Shannon Jacoby was a mystery shopper. When she found herself inside the men’s bathroom, fishing her cellphone out of the toilet, she was horrified to see a tall and handsome guy in an expensive suit watching her. She had to think of the worst explanation to explain her existence in this men’s bathroom. Shannon couldn’t blow her cover like this!
Conclusion
This was a heart warming and fun story! I enjoyed the verbal interactions between the protagonist and her dream guy. Delightful read!
After all these years of emails and e-cards, I still like to give physical greetings cards. Thank you Sapphorica Creations for my surprise box!
Who is Sapphorica Creations?
1) When did you start your business?
We started Sapphorica Creations in 2022 (this year), creating Art Cards.
2) What was your background?
Previously, we had a freelance web and graphic design company, Sapphorica Design which we operated for just over 10 years.
Previously, we had a freelance web and graphic design company, Sapphorica Design which we operated for just over 10 years.
Gemma is a web and graphic designer, who was the main creative for Sapphorica Design. She went into another field full time. I (Kellee), was in senior leadership in retail for over 25 years and decided to dedicate myself full time to launching Sapphorica Creations as business manager and creative.
My background is a BFA from ACAD (now University of the Arts) as well as 25 years in retail leadership in Fortune 500 companies.
Gemma, BFA from U of A and certified e-media (Web and Graphic Design, Dev Studios).
3) Why did you start your business?
We started Sapphorica Creations as an expansion of our artistic business and to switch professional roles.
My background is a BFA from ACAD (now University of the Arts) as well as 25 years in retail leadership in Fortune 500 companies.
Gemma, BFA from U of A and certified e-media (Web and Graphic Design, Dev Studios).
4) What is special about your products?
Our products are creating using hand-illustration and hand-cut and hand-printed linocuts. We are fine artists who strive to make art accessible by printing on smaller formats. We hope to re-inspire the sentiment of card giving and gift giving premium, hand crafted items.
Both Vietnamese and Thai cuisine are two of my favourite types of food. So, I am thankful for the invite from H P Noodle House!
Who is H P Noodle House?
1) When and why did you start your business?
Paul Pham is the name of the head chef. He enjoys cooking and would love to bring his cooking passion to all valued customer. He started his 1st restaurant in Toronto in 2015, and he given up after a year because it wasn’t good. He had lost all his saving. He still doesn’t want to give up on his dream. So, with family support, he started H P Noodle House in Port Coquitlam in 2016. After six years with lots of struggles , he finally was able to open his second restaurant in Burnaby. (I visited the second restaurant!)
2) What was his background?
The chef is Vietnamese. Later on, he learned about Thai food when worked for a Thai restaurant in Toronto.
3) Anything else you would like to share?
He has about 15 years experience in the restaurant.
It’s a great feeling to have the softest fabric next to your skin! That’s what Piknic Designs’ fabrics felt like…..Thank you for this lovely shirt!
Who is Piknic Designs?
Why did you start your business? I started my company after doing a self employment program when I got laid off from my job. Best decision I ever made ! I finished fashion school, but couldn’t find a job in the industry. So, I decided to start my own line.
What is your background? I took sewing in high school and fell in love with it. Then, I went to fashion school and the art institute. Afterwards, I started making clothes after that.
What is special about your products? All my product is made for comfort. I feel like it best to look good, while feeling good. That’s why I make everything out of super comfy bamboo. Plus I design my clothes to look to fun and fashionable. All my prints are my own art that I either drew by hand or designed digitally too!
Feeling thirsty? Farming Karma has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sodas from their brewery. Thank you for the refreshing drinks!
Who Is Farming Karma?
When and why did you start your business?Karma (my dad) has been farming in the Okanagan for 30 years. My family grows apples, cherries, and pears. We wanted to make a healthy beverage for our community (something different from pop, juice or carbonated water) so we decided to juice our fruit and turn it into a healthy soda! Our soda is light, refreshing, and lightly carbonated with the following core values; NO added sugars, NO preservatives, NO colors or artificial flavours, NO concentrates or syrups, made with REAL fruit, natural, vegan, and gluten free beverage.
