Douglas magazine Oct/Nov 2022

LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS Driven from the Start

O C T / N OV 2 0 2 2

Rob Germain, GM/CEO CHEK Media Group

SMALL BUSINESS ISSUE

Mandy Farmer

This CEO’s superpower?

Keeping her people happy

Big Decisions

THE POWER OF

EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP PM41295544

Small businesses rise to the challenge

Meeting Planner

Remote, in person or hybrid, make it one they won’t forget

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UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES » UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES » NEW PRICE

$16,500,000

$5,999,999

$5,999,000

$3,850,000

1110 Lands End Road, North Saanich

Norway Island, Gulf Islands

1700 Mt. Newton Cross Road, Central Saanich

2770 Heron Street, Oak Bay

BEDS: 4 BATHS: 8 7,434 SQ.FT. 15 ACRES

BEDS: 8 BATHS: 4 6,000 SQ.FT. 30 ACRES

BEDS: 5 BATHS: 10 17,576 SQ.FT. 20 ACRES

BEDS: 5 BATHS: 6 4,753 SQ.FT. 0.23 ACRES

250.857.0609

Logan Wilson PREC

250.228.3858

Nico Grauer PREC

250.661.7232

Glynis MacLeod PREC

250.514.1966

Lisa Williams PREC

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES » UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES » INTRODUCING

NEW LISTING

$2,790,000

INTRODUCING

$2,295,000

$1,850,000

$995,000

4701 Wilson Road, Duncan

250 Becher Bay Road, Sooke

553-561-573 Dobson Road, Duncan

BEDS: 5 BATHS: 4 3,608 SQ.FT 7.86 ACRES

BEDS: 5 BATHS: 3 5,900 SQ.FT. 11.29 ACRES

0.75 ACRE LOT

Terry Calveley

Dean Innes

Philippe Jolicoeur

250.589.6247

250.686.0279

77 Mapleleaf Lane, Sidney Island 4 ACRE LOT

778.821.0131

Kris Ricci

778.966.7441

C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S »

« C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S SOLD

UPON REQUEST

$825,000

NEW PRICE

$550,000

$449,000

9-2654 Lancelot Place, Sidney

1-1231 McKenzie Street, Victoria

201-1597 Mortimer Street, Saanich

403-1105 Pandora Avenue, Victoria

BEDS: 2 BATHS: 3 1,858 SQ.FT. 0.04 ACRES

BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 1,030 SQ.FT. 0.03 ACRES

BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 1,178 SQ.FT.

BEDS: 1 BATHS: 1 412 SQ.FT.

Robyn Wildman

Samantha Jensson

250.818.8522

250.818.2006

Alenzo Winters

250.858.9395

Brayden Klein

250.588.2466

S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S » S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S » SOLD

$1,875,000

$1,699,000

$1,595,000

$1,550,000

3-1190 Rhoda Lane, Esquimalt

7405 Thornton Heights, Sooke

37191 Schooner Way, Pender Island

6466 East Sooke Road, Sooke

BEDS: 5 BATHS: 3 2,845 SQ.FT. 0.16 ACRES

BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 3,191 SQ.FT. 0.45 ACRES

BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 2,257 SQ.FT. 0.59 ACRES

BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 2,206 SQ.FT. 0.29 ACRES

Marnie Ross

Spencer Cao

Luke Cameron

250.514.4363

250.732.2267

250.380.3933

S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S »

Thomas Goodman

250.415.6675

« S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S SOLD

$1,050,000

NEW LISTING

$998,000

$809,000

$788,000

3151 Carman Street, Saanich

3246 Doncaster Drive, Saanich

1573 Nimpkish Place, Duncan

557 Parkway Place, Cobble Hill

BEDS: 3 BATHS: 1 1,835 SQ.FT. 0.15 ACRES

BEDS: 4 BATHS: 3 1,934 SQ.FT. 0.13 ACRES

BEDS: 4 BATHS: 3 2,205 SQ.FT. 0.15 ACRES

BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 1,827 SQ.FT. 0.21 ACRES

Peter Crichton

Grace Shin

Christine Ryan PREC

250.532.0888

Andy Stephenson PREC

Alenzo Winters

Andrew Maxwell

Victoria 250.380.3933

Andy Stephenson

Beth Hayhurst

Brad Maclaren

Salt Spring Island 250.537.1778

Brayden Klein

Brett Cooper

Vancouver 604.632.3300

Cheryl Barnes

Christine Ryan

250.889.4000

D’Arcy Harris

West Vancouver 604.922.6995

Dave Hatt

Dean Innes

White Rock 604.385.1840

250.893.9976

Don St Germain

Georgia Wiggins

Glynis MacLeod

Whistler 604.932.3388

Grace Shin

Harley Shim

Kelowna 250.469.9547

778.533.3205

Jacob Garrett

Kirsten MacLeod

Sun Peaks 250.578.7773

Move Move Beyond Beyond Your Your Expectations Expectations 5091 LOCHSIDE DRIVE, SAANICH 5091 LOCHSIDE DRIVE, SAANICH 1700 MT. NEWTON CROSS ROAD, CENTRAL SAANICH 1700 MT. NEWTON CROSS ROAD, CENTRAL SAANICH

S O T H E B Y S R E A L T Y. C A S O T H E B Y S R E A L T Y. C A

« UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES « UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES

$3,800,000 $3,800,000 236 Dallas Road, 236 Dallas Road, Victoria Victoria BEDS: 8 BATHS: 8 4,924 SQ.FT. 0.17 ACRES BEDS: 8 BATHS: 8 4,924 SQ.FT. 0.17 ACRES Brett Cooper PREC Brett Cooper PREC

$3,680,000 $3,680,000 5118-5120 Brenton Page Road, 5118-5120 Ladysmith Brenton Page Road, Ladysmith BEDS: 5 BATHS: 4 6,842 SQ.FT. BEDS: 5 BATHS: 4 6,842 SQ.FT. 3.18 ACRES 3.18 ACRES Sandy Berry 250.818.8736 Sandy Berry 250.818.8736

250.858.6524 250.858.6524

$3,599,000 $3,599,000 1493 Pebble Place, 1493 Pebble Place, Langford Langford BEDS: 5 BATHS: 5 5,377 SQ.FT. BEDS: 5 BATHS: 5 5,377 SQ.FT. 0.26 ACRES 0.26 ACRES PREC 250.727.5448 Brad Maclaren 250.727.5448 Brad Maclaren PREC

« U N I Q U E O P P O R T U N I T I E S C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S » « U N I Q U E O P P O R T U N I T I E S C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S »

$2,900,000 $2,900,000 8763 Beaumaris Place, 8763 NorthBeaumaris Saanich Place, North Saanich BEDS: 3 BATHS: 5 5,039 SQ.FT. BEDS: 3 BATHS: 5 5,039 SQ.FT. 0.35 ACRES 0.35 ACRES Andrew Maxwell 250.213.2104 Andrew Maxwell 250.213.2104

« C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S « C O N D O S & TOW N H O M E S

NEW PRICE NEW PRICE

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING

$153,000 $153,000 18-2315 Mackinnon Road, 18-2315 Mackinnon Road, Pender Island Pender Island BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 782 SQ.FT. BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 782 SQ.FT. VACATION PROPERTY VACATION PROPERTY Robyn Wildman 250.818.8522 Robyn Wildman 250.818.8522

$1,849,000 $1,849,000 PH3-1033 Cook Street, PH3-1033 Victoria Cook Street, Victoria BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 BEDS: 2 BATHS: 2 1,485 SQ.FT. 1,485 SQ.FT. D’Arcy Harris 250.686.2375 D’Arcy Harris 250.686.2375

$1,600,000 $1,600,000 905-373 Tyee Road, 905-373 Tyee Road, Victoria Victoria BEDS: 2 BATHS: 3 1,442 SQ.FT. BEDS: 2 BATHS: 3 1,442 SQ.FT. Kirsten MacLeod Kirsten MacLeod 250.686.3385 250.686.3385

S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S » S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S »

$3,400,000 $3,400,000 10200 South Shore Road, 10200 South Shore Road, Cowichan Lake Cowichan Lake BEDS: 5 BATHS: 2 2,330 SQ.FT. BEDS: 5 BATHS: 2 2,330 SQ.FT. 4.80 ACRES 4.80 ACRES Tim Wiggins Georgia Wiggins PREC Tim Wiggins Georgia Wiggins PREC 250.415.2811 250.415.2500 250.415.2500 250.415.2811

$1,495,000 $1,495,000 4047 Haro Road, 4047 Haro Road, Saanich Saanich BEDS: 3 BATHS: 1 1,408 SQ.FT. BEDS: 3 BATHS: 1 1,408 SQ.FT. 0.32 ACRES 0.32 ACRES Jacob Garrett 236.562.7047 Jacob Garrett 236.562.7047

$2,950,000 $2,950,000 5091 Lochside Drive, 5091 Lochside Drive, Saanich Saanich BEDS: 4 BATHS: 5 3,311 SQ.FT. BEDS: 4 BATHS: 5 3,311 SQ.FT. 0.19 ACRES 0.19 ACRES Beth Hayhurst 250.896.0766 Beth Hayhurst 250.896.0766

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING

Shaelyn Mattix Shaelyn Mattix 250.908.0184 250.908.0184

$829,000 $829,000 7-370 Latoria Boulevard, 7-370 Latoria Boulevard, Colwood Colwood BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 1,534 SQ.FT. BEDS: 3 BATHS: 3 1,534 SQ.FT. 0.04 ACRES 0.04 ACRES Cheryl Barnes 250.413.7943 Cheryl Barnes 250.413.7943

« S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S « S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S

SOLD SOLD

INTRODUCING INTRODUCING

$2,300,000 $2,300,000 1584 Rockland Avenue, 1584 Rockland Avenue, Victoria Victoria BEDS: 4 BATHS: 4 3,649 SQ.FT. BEDS: 4 BATHS: 4 3,649 SQ.FT. 0.19 ACRES 0.19 ACRES Dave Hatt 250.888.0204 Dave Hatt 250.888.0204

$2,149,900 $2,149,900 10469 Allbay Road, 10469 Allbay Road, Sidney Sidney BEDS: 4 BATHS: 2 2,444 SQ.FT. BEDS: 4 BATHS: 2 2,444 SQ.FT. 0.16 ACRES 0.16 ACRES Robyn Wildman Samantha Jensson Robyn Wildman Samantha Jensson 250.818.8522 250.818.2006 250.818.8522 250.818.2006

$1,989,888 $1,989,888 5165 Duncan Bay Road, 5165 Duncan Bay Road, Campbell River Campbell River BEDS: 4 BATHS: 3 2,593 SQ.FT. BEDS: 4 BATHS: 3 2,593 SQ.FT. 5 ACRES 5 ACRES Harley Shim 250.881.3601 Harley Shim 250.881.3601

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING

NEW PRICE NEW PRICE

$1,249,900 $1,249,900 1198 Reynolds Road, 1198 Reynolds Road, Saanich Saanich BEDS: 4 BATHS: 2 2,173 SQ.FT. BEDS: 4 BATHS: 2 2,173 SQ.FT. 0.19 ACRES 0.19 ACRES Don St Germain PREC 250.744.7136 Don St Germain PREC 250.744.7136

$1,149,000 $1,149,000 7071 Rice Road, 7071 Rice Road, Duncan Duncan BEDS: 2 BATHS: 3 1,820 SQ.FT. BEDS: 2 BATHS: 3 1,820 SQ.FT. 5.28 ACRES 5.28 ACRES Michael Tourigny 250.514.6457 Michael Tourigny 250.514.6457

$1,299,000 $1,299,000 4460 Majestic Drive, 4460 Majestic Drive, Saanich Saanich BEDS: 6 BATHS: 3 2,282 SQ.FT. 0.14 ACRES BEDS: 6 BATHS: 3 2,282 SQ.FT. 0.14 ACRES Sean Farrell Sean Farrell

250.588.2377 250.588.2377

« S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S « S I N G L E FA M I LY H O M E S

Luxury Luxury Is Is An An Experience, Experience, Not Not A A Price Price Point Point

$204B $204B

79 79

GLOBAL SALES GLOBAL SALES

Kris Kris Ricci Ricci

Toronto Toronto

Lisa Lisa Williams Williams

1,000+ 1,000+

COUNTRIES COUNTRIES

Logan Logan Wilson Wilson

Paris Paris

Luke Luke Cameron Cameron

Marnie Marnie Ross Ross

OFFICES OFFICES

Michael Michael Tourigny Tourigny

New York New York

Nico Nico Grauer Grauer

Peter Peter Crichton Crichton

Tokyo Tokyo

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Philippe Philippe Jolicoeur Jolicoeur

Robyn Robyn Wildman Wildman

Hong Kong Hong Kong

Samantha Samantha Jensson Jensson

Sandy Sandy Berry Berry

Montréal Montréal

Sean Sean Farrell Farrell

Shaelyn Shaelyn Mattix Mattix

London London

Simona Simona Stramaccioni Stramaccioni

Spencer Spencer Cao Cao

Terry Terry Calveley Calveley

Thomas Thomas Goodman Goodman

Tim Tim Wiggins Wiggins

S OT H E B YS R E A LT Y.C A S OT H E B YS R E A LT Y.C A

Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective Purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. PREC is Personal Real Estate Corporation.

Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E.: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective Purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal. PREC is Personal Real Estate Corporation.

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Open-Source Outbreak: Revolutionizing Public Health Dr. Jennifer Gardy is Deputy Director, Surveillance, Data and Epidemiology at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, using DNA sequencing to understand how outbreaks start and spread — and how they can be stopped. A popular guest on The Nature of Things, Dr. Gardy excels at explaining the impact science has on our lives.

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Urban visionary Mary W. Rowe has worked across Canada and the U.S. on solutions to some of our greatest urban challenges. An outspoken voice on city livability, Mary is President & CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute and a Senior Fellow with Shorefast, a national charity focused on building community economies.

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OCT/NOV 2022

CONTENTS

44

FEATURES

22 Small Business, Big Decisions 32 After nearly three years of disruption, what’s working, what isn’t and what’s next.

BY JENNIFER HARTLEY AND JOANNE SASVARI

38 Getting Owned and Loving it Employee ownership may be the best way for your business to survive — and thrive.

BY CLEMENS RETTICH

44 Seriously Happy

Accent Inns CEO Mandy Farmer shares her insights and leadership ideas on how to keep her people happy. BY SHANNON MONEO

58 Driven From the Start

Douglas catches up with four previous 10 to Watch Award winners to learn the many ways the recognition has helped their businesses grow. BY MICHAEL JOHN LO

VIEA “State of the Island” Economic Summit

VIEA’s new president Julie Sperber and former president George Hanson explain what to expect at this year’s exciting, in-person event. Plus: Douglas recommends the featured sessions to watch for.

48 Meeting Planner's Guide

In-person conferences are back and we can’t wait to reconnect. But the meeting experience has forever been changed, and we have the solutions, tips and advice you need in our guide to creative conference planning.

58 DEPARTMENTS 10 EDITOR’S NOTE 15 IN THE KNOW Esri Canada helps

cities plan for the future; data breaches; spruce up your business in time for the holidays; Douglas Reads' latest choices.

