contents | WINTER 2010

1806 SHAWN MILLER

16 BOYS CO

18 HOOTSUITE

22 VANCOUVER CIRCUS SCHOOL

08 CARLIE WONG

20 REALITY CHECK

21 IN THE KNOW

warren dean . brittney fisher leon basin . deanna palkowski26

Shawn Miller gives us the insight on how to bring outone’s own greatness.

David Goldman sits down with Mandy Wong to share secrets on the success of BoysCo, 25 years on.

Ryan Holmes explains to Reach how Hootsuite becamethe next big thing.

Dex Texier decides to join the circus. Interviews the man behind the success of the Vancouver Circus School - Travis Johnson.

Find out why women are better entrepreneurs than men.

Nathan Tippe returns with another amazing article on entrepreneurs. Also Colin Simkus advises entrepreneurs on what should be done after the demise of Lehamn Brothers.

Carlie Wong is BACK. Find out why this fashion entrepreneur is one of the most sought after in Western Canada.

FASHION, BEAUTY & PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERWWW.MIKECHATWIN.COM MIKECHATWIN@ME.COM778.839.6735

Editors NoteHappy New Year!!! We would like to thank you for your continued support. Your support and dedication has kept us going, which is important because 2009 was a difficult year. However we have kept going, and we have grown together as a company. So What’s Next?

New Website - The website has been switched to WordPress. This allows for constant updates, and better interaction with our readers and fans.

More Events - We will be doing more events this year. Entrepreneurship

seminars, meet ups, fundraisers, and magazine launches are all on the agenda.

We hope that you will be able to come out and celebrate with us.

With that said, we hope you enjoy this new issue. We have some amazing articles, and more fascinating pictures.

I’d like to thank all our contributing writers, entrepreneurs, and Mike

Chatwin - for his continued support.

Enjoy....

Dammy Ogunseitan

McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group (MCNAK) turns the ordinary everyday experience of staffing into something highly memorable and valuable. Since 1996 McNak has connected exceptional people with outstanding employers creating environments where people buzz. And Buzz they do. McNak’s raving fans are true indicators of success. That’s what really counts.

Section (3) opened in 1994 as one of the very first restaurants in Yaletown. For 15 years Section (3) has been offering delicious West Coast cuisine and a fully licensed lounge area. Every week, Wednesday through Saturday, Vancouver’s best DJ’s create an upbeat atmosphere that compliments Section (3) fun and lively environment. As one of the best venue’s Vancouver offers, make sure you pop into Section (3) for a bite sometime, you’ll never forget the experience.

Situated inside the once-forgotten Tinseltown mall is a beautiful new high-end European women’s formal wear boutique: Invito Couture. The store sells evening gowns, cocktail and prom dresses and stylish accessories. All dresses are designed in Italy and manufactured in Italy. Visit Invito Couture for these creative pieces, you will not be disappointed.

Judy Inc is Canada’s leading artist management agency with offices in both Vancouver and Toronto. Judy Inc represents top artists in the divisions of hair, make-up, wardrobe, prop and food stylists, while also offering creative/art direction services. Recent clients include Robert Pattison, Jude Law and photographer Patrick Demarchelier.

SugarCane is a lifestyle brand that celebrates feeling well and living naturally. SugarCane offers a brand of minimalism and simplicity, providing products with only the bare necessities to keep the skin naturally healthy. SugarCane Skincare helps cleanse, tone, and moisturize the skin in order to inspire a healthy glow. Inspiring the individual to live a better life by being better to themselves - inside and out - Sugar Cane celebrates the idea that the natural you is beautiful and that there is nothing to hide.

The GLOWBAL COLLECTION is comprised of glowbal grill streaks & satay, COAST Restaurant, Sanafir, Italian Kitchen, Trattoria Italian Kitchen, and SOCIETY Dining Lounge. Flawless service, exquisite wine lists, and some of the most inventive, celebrated cuisine in Vancouver define every restaurant in the GLOWBAL COLLECTION.

FundRazr is the social way to manage money and was created to take away the pain and frustration of volunteer organizers who struggle to collect fees and run fundraising campaigns for the organizations they love. It combines the explosive growth of social networks, like Facebook, with the secure payment processing power of PayPal, to deliver feature-rich and easy-to-use solutions that conveniently connect to millions of potential users worldwide.

Sarah McNeill & Cheryl Nakamoto MCNEILL NAKAMOTO RECRUITMENT GROUP (MCNAK)

www.mcnak.com

Salli PatemanSECTION (3)

www.sectionthree.com

Yeliz DelaneyINVITO COUTURE

www.invitocouture.com

jUdY INC.www.judyinc.com

Melissa Joaquin SUGAR CANE CARES

www.sugarcaneskincare.com

GLOWBAL COLLECTIONwww.glowbalgroup.com

FUNdRAZRwww.fundrazr.com

At REACH we are constantly looking for new ideas and people to contribute not only to our magazine, but to our website. Our doors are always open to bloggers, photographers, writers and anyone else that has a bright idea. Find us online at www.reachmag.ca

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dammy Ogunseitan

INTELLIGENT DESIGN & MY BUSINESS

Contributingwriters Nathan Tippe Colin Simkus Natalie Sisson

stAFFwriters Dammy Ogunseitan Melissa Welsh Mandy Wong

editors Graham Gillis Melissa Welsh Alvin Bajwa

photogrApher Mike Chatwin

FASHION & RED CARPET

Contributingwriters Dammy Ogunseitan Mandy Wong

stAFFwriter Dex Texier

photogrApher Mike Chatwin

ART & DESIGN

CreAtiVedireCtor Mike Chatwin grAphiCdesigner Mike Chatwin

websiteeditor Dammy Ogunseitan

HOW TO CONTACT US

MoreinForMAtion reach@reachmag.ca leArnMoreAboutus www.reachmag.ca twitter @ReachMagazine

