Business

Noah Silverman and Yuki Kinoshita demonstrating the use of a Plufl dog bed for humans. (The University of British Columbia)

2 UBC grads launch pawsitively unique business: Dog beds for people

TikTok, Kickstarter helps launch Plufl,a dog bed that alleviates stress and anxiety in people

 

(L-R) Max Carbone, Anna Carbone and Dean Desrosiers of Century 21 Assurance Realty have a kitchen discussion in a Kelowna home. Don Denton photography.

Selling and living the Okanagan life

“Enable prosperity” is the goal at Century 21 Assurance Realty

  • May 25, 2022

 

Reba McEntire poses with Brent Gray, Mati Arsoniadis, Ashlynne Riddoch at the Washington Avenue Grill Monday (May 23, 2022). (Contributed photo)

Country-music superstar Reba pops into White Rock restaurant while filming in B.C.

Reba McEntire was ‘a pleasure to serve’

 

Tofino Long Beach chamber of commerce business advisor Kat Derusha is hoping to interview business owners and managers as part of a BusinessRetention and Expansion project. (Photo courtesy of the chamber of commerce)

Tofino Business Retention and Expansion program seeks input

We are looking to interview a total of 50 business owners and manager this spring and fall

  • May 23, 2022
Tofino Long Beach chamber of commerce business advisor Kat Derusha is hoping to interview business owners and managers as part of a BusinessRetention and Expansion project. (Photo courtesy of the chamber of commerce)
A woman walks past the logo for Google at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2018. Google says its Russian subsidiary is planning to file for bankruptcy because it can’t pay staff and suppliers. Russian state media reported Wednesday, May 18, 2022 that the U.S. tech company’s Russian subsidiary submitted notice of its intention to declare bankruptcy to a national registry. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Google’s Russian business plans to file for bankruptcy

Subsidiary can’t pay staff and suppliers

A woman walks past the logo for Google at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Nov. 5, 2018. Google says its Russian subsidiary is planning to file for bankruptcy because it can’t pay staff and suppliers. Russian state media reported Wednesday, May 18, 2022 that the U.S. tech company’s Russian subsidiary submitted notice of its intention to declare bankruptcy to a national registry. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
Debbie Simmonds outside the exp Realty office on Willow Street in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)

Island realtor urges those needing to sell their houses to act fast

Market conditions changing rapidly with interest rate hikes

Debbie Simmonds outside the exp Realty office on Willow Street in Chemainus. (File photo by Don Bodger)
The 1924 train station in Port Alberni and the circa 1950s truck bays offer a variety of interior and exterior space for prospective tenants. The City invites businesses, individuals and organizations to submit their proposals highlighting their commercial vision for the building.

Innovative entrepreneurial ideas sought for Port Alberni’s iconic train station

Business, non-profits, social enterprises all encouraged to submit proposals

  • May 16, 2022
The 1924 train station in Port Alberni and the circa 1950s truck bays offer a variety of interior and exterior space for prospective tenants. The City invites businesses, individuals and organizations to submit their proposals highlighting their commercial vision for the building.
A worker organizes chairs and tables on the patio of a restaurant on College St., Toronto, Thursday, October 28, 2021. Restaurants across Canada are cutting back hours and tightening up menus as persistent labour shortages and spiking costs threaten to derail the industry’s comeback from crushing pandemic restrictions.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eduardo Lima

‘We just don’t have enough workers:’ Restaurants rocked by labour shortage, inflation

Workers pushing back against long hours, unstable schedules and low pay

A worker organizes chairs and tables on the patio of a restaurant on College St., Toronto, Thursday, October 28, 2021. Restaurants across Canada are cutting back hours and tightening up menus as persistent labour shortages and spiking costs threaten to derail the industry’s comeback from crushing pandemic restrictions.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Eduardo Lima
Long-time treasure hunter Werner Streicek shows off a bit of gold he discovered. He and his daughters are set to begin their first full season of mining in the Cariboo region starting this summer. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Harrison Hot Springs treasure hunter eyes gold in the Cariboo region

Werner Streicek will rely on decades of mining experience to create legacy for family

Long-time treasure hunter Werner Streicek shows off a bit of gold he discovered. He and his daughters are set to begin their first full season of mining in the Cariboo region starting this summer. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Peter Ducommun, owner of Canada’s oldest skateboarding store, recently opened a new location in Qualicum Beach. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Owner of Canada’s oldest skateboard shop sets up shop in one of Canada’s oldest towns