70 POINT OF VIEW Jeff Crone brings zen to driving and it’s all in the details.

INTEL (BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE) 64 MARKETING

Five steps for an intentional online content strategy. BY SHARON MILONE

66 INVESTMENT

8 DOUGLAS

22

Financing early stage ventures requires injections of money and building the right relationships. BY MIA MAKI

68 MANAGEMENT

Here to Stay: motivating employees in a hybrid landscape. BY INGRID VAUGHAN

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Small Business Insurance

Small Business Insurance is sold through BCAA Insurance Agency Ltd., a licensed insurance agency, and is underwritten by BCAA Insurance Corporation. Claims are administered by BCAA Insurance Corporation. BCAA trademarks are owned by, and use is authorized by, the Canadian Automobile Association. BCAA, in association with CAA, was ranked the #1 Most 199-22 Trusted Insurance Brand in Canada by the 2022 Gustavson Brand Trust Index.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Celebrating Small Businesses

For your family, business and future.

A team-based approach for a total wealth strategy that addresses the entirety of your life.

C.P. (Chuck) McNaughton, PFP Senior Wealth Advisor 250.654.3342 charles.mcnaughton@scotiawealth.com themcnaughtongroup.ca

WHILE OCTOBER IS OFFICIALLY SMALL BUSINESS MONTH IN B.C., small businesses should be celebrated every day. After all, they feed us, entertain us, keep us safe, clean and healthy. They renovate our homes, provide valuable services, and make us beautiful and happy. They are high-growth companies that keep us educated and productive.

Economically, creative entrepreneurs across all sectors drive our economy. They are some of the most accomplished Canadians, as they dream, innovate and adapt to create jobs. Nationally, in 2021, Stats Can reported they comprised 98.1 per cent of all employer businesses. Almost two-thirds (63.8 per cent, or 10.3 million) of Canadians took home a pay cheque from a small business.

In short, small businesses are the backbone of our economy and play an important role in keeping our Small businesses economic engine moving. As they seize opportunities are the backbone and run with them, they not only build our economy at home, but they serve as our economic ambassadors of our economy abroad, strengthening Canada's identity and reputation. and play an Closer to home, the British Columbia government important role reports that we have more small businesses per capita than other provinces, and self-employment is more in keeping our economic engine common than in any other province. The vast majority of businesses are small ones — 98 per cent. In a moving. province with 5.1 million people and 523,600 small businesses, roughly one in 10 British Columbians are small business entrepreneurs of some kind.

Their entrepreneurial spirit in action is inspirational. But they also face challenges.

Labour shortages, supply issues and even climate events are impacting their world, and ours. One of the ways to survive is to share information and collaborate. The upcoming VIEA Summit (see page 32) will be one of those opportunities for businesses to come together and collectively strategize on how to better navigate — and thrive — in our changing times.

VIEA looks at the state of the whole Island; closer to home, the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s third annual Rising Economy conference (November 15 to 17) focuses on the economic, societal and environmental challenges facing Greater Victoria.

On the agenda: climate change solutions, economic resilience, the strength of diversity and much more.

As we strive to continue the quest for excellence, celebrating our successes is important. Our update on four past 10 to Watch winners (see page 58) does just that, as does our call to nominate your favourite local startup business for the 2023 competition.

Visit douglasmagazine.com for all the details.

— Jennifer Hartley, Guest Editor The McNaughton Group ScotiaMcLeod®, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.

® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence.

Scotia Capital Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. For more information visit www.scotiawealthmanagement.com. McNaughton Group is a personal trade name of C.P. (Chuck) McNaughton.

10 DOUGLAS

VIEA’s State of the Island, Economic Summit Oct 26-27, Nanaimo, B.C.

Rising Economy Conference Nov 25-17, Victoria, B.C.

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We believe the ultimate measure of our performance is our clients’ success. It has guided our approach for over 30 years.

PUBLISHERS Lise Gyorkos, Georgina Camilleri EDITOR IN CHIEF Joanne Sasvari GUEST EDITOR Jennifer Hartley DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Jeffrey Bosdet PRODUCTION MANAGER Jennifer Kühtz DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Amanda Wilson LEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER Caroline Segonnes ASSOCIATE GRAPHIC DESIGNER Janice Hildybrant MARKETING COORDINATOR Claire Villaraza ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Lauren Ingle ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES D oug Brown, Cynthia Hanischuk, Brenda Knapik CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Andrew Findlay, David Lennam, Michael John Lo, Mia Maki, Sharon Milone, Shannon Moneo, Clemens Rettich, Ingrid Vaughan, Riley Webster PROOFREADER Paula Marchese CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Getty Images p. 14, 16, 48, 53, 64, 66, 67, 68

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[IN THE KNOW]

TIME MACHINE Small businesses like Clarke Engineering & Welding are the engine that drives Victoria’s economy.

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

BY RILEY WEBSTER

Dave Clarke is surrounded by the tools of his trade, on site at his business of 62 years, Clarke Engineering and Welding Ltd.

For six decades, Clarke Engineering & Welding has been repairing, refitting and renewing whatever Victoria’s industrial community needs.

It all began in 1959, when Dave Clarke’s parents bought two homes on Burns Avenue.

One became their family home; the other housed his father’s machinist business.

Incorporated in 1960, Clarke Engineering & Welding was one of the first businesses in the area, which is now a light industrial site near Uptown.

Clarke remembers catching frogs as a young kid, when this area was still just a swamp filled with willow trees now it is home to office and commercial buildings.

As the industrial area grew, so did the company. Each summer throughout high school, Clarke worked for his father and, eventually, took over the business. Today, his work includes truck, heavy equipment, boiler and hydraulic repairs, as well as structural steel contracting, pipe welding and everything in between. He serves a broad client base — including, for over 50 years, the Canadian Coast Guard’s annual “refit” process — and prides himself on treating clients like friends.

As he nears retirement, Clarke is hesitant to give up what he’s built; to him, his business is like family. “It’s been a big part of my social life,” he says. “When I refer to my clients as friends, that’s the truth. That’s what keeps me here.”

DOUGLAS 13

DATA BREACHES ARE COSTING YOU Cyber attacks are on the rise. Canadian companies need to do much more to protect their data.

BY ANDREW FINDLAY

C

yber attacks are costing businesses — and their customers — big time.

In a recently released study, IBM surveyed 550 companies and found that the average cost of a data breach is now $4.35-million (U.S.), an increase of 13 per cent since 2020. The annual study titled Cost of a Data Breach Report, includes nuggets of intel that should cause sleepless nights for any Canadian CEO who hasn’t taken cybersecurity seriously enough.

Canada ranks third in the world when it comes to the average cost of a data breach, which is estimated at $5.64-million (U.S.).

And for the 12th year running, the health-care sector takes the top spot when it comes to the cost of data breaches, with finance and big pharma claiming second and third spots respectively. Of the companies surveyed, 83 per cent reported having more than 12 data breaches, with 60 per cent of breaches leading to consumer price increases.

That’s the bad news.

Now the good news. Those who deploy the latest data security tech and protocols can realize big cost savings while safeguarding customer and other sensitive data. For example, companies with fully deployed security artificial intelligence (AI) and automation cut the cost of a data breach in half from those with no security AI in place. Organizations with a dedicated incident response team saved $2.66-million per breach while extended detection and response technologies helped chop 29 days from the average 277 days it takes to detect and contain a breach.

COVID-19 prompted many Canadian 14 DOUGLAS

businesses to make quick pivots to online commerce. That’s why last year the National Chambers Insight Community (composed of the provincial and territorial chambers of commerce) and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security collaborated on the “Cyber Security and Business Survey,” which also found many Canadian organizations woefully unprepared to combat cyber attacks. Twothirds of Canadian businesses surveyed have experienced a cybersecurity incident, with the top incidents being phishing and malware attacks. Yet 74 per cent of them didn’t bother to report these data breaches.

Even more surprising, less than half of the nearly 470 organizations surveyed have an employee responsible for managing day-to-day IT security. Furthermore, twothirds of businesses are not aware of federal government resources and tools to help them combat cybersecurity threats.

“We are hopeful that the survey findings will result in new and innovative tools and resources to educate and prepare businesses for cyber threats so that they can operate confidently knowing that their people and assets are protected,” said Fiona Famulak, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce, in a press release after the report was released.

As these two reports clearly show, many Canadian organizations need to get their houses in order when it comes to cybersecurity. Cyber attacks are hitting the business bottom line and compromising customer and client data.

TIPS FOR BETTER CYBERSECURITY

 IDENTIFY RISKS Look at your business, your people and your processes and try to pinpoint risk areas. What’s most valuable — and potentially likely to be targeted — among your information and data?  CREATE CONTROLS Put in place measures and controls such as malware detection, security protocols and policies, training, data encryption, and asset and supply chain risk management.  ESTABLISH A SECURITY CULTURE Train staff to think in terms of cybersecurity and adopt safe practices. A strong security culture can go a long way toward keeping an organization safe.  MONITOR AND IMPROVE Install software or hire a service provider to monitor your network. They should watch for anomalies and potential cybersecurity incidents before they cause damage.  CREATE A RESPONSE PLAN If a cyber attack does occur, an incident response plan can lower your data breach costs. The plan should cover how you’ll investigate the attack, how you’ll communicate it to partners and customers and how you’ll notify third parties such as police, regulators or stakeholders.  GET CERTIFIED Following a set of standards or getting a cybersecurity certification — such as ISO 27001 — will help ensure you have implemented the basics of cybersecurity. It will also signal to your customers and partners that you take security seriously and have invested in systems to protect customer data.

Source: Business Development Bank of Canada

Brighter Smiles ON THE GO

DOUGLAS READS

This mobile dental office on wheels brings the floss and fluoride right to your door.

BY RILEY WEBSTER

N

ow we can get just about everything we need delivered right to our homes — including our dental hygienist.

Wheely Clean is a dental office on wheels that makes getting your teeth cleaned easy as can be. Once you’ve booked an appointment online or over the phone, a dental hygienist arrives at your home in their “office,” which is in the form of a converted Mercedes Sprinter van, and gets to work cleaning, polishing and brightening your pearly whites.

“It’s not like a regular dental office where every hour the hygienist has another patient in the chair,” says owner Adam Gilmer. “The appointments are a little longer.

There’s less of a rush. And our corporate ethos is about not having any shame; our hygienists are super accepting of wherever you’re at with your dental hygiene.”

Although Gilmer doesn’t have a dental background — he’s a photographer by trade — he’s taken on his business owner role with gusto.

When his cofounder came up with the idea for the mobile dental office in 2015, he immediately became excited.

“I thought it was a great idea,” he says.

In 2019, they got their first van converted. Then they worked with a dental supplier to find the right equipment that would work in the space. Now they offer services at the

same and often lower prices than those at a regular dental office, plus the team provides direct billing to patients’ insurance providers.

When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, Wheely Clean shut down for a few months. Upon reopening, Gilmer says that the collective consciousness had shifted and their business grew rapidly. “Everything was getting delivered to people’s homes,” he says.

“We were in the right place at the right time.”

The service is most popular with families, seniors’ homes and businesses that cover their employees’ dental work. Since 2019, the team has grown to six employees and has added a second vehicle to its fleet. Gilmer is confident the business will continue expanding — perhaps even beyond Victoria. “Since our office is on wheels, it’s pretty easy for us to go to where the work is,” he says.

Throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Gilmer has been impressed

by Victoria’s “heartwarming” response to the business, as well as the collaborative nature of the local dental community. “It’s a friendly, community-based industry; different offices in town seem to work together,” he says.

And, he adds, “We have 201 fivestar reviews on our Google reviews page. It’s the nicest corner of the internet.”

Wheely Clean delivers mobile cleaning services to homes and businesses.

ParentPreneurs: A Decade of Deals from a Messy Minivan by Jamie and Brian Ratner

Parents, partners and spouses Jamie and Brian Ratner share their inspirational story of just saying “yes.” They built a highly successful small business together after Jamie pitched Brian on the idea of creating a family-friendly Groupon while they were driving to Pittsburgh for the Christmas holidays. CertifiKID was born in their messy minivan, and it went viral. They created “a multi-million dollar company through thousands of deals with small and big businesses for the benefit of their million-plus members” and cut a deal with Kevin O’Leary on the ABC television show Shark Tank that was one of his biggest deals in 10 seasons.

The book delves into the age-old question of whether parents and spouses can be successful entrepreneurs together. Brian was a partner at a Washington, D.C. law firm whose practice was litigation, not corporate law. Jamie is described as an entrepreneur at heart, but one without experience. And neither had free time. They did it anyway and found success.

The Emotionally Strong Leader by Carolyn Stern

Vancouver academic Carolyn Stern, president and CEO of EI Experience, has authored a new book with advice for leaders on how to grow their emotional intelligence (EI) and that of their team. “If you want to grow and scale your business, you must learn to develop your emotional intelligence,” she says. “Not dealing with emotions hurts us, our people and our organizations. Worse, it holds us back from creating remarkable cultures and achieving incredible business results.”

What exactly is EI? It comprises selfperception and self-expression, as well as interpersonal, decision-making and stress management skills — and the strengths that go along with each. Her book looks at a six-step process to growing EI that includes teams working together to explore elements such as connecting with oneself, consulting with others; considering possibilities and barriers, crafting an action plan and confirming commitment.

Stern’s argument is that with enhanced EI comes better attention, focus, decision-making and creativity. That is something we all could use today since caring for our mental health is more important than ever.

DOUGLAS 15

AUTOMATE YOUR RETAIL SUCCESS Get ready for the holidays with smarter technological solutions.

B

efore you know it, the holidays will be upon us and the busy shopping season will be in full swing. If the last few years are any indication, consumers will be shopping for more gifts, ordering more groceries and booking more travel plans online.

They are also communicating more and more through SMS/texts — in fact, studies show that in North America, the average adult now texts almost 23 hours a week. That’s an opportunity for retailers to improve communication, drive revenue and reduce workload by offloading it to technology. Here are four crucial steps to take now.

1. Update Your Status

The best way to handle the barrage of questions about holiday orders is to automate your system — and to use the platform most customers prefer for notifications: SMS/texts. This is a great way to notify customers about

the status of their order — when it is received, when the item is shipped and when it arrives.

2. Choose Chatbots

Sometimes, though, your customers actually want to talk to you, to ask for help finding a gift for their father, for instance, or returning an item that doesn’t fit. This is where conversational artificial intelligence (AI) comes in handy. Chatbots can automate standard processes, so staff can focus on driving revenue.

3. Maintain Trust

Most customers are happy to receive a text from a business, especially if it’s a special offer or an update about their purchase. But they want to be asked for permission first. Make it easy for them to choose whether to opt in or out, and don’t abuse their trust.

4. Easier Checkout

Today’s customers are used to making purchases with just a simple click or two, so make it easy for them to complete an order by text. Technologies like Apple Pay for iOS and Google Pay for Android will automatically supply credit card info, so consumers can pay right in an SMS thread.

Our Family Taking Care of Your Family Nine years ago, Sidney All Care Residence opened its doors. With a passion for seniors, and seeing a need for a private pay, long-term care home, Casey VanDongen and his daughter Sheila Minten started Sidney All Care Residence with just one resident. Over the next three and a half years, they filled their 88-resident capacity and expanded their care team to 150 staff members.

At All Care, we believe in providing the care that we would want to see for our own loved ones. We provide exceptional, madefrom-scratch food, a vibrant and active recreation department and care givers who care for residents as if they were their own family members.

Find out how Sidney All Care is different. For more information, contact our Community Relations Manager, Sharon Unsworth at:

sunsworth@allcarecanada.ca

2269 Mills Road, Sidney, B.C.

|

778.351.2505

www.allcarecanada.ca

All Care, We Care, I Care 16 DOUGLAS

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MAPPING THE FUTURE FOR OUR CITIES How Esri Canada uses geographic information system technology to build better communities.

