Author Archives: Lou Doyon Freelance

Local Love Blog Series – Glowfood Creamery

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

It’s been so much fun learning about everything being done behind the scenes at Glowfood Creamery, as Julie Kapuscinski works hard to create amazing dairy-free cheese options and so much more! 

Glowfood Creamery currently offers three different flavours of plant-based cheese, as well as cashew sour cream. Julie also makes a face oil that is now being used during treatments and can be purchased at Remedy Skincare & Spa (a past Local Love feature). Over the holidays, Julie often adds a few more products such as cheese board kits that include specialty reductions, various crudites, and gluten-free crackers – stay tuned on her social channels for updates about what will be included in her holiday offerings this year!

The experimentation and coming up with new recipes are what keep Julie motivated to continue creating. 

Using only the best ingredients available, Julie’s products are the result of many years of trial and error, late nights testing ideas, and an undeniable curiosity to keep trying new recipes and modifications. Julie is also incredibly grateful for all the customers who can’t seem to get enough! 

Julie is a cheesemaker, plant eater, and graphic designer. She’s also a loving partner to her personal source of inspiration, Michael, and a best friend to three furry companions – an adorable Whippet named Bertram and two felines, an orange cat named Gus, and a grey cat named Steve. Without trying, Julie has set herself apart from others just by being naturally different from anyone else. Everything about Glowfood, from the branding to the flavours, is a direct reflection of who Julie is. 

Glowfood first started at the Banff Farmers Market in 2013, but the concept for the business started well before then. 

A dozen years ago or so, Julie discovered that she suffered from several food intolerances which explained why she never felt her best. As a result, she switched to a vegan and gluten-free diet which led her down the path of raw food and fermentation which immediately caught her attention. Since her first market in 2013, Julie has evolved in the products that she sold to get to her current offerings today. She has experimented with stone-ground chocolate bars, lunch wraps, desserts, ice cream, cheesecakes – all raw, vegan, and gluten-free. She also tested a whole line of natural skin care products which has now been focused on the most popular items that made sense to continue offering to her customers. 

Getting to see what other people are up to, tasting new foods, and witnessing the creativity abounding from others sparks tons of ideas for Julie. Undeniably, the passion people have for their craft is always intoxicating and infectious, in the best way possible. 

Julie has a big vision for what Glowfood can become! 

From her very first cheese in 2011, Julie believes that the business she runs today has real potential in the larger market. Her current cheeses and sour cream are unique, and she would love to see them distributed throughout Canada and into the United States. She knew she had something special when customers would be seeking out more products after the market season was over. Julie started selling her cheeses to Nourish Bistro in Banff, and soon her customers caught on. This excitement from her customers helps Julie believe in her products and she knows now that this can really go a long way! 

Originally from Newcastle, Ontario, Julie has been in Banff for over 22 years and so has plenty of local shout-outs to make! 

Starting with some amazing local artisans, Julie wanted to shine a light on Mystee Maisonet from Om Cooking, amazing artist and Julie’s partner Michael Corner, and Gareth Paget from Loose Clothing Company & Loose Visuals. She also loves the work being done at B-Towne Salon, Remedy Skincare & Spa, and Jolene’s Tea House. She also wanted to highlight some of Glowfood’s regular partnerships with Tania and Keven from Charcuterie Vegan Deli, as well as more local businesses including Banff Gift Baskets, Banff Graze Co., Matcha Nude, and Tom Riley Art. Last but certainly not least, it should come as no surprise that Julie supports the Bow Valley SPCA, having rescued a few of her own pets from there! As an extra mention, Julie wanted to shout out The Alice Sanctuary, where farm animals are given the second chance they most certainly deserve.

Learning that she can’t say yes to every opportunity has been a hard one to achieve, but now she knows the importance of taking care of herself first so that she can be the best version of herself for others. With some exciting things coming down the pipe, Julie is looking forward to the continuing evolution of Glowfood! Make sure to visit her website online to see what she’s up to, as well as follow her on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on all the latest news, including an exciting new re-brand of her face oil coming soon (extra shout out to Tahlia Reid of Reid Design for the fabulous new branding)! 

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Banff Mountaintop Flowers

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

I’m so excited to have the opportunity to feature Christine and Ian Kaufmann, the amazing owners, and operators of Banff Mountaintop Flowers this week! Both born and raised in Banff, this duo makes the ultimate Local Love Blog Series powerhouse couple to feature!

Ranging from the perfect bouquet to lift someone’s spirit or celebrate a milestone, to full wedding arrangements, or even a first houseplant for a new apartment, Banff Mountaintop Flowers has a little something for everyone. Inspired by the previous owner, Susanne Gilles-Smith who still operates the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, Ian and Christine pour their hearts into every arrangement and love sharing their passion (borderline obsession) for houseplants with others.

