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!

"I moved to Vancouver about a year and a half ago, having come from Calgary and before that, Costa Rica. I didn’t think I’d like living in a big city (I hate Calgary), but I’m obsessed with Vancouver. The vibe here is so relaxed. I think that’s what’s led me to create Aria – there’s so much chilled out inspiration around. Vancouver’s full of creative people who are making their lives happen for themselves, and it’s kind of contagious. I caught it. Those external influences, plus the laid back atmosphere of Vancouver leaves a lot of space for creativity and imagination, as opposed to high-strung city where everyone’s chasing dollar bills. In Vancouver, we’re chasing creativity, not riches."

1. Do you have a favourite cafe or local spot to work from?
I have an awesome little workspace at home, with corner windows that look out onto treetops, and gets tons of sunlight. Sometimes I’ll post up at Arbutus Coffee, especially when it’s raining – it’s the coziest cafe in Kits.

2. What's your favourite music to listen to whilst working?
I’m still listening to 8tracks – is that lame? I like weird, cosmic electronic and hip-hop beats. No lyrics.

3. What's your favourite thing about fall in Vancouver?
There’s this cozy feeling that comes with fall, when the clouds get really thick and heavy, and it gets chilly and everyone bundles up. It’s like everything gets fat from the humidity and it feels really nice to me. Of course, you can’t beat the colours, and walking through a field of gold and rust coloured leaves.

4. What's one thing you can't live without?
Travel. I’ll never stop travelling!

5. What's the best advice you've ever been given as freelancer/ self employed designer?
Say yes and figure it out later. I’ve learned SO MANY amazing new skills from saying yes to what my clients ask, even if I don’t know how to do it. It’s allowed me to expand by knowledge and increase the ways I can help the people who need me, and that’s been really exciting for me!

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!