new westminster profiles of excellence 2014 edition

2014 Edition

NEW WESTMINSTERPROFILES OF

Excellence

EWelcome to the second edition of

the New Westminster Profiles of Excellence, a very special annual

publication of The Record. With this edition of Profiles of Excellence you can scan each photograph and bring it to life with augmented reality. Each image in this magazine has been enabled with Layar. Just download the Layar app and hover your iPhone, Android smartphone, iPad or tablet over each image to bring it to life with a video. The women and men profiled in these pages come from a wide variety of backgrounds, education, experience and expertise. What they all share is what Aristotle described in the quote above: a commitment to excellence – an attribute that is not born, but bred in training and repetition, in years of service to their profession and to their community. The awards these business leaders have earned are hallmarks of excellence, but the most important

mark of excellence is the respect and loyalty of their customers. As you will discover in these pages, New Westminster is a community steeped in excellence in a great many fields. We are very proud to present these Profiles of Excellence and look forward to many more editions in the years to come. – Lara Graham, Associate Publisher, The Record


Excellence

2

Download the free Layar App & scan the left hand photo pages in this magazine to discover interactive content.

“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have

these because we have acted rightly. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,

then, is not an act but a habit”– Aristotle

3


Excellence

profiles

Associate Publisher: Lara Graham Project Manager: Sonali Rayas | Editorial: Christina Myers Photography: Lisa KIng & Kevin Hill | Design & Production: Gary Slavin

FRASER WORKS CO-OP .................................................................................5

TRACEY DAVIES, REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL ........................................7

STEPHEN GRAF & COMPANY ......................................................................9

HEAD TO TOES SPA, TRINITI LASER CLINIC & ATEFA HAIR DESIGN ..11

BELMONT DENTAL CENTRE ......................................................................13

JUSTICE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ............................................15

NEW WESTMINSTER ELECTRICAL UTILITY COMMISSION ...................17

SAVE-ON-FOODS AT ROYAL CITY CENTRE ..............................................19

NICK CHENG, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, EDWARD JONES ..........................21

RAVENTECH CONSULTING ........................................................................23

ANVIL CENTRE .............................................................................................25

ROYAL CITY YOUTH BALLET .....................................................................27

CHAMPAGNE TASTE HOME CONSIGNMENT ..........................................29

TRUFFLES FINE FOODS ...............................................................................31

SPROTT SHAW COLLEGE .............................................................................33

DESIGN WITH CONFIDENCE ......................................................................35E

5

EIt’s not every day you get to go to work and change someone’s life.

But that’s exactly what the team at Fraser Works Co-op do.

The co-op is a WorkBC Employment Services Centre that helps people find job training and employment, and serves as a liaison between potential job seekers and employers in the community.

“We have two streams of services – first, that anyone can come in and use the re-source centre to conduct an independent job search with resource room work-ers that can help them navigate those resources,” said general manager Tracey Fraser. “Then we have a great staff of case managers and facilitators who are very knowledgeable, and work one-on-one with a client. We can really help connect job searchers who are struggling to get the right education and training and then into a job.”

Fraser says the key to their success is the collaboration between clients, staff and the community.

“The community support is critical – it’s a really unique model that we use here and it works so well,” she said.

The proof is in the success they see with individual clients, who don’t just “find a job” but often change their lives in the process.

“It is incredibly rewarding,” said Neely Hazell, community relations coordinator. “I used to work in a front-line position as a case manager and it really validates the work that you’re doing when you see someone who comes in and may be hit-ting rock bottom and you go with them on this journey – whether that’s training or workshops – and tackling the barriers they have to employment and then into the labour market in a meaningful way.”

Hazell says some clients come back from time to time to update staff on their progress.

“It’s wonderful, to see where people go. Not having employment just affects so many parts of your life, so to see the posi-tive changes once we’ve worked together is great. It can be literally life changing for a client,” said Hazell.

Fraser agrees, and notes the impact isn’t limited to the individual but echoes out through the community.