BY ANDREW FINDLAY

A BUYING OR SELLING? I am dedicated to providing my clients with exceptional service, sound negotiating techniques and constant communication throughout the real estate process.

Call Andrew Maxwell for a complimentary consultation.

250.213.2104 amaxwell@sothebysrealty.ca A N D R EW M AXW ELL .CA SOT H E BYSR E A LT Y.CA Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Independently Owned and Operated. E.&O.E

18 DOUGLAS

lex Miller, president of Esri Canada, describes the company’s mission as “digitizing the geography of the world.” That’s a big picture summary of what this Canadian leader in geographic information system (GIS) technology is all about.

But turn the microscope on cities, and Dan Ruscheinski, Esri’s senior director of marketing and sales operations, says there’s a world of opportunity for how a city like Victoria can leverage the power of GIS to best plan for future growth, transportation and climate change mitigation.

“Every department, from public works to parks and recreation, is talking about things that have a physical location in the city,” Ruscheinski says from Esri’s Victoria office.

“The opportunities for sharing information between departments and municipalities are huge, and I think a lot of them are doing that quite well already.”

However, he believes cities can do much more to leverage the power of GIS to reduce the sometimes “adversarial environment” that occurs when city planners, a NIMBYminded public and developers butt heads over proposed developments.

Things can get super heated when a municipality faces the dual challenges of housing affordability and a lack of available real estate. According to Ruscheinski, when Toronto faced the prospect of housing an estimated 700,000 new residents by the year 2050, planners used GIS to identify six locations in the city where new housing could be layered on top of existing

commercial and retail real estate that’s close to transit and other urban amenities. He believes the Hillside Centre retrofit, which basically transformed an old shopping mall into a modern shopping mall, was a missed opportunity to do something similarly creative in Victoria and reimagine the property as a mixed retail-residential hub.

Looking forward, Ruscheinski views Rock Bay as the perfect opportunity to use GIS to create what he calls “digital twins” — multiple visions for developing these former industrial lands that incorporate public transportation, sea level rise, green space, building design and height, and countless other variables that can shape a progressive neighbourhood.

The same goes for the often debated resurrection of the E&N Railway.

“How could the E&N alleviate affordable housing problems by allowing nodes of development in a place like, for example, Cobble Hill?” Ruscheinski asks, adding that people living there could travel to and from their places of work in Greater Victoria by efficient commuter rail.

He feels strongly that digital twinning allows for much better public engagement than a stale rendering on cardboard at a public hearing.

“The public loves it because they get to see a few models of what a development could look like. Developers love it because it gives them clarity and certainty,” he says.

At the end of the day, it makes for a more progressive, future-forward city that can grow in a coherent and sustainable fashion.

Dr. Jennifer Gardy, deputy director of surveillance, data and epidemiology, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

RISING ECONOMY 2022 BUSINESS CONFERENCE AIMS TO DEFINE AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE.

The South Island Prosperity Partnership’s third annual Rising Economy conference will take place November 15 to 17 in Victoria and online. This year the theme is “Clarity,” and the focus is on how to navigate the economic, societal and environmental challenges ahead.

The hybrid conference will bring public and local business leaders together to discuss climate change solutions, economic recovery and resilience, the blue economy, the Indigenous economy and reconciliation, the future workforce, power of collaboration, growing an innovation-based economy, the strength of diversity and inclusion, and more.

YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Exclusive offer to join the Club if you call and book a tour today.

Contact Danielle Hind 250-384-1151 (ext. 320) or sales@unionclub.com 805 Gordon Street, Victoria

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Keynote speakers include:  Shachi Kurl, president of the Angus Reid Institute, will present some of the major cultural, economic and political shifts that have been occurring. The discussion will consider common ground during times of upheaval.

YOUR LOCAL, YOU R INDEPENDENT FOR ALL YOU DCOURIER E P E N DWITH AFREIGHT BA L E & LOG GLOBAL C O U RREACH IER

 Dr. Jennifer Gardy, one of the Government of Canada’s 20 Women of Impact in STEM, former senior scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control is currently deputy director of surveillance, data and epidemiology at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Dr. Gardy will challenge commonly held beliefs, allowing us to make more informed decisions about how we live.  Mary W. Rowe is president and CEO of the Canadian Urban Institute. An urban advocate and civil society trailblazer, she has worked across Canada and the U.S. on solutions to some of our greatest urban challenges, including city-building programs such as UN-Habitat and the World Urban Forum. Rowe is also a senior fellow with Shorefast, a national charity focused on building community economies.

Learn more at ourrisingeconomy.com

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A NOTARY PUBLIC IS YOUR LEGAL ADVISOR Providing non-contentious legal services for a safe and secure future

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REAL ESTATE

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WILLS/ESTATE PLANNING

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Buying and selling a home may be among the most notable moments in your life. Your local notary can help you manage the moving parts that come with real estate purchases.

Planning for the future is important, which is why having an up-to-date Will that reflects your true final wishes provides peace of mind to you and your family.

A power of attorney document gives someone else the ability to step in and act on your behalf and take care of your personal, business, legal, and financial needs.

A health representation agreement provides you the opportunity to appoint a trusted family member or friend to make your health and personal care decisions when you cannot do so for yourself.

NOTARY PUBLIC

A notarized document means helping people with their personal business needs for documents coming from all over the country and world. We are an important part of authenticating a person’s signature and identity.

Notaries … the unsung heroes of the legal profession

Notarization adds a critical level of authentication

Oversees the parties signing the document

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BEVERLY CARTER NOTARY PUBLIC Beverly and her team have had the pleasure of building a reputation of integrity and trust while guiding clients through “Life’s Notable Moments.” Combined with her ability to empathize and listen to her clients’ needs, Beverly offers clients the highest quality Notary Public services in Victoria. Clients are put at ease by Beverly’s client-centered philosophy, knowing that their notable documents will be expertly handled throughout various legal processes.

240–2950 Douglas Street, Victoria, B.C. 250-383-4100 hello@carternotary.com www.carternotary.com

SALVADOR DAVIS & CO. Since 1986, Salvador Davis & Co. has been serving Sidney and the surrounding areas and we are excited to welcome Morrie Baillie, notary public. We look forward to having her skill, knowledge and dedication in the office where she will focus on estate planning with her 9 years of experience.

101–9830 Second Street, Sidney, B.C. 250-656-3951 s-d@salvador-davis.com www.salvador-davis.com

KATE ROOME NOTARY PUBLIC A fourth generation Cowichan Valley resident, Kate takes pride in providing her community with essential legal services. Buying, selling or planning for the future, Kate and her team are committed to ensuring your comfort and success.

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Choose the right legal professional for a safe and secure future.

Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, chats with small business owner Dale Olsen of Outlooks for Men. Small businesses like his are the backbone of the city's economy, but have faced major challenges in recent years.

Small Business, Labour shortages, supply chain issues, rising interest rates — as the past few years have shown, small businesses are up to the challenge. Any challenge.

22 DOUGLAS

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

Big Decisions

BY JENNIFER HARTLEY AND JOANNE SASVARI

DOUGLAS 23

A

sk Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce, what he sees for the future of small businesses in our community, and he replies drily, “We’re constantly surprised, I can tell you that.”

On the one hand, things look rosy. “In general, everyone is on the path to recovery,” Williams says. Tourism is back, restaurants are busy, trades are booked for months in advance.

In fact, Victoria recently topped Resonance Consultancy’s list of best small cities in Canada (population under 200,000), earning high marks for its booming economy, well-educated population and robust number of creative workers.

On the other hand, businesses are still dealing with the fallout of the pandemic — which, of course, isn’t over yet. Three years after the first case of COVID-19 emerged across the Pacific, local business owners are struggling with a brutal labour shortage, endless supplychain issues and the rising cost of borrowing money, even as we enter what is expected to be another virulent season for respiratory illnesses.

“These are issues that are affecting everyone,” Williams says. But they affect small businesses the most.

In 2021, according to Statistics Canada, 98 per cent of all employer businesses in Canada were those with 100 or fewer employees, and they employed 10.3 million people, almost two-thirds of the labour force. But in StatCan’s Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, conducted in January/February 2022, those small businesses were more likely to have lower revenues, lower sales, lower profitability and higher financial constraints than medium or large businesses.

And that was before the Bank of Canada began raising interest rates in April.

So what does all that mean for you and your business?

“I think everyone is taking a pretty hard look at what they do: What can I do differently and what can I do the same?” Williams says.

“Everyone is readjusting.”

It’s the People As anyone who has tried to make a dinner reservation, book a contractor or hire an employee knows all too well, the labour shortage is an ongoing crisis. In StatCan’s second-quarter report, 68.6 per cent of entrepreneurs indicated that staffing was more challenging than during the past 12 months.

Stuart Bergman, chief economist and vicepresident of Export Development Canada, says it may take years, even decades, to fully fix the problem. “Solutions are tough,” he says.

68.6%

of entrepreneurs indicated that staffing was more challenging than 12 months previously.

They are difficult because the problem is so complex. There is no single reason for the labour shortage, but a combination of early retirements, a slowdown in immigration and a tsunami of workers changing jobs, moving to other communities or staying home to recover from or avoid catching COVID, have created challenges.

“Labour will get some support with post-secondary students coming back, and immigration will become more focused,” Williams says, reassuringly.

Still, he notes that one of the biggest challenges is that all the late boomers and early Gen-Xers are retiring early, “taking all their experience and equity with them.” Even if an employer can find a replacement, that individual will almost certainly need some training.

Helping potential employees upgrade their skills will help keep the economy buoyant,

says Julie Sperber, the new president and CEO of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance.

“Absolutely,” she says. “Training and skills development — [we need to] get government support for that.”

One option is the trend of “micro credentialling,” in which post-secondary institutions offer short-term learning opportunities that align with labour market or community needs. “This gets people into the workforce now,” Williams says.

It’s the Roadblocks Another option is to open the doors to more immigration. But that, too, is easier said than done. As Bergman points out, “We have to make up for two years of closed borders overnight.” And now we’re competing with the rest of the world — even China is struggling with a worker shortage.

One of the biggest roadblocks is Canada’s reluctance to recognize credentials from other countries. Health care and engineering especially are two professions that are in high demand, but the process to approve qualified workers from overseas is overwhelmingly onerous and requalifying is an expensive, labour-intensive, multi-year process. “We would do well to speed that process up,” Bergman says.

The other major factor — especially here in Victoria — is the high cost of living in paradise.

“We’ve been losing work force to other regions because they can’t afford the cost of living.

They’re moving back to Calgary or Australia,” Williams says.

The biggest cost is, of course, housing. In February 2022, the average residential house price in B.C.'s capital hit $1,041,068 — an increase of around $175,000 from a year earlier.

And in September, the average rent for a onebedroom apartment was $2,200, a 38 per cent increase over the previous year.

It’s why the provincial government has capped allowable rent increases for 2023 at 2 per cent and is encouraging construction of

Technical Troubleshooting If small businesses are looking for ways to be more efficient, they need to turn to technology. “Everyone has to look at how technology can support them and help them be more effective,” says Bruce Williams, CEO of the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.

In its recent study “Seize the Technological Advantage,” the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) reports that, while 91 per cent of Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises 24 DOUGLAS

invested in technology in 2021, only one in 20 businesses use digital technologies effectively.

According to the BDC, “digitally advanced businesses perform better: they grow faster, are better able to adapt to a changing environment, get the financing they need and are more likely to export.”

This study also found that digital maturity is unevenly distributed across industries, noting: “The retail sector went completely digital during the COVID-19 pandemic,

while the construction and services to individuals sectors had the least investment in 2021.”

And new business owners are more likely to be tech savvy. According to an Intuit QuickBooks study, 16 per cent of Canadian small businesses opened in the last year, and 50 per cent of their owners advertise on social media, compared to 35 per cent of established owners. Of the businesses using social media, nine out of 10 respondents feel it is an effective tool.

8 DOUGLAS

higher density housing. After all, without places for workers to live, there won’t be anyone to serve the tables, care for the patients, repair the roads, police the streets or fulfill all the other roles in a community.

“We [the Chamber] are in favour of anything that provides affordable housing,” Williams says.

It’s Also the Supply Chain Even if business owners can find the staff they need, they still have to deal with supply-chain issues.

“The economy came back faster than we thought, but the demand on supply chains

In September, the average rent for a onebedroom apartment was $2,200, a

38%

increase over the previous year.

5 WAYS

CARTER NOTARY CAN HELP WITH YOUR NOTABLE DOCUMENTS

➊ REAL ESTATE

Buying, selling, refinancing, property transfers

➋ WILLS

Get started with our will questionnaire

➌ POWER OF ATTORNEY

Planning for the unexpected

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AGREEMENT

Appointing your trusted people

➎ NOTARIZATIONS

Helping with personal and business needs across the globe

Inflationary Woes

on the Rise In July, inflation came in at 7.6 per cent year over year, down by 0.5 percentage points from 8.1 per cent in June.

Prices of everything — from food to flights to furniture — soared, rising 6.6 per cent year over year in July (excluding gasoline), following a 6.5 per cent increase in June. And Canadians are not feeling good about it.

43.4%

of respondents expected the increasing cost of inputs to continue to be an obstacle.

58.5%

indicated that supply chain issues had worsened in the second quarter of 2022.

80.6%

indicated that they experienced delivery delays in supply chain issues and products.

35.3%

expected things to get worse.

57.6%

expected that things would remain roughly the same.

Beverly and her team have had the pleasure of building a reputation of integrity and trust while guiding clients through “Life’s Notable Moments.” Combined with her ability to empathize and listen to her clients’ needs, Beverly offers them the highest quality Notary Public services in Victoria. Her client-centered philosophy aims to put clients at ease around their notable documents throughout various legal processes.

240 – 2950 Douglas Street

250-383-4100

hello@carternotary.com www.carternotary.com

CENTRAL LOCATION CLOSE TO MAYFAIR MALL. EASY, FREE PARKING.

26 DOUGLAS

On a positive note: Over the last 12 months, 74.7 per cent of local businesses directly sourced their products or supplies within Canada, and more than three-quarters of those supplies came from B.C.

Source: Statistics Canada’s Canadian Survey on Business Conditions, Second Quarter 2022

Creating a health and safety culture at every workplace No matter what type of work you do, every worksite has potential hazards. An occupational health and safety (OHS) program focuses on the specific workplace hazards and the steps to control them.

An OHS program helps to establish the workplace health and safety culture and should be constantly adapted, evaluated, and improved. But what works for one workplace may not meet the needs of another. That’s why it is important to manage risks in each specific workplace.

Managing risks in the workplace involves thinking about what might cause harm to workers and determining whether reasonable steps are being taken to prevent that harm from happening.

Four steps to managing risk: 1. Understand the level of risk in the workplace Identify hazards. A hazard is anything that can cause harm, such as chemicals, electricity, or equipment. Assess the risk these hazards pose to workers so the appropriate attention and level of control can be applied to each one.

2. Implement control measures The greatest risk should be addressed first. If a risk cannot be eliminated, a control measure needs to be implemented to minimize it.

3. Communicate Employers need to provide workers and supervisors with information about what measures are being used to control the risks.

4. Monitor and update Managing workplace risks is an ongoing process. Control measures need to be monitored for effectiveness, and those that are not working as intended need to be improved.

Preventing incidents is a shared responsibility While safety rests with the employer, contributing to a healthy and safe work environment is a shared responsibility. Working together, employers and workers can complete risk assessments and address health and safety concerns to help prevent workplace incidents.

Improving health and safety doesn’t have to be costly, but the potential return on investment is huge.

