Let's Get Down to Business: Recent Episodes
Rupert Chamber
Let's Get Down to Business is all about hearing the unknown stories from our local businesses here on the North Coast. Being a support network for experienced business owners and new entrepreneurs. To share that collective information about doing business in our community and helping to lift each other up - Rising Tides Lift All Ships.
In this episode we spoke with our MP for Skeena-Bulkley Valley; Taylor Bachrach.
You can ahold of him at taylor.bachrach@parl.gc.ca
In this episode we spoke to Phil Cornwall from Hashmark Photography and Film about his entrepreneurial experience.
You can get ahold of him at phil.cornwall@gmail.com
In this episode we spoke with Lana from Coast Mountain College.
You can reach her at lreid@coastmountaincollege.ca, and check them out at https://www.coastmountaincollege.ca
Today we spoke with Rob from Goodtimes Games about his entrepreneurial journey, and doing business in our home town.
Check them out at https://good-times-games.myshopify.com
Today we spoke with Cheryl and Marc from the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation about the programs and services they offer.
Today we spoke with Kristen from Lift With Kristen about how as a personal trainer, she has a focus on mindset, and creating the best shape for your specific shape.
Today we spoke to Ceilidh from Tourism PR about her journey and experience through the tourism sector in Prince Rupert
Today we spoke with Chris from the Lester Centre about his journey through Prince Rupert, and finding his passion at the Centre.
Today we spoke with Anne from Immigrant Station Canada about her entrepreneurial journey and business challenges we face in Prince Rupert.
Today we spoke to Dr. Kyli Seier and Dr. Taylor Seier about their private practice Great Bear Clinic and the various chiropractic and naturopathic services they offer
Today was spoke with Sarah from Rainforest Fabrics about her entrepreneurial journey and the ups and downs along the way.
In this episode, we spoke to Dr. de Klerk about her business Aveline Mediclinic, about the origins of the company to the services she provides.
This episode we spoke with Janet and Dawn from Hecate Strait to talk about the different support services they offer the community!
Today we spoke to Kennedy Ferguson about her business Kennsthetics and all the services she offers!
Today we sat down with Farah Murphy from Mission Health & Wellness to talk about the recent new location, and new options they offer - including a new smoothie bar!
Today we sat down with Dane from Panda MMA to hear about his modern dojo practice.
Muscle Panda MMA is Prince Rupert's first professional quality dojo for learning modern martial arts. We offer professional quality programs in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Self Defence, as well as Strength and Conditioning classes for youth and adults. This 'family friendly fight club' has recently expanded into a new gym location and are excited to be able to offer more class times and programs beginning September 2022!
At Muscle Panda MMA we strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for members of all ages and ability levels. Our head coach has years of coaching experience with people of all fitness and skill levels, so you can feel confident as a beginner. Whether you just want to get a sweat on, or you want to train for competition, you are welcome here!
For youth and adults looking for competitive outlets, we train athletes for high level competition in wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA. Our youth BJJ and kickboxing squads will begin their first competition season since COVID in September. Our recent competitive highlights include;
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Tyson Nugyen - 45KG Provincial Champion; Wrestling
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MJ Rojeski-Pion - Provincial Bronze Medalist; Wrestling
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Two members on Team BC Wrestling
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3 podium finishers at BC Summer Games
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Sarah Clarke; Triple Gold winner at Spring Submission Series 2022
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Two adult podium finishers at Spring Submission Series 2022
For too many years to count, training in martial arts has provided people with an avenue to improve physical fitness, build their mental resiliency, find camaraderie in their community, and a lifelong hobby. Muscle Panda is happy to provide those same opportunities in our safe, welcoming, and supportive training atmosphere right here in Prince Rupert! This September we are expanding our class offerings to include weightlifting classes, conditioning classes from a world class athlete, self defence programs, and ladies only classes!
Visit our website for more details, or pop by anytime to try a free class!
Today we sat down with Christy from Sourdough YPR and learned about her new artisan bakery here in Prince Rupert!
Sourdough YPR is a small, artisan bread bakery owned and operated by Christy Paquet, a long time Prince Rupert resident and Entrepreneur. Without using any preservatives - only Flour, Water and Salt, and utilizing the age old principle of natural fermentation, Paquet is able to offer Prince Rupert a nutritional superfood that is easier to digest. During the Covid lockdown, I began experimenting with baking Sourdough when a family friend had posted she had some starter to give away. After about 2 years of playing, several friends encouraged me to offer my bread to Prince Rupert at a commercial scale in November 2021.
Today, we talked with John Visser from Darwin Business Solutions about how businesses should prepare themselves for the technology revolution.
John Visser is the founder of Darwin Business Solutions, a leading business Solutions company that keeps your business relevant in changing times. They help your business save time, money and energy through bookkeeping, management, digital marketing and the usage of technology!
Today we sat down with the brilliant young entrepreneur Sharmonie Pedersen, the founder of Sharm's Cookies.
Today we sat down with Grant Lutz, the Founder and CEO of GBike.
Hello, My name is Grant, but I go often by Gman. I’m the founder and CEO of the emerging e-bike brand, GBike.
GBike models are far superior to other e-bikes you can find. This is because I am personally involved with the design and production of all GBike models.
