Supporting local businesses is the mandate of the PRDCC (Prince Rupert and District Chamber of Commerce). Excellence, transparency, Innovation, Accountability and Respect are the values of which the PRDCC standby. We support, connect, and advocate for the local business community to lead and champion for an inclusive, resilient and informed business community. One way of how we are accomplishing this is by our latest hire, Sonya Brown as Office Manager. She has extensive experience in the retail industry, has managed various stores, as well as taking on the responsibility of Operations Management.
We look forward to supporting our business community further through Sonya as our first point of contact, especially if you’d like to be guest on our Podcast - Lets Get Down to Business.
During the past few weeks we had a number of rather inspiring business owners, each with a story to tell and a journey to share.
Have you met John Visser, Owner of Darwin Business Solutions yet? This enthusiastic entrepreneur was a guest on Lets Get Down to Business recently. He shared his passion for enterprise automations and the possibilities which new technology can provide for small businesses. The conversation touched on bookkeeping, marketing and everything that will ensure a strategy which best fits the goals set out by his client’s company culture! He shared typical challenges which all entrepreneurs go through and of course the possible solutions.
Have you tasted Prince Rupert’s sourdough bread yet? If you have, this must have come from Christy Paquet. She too was a recent guest on the PRDCC’s podcast. Sourdough YPR is a small, artisan bread bakery owned and operated by Christy Paquet, a long time Prince Rupert resident and Entrepreneur. She explains the process of making sourdough. The secret is not to use any preservatives - only Flour, Water and Salt, and by utilizing the age old principle of natural fermentation. She shares the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, her learnings and the importance of community when embracing a starting business.
The next guest on Let’s Get Down to Business is that of a community success story. Muscle Panda MMA was set to open March 31, 2021 but COVID changed everything. In order to try to recoup sunk costs, they began to offer private training lessons and expanded to group classes due to popular demand. Listen to Dane Waldal surviving the pandemic whilst adding youth programs and building a member base. Recently they moved into a larger space and are planning on expanding their programs. He shared that in addition to their - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Kickboxing, - Wrestling, - and Youth Programs, they will add fitness and strength training equipment and classes for all ages and skill levels.
The Business community of Prince Rupert is full of talent, collaborating and sharing successes. Together with the PRDCC we overcome all challenges and are building towards the 2030 plan.
- Daphne Thomson, President PRDCC
