Business

Ann Squires Ferguson of Western Design + Build. Lia Crowe photography

Secrets and Lives with CEO Ann Squires Ferguson

Reshaping the construction and design industries

  • Oct 15, 2021

 

A merger between Nanaimo-based Taste of B.C. Aquafarms and Blue Star Foods of Miami, Fla., will scale up land-based fish farm steelhead production on the mid Island. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo fish farm plans to scale up production 15 times thanks to US deal

Taste of B.C. Aquafarms was acquired by Miami, Fla.’s Blue Star Foods Corp. earlier this year

 

Daniel Caicedo, owner of Victoria Restorations, sits next to a fireplace his company provided the chimney finish for in a Sidney home. Don Denton photograph

Transforming spaces with Venetian plastering and more

Daniel Caiceda’s Victoria Restorations changes the ordinary to extraordinary

  • Oct 13, 2021

 

Tammy Lee and her daughter Amanda at Port Alice Pizza. (Debra Lynn photo)

‘Port Alice Pizza’ reopens with new owners

COVID-19 boredom prompted Lee to consider taking on the pizzeria

  • Oct 12, 2021
Tammy Lee and her daughter Amanda at Port Alice Pizza. (Debra Lynn photo)
The Vancouver Island Economic Summit will be entirely virtual again this year. Organizers had previously hoped to have a hybrid event in Nanaimo, but have now opted not to offer any in-person events as part of the summit. (News Bulletin file photo)

Vancouver Island Economic Summit decides on an all-virtual event

Originally intended as hybrid in-person event, this month’s summit will take place online again

The Vancouver Island Economic Summit will be entirely virtual again this year. Organizers had previously hoped to have a hybrid event in Nanaimo, but have now opted not to offer any in-person events as part of the summit. (News Bulletin file photo)
Ryan Messer. Lia Crowe photography

Keeping it casual with Ryan Messer

Life and style in the Okanagan

  • Oct 6, 2021
Ryan Messer. Lia Crowe photography
Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)

Better Business Bureau Torch Awards double down with annual Vancouver Island celebration

2021 finalists come from two years of nominees; all to be recognized at November gala in Victoria

Representatives from Van Isle Windows celebrate a previous Torch Awards win at a gala hosted by the Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island. The 2021 finalists were recently announced. (Facebook/Better Business Bureau serving Vancouver Island)
Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Island retiree operates thrift store to keep his neighbourhood neighbourly

Deni’s Dynamite Deals donates thousands of dollars every month

Deni Bezeau, owner of Deni’s Dynamite Deals, set up his thrift store at the corner of Bruce Avenue and Seventh Street in Nanaimo to raise money for high school extracurricular programs and other organizations in need of cash. He now donates about $11,000 monthly. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Optometrists Dr. Anita Voisin and Dr. Trevor Miranda from Cowichan Eyecare. Don Denton photograph

Seeing is believing at Cowichan Eyecare

Providing vision education for the community

  • Sep 27, 2021
Optometrists Dr. Anita Voisin and Dr. Trevor Miranda from Cowichan Eyecare. Don Denton photograph
Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)

Vancouver Island Airbnb host ranked top in the province

Sooke Cedar House received the most positive reviews of any Airbnb in Canada

Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)
DriveWise BC Kate Harris. Photography by Lia Crowe

DriveWise BC’s Kate Harris

From ski instructor to family business CEO

  • Sep 22, 2021
DriveWise BC Kate Harris. Photography by Lia Crowe
Nature and wildlife photographer Catherine Babault photographed in Moorecroft Regional park in Nanoose Bay. Don Denton photograph

Photographer Catherine Babault’s passion for the wild spaces

Nature and wildlife photography a full time business

  • Sep 17, 2021
Nature and wildlife photographer Catherine Babault photographed in Moorecroft Regional park in Nanoose Bay. Don Denton photograph
The Port of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw First Nation announced a lease agreement with Conqora Capital Partners for a long-term lease at the port’s Nanaimo Assembly Wharf. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Port Authority)

New lease agreement renews Nanaimo-Vancouver fast ferry hopes

Port of Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw announce deal with funding partner

The Port of Nanaimo and Snuneymuxw First Nation announced a lease agreement with Conqora Capital Partners for a long-term lease at the port’s Nanaimo Assembly Wharf. (Photo courtesy Nanaimo Port Authority)
The BC Vaccine Card Verifier app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. (Black Press Media files)

Business as usual for many Vancouver Island establishments as vaccine pass arrives

Fitness centres and arenas see similar numbers of patrons, restaurant industry asking for patience

The BC Vaccine Card Verifier app is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. (Black Press Media files)
‘Rogan the Painting Dog’ creates artwork featured on Foley Dog Treat Company packaging as part of a charitable partnership. (Photo submitted)

Painting ‘paw’-digy motivated by B.C. doggie treats

Nanaimo’s Foley Dog Treat Company partners with artistic pooch on charitable initiative

‘Rogan the Painting Dog’ creates artwork featured on Foley Dog Treat Company packaging as part of a charitable partnership. (Photo submitted)
A diner at Bartaco uses their app to order an item off the menu, at the restaurant in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. The restaurant is using an automated app for ordering and payments. Instead of servers they use “food runners” to get the food to the tables. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Do we need humans for that job? Automation booms after COVID

Ideally, automation can redeploy workers into better and more interesting work

A diner at Bartaco uses their app to order an item off the menu, at the restaurant in Arlington, Va., on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. The restaurant is using an automated app for ordering and payments. Instead of servers they use “food runners” to get the food to the tables. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Telus has joined several other big Canadian companies, including the major banks, in making it mandatory for workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (file photo)

Telus joins federal government, major banks in making COVID jabs mandatory for staffers

Telus workers not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 15 to be tested 2 times a week

Telus has joined several other big Canadian companies, including the major banks, in making it mandatory for workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (file photo)
Manuela Mirecki photographed by Lia Crowe

Life and style with Manuela Mirecki

Unique and chic

  • Sep 1, 2021
Manuela Mirecki photographed by Lia Crowe
WorkBC is looking for people who want to become technicians. (Black Press file photo)

Province to fund technician training for up to 36 British Columbians

The training will take place in Vancouver through September 2021 to April 2022

WorkBC is looking for people who want to become technicians. (Black Press file photo)
An aerial view of Canfor’s Plateau operation west of Vanderhoof. (Aman Parhar photo - Omineca Express)

Canfor to operate B.C. sawmills at 80 per cent of production capacity

Reduced operating schedules to start week of Aug. 30 due to challenging market conditions

An aerial view of Canfor’s Plateau operation west of Vanderhoof. (Aman Parhar photo - Omineca Express)