In recognition of the obstacles local businesses have faced in the last year, the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2021 Business Resilience Awards on Oct. 20.
SA国际影视传媒淒espite operating in difficult and uncertain circumstances, Yellowknife businesses continue to shine SA国际影视传媒攖hey adapt, they collaborate, they persevere,SA国际影视传媒� executive director Deneen Everett said.
Ten businesses were chosen for 10 categories.
Piercings by Haylee J won Resilient Small Business of the Year. Haylee Turi said she first considered piercing professionally when she and her mom sat for matching tattoos at a Yellowknife shop.
She was talking her mother through the pain as the artist worked. She recalled his comment: SA国际影视传媒淓ver thought about being a tattoo artist?SA国际影视传媒�
She replied she wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 an artist like that.
SA国际影视传媒淲ell a piercer, then?SA国际影视传媒�
After that, she signed up for an eight-day intensive course in piercing from a SA国际影视传媒済randfather of modern piercing.SA国际影视传媒� She then started piercing on weekends in 2017. In 2019, she decided to turn the part-time gig into her full-time job.
Now, even through a global pandemic, Piercings by Haylee J is thriving. What advice does she have for those looking to turn their side gig into a career?
SA国际影视传媒淛ust take the plunge,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
She said itSA国际影视传媒檚 hard starting out as a piercer because clients vet their body modification artists very seriouslySA国际影视传媒� as they should, she says SA国际影视传媒� but that can mean it takes a long time to build clientele.
She attributes the success and resiliency of her business during the pandemic to being YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 only piercer at a time where travel outside the territory was restricted. She says folks would normally plan their piercings for when they made trips to Edmonton.
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people just had to take a chance on me,SA国际影视传媒� she said.
SheSA国际影视传媒檚 been able to serve clients during the pandemic, though she said she wonSA国际影视传媒檛 pierce anything thatSA国际影视传媒檚 under peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 masks just yet.
SA国际影视传媒淣o nose, no septum, no lips,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people are surprised when I tell them that.SA国际影视传媒�
SheSA国际影视传媒檚 waiting for the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 proof-of-vaccination program to get rolling before sheSA国际影视传媒檒l get back to piercing noses and lips. Then, sheSA国际影视传媒檒l require clients to show theySA国际影视传媒檝e been double-vaccinated and pass health screening the day of their appointment.
While some businesses, like HayleeSA国际影视传媒檚 were tapped for chamber awards because theySA国际影视传媒檝e weathered the storm, Dragon Toner Law Office was recognized for what it gave back to the community in the past year.
Partner Sheldon Toner told Yellowknifer the award was unexpected, but welcome.
SA国际影视传媒淚t means a lot actually,SA国际影视传媒� he said SA国际影视传媒淲e truly appreciate it SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 not something we really expected.SA国际影视传媒�
He credits the distinction to the firmSA国际影视传媒檚 decision to celebrate its 10th anniversary by making monthly donations to various community groups.
Giving community groups the means they need to continue doing what theySA国际影视传媒檙e intended to do is how his office can positively impact the community, especially during the pandemic, Toner said.
A complete list of all the nominees is posted on the chamberSA国际影视传媒檚 website.
SEE: Full list of nominees
