Success Stories - Community Futures Development Corporation of the Central Okanagan

Geometrik

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With start-up help from Community Futures and BDC, Geometrik's high end accoustical ceiling and wall panels are now being ordered by architects, designers and builders across North America. Geometrik owners Vladimir Bolshakov and Natasha Bolshakova have more than 15 years' experience in manufacturing wood acoustical ceiling and wall panels, working for leading suppliers in Europe and North America. Originally from the Ukraine, they met while attending university in Odessa. Vladimir graduated with a degree in manufacturing engineering from the Academy of Manufacturing and Refrigeration while Natasha earned her degree in manufacturing economics from the Academy of Marine Engineers. After 15 years' working for others, they decided to apply their engineering and financial management expertise to their own business in the Okanagan.

Geometrik is the only custom manufacturer of high quality wood acoustical ceiling and wall panels on the west coast of Canada. Beginning in Summerland, B.C. and now a larger facility in West Kelowna, Geometrik offers a unique blend of experience, engineering expertise and manufacturing capability. The dry climate in the Okanagan is ideal for wood manufacture while the lower operating costs allow them to pour extra value into their products. Geometrik’s highly motivated team of skilled work workers and artisans carefully craft panelling to exacting standards, giving the ultimate in sound control and beauty. As wood manufacturers, Geometrik is committed to innovation and quality, utilizing the best materials, hardware, and the latest construction methods and they believe in superior customer service.

When you call, they are there to answer the phone. Geometrik provides prompt answers to your enquiries, professional workmanship, and sound control that will merge seamlessly with your room or facility design. http://www.geometrik.com/

Natures Formulae Health Products Ltd.

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Started as a home based business in the Okanagan Valley by Barbra Johnston and a partner, Barbra had a business idea to produce all natural herbal extract health products to market to doctors and health food companies. In 1990, Barbra came to Community Futures looking for a small loan to grow the business. Since then, the company has grown to become a leader in the formulation of liquid-based herbal health products in Canada. Today, Natures Formulae operates in a modern 30,000 sq.ft. facility located in Kelowna, British Columbia producing over 5000 herbal-based products and providing a large inventory of herbal ingredients. They have developed their own branded product lines which include our original Master Formulae along with NaturPet, NaturTech, and recently acquired SpagoMed. The Natures Formuale modern facility includes an experienced Research and Development team providing scientific oversight and innovative services. They are a competitive Custom Manufacturing service that can accommodate a number of manufacturing needs including product development, product processing, filling, labeling and packaging. Barbra now volunteers at Community Futures and currently is Chairperson. This is her way of giving back to the organization that helped her. http://www.naturesformulae.com/

Marjorie Horne - CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc.

Marjorie Horne - CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc.

With the support of the Community Futures Self Employment Program, Marjorie Horne has started a new company in Kelowna called CareSmart Seniors Consulting Inc. With a background in nursing, coaching and seniors’ housing management, she offers her wealth of experience to support seniors and their families navigating through the transitions and service requirements that are often presented as aging progresses.

Okanagan Carshare Co-op

The Okanagan Car Share Co-op was provincially incorporated as a community service co-op in British Columbia in June 2012, and is based in Kelowna BC. Their long-term plan is to establish a viable car sharing social enterprise, based on a growth model that will meet our members’ mobility needs and provide a practical alternative to owning a vehicle or a second family car.

OGO (the Okanagan Car Share Co-Op) now has several new cars which are parked at designated locations in Kelowna. When an OGO member needs to use a car, he or she will simply use a smartphone or computer to reserve one of OGO's cars at a particular time, using their convenient online booking system. That member's key fob will then be able to unlock the car at that time, and he or she can use it, paying a low rate based on use. The fixed member usage rate is the only cost for using OGO's cars; OGO covers the cost of gas, insurance, cleaning, maintenance, etc.

Sound good? Sign up today. http://www.ogocarshare.ca