Talk Business

T A L KK A M L O O P S

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sAVIng DreAmlIFt FeAture storyPapa John’s

p A g e #16

Ed. No 2

SPRING 2015

THOMPSON RIVERPUBLICATIONS

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K A M L O O P S

Talk Business is published four times per year by Thompson River Publications and

is distributed through our sister publication Kamloops This Week. No part of this

supplement may be reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Unsolicited

material will not be returned. The publisher assumes no responsibility for editorial

information. Contact Christopher Foulds and Jessica Klymchuk, publication editors.

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KATE ASHBYExpedia CruiseShipCentersKate Ashby grew up travelling, so it was only fitting that her second career involved helping others do the same.

after years as a manager at the City of Kamloops, Kate ashby lef t, knowing she wanted to star t her own business. the marriage between her experience with the parks and recreation depar tment and voyaging led her straight to the travel industr y, to design tr ips for adventure seekers and retirees alike. she bought Kamloops expedia CruiseshipCenters in 2008 and brought with her a customer-focused mindset. since then, sales have tr ipled.

“One of the things I have really have enjoyed

all my life is travelling,” Ashby said. “With my

personal background, it was almost a perfect fit. I

haven’t looked back.”

expedia CruiseshipCenters celebrated i ts 25th anniversary three years ago and was bought by expedia last year, widely increasing i ts inventory. Being a par t of the expedia family gives the centre buying power within the travel industr y, with better perks, reser ved cabin space and lower prices. the par tnerships i t has with popular cruise l ines gives i t access to upgrades, cash credits and exclusive state rooms. although expedia CruiseshipCenter is the only cruise-specif ic travel agency in town, i t of fers a ful l range of travel ser vices, from air to al l -inclusive resor ts and hotels.

While the abil i ty to book online has many people believing they are gett ing a better deal, ashby said agencies st i l l hold the power when i t comes to finding a personalized and inexpensive tr ip. With their level of access, travel agents can usually f ind better prices at no extra cost, acting as a personal concierge. expedia has also combined its online ser vice with the tradit ional agency tactics, so travel lers can plan the desired aspects of their tr ip online and their agent can access everything they’ve done.

“People who walk through our doors are looking for a dream,” ashby said. “What we ask is, ‘What is your dream? What is your vision?”

Besides the basics of what, when and where, agents str ive to ask thoughtful questions to understand their customers as much as possible and match them with their per fect tr ip. Providing a personalized ser vice is ashby’s most rewarding

task. she looks forward to seeing agents put together their f i rs t dream packages and hearing about the tr ip when the customers return.

“You get really involved with what they want,” she said. “i f we’ve done our job and understand what customers want, they can really enjoy what the world of fers.”

Within expedia, ashby’s centre is being rewarded for i ts ser vice and recognized as one of the movers and shakers in the company. With 24 new cruise ships set to launch in the next four years, the industr y is seeing huge growth. Countries are advancing their tourism with new resor ts and ships have designed activi t ies with every travel ler in mind — from rock climbing to ice rinks. the travel industr y is only going to get bigger and better and ashby is happy to bring everything i t of fers to customers in Kamloops.

“i have been dreaming of owning my own business and growing i t,” she said. “i want to create a great team and enjoy everything that happens here.”

“If we’ve done our job and understand what customers want, they can really enjoy what the world offers.”

424 Victoria St. Kamloops V2C 2A7 250-851-0029

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talking businessTHE WORD FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER

NSBIAExecutive Director

steVen puhAllo

VENTURE KAMLOOPSExecutive Director

JIm AnDerson

Kamloops North Shore Business Improvement Association Spring is definitely here and with it the promise of another beautiful Kamloops summer. We’re looking forward to our incredibly popular Overlanders Day summer family festival. Set in beautiful McDonald Park, there is everything and anything to do for families. There is free swimming at the open-air pool and a fun little water park to cool down and play in. Our Tastes of the North Shore food fair presents a delicious range of tastes from Spice of India to Reubin’s and JamCan Café, to name a few. Our Kids Zone has bouncy castles, dunk tank, face painting, special games and guests to keep them occupied and entertained. The North Shore Business Expo displays everything from radio-controlled cars to natural-food stores. The entertainment we are planning for the live stage is going to be a lot of fun. Stay up to date through our e-newsletter and Facebook page as we confirm and announce details of Overlanders Day — a celebration of the Kamloops North Shore! You can link to both through our webpage: nsbia.com There is a lot happening on the North Shore this spring. From events at McArthur Park to the new John Todd Community Centre, river walks, the Big Little Science Centre and numerous dog-friendly parks, there is a lot to see and do here. A big topic on our members’ minds is the effect upcoming remediation work on Overlanders Bridge will have on North Shore businesses. Context is important. In the case of this project, the context for our businesses is that three of the last four years have seen major disruptions to customer traffic and consumer habits on the North Shore. We have businesses that have closed and some that are at risk of closing because of these constant disruptions. That’s not to say the work, beautification and infrastructure upgrades aren’t needed or welcome. It’s accepting the reality of their continual impact and working together to make a problem into an opportunity. During our annual report to city council in January I put forward three expectations we have for this project:

1. Continue the strong line of communication so we can continue to work with our businesses and keep them informed. 2. If they can speed up the project time with little exposure to the taxpayers, please do so. 3. Finish it on time. We want to use the traffic snarl that will most likely happen as an opportunity to encourage people to buy local and rediscover their local businesses. In the coming weeks, we will be working with businesses to develop promotional opportunities to put into overdrive our current (and very successful) “We are the North Shore” buy local marketing campaign. We want to draw the consumer past the traffic disruptions and into our storefronts. We want to use the traffic snarl to encourage people to visit their local businesses on the North Shore. At our annual general meeting in February, we had a presentation from the project staff on the planning and tender for the bridge project. It was well attended and the direct and knowledgeable answers to questions from our members were appreciated. We were all impressed with the thoughtful and thorough effort project staff made to incorporate our businesses concerns and comments into the actual project tender. We’re looking forward to working together to turn this challenge into an opportunity. It’s thanks to our businesses, commercial property owners, project sponsors, community neighbours and board of directors that we are so successful. Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive of our projects and initiatives.

