- Members in good standing of Sunshine Coast Credit Union that operate an active business account prior to November 1st, 2020 (eligible for $5000) or new business members joining the credit union before December 4, 2020 (eligible for $2500)
- Businesses that are: sole proprietorships, partnerships, joint ventures or corporations
- Businesses that are resident on the Sunshine Coast (Earl’s Cove to Langdale) but may serve any markets outside of the Sunshine Coast
- Businesses that have been in operation since March 1st, 2019
Together we can do this.
We have put aside $200,000 to share with our business community in support of your reinvention!
Let’s start rebuilding today.
Sunshine Coast Credit Union Members were invited to apply for a grant (up to $5,000) through our Business Grant offering. Providing entrepreneurs with some non-repayable re-boot funding is our way of supporting you in re-imagining what is possible for your business, whether it’s creating new ways to serve your customers, finding opportunities to expand your market or investing in your employees. We looked to fund initiatives that focus on new technologies, safety, employee training, research and new products and services. While our commercial services team is still right here to support your lending needs, our intention with this new program was to provide immediate financial support outside of our existing lending solutions.
We are one coast, one community, one local economy. Let’s grow together.
Frequently Asked Questions -How to apply **APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED**
Who can apply?
What can the funds be used for?
- Purchasing or enhancing safety equipment to keep employees and clients safe at the business
- Purchasing or enhancing technology (software or hardware) to improve client access to services and goods at the business
- Training or educating employees for new roles, safety procedures, service in virtual environments or to use new technology to serve clients
- Recruiting new talent to reside on the Sunshine Coast (other than wages and salary expenses)
- Designing new products, services or features
- Expanding to new markets Research to determine new markets or needs of consumers
How much is the grant?
- Up to a maximum in 2020 of $5000 for those businesses that have completed some form of training or learning and development in the past 12 months and have been business members in good standing of SCCU prior to November 1, 2020.
- Up to a maximum in 2020 of $2500 for businesses that have not completed some form of training or learning and development in the past 12 months and/or are new business members in good standing of SCCU between November 1, 2020 and December 4, 2020.
What is the total availability of grants?
Sunshine Coast Credit Union made available up to $100,000 in aggregate as grants for Round 1 and 2 and $50,000 to be distributed for Round 3 to successful applicants under this program.
When can I get the grant?
- Intake 1 – deadline for application July 8 – responses by July 15 *COMPLETED
- Intake 2 – deadline for application August 31 - responses by Sept 15 *COMPLETED
- Intake 3 - deadline for applications December 4 - responses by December 18 *COMPLETED
Successful grant applicants will be advised by email and funds will be credited to their account
How do I apply for the grant?
- An on-line application is available HERE
- Only completed on-line applications will be considered
**please review qualification parameters below**
How do I qualify for the grant?
The purpose of the grant is to help businesses evolve their business model to be successful in the post COVID world. For specific details, see the scoring matrix found in the Terms and Conditions. Among other things, we will be looking for the following qualities:
- Profitable business operations pre COVID
- Illustration of innovative service during COVID
- Connection to community – how does your business impact the community in addition to what you sell
- Businesses that have utilized other programs – government, non-profit to help their business thrive in the last 6 months
The guidelines set out herein are primary eligibility criteria only. Sunshine Coast Credit Union reserves the right to determine, in its sole discretion, which applications are selected to receive grant funding.
Do I need to repay the grant?
No. Funds received by successful applicants pursuant to this program and used for the purposes set out in an approved application are a grant and do not need to be repaid to Sunshine Coast Credit Union.
Which applications will not be considered?
- To support ongoing operating costs including wages and salaries
- In response to fundraising campaigns
- To cover deficits
- To retire debts
- To fund activities that serve primarily the membership or purposes of religious or political organizations
- To fund businesses that do not reside on the lower Sunshine Coast (Earl’s Cove to Langdale)
- For non-members
Read how our grant program is helping businesses in our community
Round 1 Recipients:
Persephone Brewing Company
What will the grant be going towards?
"This grant will go towards setting up a long term multi-farm Community Supported Agriculture program for the Sunshine Coast. This program is in its inaugural year right now, with 30 total shares available, but we would like to see both the number of partner farms (4 currently) and shares grow in the upcoming years."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Persephone is committed to providing a clean, open-air spot for people to relax and enjoy a beverage. We have three large picnic areas and an undercover patio so people can be appropriately spaced. We are open seven days a week, and our whole site is car-free during the Gibsons Farmers Market on Sundays from 10-3 pm."
You can follow @persephonebrewing on social and visit online at www.persephonebrewing.com/farm-programs/community-food-box
Kelly Schuster Speech & Language Therapy
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"This grant means the world to me. Anyone who works with me knows, my clients are like family to me. Not being able to see my clients in person, and not having the financial means to equip my office with adequate safety measures these past few months has been devastating. This grant will allow me to begin to see my wonderful clients in person once more, and will further enable me to provide ongoing and enhanced teletherapy services to my immunocompromised clients. I am so grateful to the SCCU for all the support they have given me!"
