Accelerate Okanagan is launching Advisor Access to support business owners across the Valley.
Innovation is key to economic recovery and developing strong and resilient businesses in the Okanagan. Advisor Access can help you identify changes you can make today so you can better engage with changing economy and digital landscape. Our Advisors have years of experience of how you can leverage digital tools, access resources and identify critical next steps to building your business.
Advisor Access is completely complimentary. Any small business owner located from Osoyoos to Salmon Arm can access this service. Our Advisors are available to you at no cost and no obligation. The time commitment depends on your specific needs. We’ll match you with an experienced Business Advisor that makes sense for your business. Together, you will discuss your vision for your business and what barriers you are facing. If we can’t help you with implementing the actions we recommend, we will make suggestions on who can.
Business owners can connect with an Advisor to:
- Access to resources
- Tools to go digital
- Market validation
- Business model support
- General business coaching
- Strategy setting
- Referrals and connections
Meet Our Business Advisors
Sandra Oldfield is an Executive-in-residence at Accelerate Okanagan. Sandra brings over 30 years of strategy, marketing and human resource knowledge in her CEO role from production, sales and customer experience in the BC wine industry. Sandra founded Tinhorn Creek Vineyards in 1994 and grew it from a 1,000 case production to over 40,000 cases before its sale in 2017. Innovative packaging and marketing initiatives including becoming the only carbon neutral winery in Canada and the only winery to include its employees as an integral part of its sustainability program are just some of the ways Sandra drove innovation.
Sandra was recently awarded Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women in the Trendsetters and Trailblazers category and now enjoys coaching dynamic companies with incorporating employee engagement into their strategic plan.
About Jennifer
Jennifer is a Business Advisor at Accelerate Okanagan with over 10 years experience in supporting entrepreneurs and businesses in the South Okanagan. Founder of Cowork Penticton, the first coworking space in the southern half of the Valley, Jennifer has built strong relationships with development and traditional lenders, angel investors, and business support organizations. Previously, Jennifer was an Economic Development Specialist for the City of Penticton. She is a seasoned events manager and out-of-the box thinker, Jennifer believes deeply in the power of collaboration and has produced many forums and events aimed at business success, such as FutureBiz Penticton, the South Okanagan Hiring & Housing Forum, the Start Here Okanagan Job Fair, Y.E.A.H. (Young Entrepreneurs Aiming High) and the MicroBiz Expo.
Jennifer loves working with business owners and founders to discover where the highest impact support can be provided. She is passionate about the benefits of life and work in the Okanagan and excited to work with entrepreneurs to help them find their best path for reaching their goals.
About Andrew
Andrew is a Business Advisor at Accelerate Okanagan and a Professor at the Okanagan School of Business. Prior to joining Okanagan College, Andrew consulted for major corporations such as Telus, TD and General Motors—but his real passion is entrepreneurship. He has been involved with many new ventures as an operator, investor and advisor. He developed and launched a line of consumer products that are now sold in over 10,000 retail locations across North America.
Andrew is most proud of co-founding the Framework Foundation, a non-profit which has raised over 200,000 volunteer hours while investing $1 million in local artists. Andrew supports entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan through the Enterprize Challenge and Shuswap Launch-a-preneur programs.
Advisor Access is funded by ETSI-BC and Innovate BC. You can learn more about Advisor Access here or apply now to get started.
