Cynthia & Samantha Dick By Your Favorite Aunties Website: https://byyourfavoriteaunties.com/ By Your Favorite Aunties is a Tsilhqot’in-owned business run by sisters Samantha and Cynthia from Tl’etinqox. They handcraft beadwork, ribbon skirts, and custom digital art apparel inspired by their Tsilhqot’in culture and ranching heritage. Rooted in the teachings of their grandparents, their creations blend traditional artistry with modern designs. Operating part-time after work and on weekends, they showcase their work at events and markets, sharing their cultural pride with the community. Their journey into the world of traditional craftsmanship began with cherished memories that are forever etched in their minds—watching their beloved grandparents skillfully sewing traditional apparel, expertly beading exquisite looms, and meticulously tanning hides with a level of precision and care that only comes from years of practice and dedication. These formative experiences instilled in them a profound appreciation for their cultural heritage. In 2020, as they embarked on a quest to rediscover the art of beading, they found not only a creative outlet but also a source of solace and serenity in this timeless practice. What initially started as a simple pastime quickly blossomed into a passionate endeavor, igniting their creativity and opening up new avenues of artistic expression that ranged from sewing to digital art. In their innovative approach, they artfully blend tradition with technology, showcasing their unique perspective by designing captivating digital artwork. This fusion of old and new allows them to create vibrant prints that are then transformed into stylish apparel, including T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, each piece telling a story and reflecting their deep connection to their roots. The clothing they produce is not merely fashion; it is a canvas for their heritage, a way to share the beauty of their culture with the world while ensuring that the traditional skills they cherish are not lost to time. Through each creation, Samantha and Cynthia invite others to celebrate and appreciate the rich tapestry of their Tsilhqot'in heritage, making By Your Favorite Aunties a meaningful bridge between the past and the present. Of the BEST program, Cynthia & Samanth say “The B.E.S.T. program has given us the tools we need to grow our business. While taking the class, I realized that I may have learned some of this information slowly over time, but setting aside these weeks to focus on marketing, finance, branding, and operations has given us more drive to push our business further. A few weeks may seem like a long time to set aside, especially if you also have a full-time job—we thought the same thing. But in order to grow our business, we had to sacrifice somewhere to take the time to learn more tools. This program has helped us bridge the gap, and Zechariah was a patient and informative instructor. We are excited to see how the other participants grow their business, and thanks again to TNG and Zechariah for setting time aside to visit us on this side of Turtle Island.”

Randy Freese Freeze Frame Financial Website: https://sites.google.com/view/guelph-bookkeeping Randy Freese operates Freeze Flame Financial, which is one of very few Canadian Indigenous-owned and operated bookkeeping services available. Freeze Flame Financial has been operating since 2009 and is dedicated to experienced and personalized financial Solutions for their clients. Their diverse experience has been invaluable to their clients in several industries from Legal and Real Estate to Small Business and Entertainment spaces. With a commitment to fostering financial literacy and empowerment, Freeze Flame Financial prides itself on offering tailored advice that meets the unique needs of Indigenous communities and beyond. Randy and his team understand the importance of building strong relationships with their clients, ensuring each receives the individual attention and strategic insights necessary for sustainable growth and success. By combining traditional knowledge with modern financial practices, Freeze Flame Financial continues to set a high standard in the industry, making a meaningful impact on the economic well-being of the communities they serve. Of the BEST program, Randy says, “I participated in the BEST program through the IndigiTECH mentorship program of the IFA (Indigenous Friends Association). It was very beneficial for me as a small business owner as well as an Indigenous person. The BEST program allowed me to revisit some of my past challenges running my business and evaluate things that needed to be changed and updated. Through an Indigenous lens, I have also realized I had left out much of my journey of reconnection as it relates to my business structure and how I want to conduct business going forward.”

a2ecfbca-cae7-40a9-bffc-632944d09fdb KISS THE BRIDE Custom Wedding and Grad As a 2005 graduate of the Helen Lafaux School of Fashion Design in Vancouver, Andrea Hughes had been putting together her accumulated knowledge and experience, gleaned from years of working in the film industry, for her idea of a full-service bridal shop. The answer for the Castlegar resident came in the form of the Bruce Lacroix and the 2008 Aboriginal BEST program in Nelson. “I just wanted to get inspired to get it all done. This course gave me the push to do it.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

7153240e-7855-482e-be9b-9d4793bc505d Nigel Fox Artist Nigel Fox www.nigelfoxart.com graduated from the 2010 BEST program held in Terrace. We asked him about his business experiences:Q. “How far you have gone with your business idea?” A. “I’ve explored new avenues on the internet, gaining a larger market base and helping potential customers to feel more comfortable buying online. Essentially, I went from selling a painting a month to selling a print every three to five days.” Q. How do you make sure you have work-life balance?A. “I sneak some rest here and there, a movie with the wife, a day at the lake. It works out, as long as I have the faith to just let it all go for a bit.” Q. Any advice you could give other BEST participants,A. “Don’t take business advice from strangers personally. Your business is your business, and you know it better than anyone else. Don’t be afraid to try something new if what you’re doing isn’t working. Also, expect to work really hard if you want to succeed!!!” Q. Anything else you would like to sayA. “It (taking part in the BEST of the BEST Business Plan Competition) was a fun trip to Vancouver. It also got me to plan what I wanted to do with my business, which is good.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community

154c69fd-caf7-4a91-a7c9-bb505ee9b81d Haida Gwaii Art Shop Yvette Carol Adams is a Haida from the Tsâ aahl Laanas clan and took part in Aboriginal BEST on Haida Gwaii in 2011. “I create and design my own work: pendants made of yellow cedar, red cedar, yew wood, devils club, alder, beads from the same kind of wood as the pendants, earrings, red cedar hats, yellow cedar hats, regalia, cedar roses, prints, and bentwood boxes. “I intend to make a living off of my work, to be the best that I can be, and learn as much as I can before my time comes. In the Haida language there isn’t a word for ‘I can’t.’ I always strive to create a piece I would be proud of, no matter how much you think you know, there is always more to be learned. I am currently working out of my home, and I’m very happy that I finally have my web site up and running, the next step is to openan actual gallery.” Next Item Previous Item Contact Contact us First name Last name Email* Phone Message* Individual or Organization* Individual Organization Submit Bruce Lacroix, Founder The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. 406 Richards Street Nelson, BC, Canada V1L 5K1 Phone: 1-226-243-5635 © 2024 The Canadian Centre for Aboriginal Entrepreneurship, Inc. Bring A Course To Your Community In-Person, Online or Hybrid! Our programs are designed to be live, interactive trainings that engage all participants in the most effective and fun way to learn and share. INQUIRE NOW Bring A Course To Your Community