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"I am a Speech-Language Pathologist registered with provincial and federal bodies, offering intervention for individuals of all ages! Although my primary focus is children on the Autism Spectrum, I also offer therapy for early language skills, speech sound disorders, language impairments, social skills, stuttering, literacy and learning challenges, and much more. I plan to resume in-person sessions in the near future, but am also offering ongoing Teletherapy, available to clients across B.C."
You can follow @kellyschusterslt on social and visit her online at www.kellyschusterslt.com
Moorestock
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"This SCCU grant provides us with the necessary funding to work through the technological hurdles that have been limiting us from opening our e-commerce platform. This will be essential to our future success, especially if we're faced with another pandemic related shut down. We're so grateful our local credit union supports us in advancing our business endeavours, so we can continue to support our community."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Our Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, from 10:00 - 5:00 and Sundays / Holidays from 12:00 - 4:00. We are limiting the amount of customers in the store to ensure proper space for appropriate social distancing. We have increased cleaning of all high touch surfaces, and our change rooms are sanitized in between each customer use. We offer hand sanitizer and encourage hand cleaning upon entry of the store and at time of payment. We're also open to any means of more contactless shopping, IE ordering through social media, curbside pick up, home delivery or shipping via Canada Post. "
You can follow @moorestockoutfitters on Instagram and /moorestock.outfitters on facebook
Tapworks Brewing
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"This grant from the Credit Union is indicative of the support the community has for us. They've got our backs and so do you! It's this kind of support and attitude that will make our community stronger coming out of this.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"With the support of Sunshine Coast Credit Union, we have a new bar on our beautiful rooftop patio! It helps reduce the number of touchpoints between you and our beer which keeps you, our team and the community safe during the pandemic. We also have an expanded service area next to our building to maximize our outdoor and physically distanced seating."
You can follow @tapworksbrewing on social and visit them online at www.gibsonstapworks.com
Skylux Homes Limited
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"This grant means that we are able to expand our business in these new and unprecedented times and really have an opportunity to connect with the parts of our community that we haven’t necessarily been able to connect with before. This will allow us to hire others within the community and continue to give great service. We are so thankful for this grant and want to thank SCCU for such a generous opportunity."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"In an effort to be innovative and branch out into different sectors of construction we have created a custom roofing company that will specialize in: EuroShield Rubber Roofing, Metal & EPDM.Company name reveal to follow.We hope that by expanding our business with a focus on specialized custom roofing – we will be able to really connect with our community and build our brand. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work and this is another endeavor that will allow our skills to shine."
You can follow Skylux Home Limited at @SkyLuxHomes on social and visit them online at www.skyluxhomeslimited.com
Christopher Norman Chocolates
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"With this grant we will purchase a new computer and invest further in our web development, including social media. We have been donating 5% of our sales to COVID-19 research from our online sales, generated by our Quarantini Collection. We will follow this with another COVID related confection in the autumn. We also plan on purchasing a new freezer.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"We would like our customers to know that we are providing custom hand-made chocolates that go directly from our company’s atelier to the customer’s table. Our company is a two-man operation, working out of a custom kitchen built into the bottom floor of our home.Due to the COVID situation, we have added to our sanitation practice, using an ozonator weekly. Having worked in NYC during the 9/11 crises gives us a good understanding of what is currently going on. Our facility is solar-assisted, and we incorporate zero waste practices as well as water collection"
You can follow Christopher Norman Chocolates at @christopherNormanChocolates on Facebook or visit www.CNChocolates.com
Nevermore Toys & Games
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"The SCCU grant means that we can continue to survive through the hardest time of our lives. This grant will allow for a little peace of mind knowing that we will get through tough times ahead and will allow us to make some needed upgrades to our business equipment in order to be successful and safe through this pandemic."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Our storefront is open for in store shopping, curbside pickup, local delivery, and online shopping.We are open Tuesday-Friday from 10-5 and Saturday from 11-4."
You can follow Nevermore Toys & Games at @nevermoretoysgibsons for both Facebook and Instagram or visit www.nevermoretoys.ca
Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"We are so grateful to SCCU’s ongoing commitment to our local economy. Their Reinvention Program (including receiving the Rebuild Business Grant) has allowed us to make the necessary pivot to move forward in these challenging times"
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"For the past fifteen years, our small family operated school has accepted students from 41 countries worldwide. We have recently completed renovations at the school, so that way may resume safe operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we will continue to offer our impractical Cabinetmaker program at the school, in the coming months we will be launching our distance learning program."
