our old location,” Sanders said.

“We really outgrew our space; our spa and our hair was all in the midst together and so moving into this location, we were able to separate spa from hair.”

With a low staff turnover rate, clients are also able to have a great personal experience and develop a relationship with their stylist.

“You’re able to come to the salon, not come back for six months, and come back and have your stylist still be here,” Sanders said. “We’ve had a lot of new faces join the team, but we have a core group of people who have been here since Day 1.”

While the larger space has given everyone more room to work, Sanders everyone

Ra Hair Studio has moved to the former Cutting Lounge location on Summit Drive, and offers a full menu of spa services.

at Ra still works as a team that has a passion for what they do and loves being a part of the small business community in Kamloops.

“I haven’t worked for a lot of big companies, and being in Kamloops – we all love it here,” she said. “We all went away for a while and then came back and said, ‘We have to make a go of it in Kamloops,’ because we love Kamloops. To be able to grow in a community, it’s awesome.”

D001844906

F E E T | H A N D S | FAC E | H A I R | E V E RY B O DY

RADIANT | INSPIRED | ADDICTIVE Visiting

isn’t just a memorable experience.

It’s an addictive lifestyle.

250-372-8746 • rahairstudio.com 1300 Summit Drive, Kamloops, BC V2C1T8

S24 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Cornerstone Korean Restaurant T

he tastes of Korea have made their way into Kamloops since Cornerstone Korean Restaurant opened its doors in the downtown area. Cornerstone owner Bona Ahn has been offering authentic Korean and Japanese food made with love since opening in September 2012.

“Cornerstone is the only Korean restaurant in Kamloops, so we have a lunch buffet because I wasn’t sure if Kamloopsians would be familiar (with) Korean food,” says Ahn. “There are many Japanese restaurants here, so I decided have a buffet for customers to try it out.”

In large cities, such as New York or Vancouver, Korean food is becoming more and more popular, says Ahn. She has noticed that people who visit Cornerstone from large cities are more accustom to Korean food, while those who have been in Kamloops all their life are a little reluctant.

However, with little to no MSG and many

Contact: 561 Seymour St. 250-374-0080 www.cornerstonerestaurant.ca

gluten and sugar-free dishes, Korean cuisine has options for every appetite.

To accommodate newcomers to the taste of Korean cuisine, Cornerstone offers both traditional and mainstream-fusion dishes on its menu. If you’re looking for something different, visit the restaurant during the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet for new dishes, along with the regular favourites.

In the spring, Ahn hopes to have the outdoor patio complete to offer Korean barbecue for her customers and give them a whole new experience.

Cornerstone customers are treated just

Hugo Yuen/the daily news

The staff of Cornerstone Korean Restaurant welcome you to come on in to the Seymour Street eatery and try the lunchtime all-you-can-eat buffet.

like family, and she enjoys seeing smiles on their faces as they enjoy the authentic meals.

“I like to help people be happy and I can see many people are happy when they are leaving,” said Ahn. “All of our staff care

about our customers and I ask the kitchen staff to make a meal as if they were all family members. We feel our customers are our own family members, so if we can give this food to our family members and we can put this food on their tables.”

A great dining experience for lunch or dinner that will keep you coming back time after time...

Lunch Buffet

• Great selection • Cozy atmosphere

WE BRING FRESH ITEMS TO CUSTOMERS TABLES IF BUFFET RUNS OUT (BETWEEN 1PM - 2PM ONLY)

Call us to reserve your

Christmas Party We have a private room with seating for up to 12 people.

We will open Dinner Buffet for 12 or more people $19.99 per person

Healthy & Delicious Taste with Gracious Service

www.cornerstonerestaurant.ca •

Cornerstone Sushi & Korean BBQ

MONDAY TO THURSDAY 11-2 (11:30AM - 2:00PM FOR BUFFET) DINNER 4:30 - 9:00 PM

SATURDAY OPEN ALL DAY (11 AM TO 9 PM)

D001851612

561 Seymour Street, Kamloops, BC • 250.374.0080

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Dr. Ho-Young Chung, Dentist Contact: 101-629 Lansdowne St. 250-374-2272

an early age. He recommends children have their first dental exam before their first birthday.