I have designed all the GBike models taking ease-of-adoption into consideration. Meaning that you don’t have to upgrade, or worry about having to learn to ride a bike all over again. GBikes come ready to go. I personally select the best motors systems for our GBike models. I’m also involved with the appearance of GBike models, and making GBikes look cool and unique is one of our priorities.
How do I know what GBike electric technologies are the best? Well, I have been an e-bikes enthusiast for almost a decade. My first Ebike trip was a decade ago where I biked in Holland from Amsterdam to the North Sea. I was hooked. I have used many different variations of electric bikes, not only because of their benefits but also because of my personal obsession with this revisionary idea.
Some of the bikes I used had amazing features. They also had different flaws, and I was never able to find one that I would prefer over the rest in all these regards. That’s when I started to make my own e-bikes from the parts of different e-bikes I owned. Starting with small two stroke gas motors back in the day now using all electric components and technology. I faced a lot of compatibility issues, but I was able to construct my own first e-bike that met almost all my preferences and removed all of my concerns. I’d like to help you and your family find the perfect E bike for your needs.
Today, we sat down with Jared and Hilary from Prince Rupert Adventure Tours to have a great conversation about their business.
At the tail-end of an awe-inspiring grizzly bear tour season, it’s easy to see that the benefits bestowed upon the Kutzeymateen Sanctuary have only grown since it was protected 28 years ago in partnership between the Coast Ts’msyen First Nations and BC Parks. The unparalleled bear viewing our passengers were able to enjoy this year are merely a byproduct of these bears continuing to thrive in in their natural habitat which has been 100% protected for them. The highlight of our season has included seeing several active mating pairs during the May and June months, which has us all holding our breath for the appearance of new cubs next year. After two years away from the inlet, it has been an exciting challenge to identify familiar and new bears to the region, trace their family lines and learn more about their behaviours, connections and personalities. One bear in particular has piqued our interest, Spruce, a 2 ½-year-old cub weened early from his Mother Hot Chocolate as she was pursued by several males during mating season. We worried a bit about his survival as he doesn’t have any siblings to band together with, but we’ve spotted him numerous times throughout the season climbing amongst the shoreline logs and eating a favourite snack of mussels.
What has made this season especially rewarding is to see the reaction of our passengers, both travelers and locals, to seeing these animals in their natural habitat after 2 ½ years of being cooped up over COVID. Many of our passengers had to rebook over COVID, and experiencing the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest firsthand was the realization of a dream deferred. People ask us if we get sick of seeing grizzly bears, whales, and other wildlife every day, but the truth is, our own awe and appreciation for these amazing animals only deepens over time. We hope that showcasing the rugged and expansive wilderness of the Northwest, and educating the public on these amazing animals will help build awareness of why we must protect this corner of the world and keep this area intact and pristine for generations of wildlife and mankind to come. As we head into our whale-watching season, we look forward to sharing the beauty of the Northwest with those it beckons.
Today we sat down with Blair Mirau, the CEO of Gitmaxmak'ay Nisga'a Society and talked about the economic development that the organization has gone through in order to survive and serve their membership.
The Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Society is a non-profit organization with a mission to enhance the quality of life for the 1400+ Nisga’a citizens living in Prince Rupert & Port Edward on behalf of Nisga’a Lisims Government.
Originally started as the Nisga’a Tribal Council in 1965 to participate in Nisga’a Land Question, the Society was formally created in 2000 when the Nisga’a Treaty was officially recognized.
The Society offers programs & services ranging from language and culture revitalization to youth, education, and recreation.
In late 2013, the Society created its wholly owned subsidiary economic development corporation for the purposes of purchasing the former Azalea Gardens in Seal Cove. From 2014 – 2019, the business quadrupled in revenue and employees before the site was redeveloped.
During the pandemic, the Society acquired the Port Ed store in March 2020 followed by Bob’s on the Rocks in January 2021. No staff were laid off because of the pandemic, and Bob’s had its best year ever. For these efforts, Gitmaxmak’ay was awarded the 2021 BC Indigenous Community-Owned Business of the Year.
In May 2022, Gitmaxmak’ay celebrated the grand opening of the Yaga Café. Yaga is the Nisga’a word for ‘at the bottom of a hill’, which is an accurate description of the property in Seal Cove. The café utilizes fresh greens grown on site in a hydroponics greenhouse, reducing thousands of tonnes of GHG emissions every year and improving the health of Rupertites with access to locally harvested, non-GMO greens free of pesticides.
Also in May 2022, Gitmaxmak’ay celebrated the hiring of their 50th employee. Their workforce is incredibly diverse: 54% Indigenous, 2/3 female, and 62% under the age of 35.
Since inception of the Gitmaxmak’ay Nisga’a Economic Development Corporation (GNEDC), the businesses have paid out nearly $3 million in local wages & benefits.
Gitmaxmak’ay is a quadruple bottom line business, which means there are four dimensions to returns on investment: (1) profit, (2) people, (3) environment, and (4) culture. All profits that are not re-invested in business growth are invested in Nisga’a language & culture revitalization.
See what else they're up to at https://gitmaxmakay.ca/
In this episode, we meet our president Daphne Thomson, where she talks about the goals and intentions of Let's Get Down to Business.