Kyle Nixon started out in the hospitality biz as a janitor and dishwasher.
Today, Kyle and his wife, Carolyn, are the founders and owners of BNA Hospitality Group and the just-announced winners of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's prestigious 'business and community leader of the year' award.
"What stands out to me is not just the success of the business they've built, but the impact they've had on our community along the way," said chamber CEO Ester Pike.
"They've grown their vision into a diverse and thriving enterprise that now employs over 500 people, creates memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike and contributes so much to the vibrancy of Kelowna's business community. They are a wonderful example of what local entrepreneurship can achieve."
The chamber announces the winner (or winners, in this case) of the 'business leader of the year' a couple of weeks before its Kelowna Business Excellence Awards to generate buzz about the program.
The Nixons -- along with the announcement of winners in 16 other categories -- will be honoured at the 39th annual awards banquet on Nov. 20 at the Delta Grand Hotel.
Tickets to the event are $215 for chamber members, $255 for non-members, at:
Kyle and Carolyn started BNA Brewing & Eatery in 2014 at 1250 Ellis St.
The name is the acronym of British North American Tobacco Company, which originally inhabited the 1919-era brick building at 1250 Ellis.
The interior is eclectic historic chic, the craft beer is brewed onsite and the food elevated pub fare.
It's a winning combination.
So much so that the BNA concept has spread with locations in Vernon and Penticton as well as separate BNA Burger eateries beside both the Kelowna and Penticton locations.
Along the way, other eating and drinking concepts have been launched and acquired.
Snowshoe Sam's pub and Sopra Sam's Italian Kitchen are at Big White Ski Resort.
And in downtown Kelowna there are Skinny Duke's Glorious Emporium, Bernie's Supper (and movie) Club and The Bohemian Cafe.
Kyle grew up in the hospitality business.
His parents -- Jim and Diana -- opened Whiskey Jack's and The Red Onion at Big White in 1980.
They also bought Snowshoe Sam's in 1982, later sold it and then in 2022 bought it back to bring into the Nixon Hospitality Group fold.
By coincidence, Carolyn's dad -- Ralf Rohrlach, a contractor -- helped design and construct the building Snowshoe Sam's is in.
Kyle's parents also owned McCullough Station Pub in East Kelowna and the Hotel Eldorado on the lakeshore in Kelowna's Lower Mission for periods of time before selling them to new owners.
It was at the Eldorado that Kyle started as a janitor and dishwasher.
He then left for a four-year scholarship to play hockey at Minnesota State University, where he earned an education degree.
He never worked as a teacher, but returned to work at the Eldorado, becoming director of food and beverage and partner.
Kyle is no stranger to other chamber awards.
As he aged, he was honoured by both the Top 40 Under 40 and Top 40 Over 40 programs.
Kyle and Carolyn are both Kelowna Senior Secondary School graduates and Carolyn also has a UBC degree in international relations.
In keeping with the new name of the award -- business and community leader of the year -- the Nixons are also being recognized for their community involvement.
That includes charitable efforts focusing on mental health, cancer care, marginalized communities and children in need.
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