VK Accelerate Latest Success Fern & Frond

After the very successful launch of our first VK Accelerate candidates (Calli Duncan and Brianne Sheppard, owners of Far & Wide), we are excited to announce our second candidate, Chelsea Hogan, owner of Fern & Frond has been accepted into the program and officially opened her storefront studio at 105-1428 Lorne Street East in Kamloops, British Columbia.

Chelsea first came to Venture Kamloops through the Start Here 3.0 program over a year ago after relocating to Kamloops from the Calgary area. Having run a successful home-based business in Alberta, Chelsea was eager to learn about the Kamloops business environment, market traits, competition and her target market statistics.

Chelsea took her knowledge gained through the Start Here 3.0 program and put it to use by proving her home-based business was viable and ready to take the next steps; in matching her unique products and services to the needs and desires of her specific target market and became our next accepted candidate into the VK Accelerate program.

Candidates within the VK Accelerate program work closely with business professionals to help accelerate their business through the start-up phase. Working alongside community partners and business support service providers, candidates secure required financing, negotiate custom lease agreements, work with a business coach, interior designers, marketing agencies, commercial photographers and the media over a 6-month period to launch their bricks and mortar location.

Fern & Frond floral studio offers graceful seasonal floral arrangements for every day, gift giving, special occasions, weddings centerpieces and bouquets that are breathtaking. Unique to Fern and Frond are their corporate floral/décor, weekly or bi-weekly floral subscriptions/delivery and handtied bouquets for pick-up during business hours. The store location also includes a curated offering of plants, home decor, self-care items and unique gift ware.

“Choosing to start a business or expand a home-based business into its first bricks and mortar location can be scary and even a bit lonely with so many decisions to make and limited information and expertise to go on” says Nicole Bruce, Economic Development Manager at Venture Kamloops. “Often entrepreneurs have a passion for what they do but they don’t necessarily have a business background to guide them. The VK Accelerate program offers a team of expertise to help support the business owner through the natural progression of a business start-up. They build their business acumen by working with the program professionals to minimize roadblocks and barriers to growth as much as possible.”

Are you the next VK Accelerate Candidate? Contact us today to discuss this unique program and the possibility of taking your home-based business to the next level.

About VK Accelerate
Now Accepting Applicants

With a successful pilot business under our belt, we are currently accepting select applicants to be a part of this valuable program. If you are looking to start a storefront business and would like to take advantage of personal consultation with industry experts, the opportunity to receive reduced initial lease rates and much more, apply now.

Learn More

Proud Business Supporters


Community Partners


For More Information
Contact Nicole Bruce


Economic Development Manager

Phone: 250.828.6818
Toll Free: 1.888.526.5667
nbruce@venturekamloops.com

VK FAST FACT
EMPLOYMENT

The number of people employed in Kamloops is estimated at nearly 49,000 and is projected to increase to nearly 51,000 by 2022.