Dr. Chung has a passion for implant dentistry. Implants can either replace missing teeth or support loose dentures.

“When I am not spending time with my family, I’m at a continuing education course for implants,” he says. “In the last three-and-a-half years I have received more than 300 hours of extra dental education in trying to stay up-to-date with current dental technology.”

He works hard to make these procedures

Dr. Ho-Young Chung, pictured with his two young sons, is proud to be able to offer family dentistry in the community in which he grew up. When he’s not spending time with his young family, Dr. Chung is furthering his education in dental implants.

available and affordable for Kamloops residents. “People of Kamloops no longer need to make multiple trips to Kelowna or Vancouver to have implants done,” he says.

WE WELCOME NEW PATIENTS OF ALL AGES

Dr. Chung also teaches part-time for the Bites Implant Institute in Burnaby, where other dentists come to learn about dental implants.

FREE IMPLANT CONSULTATION*

FAMILY DENTISTRY • Family Friendly Dentistry • Implant Dentistry • Wisdom Teeth (Sedation Option) • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Acupuncture

EAT - SMILE LIVE WITH CONFIDENCE *Valid until December 31, 2013 excludes X-rays which may be required.

DR. HO-YOUNG CHUNG

DENTIST wheelchair accessible

250.374.2272 101-629 Lansdowne St.

D001851622

D

r. Ho-Young Chung has been a resident of Kamloops since 1992. He attended both elementary and high school in the Tournament Capital, and is a father to two young boys, aged two and four, with his wife of seven years. Dr. Chung loves that he is able to practice dentistry in his hometown.

Dr. Chung welcomes new families and individuals to his practice.

“I have a busy young family of my own, so I know how it can be trying to fit dentistry into a busy family schedule,” he says. “However, I also know how important it is for all families to maintain good dental health. There’s nothing more disheartening for parents than finding out that their child has a mouth full of cavities.”

That’s why Dr. Chung stresses the importance of children visiting the dentist at

The Daily News, Kamloops S25

S26 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Hoja Mongolian Grill Contact:

256 Victoria St. 250-372-3166 www.hojamongoliangrill.com

basic drill at Hoja goes like this: grab a bowl, add a selection of meat or protein, then noodles and vegetables. These are all displayed along a long buffet table. At the end is a multitude of sauces, with suggestions for standard mixes as well as plenty of room to experiment. Continuing to the grill, customers find the chef awaiting, cooking swords in hand. Handing over their bowls, the chef will stir fry the food on a big round grill while the customer waits. Like any other buffet, diners can visit as many times as they like in a meal.

Located on the 200-block of Victoria Street, Jones says Hoja caters to vegetarian diets and those with allergies as well. Chefs will clean a portion of the grill and use

r u o y e t a e Cr Meal n w o r u o y y o j n E

! n o i t crea

Watch your food being prepared exactly the way you want it, right before your eyes at Hoja Mongolian Grill in downtown Kamloops.

fresh utensils with any meal so long as its requested ahead of time. And if customers want to win Blazers tickets there are regular promotions on hockey nights, which can be found through Hoja’s Facebook page or at the restaurant.

With a lunchtime and a dinner buffet, Hoja draws the business crowd at lunch hour and rest of the city in the evenings.

“Every day we’re doing something a little bit different,” said Jones. “We’re trying to keep everything upcoming and fresh.”

The Hoja Mongolian Grill invites you to experience an unique, innovative and delicious adventure.

All you can eat experience with endless healthy combinations!

256 Victoria St.• 250-372-3166

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M

ost people are familiar with buffetstyle eating, but it’s not every restaurant where you get to pick the ingredients and watch the chef sizzle up your meal right before your eyes. Based on Mongolian history where hunting parties would gather and slice vegetables and meat with swords then sear them on their overturned battle shields across a blazing fire, Hoja Mongolian Grill aims to provide a unique and fresh dining experience in Kamloops.

