45
3
B C B U S I N E S S . C A
A P R I L / M AY 2 0 2 5 C o v e r : N ik W e s t ; 11: J e t s o n ; 2 3 : S h e r i n g h a m D i s t ill e r y ; 5 7: N i c o l e R o b e r t s o n P h o t o ; 3 6 : To u r i s m N a n ai m o ; 4 5 : p H 7 Te c h n o l o g i e s
CONTENTS
23
B.C.'s Most Economically Resilient Cities in 2025
Our 11th annual ranking uncovers hidden gems to live, work and play in. Vancouver Island
cities (like Langford, home to Sheringham Distillery) make the top of the list, while spirits
are lower in some of Metro Vancouver's once-lauded locales
BY MICHAEL MCCULLOUGH
36
The Port in the Storm
In tricky financial times, Nanaimo is proving
to be more than a pit stop for mainlanders
on their way to Victoria: a buzzy downtown,
convenient transportation options and new
economic opportunities have BCers taking
notice and laying down roots
BY NATHAN CADDELL
45
The Disruptors
Even as B.C. navigates what some have
called a bear market for the tech industry,
there are many companies that are
innovating and changing the ways we
do things. We take a look at five that are
making marks in sectors like manufacturing,
mining and architecture
BY NATHAN CADDELL
AND RUSHMILA RAHMAN
C H A T T E R
6
EDITOR'S DESK
Resilient measures
T H E I N B O X
9
FASHION
The forces behind
Champlain Apparel are
confident a new retail
brand can survive with
some old tricks
10
GO FIGURE
Essential stats to know
for Vancouver's first
Web Summit
11
CLIMATE
With sustainability top
of mind, B.C. tech leader
Stephen Lake pumps it
(greener)
14
THE CONVERSATION
Navin Arora of Telus
talks balance,
communication,
leadership and
Yellowstone
16
LAND VALUES
Vancouver business
owners find that laneway
property is right up
their alley
18
SMALL TOWN
SUCCESS
Constellation Apparel
shoots for the stars
on Saltspring Island,
celebrating post-birth
bodies
Q U A L I T Y T I M E
57
WEEKEND WARRIOR
Forget the neighsayers:
being a "horse girl"
makes Miriam Alden a
better entrepreneur
58
SOCIAL CUES
Transparency on social
media is part of the daily
grind at Cowdog Coffee
60
CARRY ON
Checking in on unique
hotel amenities (think
dream reading, tea
sommeliers and
stargazing concierges)
62
WORKING
ARGUMENTS
Are shorts appropriate
office apparel? It's a long
story
64
INVENTORY
B.C.'s tiny home
builders think small and
sustainable
66
WORST DAY
ON THE JOB
Wentworth Hospitality
executive chef Bobby
Milheron opens up about
his kitchen nightmare
V O L U M E 5 3 N U M B E R 3
23
36
F E A T U R E S