“We’re seeing the number of unem-ployed individuals decrease in the area, and when a community has more em-ployed individuals it helps the local econ-omy which also leads to more jobs, so it’s really a two way benefit,” she said. “And as we build our network of employers in New Westminster, the collaboration that happens there improves – when everyone works together, it helps build community.”

Made up of Fraser Side Community Ser-vices Society, Pacific Community Resourc-es Society, AWARE Society, and Mosaic, the co-op has 24 staff on site working as resource assistants, case managers, job developers and facilitators.

“The staff here is phenomenal,” said Fraser. “It’s a team effort and the collabo-ration with the community and the local agencies brings it together.”

Both Fraser and Hazell say they hope more people learn about the services available through Fraser Works Co-op.

“We are here to help – whether that’s helping an employer find and maintain the right employee, or whether that’s helping someone who is unemployed and facing multiple barriers. We’re an employment services centre but we have resources to connect throughout the com-munity if someone also has needs for food or shelter or clothing, or if they need to be connected to mental health services, or a simple thing like replacing a lost ID. It all comes back to employment but really we’re here to help people.”

Fraser Works Co-op


Excellence

“We are here to help – whether that’s helping an

employer find and maintain the right

employee, or helping someone who is unemployed and

facing multiple barriers. It all comes back to employment but really we’re here

to help people.”

Fraser Works Co-op2nd Floor, 519 Seventh St.

New Westminster, BC 604-522-9701 ext. 123

www.fraserworks.ca

PHOTO: From back to front: Tracey Fraser, general manager; Michelle Danyluk, centre coordinator; Neely Hazell, community relations coordinator.

E7

For Tracey Davies, there’s no better place to call home than New West-minster – so helping others find their

own home right here in her beloved com-munity is a dream come true.

“I love it. I couldn’t ask for a better career, or a better place to work,” said the second-generation Realtor. “For myself, as a child growing up, as an adult and as a business person, it’s a wonderful place to be.”

Davies says that with all the growth, evolution and “good buzz” about the city, real estate here is in great demand – but, more importantly, so too is the sense of community and connection that people are keen to find.

“I’m just so thrilled with the growth we’re experiencing – it’s such a welcoming environment for all ages. The community seems to be bursting with excitement and people are finding us because of that,” she says.

She notes projects like the Pier Park Place and beach and Anvil Centre as just a few of the developments helping to bring a new appeal to the city.

At the same time, New Westminster, she says, offers something unique to people in search of a true sense of community.

“There’s this really rich, amazing history here, a lot of traditions that have come up through the years – sometimes for newcomers, it’s events and activities they don’t know much about but once they get involved and see their children partici-pating in things, and getting connected to the area, they really see, wow, this is fantastic.”

Davies recalls growing up attending May Day events, taking in the annual parades and festivals, and learning about the city’s unique history.

“These are timeless traditions, and they’re important for those who have

grown up here – but new families come in, and they see this unique community and really get excited about that.”

Davies comes by her love of both the city and real estate quite naturally: both of her parents were well-known Realtors in New Westminster, and she grew up in the community herself. Later, she worked for the City of New Westminster for 15 years – doing customer service work at the local parks and recreation facilities at just 18 years of age. Through raising her children – one of whom, her son, now works with her as an assistant - she con-tinued working with the city part time in a variety of positions.

“I learned so much working with the city, the customer service approach that the city has, it really instilled those skills in me.”

Tracey says that though she may be in the business of helping sell and buy homes, the true heart of her business is, and always will be, people.

“Real estate can be stressful, it can be a challenging time for people so above all, I really try to ensure that people are comfortable in the whole process. Making people comfortable has always been the focus in any job I’ve had, and that’s how I was brought up. I really carry that with me every day: I want to be very attentive to the client, and ensure that they are as stress-free as possible. I do that partly by always being one step ahead of the game, letting them know what’s going to happen next and what to expect.”

“Most of all, it’s respect. I respect their time, their goals, their hopes. They’re relying on me as the professional to help them through the process. I want to make sure that people feel valued, and that they know I will ensure that I always have their best interests at heart.”

Tracey Davies, Real Estate Professional


Excellence

“I want to make sure that people feel valued, and that they

know I will ensure that I always have

their best interests at heart.”