Their main motivation to keep going stems from a strong love of flowers, and the joy of working with their team to bring happiness to their customers.

Always looking to keep their ideas fresh, Christine and Ian work hard to find more environmentally conscious options within the operation of their business and constantly come up with new ways to design their arrangements. With their focus on the smaller details that make a big difference, Banff Mountaintop Flowers has embodied a friendly and welcoming space that leaves any pretentious vibes at the door.

Getting to focus on the little details like mixing texture and colour to come up with a perfect bouquet that will perfectly complement the bride is all part of the excitement. So much emotion and joy are poured into these arrangements that play such an important role on the most important day. Plus, the bridal bouquet can truly be a place to share so much about an individual.

Drawing inspiration daily from the mountains, taking over the business was an easy decision for Ian.

With Christine managing the store, then called Banff Flower Hounds, it was first offered to her when Susanne decided to sell. Despite a little bit of healthy hesitation, Ian’s eagerness and enthusiasm in taking on this new venture as a couple was what helped Christine take the plunge.

Initially just a side-gig to supplement her painting income, Christine found her place in the flower shop within her first day. 8 years later when she and Ian opened Banff Mountaintop Flowers, they had struck a perfect balance of roles. While Ian is known to be able to pull together a beautiful bouquet, he tends to be responsible for more of the business responsibilities which saves Christine from hours of frustration and lets her focus on the creative side of things. Together, they’ve become a perfect team in their business, in addition to being the perfect pair in life.

Being the truest level of Banff locals, it should come as no surprise that Ian and Christine have plenty of Local Love shout-outs to make!

Starting with three amazing artisans, they had to shine some light on potter Ciara Jayne Linteau from Ciara Jayne Ceramics, artist Michael Corner, and artist Cecelia Leddy from the TeenyBotanist. They love the great work being done by Beatnik Salon (past Local Love feature!) for their commitment to coming up with new ideas to engage with the community, the Radiant Banff for being an ally to the community while also providing an amazing all-around dining experience, and of course, they had to mention Suzanne and her team at the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House that work so hard to maintain this amazing mountaintop restaurant (with no electricity!). They have even partnered with a few different local artists to create art cards, including Lynne Huras, Byrony Toon, TeenyBotanist, and Christine’s very own work, Christine Ford. Lastly, as true animal lovers, Ian and Christine of course had to mention the amazing work being done by the Bow Valley SPCA.

And even better, they have no plans of going anywhere! They love their location in the Bear Street Mall and couldn’t be happier with the mall family they’ve built. Despite the struggle so many local business owners have of finding a balance between work and life, Christine and Ian work hard to turn off and focus on their family. Their goal is simply to keep creating amazing arrangements and providing beautiful houseplants for the community.

At the end of the day, the satisfaction in creating an arrangement that brings their customers so much joy and happiness is undeniable.

Ian and Christine have found a huge love for working together as a team and sharing their passion with others. They’ve been lucky to have amazing staff that have in turn discovered their own love for the business, and even gone on to start their own shops or flower farms. They truly believe that without their amazing staff, they wouldn’t be where they are today and find inspiration from them every day.

So next time you’re looking for flowers or a plant for any occasion, be sure to keep Banff Mountaintop Flowers at the top of your list. You can order online or go visit them in person in the Bear St. Mall, they are open Monday-Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm. Of course, be sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook for your daily plant and flower fix!

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Canmore Cookie Co.

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

This week I’m so excited to feature a bad-ass mountain mom with an incredible side-gig. Chelsea Lindsay, from Canmore Cookie Co., is the face behind the amazing custom cookies that fill your feed on the daily! 

With a mix of curiosity and knowing that there was something missing in the Canmore cookie game, Chelsea gave cookie-making a try! 

Chelsea carefully crafts her sugar cookies and tops them with royal icing that can be completely customized to any theme her client is looking for. This boutique Bow Valley offering is super unique and makes for the perfect companion for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and so much more! 

Hands down, Chelsea’s favourite part of the cookie-making process is the decorating. 

Once the less entertaining tasks of cookie baking and icing mixing are completed, she gets to focus on the decorating! With a blank cookie canvas in front of her (or rather more like a dozen blank canvases) she’s armed and ready to create her incredible cookie masterpiece. 

Inspired by The Crystal Cookie Jar, Chelsea knew she had to give it a try for her daughter’s birthday. 

