• About
    • About CFGT

      • About Community Futures
      • Board of Directors
      • Our Staff
      • Reports and Financials
      • Success Stories
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
    • Our Programs

      • Self Employment
      • Basin Business Advisors
      • Export Navigator
      • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
      • Community Economic Development
  • Financing
    • Financing Services
    • Applying for Loans
    • Business Loan FAQs
    • Business Loans 101
    • Micro Loans
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
    • Redress Policy
    • Loan Payment Calculator
  • Coaching & Advice
    • Coaching & Advice
    • Export Navigator
    • Basin Business Advisors
    • Workshops & Training
    • Business Events & Workshop Calendar
  • Programs
    • Self Employment Program
    • Basin Business Advisors
    • Export Navigator
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
    • Community Economic Development
  • Resources
    • CFGT Business Facilities
    • South Kootenay Business Centre
    • CRE8 Media Centre
    • Links to other Resources
    • Business Events Calendar
    • Entrepreneurial Self Assessment
    • Business Structure & Name
  • News & Events
    • Latest News
    • Coming Events
    • Business Events Calendar
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Community Futures Greater Trail

Growing communities one idea at a time

  • About
    • About CFGT

      • About Community Futures
      • Board of Directors
      • Our Staff
      • Reports and Financials
      • Success Stories
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
    • Our Programs

      • Self Employment
      • Basin Business Advisors
      • Export Navigator
      • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
      • Community Economic Development
  • Financing
    • Financing Services
    • Applying for Loans
    • Business Loan FAQs
    • Business Loans 101
    • Micro Loans
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
    • Redress Policy
    • Loan Payment Calculator
  • Coaching & Advice
    • Coaching & Advice
    • Export Navigator
    • Basin Business Advisors
    • Workshops & Training
    • Business Events & Workshop Calendar
  • Programs
    • Self Employment Program
    • Basin Business Advisors
    • Export Navigator
    • Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
    • Community Economic Development
  • Resources
    • CFGT Business Facilities
    • South Kootenay Business Centre
    • CRE8 Media Centre
    • Links to other Resources
    • Business Events Calendar
    • Entrepreneurial Self Assessment
    • Business Structure & Name
  • News & Events
    • Latest News
    • Coming Events
    • Business Events Calendar

Black & Beck Foods Ltd.

Mary-Ellen Black

Black & Beck Foods Ltd. is a Rossland-based business that got its start through the Self-Employment Program and went on to obtain funding from Community Futures for product development.

Owner Mary-Ellen Black wanted her unique, BC made, apple-based dipping/marinade sauces to be marketable to as many dietary restrictions and personal preferences as possible. The current selection of sauces are:

  • sodium free
  • vegan
  • low sugar (sweetened with organic raw cane sugar)
  • allergen friendly: no nuts, peanuts, seeds, or gluten ingredients used (not certified)
  • no oil (although can extend out with a light oil to make a dressing)
  • each bottle contains 50% fruit
  • non-GMO ingredients (not certified)

As volumes and pricing allow, Black & Beck Foods Ltd. is looking to add ‘organic’ to that list!

Mary-Ellen and her sauces are a staple at many summer markets and fairs throughout the West & East Kootenays during the summer. Luckily, the sauces are also available at grocery stores in Rossland, Trail, Castlegar, and Nelson. They will also soon be available at locations in Crescent Valley, New Denver, Kaslo, Nakusp, and Revelstoke.

When asked what advice she would share with future entrepreneurs, Mary-Ellen had this to say:

“Being an entrepreneur is for the self-motivated individual who has passion, perseverance and patience as the staples to fulfill a dream and meet the challenges of being self-employed. Networking with others in the industry is key, as they will have different perspectives and it’s always good to bounce off ideas. Even though mistakes will be made, you don’t always have to repeat other peoples’. Trust and self-belief are important, even when it feels like you’re facing into the wind. Know that you are bringing something different to market. Be prepared to flex and adjust to allow growth, knowing that your product or service may look different than how you conceived. It will be better than you imagined.”

Contact Information

Website | on Facebook | on Pinterest

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
←One Tree Adventures
Sarah Elizabeth Fibre Works→

Primary Sidebar

  • Latest News
  • Coming Events
  • Business Events Calendar

Footer

Contact Us

825 Spokane Street
Trail BC, V1R 3W4

P: 250 364 2595

Recent News

Self Employment Program Info Sessions

CFGT Staff Profile – Office Manager, Nicole Pipes

CFGT Open House Celebrates Entrepreneurs

Quick Access

  • About Community Futures
  • Latest News
  • Business Events Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Board Documents

Keep up to date

Subscribe to our mailing list for leads on the latest opportunities.

Site Footer

Copyright © 2023 Community Futures Greater Trail · All Rights Reserved · Website by Maverick Design

 

Loading Comments...