There’s tons of opportunity in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region

Jenny Hughes, the founder of Me & You Manufacturing Co., a company that designs and sells reusable, fashionable shopping bags, believes in the power of good timing. She started in 2004 after noticing a lack of stylish, reusable shopping bags in the Canadian market. Six months later, municipalities starting talking about banning plastic bags. Customers and the media came calling in droves.

 

The bags are manufactured in Vancouver and that’s where Jenny and her husband used to live. However, the arrival of a baby changed their priorities.

“We just didn’t feel it was an amazing fit to raise a family,” says Jenny. They moved to Qualicum Beach to be closer to family and to enjoy a more family-friendly environment.

“Being able to work here and still manufacture in Vancouver – it’s been amazing!” says Jenny. “I would say there’s tons of opportunity in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. Everyone loves supporting local here, which I love. And it’s such a beautiful place.”