Venture Kamloops As the first quarter of 2015 draws to a close, global economic uncertainty due to collapsing oil prices dominates the headlines. The fallout from this global downturn is being felt acutely by our neighbours in Alberta. Here in Kamloops, we have not been immune to the effects of the situation as work on the various oil sands projects and local companies who supply the oil and gas sector have been subject to layoffs. The news from other sectors early in the year was not good, either, as major retailer Target announced

the closure of its Canadian operations, including the Kamloops store.On a local level, however, we continue to have reason to believe the economy will fare reasonably well. Despite the negative effects of the downturn in oil and gas, lower prices in that sector, coupled with a lower Canadian dollar, actually provide opportunity to companies in other sectors, especially those that export products abroad. The diverse makeup of the economy in Kamloops also offers a buffer against significant external economic pressures. The major employers in the city are not concentrated in one sector, which lessens uncertainty in tougher times.While we remain optimistic about the economy in Kamloops over the coming year, there is still work to be done — specifically in the area of labour supply and demand. We continue to see unemployment numbers that have risen from the record lows of the last two to three years but, at the same time, we consistently hear from employers that there are job vacancies which go unfilled. At Venture Kamloops, we’re seeking the information we need to help employers and job seekers bridge the gap between those people without jobs and those jobs without people. For most of the coming year, we’ll be working on a detailed regional labour market study that will quantify the nature of the gap between labour supply and demand. It is our hope to identify the skills that are in shortest supply and recommend areas for training-program development. This information is crucial as we look ahead to the next two to three years, when a number of major projects are proposed to begin construction, placing a further strain on labour supply in the city and region.In addition to the type of research we’re carrying out in the labour market study, we continue to refine and strengthen our resources for businesses in Kamloops that may be just starting up, or looking to expand. Our plan this year is to support these vital contributors to economic growth through improved access to resources businesses need to continue to grow. We know the better the help we have available for businesses in the city, the better their chances are for success, both in the coming year and in the longer term.Support of small business in the community is only part of what is necessary to ensure continued economic growth. The attraction of larger business is a key component of a sound economic plan. We continue to field dozens of inquiries from around the world and work diligently with them.

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KCBIAGeneral Manager

gAy pooler

This year, we’re embarking on a comprehensive audit of the information and materials we make available to those prospective investors, to make certain that we’re presenting Kamloops as a vibrant and attractive business opportunity right from the moment a business expresses interest in Kamloops. It’s an important step in the evolution of our business attraction practices.2015 will not be without its challenges, but we believe that Kamloops is well positioned to grow economically. At Venture Kamloops, we’ll continue work on these projects, as well as looking for other innovative ways to support business in the city though this year and in the future.

Downtown Kamloops — A place to do businessWhen a business is looking for a location to set up shop, what information do they seek? Where do they find it? These are the questions that drove our desire to create the State of Downtown Kamloops Report.Prospective businesses needed information specific to downtown, not just Kamloops as a whole. There are three key areas of information they tend to investigate: Numbers, overall environment and ease of setup. Numbers are the base for all business.

services for business account for 18 per cent. Other sectors include retail, which accounts for 13 per cent, and food, beverage and entertainment, which accounts for an additional 18 per cent. Our downtown is the cultural heart of our community, home of the Kamloops Art Gallery, museum, library and Old Courthouse Cultural Centre.Ease of setting up a business new to the area is a key consideration. There are plenty of hurdles in the process. If we are able to make that a smooth process, by helping to remove barriers or provide incentives, then we gain favour in the decision process. Programs such as our revitalization tax exemption bylaw, the heritage tax-incentive program and established goals for permit processing times help. Resources available are a major asset — Venture Kamloops, Community Futures and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) — can all assist new businesses.The fact that Kamloops’ lifestyle and affordability helps attract employees businesses need also helps. We have an available source of educated workers and it is easy to attract others to move here.Those who know us know we are wonderful. Now we can reinforce that reality with information — information we would love to share with you. We have the State of Downtown Kamloops Report available now for download and viewing on our website at kcbia.com.

Statistics on customer base, demographics of the area, pedestrian and vehicle counts, activity generators, as well as the cost and availability of commercial space are among the necessary numbers.Did you know there are 6,335 people living in downtown Kamloops? And the average family has an income of $75,000? There are approximately 10,000 people that come to work every day in the KCBIA area, where we have over 750 business licenses. These businesses occupy commercial properties with a total assessed value of more than $307 million and pay $4.5 million in property tax. The average lease rate is $14 per square foot, which is lower than the city average of $16.The information for these statistics existed. The trick was we had to locate it all, gather it, break it down and compile it into one report. Sources included Statistics Canada, City of Kamloops, Venture Kamloops, Tourism Kamloops, Colliers International and our own internal surveys.Overall environment of the area is also a major factor in location decisions. Is the atmosphere one of vibrancy? Is it a friendly neighbourhood? Is the perception on of the area that it is clean and safe? A business wants to move to where both customers and employees like to be, a place where they enjoy the experience of walking and spending time.The report highlights the overall business mix, services available, amenities located here, the playtime environment and the living environment.Twenty-five per cent of the businesses downtown relate to health care and health-care services. Professional services account for 15 per cent and

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mellem DesIgnPHILIPPE SCHIESSER, DESIGNER

WhAt: mellem is a product-design firm, also called industrial design. In plain terms, we solve problems in a tangible and creative way, which usually results in a consumer product or a better designed service. This could be in form of a simple product like a chef knife or a more complex system like more ergonomic hospital spaces or an improved community service. Our goal is to improve individual lives and communities with thoughtful design innovation.

