SATOCA Bike shop on 29th Street (Vernon Matters photo)

By Kevin Rothwell

Three-year process to come to Canada

Immigrant business program a new start for South African family

Jun 1, 2023 | 2:00 PM

The name on Mark Hope’s new cycle shop on 29th St. — SATOCA — has a lot to do with his family’s journey from Cape Town, to a new life in Vernon.

SATOCA stands for South Africa to Canada and symbolizes a lengthy process as part of a pilot project to bring immigrant entrepeneurs to the city.

“When Vernon became one of the province’s pilot communities for welcoming immigrant entrepreneurs to the community starting in 2019, we were excited about the opportunity of welcoming new families to the community who could enhance our small business community.” John Perrrott, Vernon’s manager of economic development and tourism, said.

“So far we are enjoying the transition,” Hope told Vernon Matters. “It was quite a shock arriving just before the winter storms hit. My kids love it here, they are integrating well, the community is very welcoming, friendly people and business is picking up.”

Hope said the weather in the South African capital rarely drops below 5 C in the winter months.

B.C. Supreme Court

Crown calls for 7-9 year prison term for Vernon 'wine bottle' manslaughter

May 17, 2024

Stage 1 Restrictions

Greater Vernon preparing for drought, water restrictions to be increased 'as necessary'

May 17, 2024

How much do they pay?

District provides facts on tax impact of lakefront properties

May 17, 2024

The process to come to Canada has multiple steps:

1. The journey for potential immigrant entrepreneurs begins with an initial application and review by our community review committee to assess suitability for the community. That committee is comprised of representatives from The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Vernon Association, Community Futures, and Vernon & District Immigrant & Community Services Society.
2. Successful applicants are then asked for a formal business plan, reviewed by the same committee for things like adequate understanding of market conditions, costs to establish the business, and demonstrated knowledge of the community. If satisfied by the committee, the applicant is invited for a community tour
3. During the in-person visit to the community, applicant get a chance to meet one-on-one with each of the committee members, explore the community to gain additional information about costs, locations, housing, and living the community.
4. Following the community visit, the committee then meets to discuss the interviews and if satisfied, then provide a recommendation to the Province of BC that Vernon would like to welcome this new entrepreneur.

SATOCA Bike is the exclusive dealer in Canada of Titan Racing Bikes.

Mark Hope in his new 29th St. shop (Vernon Matters photo)

“It is a South African brand. It has been around since 2005. Recently we have started moving into New Zealand, Australia and European countries. We have a full range from small kids bikes to cross country and race bikes, there is something for everybody,” Hope added.

“We have a great product at a great price range compared with the big brands. It is really difficult to get between the really high end expensive bikes and the cheaper big box retail type of product and we are able to provide that.”

SATOCA Bike also carries a full line of riding gear and other accessories, and offers a full service maintenance shop with two work stations.

“Unfortunately it has been a huge problem to find personnel for those benches, so in the meantime, I have been wrenching away, doing the admin side and sales side. It looks like we are very close to finding one person, so in the next couple of weeks they should be starting,” Hope said.

SATOCA maintenance and repair shop (Vernon Matters photo)

Hope and his wife and children have jumped right into the the cycling community .

“When the Hope family arrived in late October last year, it was the calumniation of nearly three years of work between the Hope family, the Province of B.C., and the City of Vernon. We’re excited to see them open earlier this spring and quickly become active in the community by becoming involved with the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS) and even become a sponsor for this year’s Bike to Work Week [GoByBike] events,” Perrott added.

For more information on SATOCA Bike, visit the store at 4701 29 th St, Vernon, or online at the website.