To learn more about managing the risks in your workplace, visit worksafebc.com/create-manage

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28 DOUGLAS

hasn’t caught up,” Williams notes.

Back during the height of the pandemic when we were all furloughed and doom scrolling at home, many of us became avid online shoppers. Unfortunately, that coincided with COVID-related factory closures as well as shipping delays, driver shortages, increased freight and fuel costs, bad weather, depleted inventory levels and a myriad of other factors.

That resulted in everything from avocados to automobil being back ordered and delayed.

Even so, the Amazon Prime delivery truck has become a regular feature of city streets.

“In the big picture — and this is a conversation we’re just starting to have — in terms of supply, maybe we need to look at demand,” Williams says. It might be time, he says, to give up our love of cheap goods and instant gratification, and invest in quality rather than quantity. “It’s very easy to shop from home,” he adds. “And maybe we need to take a second look at that.”

In Canada, the inflation rate was pegged at

7.6%

year-over-year in July. In the U.K. the inflation rate was 10% in July and forecast to hit 13% by the fourth quarter.

There has been a positive aspect to all of this, however. “People are re-examining their consumer habits, and there has never been a better time to buy locally,” Williams says.

He notes that local businesses sell clothing, books, housewares, foodstuffs and other goods. “It might cost a little more, but it’s keeping money here with people who are your neighbours and friends,” he says, pointing out, “We have companies in town who will deliver, just like Amazon does.”

And It’s the Economy, Too The supply shortages have led to higher costs, and even “cheap” isn’t so affordable anymore.

Lumber, for instance, has become enormously

expensive. “Two-by-fours aren’t cheap anymore. Plywood isn’t cheap anymore,” Williams says. And good luck buying a car — even the price of second-hand vehicles has gone through the roof.

All of this, combined with soaring costs for labour, housing and energy, has resulted in inflation, which is at a 40-year high.

In Canada, the inflation rate was pegged at 7.6 per cent yearover-year in July. Bad as that is, it could be much worse. Among G7 countries, the U.K.’s inflation rate was 10 per cent in July and forecast to hit 13 per cent by the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, it’s even higher in economically troubled countries like Argentina (51 per cent), Lebanon (200 per cent) and Venezuela (1,198 per cent).

The solution, so far, has been a series of key interest rate increases by the Bank of Canada. “That’s a surefire way of slowing down people’s spending right there. That slows down inflation in a big way,” Williams says. However, higher lending rates will force employers to reassess the cost of doing business and make hard choices about where they spend their money, affecting them “in their ability to operate at their fullest capacity.”

It is already resulting in a shift in consumer habits. As Williams points out, “If you can’t afford to buy the stuff you used to buy, you’re just not going to buy it.”

All of this affects businesses, especially small businesses. One positive is that we have all been forced to truly understand how our complex, globally connected economy works. Another is that businesses became adept at pivoting during the pandemic, and are better placed to survive another pivot, or two or three.

“People are adjusting to things, and we’ve had the chance to take a really close look at how our economy works, because there isn’t anyone who isn’t affected,” Williams says. “It’s been a transformative time in the economy.” 

Small Businesses Online Resources Whether you’re just starting out or in mid-career, every small business owner could use a little help from time to time. Here are four handy links that offer the help you need just when you need it most.

Small Business BC

This non-profit organization offers resources for new and established business, ranging from free business plan templates to seminars/webinars, one-on-one expert advisors and programs like Bizmap and Export Navigator. smallbusinessbc.ca

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn is more than a networking site. It also offers professional development through its subsidiary, LinkedIn Learning, which features dozens and dozens of video courses taught by industry experts in software, creative and business skills. linkedin.com

Work BC

Looking to hire? Need help with your business plan? Want to improve your skills? This site has the resources, tools and information you need — and boasts the most comprehensive database of B.C. job postings as well as a live chat function. workbc.ca

Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA)

The DVBA is all about supporting Victoria businesses, mainly by offering financial assistance through various grant programs. Got a great idea? You might be able to get it funded. downtownvictoria.ca

BUSINESS PROFILE

MAYFAIR OPTOMETRIC CLINIC Live Your Life With Happy Eyes

M

ayfair Optometric Clinic has been proudly serving the greater Victoria area for over 20 years, and Dr. Stephen Taylor has been seeing Victoria patients for over 30 years. Born and raised in Victoria, he is a graduate of Oak Bay High School.

In 1986, Dr Taylor graduated from Pacific University in Oregon. He is licensed to practice optometry in British Columbia and Washington.

Dr. Taylor attends seminars throughout the year to remain current in advancements in his profession. He participates in close to sixty hours per year in continuing education.

In his spare time, he loves to support his favourite teams the Victoria Royals, Victoria Harbour Cats and Seattle Seahawks.

Mayfair Optometric Clinic is welcoming new and past patients for routine eye care, glasses, and contact lenses. 9am to 5pm, six days a week by appointment.

3196 Douglas Street | mayfairoptometric.com | 250-361-4444 | 9am–5pm, 6 days/week

DOUGLAS 29

BUSINESS PROFILE

BAY CENTRE Now accepting offers from new and established eateries

D

arlene Hollstein, General Manager of the Bay Centre, is seeking offers on high-profile locations within the centre’s newly upgraded food terrace. This exciting new space includes access to a 450-seat food terrace rich with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows, a 120-seat outdoor heated patio, state-of-the-art washrooms and 24-hour security — all centrally located in the heart of the business, shopping and tourism districts.

As a boutique shopping centre under global management, the Bay Centre offers a seasoned team of market leaders to support your restaurant.

Whether you’re launching a new concept or are an established eatery looking to increase sales, the Bay Centre is the ideal place to be.

2-1150 Douglas Street, Victoria | thebaycentre.ca | 250-952-5699 | darlene.hollstein@cushwake.com

BUSINESS PROFILE

ADVENTURE CLOTHING Victoria’s place to go, before you go!

T

ravel light — enjoy the here and now. Travel lightly — tread gently using ethically sourced, recycled materials. Travel well — safely and in style.

Be it puddle jumping to Vancouver for a wrinkle-free meeting, a tropical vacation, or that bucket list trip of a lifetime, Adventure Clothing has what you need to get you there with trusted brands, such as Briggs and Riley, Eagle Creek, Pacsafe, Kuhl, Royal Robbins, Zacket & Plover, Joseph Ribkoff, Fig and Tilley.

560 Yates Street, Victoria | adventureclothing.ca | 250-590-6381

30 DOUGLAS

BUSINESS PROFILE

GRAPHIC OFFICE INTERIORS Committed to improving your environment, both in and out of the office.

S

ince 1966 Graphic Office Interiors has been proving what a positive impact a community-centred company can have. President Steve Nagy and his team believe that each day is an opportunity to lead by example and show that through investing in people, technology, the environment and the community, success naturally follows.

Working collaboratively with each client, Graphic Office creates highly effective and unique work environments.

Able to expertly guide clients through the curated collection of over 60 brands, provide in-house project management, complete installations and aftermarket servicing, the team at Graphic Office provides best-in-class client care. With a commitment to the latest in planning and visualization tools, Graphic Office goes beyond the standard 2D and 3D renders.

By providing full fly-throughs of potential new interiors, Graphic Office allows its clients to fully conceptualize what their space will look like.

Graphic Office recognizes the importance of investing in the environment and the community, and has made sustainability a priority for over 15 years.

“We need to make changes rapidly to alleviate the climate change issues that have become so evident lately. We deeply feel the need to lead the charge and bring others along — now rather than later,” says Nagy.

Whether it’s removing and recycling all packaging from customers’ site or switching five company gas vehicles to three hybrids and two fully electric vehicles, Graphic Office is continuously seeking out ways to positively impact our collective future.

Looking at the community, Graphic Office believes everyone should have a roof over their heads, food in their stomachs and a health system to fall back on.

President Steve Nagy (centre), Katie Guyon (left) and Chris Nagy

“We see work now happening from anywhere and we will be there to support it, whether that be virtual, remote or in the office. The challenge is blending employee needs with social, emotional and organizational needs, to ensure a robust company culture.” — President Steve Nagy Annual donations are made to the Victoria Hospital Foundation, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation, the Victoria Foundation and Greater Victoria Housing Society.

What’s next for Nagy and the team at Graphic Office Interiors? The installation of a large solar unit on the rooftop of their brand-new, state-of-the-art, 10,000-squarefoot showroom and 22,000-square-foot warehouse in Central Saanich.

Merging forward-thinking design and community mindedness, Graphic Office is showing how business and businesses can evolve in this rapidly changing environment.

graphicoffice.com | 250-544-3500 DOUGLAS 31

The 16th annual VIEA State of the Island Economic Summit will be looking at what’s happening in communities like Port Alberni. Like so many other places on Vancouver Island, the former forestry town is undergoing an exciting renaissance, including a massive waterfront development that will see new housing, retail, offices and park space on the former Somass sawmill lands.

32 DOUGLAS

VIEA

State of the Island Economic Summit

B

reak out the lanyards and comfortable shoes — the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Summit is back for 2022. Things will look a little different this year. For starters, the summit is live and in person, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo.

Another change will be the face of VIEA’s president and CEO. Julie Sperber, former executive director of the Gabriola Chamber of Commerce, brings management experience in the non-profit, manufacturing and hospitality sectors to her new job, which she has held since August 1. She is also a

successful entrepreneur, having built three businesses as owner/operator.

The two-day summit will include a trade show with more than 40 exhibitors, as well as networking opportunities, plenaries, breakouts and speakers.

Among the speakers, Susan Mowbray, partner and senior economist at MNP, will share the key findings of VIEA’s 8th Annual State of the Island Economic Report, and Stuart Bergman, vice-president of Export Development Canada, and Dr. Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs, will both share their knowledge on the current business landscape.

PORT ALBERNI PORT AUTHORITY

October 26 and 27, Vancouver Island Conference Centre, nanaimo

DOUGLAS 33

Navigating the tide of change Sustainability, innovation and collaboration are on the agenda at the 16th annual VIEA State of the Island Economic Summit.

EDITED BY PO WAN

I

n an article published in Douglas magazine in late 2018, George Hanson wrote, “Conversations within the VIEA membership continue to revolve around creating economic vibrancy, diversity and resiliency in our Island communities as we face constant and often unpredictable change.”

At the time, Hanson had been president of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance (VIEA) for seven years. He’d steered the organization through what we might now think of fondly as a “normal” amount of change. Now, over the past few years, imagined that COVID-19 was lurking around the corner, about to launch the world into a turmoil from which it has yet to emerge fully. “Unpredictable change” turned out to be an understatement.

COVID taught us many things, but its most important lesson is this: Working together is essential. On Vancouver Island — like

Julie Sperber, VIEA president and CEO

George Hanson, outgoing VIEA president and CEO

34 DOUGLAS

elsewhere in Canada and, indeed, most of the world — has faced strained health-care systems, inflation, unaffordable housing markets, labour shortages, climate concerns and other significant challenges have arisen or intensified over the past few years.

These hurdles provide an opportunity for mean conversations that can lead to solutions are more important than ever. The 16th annual State of the Island Economic Summit — which takes place October 26 and 27 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo — couldn’t come at a better time. Co-hosted

by Hanson, who is retiring from VIEA at the end of the year, and new president and CEO Julie Sperber, this will be the first “in-person” summit after two years of online gatherings.

Over 600 delegates are expected to attend, eager for information, inspiration and networking. While online meetings have helped us get through the past two years, they don’t enable the kind of spontaneous conversations that can build connections and generate new ideas. Getting a bunch of smart people in the same place at the same time is the best way to make creative sparks fly.

The summit brings together forward thinkers of all kinds, including businesspeople, entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, experts, social innovators, not-for-profit leaders and representatives of government, community and First Nations. Agenda topics range from health care to fish farms, agriculture to labour trends, social issues to climate change and more — all seen through a uniquely Island lens. The overarching question in every session is: How can we make life better on Vancouver Island? (Spoiler alert: Teamwork is key. One of the taglines for the event is “No person, no industry, no Island region, no organization, no nation, can go it alone.”)

Although the opportunity to network is

a key part of the summit’s appeal, access to reliable data is just as important. One of the highlights of every summit since 2015 has been the annual State of the Island Economic Report, which reveals trends and statistics about key sectors of Vancouver Island’s economy, from forestry and agriculture to tech and tourism, along with useful information on demographic and labour trends. Susan Mowbray, a partner and senior economist at MNP, will present this year’s report, including updates to the past seven years of data and brand-new numbers on job vacancies, population growth, housing and more.

As a complement to this Island data set, Stuart Bergman, vice-president and chief economist at Export Development Canada, and Darrell Bricker, CEO at Ipsos Public Affairs, will share valuable insights on global and Canadian economic and demographic trends and challenges.

“No person, no industry, no Island region, no organization, no nation, can go it alone.”

A Sneak Peek at the State of the Island Report Some of this year’s most vital conversations are likely to revolve around demographics and employment. The Island has seen an enormous increase in population over the past eight years, and it’s no longer driven mainly by retirees.

The 2021 census shows that from 2014 to 2021, Vancouver Island’s population increased by 89,000 people, driven partly by a significant number of younger families moving here. The areas that saw the most growth were the Capital Regional District (7.1 per cent growth) and the Nanaimo Regional District (a staggering 9.4 per cent growth).

Mowbray’s report will dive into some of the trends around the labour market, including the conundrum that more working-age people moving here has helped to create the current labour shortage. Employment growth has occurred because these newcomers need housing, goods and services. Between 2014 and 2019, over 21,000 new jobs were created

in response to Vancouver Island’s growing population, but there haven’t been enough newcomers to fill all these jobs, especially since tourism and hospitality positions opened up again after COVID-19 restrictions eased.

More people also means more pressure on housing, especially with the rise of remote work during the pandemic. As the report notes, “Between 2015 and 2021, average rental rates for apartments and townhomes were up by between 40 per cent and 60 per cent across the region, while benchmark prices for single-family homes more than doubled.”

Population growth is also affecting farmland on the Island: “The number of farms on Vancouver Island declined significantly between 2016 and 2021. This is consistent with the trend across B.C. and much of the rest of Canada.” With fewer farmers growing crops and raising animals, how to achieve food security is a question for which answers are urgently needed. Not coincidentally, several sessions at the summit will focus on the future of food. These include a panel discussion featuring agri-food entrepreneurs looking at challenges and solutions, a presentation from industry development experts on strengthening local food systems, a discussion on the future of aquaculture and a session featuring foodtechnology innovators.

Sustainability and Stewardship Vancouver Island’s modern economy was built on farming, fishing and forestry, and these industries still put food on the table for many families up and down the Island. While fires, floods, droughts and extreme heat are global crises, and the federal government has defined climate change as an “existential threat,” the most crucial conversations we can have are those around the wise use of natural resources.

The decision-makers of today must work to ensure forests, fish and clean water — not to mention productive, arable farmland — are protected so these resources will still be around to support future generations on Vancouver Island. It’s important to have as many voices at the table as possible: sharing information, challenges and opportunities can yield workable solutions that strike a balance between profit and protection.

As Hanson puts it, “Our Island economy is a tapestry, an interwoven connection among all sectors, private and public. For us to survive and thrive in a changing world as Islanders, we must work together and do so consciously and deliberately far more than before.”

Whether explicitly or not, the threads of resource management and stewardship are likely to be woven into almost every discussion at the summit — complemented by the threads of innovation and creativity. After all, profit and prosperity rely on minimizing waste and

maximizing efficiency. New ideas are critical to navigating our way to a successful future.