ChieFphotogrApher Mike Chatwin CreAtiVedireCtor

grAphiCdesigner Mike Chatwin

seniorCorrespondent Melissa Welsh MAnAgingeditor

editoriAlintern Mandy Wong

editors Graham Gillis Alvin Bajwa

eXeCutiVeproduCer Dex Texier

The first time I met Shawn was at the Network Hub where he gave his award-winning entrepreneurial business pitch. In a little over a minute, he had the skeptical crowd laughing their brains out. It was at that point that Mike Chatwin (Chief Photographer) and I were excited that Shawn was one of the entrepreneurs we would get to work with in this issue. Meeting on a very chilly December morning for the photo shoot and interview, Shawn was in high spirits. His personality and business module charmed the ladies from MCNAK, and before he had finished lifting Sarah over the wall for his photo shoot, I was already asking him questions for this article. Shawn is the founder and CEO of Miller Achieve Institute. Miller Achieve Institute works with individuals and entrepreneurs to show them how brilliant they are, and/or how brilliant they are in relation to their business. Shawn notes that most people don’t know how brilliant they are, and if they do know, they do not believe it. “Our job is to find the brilliance that is inside of you, and help you see it. When individuals operate from that place there are limitless possibilities.”Shawn Miller’s journey started as a 17-year-old who worked as a camp counselor in Maple Ridge. As a member of a non-profit organization, Shawn also preached the gospel to youth groups in high schools around Canada. “I remember loving what I was doing. However when I started interning at a Church, I only lasted a week and I quit – I went back to work at the summer camp.” “I found that I was most happy when I was helping people live a fuller life.”In 2007 Shawn graduated from the University of California

Santa Cruz and was awarded Master Practitioner in Nure Linguistic Programming. However, Shawn stayed at Canada Post were he had been for seven years. Shawn moved into his first home and welcomed his first child in 2008. A month after his son was born, Shawn had a life changing dream. “In the dream my son asked me why I had never done what I wanted to do. The next day I took action to pursue my dream” Shawn spent the next year getting all the training he could get, while attempting to build a business and still delivering mail for Canada Post. In 2009, Shawn finally quit his job at Canada Post and started the Miller Achieve Institute. As a full time entrepreneur, Shawn did more business in four weeks than in the first 14 months of his business. Putting it simply, Miller Achieve Institute allows people to understand how great they are. Shawn explains that “Individuals usually look outside of themselves for results, they usually search for lucky breaks, or wait for the right opportunity to come around. However, when these individuals look inside, believe that they are great and get inspired, they become successful.” The Miller Achieve Institute caters to individuals as well as entrepreneurs. Shawn acknowledges that there will always be challenges for the everyday individual – at home, at work, or in their business. Shawn adds that when this happens people always make it about the result. In a result-oriented world, it is easy to understand why people care more about results than how they got to where they are. Shawn insists that it is absolutely about actions, and how you go about getting the result that one wants. For instance, “There is a recipe for building a business, but if you make that recipe your own, it’s going to stand

out from the rest. We don’t claim to be the masters of all businesses, nor do we claim to be you, our job is just to bring out the greatness that lies in everyone.”It was refreshing to interview Shawn Miller, and personally it was a cool learning experience. It wasn’t surprising to see that Shawn’s answer to our usual what’s next question was used as a stage by him to inspire our readers. “When you are inspired, you do what you love and love what you do. The problem with positive thinking is that you still have to think, and motivation is like a drug, it wears off. But if you are inspired, you just do.” It was the first time that I had interviewed an individual whose mission was to inspire others to limitless greatness. Knowing that the article would be one huge learning script, I was excited to hear what Shawn’s advice for others was.“Find someone who will help you when you need help. There is no greater feeling when you have someone who will always stand in the gap for you. I believe everyone should have a coach, even businesses. I want to show a company that making a profit is not the only mandate of a company. Adding value into the lives of their employees should also be a priority,” Shawn ends. Wrapping up the interview, I was glad that I had spoken with Shawn for more than two hours. It was good to see how the Miller Achieve Institute adds value to the lives of the individuals they have come across.

WRITTEN BY DAMMY OGUNSEITAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHATWIN

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(from left to right)CHERYL NAKAMOTO JESSICA ROZITIS SARAH McNEILL(Lovely Ladies of MCNAK)SHAWN MILLER

ON TIERADRESS BY CARLIE WONGSHORT NECKLACE BY H. STERNLONG NECKLACE FROM JEWELIETTEBRACELET BY H. STERNRINGS BY ALDOSHOES BY ALDOON ALICIADRESS BY CARLIE WONG EARRINGS BY JEWELIETTERIGHT HAND BRACELETS BY J. LO; JEWELIETTE; CLUB MONACOLEFT HAND BRACELETS BY BIRKS; J. LO. RING BY JEWELIETTESHOES BY ALDO

