Meet Melanie Levenberg, Community Futures Howe Sound’s New Business Development & Lending Consultant
- Community Futures Howe Sound
- 14 hours ago
- 5 min read
Melanie Levenberg is a name that might ring bells for many in the Sea to Sky. She is already well established as a business leader and coach, and she is already very familiar with the challenges (and rewards) of running businesses throughout the corridor.
Naturally, she’s the perfect fit for the team at Community Futures Howe Sound, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on board!
We sat down with Melanie to ask a few questions and learn more about her background and how she will be working with business owners and entrepreneurs.
Can you give us an overview of your career up to now?
In 2002, I received a business loan from Community Futures - Youth Investment Fund and started a personal training business in my hometown in northern Ontario. That experience gave me the taste of entrepreneurship, and I haven’t looked back since! I’ve spent the last 20+ years building businesses, leading community initiatives, and supporting entrepreneurs across a wide range of industries including education, recreation, tourism, wellness, events, and consulting.
Most people know me as the Founder of PL3Y Inc., a children’s fitness and physical literacy company that grew into an international brand reaching 4.1 million children across 18 countries through a network of local teachers and licensees.
As the business grew, friends, colleagues, and fellow entrepreneurs started reaching out for advice on launching and scaling their own businesses. Most weren’t just looking for strategy — they wanted support with building systems, staying productive and learning more about how I designed my business so that I could work from anywhere in the world.
Over the last 10 years, I’ve been working as a business coach and consultant supporting start-ups and small business owners with strategy, financial foundations, operations, partnerships, and sustainable growth.
When I moved to Whistler in 2020, I met so many fellow solopreneurs and digital nomads on the chairlifts, in the village and out in park. We were building businesses between powder days, school pickup, and coffee shop work sessions — but many of us still felt disconnected and alone as entrepreneurs. That’s why I became so passionate about bringing entrepreneurs together. In collaboration with a friend, Anastasia Chomlack, the Sea to Sky Women in Business community was launched where we hosted #RealTalk events for over 220 female entrepreneurs in the region, and a Facebook group that has grown to more than 700 members!
Whether it’s helping licensees launch their own kids fitness business under my brand or working 1:1 with entrepreneurs dedicated to their dreams, at the heart of everything I do is a love for helping passionate people build businesses where financial success, joy in the process, and positive community impact all come together.
What will you be doing here at Community Futures Howe Sound?
As the Business Development & Lending Consultant, I’ll be supporting entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the Sea to Sky region with business planning, strategic guidance, and growth development. I also get to support business owners who need funding to launch or expand their business, apply for one of our Community Futures loans!
Ultimately, the services and advice I offer are as unique as the people and businesses I work with. Sometimes it’s helping someone clarify a new business idea or prepare for financing. Other times it’s supporting an established business owner with systems, operations, profitability, or long-term growth strategy.
I’m especially excited to help entrepreneurs feel more confident navigating the business side of things — because having a great idea is one thing, but building a sustainable business around it is another.
You're not new to business coaching. What's something you find that most entrepreneurs need help with?
One of the biggest things I see is that many entrepreneurs are incredibly talented at what they do, but they haven’t necessarily been taught the fundamentals of running a business.
A lot of people start businesses based on passion, creativity, or expertise, but then struggle with pricing, financial management, systems, cash flow, or strategic decision-making.
I also see many entrepreneurs trying to do everything themselves, which can lead to burnout pretty quickly.
I love helping people get clear on their goals, simplify operations and build stronger financial foundations so they can make decisions with more confidence. When business owners understand their numbers, their goals, and their growth strategy, it changes everything.
How can someone prepare for a meeting with you?
You definitely don’t need to have everything figured out before meeting with me.
Part of my role is helping people work through uncertainty and find clarity.
That said, it’s always helpful if someone comes prepared with a general sense of:
What they’re building or wanting to grow
What challenges they’re currently facing
What success would look like for them
If they already have documents like financials, budgets, business plans, or questions written down, great — but honestly, curiosity and openness are just as important.
I want people to feel like they can come in as they are. Sometimes one conversation can unlock a completely new perspective or next step.
What kind of businesses do you love working with?
I genuinely love working with passionate people who care deeply about what they do.
Because of my background, I naturally connect with businesses in recreation, wellness, tourism, education, events, and community impact spaces — but I also really enjoy working with entrepreneurs who are building something unique or innovative in the Sea to Sky region.
I’m especially inspired by businesses that are trying to create both lifestyle and financial success. Living here is incredible, but it also comes with challenges around affordability, sustainability, and balance. I love helping entrepreneurs build businesses that support the kind of life they actually want to live.
What happens if you don't have the knowledge or experience to answer someone's questions?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that no one person knows everything in business — and that’s actually the power of community and collaboration.
If I don’t have a direct answer, I’ll help connect people to the right resources, experts, or networks. Community Futures has an incredible ecosystem of support, and I also bring a broad network of professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry connections from across BC and beyond.
I’m a big believer that good business leadership isn’t about pretending to know everything — it’s about being resourceful, curious, and committed to helping people find the best path forward.
What are you most looking forward to in this role?
Honestly, I’m most excited about getting to work closely with local entrepreneurs and being part of the growth happening in the Sea to Sky region.
This community is filled with incredibly creative, resilient, and ambitious people. There’s so much innovation happening here — from tourism and hospitality to wellness, trades, recreation, retail, and service-based businesses.
I’m also excited to help people feel less alone in business. Entrepreneurship can be rewarding, but it can also feel isolating at times. Having support, strategy, and someone in your corner can make a huge difference.
What do you hope to achieve in your time at Community Futures?
I’d love to help create a business community where entrepreneurs feel supported, connected, financially confident — and where building a business can actually be enjoyable along the way.
I hope to help entrepreneurs gain more confidence with the financial and operational side of business, access funding and opportunities they may not have thought were available to them, and ultimately build businesses that create long-term impact.
Personally, I’m passionate about the idea that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for creating freedom, wealth, and community resilience.
I’d love for more people in the Sea to Sky to feel empowered to build businesses that not only support their lifestyle, but also contribute to a thriving local economy and vibrant community.
Book a free 1:1 business advice session with Melanie
Based in the Sea to Sky? Thinking of starting a business or already have one? Want someone to talk to about your ideas?
Melanie is available for free business coaching now!
Contact her at melanie@cfhowesound.com to set up a chat.
