EAT Communications

Entrepreneurism = Roller Coaster

I am sure many entrepreneurs out there feel that going on your own is like a wild roller coaster ride which would be a better way to describe it—a non-stop wave of juggling projects to quiet retrospective moments of where the inner sanctity of your brain is suddenly pierced by a screaming voice proclaiming ‘how can I sustain myself?’ and ‘what’s next?’ – have you felt this before?

Every small business has its moments, and most business owners can sympathize with the risks that come with going off on one’s own. But, I am happy to say that I took the plunge and the proverbial “leap of faith” into the fiery pit that we call Marketing Communications.

Meeting people in the marketing community is exciting -- some new, fresh and abounding with exploding ideas, and others wise, knowledgeable and ever-ready to lend a helping hand.

I end with this note – collaborate. It is a great word to live by in life and your business. I have collaborated with many of the same people in my industry and feel that you can accomplish great things if you have a solid and knowledgeable supportive team. Read my 'Collaborative Corner' posts here and here. 

 

EATComm Got Re-Vamped

A few days ago I was pleased to announce that my site had been re-vamped and feeling a lot better than it did before. I switched from Typepad (which is what I am currently using for my blog) to WordPress which is exciting and looking forward to learning more about the usability of the software.  

I am also collaborating with a few colleagues who will be posting articles on my site that specialize in business development, web and content management, SEO, graphic design, strategic and creative thinking.

The first article is posted and calling these posts: ‘Collaborative Corner’. I really want to showcase the talent I work with to make specific projects successful. 

Year in Review with EAT & Me

I cannot believe this year has passed like a flash! When I was little I wanted time to go fast so I could grow up and be an adult but now I take that back as time moves faster when you’re your older and all you want is life to go slower and be younger, how ironic!

With that said, I thought I would document some of the amazing things I have accomplished in one year. A pretty well rounded list of personal and work achievements that I will give myself a nice pat on the back.

Let’s start with personal achievements for 2009:

Reno’ed our dream house, which is now 80 percent complete! I also created a site in which our house will be rented out as a vacation rental called Squamish Retreat as I always wanted a bed and breakfast, this will be the closest to it. 

Went traveling; Sasquatch and Hawaii – much needed as breaks are good for the soul and for the brain.

Planned a wedding and got married in our house – let’s say that is the last time I will get married, even for a little wedding in our backyard well, it was lots of planning and work. Very happy with the outcome though, I must say I had the most perfect wedding ever.

Now onto work achievements for 2009:

Got to know the Downtown Squamish business community as the Executive Director for the past year. I pulled off some amazing events, created a successful online presence, worked on political issues and decided to step down after a year. It was an awesome opportunity especially when you first move into a community and want to know what is going on.

Worked with amazing clients like New Media BC on events like Vancouver Digital Week and Fusion Forum as well as worked with the New Forms Media Society on events like Midforms and New Forms Festival.

Built great relationships with reporters, editors and producers – ended up building these connections through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sponsored a successful Gingerbread Competition that raised funds for Architecture for Humanity.

Met some really great people who I would love to collaborate on projects in 2010.

What does the future hold for 2010? We just have to wait and see.

EAT, communicate and be merry – Happy Holidays!

The Georgia Straight Mentions Fusion Forum Twice in One Week!

The Georgia Straight ran two really great pieces this week regarding Fusion Forum. One was focused on the fact that co-founder of Flickr, Stewart Butterfield will be the keynote for Fusion Forum, and the other was a Geek Speak article on Rochelle Grayson, taking about her current role at NMBC, what is currently happening as well as Fusion Forum.

The Peak Interviews New Forms Festival

Here is an article in The Peak which has been Simon Fraser University's Student Newspaper since 1965. Read article here.

Twenty Digital Media Entrepreneurs Present at Fusion Forum

Vancouver, Canada Wednesday, September 16, 2009 – Canada’s brightest digital media entrepreneurs will pitch their latest ventures before top tier Silicon Valley investors including Google Inc, at the 3rd annual Fusion Forum for Digital Media on November 12th and 13th at the newly renovated UBC Robson Square Theatre in downtown Vancouver, Canada.

