OVES strives to develop business tours that showcase a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs in action. These tours are an excellent opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs and to "pick the brains" of entrepreneurs who are willing to share their sage wisdom with others.
This webpage is designed to showcase those businesses that we have toured as well as those that have graciously provided our refreshments.
You can read more about our upcoming Business Tours and register by clicking on the Upcoming Events link.
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Our Past Business Tours
On Thursday April 8th, 2010 we continued our Business Tour Series with a visit to three local businesses, all located on Dayton Street in Kelowna.
Participants gained valuable insight on how these businesses operate, as well as interesting facts about production, operations and sales strategies.
Blair Sports Wear
Blair Sportswear is located in the heart of Kelowna, in the beautiful Okanagan Valley. They provide personalized, professional service, complimented by extensive experience and a thorough selection of imaging solutions and customizable products.
Owner Kelly Blair gave us a comprehensive look into his business' day to day processes as well as sharing the history of the company. Kelly passionately demonstated how a company's logo will go from a concept, to digitalizing it, to embroidering the customer's logo on to a hat, jacket etc. Kelly shared that there probably isn't a limit to how many items they will produce for a customer but they won't do any less than one!
Boyd Auto Body & Glass
Welcome to Boyd's on Dayton. Located just behind ICBC on Springfield, they are number one in direct repair. They earned this title not just by the quality of workmanship but by the individuals who work in this facility. Each of their employee's not only believe that what they do on a day to day basis is just a job, it's their passion. They have been voted the number one Body shop in the Okanagan by you 9 years in a row.
Methal explained the shop's history and lead the tour throughout the facility. We were shown how the different phases of the automobile restoration process had its own specific space and team of specialists. It was also explained to us that the body work profession is experiencing a labour shortage as young people are not choosing it as a career option, despite competitive wages and benefits package being offered.
This was a wreck that was featured on an ICBC television advertisement promoting the perils of drunk driving. Cory Anthony, OVES Director and one of the leaders of the tour hams it up for the camera.
Western Star Auctions
Western Star Auctions is operated as a family business with Mike and Suzanne Odenbach, as well as their regular staff including their Champion auctioneer, Bruce Mortensen.
Western Star Auctions is located at 1960B Dayton Street in Kelowna, just off Springfield, north of Rona.
Mike Odenbach, the owner, lead the tour sharing what is involved in preparing for an auction. He also explained how he went from realtor to auctioneer. In a very short time he has expanded his business to Penticton. While we were there he conducted a mini auction of 2 to 3 items with the proceeds being donated to charities. A selection of refreshments ... BBQ chicken, beef kabobs and vegetable & cheese skewers were cooked up by Scott Hermanson, owner & executive chef of Hermco Catering.
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On March 11th, 2010 our tour took us to Westwood Fine Cabinetry Inc, 2140 Leckie Pl, Kelowna.
Westwood Fine Cabinetry was created by a European immigrant with an entrepreneurial spirit, over 35 years ago. Since that time, the company has been creating cabinetry that truly has a customized look at prices that are competitive. Their beautiful cabinetry is sought after across Canada and the USA, and they have many international customers.
They are the largest manufacturer in Western Canada, and for the last nine years they have been the recipient of handfuls of Silver and Gold awards from Canadian Homebuilders Association and the “Tommie” Awards. When founder Nick Grasa passed away in the early 90's, his daughters and son-in-law stepped up and continued to grow his dream to what it is today - an award-winning business leader in the Okanagan.
The tour featured a special operational tour. Participants gained valuable insight on how this business works, how the business is run, as well as interesting facts about manufacturing, operations and sales strategies.
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Our inaugural Business Tour on November 18, 2009 visited the Astral Media Radio Station in Kelowna, featuring a special backstage Studio Tour.
Participants gained valuable insight on how radio works, how the business is run, as well as interesting facts about our local radio stations.
Refreshments were provided, courtesy of Illichmann Meats, Sausages & Gourmet Foods and Annegret’s Fine European Chocolates.