Who: We first founded mellem design in Luxembourg almost a decade ago. My associate, Jean-Paul Carvalho, is an architect who studied in Belgium. I’m originally from Luxembourg, but

studied industrial design in Denmark, where I lived for almost nine years and learned everything about the craft of great, yet simple design. I worked on specific projects for companies like LEGO, Bang & Olufson and Kompan playgrounds. Today, our clients are both in the public and private sector and are mostly confidential projects, but they are in Kamloops and anywhere in the world.

When: In 2012, we moved to Kamloops and launched our office at Kamloops Innovation, where we are still located.

Why: Kamloops seemed like a fun opportunity to start a playful design firm. After a few years in Vancouver, Kamloops also seemed like a perfect fit for raising a family and have phenomenal access to all the endless outdoor activities. Starting a business here was very simple and we’re surrounded by a great work environment.

hoW: We’re happy to work with organizations in need of innovative ideas, families who want a new concept home or room, and municipalities that want to inject design awareness into their communities. We can be contacted at [email protected] or check our website for a very small selection of our work: mellem.me

FAVourIte proJeCt: Every project starts with a new challenge and each result is very different. Currently, my two favourite projects were working with the most wonderful people at Niepoort Vinhos S.A. Winery in Portugal on a wine collection with a twist, and on a medical service design project in a rural hospital in Zimbabwe.

FItspArkTAMMY UYEDA, CREATOR

WhAt: FitSpark Health Inc. is a online, digital company that I’ve created to develop FitSpark, the interval training fitness app. FitSpark provides users with a fast, easy way to get a workout done any time, anywhere. FitSpark Health Inc.’s goals are to provide customers with inspiration and tools to lead more fit, healthy lives.

Who: I am the sole proprietor of FitSpark and, as a “mompreneur,” have hired freelancers to assist me with the production of my app, as this is out of my professional realm. I am a registered practising physiotherapist and certified fitness instructor and have utilized my knowledge and experience in these areas to bring users a smart, simple way

to get an effective workout done with FitSpark.

FitSpark has seen a diverse group of users to date from newbies to exercise, to those who are looking to add another dimension to their pre-existing exercise routines. The common denominator with most users is they are looking for a quick, effective workout (seven to 20 minutes long) they can easily work into their day.

When: The idea for FitSpark began around four years ago and, with the encouragement of my husband and kids, I decided to start development in January 2014. We successfully launched the FitSpark app to the Google Play Store for Android phones and tablets on Dec. 20, 2014 and then to iTunes App Store for iPhones and iPads on Dec. 30, 2014.

Why: As a busy working mom of three young kids, I found interval training to be a very effective way to

get a super workout in at home when I couldn’t get to the gym or when my family traveled. I wanted to share this style of workout with others so that they could also benefit and help them reduce the barriers to exercise, namely the lack of time, lack of equipment and exercise knowledge.

hoW: To learn more about FitSpark, please see fitspark.com or search FitSpark in the App Store or Google Play Store. I can be contacted directly at [email protected] or be followed on social media: Twitter (@myfitspark), Instagram (@tinkam) and Facebook (FitSpark).

okAmDAVID PAQUET PITTS, ASSOCIATE PARTNER

WhAt: We are a digital agency and our passion is to craft well-designed and meaningful digital experiences, both for the web and mobile. We emphasize the importance of UX (User Experience) and we are an advocate of open technologies. We pride ourselves in being practical and we think complex problems warrant simple and elegant solutions.

Who: My co-founder, Samuel Hallé, and I have known each other for 15 years and also spent a large amount of our professional lives working at the same companies. To pay for school, we were both computer technicians, which is actually how we met. After school, we both went to work in the financial industry, where we learned the basis

of user experience, development, and project management.

Why: It didn’t take long to realize that we both wanted to be entrepreneurs in one way or another. So, when the opportunity presented itself in the form of our first contract offer, we took the plunge and decided to create our own digital agency.

When: Five years later, we now have the chance to work with a team of 15 strategists, designers and developers located in Montreal and Kamloops. In 2014, we also received our first recognition from the industry in the form of two Boomerangs, a well-known award for digital projects in Québec. We now work with major brands like Bell Media, l’Oréal and Arrow Transportation. We also work with smaller companies and startups that have ambitious ideas.

hoW: The best way to get in contact with us is through our website at okam.ca/en or through email at [email protected]

FAVourIte proJeCt : One of the most interesting projects I’ve had the chance to work on is actually an ongoing project with Arrow Transportation, a well-known company here in Kamloops. In collaboration with their team, we are developing a brand new fleet tracking system built using the latest web technologies, deployed on consumer based tablets.

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Fostering successCommunitY Futures helPs entrePreneurs and Business oWners thriveWhile Community Futures thompson Country (CFtC) has diversified to focus increasingly more on community economic development, it’s ability to support small entrepreneurs at the grassroots level is still a priority — whether for mom and pop shops or sophisticated ventures.

