It’s been just under two years since Pat Vinje and Jesse Wilson went from not knowing a thing about owning a business to being entrepreneurs.
Vinje and Wilson are co-owners of J&P Machine Works in Williams Lake, where they repair machines for local mining, forestry and agricultural industries.
Vinje and Wilson used to work two doors down from their business as machinists, when they heard the owner of Germik Industries was retiring and looking to sell his business. They got talking on their lunch break and decided to check it out.
“When an opportunity like that comes up, it’s worth going and asking a question,” Vinje said.
The pair didn’t know a thing about owning a business, but luckily there was help at hand. In the past, the previous owner worked with Community Futures, a national non-profit organization which helps small businesses start up and grow. The owner recommended Vinje and Wilson turn to Community Futures’ local branch to help them get started.
Wilson said their first conversation with Community Futures was fantastic, and within less than a year they were able to take over the business. The non-profit provided Vinje and Wilson with the funding, resources and coaching they needed to become successful business owners.
“We’re trades men, so we don’t know how to speak business,” Vinje said. Community Futures guided them every step of the way, from learning how to present themselves in order to get loans, to navigating the legal processes of purchasing and starting their business.
“There were many changes that we had to adapt to,” Wilson said.
Community Futures continues to play an important role for the business partners, who turn to the organization for advice and reassurance when things aren’t clear. Vinje and Wilson are also considering expanding their business' space and team to better serve local industry.
The nine Community Futures offices in B.C.’s north recently teamed up in an effort to support small business which can be difficult to start up, operate and expand in rural areas. The Invested in BC’s North campaign aims to inform entrepreneurs of the opportunity and assistance available to them.
In 2022-2023, the nine Community Futures offices in northern B.C. loaned $7.4 million and provided close to 4,500 business advisory services.
“It’s what we do. We are here to guide our local entrepreneurs and small business owners,” general manager of the Williams Lake Community Futures, Karen Eden said in a press release. “The best part is that we get it. We live here, and we understand the market and struggles.”
In an interview with the Tribune, Eden said The Williams Lake Community Futures office helps businesses from Bella Coola to 70 Mile House to McLeese Lake. It supports about 30 businesses with finances and lends an average of one million dollars per year to help businesses start and grow. Most of their services, she said, are free.
