Bow Sinister Archery Centre
Kamloops, Thompson-Okanagan
Bow Sinister Archery Centre
Kamloops, Thompson-Okanagan
Bow Sinister Archery is a sole proprietorship company that offers new archery equipment, repairs, and custom leatherwork. I've been in business for approximately 20 years. I started in Prince George and my day job relocated me to Kamloops. Customer service is of the utmost importance. I may not have the largest on-hand inventory, but I do have some of the best customer service you'll find anywhere. Each customer that comes to my shop has their own appointed time, which allows me to give them the one-on-one attention they deserve. I am a constant supporter of the Kamloops Target Sports Association, (KTSA), Bow Benders, which is the archery community of the club. I'm at virtually every newcomer night, helping new archers to get started in the sport. I help the club plan and set up for any 3D or fun shoots that they have on the schedule. I donate door prizes to almost every shoot I attend throughout the Thompson Okanagan. The KTSA Bow Benders have 3 archers that will be attending the World 3D Archery Championships in Slovenia this September. Since October 2023, Bow Sinister Archery has been donating a portion of every sale to help offset their travel expenses.
Nominations
Read below to find out why they deserve your vote in each category.
Business Impact Award
Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?
I started Bow Sinister as a way to fill a gap that I saw in the archery community. A company that provided affordable archery equipment and exceptional customer service. Archery is a sport that anyone can do, regardless of age. It's not cripplingly expensive to participate in... Archery costs as much as you want it to. You can spend $150 on a bow, or you can spend thousands on a bow. The choice is yours and Bow Sinister provides as many options as we can.
Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.
As mentioned, I am in attendance at almost every newcomer night that is hosted by the KTSA Bow Benders. I take a hand-on approach in getting them equipped and providing them with instructions and coaching to get them shooting and having fun. They're all given my contact information and are never pressured to buy from me. It's my job to help them find what they want and need to have fun shooting so that they are happy and satisfied. | travel to several outdoor 3D shoots during the spring. In 2024, I attended shoots in Kamloops, Cherryville, Rock Creek, and 100 Mile House. For each shoot, I donated quality door prizes. (I would have attended more, but I really do have to spend some weekends working). There will be another shoot in Kamloops in mid August, and another in 100 Mile House in October. I will be in attendance at both of these. During the winter the KTSA Bow Benders shoot indoors. In February 2024, we moved into the Moccasin Square Garden on the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc land. Band members were invited to come out each evening we were there to shoot with us. I took a leading role in their instruction as well. This role resulted in the Band ordering archery equipment so that they could run a program of their own during the summer.
Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?
I think I deserve to win because, in part, to the role I play in promoting a highly underrated sport. Archery is a fantastic sport for young and old and should be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Another reason is the exceptional customer service I offer. Customer service is almost dead these days. People don't appreciate it enough when someone brings business to them, rather than Amazon, or Cabelas. Me.. I thank each and every person that buys from me, regardless of the dollar value. Without customers, there is no business. And finally, the sheer enjoyment I get from running this business. I make very little money doing it, but it keeps me busy and makes me, and other archers, happy. I'm providing this service in a way that is not seen in any big box stores.
Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.
Every customer that comes to my shop does so by appointment. This allows me to give them the one-on-one customer service without being interrupted by another client. Regardless of their skill or knowledge of the sport, all are treated with respect. Everybody was a new archer at some point and the only stupid question, is the one you don't ask. I will often ask for input from more experienced archers or bow techs. It's better to ask for help than to ruin someone's equipment. I have several different vendors. Some, I have been dealing with since the beginning. Others, are brand new to me. I am constantly trying to expand my product line to offer quality archery equipment that is often not available at a lot of other vendors. For example, Bow Sinister Archery is the Canadian Distributor for Safari Tuff archery gear. Promoting the vendor's products are also key to building the business relationship with them. Every archery shop in Canada buys products from a distributor called Golden Arrow Archery. It's finding the products that not everyone else has access to that sets us apart. As a sole proprietor, I don't have any staff, but I do hire people to help me when I attend a trade show. Regardless of their knowledge or skill level, they're treated with respect and paid well.