From Concept to Creation
Welcome to "From Concept to Creation," celebrating the remarkable journeys of entrepreneurs who have transformed their visions into thriving businesses on North Vancouver Island.
This page is dedicated to highlighting the stories of North Islanders whose hard work, talent, and grit have fueled their path to success. Discover how these innovators have harnessed their passion and creativity, navigated challenges, and made a lasting impact on their communities.
Their inspiring stories are a testament to the spirit of entrepreneurship and the vibrant, diverse business landscapes across our region.
Join us as we spotlight these visionaries and celebrate their valuable contributions to the region’s economic vitality.
If you are a North Island Entrepreneur that would like to be featured on these pages or if you would like to recommend an inspiring North Island entrepreneur whose story needs to be celebrated, please reach out to [email protected].
If you are considering venturing into the world of self-employment and would like to find out about programs/services that can support your entrepreneurial journey, reach out to us at 250-286-3441 or toll free at 1-866-286-6788!
Leasha MacLennan, Black Creek Barber
Say hello to Leasha MacLennan, a self-employed barber from Black Creek, BC. This local powerhouse has not only established herself as one of the premier barbers of the North Island, but she is absolute legend for her commitment to daily dips in local waters. Microdosing hypothermia for 1300+ days in a row, her lowest temperature dip so far has been in -6 degree waters!
Discover more about Leasha, the Black Creek Barber at the links below:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackCreekBarber/
https://www.campbellrivermirror.com/home2/comox-valley-woman-microdoses-with-hypothermia-7828260
From Rope Access to Straight Razors: Becoming a Barber
"Eight years ago, I needed a fresh start. I was in an unhealthy relationship, and I had a three-year-old daughter who depended on me. Before she was born, I had my dream job as a rope access technician traveling to different places and working at heights that would make most people want to cry. It was terrifying, and I loved it.
But after becoming a mom, the travel and unpredictable schedule wasn’t fair to my daughter. She needed stability, and I wanted to be the person she could always count on. That meant finding a new career one that would allow me to be present for her while still giving me the sense of purpose and excitement I craved".
Finding Barbering
"At the time, a friend of mine, Rocco, was finishing barber school. I watched his progress on social media, and he genuinely seemed to enjoy it. Curious, I went to visit him at the shop where he was now working. We laughed and reminisced about our wild days as bouncers at The Bourbon in Vancouver, but eventually, I started picking his brain. Could he see me doing this too?
His response stuck with me: Anyone can learn the skills to cut hair. It’s you they’ll come back for, and you definitely have the personality for this. That was all the encouragement I needed".
Photo Credit: Vince Kehn, Vital Light Photography
Training & Overcoming Barriers
"I enrolled at London Old School Barber Program a six-month course with a $10,000 tuition. As a newly single mom, securing funding was a challenge. Banks wouldn’t give me a loan because I was going through a separation, so I turned to WorkBC.
I was eligible for funding, but the process wasn’t easy. I had to attend classes, interview other barbers, and create a detailed budget. WorkBC covered $7,000 of my tuition and some expenses, but I still had to find a way to make ends meet. Thankfully, I was staying with family at the time, because affording rent, childcare, and food would have been impossible otherwise".
Photo Credit: Vince Kehn, Vital Light Photography
Building My Career
"After barber school, I moved to Vancouver Island and took a job at a shop in Nanaimo. A year later, I bought a house up island and moved to a shop in Courtenay, where I worked for three years. Working alongside other barbers was great I learned so much from everyone I worked with. But I quickly realized I excel when I’m on my own.
Unfortunately, childcare became an issue again. I had to pull my daughter from an unsafe care provider, and with no other after-school options, my working hours were drastically reduced. My only option was to open my own shop and work from home.
I started Black Creek Barber August 2022. Advertising was the first thing I needed to sort out, how do I tell people I’m here. Instagram ads was a huge help, but I needed signs, and online booking that is easy and works. I put decals all over my jeep and made flyers. I must say the flyers were pointless, a lot of leg work with no real return. Social media and word of mouth was the biggest help. My business started slowly growing. I think every business owner has a little mental panic on slow days, even after 2.5 years I still think I’m failing whenever I get slow. But it always picks back up the next day or the next week.
One of the biggest challenges is managing no shows and attempting to take vacations. No shows can be hard to manage, I understand life happens, but some people really have no problem wasting your time and money. So I have put it off forever but recently had to put in a cancelation policy. Basically if you ghost me like a bad tinder date, you have to pay for the missed appointment before you book another one. But if you let me know you can’t make it, all is forgiven. Vacations and time off, I still struggle with, I hate saying no to clients and when you are self-employed you don’t get paid vacation days.
