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 weeks interviewee is well known amongst the creative circles of freelancers in Vancouver. As one half of Talent Collective, the bubbly Annika also hosts Freelance Friday, bringing us contractors together so we can bond and network to our hearts content. Here’s what Annika has to say about “Why Vancouver”:

"Being born in Germany, the land of efficiency and bureaucracy, I remember testing the freelance waters at the age of eighteen (If you must know, my first contract was making fancy balloon animals at car dealerships). It came with far too many hoops to jump through to be registered for self-employment. All around, a painful experience, which turned me off wanting to work for myself again. Until I came to Vancouver and my whole mindset shifted.

I remember being part of this networking group called “Ladies Who Launch” which encouraged me to test solopreneur part-time. So I did — off of the side of my desk for nearly 5 years. About 3 years ago, I made the decision to be fully independent and I haven’t looked back. I love working from home. I wear my sweatpants. (Yes, I do and I think it’s awesome!) I get up super early:  there is no noise, just me and my work and my business buddy Crystal Henrickson sending me funny gifs on Slack. I end my day at 3 pm. I go for a run, I meet up with likeminds; I’m building the lifestyle I want.

It is projected that by 2020, close to 40% of the workforce will be independent. Vancouver continues to prove it’s a community that supports this career path, and I have made it one of my personal goals to help ensure independents can thrive, not just survive. In the past couple of years, there has been an increase of ways for freelancers to support each other. I’m personally involved in Freelance Friday, Creative Mornings FieldTrips and UP Conference. It has made solopreneurship for the second time that much easier, and less lonely."

Stay tuned for more interviews (1 every week!) with other creative “do-ers” on the topic of “Why Vancouver”, and in the meantime check out Annika’s top 5 for getting sh*t done.

1. Do you have a favourite cafe or local spot to work from?
(Warning: here’s a plug) I’m trying out L’Atelier for some drop-in over the next few months. I also love Arbutus Coffee and Chocolate Arts in Kits - chocolate and work go well together. Plus, free wifi!!

2. What's your favourite music to listen to whilst working?
None. Quiet is my jam. That’s when I am in the flow. I do listen to podcasts when I go for a run. My favourite: 99% Invisible, dedicated to the lesser known aspects of design. Fascinating!

3. What's your favourite thing about Fall in Vancouver?
The crisp outdoors. There is nothing better than escaping my home office for a north shore hike on a sunny, October day when all the leafs are turning golden and are crunching underfoot.

4. What's one thing you can't live without?
My Passport(s). Life wouldn’t be the same without the ability to travel abroad and work remote. I spend a month or two annually working from the quiet German village I grew up in and another month or so heading somewhere new. This December it’s off to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

5. What's the best advice you've ever been given as freelancer/ self employed designer?
I’ve been thinking a lot about pricing and have been mesmerized by Jonathan Stark’s approach to value pricing. Retiring the hourly rate and tying your pricing into the value you deliver, now that’s smart. Check out this podcast “The Freelance Transformation” by Matt Inglot (one of the speaker’s at UP) talking about demystifying pricing based on value with Jonathan.

If you liked this post, let us know! We want YOU to be part of our community - so send me a message (lucy@ateliervancouver.com) and you can join in on one our community events, or be part of this blog series! Join the conversation!