What started as a walk near Chute Lake nearly three years ago, has brewed up a business for affable friends Melaine Raby and Cathy van Kesteren.
乌鸦传媒淚t was supposed to be a nice little walk and it ended up being a hike, we were like 乌鸦传媒榳e need a beer after this,乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 said van Kesteren.
They had that beer at a nearby pub and talked about the places they乌鸦传媒檝e worked in the hospitality industry, their current jobs and what they wanted from their lives.
乌鸦传媒淲e looked around and said 乌鸦传媒榳e can do this,乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 added Raby. 乌鸦传媒淲e were so excited like we already had opened the doors.乌鸦传媒�
Their love of beer, the outdoors, and camping - a theme that weaves its way throughout their establishment - further convinced the pair that this is what they had to do.
After securing funding, finding a location, consulting with construction services, landing a liquor licence, and dealing with setbacks, the friends opened the doors to Three Lakes Brewing in 2023 during the August long weekend.
The name comes from three lakes, Okanagan, Kalamalka and Wood, as well as three women, van Kesteren, Raby and her daughter Tara who is the brewmaster.
Raby noted that, as far as she knows, there are not many women running their own craft brewery operations.
乌鸦传媒淪o many people said 乌鸦传媒榳omen brewing, shout that out.乌鸦传媒� Yeah that乌鸦传媒檚 cool, but we just like that we乌鸦传媒檙e brewing beer.乌鸦传媒�
There were challenges and setbacks, however, including a lease for a Lake Country location that fell through twice and navigating the provincial liquor licencing process.
乌鸦传媒淚t wasn乌鸦传媒檛 乌鸦传媒榦kay we乌鸦传媒檙e done here乌鸦传媒�, it was 乌鸦传媒榦kay what do we do now?乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 Raby remembers asking.
That persistence, and a mindset of not giving up, are attitudes the pair encourage other women entrepreneurs to embrace.
乌鸦传媒淲e never questioned it once,乌鸦传媒� van Kesteren said. 乌鸦传媒淚t was in your gut, in your soul, it was right. It wasn乌鸦传媒檛 a thought in our minds at all.乌鸦传媒�
Raby noted that it乌鸦传媒檚 also important to find mentors.
乌鸦传媒淎sk other business owners and get their advice even if they are not in your field.乌鸦传媒�
Giving back and sourcing local are other behaviours the friends believe in.
They give to the Lake Country Food Bank, a children乌鸦传媒檚 lunch program, and supported a local family last Christmas.
As much as possible, Three Lakes Brewing sources its ingredients, supplies and food offerings locally and hosts farmers markets, artisans and musicians on a regular basis.
At times the last nearly three years have been blur for the 20-year friends. Some days are so busy they barely have time to connect.
乌鸦传媒淲e have to have date night,乌鸦传媒� Raby laughed.
The day-to-day operations are a huge part of what they love about their business.
乌鸦传媒淟ook at what we乌鸦传媒檝e done,乌鸦传媒� van Kesteren said. 乌鸦传媒淭his is our business. You hang in there and do something you乌鸦传媒檙e proud of.乌鸦传媒�
The other thing that brings a smile is the regulars, and new faces, who walk through the door everyday.
乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檝e become friends,乌鸦传媒� Raby said. 乌鸦传媒淭hat乌鸦传媒檚 what乌鸦传媒檚 so great about doing all of this.乌鸦传媒�
is located at 2030 Matrix Crescent in the Airport Business Park.
