When Michael Gibson and Sara Rose decided to launch Harloc, their own line of hair extensions, they knew what difference they wanted to make in the industry: more diversity. To produce a quality extension made from ethically sourced, fair trade, traceable hair from communities in Central and Eastern Europe was one thing. To make extensions … Continued
Few craft beer brands have mastered the art of the instantly striking visual the way Driftwood Brewery Co. has. The moment you see a can or a bottle wrapped in those gorgeous illustrations, you know you’re looking at a Driftwood product. As it turns out, the instinct to be exciting is deep in the award-winning … Continued
Never heard of Alberta-made wine? Grande Prairie’s Joosed Moose Winery is on a mission to change that. With award-winning Saskatoon berry wine and major ambitions to expand their fruit wine selection, Joosed Moose is creating the culture, day after day. And they’ve been at it from day one. Founder Jason Halwa was part of the … Continued
When Hugo Ciro first conceptualized Galloping Goose Coffee Roasters, his Victoria-based fair trade micro-roastery, he had more than his imagination to rely on. After all, Hugo happens to be the founder of Level Ground Trading, an iconic company in the world of fair trade coffee. “I started watching the rise of a Seattle coffeehouse in … Continued
When Howe Sound Brewing’s Marketing Manager Meg Visaggio recently pulled out the brewery’s original plans, what she read sounded familiar. “The plans were talking about how the brewery should feel at home in the Pacific Northwest. How it should connect local people. How it should feature fresh and natural food and drink. I thought, ‘Yeah, … Continued
There’s a reason why Granville Island Delivery Co.’s founder Michelle Ng was on the cover of Entrepreneur’s issue celebrating “entrepreneurial ingenuity during the pandemic”. Michelle’s story is special, a pivot to end all pivots. Her first company, Vancouver Foodie Tours, had been taking tourists out to explore the best of the city’s culinary offerings for … Continued
To be a founder, you need to have a certain level of intensity, over the top commitment. Kashmir Birk of Lucid Spirits Distilling Co. fits that bill and then some. When you ask him to tell the origin story of his distillery, he paints a picture of adversity that few would willingly experience. “For years, … Continued
Gift basket businesses have been around since the 1970s. But now, with e-commerce and COVID-19 driving the popularity of gift delivery to new heights, the “gift basket” has a whole new identity. Fortunately, Vancouver Island Gift Basket is one company that capitalized on the opportunities inherent to this rapidly changing world. In 2018, Gigi’s Gift … Continued
When you talk to the Two Beers Brewing Company team members Maura Hardman and Eric Willard, the conversation quickly turns from challenges to opportunities. “Living in Washington State is a blessing because we have access to the most incredible hops and malts in the Yakima Valley,” observes Maura, Two Beers’ Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “But … Continued
Saanichton, Vancouver Island’s DEVINE Distillery found its niche gradually—and now that it has, the accolades are starting to ramp up. Most significantly, in 2021, they were named Artisanal Distillery of the Year at the Canadian Whisky Awards. “That was a huge surprise for us,” says Head Distiller Kevin Titcomb. “We were celebrating the awards for … Continued