I can’t help but blast some hip-hop music up as I write about Carlie Wong. You may recognize her name and face from the inaugural season of Project Runway Canada where she was the youngest contestant and also a crowd favorite. Since then, she has been featured in various elite fashion publications such as Elle Canada, Flare, Fashion, and many more. Celebrities Kreesha Turner and Ivana Santilli have also showcased her beautiful designs. With a big fan following, this local designer is surprisingly just like any other ordinary girl with a guilty pleasure for chick flicks and an incredible obsession for curry. Coming from a performance family, Carlie knew when she was young that she was destined to become a fashion designer. After attending Eric Hamber Secondary, which is famous for their annual fashion shows, she went to Kwantlen Polytechnic University and completed a bachelor degree for fashion design. Upon graduation, she was hired as a dress maker for Manuel Mendoza which turned out to be one of her greatest learning experiences.“He wanted a dress and told me to make it. I was nervous because the fabric was so expensive and I didn’t want to ruin it. I was just sitting there and it was just lying there in front of me. Manuel looked at me and said ‘it’s just fabric.’ At that moment, my mind just clicked and realized that it was just fabric! The experience taught me that I shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes, whether in regards to design or running my own business.” I fell in love with Carlie on Project Runway Canada where she exhibited her undeniable skills in creating jaw-dropping masterpieces under seemingly

impossible conditions. With shelves stock full of design and fashion books, where does her inspiration come from? “Everything. I believe that real inspiration is not found; in other words, I don’t go looking for it. I’ve been inspired by gangster rap, Studio 54, Robert Palmer girls; you name it. Inspiration finds you; it is what you’re into at any given moment.” After working as a designer for other companies, Carlie realized she needed to start her own line after appearing in the fashion reality television show. “What I love most about my job is that it’s mine. Everything I do is for my company, not for someone else’s.” Although she has a gutsy personality, Carlie puts a lot of thought into her work. Most days, she sits in her workshop designing, planning, and thinking about each step of the design process to put everything together. Fashion design may seem like a glamorous career but there are many costs that you don’t think about: money and time. She often has to worry where to find sponsors so there would be funds to purchase the fabric and other necessities. Rarely getting a solid nights sleep, much of Carlie’s time is spent on design, which is an extremely meticulous process. She explains the course of action, from the conception to the completed piece –a carefully calculated series of tasks that involves sketching, editing, drafting, prototyping, cutting and sewing. “I am involved in everything; even something seemingly trivial, like deciding on the kind of thread being used. Any artist will tell you that perfecting their craft is an endless process. For me, the needle comes down when the model steps onto the runway.”

With such sophisticated designs, Carlie certainly made me laugh with her outgoing personality. “I’m kind of gangster actually. I’m hip hop. I just chill and go with the flow. My career choice is quite ironic when you compare me to the age-old cliché - “don’t judge a book by its cover.” I’m not what most people think I am, but neither is the Carlie Wong woman.”It isn’t all work and no play for this girl. When she is not married to her work, she likes to karaoke (her go-to song is All I Have by LL Cool J and Jennifer Lopez), dance, and eat Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia ice cream. With such an accomplished career, her advice to other entrepreneurs is as follows: “To have a sustainable business, you need to have a strong concept. You have to research a lot and be prepared to work hard.” What’s in the future for Carlie? “After starting my business over two years ago, I learned that I have to do what I feel is right; let it flow organically and take it as it comes. This is a concept that I’ve recently adopted for my personal life as well. People always ask me what my goals are, thinking that I have a grandiose life plan mapped out in front of me. I’m not being disingenuous. I really have no idea what I’m doing, so, who knows?”

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ON ALICIA GOWN BY CARLIE WONG EARRINGS BY HILLIARD RIGHT HAND BRACELETS BY H. STERN; JEWELIETTE; CLUB MONACO LEFT HAND BRACELETS BY J.LO; JEWELIETTE RINGS AND CLUTCH BY HOLT RENFREW

WRITTEN BY MANDY WONG

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ON TIERA DRESS BY CARLIE WONG

GLOVES BY HOLT RENFREW RINGS BY ALDO

SHORT NECKLACE BY FOREVER 21 LONG NECKLACE BY ALDO

CLUTCH BY SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

ON ALICIADRESS BY CARLIE WONGBELT BY CARLIE WONGSHOES BY MICHAEL KORS RING BY H. STERNBRACELETS BY HILLIARD; JEWELIETTE SPIKE BRACELETS, STYLISTS OWNON TIERADRESS BY CARLIE WONGSHOES BY VERSACEEARRINGS BY HILLIARD BRACELETS, STYLISTS OWN GLOVES BY ALDO12

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ON TIERATOP AND LEGGINGS BY CARLIE WONGNECKLACE AND FEATHERED CUFFS BY CARLIE WONG EARRINGS BY HILLIARD. SHOES BY CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN ON CARLIEDRESS BY CARLIE WONGFEATHERED HARNESS BY CARLIE WONG BELT BY AMERICAN APPARELBRACELETS BY HILLIARD; JEWELIETTE; J. LO; CLUB MONACO SHOES BY DEVON SHOESON ALICIADRESS BY CARLIE WONGEARRINGS BY HOLT RENFREW BRACELET BY BIRKSRING BY ALEXIS BITTAR; CLUB MONACO SHOES BY ALEXANDER WANGRINGS BY JEWELIETTE

Most successful entrepreneurs have a way of leaving a strong impression on people they meet for the first time. It is a memory characterized by their stark confidence, evaluative approach to the world, and an uninhibited passion towards their work. They simply cannot contain the excitement they have for their work and it shows. David Goldman is one of these people. At our first meeting, he needs no prodding to offer his views on fashion. As soon as we sit, amid an office of minimalist décor with framed Beatles posters on the wall and stacks of fashion magazines on desks, he declares fashion to be an unpredictable industry in constant motion. To succeed, “you have to live, eat, sleep the business. I always do my homework whether it is going to various trade shows, going to other stores, and just traveling to see what is out there.” Goldman is the President of Boys’ Co., a Vancouver-based supplier of men’s designer and casual sportswear. The store appeals to a young-thinking, urban clientele. Whether in his late teens or possessing salt and pepper sideburns, any modern man who wants to sport the latest trends in men’s fashion comes to Boys’ Co. Rock and Republic, J. Lindeberg, True Religion, and G-Star RAW are among the premium labels the store carries at its four locations (Robson, Oakridge Centre, Metropolis, and Richmond Centre). The store’s history attests to its dominant position in men’s fashion in Vancouver. The Goldman family has been in the business since 1946 and David, along with his son Samuel, started Boys’

