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The Number One Thing Local Entrepreneurs Have Learned in Business
Entrepreneurs. They’re a special breed of superhuman. Bold visionaries who dare to take action. The Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfreys, and Martha Stewarts whom we all admire. But you needn’t look further than our own backyard in the Okanagan to find them.
Our slice of heaven isn’t just a mirage of a desert oasis; it’s genuinely one of the most beautiful places on Earth. This allure is why its population continues to swell. With booming sectors in tourism, tech, fashion, construction, wine, and spirits—and with the rise of remote work attracting entrepreneurs from across Canada—the Okanagan is becoming a vibrant hub of innovation.
However, we recognize that embarking on and managing a business venture is no simple feat, akin to an afternoon of wine tasting. It’s much more of a rollercoaster ride, replete with twists, turns, highs, and lows. Knowing this, the wisdom of the age-old adage ‘hindsight is 20/20’ reminds us to be thoughtful and reflective in our decisions, understanding that the clarity we gain in retrospect is invaluable for navigating the entrepreneurial path.
So, we thought we’d give the newbie entrepreneurs around here a head start and let them in on some invaluable advice from some of our favourite seasoned veterans. This post aims to serve as an enlightening guide for anyone considering starting a business in the Okanagan.
We asked…
“What’s the number one thing you’ve learned in business to date…”
Cedar and Soul Wellness
“Keep everything authentic. If it doesn’t feel like an absolute yes in your soul then it’s an absolute no. Don’t waste your energy and time on anything that doesn’t light you up 100%.”
About the Business:
Cedar and Soul Wellness is a transcendent centre that offers both traditional and unconventional healing practices. Services include Osteopathy, Sound Healing, Yoga, Transcend Reiki, Facial Stretch Therapy, Golf Biomechanic Optimization, and Intuitive Body Work.
“Over the past few years, I’ve come to realise that things very rarely go as expected. From natural disasters, to equipment malfunctions, to changes in licensing rules, we’ve had to think on our feet and be prepared to adjust our plans accordingly. We make the most of every situation and remind ourselves how incredibly lucky we are to be living out our dream.”
About the Business:
Controlled Entropy Distilling is a small batch distillery located in beautiful Summerland, BC. It came to fruition after husband and wife team, Shea and Nahome took their passion for science and merged it with their love of artisanal cocktails to create unique and approachable craft spirits that are transforming the traditional cocktail into something extraordinary.
Events and Promotions happening at Controlled Entropy:
In support of Epilepsy Awareness Month and Purple Day, Controlled Entropy has created a Blueberry Bergamot Cocktail Kit. This cocktail kit was created in collaboration with Summerland Sweets and Barkeep General Store. It combines their award-winning Dry Hopped Gin, Blueberry Syrup, and Bergamot Bitters. The kit is available for purchase at the distillery tasting room and online at controlledentropy.ca Proceeds from each kit will be donated to the Centre for Epilepsy & Seizure Education in BC (ESEBC).
Corcelettes Estate Winery
“During the past 12 years of being in business with my husband, the most important thing I’ve learned is that the willingness to keep an open mind to change, combined with the ambition to continually improve every single aspect of your company, is a recipe for success.
This combination keeps your business exciting not only for the people on your team, but also your clients that have come along with you on your journey and witnessed your business evolve and grow over the years. Like a person, a business needs to adapt and grow (especially through challenging times) in order to reach its full potential-—and having fun while you’re at it is a bonus!”
About the Business:
Corcelettes Estate Winery, situated on the stony, wind-swept terrain of the Similkameen Valley, upholds a legacy akin to its historical namesake, a royal garden. With the leadership of Charlie and Jesce Baessler, the winery has forged a path of excellence, producing expressive, small-lot wines that are a testament to their deep respect for the land. Their commitment to quality has consistently placed them among the top 10 small wineries in Canada, with the winery currently ranked as the #2 “Best Performing Small Winery” in the nation.
Events and Promotions happening at Corcelettes Estate Winery:
The wine shop is now open weekly from Friday to Monday.
Da Silva Vineyards
“Go with your gut and your intuition. Everything we’ve done has been based on decades of family farming, and our history and heritage has influenced this ideology. Trust your instincts.”
About the Business:
Da Silva Vineyards and Winery embodies a legacy deeply entrenched in the South Okanagan soil, with over six decades of tender cultivation since its establishment by the family in 1959. With an intrinsic understanding of the Naramata Bench’s unique terroir, the wines are a reflection of meticulous farming and winemaking expertise. Balancing tradition with innovation, Da Silva Vineyards stands as a testament to its Portuguese heritage and a forward-looking vision, encapsulated since the winery’s inception in 2006.
“Two key rules that I try to keep top of mind: Never say never. Businesses have had to pivot and reinvent themselves at breakneck speed. I have caught myself having to walk back some hard lines over the past five years. Just do it. 85% of the time, you’ll make the right move and the other 15% you’ll be forgiven for.“
About the business:
Haywire Winery is leading the way in sustainable and honest winemaking. They’re at the forefront, not just in crafting environmentally friendly wines but also in producing wine in its most natural form, free of unnecessary additives (their Estate vineyards are entirely organic). What began as a 10-acre passion project has rapidly expanded, establishing Haywire as a recognized powerhouse in the wine industry.
“Be open to new ideas and opportunities- even ones that totally change the course of your business. About four months after we opened, an idea to have a consignment sale was presented. We took all our inventory out of the store and filled with clothes from the community. The response was happily overwhelming, with thousands of items brought it and the 3-day sale lasting two weeks. Realizing that we had inadvertently stumbled upon a remarkable need / opportunity, we are now half consignment, and loving it.“
About the Business:
Slow Current is a small independent brick & mortar store that focuses on sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and gives presence to many Canadian brands. Some support women’s freedom from human trafficking, slavery, and poverty through a self-sustaining job. Some help farmers to regenerate their fields to organic practices. Some make clothing from recycled ocean plastic waste. Some help give access to clean water (22,636 and counting). All with a timeless ‘slow fashion’ approach. Slow Current was just nominated for Best of Penticton 2024 in the category of Best Women’s Clothing.
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