Client Spotlight: Trickster’s Hideout

Trickster's Hideout is a Squamish hotspot for live music and performances.

It’s one of the coolest venues in the Sea to Sky, and the kind of place you can spend your weekends without ever getting bored of the entertainment, the company, or the vibes.  

It’s Trickster’s Hideout, and Community Futures Howe Sound has been fortunate to work with this fantastic local’s spot to offer advice and support as they have gone from strength to strength.  

We chatted with founder Allen Edwards to learn more about how it all began, his advice for other business owners, and more.  

What is Trickster’s origin story? 

Trickster’s Hideout began as a shared dream between three founders: to create a year-round indoor space where the arts could truly breathe in Squamish. We imagined a place where remarkable experiences unfold naturally, where creativity and connection feel as essential as the air in the room, and where everyone feels like they belong. Since opening, we’ve welcomed musicians, artists, entrepreneurs, travelers, and locals—each bringing their own spark to the mix. What started as a passion project has evolved into a living, breathing hub that sustains the arts and leaves people carrying a little bit of Trickster’s with them when they go. 

What is the product or service you’re most proud of? 

Our heartbeat is live events. Some nights, that’s a packed dance floor and a DJ who knows exactly how to move a crowd. Other nights, it’s the stillness before the first note of an acoustic set, or the easy laughter (and shared tears) at our monthly entrepreneur meetup. I’m proudest of the way these moments—big and small—make people feel like they’re part of something, and how they keep the arts sustainable for the people who bring them to life. 

What do you love most about living and working in the Sea to Sky? 

There’s a certain electricity here. People travel from all over the world to see Squamish, and some never leave. Summers are a whirlwind—trying to fit in every adventure, every event, every moment before the season changes—but that’s part of the magic. Living and working here means being surrounded by people who value beauty, connection, and experience as much as I do. 

What advice do you wish someone gave you when you got started? 

Leave yourself room to breathe. It’s easy to want to be everything to everyone, but focus is what keeps you grounded. When you know what you do best—and who you’re doing it for—you create something that can grow without losing its heart. 

What has been your biggest challenge so far, and how have you overcome it? 

Balancing the creative vision for Trickster’s with the day-to-day reality of keeping a venue sustainable has been our biggest test. We’ve learned to listen closely—both to our audience and to our instincts—while building partnerships that strengthen our foundation. We recently brought on a general manager, which allows us to be more intentional about living our core values. It means we can be present in more places at once, ensuring every experience shines—without the owners having to work around the clock. 

Do you have any exciting plans for the business you can share? 

We’re investing in the little things that make big moments possible—expanding our audio-visual capabilities, refining our programming, and crafting experiences that feel distinctly “Trickster’s.” There are collaborations in the works that I can’t name yet, but they’re the kind that will surprise people in the best way. 

How has Community Futures Howe Sound helped your business? 

Community Futures has been more than a resource—they’ve been a sounding board, a steady presence when things felt uncertain. Their support, both financial and personal, has helped us navigate challenges early on and focus on building something lasting. 

Do you have any other local businesses you particularly admire? 

Fox & Oak impresses me with how much they create from such a small footprint—there’s a kind of elegance in that efficiency. And the Brackendale Art Gallery has a history and spirit that continues to inspire me; it’s a reminder of how deeply the arts can root themselves in a community.