Fast-food restaurants can make food quickly, but according to Hoja fast food has taken over the market, making each dining experience the same as the next. Owner Maxine Tsai wanted to change that, and provide fresh ingredients that customers could actually see before eating them.

“You will like your food because you get to pick it yourself,” said Natalie Jones, front-end manager at the restaurant. The

MCM Real Estate F

ew things are as stressful as starting up a new business. One of the biggest stepping stones is finding that perfect space, and Mona Murray and her team at MCM Real Estate are ready and able to find any business owner that perfect space.

With 30 years of experience, Murray, is managing broker and owner of MCM Real Estate, works with clients to focus on what their needs are for their business, taking the reins and helping them breathe easier.

“If someone calls and they have a need, we can predict where the successful spot would be for that particular type of business, and that saves that person a lot of legwork,” Murray says. “We also help with things like building out their space. For example, we just did a doctor’s office where the doctor needed an office but it’s not set up properly. We help them design it with exam rooms and a private office; we help coordinate those build-outs for them.”

For Murray the reward is watching businesses grow from small, 400 sq. ft. spaces to large, 8,000 sq. ft. spaces.

“In Kamloops, because there’s not many

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S27

Contact:

315-546 St. Paul St. 250-372-2277 www.mcmrealestate.ca info@mcmrealestate.ca

of us who specialize in commercial real estate we get the opportunity to work with the same clients over and over as they grow and for me, that’s very personally rewarding.”

Murray has noticed a change in the way landlords and their tenants interact. “The people who are landlords today and are purchasing buildings as an investment property are quite different than they were 30 years ago,” she says. “They’ve come to recognize that the relationship between a landlord and a tenant is that – it is a relationship.

Kamloops, thank goodness, is small enough that there is a good relationship between the landlords and their tenants.”

Whether it’s an up-and-coming retail store or a well-established franchise looking to expand, MCM Real Estate can find the perfect space for any business.

KEITH ANDERSON/THE DAILY NEWS

Mona Murray, managing broker of MCM Real Estate enjoys helping business owners find their perfect location.

Exceeding Your Expectations!

MCM Real Estate

Please visit our website www.mcmrealestate.ca for more information on our current listings and what our team of professionals can do for you!

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providing clients with Real Estate Services including Commercial Sales, Leasing & Property Management, Residential Buying & Selling, and Consulting Services. We are a full service office and can assist in a wide range of Real Estate transactions. Personal client focus combined with practical market knowledge and experience.

"IT'S NOT WHAT WE DO; IT'S WHY WE DO IT".

S28 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre Contact:

info@kamloopshearingaidcentre.ca

are now looking for assistance.

“We have less and less issues from hearing loss from infection and disease, the majority is either natural onset or noise exposure,” she says.

Twenty years ago, hearing aids were “big, brown and ugly,” says Alexandre. Today, hearing aids are small, discrete, and they work beautifully. Advancements in technology also mean that the hearing aids of today are more versatile than ever.

“You can stream your TV signal to your hearing aid so you can hear it right in your ears. You can stream your Bluetooth device, listen to music, hear the GPS when you’re driving. There are a lot of accessories out there that make hearing comfortable

Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre owners Jan and Blaine Alexandre offer hearing testing, hearing aid fitting and sell listening devices and accessories.

and discrete.”

There used to be a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid, says Alexandre, but that’s gone. She is excited about the increasing acceptance of hearing aids and other assisted listening devices. Being able

to help people hear clearly is gratifying.

“Our industry is opening up because of the positive feedback from our clients.

People are taking care of themselves, they’re becoming more proactive with their health.”

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usiness is booming for Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre, says owner Jan Alexandre, and she credits growth with advancements in hearing technology.

