Whistler's BReD is up for a Small Business BC award

It’s fitting that a business focused on plant-based baking is one of three finalists for a business impact award from Small Business BC.

Sea to Sky Sourdough BReD, located in Creekside, takes itsrelationship with the Earth and community seriously. Its offerings include 100-per-cent plant-based sourdough bread, a tree gets planted for every two cups of joe sold, and it is a Certified B Corporation. Owned by husband-and-wife team Ed and Natasha Tatton, the shop opened in 2019.

It’s not the first time the Tattons' names have shown up for a Small Business BC award. In 2021, they won in the Best Young Entrepreneur category.

They beat out nominations from more than 400 businesses spanning 75 cities and towns in B.C. After making it into the top five from community voting, nominees for E-Commerce Experience, Business Impact, and Best Young Entrepreneur then took their talents to a judging panel and pitched why they should win.

Now, after making it into the final three, winners will be announced Nov. 1 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, and more than $20,000 in prizes are up for grabs.

The Premier’s People’s Choice award makes a fourth category and is decided by public voting.

Going up against BReD is Ahous Adventures, based in Tofino, and Employ to Empower, based in Vancouver.

“We are so impressed by the variety of businesses represented in the top three finalists this year, from newcomers to veterans, spanning regions as small as Ucluelet and as large as Vancouver,” said Small Business BC CEO, Tom Conway, in a press release.

“Yet they all share a common thread; each has showcased their connection to their community and the meaningful impact they’ve made.”