Okanagan Saturday file photos 2012 was up and down for Ryan Hunter, above, owner of mens' underwear specialty store Behind the Fly on Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna.

Depending on who you talk to, 2012 was a little better, a little worse or virtually the same as last year. Such mediocrity may not be very inspiring, but a year of rebuilding and preparation hopefully set the stage for a better 2013.
Here's how five Valley businesspeople summarized their look back and look forward when they The Okanagan Saturday caught up with them as the year wound down.

Ingrid Jarrett, chairwoman of the Thompson - Okanagan Tourism Association and general manager of Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos:
"Watermark achieved some significant increases year over year," said Jarrett.
"It was certainly nowhere near the boom of 2006-08, but it is promising and it tended to all come from partnerships we formed promoting the resort with wine, the culinary arts and agri-tourism."
However, Jarrett admitted that Watermark still has a way to go in 2013 to get occupancy up to more profitable levels.
When it comes to the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, she's excited it finalized the regional strategy that will make the area a stronger destination.

Karen Christiansen, a partner with Meyers Norris Penny accountants and consultants, Kelowna:
"We're still coming out of a slowdown,î said Christiansen, who's also involved with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. board.
"As a region and as a province, we're certainly not at full capacity. But all the indicators for 2013 point toward steady, sustainable growth.
"The traditional industries like forestry, real estate and tourism will be there but so will newer industries such as technology, higher education and
advanced healthcare."

Corey Wagner, president Bananatag, Kelowna:
"Because we launched Bananatag in 2012, it's been an interesting, exciting, very busy and building year," said Wagner.
Bananatag has the technology that will notify you when an e-mail you sent was opened by the receiver.
The service is free for occasional users, or if you need it more frequently, you can buy a $5-a-month subscription.
"We have about 17,000 users, but we want more so we still have groundwork to do in 2013 and as a result will have steady growth," he said.

Rob Siddon, manager Coast Wholesale Appliances, Kelowna:
"2012 was an OK year," said Siddon.
"It really didn't change from 2011, so it was fairly flat."
Much of Coast's sales are tied to new construction and contracts selling the appliances to furnish homes.
"We're still seeing single-family home construction, but not a lot of the multi-family (condominium projects) that kept us busy in the boom before the recession. That condo construction will pick up again as the Alberta money starts to flow our way again, but it won't be to the same activity as the boom."

Ryan Hunter, owner Behind the Fly, downtown Kelowna:
As soon as this specialty men's underwear store opened, it had a bumper summer.
"And then in September, the street was blocked off (for downtown revitalization) and it definitely took me down a bit and hurt," said Hunter.
"But now that the construction is over 2013 will be an amazing one. Guys are picky about their underwear and they - and the women in their lives - have discovered my store."