25-year-old Ben Potter started his exterior cleaning business, Crystal view Windows and exteriors, last fall after going through CFtC’s self-employment program in october. he usually found himself on employment insurance in the winters, but wanted to find a way to make work for himself, he said.

“i didn’t really know where to start with a business,” Potter said. “i knew how to do it, but there was a lot that i never really thought of. they got me to really plan out my business. i knew how many contracts i needed, i knew what i could do and just even researching my products more and comparing myself to other people.”

tammy osborne went through the same process 10 years ago with an idea for a pet-boarding business. now tlC for Pets is a thriving service that accommodates close to 100 animals on a two-acre property in Knutsford and employs eight staff. she qualified for a loan from CFtC when she was starting out and returned in recent years for another loan to help with renovations and expansion.

since 1987, CFtC has granted 649 business loans at a value of more than $16 million. it estimates around 2,000 jobs have been created as a result. CFtC’s lending portfolio has increased from $1.5 million to $3.3 million since it was created 1987.

General manager david arsenault said statistics show businesses that have gone through CFtC’s programs are still in business five years down the road — somewhere around 75 per cent will succeed.

“that is pretty phenomenal when you look at business starts because most businesses fail in the first year,” arsenault said. “that’s because of lack of preparation, lack of understanding of what the business is.”

“People have great ideas and a passion for a business, but that doesn’t always translate into a return on investment.”

While CFtC looks at projections, capital and credit, its lending program also considers community need, and can provide loans to businesses that aren’t eligible for funding elsewhere.

“traditionally most people go to the financial institution, but sometimes they aren’t eligible and that’s when we step in,” arsenault said.

the self-employment program combines some of the services CFtC provides, like business information services, technical services and business plan development, followed by the potential for start-up financing. most people who are going through the program are taking baby steps, which is encouraged, arsenault said.

the comprehensive training program works with clients under referrals from WorkBC employment service Centre. however, arsenault said it’s not necessarily about assisting people who are chronically unemployed, but rather people who are underemployed.

“it’s not about looking for a job. it’s about creating a new opportunity in the community,” arsenault said, adding it allows clients to work on their business while they collect unemployment insurance. “if you can nurture those ideas, they can be successful.”

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{ Q&A

Lisa Holzman is the owner of Central Barber Shop and the inventor of Freeze Alert, the fridge magnet that reminds you to take your beer and other beverages out of the freezer. She originally designed the product for her boyfriend but, when it caught some attention, she went ahead with the idea. Holzman took Freeze Alert to the filming of season nine of Dragons’ Den in Toronto last year after successfully auditioning in Abbotsford. I caught up with her to see where she’s at now.

JK: So, you were on Dragons’ Den back in the spring?

LH: Yeah. They’re not even going to air it. They just emailed me a couple weeks ago, saying that we were one of the ones they had to cut. There is only four out of 12 a day that they actually pick to air.

JK: Tell me a little about the product, Freeze Alert.

LH: It’s a fridge magnet that blinks and talks and tells you that your beer is still in the freezer. It’s a preset timer. You just push it and it sets and there is a light that comes on and, after 35 minutes, it starts blinking and talking, telling you to get your beer. And, if you don’t, it will keep alerting you every 10 minutes for an hour.

JK: What stage is the product at now?

LH: I’m selling them. It’s in Home Hardware, the liquor stores, Surplus Herby’s. I’m just starting my website up now (freeze-alert.ca). It’s been available for a month. It’s very new.

JK: How did you come up with the name?

LH: The name was difficult. Originally, it was just so I could put a patent on it. We sat there asking, “What are we supposed to call this thing. So what does it do? Well, it’s an alarm, it’s an alert. Prevention from freezing. Let’s just call it Freeze Alert.” I wasn’t going to use that name. I was going to call it beer buddy or beverage buddy, or something else. But, I never did get around to that and I couldn’t stop saying Freeze Alert after a while because I’d already called it that for so long. So, it just ended up sticking.

JK: So, were you still waiting to see your episode?

LH: Yeah. They were supposed to call me and let me know when I was airing and they were so sure I was going to be on there because of what happened.

JK: What was the situation?

LH: Jim had said that he would give me exactly what I wanted if I didn’t get a brewery to take it on. But, a lot of the times they will just say that on the show. And then you get a call five days later, which I was warned about, actually. That the assistant calls and says, “No we’re just not really that interested. We’re not going to move forward with it.” And then only 40 per cent get aired.

JK: What stage was the product at before you went on Dragons’ Den?

LH: I had just had a few made in China. I didn’t have packaging. I was just targeting big breweries — I could just put this in a case of beer, done. And when that didn’t work out, I thought, “What am I going to do?” I talked to marketers and they said I could sell this everywhere. Everywhere that has pop. Everywhere that has beer.

JK: So, how did Dragons’ Den help you at all. Did it help with investments?

LH: No. I had to have products made for the show and I had voices put on there [Freeze Alert]. It was a lot of time and a lot of money just to go on the show. I’m not snivelling, though, because there was other people who had huge props and they drove instead of flying because they couldn’t get the stuff on the plane. Just tons of money and time and years. And then they get a “no.”

JK: Without the help of the show, how have you managed to get the product into stores?

LH: Just making phone calls. This thing is selling itself. I pretty much just say the numbers and they like the numbers because it’s going to be 100 per cent market for them. And because there’s nothing else like it, they go “Oh, that’s kind of cool. We can put that in our store.” That’s how it goes.

JK: Do you have anything to gauge on how well it’s selling?

LH: No, I haven’t really checked back to a lot of them yet.

JK: Are they only in Kamloops?

