Ashcroft Bakery & Coffee Shop
Owned and operated by Rayla Reid
Fresh for the customers are donuts, pies, tarts, cookies, cakes, nanaimo bars, pastries, cheesecake, butterhorns, soup and Breads. They not only take over the counter orders but they also take larger orders for businesses. The bakery also has specialty coffees and Icecream!
Rayla is grateful for the support she has received and said: "Community Futures Sun Country helps to keep me on track and really helped out when I had trouble with bookkeeping."
Come on in for a great cup of coffee and a fresh baked donut and take home a loaf of famous Ashcroft Bakery bread. You can call (250) 453-9212 for larger orders or stop in at 303 3rd Street.
Ashcroft Barber Shop
Owned and operated by Lene Madeiros
"I took my training in Vernon and then apprenticed for a barber in Kamloops. I offer hair cuts, shaving, scalp massage and beard trimming. I don’t carry any product but if one of my customers needed clippers or something else I would be happy to order it in for them." I don’t take appointments as it is walk in only. I have a great location right by the Credit Union on Brink Street. "90 percent of my clientele is male and 10 percent is female.
"My only regret is that I didn’t start earlier. Community Futures Sun Country was wonderful and really made a single woman feel respected as a business woman. They didn’t criticize or discriminate and were very easy to talk to. They are about the people not the money."
Come and get your hair cut today at 311 Brink Street.
Ashcroft Electric
Owned and operated by Bob McCormick
"I love my work, I’m good at it and I like helping people!" Bob has been an electrician with a difference for a while now. The difference being he likes to work with his customers to solve their problems not tell them what to do. He also makes it a point to be very reliable and be there when he says he will. If he can’t he phones to let his customers know he has been delayed and when to expect him. "People want to know."
I give my customers reliable work at a reasonable price. I have been doing lots of work for local ranchers and farmers, helping them upgrade and design for their irrigation systems. They cannot afford any downtime so we work together to develop a system that works for them."
"I also have a solar power dealership with ‘Soltech’ and hope to provide this service as the need arises."
"In the future I would like to expand and offer neon signs. Right now I can work and order through my son’s business in Prince George but if I find someone that is reliable and the need is there I will bring the business to ASHCROFT."
Bob worked in Prince George and Vancouver for many years and decided it was time to find a house here in Ashcroft and make it his home. "I wanted to get out of the rat race and loved the area and the people so I made the move. I went to Community Futures Sun Country and they helped me get my idea on paper. They were great, and to this day I still use my business plan to go back as a reference point for my business. I have learned to give my business time to develop a reputation and be patient so that people can get to know me and the quality of my work. Word of mouth is my greatest selling tool. I give my customers reliable work at a reasonable price."
If you are in need of a reliable electrician call BOB at ASHCROFT ELECTRIC
(250) 453-9099. Great service at reasonable rates.
Astral Sound
Owned and operated by Anita Ladoski
When the hall is rocking you can bet that Anita’s vivacious personality is on stage warming up the crowd for a good time. "I love to sing, it makes me happy but what really gets me going is when people get up to sing. I have built up my music to over 1600 songs. I love to DJ as well. I really give it my all to make sure everyone has a grand old time. I invested everything into my equipment. I love to dress up for occasions like Christmas or Halloween. For the 40’s & 50’s party I made a 57 Chevy for the stage backdrop and dressed the part. This really sets the mood for a successful event when the DJ is excited about the party too. I really know how to throw a good party for the people that hire me. I have a portfolio of back drops and decorations I have made. It sets the ambience for the whole event."
She also has her Diploma for Interior Design and an Award of Merit for her project. She wants to expand her services to her customers by planning theme parties or any special events for that something extra to make it a memorable time for the guests or patrons.
"The support I received from Community Futures Sun Country is excellent. They are always there for me and willing to help. They have become great friends too!"
So if you have a special community event or planning a personal party to celebrate a reunion, birthday or anniversary give Anita a call at (250) 453-9613. She would be happy to share ideas with you.
Banabihari Forest Enterprises
Owned and operated by Jim McComb
Jim’s environmental concerns prompted him to study the natural eco systems and how important they are. The health of the forest affects all parts of the eco system from the watershed to soil conditions.