You can follow Inside Passage School of Fine Cabinetmaking at @insidepassageschool on Instagram or visit www.insidepassage.ca
Shikoku Bonsai Coastal Landscaping
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"We are grateful to SCCU for the grant they have presented to us. We will be focusing on expanding our local retail presence and promoting people from the Vancouver Area to visit our newly opened Nursery. We will be rebuilding our website, particularly focusing on online sales across Canada. We look forward to welcoming the Coast to our Nursery during the 2020 Art Crawl, which we are happy and proud to be a part of for the first time this year."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"We have lived and worked on the Sunshine Coast for nearly 30 years now. We produce high quality bonsai, and construct fine gardens. We are currently open by appointment. We ask to avoid visiting with groups at the moment. We practice social distancing, masks currently not required as all areas are out of doors. We are available for our landscape consulting services as well as landscape construction on the Coast."
Visit Shikoku Bonsai Coastal Landscaping at www.shikoku.ca
Donna Hall Coaching
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"I am here to help Sunshine Coasters succeed in their careers! From guiding you to find clarity and alignment in your career, to resume writing and interview preparation, to leadership and business coaching you do not have to struggle alone. Based on the Coast, I understand our unique opportunities and am committed to supporting you in your success. "
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"This grant will enable me to accelerate my new Career Clarity Coaching program. This program helps folks make difficult career decisions with ease and is especially impactful as we recover from COVID-19. It means I can hire other Coasters with specialized skills and talents, allowing me to focus on serving my clients. Being able to hire other Coasters will move my business and their business forward! It’s truly a win-win situation, thank you SCCU! "Visit
You can follow Donna Hall Coaching @donnahallcoaching on Facebook, Instagram, and Linked in or visit www.donnahallcoaching.com
El Segundo
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"We are so thrilled about this grant - it will allow us to cover and/or heat our patio, extending our COVID capacity through the shoulder and winter season. This is a genuine game-changer for us in regards to our ability to operate profitably in a tough environment. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved!"
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"El Segundo is about Good Vibe Dining - with food that is all about flavour, great service & a great happy hour featuring food & drink every day from 3-5, and after 9pm. We are all about fun and safety - with strong protocols designed to keep customers and staff healthy."
You can follow El Segundo @eatelsegundo on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.eatelsegundo.com
Connect MT
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"Receiving this grant allows me to improve my clinic environment without taking away from the financial demands required in raising a family. It also provides me with confidence in both caring for patient needs and ensuring that when I reunite with my family each day, I have taken all the necessary precautions to provide a safe environment for us all."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Renovation plans are in the works to provide in-clinic laundry, a hand-wash station and improvements to furnishings to accommodate sterilization procedures. I'm also upgrading technology to improve efficiency and quality of industry standards."
You can follow Connect MT @ConnectMT.AliciaAnderson.RMT on Facebook and Instagram
Round 2 Recipients:
Sadohana
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"Being awarded the SCCU grant is so very special for us. We are able to continue bringing our brand of healing, self-defence and art to the coast. Having the support of our credit union enables us to level-up our business, offer more online opportunities and service our members in the safety of their homes."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Sadohana has launched an online academy to support our members with their training in the safety of their homes. We comply with all the regulations put forth by WorkSafe BC & have a diligent cleaning regime."
You can follow Sadohana @sadohana on Instagram or visit their website at www.sadohana.com
Davis Bay Tea Co.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"Grant funds for developing a multi-channel marketing strategy for online sales are a blessing for any business in the current climate. When COVID shut down the economy and existing sales channels were cut off, having an up and running webstore was a lifeline for the business. Customers from everywhere found DBT Co via the internet. It was overwhelming, bewildering, a huge relief and highlighted the urgency for an updated online marketing plan"
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"The Sunshine Coasts’ largest retail and wholesale tea company established in 2017 providing unique recipe, delicious, small batch loose leaf tea everyone loves! Available at fine retailers, cafes & restaurants and online through our expanding website offering free local delivery and shipping Canada-wide. Embraced by locals and tourists DBT Co tea has become an essential daily ritual, more necessary now than ever as customers focus on self-care, healthy living, shopping small and supporting local."
You can follow Davis Bay Tea Co. @Davisbaytea on Facebook, @Davisbayteaco on Instagram or visit their website at www.davisbaytea.ca
Sunshine Coast Lavender Farm
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"Our Farm Shop is currently open by appointment for order pick up and shopping. An appointment can be made through our website with just a few clicks. Even though we are thought of as a seasonal stop we do offer great holiday gifts that are handcrafted in small batches. We also bring in a selection of other locally made items to give shoppers a variety to choose from."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"With this grant we will create a tour garden for our customers to explore, extending our offerings beyond our products and farm shop. We will also be installing a greenhouse, enabling us to propagate our own plants and become less dependent on outside suppliers and possibly become a supplier ourselves. We look forward to returning to regular open hours and the ability to host small groups for tours and educational explorations."