Since then, she’s discovered the amazing community of “cookiers” from all around the world. A community that has been incredibly supportive of Chelsea, whenever she’s reached out to one of them or taken inspiration from. She also finds inspiration from her customers who will bring her party decorations or swatches of clothing to get her started. Cookie-ing, as Chelsea put it, gives her the creative outlet that she’s been missing throughout the past few busy years of parenthood and life in general. She now has a reason to set some time aside for herself to be alone with her thoughts to be peaceful and think of the smiles it brings to so many people. 

After a successful trial run with some perfect princess cookies for her daughter’s 4th birthday, Chelsea figured she’d keep going! She then tried out a Valentine’s Day themed batch which led her to think of making cookies for holidays and special events. After a few first orders from family and friends, as well as a hugely successful Easter Sale, Canmore Cookie Co. was off to a great start. 

Of course, the best part of Canmore Cookie Co. for Chelsea is getting to hear the feedback from her customers. 

Hearing the amazing feedback she’s received from customers is what keeps her going. She’s had amazing support from her friends, family, and community which helps her remember why she puts so much effort into each and every cookie. 

This isn’t to say she doesn’t absolutely love making and decorating cookies, but rather that she wants to make sure it stays that way. She has a vision of being the go-to business for custom decorated sugar cookies in the Bow Valley (which I would argue she’s well on her way to being!)

Born and raised in Regina, SK Chelsea has been in Canmore for 10+ years now, making her a certain local committed to her community. 

So I wasn’t surprised when she was armed with a list of local Bow Valley businesses and business owners she wanted to shout out! To start with a few amazing artisans, Chelsea wanted to bring attention to Melanie from Mountain Handmade, Darci from Kake by Darci, and artist/photographer Evgenii (Eugene) Kozhushko who also gets an extra special thank you for being the mastermind behind the Canmore Cookie Co. logo! 

She also couldn’t miss out on mentioning Mike Petroff, local singer/songwriter and Etienne from Stronghold Locksmith. And with an entirely appropriate amount of bias (in my opinion), Chelsea wanted to bring attention to her husband’s business, Ridgeline Guiding, where Pat has worked so incredibly hard at guiding ice climbing, rock climbing, and teaching courses. 

Between a busy life of work, parenthood, and still making time to enjoy her coffee, fresh air and satisfying her sweet tooth, there just isn’t enough time in the day to fulfill every order! However, she’s eternally grateful to those who come back again and again with patience and continued eagerness to get their hands on some cookies. 

So, next time you’re looking for a sweet treat addition to your party, check out Clesea’s amazing work at Canmore Cookie Co. – you won’t be disappointed. Make sure to follow her on Instagram to stay up to date with her baking, or check out her Custom Cookie Order Form here.

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Root & Revive

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

We’re back with another great feature, this week on Michelle Brown, owner and operator of Root & Revive. Based in the Bow Valley, Root & Revive provides gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan protein balls that are entirely naturally sweetened. Catering to all lifestyles, Michelle wanted to create a product that met people where they’re at. 

She passionately believes that everyone deserves to be properly nourished with nothing but the best ingredients, regardless of their activity level or lifestyle. She’s created a product that can easily be brought to the office, eaten on a chairlift, or serve as a quick, on-the-go breakfast. 

Michelle’s protein balls can be catered to a wide variety of allergies, intolerances, and preferences. 

Root & Revive was born out of personal experience and requirements for healthyf snacks. Being gluten and lactose intolerant, Michelle was determined to create something that was tasty and filling. 

Drawing inspiration from friends with growing small businesses, Michelle had a great example set for her. Along with knowing her products are helping her customers, Michelle finds a hard-earned and well-deserved sense of accomplishment in owning her business and building something she’s proud of. She loves the wide array of responsibilities that comes with being a small business owner, from running her social media to being in the kitchen, or connecting with local vendors and customers. 

Starting her own business had long been on the bucket list for Michelle. 

Root & Revive officially opened in May 2020 when Michelle secured a spot at the Banff Farmers Market. The pandemic had given her more time to focus on launching her small business, so with a strong foundation and lots of local support Michelle gave it her all. Connecting with the community, collaborating with others, creating a product she truly stands behind, and pushing herself to grow all keep her going today! 

Originally from Long Sault, Ontario and now based in Canmore, Michelle is eager to see her business grow. She is actively working towards expanding her product into the Calgary area and eventually throughout Alberta. The ultimate goal would be to see Root & Revive products available Canada-wide! 

Having received so much amazing support from the Bow Valley, Michelle jumped at the opportunity to share some of that love. 

Some of the amazing people who have had the biggest impact on her are Jim from Defending Awesome, Seb from Sebastian Willmer Photography, Kudzai from Trllflla Brand, and the folks at The Preachy Vegan Chef. She also deeply values the work of the amazing team at Rocky Mountain Adaptive and their great work towards creating incredible mountain experiences for those with disabilities. 

