It's the Year of the Woman for the North Okanagan's annual premier business competition.
The five finalists for the 2025 Enterprize Challenge have been announced and, from small-scale farm operations to software development services, the finalists are bringing exciting business ideas from all corners of the North Okanagan.
And they're all women.
Presented by AgileBK, the 10th annual Enterprize Challenge will culminate in a Dragon鈥檚 Den-style pitch at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre on Thursday, May 8.
Over the past two months, the finalists and other participants worked with local business mentors and attended workshops as they refined their business plans.
鈥淎lthough we experienced a slow start to registration in January, we鈥檝e observed remarkable innovation from new businesses across the entire region participating in this year鈥檚 Enterprize Challenge,鈥� said Margo Fleming, business advisor with Community Futures. 鈥淲e鈥檙e incredibly inspired by the creativity and dedication displayed by this year鈥檚 finalists, who represent the best of small-town and rural entrepreneurship in the North Okanagan.鈥�
The winner of the Enterprize Challenge, voted on by a panel of volunteer judges at the end of the final pitch in May, takes home start-up capital and more than $50,000 in business services prize packages.
Time to meet the finalists:
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Dora Anderson, Ecotecture Design Inc.
Building a green future, brick by sustainable brick, is Dora Anderson with Ecotecture.
Founded in 2024, Ecotecture has emerged from a collective of diverse eco-certified professionals that are passionate about making sustainable and resilient building development mainstream in order to protect an otherwise vulnerable community.
Right now, the Ecotecture team is hard at work developing new specifications grounded in leading green building standards like Passive House, Net Zero, LEED, and WELL.
In Anderson鈥檚 experience, environments have, for too long, followed linear, wasteful, and environmentally harmful practices. From the materials and systems to the way spaces are constructed and furnished, the impact on the planet and humanity's well-being has been significant. At Ecotecture, Anderson and her team believe it鈥檚 time for a change 鈥� a significant shift towards a circular economy mindset in building that encompasses people, place and planet.
This means embracing sustainable building practices that contribute to healthier, more resilient spaces and a greener future for all, where people live, work, and play.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Kylee Howard, Vicky鈥檚 Play Place
More than just play, discover the heart of community at Vicky鈥檚 Play Place by Kylee Howard.
Vicky鈥檚 Play Place has grown out of Howard鈥檚 own experience with her young family, seeing first-hand the need in the North Okanagan for a play- and family-connection hub.
At Vicky鈥檚 Play Place, play is the heart of childhood, igniting imaginations and fostering development. But Howard also understands that connection is the bedrock of a strong community. That鈥檚 why she鈥檚 lovingly designing a space where both kids and their families can thrive.
Imagine a safe and dynamic environment where children can explore a multi-level play structure, perfect for climbing and adventure. For the littlest ones, Howard is planning to have a dedicated toddler zone, a haven for safe imaginative play and gentle tumbling.
Vicky鈥檚 Play Place is in the development stages and gaining community support fast.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Shelley Lavigne, North Okanagan Consulting
Navigating the permit maze, Shelley Lavigne and North Okanagan Consulting are your guides.
North Okanagan Consulting is your trusted partner, dedicated to ensuring your projects proceed smoothly and efficiently by expertly navigating the sometimes-daunting world of permits.
Lavigne鈥檚 goal is to provide vital support to contractors who might lack the time or resources to effectively manage the intricacies of permits. Imagine freeing up valuable hours to focus on what you do best 鈥� building and creating 鈥� knowing that your permit needs are in capable hands. North Okanagan Consulting offers professional permit management services, easing your workload and allowing you to concentrate on the construction itself.
But Lavigne鈥檚 commitment doesn鈥檛 stop there.
Homeowners often feel lost and confused when faced with permit applications and regulations. That鈥檚 why North Okanagan Consulting aims to empower homeowners with expert permit consulting, providing clear guidance and support, enabling homeowners to confidently manage the permitting process for their own projects, big or small.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Kaitlyne Peden, Sweetpea Farms
From the pastures to your plate, Kaitlyne Peden and Sweetpea Farms bring quality meat products, raised with pride to the North Okanagan.
Sweetpea Farms is a small-scale, family-owned farm, just a stone鈥檚 throw from Vernon, dedicated to bringing you the finest quality meat and meat products, raised right here in the fields with the utmost care and respect.
For Peden, it鈥檚 more than just farming; it鈥檚 a commitment to the local community, to ethical animal husbandry, and to the pride that comes with knowing exactly where your food comes from. She specializes in pasture-raised pigs and poultry, and is excited to share that cattle will be joining the happy farm family soon.
And Sweetpea Farms鈥� dedication goes beyond the animals themselves. Peden is also passionate when educating others about animal care and sustainable farming, especially how caring for our land to ensures its health and vitality for generations to come.
鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Amber Wetherill, Your Friendly Dev
Your Friendly Dev will be your new 鈥淭echie Bestie."
Your Friendly Dev offers friendly, people-first software development and tech consulting to local small businesses and non-profits in the North Okanagan.
Backed by technical expertise and a passion for empowering others, YFD helps clients get seen online, streamline their systems, and build confidence with tech that works for you.
Wetherill founded Your Friendly Dev after seeing a gap for women and other underserved entrepreneurs wanting help with their websites, SEO, tech strategy and more. She鈥檚 excited to use her geek for good to empower local businesses to use tech effectively, save time, and solve those pain points.
Examples of other services they will offer include: technical audits, software training, change management, technical liaising, and more 鈥� all with a friendly approach. Whether clients need full implementation or just a hand with the tricky parts, YFD meets them where they are and helps them move forward.
With a commitment to kindness, quality and innovation, Your Friendly Dev is built to be the go-to tech partner for small businesses at every stage of growth鈥攍ocal, trusted, and ready to help.
Join this year鈥檚 five finalists for a night of live pitching in front of a panel of volunteer judges on Thursday, May 8, at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m. Pitches start at 6 p.m. with the winners announced before the finale ends at 9 p.m. Free tickets are available at eventbrite.ca.