“There is a greater urgency to change our approach to business and development so we can build sustainability into our economy,” Sperber says. “Collaboration is the way forward and one of VIEA’s core principles. The Summit is a fantastic place to develop this.”

Thinking Big Whatever “business as usual” used to mean, we’re not going back there. Vancouver Island is in the middle of seismic shifts around labour, food, population, land use and resources.

Developing an economy that is both successful

Campbell River

Courtenay

Nanaimo

Duncan

and sustainable requires new ways of thinking, like doughnut economics, also on the Summit agenda, which envisions a regenerative economy based around the health of the planet. New provincial and federal initiatives like the economic recovery plan and initiatives being spearheaded by the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada may align with this type of development. Summit sessions will offer more information on these programs and how they can benefit the Island economy.

The other crucial part of the doughnut economy concept is a more equitable distribution of resources for all. Any truly meaningful economic plan needs to consider

You’re an Islander.

So are we.

Living and working in your community, we proudly support and serve businesses across Vancouver Island.

Victoria

James Byrne, MBA, CPA, CA, Regional Managing Partner 250.734.4320 | james.byrne@mnp.ca MNP.ca

DOUGLAS 35

ways to address social issues — like lack of housing health care, mental health and addiction services — since sustainability and stewardship are concepts that apply to human resources as well as natural ones.

“The world has changed in ways we are only beginning to comprehend,” Hanson says. “We need to change with it and act with determination. Thus, the 2022 Summit invites exploration and dialogue to address challenges and expose opportunities as our economy transforms.” He hopes the conversations in Nanaimo will yield “a deeper understanding of the scope of transformation with which we

are all confronted.” He adds, “We need to act with urgency and decisiveness. Our economic, social, and environmental circumstances have changed and are changing rapidly. Incremental adjustments are inadequate to the task. We must be bold!”

As Hanson’s successor, Julie Sperber will need to focus on fostering the collaboration necessary to achieve results for the Island region. She’s looking forward to the challenge — and to the upcoming summit: two days to set a course together toward an ever-more diversified and resilient Island economy where all can flourish. Let the conversations begin.

VIEA Summit Featured Sessions When Business Meets the Doughnut

Wednesday, October 26, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

The Doughnut envisions a world that meets the needs of all people within the means of the living planet. It's a world that is regenerative, rather than degenerative. And it is far more distributive of value and opportunity than today’s economy. What, then, does it mean for the future of business?

Speaker: Carlota Sanz, cofounder of the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL)

Our Forests, Our Climate

Wednesday, October 26, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

Forests are identified across the globe as critical to climate health and stability.

What do we know and what are we doing?

Moderator: Albert Nussbaum, acting deputy chief forester, British Columbia Ministry of Forests Speakers: Werner Kurz, principal investigator, senior research scientist, Natural Resources Canada; Rachel Pollard, director, Forest Science, Planning and Practices branch, Ministry of Forests; Tracy Andrews, RPF, manager, Audits and Investigations, Forest Practices Board

Workforce Evolution

Thursday, October 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

A discussion around how businesses can cope with increased staff turnover and competition for talent.

Moderator: Shannon Baikie, executive director, North Island Employment Foundations Society Speakers: Dan Dagg, principal, H2 Accelerator; Angela Heit, president, Chrysalis People Solutions

C O N TA C T U S

meetarray.com | 250-591-2277

36 DOUGLAS

Leading the Way: Island Entrepreneurs “Moving the Dial” with Low Carbon Products Thursday, October 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Learn how three Island companies are working to reduce their carbon footprint

in construction by utilizing marginal fibre to manufacture quality wood products and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Moderator: Katie Bishop, VIEA Board co-chair Speakers: Dave Des Roches, director of client experience, Nexii; Jason Jackson, principal, Hakai Energy Solutions; Mark Anson, principal, Timber Tiles

The Future of Finfish Aquaculture: The "Net" Effect of Industry Change

Thursday, October 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

With a government mandate for technical advances to reduce environmental impacts, increase sustainability and partner with First Nations, this session will explore the challenges, opportunities and economic implications for communities and Nations throughout the Island region.

Moderator: Myron Roth, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Speakers: Rocky Boschman, CEO, Grieg Seafood; Dallas Smith, Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship; Brenda McCorquodale, director of aquaculture management, DFO

What’s Working in Workforce Housing: Case Studies from Suburban and Destination Communities

Thursday, October 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Housing affordability is now a key factor in our ability to attract and retain labour from entry level to highly skilled.

Learn what communities are doing successfully, the common issues that they have had to overcome and ideas for how processes can be expedited.

Moderator: Bruce Williams, CEO, Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce Speakers: Jada Basi, principal, CitySpaces Consulting; Virginia Holden, executive director, Greater Victoria Housing Society

Turn your business challenges into_ growth opportunities

Technology & Innovation

Over four sessions, 12 companies discuss how technology and innovation have affected their approach to: health care (October 26, 1:30 to 3 p.m.); climate (October 26, 3:30 to 5 p.m.); food systems (October 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m.); and business models (October 27, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.).

Speakers: Various. 

Hire a CPA_ bccpa.ca

CPAs are your greatest business allies in this changing world.

DOUGLAS 37

Getting Owned and Loving It

BY CLEMENS RETTICH

Sharing ownership with your employees may seem daunting, but it may also be the best way for your business to survive — and even thrive.

S

ome of the biggest challenges in organizations today include employee retention, accountability and succession.

The idea of employee ownership can improve all of those areas.

Ownership is rewarding because it is deeply human, and it is inseparable from autonomy.

Together, they are pre-conditions for accountability.

Employee ownership can come in many forms, from the simple act of putting up pictures in an office to material benefits ranging from sales commissions and profit sharing to employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) and equity partnerships.

Yet many employers still struggle to connect those dots. For some it may be a reluctance to share the wealth. For others, it may be a perception of a loss of control. But what we give up in individual control, we more than regain in collective success.

Accelerate accountability A common complaint of owners and managers is that employees and, in particular, millennials aren’t accountable. Their complaints range from a wish for greater understanding — “What am I missing?” — to exasperated outbursts of “All I ever do is babysit!”

At the root of this frustration? Employers expect accountability without ownership. That can’t work.

Whether it is at the functional levels (payroll, paint detailing, product design) or at the leadership level of a whole division, we can only be accountable for what we “own.”

Gordon Duval, vice-president of sales and marketing at VMAC, the Nanaimo air compressor manufacturer, speaks to a pattern: an integration of 38 DOUGLAS

lean values with the idea of ownership. “VMAC is a lean organization, which means we hold respect for people and continuous improvement as core values,” says Duval. “Continuous improvement falls directly to the individual(s) conducting the work; they are the experts most capable of solving the problems or improving processes. This level of continuous improvement requires complete ownership of the problem.”

Rebecca Kirstein Resch, founder and CEO of inqli, a software startup in Victoria, agrees.

“Although we are only three years into our startup, we definitely see our people taking ownership of their roles, their outcomes and, ultimately, the company and culture of trust and autonomy that we’re all building together,” she says.

A strong sense of autonomy and ownership is also required for employees to take innovative risks.

Rob Germain, general manager and CEO (Chief Employee-Owner) at CHEK Media Group, pinpoints the connection. “Although CHEK has been operating since 1956, at times it feels more like a tech startup, with employees encouraged to innovate in developing its multimedia business,” he says. “Not having to answer to a corporate head office allows our employee-owners to be nimble and less risk-averse.”

Add money to the mix Organizations can drive a lot of change through the idea of ownership without taking the step into “actual” or equity ownership. But the research is clear: a financial stake matters. In supporting accountability and autonomy, an ownership culture is powerful. A culture of owners is even more so.

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

Rob Germain, general manager and Chief Employee Owner at CHEK Media Group, says that, with its new model, at times the TV station has the energy of a tech startup, even though it’s been operating since 1956.

DOUGLAS 39

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Sixteen years ago, Kinetic Construction do leave. Succession due to retirements is launched an ESOP as a succession strategy, particularly challenging because those leaving anticipating founder Bill Gyles’s retirement. often take with them decades of experience and Now, says Fallon Lindsay, Kinetic’s director of relationships that are often essential for longfinance and administration, “We have buy-in term growth and success. from employees representing a mix of every Delegation is a serious challenge when position. This drives accountability both ways we don’t have the people to delegate to. The because our leaders know people are investing work concentrates on fewer and fewer people, in them. As we often say as a board of directors: creating a negative spiral of burnout.

We pour our coffee from the same pot that an The idea of ownership is an answer to these investor has just poured from.” challenges as well.

Similarly, says Duval, “VMAC creates At CHEK, for instance, Germain credits ownership and ‘skin in the game’ amongst its the employee-ownership model for attracting coworkers through employee and retaining staff. “With 80 ownership — with many employees, CHEK has more coworkers being shareholders than doubled its staffing since “Ownership — profit-sharing and a bonus it became independent and also creates the program specifically oriented employee-owned in 2009,” he towards the development of says. opportunity for leadership qualities.”

Ownership is also critical for future leaders ESOPs are increasingly advancement and succession. to be identified common in the United States, We need highly skilled, for succession but less so in Canada. Setting talented and experienced planning.” up an ESOP in either country people to move into positions is complex, requiring good of increasing accountability.

— Gordon Duval, legal and accounting support.

The idea of ownership vice-president of sales Employee ownership trusts invests people in the journey and marketing, VMAC (EOTs) are not yet available and clarifies the pathways. in Canada. The good news is Ownership reduces ambiguity. that the 2022 federal budget Foundational elements acknowledged the need for more options for To nurture a culture of ownership, at least employee ownership and promised to amend four foundational elements are required: the Income Tax Act by introducing EOTs. leadership values, a sophisticated understanding Retention and succession of organizational dynamics, operational We are in the middle of an unprecedented transparency and a data-rich environment. situation in Canada. Profound demographic Without an “all-in” commitment from senior shifts and employees retiring or rethinking their leaders, ownership initiatives will fail. The career journeys have created a perfect storm of idea of ownership is rooted in values of equity, disruption in every sector, from restaurants to consistency and transparency. shipping ports to airlines.

“We put a lot of effort into designing an This has left leaders scrambling to stem employee stock option plan that reflects equity a tide of departures and replace those who that we believe is critical for shared prosperity,”

VMAC, the Nanaimo-based air-compressor manufacturer, has integrated lean values with the idea of ownership. Their core values include “respect for people and continuous improvement.”

says inqli’s Kirstein Resch. “We believe that this will attract the kind of people who share our desire to build more equitable and inclusive workplaces and economies.”

Shifting to a culture of ownership takes significant time and resources, but it is worth the effort.

“Attraction and retention are still big motivators,” says Lindsay. “But for Kinetic’s leadership, it is a values-based decision first.

We believe in a meaningful transfer of wealth to employees through equity.”

The knowledge requirement In his book, The Great Game of Business, Jack Stack makes the important point that we cannot advance any idea of ownership without learning and development. “We’ve created economic value [for employees],” he writes. “But more importantly, we teach people how to make a difference.”

Ownership, at any level, requires an understanding of the rules of the game, operationally and financially. When organizations say they have tried “the idea of ownership” and it hasn’t worked out, it is almost always a failure of knowledge.

Developing task or role ownership requires task-specific training and an illumination of the bigger picture. It requires understanding how each employee's decisions and efforts contribute to everyone’s success.

“Continuous improvement helps ensure that all coworkers develop the skills to become expert problem solvers, learning the tools and processes that allow them ownership of the problem and the autonomous decision-making to solve it,” says VMAC’s Duval. “[Ownership] also creates the opportunity for future leaders to be identified for succession planning.”

Many business owners don’t understand balance sheets or concepts like opportunity costs, so getting this information to frontline employees/owners can be heavy lifting. But successful ownership cannot be separated from this knowledge.

“All of our people are involved in understanding the business and financial context of all parts of the operating system,” says Kirstein Resch. “We engage people in understanding our unique employee stock option plan and how it will benefit them as we achieve outcomes that we design together.”

Again, this goes beyond the “transactional” pieces.

Employees who understand how their actions or decisions affect the big picture are most likely to make decisions that serve the

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whole organization. Kirstein Resch describes organization are critical components. this approach as “the advice process.”

At CHEK, employees have a significant say “There is someone — the decider — who in how the business is run. “CHEK employees needs to make a decision on how to move the control four of the seven seats on the board of organization forward,” she directors,” says Germain. says. “They talk to people “One of those seats is held with experience making this by the union president.

“Attraction and type of decision, people from CHEK employees also help retention are still different parts and levels of set company policies and big motivators, the organization, and the resolve issues through a people who will be impacted but for Kinetic’s joint union management by the decision. They can committee.” leadership, it is consult with people outside For operational a values-based of the organization to gain transparency to evolve, decision first. perspective. Then they quality information is also We believe in decide and record their needed. It is challenging to decision. No ‘permission’ or a meaningful be accountable when we bureaucracy required.” transfer of wealth lack the feedback of good Education, training and data. Effective ownership is to employees mentorship are missioninformed ownership. through equity.” critical in connecting people Digital information with accountability and — Fallon Lindsay, director of technologies are a boon to autonomy to truly “own” finance and administration, elevating autonomy and Kinetic their work. functional ownership. ERP systems, digital dashboards, Operational transparency CRM software and digital Successful ownership begins with transparency. collaboration platforms (such as Slack or Microsoft Teams) allow us to pull the data we Having clear, transparent performance expectations and transparency in how decisions need to validate our decisions. are made and how they impact the whole At Kinetic Construction, there is an

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42 DOUGLAS

You have a full schedule.

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harbourair.com | 1.800.665.0212 Sixteen years ago, Kinetic Construction offered an employee stock ownership plan. The result has been an increase in both accountability and autonomy, encouraging employees to take risks.

organizational commitment to data-informed management through the Last Planner System (LPS): “This is evidence of our commitment to autonomy and ownership at the operational level. Our commitment to the ESOP and to LPS come from the same core values,” says Lindsay.

Sailing through with certainty We have been navigating through some extremely difficult waters — and the signs on the horizon are that we are in for more.

Economic, social and political events continue to disrupt our world like a string of storm cells.

The idea of ownership, while requiring a significant investment of trust and resources, can be a powerful ally in the journey. When we own something, there is greater certainty, a deeper connection and a greater confidence in making faster decisions in uncertain environments.

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IN CONVERSATION MANDY FARMER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, ACCENT INNS

SERIOUSLY HAPPY

BY SHANNON MONEO | PHOTO BY JEFFREY BOSDET

Mandy Farmer’s mantra? Have fun and keep employees and everyone else content. It’s how the hotelier has managed to retain staff in challenging times.

M

andy Farmer has her eye on a historic Victoria hotel that she’d love to buy and convert into what would be the fourth Hotel Zed. “It’s been one of those properties I’ve been going to for years,” says Farmer. “I probably started going there as a teenager. It’s such a cool property. I’ve totally daydreamed about it being a Hotel Zed.” Would there be a psychic’s den and mini disco as in Tofino? Or free roller skates and a Ping-Pong lounge like Kelowna? What about a typewriter station or comic books, like at the Victoria Zed? A 2020 winner of an RBC’s Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award, Farmer spent almost a decade convincing Accent Inns' board that a Hotel Zed would be a success. She gets an “A” for her instincts and persistence.

But for Farmer, it’s fun that frames her focus.

Since May 1998, she has been CEO and president of Accent Inns, where her playful vision has given birth to hotel experiences that are

44 DOUGLAS

definitely anything but cookie cutter.

Getting her start at the front desk of the Empress Hotel in 1992, followed by work as a night auditor at the Delta Hotels Ocean Pointe Resort, Farmer went on to earn a psychology degree at McGill University and an MBA in executive management from Royal Roads University. Her thesis explored retro-themed hotels.

