BUSINESS HELPING BUSINESS … Jackie Kitzler started making purses out of burlap sacks four years ago, as a side business that provided her with the flexibility to care for her autistic son.
Oughtred Coffee & Tea had a goal to become a zero waste roaster but couldn’t find a way to recycle or compost burlap.
Jackie’s small business, Island Java Bags, became the perfect solution to Oughtred’s burlap issue and Jackie’s challenge of finding employment as a single mom with a special needs child.
This year, Oughtred asked Jackie: “What do you need to grow your social enterprise? What is your bottleneck?”
“Our old sewing machine”, responded Jackie. Oughtred used funds from the Oughtred Coffee Trust to purchase a new industrial sewing machine for Island Java Bags to help take the business to the next level.
“We are so thankful to Oughtred for this new machine. With it, I have been able to hire another mom in a similar situation.”
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GREEN APPLAUSE … Hemp & Company celebrated its grand opening last week by being named the “greenest retail store on Vancouver Island.”
The new location at 1312 Government St. was renovated with sustainability in mind and its efforts was recognized by the Vancouver Island Green Business Certification.
Hemp & Company is owned by Bill Finley and Lorna Knowles.
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HUMAN ACQUISITION … The Royal B.C. Museum’s executive team has been strengthened with two new world-class (human) acquisitions: Scott Cooper and Peter Ord.
Cooper is the new vice-president of exhibitions innovation and Ord is the new vice-president of archives, collections and knowledge.
Other members of Royal B.C. executive team include: chief executive officer Jack Lohman, chief operating officer Angela Williams, and vice-president, business development and executive financial officer Sandy Pratt.
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NEW JOB … Lee Anne Davies is the United Way of Greater Victoria’s new director of community investment.
In her new role, Lee Anne is responsible for managing key community investment strategies, such as collaborations, grants and community-based research for United Way.
Along with many years of experience working in the financial sector including insurance, wealth management, banking, and financial education companies, she has completed research on financial management capabilities in older adults.
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BROADER FOCUS … The international advisory board of the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria has expanded to include a broader focus.
A separate local advisory group, Gustavson Associates, has been folded into the IAB “to ensure broad industry representation locally, nationally and internationally,” says IAB chair Matthew Hall.
In addition, three new members have been appointed to the IAB: Patrick Kelly, Christian Kittleson and Elizabeth Dutton.
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Do you have an item for People ’n Places? Contact Kevin Laird by email at editor@vicnews.com or phone 250-480-3265.