UNLESS MARKET | Sarah Coffey

Neighbors in Business is a series of interviews with Kelowna business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders. Each article is an opportunity for us to get to know the people behind the local businesses: their story, their vision, and their challenges. It is our way to recognize their hard work and their daily contribution to the economic well-being of our beautiful city.

What did you do before opening Unless Market?

I had a full-time career with the Municipal Government and Regional District of Okanagan. I worked there as a 911 Dispatcher and then I transitioned into a new role as an Alarm Coordinator after starting a family.

When did you start your business? How did you get the idea?

I noticed that there were few stores that offered mostly locally made goods. I decided to pursue this exciting business with a focus on local, domestic, and earth friendly items. I have sourced out a large variety artistic and practical products to share with the local and out of town shoppers.

I opened Unless Market in 2015.  I found the first year in business to be a steep learning curve.  I realized that there was much more to know and learn on how to operate a business.

If you look back, did you imagine it would be like this?

Since starting this business, the outcome is better than I imagined. I’ve received great feedback from my customers on the variety of products I carry and I continue to see returning customers.

What makes Unless unique?

I am proud to say that 90% of the product carried at Unless Market is made locally between Lumby and Penticton. Another unique offering is our Refill Instead Program, this program promotes the reusing of containers to reduce the amount of waste.

What is your biggest challenge?

The biggest challenge I encountered was learning to wear many hats.  As a small business owner, you can sometimes make the mistake of trying to do everything yourself and learning when to step back and hire a professional is crucial. I also find it a challenge to find the right balance between work and family life.

 

Did you grow up in Kelowna? How do you find living here? 

I grew up in Vancouver and moved to Kelowna in 2004. I love the Okanagan lifestyle and feel it’s a great place to be.

What advice would you give someone starting a similar business?

For anyone starting a business my advice would be to focus on the tasks that you enjoy and are passionate about and find other professionals to help with the rest.

What are you looking for in an accountant?

To me, it’s important to work with an Accountant that has a good understanding of small business needs.