Alanna McAdie and Yosuke Mino Photo courtesy of the RWB

Harman Dhaliwal and Gabrielle
Zoppa have come through the hard times together. When the duo started Spa Botanica six years ago, “we had zero dollars,” said Dhaliwal.

Before moving to The Good Will Social Club at 625 Portage Ave. in January, Randy Khounnoraj and Korene McCaig operated Khao House, a 10-seat restaurant they opened in their West Broadway home in 2016.

Obby Khan knew he had a strong personal brand after a long career in the Canadian Football league. “I was well-known. Eight and half of 10 people liked me,” he joked. “I have a recognizable face.”

When we talk about “local business”, we’re talking about local ownership and independent decision making. Ownership is important because value stays local.

After Bernie Whetter left his management position at Wheat City Seeds in 2005, he found himself at a crossroads. Not knowing how to proceed, Whetter asked himself, “What do I like doing?”

Breaking down mattresses is one way to build a new life. Employees
at Mother Earth Recycling often arrive without prior work experience and other
barriers to employment, from limited access to child care to a criminal record.