What is your background? Our business is a family business. All the way from my dad Karma to my 1 year-old son Jhelum we all contribute to the business. My background is actually in Pharmacy and I was a Pharmacist before I started juicing our fruit. Everything was new to us and quite different from farming and pharmacy. We continue to learn every day about retail sales, marketing, manufacturing, and everything that goes into running a small business.
What is special about your product? Our first product was our Apple Soda. We sold our first can about 2 months before the pandemic started. We ended up innovating our product to 4 more flavours during the pandemic leading to our full product line: Apple, Cherry, Peach, Berry, and Pear Soda. Because of this expansion we won the Innovative Product of the Year Award for Sobey’s in Western Canada 2020. Our product is unique and there is nothing in the market like it! In the market there are pops, juices, and flavoured waters but what makes our product different is that it contains a serving of real fruit (along with the core values mentioned above).
Finally, what else do you want to share? For Food and Beverage BC, we are currently nominated for the Top 10 Product of the Year Award. The results come out during the award show on November 3rd!
A magician named Hector was feeling blue as his act was being rejected. One day, he discovered a singing baby crocodile and thought that he would make a fortune with Lyle, the crocodile as part of his act. He put everything he owned on line to raise funds for their act, but Lyle had stage fright and Hector lost everything including his lovely New York apartments building. He was kicked out and forced to leave Lyle there as he left to raise more funds.
A new family with a little boy named Josh moved in. Josh was so unhappy about his new as chop and surroundings. Then one night, he discovered Lyle…..
Conclusion
This movie really moved me. I loved the songs of course. Shawn Mendes was the voice of Lyle too. I noticed that the children in the audience were laughing and enjoying themselves. I recommend to watch as a family.
I love video games! Virtual reality games are the next level up! Thank you, Evolve Virtual Reality for the great party.
Who Is Evolve Virtual Reality?
1) Evolve opened its doors in June 2018. We wanted to bring the future of gaming and technology to the public without the hefty price and space commitment that buying one for yourself comes with. It also allowed the inexperienced gamer to try it out with the help of our knowledgeable team.
2) My business partner and I both had experience working in each of our fathers’ small businesses. One was more in the education sector and the other in the construction industry. We combined that knowledge of business with our love for video games to, not only start our company, but we actually built the entire store from the ground up.
3) As is indicated in our name, our products are always evolving with the times. Virtual Reality is such a brand new industry that every couple years new innovations are released. We do our best to keep up with the latest trends and gear.
4) We’d like to just thank all our guests that come in and support small businesses like ours throughout the hardship that came after the lockdowns and now the construction. We’d love to remind everyone that we have free parking in the back to make it a bit easier for anyone coming by!
Ani spent most of her adult life building the ideal life. She had the perfect wealthy and handsome fiancé, working as a journalist in New York. Having the perfect facade to hide her insecurities and frustrations became very difficult when she was invited to be in a true crime documentary about her high school life. This was about a school shooting and bomb incident that was connected to her….
Will this documentary destroy her or release her?
Conclusion
This story was a common story that women hear often about victim-blaming. Women were told to be quiet to avoid attention, to dress conservatively to avoid attention and to not get drunk….
This movie was a reminder that it was important to follow your heart and be brave.
This lovely spa was in a quiet neighbourhood that was near the local university. Thank you for your invite, Ovo Medi Spa!
Who Is Ovo Medi Spa?
When did you start your business? We started at the height of Covid in August, 2020.
What are your backgrounds? Dr Jimmy Kwok is the medical director of Ovo Medi Spa. He is experienced with North America and Korean injectable techniques. He is licensed with the Cellular Medicine society to perform the original PRP Vampire facials and Facelift. Dr Hannah Makrides is our other physician, she is an emergency physician and a trainer in neuromodulators.
What is special about your business? We carry the skincare, Zo and Vivier. We have recently brought in Korean skincare, Dermafirm, a line made with liposome technology, to deliver plant-based nutrients and hydration deeper into your skin.
Some interesting facts about your business?We use the newest laser and radio frequency microneedling technology to give you safer and faster results.
Finally, anything else you want to share? Our name Ovo comes from “Ab Ovo” in Latin, meaning “from the beginning”. Our goal is to help you repair skin damage and rejuvenate your looks so that you can be the best version of yourself.
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