You can follow Sunshine Coast Lavender Farm @SCLavenderFarm on Facebook, @Sclavender_farm on Instagram or visit their website at www.sunshinecoastlavender.com
Geek in the Creek
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"We're continuing to bring quality service, repair, and education to Sunshine Coast residents for PC, Mac, and business. We have moved to office-free hours, available 7 days a week. One-on-one sessions are available in person, with proper protocols, or via Zoom. We also provide the service of safely disposing of and refurbishing old devices.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
This generous grant from SCCU will enable me to expand my customer base through new marketing and promotional channels. I hope to reach a wider array of Sunshine Coast residents and ensure that they have the right technology solutions available to them as our world moves ever further into a connected world of online communications."
You can follow Geek in the Creek @GeekintheCreek on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at www.geekinthecreek.ca
The Brickers Cider Company
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
"This grant will go a long way to providing us with vinyl walls for our outdoor deck. With COVID we lost inside seating and this helps go towards bringing our ‘indoor’ capacity back up which will be incredibly helpful towards our winter income."
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"Locally made craft cider served at a beautiful, rural location with hot food and other drink options. We are making every effort to ensure COVID safety for customers and staff such as table distancing, one way movement and flexible purchasing options."
You can follow The Brickers Cider Company @brickerscider on Facebook and Instagram or visit their website at www.brickerscider.com
The Clubhouse Restaurant
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We had to remove a lot of seats inside in order to maintain the required distance between tables inside the restaurant due to COVID-19. This grant will allow us to create seating in a heated patio to make up for the loss of those inside seats. Thank you Sunshine Coast Credit Union
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
"We are a locally owned family run restaurant in Pender Harbour offering Great Food and Great Times at a reasonable price, in a beautiful setting. We are open and adhering to all Public Health Orders, seven days a week for Lunch and Supper. We are supporting our local musicians by providing one of the few venues on the Coast that offers Live Music. Check out the Events page on our website to see who is performing next. We were awarded the Sunshine Coast 2020 Business Excellence Award for Outstanding Service, and we look forward to providing you with a tasty, relaxing break inside or out on the patio."
You can follow The Clubhouse Restaurant @The Clubhouse Restaurant at Pender Harbour on Facebook and @theclubhouseph on Instagram or visit their website at www.the-clubhouse-restaurant.com
Mise En Place Equestrian
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
Our barn is open and welcoming new riders and vaulters. Our environment has social distancing built-in, and because we are outside, masks are optional. We welcome all ages, and skill levels, and want everyone to feel that horses are accessible.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
This grant means we can replace equipment damaged by sanitizers with equipment designed to withstand sanitizing. We can upgrade our safety helmets and vaulting pads, and provide training for our learning coaches. It means a safer, more accessible community, which can welcome new (or older!) Riders.
You can follow Mise En Place Equestrian on Facebook or visit their website at www.mise-en-place.ca
Strait Up Climbing Ltd.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We are overjoyed to have been awarded SCCU's grant. This grant will allow us to continue to improve the health and safety of the climbing environment by facilitating another autobelayer and associated equipment, and help us reach a goal of expanding to the outdoors this coming spring and summer with our outdoor guiding program.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
When safe to do so, our space functions as a safe haven for the community members of Sechelt no matter their age, gender, or fitness background. We are hoping to offer an outdoor climbing experience next year.
You can follow Strait Up Climbing on Facebook or visit their website at www.straitupclimbing.com
Hough Heritage Farm
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
SCCU's generous grant has enabled Hough Heritage Farm to purchase freezers that allow us to sell nutritious and delicious meat by the cut in addition to wholes and halves. Selling meat in smaller portions means everyone in the community can access ethically raised nutrient dense pastured meat without needing a lot of freezer space in their own home.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Hough Heritage Farm, raises pastured purebred Berkshire pigs, Dexter cattle, Icelandic sheep, Oberhasli goats, and heritage breed chickens and turkey, free range, on 10 acres of pasture and forest in Gibsons, BC. We raise our animals ethically and sustainably, and practice regenerative agriculture. Thanks to a generous grant from SCCU, Hough Heritage Farm is pleased to announce our new farm store is open and ready for business.We are open Saturdays and Sundays, from noon to 3 pm or by appointment. Hough Heritage Farm is Class D licensed.
You can follow Hough Heritage Farm on Instagram or visit their website at www.houghfarm.ca
Music Makers
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
Thank you so much to Sunshine Coast Credit Union for this amazing grant as it has helped purchase instrument kits for children, cleaning supplies, and new technology equipment to help us pivot to online experiences if and when needed.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Music Maker programs offer children and adults total participation in music through singing, movement and speech. Research has shown that math, reading, languages and sports are areas that are enhanced by early childhood music. Music Makers is open 5 days a week offering many different smaller classes where each child has there own set of instruments. With COVID-19 protocols in place music class is a safe and enjoyable experience!
You can follow Music Makers on Facebook @musicmakerssechel or visit their website at www.music-makers.ca
Round 3 Recipients
***With More Recipients to Come!***
AW Organics
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We will be using this grant to set up a new commercially inspected kitchen space within our home. Our current space is small and shared between multiple businesses. This will allow us to better social distance while working and have the space we need to grow and offer new product lines. We want to start producing cold pressed oils but just don't have the space to do so where we are.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We produce organic fair trade raw vegan chocolate and stone ground nut butters in Sechelt operating out of the Hooraw vegan market on Wharf. The store is open 12-5 mon-sat. You can also find us at various markets on the coast especially in the summer and in some local stores.