But she’s not a nose-in-the-book kind of boss.

If the Oak Bay High grad isn’t mountain biking on Whistler’s backcountry trails or switching hotels every night in a distant city, the married mother of two teenagers is managing properties and people in Victoria, Vancouver, Kelowna, Kamloops and Tofino. Part of that is imaginary camping trips.

And for her, there’s only one way she measures success.

“It’s the happiness of our employees, 100 per cent. We have one statistic that determines our success, and it is the happiness of our team.”

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

It took some persuading, but Accent Inns’ CEO Mandy Farmer proved that a kooky, colourful concept like Hotel Zed could be a winner.

She brings the same optimistic sense of fun to keeping her employees happy, too.

DOUGLAS 45

What is employee happiness and how do you define that?

O

O U T L OOKS

D E S I G N L

T

D

Whether your style is subtle sophistication, classic elegance or modern simplicity, we’ve got you covered.

This is something that we measure. We do surveys, twice a year, asking how happy people are working at Accent. Our goal is to reach 100 per cent. We’re currently at 97 per cent, and we’ve maintained that for a couple of years. I will never stop looking at that metric. It’s so important to me. When they’re 85 and someone asks, “Where’s the best place you’ve ever worked?” we want them to say Accent — even if they were just with us for a year.

How do you make your employees happy?

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It starts at day one. At our orientation program, the first thing you get is a card that is signed by every single member of the team, in their handwriting, welcoming you. Then you get a Box of Awesome. In it, there are four gifts and each of the gifts correlate to our values. Some of the gifts are socks, with either ducks that represent Accent or VW buses for Zed. This represents the value of “Got your back (and your feet).” Another gift is a first aid kit to represent the value of “Make everything better.”

Our values are lived and breathed every single moment.

What are Accent’s workplace values?

One of our values is fun, and we make sure we train on this because fun is going to be different for you, and it’s going to be different for me. We also want you to bring in your authentic self to work. So another one of our values is being real. It’s so important because so often in our society we put on these masks. “Where did you go to school?” or, “I have to dress a certain way.”

So we’re asking people to take off their mask, bring their authentic self to work and be real. It translates into “We’re an awesome workplace and awesome for our customers.” If you walk onto our properties and you feel it, it feels good.

level, where they’re loving their job, the customer is really going to feel it, and they’re going to want to keep coming back to that.

So, where do wages fit in?

Wages are definitely important. We want to make sure that our team is paid well, paid fairly, so we are constantly looking at what other hotels are paying, and that we’re paying a very fair wage. I’d say we look at that every six weeks to two months. Then we make adjustments based on that.

Do you have difficulty finding good employees?

Right now, we are very lucky in that we have got such an amazing team. We’re in a very good place. We have found, because of COVID, just wanting to make sure that people have access to sick time, we are overstaffing at the moment.

When you hear that a ferry sailing has been cancelled because they don’t have enough staff, we’re making sure that we are overstaffed so that we can maintain our levels of service.

We usually have a job posting out there, but, honestly, it’s probably just to make sure we’re over-covering.

What are the qualities of a great employee?

I probably would answer that very differently than someone else. Someone who is truly authentic and kind and caring. Another one of our values is having each other’s back and having a sense of fun.

Those are the people I want to be around.

“When you hear that a ferry sailing has been cancelled because they don’t have enough staff, we’re making sure that we are overstaffed so that we can maintain our levels of service.”

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46 DOUGLAS

How do happy and authentic employees make your business successful?

I look at hotels as a bit of a commodity. They’re very similar. So if you stay at a Marriott or a Delta, you’re not going to see a lot of difference.

You will expect certain things like cleanliness, a good bed, a nice shower. You’re going to get that in almost every hotel experience. So what is really, truly going to set your stay apart is the team. If the team is just vibing at an amazing

Can you sense those qualities when hiring?

Yeah, I can. It’s a real gut feeling, which is so surprising. I used to take along interview questions. I don’t do that anymore. I really honestly ask myself, “Do I want to go camping with them for a few days?” Not that I’m going to, but do you want to be around this person when you might be dirty, you might be wet, you might be slightly hungover?

Are they someone that I gravitate to? That’s usually how I hire.

Do you know what kind of customers you attract?

We attract people who are young at heart. I think at first, everyone thought Hotel Zed was going to attract a younger demographic, but it’s

not. It’s for people who don’t want the typical, rigid hotel stay. They want to be surprised and delighted.

The best meetings don’t always look like meetings...

So, what do you do for fun?

Right now, what I’m doing is so much fun.

I’m hanging vintage photos, artwork that I’ve sourced from thrift shops around Canada. I’ve got a whole bunch of knick-knacks that I’ve put together in a rec room in Tofino. So, that is one of the most fun things I do. Other than that, I’m a huge mountain biker, and I love being in the forest.

When you travel, where do you stay, and do you size up the competition?

Bright meeting spaces with fresh air and patios.

Revitalizing ocean views.

State of the art AV technology.

I have been known to move my family to a different hotel every night so we can see what they’re like. We always have to find the most unique accommodation. So, if we’re in New York or Austin, Texas, we will change hotels every single day just so I can experience them.

My poor family. I love independent hotels.

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What’s on the horizon for Accent Inns?

We really feel like we’ve been put here to radically enrich people’s lives via their work.

How do you do that? I see it, working from my business, whereby we’re super successful in this time when people are scrambling to find staff and we’re fully staffed. I’d love to share our approach. We’ve got some workshops, where we’re trying to get other businesses to lead with love. So, rather than looking at opening more hotels — which I’m sure I will still do — my desire, more, is to really show other entrepreneurs and managers that there really is a way to bring love into the workplace, and it can actually increase your bottom line.

Did you learn any lessons from the pandemic?

Lead with love. It was so transformative for us, in a positive way. We constantly are asking, “How can we help? Who needs help right now?” Whether that’s someone on our team, in our community, anything. Even though we’re a hotel company, we truly feel we are put here to radically enrich people’s lives.

So, what is the staff turnover?

You know, I don’t know the statistics. I do know that the majority of our team has been with us for almost five years.

Do you think you’re a great boss?

I think that one of the best things I’ve ever done is surround myself with the most amazing people, and I just get out of their way.

So, I look at them and think, “Tell me what to do.” I let them tell me what to do, and it’s a really fun way to be, especially when you’re the owner of the company. It creates a kind of egalitarian company where we’re all doing really cool stuff. 

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Douglas Magazine’s

MEETING PLANNER’S GUIDE After two years of pandemic-induced restrictions, in-person conferences are back and we can’t wait to reconnect. But the meeting experience has forever been changed, and if you’re the person organizing and hosting the event, the pressure to create an extraordinary experience might feel overwhelming.

Not to worry — we have plenty of solutions, tips and advice for you. Just follow our guide to creative conference planning in a post-COVID world.

48 DOUGLAS

where connections happen.

A CITY SURROUNDED BY NATURE, LANGFORD IS THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR NEXT CONFERENCE, CORPORATE RETREAT OR TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY. Just minutes from downtown Victoria, Langford offers stunning vistas, modern venues and a vibrant community that is the ideal setting for your next conference, meeting or board retreat. The variety of hotel offerings, support both business and conference activities and are close to a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, paddleboarding and kayaking.

Team retreat experiences can be both rewarding, inspiring and completely beyond expectation. After a day of meetings, teams can connect over a custom culinary experience, biking at the Jordie Lunn Bike Park or hiking at the Gravity Zone, a round of golf, disco bowling or climbing the indoor wall of the BoulderHouse complex.

Just a short drive away, you’ll find other exciting attractions for your team to discover including the Malahat Skywalk, Hatley Castle, Fort Rodd Hill and WildPlay Adventure Park.

Start planning your next event today!

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS:

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THE GOOD PARTY thegoodparty.ca Hike to amazing vistas or try all levels of mountain bike trails.

GRAVITY ZONE & JORDIE LUNN BIKE PARK langford.ca jordielunnbikepark.com Private VIP group room for corporate events.

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Test your mental fortitude and build a united team.

BOULDERHOUSE LANGFORD boulderhouse.ca/langford Bring your team to new heights!

MALAHAT SKYWALK malahatskywalk.com Problem solve and overcome obstacles as a team.

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FROM BOARDROOMS TO INSPIRING HIKING TRAILS — PLAN YOUR NEXT MEETING OR TEAM BUILDING EVENT IN LANGFORD. Langford has attracted international retail stores, smaller owner-operated boutique shops and cultivated a vibrant, chef-owned restaurant scene. With its unique geography and quaint downtown core, Langford is packed with welcoming patios and inspiring venues that are perfect for connecting.

FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON EASY MEETINGS — We make it easy for your event, large or small, langford to be a success. Book your next meeting or conference here, and enjoy comfortable facilities, professional support, and great rates.

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SOLO SUITES Specializing in both short- and long-term stays, SoLo Suites provides condominium style accommodation with a flexible one-of-a-kind check-in experience perfect for those seeking more than your standard hotel room.

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AMENITIES

1376 Lynburne Place, Langford | (778) 401-2020 Built in 2018, Victoria BC's SoLo Suites is a condo hotel featuring a one-of-areservations@fairwayshotel.ca | fairwayshotel.ca kind check-in experience where you DOUGLAS can book, pay and receive your access codes all online, without the need for a check-in desk or to speak with anyone.

This is truly a novel way of supplying accommodations as you can check-in

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THE WESTIN BEAR MOUNTAIN The completely remodelled grand ballroom at Westin Bear Mountain Resort consists of over 5,000 square feet of meeting space highlighted by the largest LG video wall in Canada.

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LANGFORD BUSINESS CENTER Co-Working, Naturally Evolved. Offering private phone booths, 6-person meeting booths, boardrooms, meeting rooms, event space and much more. The Langford Business Center is a unique, next-generation co-working experience.

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HOB FINE FOODS In the heart of Langford, our venue is the perfect space for product launches, social gatherings, intimate weddings, and special events.

The space can accommodate cooking demonstrations for up to ten people, long langofrtable dinners for up to 40 people, and cocktail style receptions for up to 50 people.

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CITY CENTRE PARK City Centre Park offers boardroom spaces for meetings, a catering menu for larger orders and group fun such as skating, mini-golf and bowling. Open all year, we have something for every group!

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THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH #91 Looking for the perfect place for your next gathering?

Small or large groups in the lounge, games room, or auditorium. Fully licenced facility with kitchen and catering. #761 Station Avenue, Langford | (250) 478-1828 manager@rcl9.ca | rcl91.ca

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DOUGLAS 51

Meet Green, Meet Sustainably

Victoria Conference Centre (VCC) is an ideal place to host eco-friendly meetings and events. From energy-efficiency to water conservation and waste management, the VCC will help ensure your event is as sustainable as possible.

Book Today! tourismvictoria.com/meetings 52 DOUGLAS

SETTING THE AGENDA 10 tips for creating an effective program lineup.

C

oming out of COVID, people are much more aware of how they use their time, and are reluctant to spend it on things that don’t matter to them. Make your conference worthwhile with these tips.

people focused for great lengths of time, so avoid posting huge amounts of text on screens.

Instead, offer videos, photos and other visually driven presentations.

Personalize Gone are the days of anonymous conference attendance — today, it’s all about personalizing the experience. Younger workers especially are accustomed to being able to customize everything from investment apps to sneakers, and will want some control over the agenda and how it meets their needs.

Keep sessions energized by building in frequent body breaks where attendees can stretch, walk around and generally get moving. Everyone will be happier, healthier and better able to concentrate when they return to the sessions.

And provide options for these breaks so attendees can choose the kind of break that appeals most to them.

Rewire

Relax

After two-plus years of Zoom and Teams meetings, everyone expects a higher level of technological functionality, so put technology to work — and make sure it actually does work. While you’re at it, prepare for some remote participation, too, as some people are still uncomfortable meeting in person. Event technology has evolved rapidly in the last decade, and used properly, can both reduce costs and increase attendance.

Over the last two years, we’ve become highly attuned to the state of our mental health and the need to nurture it, especially in a fast-moving, overly connected (yet weirdly disconnected) world. Build in “me time,” and consider creating a meditation area or adding a mindfulness experience into the agenda.

Focus That reliance on technology has a downside, though — it has resulted in a decrease in our attention spans. It is more difficult now to keep

Energize

Connect The main reason to meet in person is to make connections between people, so make sure the agenda has plenty of time and opportunity for networking. Connection and purpose are high on the list of human priorities for every generation, but especially for millennials, and

the best conferences are the ones that truly foster that.

Motivate Great conferences also send attendees home with renewed purpose and excitement about their careers. Include a few motivational speakers into the official agenda and plan on “purposeful meetings.” Smart planners will focus as much on creating purposeful experiences as any other aspect of the conference.

Refuel Here on Vancouver Island, we live in a land of bounty, and your conference should reflect that with a high-quality, healthy, dynamic and, if possible, local menu. Also, offer plenty of options to accommodate dietary needs and different palates. And keep attendees from getting hangry by offering nourishing snacks for grazing throughout the day.

Socialize Conferences are more intergenerational than ever, with boomers rubbing shoulders with Generations X, Y and Z. That can make social planning tricky as priorities and interests vary among attendees. Offer a variety of events that speak to different interests and fitness levels. One option is to pick a theme and build a program around it. It can be something traditional, for instance, something destination related, like a harbour cruise, or something a bit more offbeat, like “altbashes” that celebrate the smaller moments in life.

Reimagine Modern conferences are not about getting people into chairs in a ballroom and leaving them there. There is room to be creative every step of the way. Be bold, be imaginative and be open to new ideas for a conference that will create good memories and enhance your brand.

Put People First

Start with a warm (and witty) welcome.

These past few pandemic years we’ve relied on technology for our business solutions. But when it comes to your conference, it’s all about people.

Now, more than ever, in-person events are about the experience, says Aidan Henry, owner and creative director of Victoria’s Brink Events.

He advises planners to create an experience for every step of the conference journey. Making everyone feel special from the

beginning will do wonders for setting the mood for your event.

While pre-arrival electronic options for check-in are great time savers, ensure that you have warm, welcoming staff to answer any questions and make people comfortable when they check in.

Maybe have a juggler greet people as they arrive, symbolic of the reality that we are all juggling so many roles.

As Henry says, people want authentic connection and that starts from their very first interaction at a conference.

DOUGLAS 53

STRAIGHT TO THE POINT:

Meetings that get people talking.

You come here to connect and to inspire. Inn at Laurel Point offers one-of-a-kind meeting spaces that enhance team communication.

With bright, open view rooms and connected break areas, our spaces facilitate productivity and relaxation at the same time - and don't get us started on our homemade pastries.

Plan to get them talking, today.

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54 DOUGLAS

REMOTE, IN PERSON OR BOTH? Why you should consider a hybrid model for your event.

T

o hybrid or not to hybrid? That is the question, and it is a tough one. Although many of us feel like the COVID pandemic is over, it isn’t. New variants are still emerging and, especially as we go into respiratorydisease season, some people just aren’t comfortable venturing into big crowds just yet. So, even though — or maybe especially because — mandates and other restrictions are gone, offering at least some remote participation options at your conference is a good idea.

Certain types of events lend themselves better to a hybrid model, says Aidan Henry, owner and creative director of Victoria’s Brink Events.

“Anything around education seminars and workshops where you sit and just watch, you can still do that remotely. Interactive sessions will help online participants feel a part of things,” Henry says.

