It’s been just 45 years since Dolly Parton’s award-winning, toe-tapping, ground-breaking 9 to 5 was released, showcasing women in business and paying homage to 9 to 5, the National Association of Working Women.
In that one short lifetime, women in business have advanced in light years.
International Women’s Day, coming up this Saturday March 8, is a day to recognize the achievements of women, from social and cultural contributions to economic and political movements. As an organization that supports Whistler business, we wanted to highlight just some of the incredible female-owned companies in town.
We put the word out, planning on featuring just the first ten Chamber Members to get in touch. We of course heard from more than ten, so we compromised, and featured all of them.
Here are 18 brilliant women-owned businesses in Whistler!
Be Beauty Laser & Esthetics
Be Beauty Laser & Esthetics is a go-to local spot for all things beauty. They offer everything from pedicures and manicures to waxing, lash care, radiofrequency micro needling, laser hair removal, skincare and more.
This fantastic small business was a finalist in the 2024 Whistler Excellence Awards, and is owned and operated by Whistler local businesswoman and beauty guru Jillian Ryan.
Photo: Jillian Ryan (owner) and Rhiannon Csordas (bestie/business partner) who run Be Beauty together
The Business Creatrix
Anyone who follows our socials will already be familiar with The Business Creatrix, a business coach, collaborator, and truly inspiring businesswoman.
Kevani Kestel is the name behind it all, offering tailored business coaching, marketing consultation, and inspiring co-creation. She works with business owners to put their ideas and goals into a workable plan, powering past procrastination and amplifying your momentum.
Want to meet Kevani and see how valuable her guidance can be? Sign up for a Chamber Collaboratory session, where The Business Creatrix herself will be in house offering 1:1 sessions and guided lunch discussions!
Wild Vedas
Wild Vedas is Whistler’s very own Ayurvedic practitioner and outdoor educator. This small business offers yoga and hiking programs, Ayurveda workshops and clinics, private hiking, and retreats. The word ‘vedas’ means ‘knowledge’ in Sanskrit, which connects this business’ expertise on the outdoors with human wellness.
And it’s all owned and operated by Whistler Excellence Awards finalist Nicki McKeon, a passionate businesswoman Whistler can be proud of.
Bluebird Strategy
Looking to bring in help organizing an event, outstanding meeting, or innovative brand experience? Give Bluebird Strategy a call.
They offer event planning, hotel sourcing, destination management, and brand activations. Anyone who has ever taken our ABCs of Customer Service should already be familiar with their work, as they produced the course for us. Plus, there’s help available for all the additional moving parts, such as transport, restaurant bookings, room management, team building work, and everything in between.
The impressive woman behind it all is Heather Odendaal. As part of her work with Bluebird, she is also the CEO and Founder of WNORTH, a North American network of women leaders.
Whistler Traveller
Every Whistlerite is familiar with Whistler Traveller Magazine, the local magazine filled with all things lifestyle, events, history, and experiences in Whistler.
This read is a mainstay in hotels, cafes, and homes all over town. It helps to promote our slice of paradise here in Whistler, and showcases other local businesses and events throughout the year.
It’s no wonder that Jackie Rohde is as well known and loved in Whistler as the magazine itself!
Brahmi Rituals
When you’re looking for locally made, luxury, vegan skincare in Whistler, Brahmi Rituals (previously Brahmi Skincare) is the big name in town.
Using high quality natural and organic ingredients, including fair trade essential oils, this business is well known for beautiful products. Yet more than that, Brahmi Rituals also offers organic teas, guided beauty meditations, and healing facials.
Owner Lily Chandra has certainly made a name for herself here in Whistler, and she is also getting international media attention as well. The brand has just recently been mentioned in two Forbes articles!
Flashback Whistler
Did you come to the Whistler Excellence Awards last year? How about our recent Chamber Apres at the Rimrock Café? You would have seen – and probably had a photo taken by – Flashback Whistler.
This photobooth business has quickly become a common sight at Whistler events, adding an interactive, memorable space with themed props and signs.
The woman behind the magic is Erica Ferri, a local professional with more than 25 years of experience in hospitality and a background in photography.
True Nature Wilderness Therapy
Whistler is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but that doesn’t make anyone immune to life’s hardships. What it does mean, is that we have wonderful businesses such as True Nature Wilderness Therapy that take you out into nature for impactful therapy sessions.
This business offers counselling where you walk and talk out on local nature trails, allowing you to reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
The woman at the helm is none other than Heather Hendrie, a Registered Clinical Counsellor in BC (RCC), Wilderness First Responder, and experienced outdoor guide. She is also the mastermind behind Awfully Hilarious, a collection of taboo, funny, and embarrassing stories from women who get it.
Alto Marketing + Management
Alto Marketing + Management is yet another 2024 Whistler Excellence Awards finalist, and yet another exceptional, innovative Whistler business.
At its heart, Alto MM is a creative agency that works in athlete management, marketing, and production. They can do it all, from public relations and social media management, to influencer management, sponsorships, cinematography, photography and casting.
The powerhouse behind it all is founder Jen Girardi, who works as an agent and producer, connecting brands, athletes, and creatives for business growth and partnerships.
