Stop #3 on the WeBC Virtual Road Trip was Campbell River, BC!

This fall, we are taking a road trip around BC to spotlight all the amazingly talented local women-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and fantastic local Partners who support women in business.  Our WEC hosts on the ground shall introduce you to one region at a time, visiting a number of different women-owned businesses in their area so you can see just what is available all around BC.

MEET THE HOST

Introducing Pauline Stevenson, she is a Regional Ambassador for WeBC and the Founder and President of Excel Career College. Thirty-three years ago, Pauline Stevenson launched Excel Career College in Courtenay after identifying a niche market.

Originally the business provided training support for regional businesses. Changing with times, the business transitioned into an accredited college at the end of the 1990s. Since then, it has been constantly growing its inventory of training programs, offering career-oriented diploma programs, courses, as well as corporate training.

MEET THE FEATURED BUSINESSES

InWater Tech

Location: 1580-A Willow Street, Campbell River, BC.  V9W 3M7

Underpinned by decades of experience, InWater Tech designs, builds, distributes and services smart and dependable equipment for industries that rely on water. These industries include: Aquaculture, environmental monitoring, fisheries stock enhancement, life support systems and laboratories, university and research facilities, and water water treatment. 

After 15 years in science and research, Stephanie King, Co-Founder and CEO of InWater Tech,  started on a new path that led her to InWater Technologies and the best job in the world. Manufacturing Point4—the versatile water quality monitoring and control system she is able to provide reliable protection and peace-of-mind across a range of different industries.

Learn more & connect with InWater Tech:

Instagram – @inwatertech

Website – https://inwatertech.com/

Westcoast Wildflowers

Location: Unit C – 975 Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC. Right around the corner from the ferry terminal. 

Westcoast Wildflowers is an Indigenous and woman owned business offering high quality, local products from Vancouver Island, BC. Their mission is to support small shops, women in business, and Indigenous small business owners. They offer local and high-quality products for women and children including apparel, jewelry, home decor, artwork, and more!

Ali Assu is a creator and owner of the beautiful Westcoast Wildflowers. From the Wet’suwet’en First Nation and second-generation immigrant, Ali is an advocate of supporting local and works towards stocking her store with 75% local products. She works with a range of small shops, women in business, and has developed The Indigenous Collective, offering a space that highlights Indigenous business owners across British Columbia. The collection includes traditional medicines, jewelry, artwork, home décor, and more.

Learn more & connect with Westcoast Wildflowers:

Instagram – @westcoast.wildflowers

Website – https://wcwildflowers.ca/

Session Taproom, Kitchen + Spin

Location: 926 Island Hwy Campbell River, BC V9W 4C5. Across from Robert V. Ostler Park. 

Session combines a modern, fully equipped spin studio with a beautifully designed artisanal taproom + kitchen. With an emphasis on supporting local, the aim is to make all aspects of our business accessible and welcoming to all Campbell River residents, giving the community a new space to gather together. 

Owner Aletta Clarke and her co-founders, Claire and Cody, have been friends since their early days in Campbell River, BC. Growing up on Quadra, Cortes, and in town respectively, these three spread their wings after graduation in search of excitement, travel, bigger cities, and new experiences. Never did they think nearly 20 years down the road, they’d be returning home to open a spin studio and taproom together.

Learn more & connect with Session:

Instagram – @sessioncr

Website – https://www.sessioncr.com/

RavenSong soap and candles

Location: 103 B – 2266 South Island Hwy Campbell River, BC V9H 1C3. 

A Touch of Mother Nature from Haida Gwaii – RavenSong Soap & Candle is about small batches, created with care using an ancient method that allows Valeria, as the soap maker, to choose each premium natural ingredient to suit skin care benefits and desired scents. This luxury soap is made entirely by hand in the cold process tradition. 

Specializing in luxury handmade soaps, Valerie and her team produce small batches in the cold press tradition using luxury ingredients. Also stocking candles and gifts, RavenSong is a must visit when in Campbell River. 

Learn more & connect with RavenSong Soap + Candle 

Instagram – @ravensongsoap

Website – https://ravensongsoap.com/

Thanks to our partners!

Let’s not forget WEC’s fantastic partners on the ground during this trip, Community Futures Strathcona and Campbell River Economic Development

Community futures Strathcona

Location: 760-B Island Highway Campbell River, BC V9W 2C3

Community Futures is a community-driven, economic renewal program that has one of largest footprints of any Canadian federal government program. Community Futures Strathcona has disbursed $43 Million to over 910 small businesses in the Comox Valley and Strathcona Regional Districts. These investments have benefited the local economy by fostering the creation and or maintenance of 3,600 jobs together with improving diversity among the small business community through our support of start-ups.

Proud of the work they do, their team is pleased to see the positive community impact a small organization such as theirs can have; simply providing a little encouragement and financial assistance to entrepreneurs willing to incur the risk of operating a small business.

Learn more & connect with Community Futures BC – Strathcona 

Instagram – @communityfuturesbc

Website – https://cfstrathcona.ca/

Campbell River Economic Development

Location: 301 St. Ann’s Road, Campbell River, BC, Canada, British Columbia

Campbell River’s economic development activities focus on relationship building, connecting and collaborating with First Nations, local businesses and developers, industry, educational institutions and community groups to help yield strategic programs that promote economic growth and ensure the City has the tools necessary to respond to a marketplace that has become increasingly global in nature.

The City of Campbell River encourages sustainable growth in innovative businesses that embrace future technology.  The City’s Economic Development Officer, Rose Klukas, works collaboratively with Council and City Departments to assist business development.

Learn more & connect with Campbell River Economic Development  

Facebook – Campbell River Economic Development

Website – https://www.campbellriver.ca/business-economy/overview

The next stop on the #WeRoadTripBC tour is Courtenay, BC. Join us on our virtual road trip by following @wecbc on Instagram and discover the amazing female businesses throughout the province!

Next Stop

The next stop on the #WeRoadTripBC tour is Courtenay. Join us on our virtual road trip by following @wecbc on Instagram and discover the amazing female businesses throughout the province!