All Posts in Small Business

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"

 

January 16, 2017 - No Comments!

Local Tools: 5 ways to stay organized and focused in Vancouver

Like everyone else, the dust of new year is settling for us and we're getting focused and organized for the new year ahead. This year, we'll be sharing more tips and tricks about co-working and how to thrive as a freelancer or small business owner in Vancouver. We'll be making sure to feature local ways of achieving this each month, as we love our Vancouver family and want to continue supporting them!

#1: A  C A L E N D A R
To get things kicked off, we're starting with the obvious; you need a calendar to plan for the year ahead of course and luckily for us a couple of our members joined forces to design some fun and functional calendars that you can print at home! Check out Pretty Office Thing's Etsy store to see the calendars designed by Salt Design Co. and use code PRETTY50 for a cheeky discount 😉


#2: A  P L A N N E R
In this same realm, we can't not feature Stil Classics and their amazing planners. Owner and Director Marissa is also a member of our office - Marissa designed her planners with everything she was missing in mind. It's functional, beautiful and has daily to-do lists alongside your schedule so you can check in with each of your daily tasks and never lose focus.

(Photo of the Design Love Planner - which is currently on sale!)

#3: T H E  J O B  H U N T
Need help with a job hunt this month? Talent Collective have got you covered- they're hosting a free(!!) online webinar to help reduce your job hunting stress, nail your resume and avoid common mistakes.


#4: L E A R N I N G
Growing a business or freelance career is tough. Join the team at Brainstation YVR or at Red Academy to acquire more skills that pay the bills!


(Photo from a Vancity Business Babes event at Brainstation in 2016.
Photo credit: Lucy Gregory)

#5: H E A L T H
Lastly, and possibly one of the most important things to consider as an entrepreneur or freelancer, is your health! Make sure you stay focused and stress free this year by putting your mental health first. Moment Meditation start their 3 week challenge on January 23rd - the perfect opportunity to give it a go and introduce a few more calm moments into your daily routine.


(Photo from this journal entry on the Moment site. Unknown photo credit.)

Let us know how you're getting along this month! You can tweet at us @vancityatelier or email admin@ateliervancouver.com

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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December 16, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Mike Stinson

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 were hearing from Mike Stinson - the brand spanking new Creative Director of Waves Social! Yes, we've got the Waves crew back at it! They're super social like that (wink wink) and we love their style! Here's what Mike had to say about "Why Vancouver"...

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December 2, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Angie Coates

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”

If you know todays featured lady Angie, then you know real joy and kindness emanate all around her. Having only recently met Angie (at the UP Conference! Yay!) I am lucky enough to be able to now call her a friend. For you guys though, go follow her on Instagram and enjoy the daily positivity and love she spreads - and super cool graphics!

Her actual job though, is as a graphic designer. A fellow creative, Angie works from home alongside her creative hubby and her dog, Meatball. They've got the Vancouver dream in full blown action and can attest to how it works so well here. Angie explains what makes Vancouver so wonderful and allows her to live her creative dreams below...

  angie-3

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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.

010_mitzifig-brand

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November 18, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Erin Reynel

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”

Erin, founder of Aria, popped in to our office space recently, and we loved her! Having a community based office in which rad people doing rad things like to come and go, is beyond awesome. We see so many cool faces every day, and it's such a wonderful way to meet and be inspired by new people. We posed our question to Erin: "Why Vancouver" and here's what she had to say!

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November 11, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Mathilde from Petite Lou Lou

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”.

One of the wonderful things of a co-work space, is the movement of people. This office isn't static and closed; we have weekly events and lots of people coming through our doors. So many people in Vancouver are "our" people, even though they don't physically work here. This weeks interviewee, Mathilde came through our doors for a Vancity Business Babes event, and we fell in love with her cute baby products! Here's what Mathilde has to say about living the Vancouver dream. 

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November 4, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver” Featuring Ciele from Honey and Heart Co.

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”.

The creative community in Vancouver is pretty great - I mean that's why we're here right? That's what this whole series is about at the end of the day. But sometimes the ease of connection through that community can be surprising. All it takes is a quick shoutout, a small mention in a Facebook group - and next thing you know you have people offering up their insights and help. Well that's exactly how we found the lovely Ciele!

ciele

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October 28, 2016 - No Comments!

“Why Vancouver”” Featuring Chelsea McKenzie

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”.

Part of the beauty of doing your own thing in Vancouver, is that if you want to mix the best of two worlds ("regular" 9-5 jobs AND freelance gigs), well you can! The majority of our creative community is made up folks just like todays interviewee Chelsea, merging multiple jobs to fulfill income and passion needs.

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