Kelowna Founders Club

The Playbook

Plays you can run.

How to start and grow a business in Kelowna, straight from the founders and operators who've done it. Guides for the journey, insights from every speaker who's taken our mic.

EverythingGuidesSpeaker insights
Cole DaSilva on Turning Fitness Coaching Into a Scalable BusinessSpeaker insight

Cole DaSilva on Turning Fitness Coaching Into a Scalable Business

Cole DaSilva, co-founder of PT Domination and Aesthetic Nation Gym, on productizing coaching, organic-only growth, and building community-first in Kelowna.

Jul 7, 2026 · 10 min read

Sam Gaudet on Building an 8.8 Million Follower Content MachineSpeaker insight

Sam Gaudet on Building an 8.8 Million Follower Content Machine

Sam Gaudet, Creative Director at Martell Media, breaks down the content system that grew Dan Martell from 10k to 8.8M followers - and what founders can copy.

Jul 5, 2026 · 10 min read

Inside the Okanagan Startup Scene: Why Kelowna Is BoomingGuide

Inside the Okanagan Startup Scene: Why Kelowna Is Booming

An evidence-based look at the Okanagan startup scene in 2026: Kelowna's tech numbers, notable exits, investors, honest weaknesses, and how to plug in.

Jul 4, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Find a Business Mentor in Kelowna (Without Being Weird)Guide

How to Find a Business Mentor in Kelowna (Without Being Weird)

How to find a business mentor in Kelowna: the rooms where operators hang out, BC mentorship programs like Futurpreneur, and ask scripts that get a yes.

Jul 3, 2026 · 15 min read

The Best Networking Events in Kelowna for Entrepreneurs (2026)Guide

The Best Networking Events in Kelowna for Entrepreneurs (2026)

Where Kelowna's founders, students, and ambitious professionals meet: the events, meetups, and rooms in the Okanagan worth showing up to this year, and how to make connections that turn into opportunities.

Jul 2, 2026 · 2 min read

TFSA vs RRSP vs FHSA for Business Owners: Where to Save FirstGuide

TFSA vs RRSP vs FHSA for Business Owners: Where to Save First

TFSA vs RRSP for business owners, plus the FHSA: the 2026 order of operations for self-employed Canadians with irregular income and no employer pension.

Jul 2, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Start a Business in Kelowna: A 2026 Step-by-Step GuideGuide

How to Start a Business in Kelowna: A 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

How to start a business in Kelowna in 2026: BC registration, your Kelowna business licence, real costs, taxes, grants, and where to find local support.

Jul 1, 2026 · 15 min read

SR&ED Tax Credit Explained: Get Back Up to 35% of R&D CostsGuide

SR&ED Tax Credit Explained: Get Back Up to 35% of R&D Costs

The SR&ED tax credit refunds up to 35% of R&D costs in Canada, even pre-revenue. Learn SRED eligibility, 2026 refund rates, and see a Kelowna claim example.

Jul 1, 2026 · 15 min read

Sole Proprietorship vs Incorporation in Canada: How to ChooseGuide

Sole Proprietorship vs Incorporation in Canada: How to Choose

Sole proprietorship vs incorporation in Canada: the real BC tax math, income thresholds, and costs so Kelowna founders know exactly when to incorporate.

Jun 30, 2026 · 15 min read

Small Business Taxes in Canada: Rates, Deadlines, DeductionsGuide

Small Business Taxes in Canada: Rates, Deadlines, Deductions

Your plain-language 2026 guide to small business taxes in Canada: BC rates, deductions, GST and PST rules, key deadlines, and legal ways to cut your tax bill.

Jun 29, 2026 · 15 min read

Small Business Grants in Canada (2026): The Complete ListGuide

Small Business Grants in Canada (2026): The Complete List

Small business grants in Canada for 2026: the complete federal, BC, and Kelowna-area list, with real dollar amounts and how to stack programs that pay.

Jun 28, 2026 · 15 min read

Short-Form Video Marketing for Small Business: Start HereGuide

Short-Form Video Marketing for Small Business: Start Here

A no-excuses system for short-form video marketing for small business: platforms, hooks, a batch-filming afternoon, and AI tools - built for Okanagan owners.

