b'FIRST FIVE YEARSSwaisland. So my [experience with] busi- When I was at a gathering a couplewas no stranger to being told no many ness ownership has been basically fiveweeks ago, there were some incrediblytimes but has never let that stop her. years of adaptation.successful Indigenous women there, and one of the biggest things that I took[I was told] no, you cant drive these trol-But Swaisland is not one to be easilyaway from that was: start with what youleys across a mountain pass on your own; cowed and she was determined to keephave and where you are, and definitelyno, you cant attain city bus licensing. But the wheels of her buses going round, sopursue your dreams and dont let finan- its like, Well, yes you can, Swaisland she pivoted to introduce a new service tocial barriers stop you, Swaisland says. Isays. You just have to be willing to stand her business. One of the strengths of mythink Id do everything the same.business is my ability to adapt to all thesebehind your vision and really bring it to situations [so I also started partnering]Swaislandalsoencouragesotherfruition. Hard work and determination with local tourism agencies to provideIndigenous women to pursue their[are needed], especially for Indigenous transportation for all the [local] conven- dreams and to overcome barriers thatyouth and women. Dont let barriers stand tions, she says.may be placed before them. She herselfin your way.Grape Savvy Wine Tours has now moved into transporting people for weddings, corporate and private events, as well as large group wine tourism. Its all on paper, says Swaisland, and now all they need is for people to come back to the community: Im the only person in the Okanagan that owns four beautifully restored nostalgic trolleybuses, which have been super well received [by] the community. What I am now working on is more community support and more transportation options for locals. Swaisland has launched a lake-to-lakeESSENTIAL PROJECTS, late-night service, providing transpor-tation to pubs and breweries, and theSTRONGER COMMUNITIES.company is also working with different Indigenous-owned businesses to launch the first Indigenous educational tour experience next year. That will involvewww.bablacktop.com partnering with an Indigenous-owned ranch to provide trail rides and catered Indigenous lunches, as well as tours of cultural centres, dancing and storytelling. Weve got so much culture and heritage, and theres not one single experience here that has linked all these businesses together, says Swaisland. The goal with the trolleys is to kind of be that transpor-tation and natural link between different regions and different businesses.ENTREPRENEURIAL MENTALITYSwaisland says she grew up with an entre-preneurs mentality, so starting her own business was not an impossible dream for her. My father was a very successful entrepreneur, so I was kind of raised with the mentality of follow your passion and dont take no for an answer, she says .Along her business journey, she has taken part in many women in business work-shops and they have confirmed for her that she made the right business choices. Indigenous BUSINESS REPORT89'