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Success Stories
Provenience Art
Provenience Art
is a successful art framing shop. The owner
came to
Community Futures North Fraser in December 2004 looking for financing to
purchase property in Mission’s
downtown core. Until March/05, he leased the premises to
two separate tenants while operating his framing business in a different
location. In March 2005, the owner renovated the property, and built
additional gallery and storage space. He then moved his business into the
newly renovated premises and has since been operating quite successfully.
Pete's Place
In February
2003, the owner approached us for a start up loan to open a take-out pizza
shop. The enterprise has been very successful and the restaurant is now
known by locals to have the “best” pizza in Mission.
Alleycat Hemlines
In December
2008, the owner was referred to us by a previous client. After working as a
seamstress for a fabric shop in downtown Mission, the owner had the
opportunity to open her own shop. The fabric shop owner decided to retire
and go out of business, and offered to sell her his inventory. Alleycat
Hemlines proceeded to develop a very sound business plan with the help of
Community Futures North Fraser Business Counsellor. Community Futures North
Fraser financed the inventory and leasehold improvements and the owner will
be moving into her new shop in the next few weeks.
BC Sport Fishing Group Ltd.
BC
Sport Fishing Group Ltd. has been operating in the Fraser Valley since
1978. In 1999, with the help of a loan from Community Futures North
Fraser, what started out as a custom tackle shop and fishing tours out of
Chilliwack, has evolved into one of the
premiere sport fishing guided tour and eco-tour companies in the Fraser
Valley, with its main office located in Harrison Hot Springs. The company
began as a sole proprietorship in 1978 and grew to a partnership in 2000
when Mr. Nootesbos came on board. In
early 2008, when his partner chose to retire, Mr. Nootebos, took over the
company and is now the sole shareholder.
The company currently employs 22 guides and a relatively new
offering of eco tours will employ an additional 2 people.
BC
Sport Fishing Group offers guided day trips; multi day guiding packages;
fly fishing; boat tours and eco tours. Clientele
is global and the company is featured regularly on European sport
fishing television programs as well as North American programs, including
National Geographic where they were featured in early October/09 in a
program called “Megafish Project”. In September/09, Tony
Nootesbos and his company were featured in B.C.A.A.’s fall “Westworld”
magazine. Mr. Nootebos, is
passionate about fish stewardship and protecting
the environment. He is actively involved with environmental
sustainability, is on the Board of the Sturgeon Conservation Society, is a
member of the Fraser River Salmon Society and has been involved in several
Government roundtable discussions regarding fish stocks and recreational
fishing.
In
early 2009, CF North Fraser was happy to be able to help again with a loan
for a more eco friendly boat so that the company could expand and offer
more eco tours.
Check
out the website at www.bcsportfishinggroup.com
EVOKE WELLNESS
CENTRE
Lacy
Rolleman is a registered massage therapist and labour and delivery
Doula. She also works with massage
therapy students in their final semester, supervising the outreach program
at Royal Columbian Hospital in the high risk obstetrics ward 2 days per
week. She had been contemplating
opening up her own clinic and in November, 2010 dropped into CF North
Fraser’s office to gather information on starting her own business as well
as financing options.
With
the help and guidance of Community Futures North Fraser, she put together a
business plan and set about making her vision of a wellness centre a
reality. A suitable location was
found in downtown Mission and, despite a few bureaucratic setbacks, she has
created a clinic that exudes professionalism and serenity. In the short time the clinic has been
open she has leased rooms to two other massage therapists and a
chiropractor and is on the way to building the multidisciplinary team she
envisioned.
Although
this is a new venture we have no doubt the entrepreneurial Ms. Rolleman
will make it a success.
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