Alexandre, who purchased Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre from Al Hodgson in 2011, runs the business with her husband Blaine. Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre offers hearing testing, hearing aid fitting and sells listening devices and accessories including hearing amplified telephones, hearing protection, earplugs, custom-made swim moulds and Bluetooth devices. They also provide aural rehabilitation services.

There are five people who work in the office, says Alexandre, adding that they’re busier than ever.

“Baby boomers are here,” she says, explaining that years of exposure to loud noises — either through work environments or recreational excessive noise — has caught up with the generation, and many

414 Arrowstone Dr. 250-372-3090 kamloopshearingaidcentre.ca

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

D’Agostino Italian Restaurant

The Daily News, Kamloops S29

Contact:

I

f you’re looking for a taste of classic, southern Italy, look no further than D’Agostino Italian Restaurant on Victoria Street. Open in Kamloops since 1992, this husband and wife-owned restaurant offers quality and taste that has withstood time.

“I see every order that comes through this place,” says owner Ray Bartucci. “Everyone who comes in, it’s my wife who serves you.

We’re totally hands on. We offer hospitality and honesty. That gives you the longevity.”

Bartucci has recently discontinued D’Agostino’s lunch service to allow him and his wife Rose to focus more on retirement, but that doesn’t mean that the quality is going to change. They will still offer their regular dinner service, as well as daytime catering.

“I still love what I’m doing and want to continue to do it, but just on a smaller scale,” he says. “The quality will always be the same, which is one of the reasons why we’re

258 Victoria St. 250-372-1111 www.dagostinoitalian.com

downsizing. We always strive to have the best quality, it’s going to be the same.”

While being a locally owned and operated business in Kamloops can sometimes be tough, the reception he has received over the years has been good. Born in the south of Italy, he immigrated to Canada with his family in 1966.

“We went to school here, we grew up here, we stayed here, I invest here,” Bartucci says.

“Kamloops, we feel, is where we want to be.

We have confidence in Kamloops.”

Because of his Italian roots, Bartucci is proud to serve 100 per cent classic, homestyle, authentic Italian meals, something that other restaurants can’t do. From eggplant parmigiana to baked gnocchi cappicola, to hand-stretched pizza baked in stone

HUGO YUEN/THE DAILY NEWS

D’Agostino Italian Restaurant owner Ray Bartucci says classic Italian cuisine coupled with honesty and great hospitality have kept customers returning.

pizza ovens, the food will take you right to Italy.

“A lot of people get into ethnic restaurants, but they just know it by the book, they’ve never lived it,” he said. “All my recipes and all my food is still 1980’s and it’s going to

continue to be because that’s what style I do.

It’s timeless, it’s always there.”

Bartucci’s passion for cuisine keeps him going, so while he looks toward retirement, the quality, care and hospitality will always remain the same.

Authentic Italian Cuisine!

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258 Victoria Street • 372-1111

S30 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Top 40 Woodworks Nominated for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce BDC Manufacturer Award

W

hile the projects may be getting bigger, Top 40 Woodworks still remains a small, Kamloops-based business at heart. Operating out of a Kamloops showroom and manufacturing facility for 21 years, the accolades and excitement surrounding the business is well deserved.

Most recently, Top 40 Woodworks has been nominated for the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence BDC Manufacturer Award. According to sales manager Kelly Glanzer, any community recognition is great and it reflects well on the employees and their work.

“Everybody has a little bit of a skip in their step as they take pride in it and they kick it up a notch as they go about their daily work,” he says. “Whether or not we win, we have a weekly newsletter we put out and we take pride in these kinds of things and we share it. It shows in the culture of our staff on the floor.”

Earlier this year Top 40 Woodworks also earned top honours from the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC) for its work on the new Metrotown location of Lululemon Athletica in the under $250,000 category. They also earned the AWMAC’s Ed Russell Award.

Contact:

1744 Kelly Douglas Rd. 250-374-9002 www.top40woodworks.com

“

Working in the small business here we compete against monster businesses in Canada, and the people that we have in our company really make us who we are.”

“This year we’ve been up for more awards than we have in the history of the company, so it’s been a great year,” Glanzer says. “There’s been some great work and a great culture of people coming in here.”

