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February 14, 2017 - No Comments!

Local Tools: 5 Ways to stay productive and healthy this month

February in Vancouver has been tough. We've had more snow than the city has experienced in decades, and health and productivity levels are at their lowest because of it. We've got a roundup of local tools and events to help get you refocused and back on track.

#1. Reconnect and get inspired
Check out Fall For Local speaker evening - all about having a side hustle and owning it. With 4 local entrepreneurs talking, you're sure to come away re-inspired and ready for spring.

#2. Stay healthy!!
URGH snow and colds and infections are the worst. But our resident nutritionist Erin is providing us with 3 work friendly lunch recipes at our hustle session next week. Pop by after work on Wednesday 22nd at 5pm to hear more about the healthy food you can be making at home! RSVP here.

#3. Laugh
A good laugh can do wonders for the soul. Get yourself over to Granville Island on a Sunday night for the Rookie Improv Show and let off some steam!

#4. Avoid burnout
Learn how to avoid burning out - something that's especially important if you're an introvert and spend your energy on interacting with others! Grab a place at member Faris's talk that's happening tomorrow night here at L'Atelier!

#5. Meditate
Something we all know we should do, and most likely forget to do - especially in times of sickness or when we're rushing to get things done. Our tip? Take 5 minutes alone just to sit and be quiet. If in doubt though, make the most out Moment Meditation's current 2 for 1 deal using code "2for1"

 

December 23, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Sabrina Chammas

The startup culture in Vancouver is not only thriving, it’s growing. It’s become a trend of it’s own that inspires, and encourages everyone to join in. People who move to the city see and experience this first hand, and realize that when surrounded by the energy here, there isn’t anything they can’t do. The world is your oyster in Vancouver, but how did that come to be? Why is Vancouver such a hot-bed of self employed creatives?

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be meeting and interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”

This week is our last interview in the series, and we're coming full circle by featuring L'Atelier founder and owner, Sabrina! If you've been into the office, you will of course know Sabrina, but if not, here's to chance to get to know her a little bit. Sabrina tells us more about why she came to Vancouver, and why she thinks Vancouver is such a great place to have a thriving small business.

Thanks for reading this series, we'll be back in the new year!

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November 25, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Mitzi Figueroa

The startup culture in Vancouver is not only thriving, it’s growing. It’s become a trend of it’s own that inspires, and encourages everyone to join in. People who move to the city see and experience this first hand, and realize that when surrounded by the energy here, there isn’t anything they can’t do. The world is your oyster in Vancouver, but how did that come to be? Why is Vancouver such a hot-bed of self employed creatives?

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be meeting and interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”

We're in the run down to our last few in this series, (only 3 left!!) but this week we're talking to the ever so lovely and talented Mitzi, of Waves social! Mitzi popped in to L'Atelier at one of our very first open days, and here she is months later kicking butt and creating magic with her very own company! Here's what Mitzi has to say about WHY Vancouver is such an awesome place for creatives of all kinds.

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October 21, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Kurtis Stewart

The startup culture in Vancouver is not only thriving, it’s growing. It’s become a trend of it’s own that inspires, and encourages everyone to join in. People who move to the city see and experience this first hand, and realize that when surrounded by the energy here, there isn’t anything they can’t do. The world is your oyster in Vancouver, but how did that come to be? Why is Vancouver such a hot-bed of self employed creatives?

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be meeting and interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”.

Everyone, meet Kurtis. If you don't already know him, you're missing something. This guy is EVERYWHERE. Literally everywhere. With 7 jobs (no joke!) you genuinely cannot be around and about Vancouver's creative community without bumping into him.

 And of course, that's exactly how I met him: attending my first ever Freelance Friday at the beginning of the year (Thanks FF!). Here's what Kurtis has to say about being a freelancer living the Vancouver dream.

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October 14, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Insa Burch

The startup culture in Vancouver is not only thriving, it’s growing. It’s become a trend of it’s own that inspires, and encourages everyone to join in. People who move to the city see and experience this first hand, and realize that when surrounded by the energy here, there isn’t anything they can’t do. The world is your oyster in Vancouver, but how did that come to be? Why is Vancouver such a hot-bed of self employed creatives?

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be meeting and interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”.

This week we’ve got my gal pal Insa Burch joining the conversation! Insa is the main inspiration for this entire series (Thanks lady!). A fellow Brit, Insa moved out here at the beginning of the year and continuously remarked how much she loved Vancouver, how inspiring it was and how there were SO many people doing cool things.