With amazing support from peers, Michelle truly believes that we’re better when working together. She’s been lucky to connect with amazing people, from customers to other business owners just happy to share their experiences. Michelle would love to see more opportunities be made available to small business owners throughout the Bow Valley. 

Root & Revive is an amazing reflection of Michelle’s hard work and dedication, and there is still so much to come! Make sure to be following along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. You can also connect with Michelle at the Root & Revive website. And, next time you’re searching for the perfect snack or quick-and-easy breakfast option, make sure to check out Root & Revive. 

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Rocky Mountain Weddings & Events and Rocky Mountain Elopements

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! This is a feature we’ve had on the books since we first started this series, and I’m so excited to finally get to share it with everyone! 

Kristin Nicol and Lindsay Copeland are the amazing masterminds behind Rocky Mountain Wedding & Events and Rocky Mountain Elopements (collectively RMWE). With the help of their Elopement Coordinator, Harry, they’ve been offering elevated, authentic weddings, events, and elopements, creating unforgettable experiences every single day. 

These ladies live, work, and play in the Bow Valley, setting themselves apart from other planners in the area. Their downtime is spent exploring the mountains they passionately share with their clients. In doing this, they’re able to offer completely unique experiences that aren’t found anywhere else. 

With completely customizable options, Kristin and Lindsay plan and execute exactly what their clients are looking for. 

Offering all-inclusive packages throughout the Canadian Rockies, with a unique specialization in helicopter and adventure elopements there is truly someone for everyone. In Kristin’s words, they are “powered by love, and fueled by coffee,’ when they’re creating these magical days for their clients. 

Kristin and Lindsay are filled with an unrivalled drive to achieve the best in all aspects. 

They love the people (couples and vendors) they work with and the relationships they build along the way. They thrive on the pure happiness felt when all the perfect details fall into place on the day. RMWE has provided them both with the lifestyle and freedom that they have been searching for, but don’t mistake that for not being busy. These ladies are undoubtedly among the busiest, hardest working in the Bow Valley during wedding season. 

Originally from Belleville, Ontario with a background in Nutrition and Public Health, Kristin also has a deep passion for exploring different cultures. This curiosity has brought her to all corners of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Europe. With experience in the hospitality and events industry in Toronto and later in managing the Sky Bistro in Banff, Kristin is the perfect fit for RMWE. She’s now based in Banff with her amazingly supportive partner, Rylan, and their unbelievably adorable pup, Casey. 

So how did RMWE come to be? 

Kristin and Lindsay were given the opportunity to takeover the business from Julie Padgett, who deeply believed in their ability to provide her existing clients with the passion and professionalism to create beautiful experiences for them. Since then, these ladies have transformed the business into what it is today, including the launch of Rocky Mountain Elopements. This grew out of the realization that the Bow Valley was lacking in offerings of modern elopement packages, especially during a time (hello, COVID!) when larger weddings were simply not an option. 

With Lindsay at the helm, it’s no surprise that RMWE has become the powerhouse it is. 

Her vision for what the company could and can be matched with her passion to build an unstoppable team naturally drew Kristin in to join her. Even in a year like 2020, their drive and passion ensured there wasn’t an option for failure – only more unique opportunities to be creative and innovative. 

They are looking to open a wedding rental and decor division to provide an exclusive added value experience to their existing clients. They also have goals to grow and build their team to increase their capacity for creating unforgettable experiences for their couples. 

Of course, being so passionate about their services, these ladies have found and supported some of the best small, local businesses in the Bow Valley. 

They have great relationships and partnerships with Lorelle from Forget Me Not Flowers, Sam from Sam Marvell Makeup, Aliscia from The Hair Company, Darci from Kake by Darci, Marilyn from Marilyn Reid Weddings, Christine & Ian from Banff Mountaintop Flowers, and of course Lindsay and Matt from Rocky Mountain Photo Co. They also can’t forget to mention some of their favourite small artisans like Salina from Banff Graze Co., Steph from Wong Buddies, and Sam from The Wick’d Candles. Last but not certainly not least, they also wanted to shout out these local businesses doing amazing work: Makaylah and Fia-Lynn from Frankie D’s Donuts, Renee from Remedy Spa, Wildlife Distillery, and Ankor Canmore. Kristin’s personal passion and experience in nutrition puts the Bow Valley Food Alliance high on her list of organizations doing great and important work in the Bow Valley. 

