How Is Business at Raven 425 Rise Above? The Real Story Behind the Growth
“So… how is business?”
It’s one of the questions we’ve heard again and again this year. And the funny thing is, there are two different answers.
There’s the business of building a community. And then there’s the financial side of running a business and a brand.
At Raven 425 Rise Above, those two sides of the story couldn’t be more different. Both matter.
The Business of Community
If we’re measuring success by the growth of our community, 2026 has been incredible. It has been some of the most exciting community growth we’ve experienced since Raven 425 Rise Above began.
People have come to The Raven Compound in Scotch Creek, BC specifically because they wanted to support what we’re building. They’ve come for coffee, clothing, books, conversations, experiences and good vibes.
But something much bigger has happened along the way.
People have come to become part of the family.
That is something we never want to take for granted. We’ve welcomed new faces and watched people who originally came for one thing become connected to the bigger Raven 425 story.
Honestly? That is the kind of growth that means the most to us.
More Than a Place to Get Coffee
The Raven Compound has always been about more than what’s being served across the counter.
It’s a place to stop, talk, meet people, discover something new and hang out. A place where you might walk in as a customer and walk out knowing somebody you didn’t know when you arrived.
That’s what happens when a business becomes connected to its community. And it’s something we feel incredibly lucky to experience in Scotch Creek and the North Shuswap.
The Financial Side of Running a Small Business
Now let’s talk about the part of the answer that isn’t quite as simple.
Running a business today means paying attention to food costs, gas prices, tariffs, supply costs, changing consumer spending, unexpected expenses and all the other curveballs that come our way.
For us, opening the doors and hoping everything works out isn’t enough.
We’ve got to know our numbers, watch our costs, make smart decisions and adapt. Every “i” dotted. Every “t” crossed.
Learning the Business Behind the Brand
Is it more work? Absolutely.
But there’s another way we look at it: it’s exciting.
Being pushed to stay on the ball means we’re constantly learning. We’re looking at what works, what doesn’t and what needs to change. We’re adapting, creating and trying new things.
And we’re paying closer attention than ever to the business behind the brand.
That’s part of being an entrepreneur. It’s not always glamorous or easy. Sometimes the behind-the-scenes work is completely invisible to the people walking through the front door.
But it’s real. And it’s part of building something that lasts.
What Does Success Look Like for Raven 425?
If you only measured Raven 425 Rise Above by financial numbers, you’d be missing a huge part of the story.
Our definition of success has always been bigger than a transaction. What we’ve watched happen in our community this year is something we couldn’t have created by ourselves.
People have chosen to support a local business and a dream. They’ve spent time at The Raven Compound, introduced friends to Raven 425 and become part of the family.
That tells us something.
The community is working.
We’re Still Building
Raven 425 Rise Above is still evolving. We’re testing ideas and learning how to grow a community while running a sustainable business.
There isn’t some magical point where you suddenly have everything figured out. You keep moving. You keep learning. You keep adapting. You keep showing up.
And you keep trying to build something that people actually want to be part of.
So… How Is Business?
Here’s the honest answer.
The community side? Stellar. Epic. Unreal.
The growth has been beyond what we expected, and we’re grateful for every person who has walked through the doors of The Raven Compound and become part of our story.
The financial side? Challenging. Demanding. More complicated.
It requires more attention than ever. But it’s also pushing us to become better business owners, better brand builders and better stewards of what we’re creating.
Through all of it, one thing hasn’t changed: there is nowhere the Raven 425 Rise Above crew would rather be.
We’re here. We’re building. We’re learning. We’re growing. And we’re doing it with an incredible community beside us.
That’s Raven 425 Rise Above.
Not perfect. Not finished. Not pretending the road is easy.
Just showing up, figuring it out and continuing to Rise Above.
The Conversation Behind the Story
This story is part of United by Stoke, the Raven 425 Rise Above podcast, where we go deeper into the ideas, challenges, people and experiences behind the brand.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to build a community-driven business from the ground up, this is the conversation.
Listen to the full conversation on Spotify.
Welcome to the Stoke.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is business at Raven 425 Rise Above?
We’ve experienced exciting community growth in 2026, welcoming people who want to support Raven 425 and become part of our story. At the same time, the financial side takes careful attention to costs, spending and the decisions behind a sustainable business.
What is Raven 425 Rise Above?
Raven 425 Rise Above is a North Shuswap-rooted lifestyle and community brand bringing together movement, mindset, coffee, apparel, books, wellness and experiences.
Where is The Raven Compound?
The Raven Compound is in Scotch Creek, British Columbia, in the North Shuswap. It’s a gathering place for the Raven 425 community.
What is United by Stoke?
United by Stoke is the Raven 425 Rise Above podcast, featuring conversations about entrepreneurship, community, movement, mindset, local life and the experiences behind the brand.
What does success mean to Raven 425 Rise Above?
Success isn’t only about financial performance. A strong, welcoming community and a place where people want to belong are central to what we’re building.
Meet the people behind Raven 425 or explore the café at The Raven Compound.