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CRAVE Blog
South Surrey’s Local Gem: Belle’s Country Market
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Located at 3208 140 Street, in the Crescent Beach area of South Surrey, Belle’s Country Market is an exceedingly charming local gem. Mother, and entrepreneur Leslee Kerfoot brilliantly created a community centre when she opened the doors of Belle’s. Belle’s boasts the best of many worlds – a cafe, market, restaurant and live entertainment centre. With such a dynamic appeal, it really is no wonder that Belle’s is able to successfully attract an array people from within and outside of the community. Belle’s truly has what many of us crave – a vibrant neighbourhood venue with a welcoming, comfortable feel. Leslee has truly created an ideal neighbourhood quarter to connect with family and friends. Below, Leslee shares some advice, and inspiration with the CRAVE community.
Inspiration or motivation behind starting your business?
I had worked in the Corporate world of Keg and Spectra (Bread Garden, Milestones, Boathouse) as VP Marketing and HR and had done all that I wanted to do in that world. I always wanted to have my own business where I could be “hands on” and creative. I also wanted a business closer to home where my children were. So I packed in the Corporate World and started “Belle’s” – 2 blocks from home. I started the business and also bought the real estate where my business sits, so I am my own landlord too!!
What do you love most about your job?
The people. I love my customers – they are all from my neighbourhood – just fantastic people who really care about supporting a local business. I also love my staff. It’s a real neighbourhood place where everyone knows each other and it makes it a joy to come to work! I also love the flexibility I have in my job now that I am out of the corporate world. I can do whatever I want – introduce a new product in a day that used to take a year of meetings in the corporate world! I also have had more flexibility and time with my family.
Other than all kinds of great food, not much. I am very happy with my business and my life!! I do look forward to retirement when I can hand my business off to my children and travel the world!
Advice for future entreprenesses?
If you are going to start your own business be sure that you are passionate about what you are doing. You have to love it, because it is a lot of time and energy having your own business. It takes years to build a successful business so you have to have stamina. Make sure you surround yourself with good people – people that are different from you with different strengths and talents. Be positive, never stop creating.