Tracey Davies, Real Estate Professional

Park Georgia Realty Ltd. #BC – 435 North Road

Coquitlam, BC

604-421-7275 www.traceydavies.com

PHOTO: Tracey Davies, real estate professional

9

EStephen Graf has built a law business that mirrors the community he works in: personal, welcoming and growing

every year. “I’m a sole practitioner, and the benefit

in that is that I really get to know my clients, I can make myself available to them when they need it,” he said. “I want my clients to walk away feeling that I was helpful, approachable, that I made the process comfortable for them.”

Graf opened his own firm on Columbia Street in 2013, bringing with him his years of experience focusing on wills, trusts, and estates; real estate; and corporate and commercial law.

“I’ve been a lawyer for 10 years, and my three main practice areas have been stable in that time – so being able to take that and develop my own office was wonderful, it was the right time and the right place,” he said.

With a long-time family connection to the area – he grew up in North Burnaby and his wife hailed from New Westminster – the decision to create a home base for his business was an easy one.

“New Westminster has this great com-munity spirit, it really does have that feel-ing of connection very much like a small town – and at the same time, downtown New Westminster is seeing this wonderful revitalization. You put that together and it’s going to be an exciting place to work for a long time, and a place to grow with.”

The location has the added benefit of being centrally located for clients coming from around the region but also conve-nient in its proximity to the courthouse library, the Land Title Office, legal support service providers and branches for the major banks.

“From that perspective, it’s just ideal for me and for my clients,” he said.

But Graf says the key to success is, ultimately, client satisfaction – and that’s where he is focused as he continues to

build his reputation in the city and be-yond.

“I have the privilege of serving a very wide range of clients, and I do my best to be sensitive to their needs and really tai-lor the services I provide to each client,” he said. “I value communication, business sense, attention to detail, people skills – those are critical.”

Graf says experience and versatility – the ability to give clients what they need, in the way that works best for them – are hallmarks for his firm.

“I do what I can to be a mobile profes-sional and accessible to clients – it’s part of being helpful and approachable. I like to use legal technology, as long as it gives my clients a better experience. It helps me work faster without sacrificing accuracy, and provides more ways to communi-cate,” he said. “What I particularly value is ensuring timely client communication. It’s very much a two-way street, actively listening and then explaining legal mat-ters in everyday language.”

He also credits strong relationships with the legal community and legal support services in the area in helping his busi-ness growth.

“When you’re a sole practitioner, what’s really important is your interdependence among the referral partnerships as well as support services, such as Dye & Durham. I also work with an amazing real estate paralegal – those relationships make all the difference.”

Graf says he’s hoping to see his business continue to grow and flourish – just like New Westminster itself – in the coming years.

“Part of working in a close-knit commu-nity like this is that word gets around. You build a good reputation and people hear about it and clients refer you to others. I love that aspect of the city and this busi-ness. It’s an exciting time.”

Stephen Graf & Company


Excellence

“What I particularly value is ensuring

timely client communication. It’s very much a two-way street,

actively listening and then explaining

legal matters in everyday language.”

Stephen Graf & CompanySolicitor & Notary Public

604 Columbia Street, Suite 480New Westminster, BC

604-314-5700

www.stephengraf.com

PHOTO: Stephen Graf, Stephen Graf & Company

11

EThere’s something special happen-ing at the corner of Sixth Street and Fourth Avenue.

Three years ago, the doors opened on a salon and spa that brought together the expertise of a group of business owners – with decades of combined experience in their individual fields.

Head to Toes Spa and Salon, Triniti Laser Clinic and Atefa Hair Design operate out of a tranquil and stylish facility in the heart of the uptown business district, creating a one-stop location that offers everything from pedicures and facials, hair styling and laser treatments – to name just a few of the services.

“We have created this team of experi-enced professionals because we are all very dedicated to providing a long-term establishment with a goal of accommo-dating all our clients’ needs,” said Rosa Chiesa of Head To Toes. “We want our cli-ents to enjoy every minute of their experi-ence, and to feel relaxed and rejuvenated when they leave. We treat everyone with the highest level of respect and kindness.”

