2016 Cochrane Visitor Guide - Alternate Routes

Bow Valley BBQ Inc.
Story: Patricia Alderson | Photo: Bruce Tannas
What happens when you have talent and passion, but no idea how to start or operate
a business? If you’re like many aspiring entrepreneurs, you dive in and hope your
dream somehow turns into success. Chances are, all you’ll earn is a membership
in the Failed Business Club. Not as exclusive as you might think, over 30% of all new
ventures in Canada join within their first two years of operation.
It can be done, though. Jamie Ayles and his fiancée, Marie-Lyne Richard started Bow
Valley BBQ Inc. three years ago and their business is smokin’ hot and saucy!
A mutual interest in food production led this Canmore-raised executive chef and
his food and retail management fiancée to the idea of selling an exclusive line of
sauces and condiments. Jamie’s ability to blend the right ingredients had already led
to menu development consulting for several restaurants. While both were enjoying
secure management positions at a northern Alberta resort, they worked on their
dream of returning to Canmore to turn the growing demand for his culinary creations
into a business of their own.
Jamie attributes his training as a chef as why he recognized all the right ingredients
were also needed to make their business idea a success. The couple understood early
on that without strong business skills, no matter how much talent they had, their
idea would fall flat. “The food industry is difficult. I knew how to create delicious
gourmet sauces and condiments,” he says. “We both had management experience,
but needed to learn more about the best business practices.”
Jamie contacted Community Futures Centre West in Cochrane for help and with their
guidance, learned the basics of business planning, financing, marketing and other
core skills. Marie-Lyne concentrated on expanding her web design, social media and
bookkeeping skills through independent studies.
The pair secured an initial loan through Community Futures, and through a
recommended food production grant program, soon began producing their line at
Alberta’s Food Development and Processing Centre in Leduc. They recently received
additional financing to purchase Boccalino Grotto Fine Foods, an established
condiment line available in major grocery stores across western Canada. “We started
off with mason jars, homemade labels and five base products,” Jamie recalls. “Now
we just bought the business, complete with a production plant, that was an initial
inspiration to us when we started in 2012 - family run and based in Canmore.
Although Bow Valley BBQ is already a high growth brand, buying Boccalino’s has
opened up even more opportunities as we move forward. “
Community Futures Centre West is a federally
funded organization mandated to assist rural
communities to expand their local economies by using
innovative approaches to business and community
development. This means we’re here to help you
with your business needs by providing access to
resources and financial assistance. We provide
business counseling and training opportunities to
small and medium sized businesses, plus several
business development and financing programs,
including:
Business Counseling & Training
• Business plan assistance & assessment
• Strategic planning
• Market research
• Financial projections
• Program & resources information
Business Development Programs & Financing
• Start-up & expansion loans
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
• Summer Student Loan Program
• Partner co-loans and programs
• Youth Entrepreneur Program
• Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
Most of our services are made possible at little
or no charge through our funder, Western
Economic Diversification. We also partner with
local organizations to increase the opportunities
available to you for additional training or information
designed to better your business.
“The support we’ve received from Community Futures has been great. From our initial
meeting in a Canmore coffee shop to funding a second loan so we could expand,
we’ve been treated with respect and understanding. They believe in us.”
Jamie’s chef secret for new entrepreneurs? “You’ll hear a hundred reasons not to
start a business. But if you’re willing to mix hard work (the secret ingredient) with
time and more effort than you thought possible, like us, you’ll wish you had made
the move to self-employment earlier!”
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