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.
含羞草研究社淚t was supposed to be a nice little walk and it ended up being a hike, we were like 含羞草研究社榳e need a beer after this,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 said van Kesteren.
They had that beer at a nearby pub and talked about the places they含羞草研究社檝e worked in the hospitality industry, their current jobs and what they wanted from their lives.
含羞草研究社淲e looked around and said 含羞草研究社榳e can do this,含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 added Raby. 含羞草研究社淲e were so excited like we already had opened the doors.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淪o many people said 含羞草研究社榳omen brewing, shout that out.含羞草研究社� Yeah that含羞草研究社檚 cool, but we just like that we含羞草研究社檙e brewing beer.含羞草研究社�
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.
含羞草研究社淚t wasn含羞草研究社檛 含羞草研究社榦kay we含羞草研究社檙e done here含羞草研究社�, it was 含羞草研究社榦kay what do we do now?含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 Raby remembers asking.
That persistence, and a mindset of not giving up, are attitudes the pair encourage other women entrepreneurs to embrace.
含羞草研究社淲e never questioned it once,含羞草研究社� van Kesteren said. 含羞草研究社淚t was in your gut, in your soul, it was right. It wasn含羞草研究社檛 a thought in our minds at all.含羞草研究社�
Raby noted that it含羞草研究社檚 also important to find mentors.
含羞草研究社淎sk other business owners and get their advice even if they are not in your field.含羞草研究社�
Giving back and sourcing local are other behaviours the friends believe in.
They give to the Lake Country Food Bank, a children含羞草研究社檚 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.
含羞草研究社淲e have to have date night,含羞草研究社� Raby laughed.
The day-to-day operations are a huge part of what they love about their business.
含羞草研究社淟ook at what we含羞草研究社檝e done,含羞草研究社� van Kesteren said. 含羞草研究社淭his is our business. You hang in there and do something you含羞草研究社檙e proud of.含羞草研究社�
The other thing that brings a smile is the regulars, and new faces, who walk through the door everyday.
含羞草研究社淭hey含羞草研究社檝e become friends,含羞草研究社� Raby said. 含羞草研究社淭hat含羞草研究社檚 what含羞草研究社檚 so great about doing all of this.含羞草研究社�
is located at 2030 Matrix Crescent in the Airport Business Park.
