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.

香蕉视频直播淚t was supposed to be a nice little walk and it ended up being a hike, we were like 香蕉视频直播榳e need a beer after this,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� said van Kesteren.

They had that beer at a nearby pub and talked about the places they香蕉视频直播檝e worked in the hospitality industry, their current jobs and what they wanted from their lives.

香蕉视频直播淲e looked around and said 香蕉视频直播榳e can do this,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� added Raby. 香蕉视频直播淲e were so excited like we already had opened the doors.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淪o many people said 香蕉视频直播榳omen brewing, shout that out.香蕉视频直播� Yeah that香蕉视频直播檚 cool, but we just like that we香蕉视频直播檙e brewing beer.香蕉视频直播�

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.

香蕉视频直播淚t wasn香蕉视频直播檛 香蕉视频直播榦kay we香蕉视频直播檙e done here香蕉视频直播�, it was 香蕉视频直播榦kay what do we do now?香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� Raby remembers asking.

That persistence, and a mindset of not giving up, are attitudes the pair encourage other women entrepreneurs to embrace.

香蕉视频直播淲e never questioned it once,香蕉视频直播� van Kesteren said. 香蕉视频直播淚t was in your gut, in your soul, it was right. It wasn香蕉视频直播檛 a thought in our minds at all.香蕉视频直播�

Raby noted that it香蕉视频直播檚 also important to find mentors.

香蕉视频直播淎sk other business owners and get their advice even if they are not in your field.香蕉视频直播�

Giving back and sourcing local are other behaviours the friends believe in.

They give to the Lake Country Food Bank, a children香蕉视频直播檚 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.

香蕉视频直播淲e have to have date night,香蕉视频直播� Raby laughed.

The day-to-day operations are a huge part of what they love about their business.

香蕉视频直播淟ook at what we香蕉视频直播檝e done,香蕉视频直播� van Kesteren said. 香蕉视频直播淭his is our business. You hang in there and do something you香蕉视频直播檙e proud of.香蕉视频直播�

The other thing that brings a smile is the regulars, and new faces, who walk through the door everyday.

香蕉视频直播淭hey香蕉视频直播檝e become friends,香蕉视频直播� Raby said. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 what香蕉视频直播檚 so great about doing all of this.香蕉视频直播�

is located at 2030 Matrix Crescent in the Airport Business Park.