LH: Yeah, because you have to sell to a few stores first and then if they do sell then you can go into the warehouse. So, there’s a system that works. You have to show that you’ve made sales. They are going to the Shuswap, but that’s not until May. I have orders for the Shuswap. I have 1,000 units here now, but I’m ordering another 4,000.

JK: What are your future plans? What do you hope to do within the next year with Freeze Alert?

LH: I’m going to target the big-box stores, which will probably mean hiring a marketer to do that for me. Like I said, you have to have proof of sale, which my website will show that it does sell. And, once I say I’ve sold this many products, that’s when the bigger stores will look. So, that’s why you have to get it out there and start building up.

This interview has been edited for length.

Coffee with ... Lisa Holzman

By Jessica Klymchuk

Alicia Glaicar Laura EvansJessica Moon

Terry Bepple Joaquin Mariona Luke Bergerman Chris Cavanagh

Jim McCreight Marlene Harrison Darren Paulsen Michael SutherlandDave McDougall

Richard Jensen QC Barry Carter Dennis Coates QC Rob Adkin

Murray Weeres

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418totAl numBer oF DWellIng

unIts BuIlt In 2014

103

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north sh

ore

south shore

eAst

418503515 450

housIng stArts In 2014

housIng stArts proJeCteD For 2015

housIng stArts In 2013

housIng stArts 10-yeAr AVerAge

ConstruCtIon VAlue2014 $190 mIllIon

$186 mIllIon

$160 mIllIon

10yeArAVerAge2015

BuIlDIng permIts BusIness lICenCes IssueD BusIness lICenCes IssueD

1,800 oVer 10 yeAr AVerAge

CommerCIAl

home-BAseD1,618

1,542

3,5771,768

In 2005

116,695phone CAlls reCeIVeD At CIty’s DeVelopment resIDentIAl serVICes DepArtment In 2014

122,288phone CAlls reCeIVeD At CIty’s DeVelopment resIDentIAl serVICes DepArtment In 2013

10thrAnk oF kAmloops grey hounD Depot Among BusIest In CAnADA

90,000+numBer oF VIsItors ArrIV-Ing In kAmloops eACh yeAr VIA the roCky moutAIneer trAIn

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5,363

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1,500

3,000

3,000

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resIDentIAl reAl estAteFIrst QuArter

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Source: BC Stats, Venture Kamloops, City of Kamloops, Kamloops and District Real Estate Association

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19unDer 20-34 35-54 55-74 75+

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7.2%

6.5%

7,150

15,075

19.1%

18.8%

18,860

5,000

5,000

10,000

10,000

15,000

15,000

20,000

20,000

25,000

25,000

30,000

30,000

2011

2006

DemogrAphICspopulAtIon kAmloops By Age group Census

10.2unemployment rAte perCentAge In kAmloops As oF JAnuAry

$885AVerAge Weekly WAge

3.5rentAl VACAnCy rAte perCentAge In kAmloops, BAseD on A tWo-BeDroom ApArtment

$395,000meDIAn resIDentIAl prICe For A home, As oF JAnuAry





VAlue oF unIts solD

$90, 997, 722In 2015

$71, 181, 802In 2014

resIDentIAl reAl estAteFIrst QuArter

%householD

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26.1

25.6

9.7

householD InCome

totAl householDs: 41, 802 44,835 40, 725AVerAge sIngle InCome: $37, 879 $40,175 $39, 286

2006 | 2009 | 2011

less thAn $27,815

$27,815 -$51,304

$51,304AnD oVer

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mAnAgement

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nAturAl AnD ApplIeD sCIenCes AnD relAteD

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Art, Culture, reCreAtIon AnD sport

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8.7%16.6%5.7%5.9%8.1%2.3%

25.8%19.4%4.1%3.3%

employment By oCCupAtIon

{5.9%

7.9%

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perCent oF populAtIon

2,995AgrICulture AnD other resourCe BAse

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3,595mAnuFACturIng

2,010WholesAle trADe

6,425retAIl trADe

2,260FInAnCe & reAl estAte

5,560heAlth CAre & soCIAl serVICes

3,115eDuCAtIonAl serVICes

5,580BusIness serVICes

14,990other serVICes

employment By seCtor

50,540totAl lABour ForCe pArtICIpAtIon rAte


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For many kids, it might be their only chance to meet Mickey Mouse. For Decades, Sunshine Dreamlift has flown thousands of children challenged by disabilities or illnesses to Disneyland for one whirlwind day. In the Southern Interior, Park Inland Restaurant’s Wendy’s locations raised more than $1.4 million for the Sunshine Foundation, sponsoring seven Dreamlifts from Kelowna and several individual Sunshine dreams since 1994. When Geoff Linquist learned Park Inland Restaurants would be retiring Wendy’s Dreamlift Day, he decided that the program couldn’t disappear. “This can’t go away,” said Linquist, president of Papa John’s Pizza B.C. and based in Kelowna. “I’d seen the project, I’d seen some of the children and you don’t walk away from that and go, “Oh, well, it’s gone.”In February, the Sunshine Foundation of Canada announced its new partnership with Papa John’s, allowing it to plan the launch of its eighth Dreamlift from Kelowna in December — its 60th across Canada. April 29 will mark the first-ever Papa John’s Dreams for Kids Day, with restaurants in Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna and Price George donating 100 per cent of the proceeds and staff wages to the Sunshine Foundation. “It’s a true community event, but someone has to take the reins and we are privileged to be able to be a part of that, to take it on and be able to help kids out,” said Sandra Lawrence, co-owner of Papa John’s restaurants in Kamloops and Prince George.Before Linquist made the move to Papa John’s five years ago, he was an area partner with Wendy’s. He worked closely with former Okanagan Wendy’s franchise owners Akbal Mund and John Tietzen, co-founders of the project, and saw first-hand the impact and success of Wendy’s Dreamlift Day. He reached out to them first when considering adopting the fundraiser at Papa John’s. “I got their blessing, if you will,” Linquist said. “Especially John. It was his baby. He grew it into something.” Tietzen sold the participating franchises in six communities to Ken Park 2012. Park Inland is shifting its fundraising to align with other Wendy’s restaurants in B.C. and support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.“We certainly were grateful for their support for that long. A 20-year partnership is a significant involvement,” said Nancy Sutherland, CEO of the Sunshine Foundation. “So, it’s wonderful that they are going to continue doing philanthropy and it gives us an opportunity to look at a new partnership.” “It’s a big commitment for Papa John’s and we couldn’t be more appreciative of them.”Since 1987, 57 children from Kamloops have gone on a Dreamlift flight and 15 have participated in the Sunshine Dream program — where the foundation will fulfill an individual dream that can be anything from a trip to meeting a celebrity to a room makeover. From the Okanagan Valley and area, 444 children have gone on the one-day trip and 85 have experienced an individual dream.One of those children is Kamloops’ 10-year-old Kai Gotro, who flew to