Her job description will never fully capture all the roles she plays on these days, from weather woman to counselor, accountant to designer, outdoor guide to manager of all things – and most importantly, on-call dress floofer. Kristin truly believes that despite COVID being impossibly hard and horrible in some respects, for RMWE it was a blessing in disguise as it taught them to be creative, think outside the box, work within constraints which they had no control over, and has ultimately given them the confidence of knowing that they are ready to face anything the world throws at them in the future. 

With dreams of BIG weddings and tons of dancing, Kristin and Lindsay are ready to help any and everyone make their dream day a reality. You can find out more about their services and offerings online, or head to their Instagram and Facebook pages to stay up to date! With multiple businesses, we’ve included all the links below for ease, but be sure to click on each of them because they all have a unique magic that can’t be missed.

Rocky Mountain Weddings & Events

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Rocky Mountain Elopements

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Rocky Mountain Photo Co.

• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – The ERL Leather Co.

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series!

This week we have the pleasure of featuring an amazing artisan, Emily-Rose Leclerc, of The ERL Leather Company. Emily-Rose is doing amazing, custom leatherwork creating anything from clutches to wallets, postcards to purses, notebooks to sheaths, and so much more.

The ability to choose from a variety of options including carving, stamping, pyrography, molding, dyeing, and painting, each piece Emily-Rose creates is made just so for each client. She can create just about anything, short of original pieces of clothing and horse tack. However, if you have a leather jacket that needs a little bit of extra oomph, Emily-Rose is the girl to call!

With each project being different, inspiration isn’t hard to come by.

Most of her clients come with an idea of a leather good in the back of their mind, and Emily-Rose is the one to put it all together for them. Motivated by seeing the awestruck reactions from her clients when she delivers their finished pieces, it’s easy to see why she keeps going.

It all started when Emily-Rose set out to make her own perfect purse after her go-to started falling apart. Despite spending plenty of time looking for an alternative to her formerly favourite fashion accessory, nothing was measuring up. Eventually, she decided to put her sewing skills to the test and created her own. With a lot of research and a little bit of patience, she successfully created her first leather project in the Yetti Purse, and her love for leatherwork only grew from there. 

Armed with the knowledge of leather sewing and pattern work, the ERL Leather Company was born.

Starting with a few commissions for friends and family, it didn’t take long for Emily-Rose to have enough encouragement to start her business. She was even lucky enough to have a friend in school to become a brand designer and used The ERL Leather Company as her test case for school projects.

She has a dream of being an industry leader in quality leatherwork. Specializing in custom pieces, she hopes to become a household name when it comes to custom leather goods. She’s so confident in her pieces, that The ERL Leather Company offers a lifetime warranty on all leather products for any issues that may arise such as stitching or hardware issues, outside of regular wear and tear.

Emily-Rose is the kind of Bow Valley local that you only rarely encounter.

Originally born in Victoria and spending a bit of time in Quebec as a baby, Emily-Rose landed in Canmore as a toddler and has made the Bow Valley her home ever since. With summers spent on her family farm in Quebec, she found the perfect balance.

Being such a long-time local, Emily Rose has plenty of local shout-outs to make!

Starting with some local artisans, Emily-Rose loves the candles from The Wick’d Candles, the fine yarns and luxury handknits from Pearl Knits, and beautiful jewelry from Mountain Adornment. She also loves to good work being done at Wapiti Sports, Café Books, and Arctic Fox Woodworking. And of course, as an animal lover with feline friends of her own, Emily-Rose wanted to make a mention of the amazing work of the Bow Valley SPCA.

Emily-Rose is passionate and excited about her craft.

She’s excited to see how her business will grow and is committed to learning throughout the process. Her leatherwork is available in three local shops already so you can go find it at Wapiti Sports, Positive Healing, and Prohibition Barber & Bourbon Room. Otherwise, you can contact her for custom orders online, or connect with her through Instagram and Facebook. Make sure to give her a follow and stay up to date with her amazing leatherwork projects!

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – The Rocky Bean Co.

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series – we took a little break to rest and are so excited to come back for some more great features! 

This week we’ve got the privilege to feature the masterminds behind The Rocky Bean Co., an awesome couple who are bringing us Euro-Aussie-inspired coffee in their amazing VW van. Monika and Chris are passionate about their homemade treats and second-to-none coffee and love sharing that with their community every day. 

Despite the name The Rocky Bean Co., Chris and Monika offer not just coffee. 

They also have specialty tea drinks available, with their tea provided by Banff Tea Co., and Matcha Nude. Their coffee is provided by Eclipse Coffee Roasters, and their treats are mostly gluten-free (sometimes vegan) and all baked by Chris! 

Monika and Chris have their business dialed and tasks evenly divided. 