Atefa Nuri, owner of Atefa Hair Design, says the decision to join together has helped her serve the client base she has built during the three decades she’s been working as a master stylist, while also welcoming new clients.

“I have been in this business for 30 years, and I have three generations that come to me,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have customers who come back year after year. You have to have passion to do this, and I love it every day.”

Nuri, who trained at the Morris School of Hair Design and the Vidal Sassoon Academy in London, England, says the reward is seeing the confidence and plea-sure a client experiences with the services.

“When a client is in my chair and they’re feeling good about themselves, that is wonderful,” she said.

That customer-focused attitude is some-thing that holds true for Tahora Eslahian and Tina Ruggiero, owners of Triniti Laser Clinic, which provides a full range of cosmetic laser procedures with trained medical professionals.

“We treat our patients like family and give everyone the best, most personalized treatments,” said Eslahian, who is also a clinical trainer for the two largest laser companies in the world. “We pride our-selves on being the best in the industry. We like to give each client the VIP treat-ment – very personalized to their needs, and not just one-size-fits-all.”

All three businesses ensure they’re at the cutting-edge of technology and train-ing. “We continuously provide our team with education and knowledge in all the things we do,” said Chiesa.

Eslahian agrees: “We have the latest technology that has been proven to work, from the best laser companies in the world. That’s very important to us.”

The streetfront location is peaceful, relaxing and tranquil – at the same time, all three businesses appreciate the busy, multicultural feel of being located on Sixth Street. With a central location, and a growing clientele and reputation, the trio of businesses have hit on a recipe for suc-cess that will carry them into the future.

“We have room to grow in our 5,000 square foot facility,” said Chiesa.

In the meantime, the owners are enjoy-ing the benefits of working in a combined space, knowing that it has benefits for both them and those who come through the door seeking services.

“It’s a wonderful, warm atmosphere,” notes Nuri. “There’s everything here, from head to toes, that someone could want.”

“Our clients can do all the pampering they want in one spot – laser corrections, hair, spa treatments,” added Eslahian. “It’s beauty inside and out.”

Head to Toes Spa, Triniti Laser Clinic and Atefa Hair Design


Excellence

“It’s a wonderful, warm atmosphere. There’s everything here, from head to toes, that someone

could want.”

Head to Toes Spa and Salon, Triniti Laser Clinic

and Atefa Hair Design 337 Sixth St.

New Westminster, BC 604-540-0055

www.headtotoesspa.com

PHOTO: From left to right: Rosa Chiesa, Tahora Eslahian, Tina Cozzolino and Atefa Nuri

E13

In a city known for its traditions, there’s something to be said for a business that has grown with the community – and

plans to continue growing into the city’s future.

Belmont Dental Centre has been operat-ing in New Westminster for 50 years, no easy feat in any field, and with a dedicated team its reputation continues to grow.

The reason for its success come down to the basics: consistently ensuring that patient care and comfort is top priority.

Belmont, located in the heart of the city, provides gentle family-oriented dental care with a team of dentists and hygien-ists led by owner Dr. Gursharan Dhaliwal.

Combining state of the art equipment, a diverse range of services and treatments, and a personal and friendly atmosphere, Belmont has continued to draw new patients along with its long-time patients, many of whom have been coming there for decades.

“When someone recommends us to a friend, or family member, that’s the best compliment,” said Dr. Dhaliwal. “We want people to walk away feeling they’ve been taken care of, they were comfortable, they understood the procedures, and they were treated well. That’s always the goal.”

Dr. Dhaliwal practised alongside Dr. Astley Smith, the original owner of Bel-mont, and in 2010 became its proprietor. His associates in the practise are Dr. Lori Musacchio, Dr. Christine Park and Dr. Gina Lee, who work with a “family” of dental hygienists, assistants and adminis-trative staff.

“We have people working here who have been with Belmont for 30 years, origi-nal team members,” notes Dr. Dhaliwal. “That’s fantastic in terms of wealth of knowledge and experience but also that it provides a real sense of familiarity for patients who come in and see the same faces year after year. It’s a wonderful

atmosphere, and that is good for both us and the patients who come here.”

