Nestled in the trees along the Saint John River is Bear Island Kingdome - an escape for people looking to enjoy a bit of luxury and relaxation in the great outdoors.

It’s the place owner Martine Benoit dreamed existed when she was looking to get away from her busy and often stressful job as a police officer.

“I really fell in love with nature. I had such a demanding job I was craving getting away from the city and the chaos.”

Now retired from policing and a full-time entrepreneur, Martine focuses on offering a premium and unique dome camping experience to her guests year-round.

After spending a lot of time camping in Bear Island with her sister, Martine knew she eventually wanted to build a cottage as a retirement home to live in the area full-time. She purchased two adjoining lots to someday make that dream a reality.

In 2021, a nearby piece of land went up for sale and she purchased it to pursue her glamping business dream.

“I had the idea to put the domes there so people can enjoy relaxing on the water, and I figured everything I had been craving, other people might need that too,” she said.

Martine had the vision to create the relaxing atmosphere of previous domes she’d visited, while improving on the experience. She took time to think through every small detail of the guest’s experience to get it just right – from an electric hot tub for convenience, to rentals to enjoy the water and special add on packages to celebrate any occasion.

Once she owned the land, Martine started researching organizations that could help people who are starting a business. That’s how she found CBDC.

“I had reached out to other places to help businesses also, and CBDC by far was the one that I would recommend first,” she said.

She spoke with a CBDC Southwest employee who listened to her business idea and met with her at the site to understand her business idea.

“He had confidence in me so that’s how I ended up being with CBDC. He was really helpful from the start and made the whole process way easier,” she said.

To apply for a business loan, Martine first had to create a business plan. With guidelines in hand from the CBDC, Martine got to work. She then turned to her husband for support to polish the plan and expand on her ideas, before turning it in to CBDC Southwest and presenting it to the board.

“I had to speak to the board and explain why I thought my idea was good,” she said. “I was so nervous to do that, but it all went well.”

In December 2021, she was approved for the loan. Site excavation started in the spring of 2022 to install the water, sewer and electrical. When that was finished, construction of the glamping domes got underway.

“Getting permits and everything was new to me, so it was very challenging,” she said, noting she had lots of support from family and surrounding neighbours.

The COVID-19 pandemic also caused challenges during the building phase.

"All my quotes I had received ended up doubling. I was only able to put up three (domes),” she said. “I’m actually impressed at how well I’m doing despite those challenges.”

Throughout the process of building the business, Martine received the support of the CBDC. She says they were always available if she had a question or needed anything, and they also made a number of trips to the site during the construction phase.

“They were really nice and understanding and it was great to deal with CBDC,” she said. In January 2023, when construction finally wrapped up, Martine got busy hiring her exceptional team of staff she says are key to the business’ success, and making sure the finishing touches were just right to welcome her first guests.

Her business has been busy from the start, and she’s welcomed many repeat customers since then. Though Martine had the vision and put in the hard work, she says the CBDC played a crucial role in her success.

“It’s something that’s financially a big investment and without the help of the CBDC there’s no way I would have been able to start this on my own and been able to offer this amazing place for other people to enjoy.” 

With the success of the business so far, Martine has her sights set on expanding her services in the future.

“I just want to continue bringing relaxation and peacefulness and (a place to) disconnect.”