It is so refreshing to be able to talk with other new entrepreneurs about concerns and triumphs in business because there are few other people who can understand. It is also great that we can have an interchange of ideas. -Florence Amundson, Mystic Dreams, Kamloops BC-
Angie Barnard, Painted Turtle Guesthouse, Nanaimo
It might very well have been fate that led Angie Barnard and her husband Bruce to open the Painted Turtle Guesthouse in 2004. During an extended round the world trip, they came across Nanaimo and instantly loved the city. With an obvious gap in the accommodation market and revitalization efforts happening downtown, they postponed their travels and moved from Australia to establish their dream business here.
With Barnard’s education in Tourism Management and her husband’s passion for renovating, they turned a 1913 heritage building into a ‘boutique hostel’ – a perfect melding of skills for the couple.
“Our recipe for a successful business includes income potential, social need and sustainability as essential ingredients…oh, and hard work,” says Barnard. “The first three years of business were very much heads down, bum up.”
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“What makes the Painted Turtle Guesthouse unique is that the comfort and service are what you would get at a hotel, but the extra amenities can’t be found anywhere but at a hostel,” explains Barnard. ‘We were tickled when a recent guest described it as a Glostel – glamour hostel.”
Having now established the business and receiving great reviews on tripadvisor.com, Barnard is taking a step back to raise her two children. She’s also using this break from the business to give back to her community through mentoring. Having been mentored by three entrepreneurial parents to become a successful business owner, it’s no wonder she wants to help others.
“As entrepreneurs themselves, my parents provided wise advice at opportune times and instilled in me confidence and unconditional support,” acknowledges Barnard. “Mentors provide different perspectives from real experiences that can help you to think laterally, ultimately enhancing your business and personal outcomes.”
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