Down to Earth Health Shop: Healthy Products for People and Planet
Owners: Kym Gillett and Kevin Friesen
Location: Fort Nelson, BC
Website:www.downtoearthhealthshop.com
The Business
Fort Nelson, BC’s Down to Earth Health Shop offers an eclectic mix of healthy, environmentally-friendly lifestyle products including everything from pet care and organic produce to clothing, books and smoothies.
Owners Kim Gillett and Kevin Friesen strive to carry products from suppliers with green business practices, and also to engage in such practices themselves. When the business outgrew its original location, the owners worked hard to ensure their new location was built with the most earth-friendly materials and methods possible.
The Founders
Originally employees of the forest industry, Gillett and Friesen became dissatisfied with the environmental impact of their professions. After deciding life was too short to waste time doing something they didn’t love, they jumped ship for greener pastures. They purchased a health food store, and have since moved to a bigger location due to positive response. They remain committed to helping people make healthier consumer choices both for themselves and for the planet.
The Small Business BC Connection
Gillett and Friesen were impressed with the wealth of business guidance and information available through Small Business BC. Particularly, the shop owners found the Dragons’ Den Pitch seminar a great source for business insight. They also appreciated the opportunity to network with Small Business BC staff and other business owners, including one of their suppliers, who happened to be one of Dragons’ Den’s biggest success stories.
Down to Earth Health Shop tied with Frogbox to win the Best Green Company award at the Small Business BC 2010 Successful You Awards, held at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver.
Small Business BC Seminars & Resources for businesses like Down to Earth Health Shop:
- Powerful Marketing for Small Business
- Are You Thinking of Importing?
- Retail Distribution – Move Your Product Line to Retail Market
- Commercial Real Estate Agreements and the Law
Entrepreneurial Advice
If you’re looking to start a business in a small community, Gillett and Friesen suggest spending time researching what’s available in your area and finding your own unique offering. In small communities, they note, there isn’t much room for overlap, and often communities are loyal and won’t support the ‘new guy’.
They also stress the importance of not judging a book by its cover in terms of the small town mentality. Don’t assume that something won’t work based on this stereotype – often there are many different cultures and personalities in a small community. If the idea you want to promote isn’t currently represented in your area, you can be the change you wish to see, and your efforts could be recognized as a positive contribution to the community.
Last but not least, be good to your community and they’ll be good to your business. Small communities are particularly supportive and can help you achieve success.
See more Stories and Tips From The Small Business BC Network
Review a complete range of small business seminars and resources.
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