SMALL BUSINESS IS BOOMING IN AND AROUND YLW
BY MARJOLEIN LLOYD E
veryone hopes that they find a career in life that makes them truly happy. Who wants to go to work each and every day, thinking, “Here we go again, another day of work?” Everyone hopes to find a career that they absolutely love. Case in point, meet Khadija Hashi.
Khadija owns Happy and Grateful Shoe Shine located in the departures lounge of YLW. And the name of her business says it all. Throughout our visit, Khadija smiled from ear to ear, her eyes sparkling and her enthusiasm contagious. At the airport with her own business since early 2008, Khadija and her four young children relocated to the Okanagan after working for a shoe shine company at YVR for a couple of years. Wanting a chance to be an entrepreneur she landed the contract at what she calls “the airport in paradise”. The rest, as they say, is history. Khadija can be found at her station on weekdays from about 8:30am until approximately 5pm.
Over the years, Khadija’s business has grown. Starting with just the shoeshine chair she has expanded her services to include coin operated massage chairs and toenail stamping and callous removal, which was added this past summer. A toonie gives you two minutes in the massage chair: the perfect opportunity to relax before boarding your flight. Shoe shine prices range from $7 to $12 depending on the shoe or boot and each visit promises to be personalized to each customer. “I have learned to read people. Sometimes we chat even after I’m finished their shoes. Other times I can tell that they are in a hurry or they don’t want to talk.”
Outside of the airport you will find Scott Hermanson, owner and operator of HermCo Catering. Hermanson operates out of a catering truck, offering made-to- order breakfasts and lunches for the staff at Kelowna Flightcraft and surrounding businesses. What Hermanson is cooking up, however, is not your typical street vendor type food. “I offer everything from a breakfast sandwich, Philly beef dips and hamburgers to teriyaki beef stir fry and authentic tacos with purple cabbage slaw. My specialty is the HermCo Hot Mess which has fries, shaved roast beef, gravy, bacon, cheese and onions.” Hermanson also offers healthy choices for those wanting something a little lighter.
A trained and fully certified Red Seal executive chef, Hermanson worked at many of the top hotels in Vancouver
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including the Pan Pacific and Hotel Vancouver before starting his own business in the Okanagan four years ago. Now with a new trailer, he has been able to expand his business and menu options. When not at the airport, Hermanson can be found at Cody Auctions and the Western Star auctions on Wednesday and Thursday nights respectively from 5 until 8:30pm. Planning a staff function, sports tournament or party? Hermanson is available for catering or concession services and can handle virtually any size crowd. “I can do in-home fine dining or any type of party. I’m fully self-contained. All you have to do is eat and enjoy; we even do all the clean-up.”
For more information contact Scott Hermanson at 250-681-0939.
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