Jim’s sensitivity and concerns about the impact of modern society on the environment led him to study organic farming and understanding of eco systems. Perseverance saw Jim through all the red tape to secure a wood lot and after 8 years was awarded the license. The woodlots that landowners can apply for are 2nd growth timber. The trees grow too close together, are thick and need weeding out. This supply is used for posts and rails. He has a machine to peel the smaller logs and is researching a way to preserve them.
Jim studied forestry and has use of a portable sawmill. He produces customer cut lumber. The timber is from the wood selectively harvested from the woodlot.
Jim’s long-term goal is to pursue value-added wood products on a larger scale and employ more people. Jim currently employs 4 ½ people. Community Futures Sun Country helped Jim with his business development.
The world is a better place because of BANABIHARI FOREST ENTERPRISES.
To reach Jim be patient. Just don’t give up and call at (250) 457-7171.
The Princess Quilt Studio
Owned and operated by Barb Gyoba
Barb was raised in a family of quilters. She has been quilting for over 30 years. The studio is across from her home at 909 Hill Street. Barb has turned the whole condo into a quilt studio. Upstairs is her ‘personal’ quilting space for current projects. The middle floor is dedictaed to workshops where she teaches quilting to people who are interested in this creative art.
She has a huge dining room table that fits 3 people on each side as well as one on each end. The downstairs has the large 14ft. long arm quilting machine and three sewing stations. The studio also has several cutting boards and Barb stocks backing and batting. Most of her customers have saved pieces of material to create their own unique quilts.
She charges $10 a day to come and sew. Workshops are $30 for the day. I charge by the hour to sew the quilt on the long arm machine. Her operating hours are from nine to five but when a project needs finishing they keep at it.
"I received great support from Community Futures Sun Country. They never gave up on me. I love the people and the studio is a perfect working environment for our little community of quilters. So come in and visit and watch for my newsletter in January with the workshop schedule. I bet once you try it, you will become addicted to the art of quilting just like the rest of us."
For more info give Barb a call: (250) 453-9322 (after 5:00 p.m.)
Reds Hair Hop
Owned and operated by Kim Jennen
On June the 1st, 2004 RED’S HAIR HOP opened the doors.
Red’s Hair Hop offers hair cuts, color, perms, special hair styling for special events such as graduation and weddings. Kim has her diploma in extensions and can do all kinds. Kim’s favourite is the creativity involved in coloring. Her shop also provides hair products such as shampoo, conditioners & hairsprays.
"My special moments are with my elderly clients that come in for their shampoo and sets."
In June of 2006 RED’S HAIR HOP expanded and moved to #1 201 Railway Ave. (in the Village Mall). Darlene Serle dba Sassy Nails is working with Kim.
Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 9:00 to 5:00 and Thursday and Friday 9:00 to 7:00.
For an appointment call (250) 453-2004.
Venables Valley Ranch
Owned and operated by Janaki Koostria
Janaki enrolled in the Wilderness Guide Training course out of Goldbridge. It was an intensive two week experience and she remembers roughing it but learning safety and even how to shoe her horse. Janaki also acquired her Possessions and Acquisition license so she can ensure the safety of her clients out on the trail should they encounter a predator which she said is highly unlikely.
Janaki is extremely capable and has developed trail rides to suit various customers riding abilities. She is offering a 1 ½ hour ride, a 3 hour ride and 5 hour ride. The rides range from sauntering down an easy trail for beginners to an advanced ride with more challenges for the experienced rider.
Venables Valley Ranch now owns 5 horses and is hoping to expand as the business grows. Janaki also offers riding lessons for beginners. She is currently teaching riding lessons three times a week. The third service Venables Valley Ranch offers is boarding and care for horses. Janaki has built her own corral. She welcomes overnight RV’s.
A fourth service Jananki offers is horse training. She will work the horse for 30 days to get it past ‘green broke’ so that it is not bucking or rearing.
"In five years I will have more horses and be offering overnight trail rides. I love being my own boss. It gives me the freedom to work 12 hour days, 7 days a week and see things happen. I am really happy slaving away because it is for my business!"
She really means that as Venables Valley Ranch in open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm 7 days a week!
VENEBLES VALLEY RANCH is located 27 km. South of Ashcroft and 6 km. up the valley. Just give Janaki a call at (250) 457-0340 to book a trail ride, a lesson, board your horse, train your horse or bring your RV and go for a ride.
