A Vancouver Island business is celebrating two finalist positions in the 2021 Small Business BC Awards.
JustoB次元官网网址檚 Craft Dips is a finalist in categories Best Youth Entrepreneur and PremierB次元官网网址檚 PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice. The Victoria-based vegan craft dip company was born in the spring of 2019 and launched operations at the end of that year, on the edge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
B次元官网网址淚 started creating different types of sauces and different types of dips and I ended up bringing them to all different types of parties and potlucks,B次元官网网址� said 24-year-old Justin Kopetzki, CEO and co-owner. B次元官网网址淧eople really started enjoying them B次元官网网址� it transformed over time into a little Instagram page where I would go out and deliver to friends and friends of friends.B次元官网网址�
From there, Kopetzki and co-owners Eric Taccogna and Adam Conlin B次元官网网址� all under 25 B次元官网网址� started using a commercial kitchen and selling the dips at farmers markets. With funding from Futurpreneur Canada B次元官网网址� a non-profit that provides financing and mentoring to new entrepreneurs B次元官网网址� the trio ordered jars.
About a year and a half later, the dips are sold in about 40 stores around Vancouver Island.
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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely been a little crazy, starting a business throughout COVID,B次元官网网址� Kopetzki said. B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 been pretty cool to see that kind of support from the community.B次元官网网址�
The dips are packed in reusable glass jars and made almost entirely from Canadian products, two commitments forged within the companyB次元官网网址檚 focus on sustainability and community. The dips come in flavours like B次元官网网址楾ruffleB次元官网网址檇 Up HummusB次元官网网址� and Mango Jalapeno Salsa.
TheyB次元官网网址檙e now planning to expand business into Vancouver.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been kind of a whirlwind of a year and half to figure out how to run a business,B次元官网网址� Kopetzki said. B次元官网网址淚 guess confidently winging it is how we described it.B次元官网网址�
For every jar purchased, one serving is donated to local shelters and community kitchens.
B次元官网网址淓stablishing a super positive and happy culture within our employees has been a huge thing for us,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淩eally (weB次元官网网址檙e) just trying to like shine positivity throughout our entire business practices. If we succeed, the community succeeds, because you know, there will be more and more donations that will go out to the people who need it most.B次元官网网址�
Now, out of more than 900 nominees for the Small Business BC Awards, the company is one of 20 to make it as a finalist B次元官网网址� twice B次元官网网址� thanks to votes from the public.
B次元官网网址淚 think it really shows true to how supportive and how amazing the people who do know us are and theyB次元官网网址檝e really gone to bat for us to be in this position that weB次元官网网址檙e in,B次元官网网址� he said.
Winners receive $1,500, a short video shot by a professional crew, and access to Small Business BC services. Winners will be announced over the course of a three-day virtual gala from May 4 to May 6.
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