“For trade shows and expos, there are some great virtual platforms that have become more robust over the last couple of years. Both virtual and inperson interaction with booths and vendors, quick meetings, and speed networking are doable. Polls, and feedback in real time for both in-person and online participants, can help increase feelings of inclusion.”

However, virtual just doesn’t work for social events. That means paying careful attention to health and safety protocols; for instance, offering sanitation stations, touch-free payment onsite and online portals such as Eventbrite for advance ticketing and meal choices.

When he organized Victoria’s massive outdoor dinner party Dîner en Blanc this past June, Henry found himself forced to be extra attentive and flexible, too. “Without laws, mandates, regulations, not even vaccination requirements at this point, it is just about making people comfortable,” he says.

But for indoor events, safety protocols are even more important. Ensure there is variety in the type of seating you offer, and space for people to feel comfortable. “Maybe there is theatre seating up front, maybe spaced-out tables or chairs at the back of the room,” he says. “Give people options based on their comfort level and how they want to interact with others.”

By taking precautions, you will create a comfortable, welcome environment — and prevent a super-spreader event. “Nobody wants to be known for that,” he says. 

5 ESSENTIAL APPS Planning a meeting or conference? There’s an app for that. In fact, here are five of them to help your next confab go off without a hitch, whether it’s virtual, in person or a combination of the two.

WHOVA

This hybrid event app helps attendees customize their experience to suit their personal preferences.

They can log in beforehand to get a headstart on networking, or use the interactivity options to participate with speakers, whether they are in a live audience or at home. Users can also use the app to take notes, access agendas and share documents.

Features: Attendee bios with social profile links, effortless setup and branding, mobile agendas, interactive maps, document sharing, push notifications

PheedLoop

This full-featured hybrid event app goes live as soon as the event begins, so attendees can begin networking right away. The app features a scanner, so in-person attendees can scan each other’s badges, check in and out of sessions, and engage in scavenger hunts.

Features: Live streaming, sales-optimized registration and/or ticketing, surveys, gamification, monetization systems

Eventee

Eventee is a mobile and desktop hybrid conference and event app that offers several paid tiers as well as the option to create one free event a year. Although it doesn’t have a wide range of built-in features, it does integrate with other existing platforms.

Features: Live streaming, prerecorded and on-demand content, custom branding, integrations with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Vimeo or YouTube

Hopin

If you want to make your event about the people rather than the place, this mobile app may be your answer.

Its unique ticketing system creates different pricing tiers for online or in-person attendees. And both the mobile and desktop version of Hopin will automatically let attendees connect through their phones.

Features: Real-time analytics and reports, team communication channels, audience questions, attendee profiles

Webex Events

Although best known as a conference app, Webex Events can also be used for virtual, in-person and hybrid events, and trade shows. Networking is this app’s strong point; it allows attendees to connect efficiently in a myriad of ways.

Features: Live streaming, networking, one-to-one video meetings, gamification, banner ads, video rooms and post-event metrics

DOUGLAS 55

The Magnolia Hotel & Spa Book your next small meeting, executive retreat, or celebratory event at Victoria’s top-rated boutique hotel and award-winning restaurant.

• Victoria’s top-rated downtown boutique hotel, consistently ranked among the Best Hotels in Canada.

• Three executive meeting rooms, perfect for groups of 6-28 people.

• 64 elegantly appointed rooms with luxury amenities, and group rates available for 5 to 20 rooms.

• Delicious catering from the culinary team at THE Courtney Room.

• Spa Magnolia is a tranquil oasis, perfect for retreats and wellness getaways.

Contact Contact our our sales sales team: team: Toll-free: 1-877-624-6654 Toll-free: 1-877-624-6654 Direct: Direct: 250-412-8484 Email: Email: sales@magnoliahotel.com sales@magnoliahotel.com www.magnoliahotel.com www.magnoliahotel.com #4 in Canada, Canada,Travel Travel+ +Leisure Leisure World’s Awards #4 Best Best Hotel Hotel in World’ s BestBest Awards 20222022 #1 Top Top Hotel Travellers’ Choice 2020 #1 HotelininCanada, Canada,TripAdvisor TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice 2020 #4 Hotel Hotel in Canada s Choice Awards 2019 #4 Canada––Condé CondéNast NastReader’ Reader’s Choice Awards 2019

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56 DOUGLAS

The Fairfield Up to 20

Spacious Suites

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DOUGLAS 57

Driven from the

START

BY MICHAEL JOHN LO

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

To go far, sometimes you have to go to unexpected places. Companies like Barnacle Systems, OUTWAY, HYAS Infosec and Stocksy have been able to ride the waves, becoming significant players in their respective fields, far beyond the shores of Vancouver Island.

But all four companies also share a common link. They are all Douglas 10 to Watch winners.

58 DOUGLAS

Barnacle Systems: Safer Boats Barnacle Systems CEO Brandon Wright was inspired to create a security system for boats after his own boat slipped its moorings.

Now the 10 to Watch winner has gone international and become a defence contractor.

The journey of entrepreneurship can take unexpected turns. Barnacle Systems, a security system for boats, came to be after the company’s founder and CEO Brandon Wright’s boat broke free from its moorings in Mill Bay. He realized there was a market for boat monitoring and the result was Barnacle Systems. The remote security product was launched and would earn the company a 10 to Watch nod in 2019. The award boosted the company’s local sales by 20 per cent after the news came out.

Since then, the momentum has grown and Barnacle is now international. Its products can be found on vessels based in 40 countries, with distributors and dealers around the world. This past year saw another expansion for Barnacle. “Now we’re also a defence contractor. We protect military vessels, government vessels in both Canada and the United States,” Wright says.

The pivot into defence for a boat security system may be surprising for some, but it makes sense once one realizes that even the Coast Guard needs someone to watch over its boats. Wright’s previous career working on remote security and monitoring systems for the CIA also made it a natural fit. Wright began working the defence conference circuit, turning contacts into contracts.

“Throughout COVID, we were having to look for new types of customers because there was so much uncertainty,” Wright says. “So that’s when I started exploring the government market. I knew how to write those proposals. I knew how to get their attention. And that ended up becoming really successful for us.”

The recreational boating market also grew substantially during COVID. For some, it became a safe way to escape. However, other people were separated from their boats, and Barnacle’s product helped them check in on their vessels from their smart phones during those uncertain times of quarantines and lockdown.

“The growth in the recreational market has been huge for us,” says Wright. “The fact that we’ve grown from being in two countries to over 40 over the span of two-and-a-half years is a pretty big deal for us.”

Barnacle Systems has survived and thrived off its own cash flow, without any outside investment. The team has remained lean, with a head count of 11. “As a result of having an incredible team, we don’t need to add a bunch of people,” says Wright. And that’s with two successful arms of the business to manage. “We’re very scrappy. And we addressed the markets that were best served during that kind of uncertain time.”

It's smooth sailing ahead for Wright and his vision.

“The fact that we’ve grown from being in two countries to over 40 over the span of two-and-a-half years is a pretty big deal for us.”

— Brandon Wright, Barnacle Systems, 2019 winner DOUGLAS 59

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

Winning the award gave Rob Fraser, founder and CEO of OUTWAY, a foot in the door for his performance sock business.

OUTWAY: A Foot in the Business “Over the last three years since we were given the award, we’ve definitely established ourselves as the number one direct-toconsumer performance sock brand in Canada, and probably top three in North America,” says OUTWAY founder and CEO Rob Fraser.

The sock company won the award under the name of Endur Apparel back in 2019. Today, the performance sock brand has 25 employees working out of their headquarters in Uptown — and that’s not including their fulfillment and manufacturing teams.

But for a long while, the company was a hardworking three-person startup. “We were fortunate to have a lot of support from local events like the Victoria Marathon and Tour de Victoria,” says Fraser. “I’m not sure we would have been able to build this business in many other places in Canada.

“Winning the 10 to Watch established credibility for the brand in the early days, 60 DOUGLAS

which allowed us to capture more consumer trust,” he adds.

OUTWAY was just beginning to hit its stride when the pandemic hit. “We were starting to think of hiring more people, but at that point we just became a four-person team,” says Fraser.

During the lockdowns, the direct-toconsumer and active living markets boomed.

He jumped on the opportunity. Today, OUTWAY sells over 250 sock varieties. Its biggest customer base is in Eastern Canada, but the company has chosen to keep its operations in Victoria. All of OUTWAY’s global orders ship out of Victoria.

“Victoria is unique for the fact that it’s a big small city, where there’s a very close community that supports each other,” says Fraser. “Even as we have grown, there’s a very welcoming and supportive business community that has helped me to this current day. It’s been a rewarding and fun journey.”

“Victoria is unique for the fact that it’s a big small city, where there’s a very close community that supports each other. Even as we have grown, there’s a very welcoming and supportive business community that has helped me to this current day.”

— Rob Fraser, OUTWAY, 2019 winner

Cybersafe with HYAS Infosec HYAS Infosec has also thrived off uncertain times. The cybersecurity company won a 10 to Watch award in 2018. The company traces hacking attempts back to their sources of origin and terminates them before they ever cause damage. The company flipped the cybersecurity model into offensive deterrence rather than passive defence.

When Douglas first profiled the company, venture capitalists were lining up to invest in the startup, founded in a Nanaimo basement. The money came quickly. Among others, Microsoft’s venture capital arm, M12, put in $6.2-million in Series A funding in 2019, bringing in money and expertise.

Last year, HYAS’s Series B funding came to a hefty $16-million. It’s safe to say that HYAS has now ascended into the big leagues.

The company, first founded by Chris Davies and Steve Heynes in that Nanaimo basement, counts social media networks, credit card companies and law enforcement agencies amongst its clients.

With pandemic work trends bringing remote work into greater prominence, digital security has come into fresh focus,

attracting more business. “In a world that’s HYAS now attracts talent from all over constantly changing, that plays into an North America, which comes with some attacker’s hands,” says David Ratner, CEO. interesting hurdles. Ratner himself is a “All of a sudden, there’s all these different frequent flyer, based in California. It caused ways to attack you. And the beauty of HYAS a few headaches in the early pandemic days, is that it really provides the visibility that requiring special exemptions to cross the our customers need to border during lockdown. make sure that they HYAS continues to have the confidence to consider B.C. home — move forward, regardless most of the core business of how this world team is in the province changes.”

— and maintains offices The company hired in Nanaimo, Victoria and more than half of its Vancouver. employees in the past Davies has recently two years and expanded stepped down from the its product line from one board. “He’s retired and to three cybersecurity is just enjoying himself,” options. says Ratner. Other early“It’s grown up very era employees continue significantly since the to hold positions at the early days,” says Ratner. company while others, — David Ratner, HYAS Infosec, 2018 winner “We’ve developed a real too, have moved on. reputation in the market.

Founding a company that It’s pretty unusual that can hold its weight with you can find a 40-person company that the heavyweights: not a bad way to finish can claim, for example, three of the [top] off a prestigious 20-plus-year career in the Fortune five as customers.” information security industry.

“We’ve developed a real reputation in the market. It’s pretty unusual that you can find a 40-person company that can claim, for example, three of the Fortune five as customers.”

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DOUGLAS 61

Stocksy’s Pretty Picture

premium content, betting that its more creative approach would pay dividends. It worked.

Bruce Livingstone did the opposite: he came At the time of the award, Stocksy had 20 staff back from semi-retirement in 2009 to create members and 770 contributors. Since that time, the Victoria-based global stock photography the company has tripled its staff and has almost agency Stocksy. It is a premium alternative to 1,700 photographers working in the current stock photography 80 countries around the world. companies, an industry that Since its start in 2012, Stocksy he’d been involved with since has paid out over $50 million 2000. (Livingstone arguably in royalties to its contributors. invented the microstock Royalties paid out per fiscal business model.) Like Davies, year have doubled since 2015. he took an industry paradigm Big numbers, but Livingstone and flipped it over. Instead of says that the focus has always diving in head first, though, been on sustainable growth.

Stocksy’s approach was to This slower approach is take it slow. also built into its business The company was awarded model. It is a co-op model, its 10 to Watch award in where photographers and 2015. That year became a videographers get a bigger say year of incredible growth — Christina Minshull, in the direction of the stock for the company. Stocksy Stocksy, 2015 winner photography agency, and built numerous partnerships, profits are shared back with its including one with Adobe. creators.

“It’s a really great symbiotic relationship “Our values at Stocksy are about being between the two companies,” says Livingstone. progressive, inclusive, empathetic and “We elevate their collection, and in turn, we get collaborative,” says Christina Minshull, Stocky's a lot of sales.” global head of marketing. “I think having Stocksy has carefully built up a collection of

“I think that’s what makes Stocksy so powerful, is that we do have different perspectives from different cultures and different countries.”

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The company actively seeks diversity in its partners. Recently, this has included encouraging Indigenous communities to become more involved in the stock photography industry, particularly in Canada and Australia.

With such an international collective, Stocky’s team itself is also spread out across continents. “I think that’s what makes Stocksy so powerful, is that we do have different perspectives from different cultures and different countries,” says Minshull.

But at the end of the day, Stocksy retains strong Victorian roots. Its website proudly lists a Market Square office address.

Livingstone, who has long retired as Stocky’s CEO, continues to play an active role in the company as chair of the board.

As Stocksy matures, he is staying around mainly to mentor the next generation of leaders. “I feel like it’s my responsibility to train and hand over my wisdom from the last 30 years of experience, to make sure that other people have an opportunity to be in a position of leadership.”

The nomination deadline for the 2023 Douglas 10 to Watch awards is November 6.

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DOUGLAS 63

INTEL

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

MARKETING

BY SHARON MILONE

Creating Content Follow these five strategic steps to plan, publish and prosper.

B

logging, newsletters, social media. All are effective means of marketing a business but are easily overwhelming without a content strategy in place. In fact, 63 per cent of businesses do not have a documented content strategy. Most don’t know where to start or don’t have the time or money to invest in one. However, the path to plan, publish and prosper with an intentional content strategy is closer than you think — even if you’ve tried and failed in the past to implement one.

What Is Content Marketing?

Content marketing is the process of creating and distributing relevant and valuable content to attract and engage a clearly defined target audience.

Unlike advertising, which is designed to interrupt and convince, content marketing is used to stimulate interest in a product or service without explicitly promoting your brand. Think of it as a subtle sales technique: 64 DOUGLAS

distributing content your audience will value, by helping them overcome problems, achieve a desire or explore a particular interest.

The end goal is to drive profitable customer action. This is what makes content marketing a worthwhile investment for companies of all sizes.

Planning Your Content Strategy

When approached with intention, content marketing can result in stronger customer relationships, shorter sales cycles and a higher long-term return on investment than traditional advertising.

There are five building blocks business owners need to understand, in order to develop a content strategy and create engaging content: purpose, audience, calendar, content and evaluation.

Purpose

Think back to the reason you started your business and the spark behind the problem

your business is solving. What's the value your business adds to the world? This is the intention that should fuel your content strategy.

Next, give some thought to your business and marketing goals. Are they to build your email list? Increase repeat sales? Double month-over-month website traffic? How will content help you achieve these goals? Here’s an example:

Intention

We want our content to connect newly engaged couples to bridal vendors and resources, so they don’t get overwhelmed by the wedding planning process.

Goal

By creating content that supports couples on their wedding journeys, we can achieve our goal of 50 per cent of web traffic referred from social media and driving more downloads to our “No Stress Wedding Guide.” Every new download equals a new

contact on our email list and a potential new business lead.

Getting clear on the purpose of your content is a key step in deciding why, what and how to approach content marketing.

Your intention, paired with tangible business goals, will ultimately direct the content you create.

