The times they are a changin’ and a number of local residents are embracing the adage that the best way to predict your future is to create it.
Jeff Cooke moved to Squamish from Toronto eight years ago. In a town where dogs nearly outnumber the human population, he is the owner, president and master trainer at Bark Busters, which is believed to be Canada’s largest dog-training operation. His wife, Barb, is also a master trainer, a dog behaviour therapist and part owner of the company. In the short time Jeff has been here, he has become an active member of the community as president of the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association, the president of the Squamish branch of Crime Stoppers and a member of the Squamish Brand Leadership Team.
Murray Sovereign decided to open a Valhalla Pure outlet 17 years ago in the Squamish Station Mall after visiting his sister, who was working in town as a rock-climbing guide. To keep up with the flourishing athletic apparel and equipment market, he recently accessed additional retail space adjacent to the store. His success has allowed him to give back to the community by sponsoring numerous initiatives and organizations, including Squamish Search and Rescue, the Squamish Paddling Club, the Climbers’ Access Society, the Test of Metal and the Squamish Community Foundation.
When she was in her 30s, Nicole Musgrave sailed around the world on a 40-foot sailboat with two fellow travelers. After arriving in Squamish from Ontario, she became one of the first women in the Sea to Sky Corridor to operate her own rock truck, then she began driving a logging truck. She is an avid downhill skier, hiker and golfer and has volunteered with the Whistler Adaptive Skier and Snowboard program. To capitalize on the booming real estate market, she recently bought her first condo and became an agent with RE/MAX realty.
Squamish Nation member Alice Guss (Tsawaysia Spukwus) is tapping into the growing demand for a deeper understanding of this province’s aboriginal heritage. She is fully booked for workshops and presentations at opening ceremonies and has been a public speaker at a variety of events, including an indigenous culture educational conference in Chicago and TEDx Squamish held at Quest University. Recently she became a facilitator with the Skw’une-was teaching program at the Cheakamus Centre Bighouse in Paradise Valley. As a member of the Squamish Brand Leadership Team, she is also actively engaged in the advancement of broader local interests.
After a closer look, although the members of this foursome have chosen dissimilar career trajectories, what they have in common is their ability to shape their own future by tapping into emerging opportunities in this community.