You can follow AW Organics on Facebook @arribarawchocolate or visit their website at www.aworganics.com
This Is Jennie Alexis
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant is providing me with much needed financial support to pivot aspects of my business. I am able to hire and support other small businesses on the Coast in the creation and delivery of accessible online courses and programs for small businesses and individuals. Receiving this grant is an incredible gift, and I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to bring these projects into the world.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
I support small businesses and individuals in getting clear on how they want to communicate in and with their community. My approach focuses on integrity and values, which are the foundation of great communication for those dedicated to making an impact and harnessing their privilege for change. Ultimately, I believe that we are better together, and sharing our values creates stronger communities, businesses, and organizations.
Photo Credit: Kim Jay Soul
You can follow This Is Jennie Alexis on Facebook & Instagram @thisisjenniealexis or visit their website at www.thisisjenniealexis.com
Goodacre Market
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant is so important to us and our community as the funds will allow us to strengthen our operations and continue to purchase from lots of local growers and food producers. It will be used to expand our online presence and to increase our package-free inventory options.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Goodacre Market is a package-free grocery located inside of the Gibsons Public Market. We offer fresh seasonal produce, bulk foods, grocery items and locally produced goods! Come and re-fill your own containers with your favourite foods, in a stress free shopping environment!
You can follow Goodacre Market on Facebook & Instagram @goodacremarket
Coast Massage & Aromatherapy
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
I am so grateful to the Credit Union for providing this financial support exactly when I needed it! This grant will allow me to buy a computer and start website & brand development for my product line "Driftwood Apothecary". This pandemic has limited my in-person sales & marketing opportunities, so this funding is essential for me to transition into online sales, and will keep both of my businesses thriving in these uncertain times. A portion of every online sale will be donated to local charities.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
I'm open for business with strict Covid protocols in place. As a Certified Spa Therapist with over 20 years of experience in Aromatherapy & Holistic Health, my passion lies in helping Sunshine Coasters experience effective pain management and enhanced health through the use of Integrative Massage and organic plant-based skincare. I also offer mobile spa services for vacation rentals, on-site employee wellness chair massage, and I drive a zero-emission electric vehicle. I formulate and craft my bath & body products following the guidelines of Good Manufacturing Practices, and I use ethically sourced & fair-trade ingredients and sustainable packaging whenever possible.
You can follow Coast Massage & Aromatherapy on Facebook @secheltmassage and @driftwoodapothecary
Crazy for Life Co.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
I’m very grateful for this grant, in a time when things are so uncertain. Maintaining our mental health is at the forefront of many people’s minds. This grant allows me to expand my on-line mental health coaching and peer support services to help more people; people right here in our community and further afield. In addition, when COVID hit, all my speaking engagements were cancelled or postponed. This grant helps me upgrade my virtual studio to offer better keynotes and one-person shows about mental health into traditional and new markets.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
I’m a virtual mental health speaker for on-line community events, conferences and businesses of all sizes. I’m best known for my humorous one-woman shows about my own experience living with bipolar disorder, anxiety and psychosis. I also offer mental health and peer support coaching helping people decrease anxiety and improve their mental health. I work with individuals struggling with mental health, family members of loved ones and people overwhelmed with the uncertainty of the times. I share my over twenty years experience of managing my own mental health conditions to help others improve their quality of life.
You can follow Shannon from Crazy for Life Co. on Facebook @victoriamaxwellcflco, on Instagram @victoriabpp or by visiting her website www.victoriamaxwell.com
Mamma Musey Pierogi
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will allow us to become more efficient and to grow our business significantly faster by doubling our current cooking, cooling and freezing capabilities. This will make our commercial kitchen more stream lined and safer with less over lap of tasks at each work station. We will also be able to reach twice as many customers with a second farmers market set up.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Our main product is 14 flavours of hand pinched pierogi, frozen or fresh, for customers to take home to cook. We also sell soups, cabbage rolls and casseroles too. These are all sold on the Sunshine Coast at farmers markets, boutique local shops and on our website for pick up or delivery. We also cook at farmers markets , breweries and other community and private events.
