March 2021 Business News

AFRoS – Southern Rockies Francophone Association
The AFRoS is very happy to announce that the Francofest - a Francophone Festival of Music and Art, will be held virtually on Saturday, March 6, in partnership with the Fernie Chamber of Commerce and Griz Days.

Stay tuned and connect to their Facebook page: AFRoS Fernie, to watch virtual 45-minute shows in French and English for kids and adults starting at 11am, and to listen to a music concert starting at 5pm. 

The talented francophone artists coming from all over Canada include:

• Madame Diva - from Manitoba with a colourful music show for kids.
• Isabelle La Wonderful - from Alberta with a show of magic, laughter and art for families.
• Leflofranco - from Ontario with high energy, multi-coloured urban pop concert for all public.
• Jocelyn Pettit - from Squamish, BC with an outstanding Celtic concert and stepdance.

You can find more information online at afros.ca/index.php/en/francofest-2/.

Fernie Prep School
fernieschoolagedcare.org
Fernie’s Kindergarten readiness program, Fernie Prep School is now taking registrations for the September intake with limited spaces available. 
Fernie Prep focuses on learning through nature, S.T.E.M, Kindergarten readiness, empathy and mindfulness. You can book in a private tour and pick up an activity pack with Miss Alissa, Lead Educator throughout March. 
To book a tour or register email Alissa, fernieprep@gmail.com or through the Facebook page @fernieprep.  

Le Bon Pain
792B 3rd Ave
250-278-0109

Le Bon Pain, C’est La Vie is the new French bakery in town, open Thursday to Monday, 7:45am to 5pm and just off downtown.  

The bakery has a variety of breads like spelt, rye, sesame, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and of course the classic French baguette! If you’re in a hurry and need to grab lunch their 
“baguette garnie” with tomatoes and goat cheese is perfect. All breads are sourdough made and with organic flour from BC, which means no additives. 

The owners, originally from France also have delicious “viennoiseries” like croissants, pain au chocolat, suisse (croissant filled with chocolate chips and a delicious French custard), almond croissants and a caramel croissant called “Kouing-Amann” which is a speciality from Brittany, France.

Follow the bakery on Instagram @lebonpainfernie, Facebook - Lebonpaincestlavie or visit their website, lebonpainbakery.ca.

Mckenzie Jespersen Photography
mckenziejespersen.com 
250-531-0064

Mckenzie and her family moved to Fernie three years ago mid-winter. While it wasn’t in the plan, now that they’re here they are lifers.

Seven years ago, Mckenzie pursued photography in an attempt to stay at home with her three children. With the COVID-19 pandemic bringing the world and weddings to a standstill, her business continues to evolve as she shifts to including family photos as one of her specialties. 

Mckenzie’s goal is to capture real love and epic mountain connections between couples and family in and around the Elk Valley. Her clients have fun while making memories and creating a lasting piece of art. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, camping, and sitting around the campfire with her own family.

Reach out to learn more by emailing Mckenzie at mckenzie.jespersen@gmail.com or call directly to book your family photos in these beautiful mountains.

Sparrow Hair
641 7th Ave
250-423-7175

A year ago Sparrow Hair committed to becoming sustainable by partnering with the Green Circle Salons organization (GCS) and launching a unique recycling program. Green Circle Salons, founded in Toronto in 2009, helps salons and spas across North America divert typical waste from landfill sites through a unique recovery and repurpose system. Sparrow Hair has been sending waste such as hair, leftover hair colour, foils, colour tubes and aerosol cans to the GCS facility where it is cleaned and repurposed, and most importantly kept out of our landfill site. In response to the pandemic, GCS is also recycling PPE like masks and gloves. Overall, they collected and recycled nearly six tonnes in the first six months!

“This is truly an amazing and important initiative. We hope to inspire other salons and spas in Fernie area to join the quest for a cleaner planet,” said Stacey Goldade, owner of Sparrow Hair.
Visit sparrowhair.ca to book an appointment and follow them on social media @sparrowhairfernie. 

Thrive Life Coaching
thrivelifecoaching.ca 
250-946-6047

Life-long Fernie local, Veronica Shier founded Thrive Life Coaching in 2017. Thrive Life Coaching’s mission is to empower and equip individuals to break out of survival mode to thrive in life in all circumstances by shifting the all too often narrative of “I can’t” to “I’m going to figure out how I can!” Thrive Life coaching is committed to helping others turn their depression into passion, their anxiety into excitement, and their fear into faith for an amazing future they are working to achieve.

You can email Veronica at thrivelifecoaching3@gmail.com, or visit her website for more details on how you can start working towards an abundant, thriving life and join her Thriver’s Nation: Breaking Out of Survival Mode to Thrive in Life (a free Facebook group).