On this 8th of March International Women’s Day we would like to celebrate the female Managers of the Company.
InnHouse is the parent company behind these five successful private liquor stores across the province:
High Point on Hastings in Vancouver, Ridgeway in Maple Ridge, The North Shore Liquor Store in North Vancouver, Riverside in Penticton and New District in South West Vancouver.
Women are involved in every key position, so we are super-happy to present them and highlight them to you because it is important to see the people who represent your favourite liquor stores!
Christine Lawton
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Operations Manager for InnHouse Group of Companies, 18 years this summer.
What is your favorite part of this job?
The fantastic owners that make me feel like part of the family, as well as all of the incredible Managers & Staff that keep me busy every day.
Which women inspire you the most?
Women that chose to listen to their voice and follow their dreams no matter how difficult those choices may be.
What is the best advice you ever received? Management is about persuading people to do things they do not want to do, while leadership is about inspiring people to do things they never thought they could.
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
It is always changing because we get to try so many amazing things, but my go to is usually a Wheatly Vodka martini (Obviously shaken, not stirred).
Shannon Gavin
Position & How long have you been with the company?
I’ve been with the company since Aug 1 2012.
What is your favorite part of this job?
I love getting so much exposure to new products and innovations, “real” wine, craft beer and spirits. And then in turn educating staff and customers to get them as excited as I am.
Which women inspire you the most?
Women like chef Madeleine Kamman who was a passionate French woman who celebrated the legacy of rural female home cooks. She combined a vast knowledge of food science, history and geography with exacting perfectionism, an unparalleled sense of taste and a brilliant sense of creativity and innovation. She valued terroir and seasonality long before these became buzz words.
What is the best advice you ever received?
You don’t need a special occasion to drink champagne! Live in the moment and enjoy life!
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
I couldn’t possibly confine that to one product as I’m all about the perfect pairing for food or celebrations or moods but I am loving Amari alot these days.
High Point in East Vancouver
Seleighne Forsythe
Position & How long have you been with the company?
I have been with the company for 10 years this March, manager of the shop for the last 3 years
What is your favorite part of this job?
I love working with the team that we’ve built here. Sourcing and finding new and exciting products, and running one of east vans best liquor stores!
Which women inspire you the most?
Definitely my mama.
What is your favourite product in the store?
I’m a sparkling wine and Rose kinda gal, on the spirits side of things you’ll catch me sipping tequila or bourbon!
Ridgeway in Maple Ridge
Nikayla Neeson
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Store Manager. I have been with the company for 3 years and 9 months
What is your favorite part of this job? The best part of being the manager for Ridgeway is the opportunity it provides to help others accomplish their goals and see them grow within our company
Which women inspire you the most? I believe all women are inspiring and deserve to be recognized for their accomplishments
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
I have many favourite products in our store so it is hard for my to choose only one, I would say any local small cideries are my go to they all have such unique flavours to them and the story behind each cidery is always different.
Dakota McGhie
Position & How long have you been with the company? Assistant Manager, 9 months
What is your favorite part of this job?
My favourite part of the job would be the community/family vibe we all have with each other.
Which women inspire you the most?
There are so many women who inspire me. Trans women, like myself, who are fighting for our basic right to exist everyday. Women who are constantly fighting for feminism, equal rights for everyone no matter your race or identity. pop stars who are unapologetically going against the grain.
What is the best advice you ever received?
” Bend you knees, and lift from the legs. Your back will thank you when you’re 50!”
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
Las Hermanas Monastrell wine, its 91 points and is perfect for many types of occasions.
Riverside in Penticton
Martine Blais
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Store Manager at Riverside Liquor Store – Since November 2021
What is your favorite part of this job?
Our customers! Both people and their furry little friends. Nothing gets me out of my office quicker than seeing our regular customers with their dogs. We have some of the most loyal customers and I love building rapport with each and every one of them and ensuring their experience was excellent. We get to work in a fun fast paced environment which makes the day fly by.
Which women inspire you the most? Honestly, my daughter. She inspires me everyday to be the superwoman she thinks I am. At only three years old she has taught me more about life, determination, love and patience than anyone else.
What is the best advice you ever received? The ideology of perfection does not exist. You will make mistakes, it is human nature. You will learn more from those mistakes than you ever will from your successes.
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store? I have to pick just one?! Currently, Stillhead Blackberry Gin with a splash of soda. It’s my simple go-to cocktail!
Cindy Dunlop
Position & How long have you been with the company? Assistant Manager since March 2013
What is your favorite part of this job? My favorite part of this job is the customers. After being with this company for 10 years I have gotten to serve many of our regular customers and knowing they like our store & appreciate our customer service is very rewarding.
Which women inspire you the most? The women who inspire me the most are the ones who are able to juggle work and the many ups & downs of having a family. They keep going and do their best everyday and that is all one can ask for!
What is the best advice you ever received? Not so much as advice but was shown how a good work ethic is essential. I always give 120% every shift and take pride in my work. You can call me lazy at home but never call me lazy at work 😉
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
My favorite product in the store as of today is the Mikes Hard Iced Tea. I love ice tea in general and this product gives me that ice taste without it being too sweet! Perfect summer drink!
The North Shore Liquor Store in North Vancouver
Brenna Bieber
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Store Manager, been with the company for almost 3 years.
What is your favorite part of this job?
The dogs that come in with customers are definitely my favourite part.
Which women inspire you the most?
I had a lot of influential strong woman around me growing up, my mom, my grandmothers and my sisters. Another woman that inspires me is my mothers friend Tina. Even with everything she has been through she still prevails and moves forward.
What is the best advice you ever received?
The best advice is from my papa, he always told me that in the end you will have your name and who you were as a person. To always stick to your core beliefs and live with integrity.
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
That is a really tough choice as there are so many delicious things but I think I will have to go with my classic go to and that is Glenmorangie.
New District in Vancouver
Cécile Chabirand
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Store Manager, 3 years.
What is your favourite part of this job?
Working with a great team and achieve things together, having the opportunity to try so many wines, beers and spirits and be able to share them with my customers.
Which women inspire you the most?
So many, all the women who fought for our rights and continue to do it, the women of the wine industry who are changing the status quo… I think we can all inspire and support each-over as women.
What is the best advice you ever received?
You can go so far by yourself, but we can go way further together. Never stop learning and be kind.
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
It is impossible to choose and with this job I have the opportunity to discover so many amazing products. I can love a new cocktail with crazy flavour combinations, a new sour beer or an incredible juicy wine.
Sierra Hoshikawa
Position & How long have you been with the company?
Assistant Manager. I have been with the company since July of 2021, so a year and nine months.
What is your favourite part of this job?
The daily interactions with customers and people in the industry that make me smile and laugh.
Which women inspire you the most?
My three older sisters and Mom that constantly inspire me and make me want to be the beat version of myself.
What is the best advice you ever received?
To always trust my instincts and to not be afraid of making my own path in life.
Last but not least, what is your favourite product in the store?
Tony’s Pekoe Cider.