You can follow Mamma Musey Pierogi on Facebook and Instagram @mammamuseypierogi or by visiting her website at www.mammamuseypierogi.com
Harbour Publishing
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly disrupted all plans, causing unprecedented challenges in operations, distribution and discoverability of titles. It was Harbour's priority to cooperate with Health Canada’s recommended community-based measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while taking whatever steps possible to safeguard the long-term viability of the press, including investing in a brand new ecommerce website. The SCCU grant will provide added support for innovative sales and marketing initiatives and allowing the company more flexibility in transitioning to new digital and online publicity strategies.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Harbour Publishing is an award-winning independent book publisher celebrating its forty-seventh year in 2021. Owned and operated by Howard and Mary White, Harbour is located in Pender Harbour. Harbour first became known for Raincoast Chronicles, a popular series on BC coast history and culture and it continues with its mandate of publishing quality trade books in a wide range of range of genres with a focus on Pacific Northwest subjects and authors. Harbour titles are available from bookstores across the country, as well as locally at Talewind Books in Sechelt and the Earthfair Store in Madeira Park, as well as from the company's own website.
You can follow Habour Publishing on Facebook @Harbourpublishing or by visiting their website at www.harbourpublishing.com
Piros Productions
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
My intention is to use this grant money to hire coasters to support my online marketing efforts and digital presence. I know what I have to do but just don’t have the skills and knowledge to do some of it myself, hence the need for helpers. I believe it’s important to recirculate this money to other businesses on the Sunshine Coast.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
If you need help with any kind of communications be it better Zoom meetings, better business pitches, more effective and successful interviews, leadership presence, I can help. Virtual training, video recording, critique and suggestions for improvement. Because we are living in such tumultuous times, don’t hesitate to ask for help even if you aren’t flush at the moment. $$ shouldn’t stand in the way of getting support for your business or yourself.
You can follow Piros Productions on Facebook @PirosPresentations or by visiting her website at www.joannapiros.com
Coastal Eco Vac
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We expanded our services over the last year and had to invest in a new equipment and a new commercial vehicle. This grant will help us pay down some of the costs associated with the upgrade. We couldn’t be more grateful for this grant, especially after having to shut down earlier in 2020. We look forward to continue serving the coast for years to come.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We’re a family owned and operated company and have been serving the Sunshine Coast for nine years. We offer complete commercial, residential, and strata cleaning services including windows, gutters, siding, housekeeping, pressure washing, lawn and garden. We specialize in furnace duct and dryer vent cleaning.
You can follow Coastal Eco Vac on Instagram @coastalecovac
Salt & Swine
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
Taking on a renovation during COVID to build a restaurant has had its challenges. We couldn’t be more thankful to the SSCU for this grant. It will enable us to update our point of sale system to expedite the ordering process for our customers and will be used to ensure we are following all COVID protocols to operate safely and efficiently in our new space.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We are a local food truck offering fun, fresh, affordable, and delicious Mexican take out. We made our start partnering with the local breweries and recently opened our very own location at 747 North Road for sitting in and take-out.
You can follow Salt & Swine on Facebook @saltandswine or Instagram @salt_and_swine
W.G. Sutherland Sales & Service Ltd.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will allow us to upgrade our office systems, introduce vehicle and bill board signage & multimedia advertising in our specific fields.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We have serviced the Sunshine Coast from Egmont to Port Mellon for over 30 years and are government certified as essential service in the communications industry. We offer Satellite TV, Satellite Internet, Security Alarms & Surveillance Camera Systems. Our Technician follow strict COVID-19 safety measures and all other industry standards of safety in our fields of operation.
You can visit W.G. Sutherland Sales & Service Ltd. at www.wgsutherlandsales.com
Shoreside Strength and Conditioning
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We are incredibly grateful as this grant makes a huge impact for us and our continued survival in these challenging times. With the support of the Sunshine Coast Credit Union we will be increasing safety measures and will be further developing our online and virtual training platforms. This will allow us to reach out to and provide support a larger number of clients.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Our Shoreside Team is committed to providing a safe and supportive community to help our members reach all of their health, fitness, and personal goals. With new approved safety protocols in place and are able to continue to run individual sessions, modified classes, and open gym. We will resume Spin, Boxfit , and youth classes as soon as it is safe to do so. All of our bookings are now online, search our studio "Shoreside S+C" on the Glofox Booking app or book directly through our website.
You can follow Shoreside Strength and Conditioning on instagram @shoresidestrength or visit www.shoresidestrength.com
Montgomery Music
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We are so very grateful to Sunshine Coast Credit Union for providing us with this opportunity to invest in new equipment for our studio. The purchase of a new computer and upgraded audio-visual equipment will assist us in delivering high quality, online music education to students.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Katherine Hume & Carl Montgomery are offering online lessons using Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or FaceBook Messenger Video and in-person lessons at our home studio in West Sechelt or St. Hilda’s Anglican Church locations. We are following strict COVID-19 protocols, including distancing and sanitizing our hands, piano keyboards and high touch surfaces.
You can follow Montgomery Music on Facebook @montgomery-music or visit www.montgomerymusic.ca
Sunshine Coast Air
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
The Credit Union has been supportive of all our endeavors big and small. The team is professional, experienced and personable. We recommend SCCU to anyone considering starting a small business on the coast.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Sunshine Coast Air is the only locally owned and operated seaplane businesses on the Coast. We offer scheduled service to Vancouver Island, charter services, unique Fly N Dine experiences and local tours at affordable prices. SCA has recently developed an award winning Elopement Package to Chatterbox Falls for those unable to have large weddings due to COVID restrictions.