Jun 27, 2026 · 14 min read

Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini: Which AI Should You Use in 2026?Guide

Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini: Which AI Should You Use in 2026?

Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini in 2026: an honest head-to-head on writing, coding, pricing in CAD, and privacy - and which one Okanagan founders pay for.

Jun 26, 2026 · 15 min read

Salary vs Dividends in Canada: How to Pay Yourself in 2026Guide

Salary vs Dividends in Canada: How to Pay Yourself in 2026

Salary vs dividends in Canada: real 2026 BC numbers at $60K, $100K and $200K, the CPP and RRSP trade-offs, and the hybrid mix accountants actually recommend.

Jun 26, 2026 · 15 min read

Real Estate vs Starting a Business: Where to Invest in 2026?Guide

Real Estate vs Starting a Business: Where to Invest in 2026?

Real estate vs starting a business: we run the actual 2026 Kelowna numbers - cap rates, condo cash flow, SDE multiples - so you can decide where to invest.

Jun 25, 2026 · 15 min read

Personal Branding for Founders: Build an Audience That PaysGuide

Personal Branding for Founders: Build an Audience That Pays

A practical guide to personal branding for founders in 2026: positioning, platforms, a founder content system, and a 30-day plan - with a Kelowna edge.

Jun 24, 2026 · 16 min read

Community-Led Growth: Build a Scene, Not Just a BrandGuide

Community-Led Growth: Build a Scene, Not Just a Brand

Community-led growth turns customers into a scene that sells for you. A practical playbook from your first ten members to monetizing, proven in Kelowna.

Jun 22, 2026 · 15 min read

Local SEO for Kelowna Businesses: How to Rank on GoogleGuide

Local SEO for Kelowna Businesses: How to Rank on Google

The practical local SEO Kelowna guide: rank in Google Maps, build Okanagan citations, earn reviews, and get recommended by AI - plus a 90-day DIY plan.

Jun 21, 2026 · 15 min read

Kelowna vs Vancouver for Business: Costs, Talent, LifestyleGuide

Kelowna vs Vancouver for Business: Costs, Talent, Lifestyle

Kelowna vs Vancouver for business in 2026: real rent, office, salary, and funding numbers to decide where to build - plus the hybrid play founders use.

Jun 20, 2026 · 15 min read

Content Marketing Strategy for Small Business: A One-Page PlanGuide

Content Marketing Strategy for Small Business: A One-Page Plan

A simple content marketing strategy for small business: one-page plan, three content pillars, weekly AI workflow, and a 12-week calendar for Okanagan owners.

Jun 18, 2026 · 15 min read

7 Customer Retention Strategies for Small BusinessGuide

7 Customer Retention Strategies for Small Business

Practical customer retention strategies for small business: the math, a 30-day onboarding plan, cheap loyalty programs, and win-backs built for the Okanagan.

Jun 15, 2026 · 16 min read

How to Register a Business in BC (2026): Steps and CostsGuide

How to Register a Business in BC (2026): Steps and Costs

How to register a business in BC in 2026: exact BC Registries steps, name request tips, CRA accounts, and the real all-in costs for Okanagan founders.

Jun 14, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Price Your Product or Service (Without Guessing)Guide

How to Price Your Product or Service (Without Guessing)

Learn how to price your product or service with proven frameworks, real numbers, and scripts to raise prices - built for Kelowna and Okanagan founders.

Jun 13, 2026 · 16 min read

How to Network as an Entrepreneur (Even as an Introvert)Guide

How to Network as an Entrepreneur (Even as an Introvert)

Learn how to network as an entrepreneur - even as an introvert - with a give-first system, follow-up scripts, and a 90-day plan built for Kelowna founders.

Jun 12, 2026 · 16 min read

Email Marketing for Small Business: Build a List That SellsGuide

Email Marketing for Small Business: Build a List That Sells

Email marketing for small business, done right: grow a list legally under CASL, write a welcome sequence that sells, and run it all in 20 minutes a week.

Jun 11, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Make a Pitch Deck Investors Actually ReadGuide

How to Make a Pitch Deck Investors Actually Read

Learn how to make a pitch deck investors actually read - the 12-slide structure, traction tips, common mistakes, and what BC and Okanagan angels want in 2026.