I hadn’t really stopped to think about it before, but in talking to Insa I realized that she was right - there is a real energy when you immerse yourself into the creative community here - with a fresh set of eyes I could see how it’s pushed me along and allowed me to do what I do.

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September 30, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Alexa Mazzarello

The startup culture in Vancouver is not only thriving, it’s growing. It’s become a trend of it’s own that inspires, and encourages everyone to join in. People who move to the city see and experience this first hand, and realize that when surrounded by the energy here, there isn’t anything they can’t do. The world is your oyster in Vancouver, but how did that come to be? Why is Vancouver such a hot-bed of self employed creatives?

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be meeting and interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”.

This week we spoke to Alexa Mazzarello of Alexa Mazzarello Creative. Photographer, creative, and all round babe, Alexa is a fellow full time member at L’Atelier. We originally met through the amazingly connected community of creatives in Vancouver, so she seemed like the perfect person to pitch my “Why Vancouver” question to.

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August 26, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” (A weekly series)

This summer I noticed something; people in Vancouver are doing what they love - forging their own way and taking big risks for business. They're saying no to office jobs, and working for small companies, or multiple companies, or themselves! We're creating our own job roles here and hustling all over town. It's particularly common in our little city, (and on the west coast in general, hello tech boom in California) but how and why did it happen? Why is it that people in Vancouver branch out on their own and take the big leap into the self employment or freelance life? 

As part of an ongoing series, we’ll be interviewing creative entrepreneurs in Vancouver to see how and why they think this has happened, how they’ve benefited from it, and what makes them tick as an entrepreneur; we want to know, “Why Vancouver”.

First off though, let me introduce myself. If you’ve been into the office here at L’Atelier, you might have seen me around – I’m Lucy, the British girl sat to the right hand side of the front desk. As part of the team at L’Atelier, my main focus is creating opportunities in which we can help each other to thrive and grow - something I'm truly passionate about. Need something  in the office? Stuck on a business idea? I'm your girl!

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Outside of L’Atelier, I’m a busy bee hustling for 3 creative agencies as a graphic designer, social account manager and more! I co-own Salt Design Co. with my business partner and gal pal Daphne Wong, and do the rest of my work remotely, hence the need and love for a space like L’Atelier!

I started on the freelance rollercoaster because I've always wanted to be self employed, but also because it became necessary; finding a full time job as a designer is tough! Very few agencies in Vancouver want to make that commitment, and there's very little movement or turnover of studio jobs. But, with multiple part time gigs available to me, I pulled them together and made one crazy complicated job instead. This is in me, it's a way of life I've been working towards long before I moved to Vancouver, but what I've found, is that it's possible to do it here. Being surrounded by others who are also doing their thing, enables me to carve out my self employment dreams. I truly don't believe it would be as easy (hah!) to do so back home in England.

Stay tuned for weekly interviews with other creative "do-ers" on the topic of "Why Vancouver", and in the meantime, check out my fave’s for getting sh*t done:

1. Do you have a favourite cafe or local spot to work from?
Yes! When I was studying, I found that Prado in Gastown was high on my list. Despite the awkward bathroom situation (If you've been, you'll know what I'm talking about), they have decent music, good food and coffee (plus they let you eat your own food!) and the wifi ain’t half bad. More recently though, I enjoy working from Lost and Found in Gastown, or Craft in Olympic Village. If you’ve never thought about working from a restaurant during the day, you’re missing out! Waitress service, comfy booths…. Beer on tap, you really can’t go wrong 😉

2. What's your favourite music to listen to whilst working?
If I need to focus, no music at all. If I want something on, I actually prefer to listen to BBC Radio 1. As far as radio goes, Canada kinda sucks. So I listen to my home country’s favourite station; With a mix of musical genres, live music covers and decent conversation, it’s been a firm favourite since I was a pre-teen. (p.s install an extension on your browser to get around any country/ I.P issues - it’s well worth listening to!)

3. What's your favourite thing about summer in Vancouver?
Last year I would have had said the heat. For a few glorious months, that heat and humidity is amazing. But this year…. well, my favourite thing about summer in Vancouver is the sheer number of events that take place! There’s always something going on, and if you happen to miss it, chances are it will happen again next year, so no need to worry about missing out. 

4. What's the one thing you can't live without?
Good friends and great conversation. And toast, there’s always got to be toast.

5. What's the best advice you've ever been given as an entrepreneur/small biz owner?
Nail your elevator pitch. (I’m still working on this, not gonna lie)

If you liked this post, let us know! We want YOU to be part of our community. Send me a message (lucy@ateliervancouver.com) and you can join one our community events, host a workshop or even be part of this blog series!