Disneyland on a Dreamlift flight in December 2013. Kai has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and a number of other challenges that accompany it, including global-developmental delays and respiratory and life-expectancy issues, explained his grandfather Paul Gotro. He and wife Jean are Kai’s legal guardians. They call him Batman for his resemblance to the superhero who isn’t super at all, but tough as nails. Kai was born with oxygen deprivation and was stuck in the birth canal for three hours. He didn’t breathe on his own for the first 30 minutes of his life. He has been in and out of children’s hospitals, has undergone hip surgeries and has developed scoliosis, for which he now faces another potential surgery. A Grade 5 student at Dallas elementary, Kai’s intellectual abilities are limited, but they aren’t stunted, Gotro said. Depending on what he’s doing, he’s around age six or seven intellectually.“He’s certainly aware of his world,” Gotro said. Kai was anonymously nominated to go on Dreamlift four years ago. He wasn’t able to go because he fell ill, but was able to live the dream just over a year ago. Dreamlift day begins at 5:45 a.m. when the children get on the plane in Kelowna and concludes when they return late at night. The multi-partner event starts with a health-care referral strategy. Sunshine works with hospitals and clinics to get

By J e s s i c a K l ymchuk

sAVIng Papa John’s helps Sunshine dreams take off

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the proper support for the children, as well with local groups to obtain volunteers, who are personally selected to match with a child. Sunshine partners with the Orange County Sheriffs Department, which provides support on the U.S. side. They greet the plane when it lands and one or two sheriffs act as the child’s host for the day. Some also come to Canada on the day of the fundraiser.Kai was lucky enough to have one of his support workers from his birth town of Quesnel volunteer for the trip. His pediatrician and speech-language pathologist were also on the plane as volunteers. Depending on how much support each child needs, Sutherland said they usually take between 70 and 80 children on each flight. “Every one of these kids was supported not only in a medical nature but in an affectionate way,” Gotro said. “People weren’t doing it to get brownie points. They were doing it because they wanted to.”Kai’s support worker was somewhat concerned about how he would be handled because he is tube fed, Gotro said. He explained how she conveyed this to the sheriff, telling him to be careful not to pull on anything when Kai was moved around and off the plane. “This guy looked her right in the eye and said, ‘It’s OK ma’am, my kid has the same stuff,’” Gotro said. “It was just very cool to know here we are 2,000 miles away and there’s a guy volunteering on his day off to take another kid like his to Disneyland.”

10-year-old Kai Gotro went on a Dreamlift flight to Disneyland in 2013, where he met his hero, Goofy. ~ Jessica Balfour Photography

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Kai got to meet his hero, Goofy. Later in the day, he met Mickey and was overcome with excitement. When children with cerebral palsy get excited, they go into atonic posture and become very rigid, Gotro explained. Having watched it play out in a video shot by a volunteer, Gotro said the character had enough sense about Kai to calm him down simply through body language.“It was amazing,” Gotro said. “What it meant for us is that Kai got to be Kai without being attached by that umbilical cord to us. We got to relax and understand that he can go on these sorts of adventures and be as normal as he can without us hovering around worrying that he’s going to get hurt or get sick. He can just be Kai.”Sutherland said the foundation aims to give the children some autonomy and inspire confidence on the Disneyland trip, whereas the individual dreams are a personalized experience of the child’s choosing that includes their family.The Gotros are in the midst of applying for Kai’s individual Sunshine dream — likely a trip somewhere hot where Kai can swim with dolphins. Every child that goes on a Dreamlift is eligible for an individual dream, which funds from Dreams for Kids Day will also support. Sutherland said most children will take advantage of the opportunity and have free rein over when they go. Sunshine works closely with children to develop personal dream packages that will be as impactful as possible. The Sunshine Foundation relies heavily on community-based fundraising, in addition to cross-marketing campaigns and individual donors. It doesn’t receive any government funding and doesn’t use dollars for advertising, so community-based fundraising is also its most powerful tool for building awareness, Sutherland said.“We know it worked with Wendy’s and we want to take everything they did and learned over their 20 years of doing it and fit it into a Papa John’s model,” Linquist said. “I’m very passionate about it because I’ve seen it and I have no doubt we are doing the right thing. It’s worth the time energy and money. You