The most rewarding part of owning my own business is having the ability to make money on my own and not having to pay chair rent or making a fraction of what I bring in by working for an hourly wage in someone else’s shop. Also I get to do lots of hot shaves, the thing I was the most nervous about turned out to be my favourite thing to do. I like giving my clients almost a little man spa experience while they are getting their straight razor shaves.
The best advice I could give anyone wanting to get into this business is go to school, and work in a shop for a few years and learn everything you can from your coworkers and clients. Last but not least always listen to your clients, at the end of the day they have to go home with your haircut so give them what they ask for. Even if it’s something you wouldn’t choose for them".
Photo Credit: Vince Kehn, Vital Light Photography
Jenefer Smalley - Wild Waterways Adventures
Meet Jenefer Smalley, one half of the dynamic duo at the helm of Wild Waterways Adventures (WWA), a highly regarded marine ecotourism company based out of Quadra Island. Born and raised along the stunning coastline of British Columbia, Jen brings her passion for wildlife and the beauty of the natural world to every adventure she guides. With fierce determination and effort, she has transformed her dream of creating meaningful adventure based experiences that deeply connect people to the beauties of the wild world around them into a flourishing business.
Wild Waterways Adventures believe that having fun and showing respect for Mother Nature go hand in hand, and that great stewardship takes great care and responsible management. Their ecotourism business model reflects core values of giving back to the environment and supporting their communities by actively investing in local projects that educate others, conserve ecological integrity and promote sustainability.
About Jenefer
Jenefer is more than a skilled tour operator and guide—she’s a gifted storyteller whose love for her craft shows. With Métis heritage, she weaves Indigenous history into her tours, offering guests a deeper cultural connection to the places they explore.
Prior to taking the leap into the world of self employment, Jen led excursions at some of the most prestigious eco-lodges and luxury yachts along the West Coast of BC, including Haida Gwaii, the Great Bear Rainforest, and the Discovery Islands and her qualifications are as extensive as her experience; including a Diploma of Technology in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation from BCIT, certifications as a Naturalist, SVOP Boat Driver, and a Paddle Canada Touring 1 Skills instructor. Jenefer is also a dedicated yogini and student of Advaita Tantra Yoga and the Mary Magdalene School, and her spiritual practices reflect her profound connections to the natural world.
We asked Jen a few questions about her entrepreneurial journey
When did you know you wanted to be self employed?
"When I worked for Nimmo Bay Resort 4 years ago as a guide and it was such long hours and hard work! I had been guiding professionally for years, then something in me just shifted during that time and I wanted to ground in one place and felt ready to open my own business".
What do you like most/least about being self employed?
"I like the freedom to be creative with marketing, creating tours and guiding people into immersive adventures in nature. I love being a naturalist and sharing with the world about the beautiful beings that we share the ocean and land with. And I hope that my inspiration helps people to be happier and treat wildlife with even more reverence".
"What I don't love and didn't anticipate was the overhead and stress of managing a business like this, or having difficult conversations with my business partner when our core values or visions for the business don't align."
What are some of the key lessons you've learned through your entrepreneurial journey so far?
"I've learned to take better care of myself and not get lost in all the stress and challenges of business. As a small business owner you wear many hats and it can be very hard to differentiate between business and pleasure. It's easy to work long hours every single day if you are not mindful to take time away for your wellness".
What is one thing you think everyone considering the journey to self-employment should know?
"I'd say this journey of entrepreneurship can be very rewarding with the creative freedom of being your own boss and fulfilling when you love what you do. On the flip side, it can also be very challenging on so many levels, including having to contend with the instability of the current economy. Make sure you are pursuing what you love, don't embark on this journey with just any old idea, and make sure you take long term compatibility with potential business partners into consideration. If you aren't 100 per cent sure about partnering with someone, go it alone. Business partnerships are just like any other relationship, they don't always go the way you hope they will and this can add stress to your entrepreneurial journey.
Despite how hard I find the business aspect of my entrepreneurial experience, I still get nourished by the job itself which is so important. It's a kin to the journey through life with its highs and low, business is no different and there is always more to learn and be humbled by".
Read more about Jenefer's story and discover the NIEFS connection here: https://cortescurrents.ca/the-passion-behind-wild-water-adventures/