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By Jason Ryll

The Williams Lake & District Chamber of Commerce held its monthly general meeting this past Thursday, February 25th at the Signal Point Gaming Centre.  The business crowd numbered around 80, with members there for the networking, as well as to hear the guest speakers for the month. 

(Photo:  Sheila Sherlock, Senior Tax Auditor from the Canada Revenue Agency.)

By LeRae Haynes 

Derek Berry at the Fab Shop is in the business of transforming. He does welding and fabricating in steel and aluminum, taking his customer’s ideas and turning them into reality. 

The Fab Shop at 20A Hodgson Road (behind the old Peoples store) designs, repairs and builds everything from truck equipment and mill machinery to lawn mowers and outdoor furniture.  It has been in operation for five years, but owner Derek Berry has been subcontracting in the welding business since the late 1980s. 

(Photo: Derek Berry at the Fab Shop takes on welding design and repairs in a wide range of innovative projects.)

By Jason Ryll 

The annual Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards is coming up again soon this year.  It will undoubtedly be a gala event in the lakecity where some of the community’s business elite will congratulate themselves, and each other, on a job well done.  

In a time when the world’s economy has been hard hit by financial meltdowns, bank foreclosures, and a snails-pace slow recovery, the awards show comes at a time when business, especially local business, needs it the most.  There is little-to-no immediate financial gain for a business chosen as a recipient of the different category awards.  However the impact that the recognition can have on a business can be far reaching. 

By LeRae Haynes 

Linda-Lou Howarth knows from personal experience how important independence and self-reliance is for women. She also knows that the right tool can make all the difference in the world, and finds it very rewarding to pass that on to other women through her home consultant business, ‘Tomboy Tools.’ 

By LeRae Haynes                                                                         

Susan and Dan Colgate have been the owners of Bob’s Shoes and Repairs for almost a year, and have recently expanded and renovated the store to increase the retail area. Store Manager Marg Elliott said that the move shows great belief in the future of this family-based business, and in the community as a whole. 

“I’ve done retail in Williams Lake for many years and know that it’s important for our business community to stay positive. What good does it do to complain to customers about the economy and whine to them about the lack of sales?” she continued. “I think it shows a strong belief in the community when a business expands and improves—especially right now.” 

(Photo: Bob’s Shoes and Repairs is a true family business that has recently expanded its retail area in preparation for new items destined to delight customers. Pictured here are Susan and Dan Colgate, Susan’s parents Mervin and Dorothy Deausy, Marg Elliott, Store Manager, Carson, 10, Rylan, 8, and Mason 9 months.)

New Local Food Co-op in Williams Lake is seeking part-time, dynamic, manager. 

This is a new, innovative opportunity requiring: 

·       Strong marketing, business and computer skills
·       Knowledge of and Passion for sustainable local food production
·       Excellent communication skills 

Submit resume by 4:00pm on February 8, 2010 to  Cariboo Growers

c/o 540 Borland Street, 3rd Floor
Williams Lake, BC V2G 1R8

or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Selected candidates will be contacted.

By LeRae Haynes 

Brenda and Andrea Hughes are owners at IBEA’S Quilting and Crafts Galore, and understand first-hand the satisfaction of crafting, as well as how important it is to have a good source of supplies and inspiration.    

(Photo: Andrea and Brenda Hughes are owners at IBEA’s Quilting and Crafts Galore, a true family business where customers can find supplies, inspiration and much more.)

By LeRae Haynes 

Helping You Heal Bodywork and Escape Esthetics share a building at 527B South Mackenzie Avenue, and also share a professional commitment to help people feel better, look better and live better. 

Tammy-Lee Isnardy has been a registered Natural Health Care Practitioner specializing in deep tissue therapeutic massage, and Sheri Lyons has worked successfully in the professional esthetics field for 14 years. 

(Photo: Tammy-Lee Isnardy from Helping You Heal Bodyworks and Sheri Lyons from Escape Esthetics offer professional products and services to help their clients feel better, look better and live better.)

Matt Bergson welcomes customers at Jolt of Java Coffee, located in the lower level of Gateway Video. The coffee shop serves homemade soups, sandwiches and goodies, as well as a full line of coffee drinks, from fresh-brewed flavourful coffee to fancy coffee drinks that will tempt any appetite and satisfy any coffee cravings. The shop is comfortable and welcoming, and is a great place to meet with friends.

By LeRae Haynes 

Compassionate Care Funerals won the Commercial Outdoor Display category in the Winter Lights competition this year, but the transformation of their premises goes far beyond seasonal décor. 

“We always had lights up in the front of the building, and last year we put lights in the back and decorated some of the trees. This year we added lights to the garage doors and the entrances, and added more wreaths and decorated the tree in the front,” said Compassionate Care Manager Ron Malmas. 

(Photo:  A beautiful seasonal light display only touches the surface on what is a complete transformation at Compassionate Care Funeral Home. Manager Ron Malmas describes the roof-to-ceiling changes that have added elegance and comfort to the facility.)