couldn’t convince me otherwise.”Working quickly to develop a functional campaign, they kicked off the new venture with the Dream Cookie, on sale now at both Kamloops Papa John’s locations. One dollar from every cookie sold will go toward Dreams for Kids Day from now until the April 29 event. The day will look similar. Lawrence said they are hopeful they will get community celebrities, from the Kamloops Blazers to the RCMP, out to help. The response thus far has been extremely positive, she said. Past employees have already volunteered to work the day and customers have been asking how they can get involved. Papa John’s expects to do fewer deliveries than normal, more in-restaurant sales and is also considering selling slices as an alternative. “It’s really exciting. I know that day is going to be intense, but I’m looking forward to it and seeing how it turns out,” Lawrence said. Wendy’s set its record of $115,000 raised on Dreamlift Day in 2013 and, although Linquist and Lawrence agreed they have no idea what the response will be this year, they are hopeful the communities will rally as they have in the past and continue to do so for many years. “We chose the last Wednesday in April and we are hoping it will be the last Wednesday in April 20 years from now,” Linquist said. “That’s the plan.”

Jennifer Loughran, manager at Papa John’s in Aberdeen, and owner Sandra Lawrence. ~Dave Eagles photo

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Payton’s and Liam’s buddies showered them with Disney swag.They didn’t have to do that.I thought about a giant slice of pizza Payton ordered for lunch because — hey, why not? Mom and Dad weren’t around to tel l him otherwise and, on a day like that, junk food was cer tainly warranted.Liam was shy.It took him longer to warm to the overwhelming nature of the day, but he was the only kid in my group who wanted to tackle a roller coaster between the milder Cars and Finding Nemo rides.I remember being worried about Liam after roll ing to a stop at the end of Space Mountain, terrified myself in the dark of the space-themed rollercoaster, only to find the Armstrong boy smiling from ear-to-ear.It was a highlight that day.The kids slept on the plane ride home, their bright yellow shir ts jazzed up with Mickey Mouse ears or, in Liam’s Case, Goofy’s apendages.It was a whirlwind trip to land back in Kelowna around midnight.And, it was a great day for more than the adrenaline rush, tarmac photos and souvenirs.I t gave parents a bit of a break, a trip to the Lit t le Apple and accommodations while kids went of f to play.Most of all, i t was about allowing kids to just be kids.Not the sick kid.Not the dying kid.But, the kid who gets to run around in Disneyland and eat pizza and wear Mickey Mouse ears.The program was more than one day; it was an event backed by a community.I t gave Wendy’s staf f the opportunity to give back, donating wages on Dreamlift Day to help fundraise with the hopes of being picked to join the excursion.And, let’s be honest, i t gave everyone a guilt-free day to buy a burger, fries and frosty because, hey, it’s for the kids.I remember the day like it was yesterday.Imagine how those kids remember it.

Kamloops This Week reporter Jessica Wallace took the Dreamlift f l ight in 2011This column originally appeared in Kamloops This Week on Dec. 4, 2014.When I heard news that Wendy’s Dreamlift program had been cancelled, I thought about Liam and Payton.It was just over three years ago when the two kids woke up early in Kelowna on a winter day and headed to the airpor t from the Delta Grand, wearing their oversized yellow T-shir ts, which were provided by Interior Wendy’s locations and the Sunshine Foundation.The kids’ energy got the adults through the 5 a.m. airpor t check-in and allowed them to keep up with the buzz of over 150 other kids, volunteers, Wendy’s staf f, medical personnel and media set for a trip to Los Angeles and back in a single day.It was all for a visit to Disneyland.Parents stayed behind, trusting their children — all suf fering, from severe disabili t ies to life-threatening il lnesses — to strangers who would take care of them on an airplane and out of the country, their medical needs completely out of their control for the day.I remember the smiles on Liam and Payton’s faces, and on the faces of all the kids, when they got of f the plane that day just before noon to find a sunny day to greet them before meeting Mickie and Minnie.Payton was so excited when he got of f the plane that he star ted taking photos with a disposable camera, wasting much of the one-time use fi lm on the tarmac before getting a glimpse of the gates at the Magical Kingdom.We were met by more volunteers, who were just as excited to meet the kids.Those volunteers really took the kids under their wings.They didn’t ask many questions about the complications of l iving with a disabili ty or the possibili ty of dying.It wasn’t about that.They knew that.And, they went above and beyond to make it all about the fun.

PROGRAM TRULY A DREAM FOR THE KIDS

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SHANE GOTTFRIEDSONChief, Tk’emlúps Indian Band (TIB)Upon crossing the Highway 5 bridge over the South Thompson River and onto the land of the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, a billboard proudly proclaims “open for business.”

not only is the band open for business, i t is strongly encouraging i t.

the tk’emlúps te secwépemc is a progressive First nation of approximately 1,200 members. the band has developed numerous oppor tunit ies in tourism, ranching, real estate and retail and was the 2008 recipient of the Council for the advancement of native development of ficers Community economic developer of the Year award. the tk’emlúps Petro Canada was named aboriginal Business of the Year at the 2014 Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business excellence awards.

“We pride ourselves on being visionary. We pride ourselves on having leasing and development processes in place and we pride ourselves on being good business par tners,” said Chief shane Gottfr iedson.

the tk’emlúps indian Band (tiB) is focused on developing par tnerships that emulate those that have seen mt. Paul Centre, spiyu7ullucw ranch Corporation, the Kamloops indian Band development Corporation, Kamloops indian Band uti l i ty Corporation and sun rivers thrive.