Co. twenty five years ago. Back then there were few places in the city for a fashion forward modern man: Oakridge Centre was a strip mall and Robson Street, dominated by department stores, had yet to grow into a regional fashion Mecca. Boys’ Co. flagship location at Robson, is now, without a doubt, the premier destination in the city to find the latest pieces in stylish men’s fashion.Ever the entrepreneur, Goldman has considered franchising the store out-of-province. Although the potential for franchising the Boys’ Co. brand is strong, he has delayed expansion out of a conscious, lifestyle decision. “Because we are small, we can be very flexible. Staying small doesn’t mean you’re unsuccessful.” Indeed, it is a crossroads every burgeoning enterprise must face. If Goldman were to expand his company, he would have to cede some control to others in the business. For someone so obviously passionate about his trade, that is a difficult thing to allow.Goldman credits his father for his success. The elder Goldman’s industry knowledge has helped David guide Boys’ Co. from an entrepreneurial experiment to a well-known, established business. “I’ve been lucky because I learned from my father. I take those lessons with me every day.” So having succeeded and carved a comfortable market share in the local fashion industry, what advice does Goldman have for budding entrepreneurs with only an idea and some energy? “Love what you do, embrace it. Challenges are high right now with the economy but be on the top of your game. You have to work

really hard and smarter.” And what is his image of the hustling, well-dressed entrepreneur of today? “A business-modern thinker, who’s well-read, likes fashion, wears a very slick jacket, dark jeans, tie, and groovy runners.” To be sure, Boys’ Co. is equipped to dress any young man seeking to create a bang in his industry or who just wants to express his individuality with some fly fashion pieces.

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WRITTEN BY MANDY WONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHATWIN

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When Ryan Holmes rolls over in his bed in the morning, regaining consciousness from an unusual lapse of solitary respite, instead of stretching a lazy limb to grasp a cup of coffee like most morning inefficient people, his fatigued fingers clasp his iPhone. They rest but for a moment, until they jump into action typing, checking email.Tumbling out of bed, the tweet update is the next item of business, even before as much as a morning bite or sip of herbal infused tea. With Holmes’ dog Mika in tow, the pair take a quick jaunt down the streets of downtown Vancouver’s east-side and enter the doors of Invoke media’s trendy work studio, just off Dunlevy Avenue, to begin the already started work day. Their entrance diverts my eyes from the black, blue and white art graffiti on the walls of the foyer.We sit in one of the office’s boardrooms; the walls and table are white. Holmes sits in front of me, dressed in a red plaid shirt and jeans. A baseball hat dons his head, covering a crop of slightly disheveled ginger hair. Even though his days are filled with navigating the convoluted and interconnected roads of the virtual social networking hemisphere, he seems at ease. Perhaps it’s a bought of clarity that he managed to hold onto from his yoga session the night before.The name Ryan Holmes should be synonymous with the word entrepreneur. Exercising his money-making muscles in high school, Holmes’ first business baby was born. “I developed a paint ball field, way back in 1992,” Holmes said smiling broadly, his eyes twinkling despite the early hour. From there, his entrepreneurial resume went on to include a gourmet pizza by the slice restaurant called Growlies. Now, the founder and president of Invoke Media - an interactive brand agency - Holmes is now parent to another business brainchild, and this time it’s a shy-looking, big-eyed owl, named HootSuite. The award winning software has taken the Twitter world by storm since its advent in December of 2008, and has caused more traffic to swarm the Twitter and Facebook scene than a comment from an attention-seeking celebrity.By doing web development and social media

campaigning, Invoke, founded in 2000, promotes and strategies the brands of some big name clients such as the Gap, Transworld or Wells Fargo. In the midst of setting up their clients’ Twitter and Facebook presence, the Invoke team realized that managing seven different accounts could get tiresome. And so in September 2008, the concept of HootSuite originated, and four months later, made its debut.“I can’t say we knew, I don’t think Twitter knew three years ago they were going to be a success,” Holmes said about HootSuite. HootSuite in simple terms is a dashboard for individuals to better manage their own social media. When the first version of the software was introduced in December 2008, it is was primarily targeted towards Twitter users. Twitter is an application programming interface (API), meaning developers can build software to hook into Twitter. Holmes estimates that 75 per cent of the traffic coming to Twitter, are third-party clients like Invoke. The response to HootSuite was really good, Holmes said. Watching the usage double everyday, Holmes knew “We’re on to something here.”HootSuite provides a single space for Twitter users to manage their own, or several different accounts. Each account administrator can add or take off multiple editors, an important feature for many corporations Holmes said.“We hear about a Twitter intern, getting access to the account, using it for the time that they are there, and then leaving the company. If they decide to go in and change the password or user name, then you are locked out of the account,” Holmes said.HootSuite also allows users to schedule tweets, and messages from multiple accounts, and because Invoke owns their own URL shortener, the software provides users with informative analytics, like how many clicks a posted link got, or what times of day get the best response.This past year, HootSuite fully integrated Facebook into the software. Using the HootSuite, Facebook users can modify their fan pages, reply back to comments and schedule and send out messages.The software’s universal usability has caused HootSuite