“That’s the key: quality care,” he said. “That includes making sure they are comfortable, that they understand the procedures, that we discuss the treatment options.”

It also extends to practical matters: the centre is open seven days a week, with extended evening hours one night a week for those who prefer late appointments.

Many patients tell them their location is also a great benefit.

“Being in the Royal City Centre Mall is great. It’s a location that just works re-ally well,” he said. “There’s ample park-ing, people can do some shopping while they’re waiting if they’ve brought their kids in for an appointment. And the mall is really at the centre of New Westminster, it’s convenient for people coming from all over.”

And they do – their patients aren’t just Royal City residents, but come from Burnaby, Surrey and beyond.

“We are a family practice, so we have children, seniors, all ages,” he said. “Ev-eryone is welcome.”

They also offer emergency care and have done home visits for patients who needed it.

“You want to make sure your patients are really getting the care they need,” he said. “I want them to feel their visit was painless, that it was great care, and friendly, too. Each patient is a person, not a file, and each person has different needs from a checkup and cleaning to preventa-tive care to cosmetic. We take the time to make sure every patient is receiving quality care and that they feel comfort-able while here.”

The centre has recently undergone a renovation, and continues to invest in cutting edge technology to ensure it is al-ways offering quality care for its patients.

Belmont Dental Centre


Excellence

“We take the time to make sure

every patient is receiving quality

care and that they feel comfortable

while here.”

Belmont Dental CentreRoyal City Centre Mall, Main Floor

108-610 Sixth St. New Westminster, BC

604-521-6313

www.belmontdentalcentre.com

PHOTO: From left to right: Dr. Lori Musacchio, Dr. Gursharan Dhaliwal, Dr. Christine Park, Dr. Gina Lee

15

ENew Westminster is often called the best-kept secret in Metro Vancou-ver by its residents, but the best-

kept secret inside the community and the public post-secondary sector may well be the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).

Thanks to the growth in academic pro-grams it has experienced in recent years and the reputation it has built, the secret is quickly getting out – not just in B.C. but across the country and beyond.

“We really are a hidden gem,” said Dr. Michel Tarko, president of the institution. “I’ve been here five years now, and I’m still amazed at the programming, all the contract training we do, the opportunities, the students, faculty and staff – JIBC is an incredible asset and people are starting to hear more and more about that.”

JIBC is Canada’s leading public safety educator, with about 28,000 people studying at its six campuses and through distance education. With its main cam-pus at Eighth and McBride in New West-minster, and satellite locations in Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge, Victoria, Kelowna and Chilliwack, JIBC has an extensive range of program offerings. This includes everything from certificates and diplomas, to undergraduate degrees and graduate certificates that focus on an incredible di-versity of topics: intelligence analysis, law enforcement studies, paramedicine, public safety administration, bylaw compliance, leadership, and emergency response – to name just a few.

“Our goal, at the end of the day, is to make communities safer through the training and education of public safety professionals where business can thrive,” said Tarko. “Be it through fire safety, policing, emergency management, coun-selling or conflict resolution – it’s all the umbrella under which our students are making their own communities safer and stronger.” The Institute focuses on hands-on, experiential learning, taught mainly

by professionals from the public safety field.

“That’s a really critical component – these are the experts, teaching from their own experiences. Textual information is vital, of course, but learning from a person who comes from the field, who has dealt with the situations you’re looking at in the learning environment, that’s an incredible resource,” said Tarko.

The Institute also uses a variety of simu-lation methods, to allow students hands-on practise.

“Simulation provides something that is unique – you can take a case study, a real life situation, and then with volunteer actors carry out a train derailment, an airplane crash, a semi-truck that is upside down, exercise an organization’s business continuity plan, and respond to that situ-ation as closely to reality as possible,” he said. “It gives much more meaning to the theory of why they do what they do.”

The private sector is increasingly tak-ing advantage of the Institute’s expertise as well, partnering with JIBC to develop customized contract training programs, including leadership-focused programs for staff and emergency management for companies working in fields like the oil, gas and mining sectors.

