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.

Everything Guides Speaker insights

Guide

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

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

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

Guide

How to Start a Business in Kelowna: The Complete 2026 Playbook

Everything you need to start a business in Kelowna, BC: registering your company, permits and licensing, the best coworking spaces, local funding options, and where to meet the founders who've done it before you.

Jul 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Guide

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

Guide

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

Guide

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

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

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

Guide

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

Guide

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

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

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

Guide

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