Monika looking after managing events, communication, marketing, accounting, and more while Chris manages the daily operations as well as serving as your barista and baker. They are constantly bringing new ideas to the table with new creations and flavour combos. They’re committed to being as original, consistent, and true to themselves in every way possible. 

It isn’t until customers try the coffee and treats though, that they realize they’ll be keeping their eyes peeled for the van every time they frequent a market afterward. The VW van has allowed Monika and Chris to be mobile, which has been a blessing throughout the pandemic, but does come with its own challenges. Being their own bosses requires a lot of financial responsibility to look out for their business and their family, but they also love the freedom of owning their own small business. 

Since they met, Monika and Chris knew they eventually wanted to operate their own little cafe. 

Monika is from Thurigen, Germany, and comes from a family of food industry professionals. She studied hotel and restaurant management and worked for renowned hotels and big events. Chris is from Vendée, France, and has been baking since he was a kid with his grandmother. He went on to study pastry and has since worked in Michelin-starred restaurants with renowned chefs. 

Chris and Monika met while they were both working in Davos, Switzerland. 

From there, they began traveling and working together with their adventures taking them all across Europe and into Australia and New Zealand. Eventually, in 2010, they made their way to Canada and found work at the Post Hotel & Spa in Lake Louise. What had started as a one-year travel visa turned into a 5-year job for both of them, until they started their family and took over The Rocky Bean Co. in 2015. 

 In 2015, Chris and Monika had some great Aussie friends who unfortunately lost their jobs due to the fires in Fort Mac. These friends recognized that finding a good cappuccino or flat white was still nearly impossible, so they bought a VW van and The Rocky Bean Co. was born. They operated the business for the summer in Penticton, after which they found a new adventure to pursue so Monika and Chris took over in 2016. 

Monika and Chris are now based in Exshaw, but you can find them in the van all over the Bow Valley. 

Being so involved in the Bow Valley community and have some great shout-outs to make! Of course, their partnership with Eclipse Coffee Roasters can’t go unmentioned, as well as getting their teas from Banff Tea Co. and Matcha Nude. They also love the work being done and the products provided by Valbella Gourmet Foods, Wild Life Distillery, and Sheepdog Brewing. Both working in the food industry for 20+ years, they hold a special place in their hearts for organizations like the Bow Valley Food Alliance. Chris and Monika are shocked to still see the lack of food security in their countries, and the general lack of education about good food, how to grow and prepare food, which the Bow Valley Food Alliance works hard at addressing. 

A business is like riding a bike…
if you stop moving forward, you lose your balance. 

While they are vaguely thinking about opening a brick-and-mortar coffee shop in the future, for now, they are very happy with their mobile business set-up and the freedom it allows them. They love seeing happy and returning customers and are eternally grateful for all the amazing support they’ve had from Bow Valley locals over the years. They hope to see their community continue to support and shop local and would love to see the Bow Valley welcome more small, local businesses instead of introducing bigger, chain box-stores. 

They are working to find a balance between work and spending quality family time with their two kids, and are eager to make their way home to see family. 

If you are looking for great coffee or tea and delicious treats, make sure to follow The Rocky Bean Co. on Instagram and Facebook, or find them online. They can always be found at the Banff Farmers Market on Wednesdays and the Canmore Farmers Market on Thursdays – both markets wrap up their seasons in early October so make sure to check them out soon! 

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Ocean to Mountain Seafoods

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

Being in a landlocked province, the Bow Valley can be a very tough place to find great seafood. This is something James (Jamie) Jenkins and Trevor Whitehead recognized and set out to fix this year by opening Ocean to Mountain Seafoods! 

Offering both direct-to-consumer and wholesale options, they have become a reliable source for amazing seafood. 

Ocean to Mountain Seafoods have quickly made themselves a recognized part of the Bow Valley Community. 

Easily recognizable in their white pop-up tent around town, you can find fresh seafood available four days a week throughout Canmore. They are set up at Valbella Gourmet Foods on Tuesdays, the Banff Farmers Market on Wednesdays, the Canmore Mountain Market on Thursdays, and Canadian Tire on Fridays.

However, this isn’t the only way to get your hands on some great seafood! Online ordering if the best way to have fresh seafood delivered right to your door. The best days to order are Sunday for delivery on Tuesday, or Tuesday for delivery on Thursday! Mondays tend to be trickier for live products, but the guys will often have lots of flash-frozen products at the ready!

Trevor and Jamie came together at the end of 2020 to put together their business plan and launched it in May 2021. 

