April was fun! May looks even better – because even more Comox Valley entrepreneurs and business owners are getting on board the collaboration train. That means more businesses attending workshops and events, more business people like you putting your smarts to work to help other create success – at the same as they’re upgrading their path to success. It’s not about competing with each other to grow this Comox Valley economy; it’s about finding ways we can support each other to think BIGger about our markets and opportunities.
What’s up for May?
We’re still focused on helping Matthew Black and Anotiv Team in their bid to represent Canada and the Comox Valley at Global Finals in Knoxville. We raised money in April, and we’ll keep doing that in May. We’re committing 50% of the first month from every new Champion subscriber to this bid. There are more good reasons to become a #WeAreYQQ Champion, but I think this is the coolest. Join us here.
We’re also putting the Anotiv Team “on deck” today, Monday May 2 to help them get more exposure, more support in their bid to represent our region. Sharing the bill is Luciano Rollin and Aero Art Screen Printing. Want to help business grow? We’ve still got a couple of seats. Sign up now.
On May 9 it’s the third in Nazaneen Dizai’s Social Media for Professionals and Business series, this time focused on Pinterest. Only 5 seats left. Register here.
Note: If you’re a #WeAreYQQ Champion you get one workshop or event no charge per month, but you’ll have to register early as there are a limited number of seats for all these events.
May 18 we’re going to be workshopping two more Comox Valley businesses. More details coming soon, but for now know that local food entrepreneur Nancy Farey and Dr. David Milanovich are wanting to grow their businesses BIGger – and you can help make that happen.
May 27 it’s the second #WeAreYQQ lunch time Show & Tell at the White Whale. This time we’ve got Leif Jason showing what he does with SEO and online marketing. Details and registration coming soon on our events page..
June 1 we’re doing our first ever collaboration with the creative entrepreneurs at CVCollective. This is part of the Elevate the Arts Festival that rocks downtown Courtenay June 1-4. CVC will lead with Comox Valley Voices: a panel of local creatives and entrepreneurs who are living local while serving bigger markets. (You may have noticed a theme for us at Team #WeAreYQQ; we like it when people “punch above their weight” – and we want to help make that shift happen!) We’ll follow Comox Valley Voices with another #WeAreYQQ After Party – at Gladstone Brewing. We’re ticketing these events “by donation,” all proceeds going to feed more Elevate the Arts community economic development activities. Fun! FMI about Elevate the Arts Festival see elevatethearts.com
Work locally, think BIGger!
About this theme… One of my mentors, Jayesh Parmar, is working hard on creating YVR’s next billion dollar company with Picatic. You can read about that here. That’s cool, and I’m doing my small part on the Picatic team to make that shift happen.
I love working with Jay. But I don’t have that kind of ambition or energy. However, I do take his advice to heart: Whatever you’re doing, think BIGger! If you think the Comox Valley is your market, think Vancouver Island. If Vancouver Island is your market, think BC. If BC is your market, think Canada, North America, the world. And, at the same time, respect and feed your community, the businesses that feed your local economy.
The #WeAreYQQ Project is about helping Comox Valley businesses get better and bigger at what we’re doing. Our focus: grassroots collaborations, punching above our weight. Your business is an important part of the mix. Sign up for a workshop or event. Join us as a #WeAreYQQ Champion (cool and useful perks!). Whatever. We’re growing businesses, making shift happen, and you’re invited to play.
C’mon peeps: Let’s get this shift done!
hpm
ps. A reminder: we’re dedicating 50% of first month subscriptions from every new subscriber in May to helping Anotiv Team get to Global Finals. The first 30 new subscribers get a $10 gift card to Atlas Cafe, and you’re entered to win new subscriber prizes – like a $100 gift card to Atlas Cafe or a $400-700 travel voucher for two from Pacific Coastal Airlines. It’s a good time to join the team!
pps. We get to do because of support from some great Comox Valley businesses and individuals. See the (always growing) list of #WeAreYQQ Solution Sponsors, Community Partners, Champions, and Ambassadors below.
SOLUTION SPONSORS
Comox Valley Record, Finneron Hyundai, hanspetermeyer.com, Mastermynde Strategy, Sure Copy Courtenay – and now 98.9 The GOAT!
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
CHAMPIONS & AMBASSADORS
Eatmore Sprouts, Sonya Marie Jenssen, David Frisch, Red Toque Creative, Lil Worker Safety Gear, Jace Pierson, Mike Templeton, Steve Morgan, Lucky Village Enterprises, Ivan’s Truffles, Studio IPF, Kayla McDonald Productions, Modern Rocket Media, Rattan Plus Home & Patio, Ben-zion Eni, Brooke Ferguson, Pacific Coastal Airlines, Speedibin Composters, Aero Art, Ansley and Company, and John Bonner Photography.