VK Accelerate Pilot Far & Wide

Interior Design by Spot On Interior Designs

We are very excited to announce that our first VK Accelerate candidates, Far & Wide, have graduated from the program, and we are now ready to launch VK Accelerate city wide!

Calli Duncan and Brianne Sheppard, owners of Far & Wide, officially opened shop on June 23rd and haven’t looked back. The storefront is located at 353 Victoria Street in downtown Kamloops and was designed as a beautiful experiential retail space with the help of our program professional – Spot On Interior Designs. The store features home and lifestyle goods created by Canadian makers and artists along with a variety of artistic workshop opportunities. Over the course of the program, Calli and Brianne worked closely with our program business coach – Cindy Piva from Thrive Business Strategies and both of our professional marketing agencies, Fresh Inc. and Csek Creative to continue along with their business goals. They also received assistance from Colliers for the custom lease at their location in Kamloops.

When asked about their experience in the VK Accelerate program, the two describe it as the catalyst they needed to move their idea into reality. “Brianne and I decided that we wanted to take the jump into retail, as well as foster the relationships we had already created in the community,” says Calli. It seemed with that desire, the connection to the VK accelerate program fit perfectly. “Working with Venture Kamloops was great in the sense that it pushed us to get started,” Brianne continued. “What started as a vague idea and a dream, became a reality.”

Far & Wide was recognized with the Reader’s Choice 2018 Best New Business, as well as the 2018 Fan Choice award for Best Local Retail. In a very short period of time, Far & Wide has become a major player in the retail industry in Kamloops, and will surely continue to see incremental success going forward.

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About VK Accelerate
Now Accepting Applicants

With a successful pilot business under our belt, we are currently accepting select applicants to be a part of this valuable program. If you are looking to start a storefront business and would like to take advantage of personal consultation with industry experts, the opportunity to receive reduced initial lease rates and much more, apply now.

Learn More

Proud Business Supporters


Community Partners


For More Information
Contact Nicole Bruce


Economic Development Manager

Phone: 250.828.6818
Toll Free: 1.888.526.5667
nbruce@venturekamloops.com

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HOSPITAL

The new Patient Care Tower at Royal Inland Hospital began construction, and aims to be ready for occupancy by 2021. At $417 million, it is the largest single construction project in Kamloops’ history.