The Power of Kinship at the Rise Awards

Nadine Jopson and Melanie MacInnes Unite for Innovation at the Rise Awards by BC Food & Beverage

At Heartberry Soda, we believe in the power of community, kinship and the potential of innovative spirits. We are honoured to share that Nadine Jopson, our Heartberry Soda Founder and a proud Plains Cree Indigenous woman, has been nominated for the Indigenous Led Business of the Year at the Rise Awards by BC Food and Beverage. This nomination is particularly special as it comes from Melanie MacInnes, the Co-Founder of Locality Brewing, who won this very award in a previous year. Melanie recognizes the unique journey and impact of Heartberry Soda, making this story a heartwarming testament to the power of community and mutual support. As we celebrate this, we invite you to hear more about Melanie’s story and to support Nadine and Heartberry Soda in this year’s awards.

Can you share a bit about your experience winning the award in a previous year and how it has impacted Locality Brewing?

Melanie: It was an incredible game-changing experience. Darian Kovacs of Jelly Marketing nominated Locality Brewing in 2022 for the Indigenous-Led Business Award and when we won, we met so many incredible people and found amazing relationships with other local business owners, female entrepreneurs and indigenous-owned businesses in the community. For example, we became closer with organizations like Salmon n’ Bannock, Indigenous Tourism BC and Spirit Bear Coffee, who also won this award in a previous year. We also found Nadine through this incredible journey. The people that I have met has been the most rewarding experience and part of how I have been able to make my lifelong dreams a reality.

As a fellow Indigenous entrepreneur, what does it mean to you to see another Indigenous woman being recognized in the food and beverage industry?

Melanie: I am very excited for this! Contributing to and nurturing a community of female indigenous entrepreneurs has been super empowering. From a Métis perspective, the history of identifying as indigenous has felt complicated and at times, scary to put out there in earlier days. That said, I now see this as an added responsibility to our business that I take very seriously, and this is also what Nadine is all about – the focus on dialogue, sharing information, the knowledge transfer and mentoring, while visibly advancing through positions of leadership and entrepreneurship.

How do you see the importance of community and kinship in the success of businesses like Heartberry Soda and Locality Brewing?

Melanie: Relationships are the most important thing. Here at Locality Brewing, we prioritize sourcing local ingredients and maintaining great relationships with others in our community and helping one another. The reciprocity of the local businesses partnering together to help each other succeed has been rewarding and fulfilling in so many directions. The more we support each other, the more this helps all of us in the long run. I would rather see everyone rise together and gain the notoriety they deserve.

What inspired you to nominate Nadine and Heartberry Soda for this award?

Melanie: For me, Heartberry Soda was the one. I believe in the product, love Nadine’s story, the ingredients, the taste, the time, the effort. Seeing this vision and dream come to fruition – it was so easy. I didn’t even have to think on it, Heartberry Soda immediately came to mind.

What has been your favorite Heartberry flavor so far?

Melanie: I love the Lemon Birch Bark soda – it’s sweet but not too sweet, as the Plant-based Xylitol made from Birch sap produces the sweetness without resorting to refined sugars. The traditional uses of Birch Bark include its leaves, twigs, and bark used in tinctures for aches and sprains. It’s nice to see a product that really understands these uses and educates the public about them. Maybe there’s a collaboration in our future at some point!

The journeys of Locality Brewing and Heartberry Soda are powerful reminders of the strength that comes from our community. With Melanie’s heartfelt nomination, we see a beautiful example of Indigenous entrepreneurs lifting each other up and celebrating their unique contributions to the food and beverage industry. As we move forward, we encourage you to join us in supporting Nadine and Heartberry Soda. Cast your vote and be part of this inspiring story of innovation and community spirit. Together, we can celebrate the incredible achievements of Indigenous businesses and ensure their continued success and recognition.

Vote for Nadine Jopson and Heartberry Soda at this year’s BC Food and Beverage Awards and help us share this beautiful narrative of coming together. Voting is unlimited, feel free to vote as many times as you’d like! Voting is open September 9th to 23rd.