Digital Recording Studio with Local Knowledge

Having an online presence is essential, but carving a place in the fast-moving changes of today’s technology can seem daunting. The guys at Podio Studio in downtown Parksville have cutting-edge solutions for video podcasting, audio recording production, and professional editing services that won’t break the bank. Their hourly-rental studio space fills the tech gap in our Oceanside community.

Bring Your Business to a Wider Customer Base

When we caught up with Podio’s owner, Mark Beuerman, he explained how video podcasting is an easy way to tell your brand’s story. “Every business owner is wondering how to develop and grow an online presence. We all know it starts with a website and leveraging current marketing strategies. In today’s business environment, that means incorporating video. Video is essential — and we understand it can seem overwhelming,” Beuerman said.

With several years of videography, professional online marketing, and business operations experience, Beuerman has created a jewel in downtown Parksville. “I believer in the power of video and more importantly, YouTube to grow your service business. As a local business owner myself, I couldn’t find a place to record, so I created Podio Studio,” Beuerman told us.

Keeping it Relevant with a High-Quality Digital Presence

Small business video podcasts are the future. It’s all about developing the story behind your business. But the bottleneck is knowing how and where to start. Podio’s founder is eager to remove barriers to entry. Local business owners can give video podcasting a try with only a rough concept worked out when they walk in. Podio understands the paths to the world of YouTube, Spotify, and other short-form video platforms.

“Podcasting plus video is the future of content creation. It feeds the demand for a narrative. Lots of people in our community have a podcast idea, but they don’t know where to start. Plus, the Parksville and Qualicum Beach community hasn’t had a full-service studio for hourly rentals. Podio brings it all together — we want to share the space we have. We can take you from concept to recording, through to edited and uploaded – inside of a day,” Beuerman said.

Video, Podcasting, Recording Studio in the Heart of Parksville

The spin-off benefits of successful business or personality podcasting are unlimited. Imagine being so close to a state-of-the-art full-production studio at 182 Memorial. Podio offers customized packages for any size of podcast concept — business, individual, event, family, non-profit.

Check out their website today and book an affordable trial recording and editing session. Learn a new skill that will put your business out front. Create content you, your staff, and your existing customer base will love talking about. It’s your story to tell and Podio knows how get it online.

This article has been updated from its original version to accommodate a change in the business’s name from VidPod Studio Co. to Podio Studio in the summer of 2024.

This Year is the Best Year for Your Tattoo Dream

Across from the Main Post Office on the East Island Highway, Parksville Tattoo is an art gallery for collectors, a candy-store for art-lovers, and a place for friends to hang out. Steeped in an old school tattoo shop vibe, these ink artists know that every tattoo has the power to change a life.

Plan Now & Enjoy Your Artistry for a Lifetime

“There’s a methodical process to getting a tattoo,” Colin Wiley, owner and tattooer, told us when we stopped by the shop to chat. “Our customers become friends. And we know that art, whether you hang it over the fireplace or craft a statement on your skin, is a deeply personal thing. As a tattoo artist, it’s essential that I spend time getting to know each client. Their design is going to form part of their self expression for life — we take our responsibility in the process seriously at Parksville Tattoo.”

Each ink artist has their own specialty. As a shop, Wiley explained the importance of the pre-ink consultation stages of the process.

“Everyone has toyed with the idea of getting a tattoo. Maybe it’s a larger canvas that needs carefully staged planning. But even a quick, smaller image requires careful thought. We meet with every client for a personal consultation before they decide how to go. Our consultations are complimentary. We want everyone to feel confident and relaxed. Enjoying the process of getting your tattoo, knowing your artist, loving how things look in the end — this is all central to what we do.”

Friends Alongside Taking the Plunge with You

Sometimes a tattoo needs updating, something called “a cover-up” in the industry. Or maybe old scars can be hidden with clever and creative artistry.

“We’ve been doing this for so long, we have a deep network through the Western Canadian and Vancouver Island tattoo scene. If our shop isn’t ideal for a specific style or specialized situation, like mastectomy cover-up for example, we know just the artist to recommend. And those artists are trusting us with referrals too, because we’ve earned a place of respect in the industry,” Wiley explained.

“We have clients as old as 80 and as young as 18. We’ve been in Parksville for 7 years now — lots of our clients come back for additional or expanded designs. We love the spirit of true art and how our bodies are a canvas. It never gets old. That’s how we know we’re serving our art and our clients well.”

Deep Meaning & Art to Love Every Day in Parksville Downtown

Stop in and see some of the designs that might spur your next ink. Parksville Tattoo is a friendly place where you can drop by and let your imagination roam. Everything from a small flower or hummingbird, to a leg sleeve or shoulder — your tattoo will be as individual as you.

Cleaning Supplies and Vacuums with Island Roots 

For over 28 years, Island Cleaning Supplies in Parksville has been providing reliable products and services to its Vancouver Island community. We caught up with co-owner, Tami Frankford, recently to find out why this family-run business has been such a success.

