An Indigenous-owned and operated business with Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) employees is due to be put in the spotlight, as Bears' Lair brings its second season to the screen.
The Dragon’s Den-style reality TV show, hosted and produced by former Squamish Nation business development manager Tsetasiya (Geena Jackson), develops Indigenous entrepreneurs from across the country.
Each of the 18 business owners will pitch their ideas to The Bears and a panel of guest judges, to win a share of the $160,000 prize money.
“The program really showcases the various Indigenous businesses out there, from arts to food to production to Indigenous homecare to construction,” said Corey Janvier, an entrepreneur from the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation. “The more we get these Vancouver, Indigenous businesses out there, the more we can find ways to get those businesses not only serving Indigenous or community events, but the wider public.”
Janvier will appear in the second season pitching his business Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial, an organization that provides employment and training opportunities to those in need. Catering to Indigenous clients throughout Vancouver, the roles it creates are in cleaning, homecare, catering and construction.
The guidance and support given by The Bears and judges would help the business, which has garnered more than one million dollars in revenue and employs more than 40 Squamish Nation members, cater to a wider demographic, he said.
“This is such a good opportunity to take my business model and the success that I’ve had here and grow it across the province," he added.
“The $100,000 prize would be a huge asset to the company, to my team members and me,” he said, adding how the funds would go towards purchasing new equipment, creating more training opportunities, and hiring a resource worker who would help aid potential employees who are homeless or battling drug addictions.
Should another contestant take home the grand prize, Janvier said there are no hard feelings – there is still much that can be taken away from taking part and he’s simply grateful for the experience.
“Just being on the show itself is a huge accomplishment,” he said. “To be able to present my business and learn, not only from The Bears and the judges themselves, but from other entrepreneurs as well, that’s what’s most important. To hear about what their successes are, what their failures were, how they overcame that, that’s really beneficial for anyone running their own business.”
With all contestants of the same mindset, Janvier said there is no fierce competitiveness among the entrepreneurs, just a lot of “good discussion” and “learning from each other.”
“I just hope this helps individuals in Vancouver to support Indigenous businesses, and see that the work that we do is meaningful, not only for ourselves, but our communities, our team members and their families.”
Bears' Lair Season 2 airs June 4 on APTN.
Mina Kerr-Lazenby is the North Shore News’ Indigenous and civic affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