Audience

Understanding the values, motivations and desires of your ideal customer, as well as how they like to spend time online, is the next step in developing an intentional content strategy.

If you’ve ever read the book How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, you know that the quickest way to win someone over is to talk about something that interests them. It is a similar context when it comes to content marketing. It’s not about your business. It’s the intersection of topics your audience cares about and topics that relate to your product or service that will motivate your target audience that will motivate your target audience.

Some questions to ask when defining the audience of your content strategy include:  Who is your ideal customer?  What are their challenges, motivations, desires?  How can your business help solve or support these challenges, motivations, desires?  What’s the best way to reach your customer online?

Calendar

Once you’ve defined your purpose and audience, choosing marketing channels and deciding how often you’ll publish is the next step toward building a content strategy.

Too often, content creation gets put off because it’s overwhelming. You can avoid the deluge of an arbitrary content plan by structuring your calendar first, then backfilling it with the necessary content ideas.

Start by choosing a time frame, like monthly or quarterly, and outline your content calendar for that time period. Make sure this schedule is something you can repeat on a regular basis. This is essential for creating content consistently in the long term.

A few questions to consider are:  How much time do you have to create content?  Which channels will you publish to?  What types of content will you create for each channel?  How often will you publish content to each channel?

Content

Business owners tend to have one of two problems: they either have so many content

ideas that it’s hard to prioritize, or they struggle to come up with content ideas altogether.

One way to determine whether a content idea is a good fit for your strategy is to refer back to your purpose, audience and calendar, to evaluate your idea.  Does it support a business goal or underlying intention?  Does it appeal to a challenge, motivation, or desire of your target audience?  Will it work for the marketing channel(s) and publishing frequency you have on your content calendar?

Are you a business owner who doesn’t want to do it all anymore?

If a content idea doesn’t meet the above criteria, it’s likely not a good fit for your content strategy.

If you struggle to come up with content ideas, try brainstorming a few topics using the questions below, and select only what you need to fill your content calendar. For example, if your calendar outlines three blog posts per month, four Instagram posts per week and a bi-weekly Facebook live stream video, you need nine ideas to fill up your content schedule.  What do you want to market this month?  What are you an expert in?  What frequently asked questions come up from your audience?  What’s something that interests your audience?

Reusing content ideas across marketing channels can help you become more intentional about the content you create.

For example, use your blog topic idea as the content for one or two social posts, as well as the talking points for a live stream video.

Evaluation Finally, with intentions and ideas firmly in place, identify the metrics you need to measure content performance and the overall success of your content strategy.

Social media and email marketing platforms have built-in analytics, while tools like Google Analytics can help you measure other areas of your marketing and sales efforts.

In addition to pulling reports to understand your numbers, use the questions below to reflect on the data, looking for ways to turn insights into ways to improve your content strategy.  Did your content meet its intended goal/expectation?  What insights did you gain?  How will you improve next time?  Sharon Milone is a content strategist and the director of client success at generative.agency, a full-service content creation company.

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DOUGLAS 65

INVESTMENT

BY MIA MAKI

Financing Your Early Stage Venture Expert tip: it’s not just about the money.

W

hen we think about investment, we often think of public equity markets and the many, many faceless investors buying and selling shares in public companies. As a result, we think of entrepreneurial financing as obtaining a cheque from a passive investor. Nothing could be further from the truth.

And that's a great thing if you have the right mindset. Early stage investment is a relationship with your investor and is multifaceted. Your investor is someone that you will communicate with, meet with and, if you are very strategic, someone who will help your venture succeed.

Seasoned entrepreneurs look for investment with benefits. Do you need to scale your venture? Your investor should have experience scaling, or a deep knowledge of the industry and relationships, so that they can help you in that task. Do you need to grow your team? Your investor should have experience in organizational structure, hiring and retention through highgrowth scenarios.

in the 15 to 20 per cent per year range.

The work of an entrepreneur through these early stages is to de-risk the venture by securing ongoing revenue and finding a business model that works and generates consistent or growing cash flow, all while managing costs and investing for the future.

In these early stages, entrepreneurs have several options that should be considered before taking external funds, including:

3

 Business plan and pitch competitions  Self-financing through reinvestment of profits  Crowdfunding via rewards and presales  Love money, a.k.a. money from family and friends, a form of external funding  Early stage grant and loan programs such as community microloans, Futurpreneur, Export Development Canada, Pacific Economic Development Canada, National Research Council — Industrial Research Assistance Program, and Scientific Research and Experimental Development tax credits  Traditional loan programs, including a line of credit, likely personally guaranteed, or asset loans

Money or capital given by family, friends or other personal connections for a business startup.

When Do You Need Your First External Investor?

In each case, entrepreneurs need to think hard about skill development and the resources of their company. When you need external financing, the work to research, assess, deliberate, propose or pitch, and manage any of the options, takes time and resources away from the operations of the company. Company culture and desired skill development play a role. Some seasoned entrepreneurs avoid grant and loan programs; it may be antithetical to your company to develop skills to write grant proposals and to focus attention on government funding, rather than generating sales and cash.

Ideally, entrepreneurs look for their first external investment when:

 The risk to the venture has been lowered to the point where it makes sense to take someone else's money; and,  The investor is likely to get a return that is reasonable, based on risk.

Investors have options. A risk-averse investor can choose fixed-income, low-risk opportunities and will earn relatively low rewards, in the two to five per cent range.

An investor willing to take on more risk can build an equity portfolio of stable, blue-chip stocks and earn higher returns over the long term. Investing in early-stage ventures is riskier, and investors are looking for returns 66 DOUGLAS

Why We Need External Investment

Once the early stage options have been effectively used to de-risk the venture, and it

EARLY STAGE EXTERNAL INVESTORS OPTIONS

1 - Love money

2 - Angel investment

An individual who provides capital for a business or startup, often in return for equity, just when it’s needed most.

3 - Group of angels

High net-worth individuals who are often serial entrepreneurs and provide financial backing for startups.

is time to seek external funds, you have three options:  Love money  Angel investment  Investment by a group of angels And it is time to think about the benefits you need from these important relationships.

Some love money is considered the best first step because some angel investors see love money as confirmation that the people who know you best believe in you. Not all angel investors require you to have raised love money, but, it is important to some angel investors and it can be a wise first step.

Angel investment research shows that angels are more likely to write a cheque

when there are co-investors; when the entrepreneur is connected to the angel via group screening, a group presentation or a referral from a friend or professional, such as an accountant or a lawyer. This is where local groups like VIATEC, Coast Capital Innovation Centre at UVic, Cindicates and the Women's Equity Lab are important elements of our business community.

Presenting to a group of investors is the best way to create connections, gather feedback and, ultimately, obtain financing. You can also meet these people by participating in incubator programs, which gives you access to venture coaching.

Who are these angels? The research tells us that they are often serial entrepreneurs.

Investing in your company is a combination of expecting a return, helping another entrepreneur succeed as they were helped by someone in the past and enjoying the thrill of the early stages without the stress of being responsible for the day to day.

Who knows? Someday you might have the opportunity to invest in an entrepreneur in our community. 

Mia Maki is an associate dean, faculty outreach, at the Gustavson School of Business at UVic; a professor of finance, accounting and entrepreneurship; and a principal at Quimper Consulting. Maki has helped raise over $50 million for international initiatives, including acquisitions, strategic partnerships and joint subsidiary creation projects.

YOUR OPINION MATTERS Have your say! Tell us what you’d like to see more of in Douglas magazine.

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DOUGLAS 67

MANAGEMENT BY INGRID VAUGHAN

Connecting In A Hybrid World How to ensure clear communication and positive engagement when some staff are working in the office and the rest are WFH.

W

hat initially had employers shaking their heads at the beginning of COVID — wondering how on earth remote work was going to be possible — is now the norm. With today’s workforce distributed between home, the office and anywhere in between, employee needs have changed. The impacts on your business need to be identified and solved together in order to succeed in this new worker landscape.

Successfully managing a hybrid team is about more than just getting everyone on a Zoom meeting once a month. It is about engaging everyone, no matter how or where they are working. Engagement looks different for each person, in each situation, and your efforts to create a strong sense of team building with everyone will determine your success in the future. There is no onesize-fits-all approach, so getting feedback from all members of your team about how they want to be engaged is imperative.

Consider these three key elements to creating a successful hybrid team.

team is different from the information needed by accounting, HR, front-line workers or any other role. Not everyone needs to know everything. Avoid information overload by being strategic about who needs what and knowing how they like to receive information. Use collaboration tools like connectteam.com, Microsoft Teams or Slack to streamline and create efficient and effective communication.

Communication

 Inclusive, facilitated meetings It’s natural for in-person attendees to draw more focus than remote participants.

Hybrid meetings can be challenging for remote workers. They don’t always hear everything that is said, can find it difficult to naturally jump in with comments and

 Different strokes for different folks Reaching workers who come into the office every day looks different than reaching workers who come in a few days a week, once a month or never. The information that’s critical for employees on the sales

 “Who needs to know?”

It’s common for employees in the office to engage in impromptu connections and conversations that stimulate actions. Remote employees don’t get the benefit of these spontaneous conversations, and often, forget to includ WFH workers about action items that could affect them. When these situations arise, especially if decisions are being made, get your team accustomed to asking: “Who else needs to know this?” If remote workers are continually considered and in-the-loop about things that affect them, they’ll feel more engaged.

Collaboration

often end up becoming bystanders rather than participants. One way to create more equitable meetings is to assign a virtual facilitator for online or blended format meetings. This can simply be handled by one of the team members on a permanent or rotating basis. Their role is to ensure that everyone is being considered and given opportunities to participate. Duties could include:  Welcoming the meeting participants  Handling any tech challenges such as video or audio issues  Checking in with online attendees and giving them space to contribute  Ensuring the meeting isn’t dominated by the people in the room  Getting feedback from online participants after the meeting for suggestions on improvements  Rethinking collaboration The office used to be a place where both collaborative work and solo work happened. With a hybrid workforce, the office may need to be more intentional about collaboration. For example, companies might ask employees to come into the office for monthly all-staff meetings, quarterly planning sessions or training. Every opportunity remote workers have to join the team are valuable for connecting and building relationships they might miss when working on their own.

Connection

 Around the cooler Relationships are built around the water cooler (lunch room, coffee station, staff lounge, etc.). Creating a virtual “water cooler” platform can make space for your team members to engage around things that have nothing to do with work, sharing life updates, talking politics, chatting about movies or TV shows, interesting news they have found and anything in between. One way to do this is allow team members to have “non-meeting” meetings. Just as they might have an opportunity to chat for 10 or 15 minutes over lunch or coffee, giving space for them to do this virtually can create the

HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR REMOTE WORKERS

Around the cooler-

Consider creating a virtual “water cooler” platform for your team members to engage around that has nothing to do with work.

68 DOUGLAS

Chat me up - Instead of a lengthy email or text message, encourage team members to initiate a quick video chat to humanize their working relationship with colleagues.

Slap on the back - Organize

activities that bring everyone together. There are numerous apps that allow people to share screens and participate in games or small group activities.

Fun times - Highlighting values-

based behaviour goes a long way toward showing your appreciation to your team. In general, workers are less motivated by money than by a recognition-based culture.

same bonding that takes place in person.

Similarly, scheduling 10 to 15 minutes prior to a regular meeting for informal talk time can accomplish this as well.  Chat me up With over half of human communication being non-verbal, the strategy to keep remote employees engaged, especially when they aren’t seen day-to-day, becomes very important. Video communication allows people to measure their reactions to conversations, see facial expressions and voice inflections, look someone in the eye in a way that just isn’t possible over text or email. Instead of a lengthy email or text message, encourage team members to initiate a quick video chat to humanize their working relationship with colleagues.  Slap on the back Giving positive feedback, sharing glowing customer reviews, acknowledging when a project goes well, highlighting values-based behaviour, all go a long way toward showing your appreciation to your team. In general, workers are less motivated by money than by a recognition-based culture. Being acknowledged for their ideas, appreciated for their hard work and recognized for their performance are things that make people want to stay, and that attracts others to your business.  Fun times Team-building activities foster a healthy work culture, which leads to better retention, higher productivity and better employee satisfaction. It also makes ambassadors out of your employees, who speak positively about your workplace to others, creating a buzz about your brand that attracts more great team members.

A lack of visibility means remote workers tend to have weaker relationships with their colleagues than those employees who work in-office. Engage them by organizing activities that bring everyone together. Even better, create a social committee and get your team involved in planning fun events everyone will enjoy.

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Remote employees and hybrid work environments are here to stay. To successfully adapt to the new world of work, employers must be able to create experiences that meet the needs of each employee. It doesn’t necessarily require a lot of money, but it does require some creativity and flexibility to think about how inclusive and unifying your workplace can be for all your team members. 

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604-337-2980 DOUGLAS 69

POINT OF VIEW

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

BY DAVID LENNAM Jeff Crone is on a roll. His not-quite-two-year-old mobile vehicle-detailing business, Fig’s, will roll right up to your door — at home or work — and, using eco-, pet- and driveway-friendly products, clean away your stress (along with pet hair, grime, goop, gunk and whatever got stuck under the seat). But the roll the 37-year-old former rugby player is on goes beyond a mere four wheels.

With Fig’s, owner Jeff Crone doesn’t just clean your car — he makes an important connection with community.

How important is the value of mentorship?

How I look at myself in the business community — I’m just a child, growing my business and my reputation in this community. Having someone like Mary Lou Newbold from Mayfair Optometric Clinic, or Heather Williams from Hi-Rise Advertising … that’s been such a significant part of my growth. They’ve really embraced me as a business owner and an individual and Fig’s as a brand. That’s just something that money could never buy.

This is the first business you’ve started, so why mobile detailing of cars, RVs, boats, everything?

I was working with youth and adults with extreme behavioural disabilities for six years, and, obviously, with the pandemic happening, I was reaching this burnout point. It kind of caught up to me. My wife is a business and mindset coach for female entrepreneurs. I asked her to coach me for an hour, and it just so happened that I cleaned our vehicles and she said to me, “You should create a business out of cleaning vehicles.”

What makes Fig’s different?

My target audience is professional females, and I did a lot of market research to get to that point. Women are just such powerful beings and they really can encompass the heart of the home and they know how to make decisions based on convenience and time. I went in with a lot of good intention. I wanted a good name, I wanted a good brand strategy and I wanted to be different in the sense that I don’t want people to focus solely on the fact that I’m just a detailing service.

I have so much belief in the network around me, it wasn’t even a thought I would fail or do well. I refuse to not see something through. I’m OK with failing. That’s how you learn. And how you grow.

What does a clean car say about its owner?

That they live an organized life, and they’re doing quite well for themselves, whether it’s with money, or with their at-home life or with work … What I’m going for is I want people to feel relaxed. It’s a lifestyle choice, that’s how I want people to perceive it. I’ll show up to their car and some people are like, “I keep my car clean.” Yeah, but there’s your clean and then there’s a detailer’s clean.  70 DOUGLAS

JEFFREY BOSDET/DOUGLAS MAGAZINE

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ARRAN

& RATA NA ST EP H E N S The 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year

Ratana and Arran Stephens, co-founders of Nature’s Path Foods, are the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business 2022 Distinguished Entrepreneurs of the Year.

Nature’s Path was created in 1985. Today it is North America’s largest independent, certified-organic breakfast and snack food company. Some things haven’t changed during those years: Nature’s Path is 100% organic, non-GMO and family-run.

The Stephenses will be celebrated on October 19, 2022 at the DEYA black tie gala in Victoria, BC.

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