Building Strength by Focusing on Quality

Like most small and medium businesses that start from scratch, Frankford and her husband have experienced their fair share of challenges. “We were out of town when we got the call that our store was gutted by a fire. And this happened after we’d already managed the hectic business and community realities of the early pandemic. It was devastating news, but we knew we’d rebuild and we have. Our retail showroom in the old Sears building in Parksville looks better than ever now,” Frankford told us.

With over 40,000 residential and commercial cleaning products available, Island Cleaning Supplies has everything professionals need. Retail customers know they can trust the high-quality product selection that’s the go-to source for janitorial, commercial, and institutional customers —Island Cleaning is where the industry pros shop. By offering free delivery, on-site business quotations, and a service department for in-store or on-location equipment repair and installation, their expert staff and fleet of vehicles ensures every order is exactly what their customers need.

Everything Cleaning Under One Roof

“Early on, we determined that we were going to be a positive presence in our community. We are the only locally-owned janitorial supply company, and we have long-standing relationships with the best suppliers in our industry. We are the only place in town with expert vacuum knowledge and we have installers on staff who provide personal quotations, whether a vacuum installation is a new condo development or an older home’s retrofit,” Frankford said.

“Excellence in customer service and product quality are non-negotiables for us. We focus on BC and Canadian suppliers whenever we can, and we feature green cleaning products that really work. Our concentrates are eco-friendly, and they help reduce costs too. By buying from us, you get the cleaning products the professionals use — and you don’t pay for the unnecessary water content grocery-store products include.”

Community at the Heart of it All

Island Cleaning Supplies has deep roots in the community, supporting everything from janitorial industry associations to ‘buy-local’ business encouragement in Parksville and across Vancouver Island. Sponsoring youth sports and education initiatives are second-nature.  Community synergy between its local ownership and its customer base gives the business its strong and positive presence.

Plan to stop in at the 182 Harrison Avenue showroom and check out the latest in floor scrubbers, in-house vacuum systems, and eco-friendly products. As a one-stop shop for all your cleaning and facility management needs, you’ll find Island Cleaning Supplies’ friendly staff ready to help you save money while achieving the highest possible standards for cleaning and sanitization.

Oceanfront Vacation Bliss in our Backyard

When pandemic travel restrictions were at their height, Canada looked for the sweet spot to spend relaxing days, weeks, or months in the sunshine. Surfside RV Resort in Parksville was the perfect location. With classy RV park amenities and the friendly, neighbourly feel of a gated community, Canada came west.

Surfside RV Resort features a spectacular, 55-acre oceanfront layout to maximize the rewards of time spent with family and friends beachside. Clubhouse facilities, seaside pool and hot tub, tennis courts, pickleball — and the serenity of our Pacific Ocean beaches — the complete vacation package, right here in our backyard!

Come for a Weekend and Stay Forever

With over three hundred fully-serviced RV sites, Surfside RV Resort is a go-to destination for travellers heading to the pleasant climes of BC’s shoulder seasons, as well as snowbirds looking for a well-appointed resort for their Canadian summers. With mild winters sheltered on the east side of Vancouver Island’s beautiful shores, the health and wellness advantages of close proximity to nature offer a low-snow winter break.

For years, Surfside has enjoyed a steady, loyal clientele, many of whom have long-term membership status. We caught up with on-site manager, Shawn Bennett, recently and he explained that Vancouver Island neighbours might not know that the resort is open to the public as well. “Our members have committed to this place because they love it so much, but we have lots of ‘weekend warriors’ and shoulder-season ‘six-monthers’ who don’t need a membership to enjoy all the same amenities,” Bennett said.

Beach, Estuary, Panoramic Views, and Relaxation

Located at the bottom of Corfield Street, next to Parksville’s City Park, Bennett told us that often folks don’t realize the resort has so much to offer. “I wish more people would stop in to see us, maybe on their way to see the sand castles or when taking their grandkids to the playground. We love seeing the surprise when Parksville, Qualicum, and Nanaimo neighbours realize the comfortable, family-oriented oceanfront experience we offer so close to home.”

“We have view sites offering underground hookups, wifi access, phone/cable connectivity, reduced daily rates for longer stays, plus social activities and a relaxed, friendly feel. We’re a pleasant evening’s walk from downtown Parksville, meaning that shopping, restaurants, and coffee shops become part of the relaxing flow of a stay in our resort,” Bennett told us

Stop By and See the Beauty Next Door

For those with an RV, knowing there are 30 and 50 amp pull-through sites of a roomy 2,300 square feet and abundant coastal sunshine says it all. Local residents can leverage the benefits of a place to get-away and recharge, close-to-home — plan to stop in to say hello to the folks at Surfside RV Resort. Their gift shop is open business hours and you’ll come away amazed at this hidden jewel so close to downtown Parksville.