The event, hosted by New Media BC, will feature heavy weights Bill Maris of Google Ventures, Tom Duterme of Google Inc, Tim Chang of Norwest Ventures and Jeff Clavier of SoftTech VC. Jeff was voted by Business Week in 2008 as one of "The 25 Most Influential People on the Web" and is regarded as one of the most active seed stage investors in Web 2.0 startups. Google are sending their newly christened Google Ventures to identify the next generation of founders and their innovations from British Columbia, recognized today as one of the most dynamic hubs for digital media in North America.

“We've seen tremendous growth in Vancouver and the region with a proliferation of young entrepreneurs, many who have spun off from larger companies and spread their wings to develop their own ideas,” Fusion ‘09’s Director Christine Lim-Labossière comments. “Fusion is the only annual Venture Forum in the West devoted to digital media and it hopes to provide these founders, who are being pedigreed through the growing number of local digital media academic programs and technology incubators, with the opportunity to connect with world class investors who are keen in both content and technology.”
 
Twenty of Canada’s hottest digital media companies will pitch their concepts before venture capitalists and angel investors on November 12, followed by closed door one-on-one investor meetings and investor round table sessions on November 13. The pre-screened companies will present in 4 categories; games, mobile, Web 2.0 & social media and online platforms & applications, with the intention of establishing connections with the “by invitation only” investors and securing investment required to grow their businesses.

Designed to bring Canada’s best digital media ventures to the attention of local and international investors, The Fusion Venture Forum provides valuable insights into key issues in the industry and aims to become a premium networking opportunity for digital media investors from North America and beyond.

New Forms Festival in Exclaim!

Here is a nice article on the New Forms Festival in Exclaim!

Exclaim! is Canada’s leading media source for new music across all genres. 

Read the article here.

New Forms Festival Announces 2009 Program September 18-19, 2009

Vancouver BC – This year’s New Forms Festival brings together artists from a variety of creative sectors including electronic music, visual arts, and technology-based installations. 

"NFF09 revisits why we started this festival almost a decade ago.  The convergence of creative communities has always been our raison d' etre, and 2009 is no different” states Robert Willis, New Forms Media Society board director.  “But unlike previous festivals, this year we've become more combined and concentrated. In a world that's increasingly becoming connected, so is our art.”

Top DJs from around the globe will perform alongside innovative visuals and installations.  Additionally a partnership with the new W2 Community Media Arts Centre allows attendees to attend a full day workshop to learn some of the skills that will be displayed during the festival.

“We've refined what we used to do in a week's worth of programming into only a few days and venues” continues Willis,  “Our goal is to make connections in a world where time is precious. We're looking forward to the final connection for NFF 2009: the public with the art."

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, September 18th at Great Northern Way

KYLE HALL
LOWFISH
JAY TRIPWIRE
DANDY JACK
KRISTA LOMAX vj

Saturday, September 19th at W2

All day VJ workshop for emerging local artists followed by evening performance and reception.

Saturday, September 19th @ Great Northern Way

N-TYPE
ESKMO live
KUSH ARORA live/dj
SHAMIK
CALAMALKA live
DOLLADUB live
KRISTA LOMAX vj

ABOUT NEW FORMS MEDIA SOCIETY
New Forms Media Society is a non-profit society and media arts organization founded in 2000 that nurtures and connects local and international arts, science and grassroots communities through the annual New Forms Festival.  The society wishes to make new media art, music, film, technology base-based installation and performance accessible to a wider audience.

ABOUT W2 COMMUNITY MEDIA ARTS CENTRE
The W2 Community Media Arts Centre is a highly anticipated project opening in the fall of 2009 at the landmark Woodward’s redevelopment in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia.  W2 is currently planned as a 14,395 square foot facility, and will be a community-based media and arts centre offering quality arts programming and presentation opportunities to Downtown Eastside and Vancouver residents through a range of programs, resources and activities.