Originally arriving in Canmore in 2003, Trevor acted as General Manager for many years at two local institutions, The Drake Pub and The Rose & Crown. Eventually, his passion for cooking was undeniable and he returned to the kitchen, most recently at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre. During his time in the Bow Valley, Trevor even competed in a Top Chef-style competition as part of Canmore Uncorked, winning in his first year! Trevor’s impressive experience and knowledge of the food and beverage industry in the Bow Valley helped him recognize the need for a solution to providing the Bow Valley with fresher and higher-quality seafood. 

At 18, he was drafted as a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and attended college in Pasco Hernando, FL. In 2002, Jamie left the coast for the mountains and arrived in Banff ready to explore and learn all he could about the Rockies. 2011 saw Jamie move to Vancouver to pursue an acting and film career, but the mountains called him back 9 years later and Jamie couldn’t resist. Jamie’s diverse experience and a wide array of connections from east to west allowed him to leverage his skills and jump head-first into starting Ocean to Mountain Seafoods. 

Opening a small business in Canmore during the pandemic hasn’t been without its challenges.

Jamie and Trevor have worked hard to be reliable with their product and honest with their customers about availability. Their seafood is flown in twice a week from both coasts, allowing them to offer both live and flash-frozen seafood options. With understandably variable pricing and product availability, the best place to check is their website to order or to visit them at any of their weekly locations above. 

With their combined 35+ years in the Bow Valley, Trevor and Jamie have a few local shout-outs to share!

The first few are clothing brand Pacific & Moss Co., jewelry maker Tiffany Teske, and writer/photographer Jamey Glasnovic. For local businesses in town, they wanted to shout out Bow Valley Moving Company and Evoolution as doing great work! They also can’t be remiss to mention the businesses that have supported them throughout the first few months of opening, including Stonewaters and Valbella Gourmet Foods. 

Primarily looking to build their online inventory and directory to focus on consumer sales, they also have a vision of opening a brick-and-mortar seafood market! The past few months have taught them lessons in managing expectations, staying organized, and not taking anything for granted. 

They have had a great reception from both tourists and Bow Valley locals and are eager to see where they can go from here. Next time you’re looking for fresh seafood to celebrate an occasion or simply treat yourself to something special, look no further than Jamie and Trevor at Ocean to Mountain Seafoods. Make sure to follow them on Instagram and Facebook for all their latest updates, or place your order online!

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Lighthouse Hair

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

We’re so excited to be featuring another amazing female-owned and operated business in the Bow Valley! Leesa Manchen and Kate Eynon from Lighthouse Hair opened their salon in August 2020 in Canmore. 

They are advocates for inclusivity and prioritize everyone feeling safe and welcome at their salon. Their dedication to their work is unlike any other, and they are entirely committed to building their clients’ self-confidence and making them feel good about themselves. This is way more than just a job for these ladies. They aren’t just hairstylists, but rather friends who garner trusting relationships with their clients and want the absolute best for them. 

Lighthouse Hair focuses on colour services, but also provides cutting and styling. 

In March 2020, Kate and Leesa saw the opportunity to start their own business. Knowing that working for themselves aligned with their goals, and suddenly having time on their hands to plan their business, these two decided it was time to make some moves. 

Not only were they opening a hair salon in the middle of a pandemic, but they were both also working full-time jobs in the meantime. The learning curve was huge for Leesa and Kate, but ultimately their hard work paid off. In opening Lighthouse Hair, Leesa and Kate have learnt not to worry about things that are outside of their control, and that no one is going to do the work for you. 

Great hair and happy clients aren’t the only things that matter to Kate and Leesa.

They are also passionate about and committed to the environment. Lighthouse Hair has partnered with Green Circle Salons, a company that recycles salon waste sustainably. All the foils, paper, excess colour, and plastics used at the salon are being responsibly recycled.

Leesa and Kate have 10+ years of experience that they bring to the table. 

Originally from Wales, Kate started an apprenticeship in 2008 and has been at it ever since. Now based in Canmore, Kate continues to find inspiration from entrepreneurs and salon owners like Jamie Sea, who also runs an education collective. Leesa moved to Banff in 2011 from Windsor, Ontario and has made Banff her home ever since. After giving her very first haircut when she was only 15, Leesa has been working in salons since and looks up to Calgary-local, Farhana Premji who owns The Beige Label. 

Rounding out their team of hairstylists, Lighthouse Hair also has the brilliant minds of Tiffany Newbiggings and Felicia Roberts, with Karen greeting customers and keeping them organized at reception They also can’t be remiss not to mention their amazing sales rep Deandra. Kate and Leesa are excited to continue growing their team while providing a space for stylists and educators from around the world to come and learn.

Of course, having both been in the Bow Valley for the past decade, these two had their own local businesses to shout out! 