Jun 11, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Hire Your First Employee in Canada, Step by StepGuide

How to Hire Your First Employee in Canada, Step by Step

How to hire your first employee in Canada: 2026 costs, CRA payroll setup, WorkSafeBC, BC contracts, and onboarding - a step-by-step guide for founders.

Jun 10, 2026 · 16 min read

How to Get Funding for a Startup in Canada: Every OptionGuide

How to Get Funding for a Startup in Canada: Every Option

How to get funding for a startup in Canada in 2026: loans, grants, angels, and VC compared by stage - with the exact BC and Okanagan path for Kelowna founders.

Jun 9, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Get Referrals: Turn Word of Mouth Into a Growth EngineGuide

How to Get Referrals: Turn Word of Mouth Into a Growth Engine

Learn how to get referrals on purpose: a word of mouth marketing system with scripts, incentive ideas, and a weekend referral program for small business.

Jun 7, 2026 · 16 min read

Founder-Led Sales: How to Sell When You Hate SellingGuide

Founder-Led Sales: How to Sell When You Hate Selling

A founder-led sales playbook for people who hate selling: build a pipeline, run discovery calls, and close your first customers - no sales experience needed.

Jun 7, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Build a SaaS MVP With AI (Solo, in Weeks)Guide

How to Build a SaaS MVP With AI (Solo, in Weeks)

Learn how to build a SaaS MVP with AI in 3-4 weeks as a solo founder - validation, build stack, pricing, your first 10 customers, and Okanagan channels.

Jun 5, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Build an App With AI Without Coding (2026 Guide)Guide

How to Build an App With AI Without Coding (2026 Guide)

Learn how to build an app with AI without coding: a step-by-step 2026 guide with real tools, budgets from $0-$500/month, and lessons from Kelowna founders.

Jun 4, 2026 · 15 min read

Hiring Your First Employee in BC: Payroll and WorkSafeBCGuide

Hiring Your First Employee in BC: Payroll and WorkSafeBC

Hiring your first employee in BC? Get the full 2026 checklist: CRA payroll account, WorkSafeBC registration, true costs, contracts, and Okanagan hiring tips.

Jun 3, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile: 2026 ChecklistGuide

How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile: 2026 Checklist

How to optimize your Google Business Profile in 2026: categories, photos, a weekly review system, and a 40-minute routine built for busy Kelowna owners.

Jun 3, 2026 · 15 min read

GST and PST for BC Small Businesses: When and How to ChargeGuide

GST and PST for BC Small Businesses: When and How to Charge

GST and PST for small business BC: the $30,000 GST rule, PST registration, the October 2026 changes, and how to charge customers without CRA penalties.

May 31, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Write a Business Plan (With Template and Examples)Guide

How to Write a Business Plan (With Template and Examples)

Learn how to write a business plan lenders and investors actually read - one-page template, free Canadian examples, and financial projections made simple.

May 27, 2026 · 15 min read

Claude Code vs Cursor: The Best Vibe Coding Tool in 2026Guide

Claude Code vs Cursor: The Best Vibe Coding Tool in 2026

Claude Code vs Cursor in 2026: a founder-first comparison of the best vibe coding tools, real monthly costs, and the starter stack non-programmers need.

May 24, 2026 · 15 min read

Cash Flow Management for Small Business: A Simple SystemGuide

Cash Flow Management for Small Business: A Simple System

Cash flow management for small business, made simple: build a 13-week forecast, get paid faster, size your reserve, and dodge Canada's GST timing traps.

May 23, 2026 · 15 min read

How to Write AI Prompts That Get Great ResultsGuide

How to Write AI Prompts That Get Great Results

Learn how to write AI prompts that get great results: a proven framework, ten copy-paste templates for small business, and fixes for common prompting mistakes.

May 23, 2026 · 15 min read

The Best Business Bank Accounts in Canada, ComparedGuide

The Best Business Bank Accounts in Canada, Compared

Finding the best business bank account in Canada in 2026: free options, Big-5 fees, EQ Bank, Wise, and BC credit unions with Kelowna branches, all compared.