While some of the company’s projects may take staff across the province, Glanzer takes pride in the fact that his team members call Kamloops home, and that many of them have relocated from larger city centers for the lifestyle Kamloops has to offer.

Above, Top 40 Woodworks owner Jack Mendes at the 23rd annual AWMAC B.C. Awards receiving the Ed Russel Gold Award for Overall Excellence in Quality and Service for the Lululemon Athletica Metrotown project. At top, Top 40 Woodworks’ completed Lululemon Athletica storefront at Burnaby’s Metrotown.

“Working in the small business here, we compete against monster businesses in Canada, and the people that we have in our company really make us who we are,” Glanzer says.

“Those people aren’t here because they have to be here, they’re here because they love Kamloops. We have a great company

with people who work hard together and play hard together after work.”

Whether it is a residential kitchen or bathroom remodel or commercial millworking, no job is too big or too small for Top 40 Woodworks, and Glanzer invites everyone to come by Top 40 and check out the newly renovated residential showroom.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

The Daily News, Kamloops S31

MURRAY MITCHELL/THE DAILY NEWS

Gourmet Kettle Fudge & Popcorn Co. in Valleyview is a small business with big ideas. From left, owner Marnie DavisSchaak displays selections of gourmet kettle popcorn while Sydney Beharrell holds a tray of fudge and Marci Anthony shows a fudge dipped apple decorated as a turkey. At right, a selection of popcorn in a variety of colours and flavours.

Gourmet Kettle Fudge & Popcorn Co. I

f you’ve always been a fan of popcorn and fudge, just wait until you step into Gourmet Kettle Fudge & Popcorn in Valleyview. Owners Marnie Davis-Schaak and Jason Schaak opened the sweet shop with the goal of taking popcorn and fudge to the next level.

The pair opened the shop a little more than a year ago and is thrilled with its success to date. Everything at Gourmet Kettle is made fresh on site in the open kitchen, so patrons can see exactly how their treats are made. There are 450 popcorn flavours to choose from and 350 flavours of fudge.

Through the summer, the couple also introduced soft-serve ice cream, which proved a stand out hit.

“In January we expected to be brutally quiet, but we were pleasantly surprised.

Popcorn did amazingly well. It was a great surprise.”

Contact:

11-2121 Trans Canada Hwy. E. 250-377-0997 www.top40woodworks.com gourmetkettle@telus.net

Gourmet Kettle consists of the owners and their four teenaged children, as well as a couple of employees. Davis-Schaak says the shop has been fantastic for bringing the family together.

“Our children are amazing and have totally stepped up. It’s a first job for all of them and we’ve been able to do this together as a family. A lot of customers like that dynamic — when people come in it’s like we’re welcoming them into our living room.”

On the business side, success has come

“

Our children are amazing and have totally stepped up. It’s a first job for all of them and we’ve been able to do this together as a family.”

through diversifying. As well as on-site sales, Davis-Schaak says they’re branching out into fundraising, retail and wholesale.

So far, the quality of the product is selling itself, and the move toward wholesale production has taken place almost organically.

“We haven’t pushed it, but we get a request almost weekly from people wanting to carry the product in their store.”

One such request came from a Vancouver-based company that promotes wines and spirits. That company ordered 400

pounds of popcorn to pair with wines during a recent sampling.

“They want the kettle corn because the sweet and salty goes really nicely — they like the variety and they like the visual.”

As well as expansion through wholesale, Gourmet Kettle has also augmented its product line offering artisan marshmallows that are made fresh in the shop.

They’re also putting on candy apple workshops every Saturday until Christmas. Children are provided with the apples and all the candy needed to decorate. The workshops have proved a huge hit, says DavisSchaak.

While the demand for the product has been fantastic, the goal is to continue to grow, but to do so slowly and strategically.

In the meantime, the Davis-Schaak family will continue to enjoy its successful small business.

S32 The Daily News, Kamloops

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

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