Independent Financial Advice with A Trusted Track Record

Vancouver Island is the paradise Canada dreams of retiring to. Many of us have chosen to raise our families here, with the benefits of natural beauty, excellent professional infrastructure, and a warm community feel. As family wealth increases over the years, finding holistic advice regarding everything from tax savings to insurance needs becomes essential.

Neighbourhood Feel for the Important Investments of Life

We spoke with Chris Mohr at his downtown Parksville IA Private Wealth office, to find out how community-minded investment works. After thirty years in Parksville and more than a decade helping to guide the team of financial professionals at the office, Mohr described the strong relationships built with a long-term view in mind.

“Most of our growth at IA Private Wealth’s location in Parksville comes from referrals. When we’re first contacted, it’s likely that the person has already pre-vetted us through someone who is an existing, long-term client. By growing our clients’ financial interests year in and year out, we’ve developed a reputation of trustworthiness, long-term focus, and a warm and informative approach,” Mohr explained.

“Typically, we don’t advertise and we try to demystify financial planning by steering clear of fancy jargon,” Mohr went on. “We know that RSPs, RRIFs, TFSAs, and other important choices are critical components of client investment portfolios. Our role is to know what’s recommended for each situation. We get to know our clients, so we can provide comprehensive and accurate advice. That’s our job. Successfully meeting long-term financial goals is the evidence that we’ve done our job well.”

Wealth Management, Insurance Coverage, Borrowing Advice

IA Private Wealth focuses on a six-step process to ensure that each of its licensed advisors have a client’s complete financial future considered. Family priorities, setting short and long-term goals, personal and holistic wealth planning for peace-of-mind, attentive implementation, and progressive monitoring are essential components to financial advice excellence.

Knowing that existing clients send their family and friends to the team at IA Private Wealth’s office – at 174 Morison Avenue in downtown Parksville – speaks to what Mohr calls the “family” aspect of their office’s approach. “We pick up the phone and hear, ‘My relative says you’re the people we need to see’ all the time.”

Peace-of-Mind for Life’s Important Investments

Stop in at the expanded office for a wealth management, estate planning, or insurance protection visit soon. The group of financial advisors will have a hot cup of coffee for you – plus strategic knowledge for your investment choices, financial risk mitigation, and market diversification questions.

Chances are you’ll recognize someone in the close-knit staff from hockey or curling – somewhere in the community, they are involved and growing the Parksville way, just like your family! A call today can lead to your peaceful financial future for decades to come.

Holistic Health & Wellness Resources Close to Home

Recently, the multi-disciplinary team of healthcare practitioners at Sustain Collective in Parksville gave their downtown location a fresh look to match their invigorating service offerings. With professionals spanning holistic wellness services – from massage therapy to effective alternative health services – Sustain Collective is a one-stop shop for making sure your youthful energy stays steady.

Parksville’s Prime Location for Massage Therapy Services

We spoke with lead clinician and the Collective’s director, Sarah Adams RMT, to find out more about Parksville’s cutting-edge massage therapy practice. “We’ve created a space that brings the benefits of clinical procedures inside an environment deeply encouraging for individualized patient support, whether for pain alleviation, increased mobility, or deep relaxation. Our patients find a welcoming healthcare space in the community where life’s stress points are relieved,” Adams told us.

“We know that our clients have a to-do list that keeps them running all day. When they enter our Sustain Collective space, it’s a time to focus on the importance of health and healing — a place where our patients feel they are taken care of,” Adams explained.

Footcare Nursing and Somatic Sound Healing Specialists

With an in-house Licensed Practical Nurse focused on patient foot health and a dedicated energetic somatic sound practitioner offering guided sessions, resilience and mobility are restored while one’s mind is set at ease. Canada is experiencing a concerning increase in social isolation, particularly among retirees. Finding trusted professionals who can take the stress of medical appointments and turn them into times of refreshment and renewed energy is a community jewel.

“We offer personal phone consultations regarding some of the direct billing paperwork we can take care of through extended health benefits. It’s surprising how many people don’t take full advantage of the medical benefits available to them every year, simply because the billing process seems daunting. In many cases, we can handle the paperwork for our clients, so they can focus on holistic wellness and optimal health,” Adams explained.

Holistic Focus with Individualized Care

Reach out to Sustain Collective to book an initial consultation today. Their warm and caring staff is ready to help you feel your best, regardless of your age or health concerns. Clinicians have flexible scheduling, including weekends and evenings, at their location at 175 Weld Street. Easy-access, free parking is available at the Parkade on McCarter Street. For mobility-restricted patients requiring nursing footcare, in-home visits can be arranged.

Stop in to see their fresh, soft look and begin your journey to holistic health. Sustain Collective provides a unique, safe, and aligned feeling — that special wrap of peacefulness and health that massage therapy (and adjacent wellness disciplines) evoke. Why wait? Book your first massage or reflexology session today. Find the oasis in downtown Parksville where science, soul, and positive energy meet.