Episode 9: From $400 to Seven Figures – Trust, Culture & Cedar Brush with Corey Janvier

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Forward Together Podcast, Rod Miller sits down with Corey Janvier (Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation), Founder & CEO of Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial, to unpack how he grew a 100% Indigenous-owned business from a $400 Facebook-Marketplace kit into a multi-division operation serving Metro Vancouver and beyond.

Corey shares how ceremony, compassion, and the “Four Directions” approach guide everything—from biohazard cleans and housing support to non-medical home care and Indigenous staffing. He talks Bears’ Lair and Dragons’ Den, hiring for second chances, scaling without credit lines, landing BC Hydro and his next chapter: franchising the Cedar Brush model and expanding into medical home care.

Key Takeaways

• Lead with culture as the foundation. Corey built Cedar Brush with ceremony and Indigenous teachings at the core, proving that culture can be the operating system for a profitable, scalable business.
• Start small, scale smart. A $400 investment in basic cleaning supplies turned into $1.2M ARR and 50+ staff by focusing on service quality, community trust and incremental growth without relying on credit lines.
• Diversify in ways that connect. Cedar Brush’s four divisions were designed to “snap together,” creating a business model that scales across industries while staying cohesive.
• Care for your people holistically. The company invests in staff beyond paychecks, supporting housing, treatment, cultural practices and community connection. That level of care builds loyalty and resilience in the team.
• Hire for potential, not resumes. By skipping traditional interviews and giving second chances, Corey tapped into overlooked talent, turning barriers like criminal records or recovery into opportunities for growth.
• Exposure accelerates credibility. National platforms like Bears’ Lair and Dragons’ Den didn’t just validate the model; they created visibility that helped win enterprise clients like BC Hydro.
• Trust is the ultimate moat. Success with both employees and clients came from trust built through relationship-first service, trauma-informed practices and cultural authenticity.
• Think bigger once the base is solid. With a strong foundation, the next phase is franchising the Cedar Brush model across Canada and moving into Indigenous-led medical home care.

Guest Bio: 

Corey Janvier is a dynamic Indigenous entrepreneur and community leader from Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation in northern Alberta. As the Founder and CEO of Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial, Corey has built a thriving 100% Indigenous-owned and operated business that serves the Metro Vancouver region and beyond, specializing in site services and janitorial solutions for Indigenous organizations, industrial, and commercial clients.

Corey's entrepreneurial journey is deeply rooted in his commitment to creating Indigenous economic opportunities and employment. While pursuing an Indigenous MBA from Thompson Rivers University, he founded Cedar Brush, drawing its name from the Indigenous West Coast tradition of using cedar branches in river dips for cleansing and protection—a powerful symbol of purity, resilience, and care that reflects his business philosophy.

Originally from the heart of Alberta's oilsands region near Fort McMurray, Corey relocated to West Vancouver in 2019 with his wife Jessica, who is from Heiltsuk Nation and works with the First Nations Health Authority. Together, they are raising three children—Clea, Kai, and Parker—and have welcomed their first grandchild, Xawi. Corey's career began in social work, where he worked with various communities and organizations across Western Canada, building the foundation for his deep understanding of Indigenous community needs and relationship-building.

Through Cedar Brush, Corey has positioned his company as more than just a service provider—it's a vehicle for Indigenous economic development and community support. His business has gained national recognition, including featuring on the Indigenous business competition "Bear's Lair" (season 2), where he showcased his company's mission and impact. Cedar Brush actively employs members from Squamish Nation and other Indigenous communities, creating pathways for Indigenous economic participation and prosperity.

Corey's leadership extends beyond his business ventures. He is passionate about community enhancement and economic development, and his work demonstrates how Indigenous-owned businesses can thrive while maintaining strong cultural connections and community commitment. His approach combines traditional Indigenous values with modern business practices, creating sustainable economic opportunities that benefit both Indigenous communities and the broader economy.

Host:

Rod Miller — President and COO of the Connect Partnership Group, producers of Forward Summit and Workforce Forward.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about Cedar Brush Site Services & Janitorial → https://cedarbrush.ca/

Connect with Corey Janvier on LinkedIn → Click Here!

Learn more about Forward Summit → https://forwardsummit.ca/
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Read the Forward Magazine → Magazine Link

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