For those who don’t know me yet
I’d like to tell you a little about who I am

Coldstream has been part of my life for a very long time.

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I spent about 10 years growing up in Lavington, where my parents owned the Chevron gas station. I started working there at 12, pumping gas and helping alongside my family. My dad also served as an alderman for Coldstream, so small business, hard work and community involvement were part of my life from a young age.

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At 18, I took my first leap into business and opened Skivy's Under the Sun, beginning what has been a lifetime of entrepreneurship for me.

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After selling Skivy’s, I opened Bagel Lane. We were very involved in supporting local athletic teams and community groups, and the community supported us right back. It taught me something I've never forgotten: when you support your community, your community supports you right back!

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After selling Bagel Lane, I opened Competition Exteriors with my business partner, a business I still own and operate today.

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Owning businesses for all of my adult life has shaped who I am. Owning a business teaches you to make decisions, stand behind them and adjust when things don’t go as planned. You learn to manage finances, work with all kinds of people, deal with unexpected problems and find solutions. Most importantly, you learn to take responsibility for the decisions you make.

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About 20 years ago, I purchased my farm in Coldstream, originally so I could run Competition Exteriors from the property. I had no idea how much farm life would become a part of who I am. It's where I raised my daughters and discovered just how much I love farming.

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I've tried my hand at just about everything — chickens, turkeys, cows, pigs and whatever new venture seemed like a good idea at the time. Some worked better than others, but I've loved the experience of trying something new, learning as I go and figuring out what works and what doesn't.

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Without realizing it at the time, farming was teaching me many of the same lessons as business: work hard, be patient, solve problems and adapt. Things don't always go according to plan, and sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and figure it out.

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I was also fortunate to be asked to serve on two different committees with Community Futures over the years. The first involved reviewing business plans and helping decide which applicants would receive grants to start businesses. I was later asked to join another committee that reviewed applications for business loans.

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It was an incredible experience. I sat around the table with some very smart and successful business owners, reviewing plans, discussing numbers and risks, asking questions and deciding whether an idea had what it needed to succeed. Even after years in business myself, I learned so much from the people around that table and saw firsthand the value of bringing different experiences and perspectives together when making important decisions.

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When I look back, there's a common thread through all of it. I like a challenge, I'm not afraid to try something new, I ask questions and, if something isn't working, I'm willing to change direction.

Dionne Lane Coldstream Council Election Candidate

Coldstream is where I've built my life, raised my family, run my business, farmed and put down roots. I love this community, I'm invested in its future, and I'm very proud to call it home.

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If you know someone who lives in Coldstream, I’d really appreciate you sharing this website with them. The best way for me to reach more people in our community is through all of you, so please share and help me spread the word!