“When you think about our story, the strength in our community, we’re a huge economic force. that comes with the idea of building these par tnerships,” Gottfr iedson said.

the band has set i ts sights on redeveloping the Chief louis Centre lands, south of shuswap road where the local school, administrative of f ices and all nations trust Company already si t. more than three hectares of ser viced land is on the verge of development, with 99-year lease oppor tunit ies. With thousands of cars passing daily, the land has the potential to attract a diverse set of businesses and ser vices, Gottfr iedson said.

the development wil l consist of administration and professional business of f ices, as well as retail, a grocery store, restaurants and professional ser vices such as a pharmacy and walk- in clinic. there is also oppor tunity for a hotel and convention centre. With the right investors, the tiB’s river front proper ty would be ideal for high-rise condominiums, Gottfr iedson said.

“We are rich in river front proper ty. We’re looking at maximizing those oppor tunit ies,” he said.

the band is looking at implementing a roundabout for the area, with road access into sun rivers.

the architectural design concepts for the Chief louis Centre have already been set out with the sk’elep school and all nations trust Company. Gottfr iedson said they wil l par t ly focus on bringing in businesses from outside Kamloops.

this year wil l also see the tiB focus on the natural -resource sector, working with government and industr y to manage resources and enhance the regional economy.

“i think our biggest oppor tunity is looking at the natural resource area as well,” Gottfr iedson said. “our number one priori ty is i f we look after the land, the land wil l look after us, and creating those par tnerships that look at long-term sustainabil i ty is key.”

the 350-tenant mt. Paul industr ial park, where horizon nor th has expanded its operation, is also being redeveloped. a number of industr ial and commercial proper ties are open for immediate lease in the area.

“When you think about our stor y, the strength in our community, we’re a huge economic force. That comes with the idea of building these partnerships”

200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way Kamloops BC, V2H 1H1

(250) 828-9700


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Small Business Success Starts Here!As a leader in Small Business Loans and Community Economic Development, Community Futures has built a solid reputation in turning business ideas into business successes. Community Futures specializes in customized loans and has developed a grassroots approach to lending by taking a hands-on approach to supporting its clients.

In a report from Statistics Canada in June of 2014, businesses that had assistance from Community Futures were more likely to survive than those businesses without Community Futures guidance. The report showed higher employment growth and revenue growth for those businesses assisted by Community Futures; 76% after 5 years compared to 60% respectively.

Growing communities one idea at a time

Growing communities one idea at a time #230 301 Victoria St.Kamloops, BC V2C 2A3

T: 250-828-8772 | Toll-free: [email protected] | www.communityfutures.net

communication is key ChamBer netWorK unites Business CommunitYBy J e s s i c a K l ymchuka united business community is a force on its own. For many Kamloops Chamber of Commerce members, the opportunity to network is the biggest advantage to growing their business and helping others do the same.

“every small business is directly and indirectly competing with the global brands these days,” said Krishna lakkineni, Ceo of roi media Works. “We want to do better and put Kamloops on the global map. i think that is important for every business. through the network and collaborative events, it’s getting bigger and better.”

For lakkineni, being named young entrepreneur of the year at the 2012 Kamloops Chamber of Commerce Business excellence awards thrust roi media Works into the spotlight. he started the business in 2010 but, two years later after the name was publicized, it became easier to find staff and grow its reach, he said.

“i think that was the turning point back in 2012 on that stage,” lakkineni said. “it helped us make a lot of connections.”

Chamber of Commerce president steve earl, who took office on march 13, is already setting forth priorities for communication, to ensure the Chamber is meeting the demands of its members. since executive director deb mcClelland started with the Chamber 15 years ago, the membership has grown from 350 to 800.

“it tells us that we provide relevant information to our members and relevant programs,” mcClelland said.

mcClelland said the Chamber works with members

to create a better business climate in Kamloops. Fees are based on the size of the business and range from $200 to $600 annually. the Chamber’s three pillars of service include advocacy to all levels of government, money-saving benefits — discounts on fuel, hotels and merchandise like debit machines — networking and educational opportunities.

“i think when i first came to the chamber 15 years ago what i experienced was a business community that wasn’t as diverse as it is now,” she said. “i think through the work we’ve done at the Chamber we’ve really helped create a friendly business environment.”

the Chamber is currently championing a number of initiatives related to policy development, including bylaws for panhandlers, university credits for volunteering, reporting and remediating properties used in drug operations, and anti-spam legislation. on the other hand, it offers a number of social events that allow for its members to network — business socials, luncheons and speed networking. it also organizes workshops to train members and their employees on industry tools and technology such as microsoft excel. seminars offer education on a range of topics, like paths to success, leadership, delegation, marketing and social media tactics.

last month, the Chamber held a Google partners connect seminar, with advice from Google experts on how to grow a business, live streamed from the Google head office in partnership with roi media Works.

“the power that’s there with the Chamber is going to be

the advantage to growing our business,” said michelle mistal, owner of real deals on home decor. “We can only do so much without partnering with other businesses in the community.”

C H A M B E R E V E N T S

April 1: Chamber social hosted by City of Kamloops at Interior Savings Centre. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Parkside Lounge.

May 6: Chamber social hosted by Y Dream Home. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Y Dream Home

May 7: Chamber luncheon celebrating BC Mining Week. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Thompson Rivers University Grand Hall.

May 8: Leadercast Kamloops. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Coast Kamloops Conference Centre

May 13: Business Excellence Awards nominations open. (Close June 30).

May 29: Chamber quarterly luncheon with guest speaker Darrell Jones, President of Overwaitea Food Group.11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Location to be announced.

June 3: Chamber Social hosted by Privato Vineyard & Winery. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

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