to take home a number of notable awards. This past year alone, HootSuite has won Mashable’s Open Web Award for Best Twitter App, a Shorty Award for Best Application, and most recently a Canadian New Media Award for Best Social Media Application. The software was also finalist in the prestigious 2009 Forrester Groundswell Awards.“It’s such an honor,” Holmes said, taking his hat off to rake his fingers through his tousled hair. “I think we have pretty good gut instincts on stuff.”Those gut instincts have led the team at Invoke to capitalize on more than one emerging trend within the wide array of social mediums. In 2005, the team created what they call ‘Memelabs.’ The video-contesting platform took a page out of the increasing famous like interface, Youtube. Because of the buzz surrounding Youtube, Memelabs was successful in driving traffic from consumers to Invoke’s clients’ web pages. That test trial of surfing the innovation waves of new social media channels, is what gave the team confidence in creating HootSuite. Aware of Twitter’s increasing phenomenon, Invoke was able to reap its own success from Twitter’s API status. And this past December, Invoke tapped into its capitalizing powers again, creating a HootSuite iPhone App. Invoke will be focussing on increasing HootSuite’s mobile presence this year with devices like Blackberry and Android Phones in mind. It’s the next trend that Holmes thinks will catapult the social networking scene. But even though Invoke may seem to be doing impossibly well, Holmes knows even award-winning companies will always be in a competitive process. Sitting at the sleek white table, leaning forward, this rather inconspicuous-looking man is actually a tenacious businessman. “It’s all been grinding,” Holmes said, adding that while the company’s reputation helps, you as an entrepreneur have to make things happen. “Nothing is owed to you, you have to earn things.” RYAN HOLMES

OWNER & FOUNDER OF HOOTSUITE

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WRITTEN BY MELISSA WELSH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHATWIN

BY NATALIE SISSON

Just over a year ago I dipped my feet into the world of entrepreneurialism as Co-Founder of a technology start-up aiming to change the world of social commerce.I had no idea what was in store for me. You can’t teach that kind of experience – you have to live and breathe it. I instantly reached out and built a network of fellow entrepreneurs to learn from, lean on and collaborate with. The thing was, they were almost all male. Where were all the female entrepreneurs in the tech sector? I figured I’d seek them out and what’s more I’d create a platform from which to connect with them. So I started my blog WomanzWorld.com – the Ultimate Resource for Female Entrepreneurs.It allowed me to share my personal journey. It gave me a reason to approach amazing female entrepreneurs for interviews so others could learn from their wisdom. Before I knew it I was seeking out information on how women in business differ from our male counterparts. We have unique advantages that we must leverage to ensure more women start their own businesses the world over.

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE On the whole, women have higher emotional intelligence (EQ) than men. The qualities associated with this are effective leadership, strong interpersonal skills and relationship building and increased resilience to stress. Perfect traits needed as an entrepreneur.

INTUITION & INSTINCTSWe have a innate ability to follow our gut instinct and this is a key trait of many successful entrepreneurs. You’ve have an idea and you go after it despite the naysayers convincing you not to.

THE ABILITY TO MULTITASKLet’s face it women are known for being able to juggle a lot of balls at the same time and still produce excellent results. We can talk on our cell, open and read email and schedule in meetings all at the same time. We get more done and don’t miss opportunities.

CONSUMMATE CONNECTORSWomen love to have a support group both personally and professionally. I didn’t used to think I needed it but have now realised how much I value my female friends for their insight, understanding and business know-how. I ask for help these days, men in contrast wait too long to do and this can cost them.

PERSISTENCE & PATIENCEBoth these attributes are super important. It’s no good being a visionary entrepreneur with ADD who gives up after the first hurdle and leaves their dream behind. We ladies know that great results come from hard work and dedication and a desire to never give up.

BRANDING FOCUSWomen are natural marketers. We’re so passionate and enthusiastic about what we choose to do we talk it up 24/7. This means we constantly talk about the benefits of our product or service to anyone who’ll listen and that means potential customers at every turn.

NATURAL NETWORKERSWe’re pros at connecting and effectively using our contacts since we’ve got more adept interpersonal skills. We strategically use our social networks to build support for our idea. We use networking not only as a critical tool, but also as a development strategy for their business

CONSISTENCY SISTEROur follow-through is infinitely better than our fellow male friends. We all know that if you stay consistent with your actions on a daily basis you are more likely to acquire and retain clients and customers. This builds trust and a winning reputation.

THE UNIQUE ADVANTAGES OF FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

NO SEE-SAW EVER RESTS HORIZONTALLYBY NATHAN TIPPE

Entrepreneurs have a distinct lifestyle. It is not one of movie stars or one of CEO’s, but rather, one of pure dedication and hard work. In the early stages of a startup, the entrepreneur’s life is fully consumed in all aspects of the new venture. While this is exciting, life can quickly be thrown off balance, hindering motivation. Now in 2010, there are even more opportunities for exploration, and thus, entrepreneurs are busier than ever. The Olympic countdown is almost complete, the economic climate in many industries is changing and there is an overall air of excitement around innovation. With this comes the need to find that balance with both business endeavors and personal life.To find this balance, there is a tendency to either subconsciously remove time-consuming (but necessary) parts of life or to add activities that further the ‘balance.’ Unfortunately, there is a problem with both of these approaches. Removing areas of life that are essential, such as family, friends or even sleep just moves further away from equilibrium. Of course, adding activities just adds to the list and does not help balance the equation.There is a solution. It is very simple. It goes back to the elementary school playground. It is hidden in one of everyone’s favorite pieces of apparatus – the seesaw (or teeter-totter). The game is only fun if the seesaw is balanced, otherwise, one person will simply remain on the ground the entire time. Now, applying the previous two tactics to the seesaw reveals the flaws immediately. Removing a person off one side would impair the balance, and since the seesaw technically only holds one person on each side, not a lot can be added to either side. Thus, the only way to maintain balance on the seesaw is to find two similar sized people for either side. And that is the key – two similar-sized people. When a startup takes off, entrepreneurs become too busy for conscious personal development thought, to-do lists, or routine schedules. The answer is in simplicity rather than further complications – two goals.The first goal is one of the business. A holistic goal for the venture that the entrepreneur and the team can strive towards and focus on with visionary mindsets. It motivates, but more importantly, it is a consistent target for the entire organization.The second is a personal goal or focus. It is an aspect of the entrepreneur’s personal life that excites and generates enthusiasm in a different way. It can be anything from an athletic goal to a hobby, but it is separate from the business and strives to bring about a whole different level of personal development.With these two goals – one on each side of the seesaw – life becomes simple. If balance can be achieved in these two areas, it will be shocking how easy it is to maintain balance in other areas. It is a contagious and the simplest way to begin the challenge is with these two fundamental goals. Now, if you truly remember your elementary school days, you will recall something about seesaws that is integral to this analogy. No seesaw ever rests horizontally. The balance is never perfect and is unique to every seesaw. Similarly, every person has a different balance they must strike to be successful, and while it takes some time to find, once found, it easily permeates throughout one’s life. Compensating to strike a stereotypical balance or simply reverting to a previous personal state is not effective – it must be built from the ground up in every situation. It is an exciting time in the entrepreneurial world. It is a time to embrace the circumstances and a time to exit the recessionary period with a foot up on the competition. Possibility is everywhere, but to capture it, one must have balance. To become a high performer and be effective in all facets of life, the basic balance must be struck on the seesaw. That balance is not simply a case of incorporating two equally important goals into life because each situation is unique. This balance needs to be engineered carefully and constantly monitored, as no seesaw ever rests horizontally.