Kate and Leesa wanted to send some love to Natt Millar, reflexologist and reiki master, as well as past Local Love features Steph Wong from Wong Buddies and Salina McNamara Reimer from Banff Graze Co. They also called out Summit Lifestyle & Performance, Bow Valley Crossfit, and Remedy Skincare & Spa. Lighthouse Hair also partners regularly with Julia Joy Makeup Artistry. 

With their first anniversary coming up, make sure you’re following them on Instagram and Facebook to help Kate and Leesa celebrate their achievements! And, whether you’re looking for an end-of-summer refresh, a quick cut, or a full overhaul check out their services and book online!

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!

Local Love Blog Series – Frankie D’s Donuts

Welcome back to the Local Love Blog Series! 

This week’s feature has been taking the Bow Valley by storm and we’re so excited to feature them here. Makaylah and Fia-Lynn are the human masterminds behind Frankie D’s Donuts, taking inspiration from Frankie D herself. 

Each month, Frankie’s D’s moms get geared up for what is now lovingly known as “Donut Days” around town. With people coming in from Calgary and the surrounding area for these treats, it’s undeniable that they are doing something right! 

With donut lovers who want delicious, made-from-scratch treats filled with love in mind, these ladies have it nailed. 

Makaylah and Fia-Lynn will typically cook up donuts in 2 classic flavours like Old Fashion Glazed, Maple, or Vanilla bean, and then they add a Specialty Flavour of the month. They also offer Apple Fritters (which are my personal favourite) and are even working on new Fritter flavours! Even better, they have come up with some fun treats for our four-legged friends of the canine and feline variety with Doggie and Kitty donuts! 

Well because of Frankie D herself, of course! Frankie inspires her moms every day by being present in the moment, goofy, and fun. She keeps them going when something goes wrong in the kitchen, or they’re tired from long overnight baking shifts. Plus, she really loves donuts!

Although they’re just getting started, Makaylah and Fia-Lynn have big dreams for Frankie D’s Donuts. 

With a goal of someday opening their own donut shop in Canmore, these women are off to a great start! Their favorite part of their business is getting to see the glowing faces of eager customers picking up their donuts, so why wouldn’t they want to make that an everyday thing? 

In December 2019, the donut obsession began and hasn’t slowed down since.

Fia-Lynn ignited her passion for baking in December 2019 and the first thing she made was donuts. While the baking continued for a few months, it wasn’t until April 2020 during a conversation with a friend that the idea for Frankie D’s got going. At this point, Frankie D’s moms knew they could really make something great with their donuts and got to work. 

They have great support and help from the community to get going. 

Once they experimented with more donut flavours and had a rough plan for the business, Makaylah and Fia-Lynn knew they had to find a kitchen and the proper licensing to sell their craft! With the help of Yuka from Yowza Kitchen Co. for the licensing advice, and the crew at Tavern 1883 for the use of their kitchen, Frankie D’s Donuts was officially born! 

Customers know to be on the lookout for their Donut Day announcements and set alarms for Donut Order Day because they are always guaranteed to sell out! Having personally made the mistake of not setting a reminder for Order Day and being left with only myself to blame for a donut-less Donut Day, I highly recommend not making the same mistake. However, if for some reason you miss Order Day, Frankie D’s moms still have your back with the Donut waitlist where those on the list will be contacted to pick up some donuts at a moment’s notice if there are extras or no-shows! 

So, of course, with all the local support from businesses and the community, Makaylah and Fia-Lynn wanted to shout out a few of their favourites!

They both love Alonso from Bow Valley Empanadas, and Alberta’s Own Marketplace – the go-to spot for mugs and artisan items for these ladies. They also want to shine a light on Andrew from Flooded Ink, who designed their logo and illustrated Frankie oh so well! Lastly, check out this recent Instagram post to see the latest adventure they took with the Canadian Rockies Experience! 

Communitea Café has been an inspiration to Makaylah and Fia-Lynn since the beginning and has been incredibly supportive ever since buying donuts on Donut Days. They are also big into collaborations, including working with Le Chocolatier, P.S. Modern Cuisine, and Red Gables who provide the local farm-raised Hutterite eggs for the donuts. 

They make sure to keep an eye on balancing health and wellbeing, fun and play, while also being able to be very ambitious and passionate about building their business. Luckily, they have Frankie there to help them out with this part knowing that she also needs their love through walks, pets, and obviously treats! 

So, how do you get your hands on these amazing, ginormous donuts? 

Make sure you’re following them on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss the announcement for Donut Order Day – and then mark it in your calendar and circle it in red. Three times. With big exclamation marks! On order day, you’ll be able to select your donuts from their website, and then pick them up a few days later! 

Interested in being featured in the Local Love Blog Series? Check out more information here and make sure to follow us on Instagram!