‘PD’ aims to stage vintage skateboard and bike exhibitions in Qualicum Beach

Peter Ducommun, owner of Canada’s oldest skateboarding store, recently opened a new location in Qualicum Beach. (Kevin Forsyth photo)
Rocklin Broad, 11, hand-carves wooden wands out of sticks he finds in his backyard in Lake Country. He's now selling them for $10 apiece, and the response to his hobby turned business has been overwhelming. (Submitted photo)

The boy who carved: Lake Country kid’s handcrafted wands in high demand

Rocklin Broad’s hobby has turned into a booming business overnight with more than 50 order requests in a day

Rocklin Broad, 11, hand-carves wooden wands out of sticks he finds in his backyard in Lake Country. He's now selling them for $10 apiece, and the response to his hobby turned business has been overwhelming. (Submitted photo)
Peter and Lori Stofko Photography by Lia Crowe

Taking care of business

Denver to Victoria for Lori and Peter Stofko

  • May 6, 2022
Peter and Lori Stofko Photography by Lia Crowe
Josh Brown beams over his Vancouver Island Tourism Employee of the Year award overlooking the spectacular view from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s lounge on April 23. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Ucluelet hospitality champion honoured

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s Josh Brown named Employee of the Year at Island Tourism Conference

Josh Brown beams over his Vancouver Island Tourism Employee of the Year award overlooking the spectacular view from Black Rock Oceanfront Resort’s lounge on April 23. (Andrew Bailey photo)
For Mother’s Day, people are pretty open to a beautiful bouquet in a variety of blooms as long as it’s nice, bright and cheerful, says one Saanich Peninsula floral supplier. That’s a good thing with weather and supply chain shortages. (Courtesy Eurosa Gardens)

Vancouver Island floral experts get you ready for Mother’s Day

Flowers in abundance for Mother’s Day but now is the time to order

For Mother’s Day, people are pretty open to a beautiful bouquet in a variety of blooms as long as it’s nice, bright and cheerful, says one Saanich Peninsula floral supplier. That’s a good thing with weather and supply chain shortages. (Courtesy Eurosa Gardens)
Lance and Chase Beaudoin

Life. style.etc.

Lance and Chase Beaudoin

  • Apr 27, 2022
Lance and Chase Beaudoin
Donna Verlaan portrait by Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives

with Donna Verlaan

  • Apr 25, 2022
Donna Verlaan portrait by Lia Crowe photography
The Hudson’s Bay Company heritage building in Winnipeg is photographed Thursday, April 21, 2022. One of the landmark stores formerly run by the Hudson’s Bay Co. is about to undergo a major transformation in the name of reconciliation with Indigenous people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Hudson’s Bay Co. calls donation of Winnipeg building an act of reconciliation

Company set to transfer what was one of its flagship stores to a First Nations group

The Hudson’s Bay Company heritage building in Winnipeg is photographed Thursday, April 21, 2022. One of the landmark stores formerly run by the Hudson’s Bay Co. is about to undergo a major transformation in the name of reconciliation with Indigenous people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition March 9, 2020, in Washington. Musk’s lawyer says a federal judge would trample on the Tesla CEO’s free speech rights if he ordered Musk to stop talking about 2018 tweets saying he had the funding to make Tesla a private company. In a court document filed Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Lawyer Alex Spiro says a motion from a group of Tesla shareholders seeking a gag order doesn’t establish that Musk’s comments will prejudice the pool of jurors who may hear the case. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Judge rejects gag order in suit over 2018 Elon Musk tweets

Lawyers have argued Musk is trying to influence potential jurors

Elon Musk speaks at the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition March 9, 2020, in Washington. Musk’s lawyer says a federal judge would trample on the Tesla CEO’s free speech rights if he ordered Musk to stop talking about 2018 tweets saying he had the funding to make Tesla a private company. In a court document filed Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Lawyer Alex Spiro says a motion from a group of Tesla shareholders seeking a gag order doesn’t establish that Musk’s comments will prejudice the pool of jurors who may hear the case. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
Monorail tracks and concrete pilings lead into contemporary hotel under construction at Walt Disney World July 7, 1971 Orlando, Florida. The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando, Florida 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. (AP Photo/SDS)

Florida Senate passes bill to end Disney self-government

Proposal could have huge tax implications for Disney which transformed Orlando into a destination

Monorail tracks and concrete pilings lead into contemporary hotel under construction at Walt Disney World July 7, 1971 Orlando, Florida. The idea was presented to Florida lawmakers in a movie house outside Orlando, Florida 55 years ago: Let Disney form its own government and in exchange it would create a futuristic city of tomorrow. (AP Photo/SDS)
Aly Jiwani - Lia Crowe photograph

Full throttle ahead

Aly Jiwani turns a love of cars into top sales and leadership roles

  • Apr 20, 2022
Aly Jiwani - Lia Crowe photograph