LESSONS FROM LEHMAN A YEAR AFTERWARDBY COLIN SIMKUSA year ago, the assorted stock markets around the world plummeted rapidly after the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the calamities at AIG, Wachovia, Washington Mutual, Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. As former US Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan noted, it seemed like the entire market system collapsed. The previous optimism and economic vigor evaporated, leaving many flesh and blood companies, including small businesses, in the lurch. So, what can a swashbuckling entrepreneur learn from these tribulations?Be conservative: This does not mean support a certain political party; it means be sensible, rational and do not get sucked up in a wave of excessive over-exuberance. Canadian banks are the most stable of all, worldwide. This is because they practiced conservatism - doing their due diligence, not investing excessively in unproven fads, limiting their exposure in any one market, and doing their cost-benefit planning with an eye to worst case scenarios. There are some costs to this strategy: their profits did not rise as much during the mid-decade wave of good cheer. However, they avoided the painful crash of the broader financial market. They may have conformed to the Canadian stereotype of being boring, moderate and humble, but they are still strong (and profitable). Sadly, so many businesspeople make no provision for when market conditions go array. Even though the current crisis has been described as a ‘sixth-standard-deviation from the mean’ event, it did happen. This means that anything can happen, and if you don’t have plans and conditional arrangements in place you will be amongst the debris of an economic storm. If you think your relevant market will grow by 6 per cent, have a plan for 3 per cent and for 0 per cent growth. Whether you need it or not, you’ll be happy that you had such a Plan B (and C). Avoid over-expansion: Just like the families in Florida tripling their house sizes on the faith in ever-raising house prices, entrepreneurs who expand recklessly, apparently believing in perpetual good-times, will be bound to fail. Research every growth step carefully, and only expand in manageable steps. You might not double your operations every year, but you won’t have to cut your operations in half in bad years as countless overly-optimistic businesses had to do these past few months. While a sensible entrepreneur will want to plan for long-term growth in their market, they should avoid trying to automatically expand at the rate of artificial short-term growth. If you are going to expand, it is preferable to expand at the end of bad times, not at the peak of good years. Over-expansion can lead you and your business away from its fundamentals. If those fundamentals are strong, they are what will save you in an economic downturn; make sure not to abandon those fundamentals.Avoid being over-leveraged: Many businesses and households supported high-levels of consumption by accumulating significant levels of debt. Complex transactions, little tricks, regulatory loopholes and overrated pooling artificially reduced the cost of debt; when the credit market froze, the cost of refinancing that debt spiralled and many businesses and individuals were forced into bankruptcy. Debt is a fixed, contractual obligation; it will become proportionately more burdensome if revenue and profits decrease. Furthermore, leverage can be a perpetual cycle, because if revenues fall, only fresh leverage can replace maturing leverage that needs to be paid-off. As leverage begets leverage, the impact on one’s credit-rating will make even that escape plan more difficult. The best solution is to use leverage in moderation; never actually get addicted to leverage in the first-place.If something doesn’t work; change it: There is a saying, “never waste a good crisis”. While economic turmoil can be catastrophic, it can reveal which parts of one’s business actually carry their own weight and which ones are anchors dragging down your business’s performance. While a good entrepreneur must possess a certain wherewithal and ‘stick to it’-ness, you also must be determined to follow the prudent course. Do not do what so many governments have recently done and keep wasteful operations afloat. Which in many ways is throwing good money after bad. This is where the difference between ‘cyclical’ and ‘structural’ matters. A cyclical deficit in an otherwise good product line means you should try to support that product line so that when the economy recovers it can be profitable again. A structural deficit in a product line means that product line is a loser and you should not be too squeamish to terminate it. In other words, just as you should not be too optimistic in the good times you should not be too optimistic in the bad times. Certainly, every entrepreneur needs to retain some hope, ambition and determination. In the last year, it seemed as though the only thing in surplus was ‘foolhardiness’; hope it not over-exuberance. What should be the source of hope and optimism is the knowledge that you are being prudent, sensible and responsible - even, as was the case a year ago, when no one else was.

