The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is inducting five community builders into its new Hall of Fame.
The initial group includes tourism promoter Helen Beirnes, CFAX Radio founder Clare Copeland, lawyer Ron Lou-Poy, Ralmax Group founder and working-harbour champion Ian Maxwell and Chief Robert Sam, who worked to build a safe, inclusive and sustainable future for Songhees Nation.
“It’s an excellent reflection of the diversity of Greater Victoria’s business community,” said Dan Dagg, chamber chair. “Their stories are unique and inspirational, and their induction into the hall will be something we want to celebrate.”
The Chamber Business Hall of Fame, presented by RBC, is designed to celebrate the legacy of leaders who have played a role in the region’s economic growth and prosperity. A ceremony will officially honour inductees on Feb. 3.
The five builders will join the chamber’s 15 Lifetime Achievement winners in the new hall: Bill McCreadie, Gordy Dodd, Eric Charman, Mel Cooper, Murray and Lynda Farmer, Naz Rayani, Bob Skene, Keith Dagg, Terry Farmer, Cedric Steele, Gordon Denford, Alex A. Campbell, Robert H. Wright and John Chew.
Camosun program wins business award
Students in Camosun College’s Mosaic Tastes have won the Canadian Western Bank Women Makers and Creators Award for best business implementation.
Mosaic Tastes is a group of immigrant women who study and work with a team of instructors and mentors in the college’s Markets as Incubators program, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They have created three spice blends — Baharat and Za’atar from the Middle East and Sazón from Latin America — to sell at local markets and have developed a free online cookbook.
The award includes $1,000 cash that Mosaic Tastes will use to grow their business.
The second cohort of the Markets as Incubators program will begin in January and recruitment of eligible participants will begin soon.
The Mosaic Tastes spice blends are at the Oaklands Market, James Bay Community Market and online.
New boss at Parkinson Wellness
Parkinson Wellness Projects has appointed its first executive director, Bailey Martin, who will oversee daily operations to meet the needs of people with Parkinson’s disease in Greater Victoria.
Parkinson Wellness Projects was formed in 2020 when it merged with Headway Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre.
A certified Parkinson’s therapist, Martin joined Parkinson Wellness Projects in November as program and education manager.
Customize your cinnamon roll
Cinnaholic, a vegan cinnamon roll business featured on the TV series Shark Tank, is opening its third location in Canada and first in B.C. in downtown Victoria at 535 Yates St. on Oct. 8.
Cinnaholic began franchising in 2014 and has about 100 locations open and in development in the U.S.
Customers can choose from a variety of frostings and toppings to create their own rolls. Ingredients are free of dairy, lactose, eggs and cholesterol. The bakery also serves brownies, cookies, cookie dough, baby buns, and hot and cold brewed coffee.
