Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Vince Fedoroff

RECOGNITION APPRECIATED – ‘It’s an honour to be a successful female businesswoman and to be recognized for that,’ says Luann Baker-Johnson, seen this morning at her Lumel Studios premises.

Whitehorse entrepreneur gets national nod

A Whitehorse business owner may be one of the first Yukoners recognized by a national award paying tribute to entrepreneurs later this year, when the 2018 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards winner is announced Nov. 21.

By Palak Mangat on September 20, 2018

A Whitehorse business owner may be one of the first Yukoners recognized by a national award paying tribute to entrepreneurs later this year, when the 2018 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards winner is announced Nov. 21.

That’s after Luann Baker-Johnson, the owner of Lumel Studios, was nominated for the award and received notice she was a finalist in the micro business category earlier this week.

“It can be Luann Baker-Johnson whose name is put forward for this award, but boy, is this a group effort,” she told the Star Wednesday afternoon.

She thanked those involved in the years-long process that eventually saw the glass-blowing studio take off in 2016.

Baker-Johnson was humble in acknowledging the nomination.

“Yes, it was my vision, but everyone who works with me just grabbed hold of that vision and just ran with it,” she said.

“And that’s what makes this place so incredible.”

Learning she made the cut a couple of days ago, the 58-year-old business owner was one of 7,400 nominated, and noted “it was actually a fair bit of work.”

The process saw officials visit the 101 Keish St. site after receiving a write-up from business owners, so being on the shortlist wasn’t a complete surprise to her.

“It gave me an opportunity to write about Lumel Studios and who we are and what we stand for - and our voice in the community.”

The studio currently hosts six full-time glass blowers at its facility, and is open to what Baker-Johnson calls “river walkers.”

These individuals can come in and create at the studio if they are “solid,” she explained, and if they are not in a solid state, they can oversee a product being made.

“Our teaching of glass-blowing is as important as selling the products in our galleries,” Baker-Johnson said. She’s fortunate to have helped thousands of people wanting to learn the art on their benches over the last two years, she added.

She’s also proud to be open to all members of the community regardless of age, recalling serving somebody as young as five years old – and the eldest 97.

“Full families are now glass-blowing families – and where does that happen anywhere else?

“It just doesn’t,” she laughed.

Baker-Johnson suspected she may be the first one from the territory to be nominated – not a small feat by any means, considering the prize has been awarded annually for more than 25 years.

The category she is nominated in recognizes entrepreneurs who own and operate small businesses that make under $1 million in revenue, but can be from any industry at any stage or region.

This year’s finalists are from Toronto and Montreal, for a leadership firm and a skin care company respectively – with Baker-Johnson representing western Canada.

But she shies away from taking credit or revelling in her accomplishment, at least at first.

“It’s tough because pats on the back, yes, it’ll look good on a résumé – but I thought, ‘well what can this do for Lumel, what can this do for Whitehorse and the Yukon,’” she asked.

That’s when she realized that recognition from a national award may help the company in its ultimate goal to have mobile glass-blowing studios in communities across the territory.

“I need to figure out ... how this (nomination) can benefit this studio, this community.”

In two months’ time, Baker-Johnson will be headed to Toronto, where winners are expected to be announced – something she is grateful and already prepping for.

“It will get me in touch with influential women from all over Canada,” she beamed, adding just reading about the other nominees confirms that she and Lumel are on the right track.

“I’m a woman who was a child of the ‘60s, who has seen a lot of change with the different women’s movements.

“So it’s an honour to be a successful female businesswoman and to be recognized for that.”

It’s perhaps that spirit that drives the owner to give back to those who have helped her along the way: she’s hoping to don clothing that is designed by Yukoners like Stormy Bradley.

“I want to go representing who we are here,” she said, noting that she hopes to have her clothes sewn and beaded by local designers, as well as wear authentic jewelry.

“I’m going as Luann Baker, but I think I’m going representing the Yukon and vibrancy here.”

After pausing briefly, she laughed: “I’m a long-time Yukoner, and boy, do I have a lot of Yukon pride.”

Comments (3)

Up 3 Down 0

Susan Manning on Sep 24, 2018 at 4:53 pm

I was at Lumel Studios in Aug. ‘18 and as a tourist from Edmonton I was just thrilled watching the glassblowing being done. So much so that I decided to try doing a paperweight with Tyson’s help. The 3 men there that day were all upbeat, enthusiastic, creative and well educated in the craft. Wonderful experience. I hope that others are able to also share in.

Not surprised to read of the nomination. Congratulations and good luck in Nov.

Up 21 Down 3

Ilove Parks on Sep 21, 2018 at 9:39 am

This business is an incredible asset to our city. They even sell ice cream products and have picnic tables outside.
When we first heard about their vision it sounded very cool and when it was up and running it exceeded all expectations.

A well deserved nomination!

Up 12 Down 3

Wilf Carter on Sep 21, 2018 at 7:21 am

What a great piece of reporting

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.