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When the circus is mentioned, images of a traveling clan of performers making their animals perform outrageous feats scrolls across my mind at ease. However, in modern times, the circus industry has changed significantly into a post-modern form of alternative entertainment. Meet Travis Johnson, an entrepreneur, who at the age of 30 runs two circus entertainment companies – the Vancouver Circus School, and the Inner Ring. I first met Travis Johnson when we were planning a circus photo shoot for Jason Matlo, and his willingness to help out a small-unknown independent magazine at the time defines what type of individual Travis is. Travis was born into a family of acrobats. The Johnson family has been a household name in the circus industry for years – especially the trampoline community where his mom and dad have been Canada’s top educators for many years. His dad was also the Canadian National trampoline coach for many years. When I finally sat down to interview Travis, I could see that the fact that he was born into a family of acrobats has awarded him with a joy that very few can claim to have. “Being from a family of acrobats is amazing; I started learning the ropes very early. I had the opportunity to start performing when I was six years old, at Expo 86. From then on, I continued to compete all across western Canada. I remember having so much fun doing that,” Travis explained. As an entrepreneur, Travis ran an audio video production company for eight years. However, in 2004, exactly one year after a near fatal motorcycle accident he decided to start the Vancouver Circus School with his father. “It was time to get into the family business: after having made a difficult recovery from my accident, I’d realized that I’d been given a second chance at life. I wanted to provide others with the opportunity to realize their own physical

and creative potential, as I had done.”The School first started with summer camps, and then went on to open classes on the North Shore. Travis noted that after the Vancouver Circus School opened, the school started getting calls from numerous businesses to perform. As these calls increased, it was clear that there was a need for a professional circus entertainment company. Three years ago, the Inner Ring was created to high acclaim. The Inner Ring was not only created as an innovative entertainment company, but also intends to develop a professional artist management division. While keeping in mind that most performing artists value a company who represents their professional goals and interests; Travis is in the process of developing a division which meets the personal needs of the artists, as well as provides them with performing opportunities at an international levelAs an individual who has always reverberated entrepreneurship values, it was no surprise that his business module worked. Not only does the Inner Ring work with artists from around the world, many of its local artists coach for the Vancouver Circus School. Both businesses have proven successful and are quite popular in the Lower-Mainland community. The Inner Ring has performed more than 170 shows all around Canada and the Vancouver Circus School has seen thousands of kids and adults pass through the doors of their School on the North Shore. “When you get so much pleasure from what you do, it can hardly be called a job, really. When I’m at the Circus School, there’s nothing like seeing children run to their parents screaming, ‘I did it! I did it!’ Actually…it’s even better seeing people in their 60’s screaming, ‘I did it! I did it!”

I couldn’t agree more. Days earlier I had gone to take a tour of the school with Mike Chatwin. I was in awe as I watched kids, who were full of excitement and accomplishment, take on the trampoline, trapeze, and aerial silks. It got even better when the kids’ classes were over, and it was the adults’ turn to play.It was easy to notice that the Vancouver Circus School has been a great plus for the community. Travis notes that “the Vancouver Circus School has been instrumental in the development of self-esteem in both children and adults, alike.”When it comes to important events, the Inner Ring has had its fair share. The Inner Ring was chosen to perform at the 25th Anniversary of BC Place. “It was the most intense nine minute show we’ve ever done. We had 75 artists performing on trampolines, doing fire shows, acrobalancing, rhythmic gymnastics, dancing, and more.”The Inner Ring has also created their first touring production called ‘Bounce’. Bounce first premiered in Whitehorse as a fundraising event for the Boys and Girls club. Over the weekend, it had sold out all of its shows, with thousands in attendance. With calls for more shows, charity fundraisers, and team building events, the Vancouver Circus School and Inner Ring are quickly becoming the next big thing in entertainment. When asked what’s next, Travis is quick to point out that he wants to open more branches of the Vancouver Circus School. “Everything I do is based around the circus. It’s a passion. When I go to other cities, the first thing I do is check out their circus community.”With this type of attitude, it’s not surprising to see why Travis is very successful at what he does.

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WRITTEN BY DAMMY OGUNSEITAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIKE CHATWIN

TRAVIS JOHNSON

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PHOTO: PASCALE THERIEN

PHOTO: DAN JACKSON

PHOTO: DUSTIN WERBESKI

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1. Warren dean is the rebirth of Motown and the next artist to be added to your Ipod.

REACH: What inspired you to become a music artistWd: My father was my biggest inspiration. He was not a professional singer, but there was always music in my household. He loved singing and my mother also appreciated good music. I grew up listening to Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, from an early age. Funny story, my mom used to put headphones on her tummy when she was pregnant with me. I guess that’s how it all happened (laughs).REACH: Evaluate and recount the journey you’ve taken to become a successful music artist Wd: I started taking singing lessons because I had asthma as a child. I had to choose between singing or playing the Tuba. (laughs) I grew up singing in the soul gospel church choir. Singing in the church kept me grounded. I also grew up singing with a friend Checko, who always told me to walk humble. Its something that I have always lived by. It has been challenging, however staying grounded has helped me throughout my journey. When people started taking notice, I basically realized that it was something that I wanted to do. I started doing various background and session work for producers, and it just snow-balled from there. REACH: Tell us about your upcoming album, and what can we expect. Wd: The upcoming album is like a snap shot of different moments in life. It’s like a life soundtrack. Something you can listen to during all aspects of ones life. There is a lot of love on the record. Love with joy,

love with pain, love with love. The album has something for everyone. Whether you are eight or 80 you will connect with something on the album. REACH: What advice would you give to upcoming artistsWd: The best advice I’ve always lived by is to walk humble. Humility is everything. You can be cocky in business, however, as long as your mom can give you an ass whooping when you get home, you are good.