Whistler Tattoo Company
There are many beautiful tattoos in town, and a lot of them come from the Whistler Tattoo Company. These tattoos are known for their top quality, beautiful details, realistic animals and stunning florals.
In particular, there are countless tree tattoos in Whistler thanks to founder Kelsey Bareham’s 2017 #Trees4BC campaign, in which she offered tree tattoos in return for a donation to the Canadian Red Cross’ BC Fires Appeal. Her efforts helped to raise more than $24,000 for the Red Cross, and saw many Whistlerites receive beautiful new tree tattoos in the process.
Like many of our Whistler women business owners, Kelsey’s creativity and drive don’t stop there. She also writes, illustrates and publishes local children’s books, including Wally Learns to Ski, which takes place here at Whistler Mountain.
Kong Law Corporation
Kong Law Corporation is a local limited law practice here in Whistler, specializing in death & accident planning, business and personal legal agreements, and some family law matters.
All of that available from one incredible woman, Tanya Kong. Tanya is a barrister, solicitor, and notary by trade, also holding a bachelor degree in Environmental Science and Business.
In 2022, Tanya launched Kong Love. Kong Love offers ‘Thinking Partner’ services, or in other words, life and leadership coaching. She has recently shifted to this line of work full time, making Tanya one woman of many, many talents!
Amos & Andes
Amos & Andes is one of the longest running Whistler retail stores, offering locals and visitors alike gorgeous, high quality sweaters and accessories.
Owner and manager Hilary J. Davison grew up on a farm in England and has now spent more than 30 years operating this beloved local business, keeping us all warm and keeping visitors happy with cosy Whistler souvenirs.
The Circle Skate & Snowboard Shop
As a town of skiers and snowboarders, skaters and bikers, Whistler knows what it is to be cool. The Circle Skate & Snowboard Shop is a locally owned and operated shop in the midst of it all, supplying locals and visitors with all the gear required to get out and adventuring.
One of the owners is Laura Woerlee, a Kiwi and ex pro snowboarder who has been riding in Whistler since she was just 16. Laura (and fellow owner Steve) launched The Circle Kids after having a Whistler grom of their own, Portia, and realizing there needed to be a shop for kids to grow up wearing and riding the best gear to match their folks.
Harmony Whistler Vacations
Repping the accommodation sector, Harmony Whistler Vacations is a locally owned and operated boutique vacation management company.
They’ve been at it since 2014, and now manage more than 60 vacation rental properties in Whistler. It’s a small team, and one run by Emma Goodman, whose background is in real estate, customer service, and sales.
Keir Fine Jewellery
Who in Whistler hasn’t wandered into Keir Fine Jewellery to admire all the beautiful sparkly things in the display cases?
The focus in Keir Fine Jewellery is on Canadian designs and designers, which is why this is your place to go for jewellery from Vancouver Island, Canadian diamonds from the Northwest Territories, and other local products.
Lana Beattie is the fantastic woman behind it all, working as the owner and operator and helping visitors pick out something special, something sparkly, something sentimental, or a little of all three.
Peaked Pies
Take it from a Chamber team that’s 50% Australasian – there aren’t many places in all of Canada, or even North America, where you can get a pie quite like those from Peaked Pies. Also on the must-try list are the sausage rolls and lamingtons.
And we have the marvelous Kerri Jones to thank! It was the classic story of an Aussie girl moving to Whistler and thinking about staying, but missing the same thing many Australasian expats miss most – a decent pie. Then she met a Canadian boy, who did the gentlemanly thing and baked her a pie, and a Whistler icon was born.
This Whistler business has been so popular that it has now expanded to two more locations in Vancouver.
Perez McKenzie Immigration
Many people in Whistler are still in town due in part to the work of Perez McKenzie Immigration (this writer included!).
Jenny Perez is a Senior Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant, and is the Managing Director of the business as well.
In her spare time, Jenny runs and funds Unplugged, a Canadian non-profit that works to keep children off smartphones until they are 14 years old. The movement now has more than 1,700 signatures, and over 400 schools signed on!
RE/MAX Sea to Sky Real Estate
Last, but certainly not least, is RE/MAX. It should go without saying that RE/MAX is a leading real estate company in the Sea to Sky, working with buyers and sellers throughout Whistler, Squamish, and Pemberton.
One woman in the midst of it all is Ann Chiasson, a long, long-time Whistler local who has been in town since 1977. She purchased the Sea to Sky Real Estate Whistler office in 1985, and has now been involved with RE/MAX since 2005. She was named as the Whistler Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year in 1997, and has been a prominent business person in town ever since.
Women in business
Whistler is a town of phenomenal, entrepreneurial, passionate, hard-working, mountain-hiking, snow-carving, inspiring women. It is a pleasure and an honour to support their businesses, and showcase even just a fraction of the women who work so hard not just on International Women’s Day, but every day of the year. In fact, we hope this is one day you can all put your feet up and toast yourselves.
You can see all of our women-owned Chamber Members listed here on our Women-Owned Biz Directory. Plus, take a look at some of the great Women’s Day Events that will be held in Whistler this weekend!