In the evolving landscape of Kamloops’ North Shore, ARPA Investments (ARPA) has solidified its commitment to community betterment through partnerships with remarkable business leaders. With the current development of the Innova Business and Innovation Centre, ARPA recently partnered with Standard Office Space (Standard), an inclusive workspace and non-profit in Kamloops, to provide a positive community space for entrepreneurs that fosters support, knowledge sharing, and access to mentors and education.
Following the relocation of Kamloops Innovation last fall, this partnership seeks to reignite the entrepreneurial spirit that may have dimmed in the post-COVID era, creating a collaborative space where business owners can find the support needed for success.
Standard, founded by long-time Kamloops entrepreneurs Jonathan Bowers, Sadie Hunter, and Stacey Owen, echoes ARPA's commitment to building community and creating a sense of excitement about the North Shore.
“ARPA embodies the same innovative entrepreneurial spirit we do, so it only made sense for us to partner in managing the coworking space at the Innova,” said Sadie Hunter, co-founder of Standard. “We are really excited to work with them to expand the community we started in our downtown location of Standard Office Space last summer to the North Shore as well.”
Together, they aspire to create a future where successful entrepreneurs, having benefited from their nurturing ecosystem, give back to the community in Kamloops through positive community, mentorship, workshops, and events.
Joshua Knaak, partner with ARPA, also expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “By freshening up the space and providing an enhanced level of service through the Standard team, we look forward to being the home base of many new and existing businesses in Kamloops.”
As a non-profit society, Standard actively seeks sponsorships and donations to support their vision of building community, with all proceeds reinvested for community benefit.
With the location at 348 Tranquille Road already at 50 percent occupancy, both ARPA and Standard anticipate welcoming new businesses into the space, enriching the neighbourhood and propelling the North Shore into a future of innovation, collaboration, and shared success.
Entrepreneurs and businesses interested in the space are encouraged to reach out via email to hey@standardofficespace.space