You can follow Sunshine Coast Air on Facebook and Instagram @SunshineCoastAir
Hooray Truffles
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
With the outpouring of support that we received during the Christmas season it became very clear to us that our next steps are expansion and so the sunshine coast credit union grant is extremely timely and will enable us to move forward with this vision for our future and contribute towards the purchasing of equipment that will enable us to scale up our production.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Hooray Truffles is an extremely proud member of the Sunshine Coast. We pride ourselves on providing the healthiest organic, allergen free and diabetic friendly chocolates and caramels to people here on the coast and throughout Canada. Our focus is on personal health, nutrition education, and the health of the planet and we are so very grateful for the support that our local community has shown us throughout 2020 and moving into 2021! We simply would not still be standing strong if it weren’t for the support of the caring people and businesses on the Sunshine Coast.
You can follow Hooray Truffles on Facebook and Instagram @hooraytruffles
Mycelyum Inc.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
Mycelyum was founded by Joy Dutcher and Jimmy Zuzinjak with a vision to share the rich traditional history of functional mushrooms in a range of surprisingly tasty mushroom gummies, snacks and treats. Our spore of an idea developed into a viable business through the Community Futures LEAP program in 2019 and has grown with the ups and downs of the pandemic into our new production facility located in Wilson Creek. Our enthusiasm for the functional power of mushrooms inspires us to develop new and surprisingly tasty foods so that functional mushrooms can be easily and enthusiastically integrated into our daily lives.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Starting a business in 2020 was a rewarding challenge. As many people have renewed their focus on proactively supporting their health, functional mushrooms have gained more attention for their positive impacts on our immune system, energy, and mental health. This grant will help us tangibly grow our business to meet the growing demands for our products by covering the costs of new production equipment and increased inventory so we can meet our new distribution orders.
You can follow Mycelyum Inc. on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @mycelyum
Sunshine Tiny Homes Ltd.
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will assist us with implementation of new drawings/ structural plans to create the new models. It will also assist with some marketing to get the great news out to the public.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We are following all the safety protocols through Worksafe BC and Health Canada.. We are working on providing other options to property owners with our foundation series tiny homes! Different types and styles of transportable homes (not on wheels) which can be used as laneway houses, garden suites, home offices or Bunkie's. These structures comply with the CSA Standards, to bring you safety and quality. A new tiny home in a matter of weeks!
You can follow Sunshine Tiny Homes Ltd on Facebook, Instagram @sunsinetinyhomes
Paintillio
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
The SCCU grant provides us with some of the necessary funding we need to continue growing our reach as a small business. It will be used towards continuous development of our new products that we’ve created, as we’ve had to pivot due to the global pandemic.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Paintillio creates custom paint-by-number kits and collaborative murals from any photo or image for you to paint at your next event or at home project. Great for team-building, weddings, family gatherings, community events or just-because! Each kit is lovingly handcrafted in our Sechelt studio. Swing by the Trail Bay Centre to see two of our recent community collaborations, hanging in the mall. Reach us online at any time either by email or social media.
You can follow Paintillio on Facebook, Instagram @paintillio
Therapeutic Riding on the Sunshine Coast
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
We are very grateful to be awarded this grant from SCCU. These funds will enable us to further develop our home at Roberts Creek Ranch, creating new spaces for educational and wellness workshops, kids camps, a creative arts program, and equine facilitated coaching sessions.We will also use this opportunity to rebuild our website and jumpstart a new educational online program that will allow us to stay connected with our community in innovative ways.SCCU’s support will allow us to expand and move towards creating a center of Wellness while we continue to provide therapeutic riding and equine facilitated Learning programs to a wide range of clientele in our community
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We have been offering therapeutic riding lessons, equine assisted learning programs and kids camps on the Sunshine Coast for 7 years. The safety and well-being of our clients has always been our top concern so we will be following provincial health guidelines as we begin our new season in 2021.We are dedicated to improving the lives of individuals through the power of the horse and to create opportunities to empower individuals to live their best lives, especially in these challenging times. In addition to therapeutic riding, We look forward to offering a variety of new programs that will inspire, educate and uplift.
You can visit Therapeutic Riding on the Sunshine Coast at www.robertscreekranch.com
Seafoam Juice
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will allow us to invest in the tools required to rebuild Seafoam and provide fresh nutrient-dense products to customers across the Sunshine Coast. This involves enhanced safety materials, a fully integrated e-commerce platform and inventory management system, as well as staff training, upgraded equipment and additional cold storage.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
My business is focused on new offerings to nourish locals during the pandemic, such as BIY (blend-it-yourself) smoothie kits, cold-pressed immune elixirs, custom plant-based recipes and meal prep to support health & wellness at home. We are migrating to a new production space and refreshing our pre-order service to help meet the current needs of our community – with options for safe pick-up, online ordering and contactless delivery.