2. A Q&A with Leon Basin, owner of Bang Out.

REACH: Why did you start your business in the first place? What triggered that want? Did someone say something? Or were you just skating one day Bang Out came this great idea?LB: I started my business because roller blading has been my passion from a young age. The idea of owning a skate shop was always there, but it was all about being in the right place at the right time to make it happen. REACH: Did you always want to be a entrepreneur and shop owner?LB: My personality is very competitive and I do enjoy taking risks, so becoming an entrepreneur was a natural progression. Opening a skate shop felt right and I knew that I would be good at it. REACH: What were you doing during the startup time and what did you want to be originally? LB: During the start up time I was working in retail. I never knew

exactly what I wanted to be, but I always wanted to do something special related to rollerblading. I love being creative, taking photos, filming, making videos and designing. Shop-Task (my skate shop) allowed me to do all the things I enjoy while still making money. REACH: With such an emphasis on skateboarding nowadays, where do you think rollerblading is going?LB: I can’t see rollerblading becoming a fashion statement like carrying a skateboard has, but I also can’t see it getting any less popular. So from a business perspective it can only get better from here.REACH: Any advice for future entrepreneurs and shop owners?LB: Love what you do. Learn from the best. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Always ask for advice and listen. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. Create systems and follow them. Get paid.

3. REACH chats with plus size model Brittany Fisher.

REACH: 1. First off, for our readers out there: who is Brittney Fisher? BF: I am 24 years old, born and raised in Vernon, British Columbia. I have always loved to act, dance and sing since I was five. I have danced jazz, tap, ballet, hip hop and modern and competed in many dance competitions and performances. I’ve always been really involved with living an active life; even though I was always plus size I never let it stop me from doing what I love. I just recently graduated from Capilano College in North Vancouver. Some of the best years of my life were spent there and all of the teachers there really helped me to get where I am today. I believe everything I have done in my life has prepared me for the role of being a plus size model, as well as being Canada’s plus-sized model. I believe that everyone has a dream, but having the confidence to follow them will come when you let go of your fears, and that begins with loving yourself. Confidence IS beauty. I truly believe that once you begin to love yourself for who you are you will no longer have the fear to follow your dreams. It really takes a lot of strength and confidence to follow your dreams, but if you have love for yourself and a positive attitude then nothing can stop you from achieving whatever you wish. I’m a prime example of this. It has been a bumpy road for me my whole life, but I never lost sight of my dreams. Being a plus size model carries such a positive message: you can be who you are, look the way you look, and reach your goals with no limitations. REACH: What inspired you to become a fashion model?BF: My friends and family. Growing up with insecurities and finding ways to conquer them showed me that the world needs more realistic role models. It is a blessing that I get to be a positive influence on women who aren’t a size zero. REACH: Give us your thoughts about the fashion industry here in Canada. Especially in B.C.BF: Like most things in Canada the fashion industry is slightly more laid back than other major countries in the world, but it’s definitely growing. Fashion in B.C. seems to go along with the characteristics of the BC mentality: easy, simple, yet beautiful in its straight-forward nature. There are definitely some amazing Canadian designers out there if you take a look, such as Arthur Mendonca, Simon Chang, Rad Hourani, and David Dixon. REACH: What are your thoughts on recent trends regarding plus size models.

BF: In the past plus size models appeared to be size six or eight women wearing padding to accentuate their curves where as now there seem to be more beautiful women with beautiful plus sized bodies.REACH: What advice would you give girls who would like to follow in your footsteps?BF: Don’t waste time not loving yourself because when you love yourself only good things can come to you. It’s also about living a healthy lifestyle because if you feel good, then you get inspired to live life to the fullest. Nothing comes without hard work, so be prepared to work hard. It all depends on how bad you want something. Always be yourself and never be afraid to jump at an opportunity.

4. Up-and-Coming superstar fashion stylist deanna Palkowski.

REACH: Tell us who Deanna Palkowski is? dP: I grew up in West Vancouver and spent countless hours of my childhood surrounded by couture fashion that are seen in many fashion stores and fashion runways around the world. No matter what you’re looking for, I can find it and piece it together. No budget is too small for the most outstanding look. I believe that you must truly love your business to truly thrive in it, and I have certainly proved that to be true. I have been published in many local Vancouver magazines such as TLC Magazine, Fashion E-zine, The Lab Magazine, and Vancouver View Magazine. I have also worked with many well know photographers as well. My extensive portfolio shows many diverse looks and countless hours of dedication. REACH: What inspired you?dP: Since I was born my grandparents would attend Paris fashion shows and bring me back items from Escada for kids. My addiction for fashion was therefore unavoidable! Alexis Palkowski, my older sister, sells real estate with Style so that she can collect and wear fashionable runway items on a daily basis without having to explain herself. Fashion is a part of my european heritage and is engraved in my family and me! When I finally informed my family that I wouldn’t go into the family law business but was to have fashion as my ultimate passion they were not surprised.REACH: Thoughts about Vancouver fashion?dP: I always like to support young up and coming talent in Vancouver. The level of couture has not yet been created in our city and to be fair there are not many women that dress like that in Vancouver either. Vancouver has room to grow and as we evolve every season I truly can’t wait to see what our fashion will be like in five years. REACH: What sets you apart?dP: Unique fashion. By growing up with a family that collects unbelievable limited edition pieces, I have acquired an appreciation for fashion that sets me apart. Every item is like family. Things cannot be replaced and have a story to tell such as where they were purchased and how they came to end up as part of the ultimate fashion collection. I take this attitude when styling for every shoot. Every piece has a meaning and lots of thought behind it. The image portrayed is exactly how I feel you should view the pieces and essentially the art behind each piece in the picture. One image could have 10 different items for ten different stores but in the end the picture you see has a purpose, passion, life and a sense of vogue attached to it.

1. WARREN dEAN www.myspace.com/warrendeanmusic 2. LEON BASIN www.shop-task.com / leon@shop-task.com 3. BRITTANY FISHER brittney.fisher@hotmail.com 4. dEANNA PALKOWKSI deannapalkowski@gmail.com / 604.307.3992 / look for her new blog “Minting die” coming soon

PHOTO: KIN CHAN

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