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.

91裸聊视频淚t was supposed to be a nice little walk and it ended up being a hike, we were like 91裸聊视频榳e need a beer after this,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� said van Kesteren.

They had that beer at a nearby pub and talked about the places they91裸聊视频檝e worked in the hospitality industry, their current jobs and what they wanted from their lives.

91裸聊视频淲e looked around and said 91裸聊视频榳e can do this,91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� added Raby. 91裸聊视频淲e were so excited like we already had opened the doors.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淪o many people said 91裸聊视频榳omen brewing, shout that out.91裸聊视频� Yeah that91裸聊视频檚 cool, but we just like that we91裸聊视频檙e brewing beer.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淚t wasn91裸聊视频檛 91裸聊视频榦kay we91裸聊视频檙e done here91裸聊视频�, it was 91裸聊视频榦kay what do we do now?91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� Raby remembers asking.

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

91裸聊视频淲e never questioned it once,91裸聊视频� van Kesteren said. 91裸聊视频淚t was in your gut, in your soul, it was right. It wasn91裸聊视频檛 a thought in our minds at all.91裸聊视频�

Raby noted that it91裸聊视频檚 also important to find mentors.

91裸聊视频淎sk other business owners and get their advice even if they are not in your field.91裸聊视频�

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

They give to the Lake Country Food Bank, a children91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淲e have to have date night,91裸聊视频� Raby laughed.

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

91裸聊视频淟ook at what we91裸聊视频檝e done,91裸聊视频� van Kesteren said. 91裸聊视频淭his is our business. You hang in there and do something you91裸聊视频檙e proud of.91裸聊视频�

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

91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檝e become friends,91裸聊视频� Raby said. 91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 what91裸聊视频檚 so great about doing all of this.91裸聊视频�

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