You can follow Seafoam Juice on Facebook and Instagram @seafoamjuice
Smith Engineering Company
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will help jump-start our operations to better suit coastal client needs. We will be using the money to research new service offerings (including drone surveying and a digital client portal for secure file sharing and project management - alleviating pressure on in-person contact while we all need to keep socially distanced). We also intend to use this grant to explore how we might expand to service large-scale residential projects considering our acute local housing crisis.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, we are a husband and wife team that has returned to provide high-quality civil and environmental engineering services. We specialise in stormwater management, hydrology, surveying and bathymetry, retaining wall design, and project planning.
You can visit Smith Engineering Company at www.smitheng.ca
Coastal Weddings & Events
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
After bringing people together for 10 years Coastal Weddings had to make big adjustments in 2020. For gatherings, we adjusted to think small and brought in additional measures to ensure the safety of our clients and partners and staff. These funds will help us continue to assist our clients safely and efficiently.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Weddings and Events have had to shrink down from large celebrations where we bring together everyone to celebrate. COVID has meant rethinking those larger celebrations into smaller affairs. For those who may have always dreamed of a small celebration, the advice to keep things small is a great opportunity for those who might have dreamed of just escaping and getting married in a gorgeous setting - just the two of you.
You can follow Coastal Weddings & Events on Facebook @coatalweddingsandeventsbc
Oasis Training
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant comes at a pivotal moment for Oasis Training business and services. We moved online in March and greatly need resources to improve our online access for our programs and workshops. We have developed new and exciting online courses that we want to share. We desperately need to upgrade our website, create professional videos and offer our services to a wider audience. This grant comes at a very difficult time for our industry and means the world to me to be able to improve and add programs that work with our new methods of training and teaching.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
Colleen offers over 20 years experience providing personal training, exercise nutrition and workshops, specializing in sport-specific training, rehabilitative training, physiology of aging and much more. She has many certifications and continuously educates and upgrades her knowledge to serve clients better. We offer one-on-one, partner training, small personal training groups. Our sessions for training and workshops are held online, outdoors (when approved) and in-studio training (based on Covid-19 regulations). Our newest programs are to expand the exercise nutrition program we have begun and the video series for home training. It will be very exciting!
You can visit Oasis Training on Facebook @oasistrainingcp or Instagram @Oasis_training
The Backeddy Resort and Marina
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
The SCCU grant program is another great example of how the everyone here on the coast is working together through these challenging times. We have been so impressed by the local support for us and all of the other small businesses here on the coast. We anticipate increased demand in the upcoming season with people looking for great local places to escape to staycation. In preparation for this we are focusing on expanding and improving our ocean front accommodations. We are running fibre optic cable to our existing nine cabins, ensuring that our guests can stay connected and work remotely even as they “disconnect”, We are building a couple more romantic ocean front couples cabins overlooking the marina, and we are adding additional oceanfront clamping geodesic domes. (we refer to this sweet little part of the property as "Dome-topia”)The grant will go toward winterizing the domes, adding thermal liners, and pellet stoves, This will allow us to extend the length of the season for the domes significantly, providing yet another unique get away experience for our guests
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
We provide a pretty special get away for locals and tourists alike. Our location here on the water is drop dead gorgeous. It is easily accessible, yet somehow feels remote. Wether guests are dropping into the pub after a hike to the Skook, or grabbing a weekend staycation in one of our cozy cabins, we create a pretty nice little escape for people to relax, renew, and refresh. Internally we play a little game up here where our goal is that everyone who visits us “leaves better than when they arrived”. So wether it is an interaction with our uber friendly staff, a refreshing pint on the deck, or just taking in the ever changing vista something transformative happens here. The perfect spot for a staycation!
You can visit The Backeddy Resort and Marina at www.backeddy.ca
Alpha Adventures- Outdoor Adventure Store
What does this grant mean for you and your business?
This grant will assist us in expanding to new markets. The addition of our new store in Lower Gibsons allows us to have on the water rentals tours and lesson from our dock near Molly's Lane. Our Gibsons store will stock outdoor gear and clothing for locals and visitors alike.
What do you want Coasters to know about your business?
In 2020 we celebrated our 20th anniversary of business here on the Coast. As the original outdoor gear shop, we are proud to specialize in paddle sports and winter gear (ski / snowshoe). Our store in Wilson Creek is open daily - year-round- from 10 am - 5:30. In December we opened our new Gibsons location in Molly's Lane (Winter hours are weekends- 10 am - 3 pm with hours expanding in the Spring).
You can follow Alpha Adventures on Facebook and Instagram @alphaadventures
SCCU reserves the right to alter or change any aspect of the REBUILD Business Grant Program including criteria, scoring matrix and timing.
Here are some of the ways we are here to support you.
We are always here to help
TOOLS & DOWNLOADS
CONNECT
© 2019 Sunshine Coast Credit Union. All rights reserved.