May 22, 2026 · 15 min read

Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital: A Founder's FrameworkGuide

Bootstrapping vs Venture Capital: A Founder's Framework

An honest bootstrapping vs venture capital framework: worked dilution math, Canadian middle paths, and why Kelowna is one of the best places to bootstrap.

May 21, 2026 · 15 min read

Investing Through a Corporation in Canada: A Founder's GuideGuide

Investing Through a Corporation in Canada: A Founder's Guide

Investing through a corporation in Canada, explained for BC founders: tax deferral math, the $50K passive income rule, RDTOH, holdcos, and a $200K sample plan.

May 20, 2026 · 15 min read

The Best Coworking Spaces in Kelowna (2026 Prices Compared)Guide

The Best Coworking Spaces in Kelowna (2026 Prices Compared)

Every serious coworking space in Kelowna compared with real 2026 prices - hot desks from $89/mo, day passes, private offices, and which one fits your work.

May 20, 2026 · 15 min read

The Best Cities in Canada to Start a Business, RankedGuide

The Best Cities in Canada to Start a Business, Ranked

The best cities in Canada to start a business, ranked with 2026 data on rents, taxes, talent and growth - and why Kelowna cracks the top five for founders.

May 19, 2026 · 16 min read

Best AI Tools for Small Business in 2026 (And What to Skip)Guide

Best AI Tools for Small Business in 2026 (And What to Skip)

The best AI for small business 2026: a hype-free shortlist by function, real Canadian costs from $0 to $500/month, what to skip, and a 30-day rollout plan.

May 18, 2026 · 15 min read

The Best AI for Small Business in 2026 (Top Models Compared)Guide

The Best AI for Small Business in 2026 (Top Models Compared)

The best AI for small business in 2026, compared in plain English: Claude vs ChatGPT vs Gemini on price, privacy, and real tasks - with a Canadian lens.

May 17, 2026 · 16 min read

What Are AI Agents? A Business Owner's GuideGuide

What Are AI Agents? A Business Owner's Guide

What are AI agents? A plain-language guide for business owners: how agents differ from chatbots, real 2026 costs, and how to pilot your first one safely.

May 16, 2026 · 15 min read

Angel Investors in BC: How Okanagan Founders Find BackersGuide

Angel Investors in BC: How Okanagan Founders Find Backers

Where angel investors in BC actually write cheques: Valhalla Kelowna, VANTEC, the OKGN Angel Summit, and the 30% eBC tax credit that helps close local rounds.

May 16, 2026 · 15 min read

AI Side Hustles That Actually Work in 2026 (And Which Don't)Guide

AI Side Hustles That Actually Work in 2026 (And Which Don't)

Honest AI side hustles that actually work in 2026 - real demand data, dead trends to avoid, first-90-day income math, and Canadian tax rules for side income.

May 15, 2026 · 15 min read

AI Data Privacy for Business: Is It Safe to Share Your Data?Guide

AI Data Privacy for Business: Is It Safe to Share Your Data?

AI data privacy for business, explained for Canadian owners: what ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini do with your data, PIPEDA and BC PIPA rules, and fixes today.

May 14, 2026 · 15 min read

AI Automation for Small Business: What to Automate FirstGuide

AI Automation for Small Business: What to Automate First

AI automation for small business, explained: what to automate first, real 2026 tool costs, Okanagan examples, and a 30-day plan to win back your hours.

May 13, 2026 · 15 min read

What Is an API? A Simple Explanation for Non-ProgrammersGuide

What Is an API? A Simple Explanation for Non-Programmers

What is an API? A plain-English explanation for business owners - the restaurant analogy, API keys, what they really cost, and why AI now runs on them.

May 12, 2026 · 15 min read

What Is an MCP Server? A Plain-English Guide for BusinessGuide

What Is an MCP Server? A Plain-English Guide for Business

What is an MCP server? A plain-English guide for business owners: how MCP connects AI to your CRM, invoices, and calendar - no code, no developer needed.

May 9, 2026 · 15 min read

What Is Vibe Coding? How Non-Coders Build Real SoftwareGuide

What Is Vibe Coding? How Non-Coders Build Real Software

What is vibe coding? A plain-English guide to how non-coders build real software with AI - tools, real costs, risks, and a weekend project to try in 2026.

May 5, 2026 · 16 min read