The Institute is also committed to working with First Nations communities throughout the province to help develop rural and remote safety programs.

“We’re at a really exciting point in our history – we offer such a spectrum of customized training in justice and public safety and academic programs and we’re becoming a household name like other regional colleges in the province,” he said. “That’s wonderful, but ultimately, excellence comes down to the individual student: student success and student achievement. These are the people who are the heroes in a community, keeping communities safe, where we live, work and play.”

Justice Institute of British Columbia


Excellence

“Ultimately, excellence comes down to the individual student:

student success and student achievement.

These are the people who are the heroes in a

community, keeping communities safe.”

Justice Institute of British Columbia 715 McBride Boulevard


www.jibc.ca

PHOTO: Dr. Michel Tarko, president & CEO- Justice Institute of British Columbia

17

EThe Royal City is known for its tradi-tions – and the New Westminster Electric Utility Commission is one of

the longest running of them all. While most communities through the Metro Vancouver area rely on regional electrical services, local residents are still enjoying the small-town advantage of the oldest continuously-operated electrical utility in the province.

“Our vision, which has been the focus for many years, is to demonstrate that we have obtained our long term motto to be B.C.’s Best Electrical Utility. That’s the framework and the goal that our entire staff moves forward under,” said Rod Carle, general manager. “That means not just doing what we already do well, but always looking ahead.”

A lot has already changed in the 125 years since the city first began generating power to operate a handful of city street lights. Today, almost 30,000 residen-tial customers and some 3,000 business customers are turning on their lights, powering up their phones and running their appliances thanks to the local utility. And those street lights? Yes, they’re still running each night on local power – along with the electrical systems for a majority of the city-owned facilities such as City Hall, Canada Games Pool, the New West-minster Police Station, Moody Park Arena and more.

Part of the reason the utility has man-aged to remain independent and suc-cessful is the team that works in the five departments under its umbrella – elec-tric administration, electric design and engineering, electric operations, electric services and electric finance, customer serve and information technology.

“It’s a really fantastic culture – when people come on board, they tend to stay here for their careers,” he said. “In our management group, there is 127 years of utility experience among five people. Our total staff of about 25 people have over

365 years of combined experience. If it wasn’t for the staff here we wouldn’t be as successful as we are – when you have that kind of experience and years in the utility, it’s really a sign of the commitment to the city.”

Staff is particularly critical, he notes, as utilities all over – including New West-minster’s – continue to evolve to keep pace with a changing world.

“Today’s digital economy is really shift-ing the way utilities operate. So the old traditional approach was that a utility would spend a lot of its time maintaining and operating its existing infrastructure. Today, we’re moving towards more of a model in which we are an energy solu-tions provider in that we’re really focused on conserving and sustaining,” he said.

In New Westminster, that is already playing out in a variety of ways, includ-ing two innovative programs focused on maximizing sustainability over the long run.

Energy Save New West is a community energy program designed to improve the energy efficiency of residential homes and businesses in the city, in partnership with BC Hydro and FortisBC.

“It’s really looking at that energy ef-ficiency component and finding ways to support residents and businesses who are trying to make those improvements,” said Energy Save program coordinator Ryan Coleman. Meanwhile, the Sapperton District Energy System is exploring the possibility of providing clean, renewable, low-cost energy in the Sapperton area, as part of the redevelopment of the Royal Columbian Hospital site. One option being explored is sewer heat recovery. “We’re very fortunate in the Sapperton area because we can go in and set up this renewable type of energy very early in the life of the development, rather than coming in after and upgrading systems,” said Norm Connolly, community energy manager.

New Westminster Electrical Utility Commission


Excellence

“Our vision, which has been the

focus for many years, is to

demonstrate that we have obtained our

long term motto to be B.C.’s Best Electric

Utility. That means not just doing what we already do well, but always looking

ahead.”

Electrical Utility CommissionCity of New Westminster

905 First St. New Westminster, BC

604-527-4569

www.newwestcity.cawww.energysavenewwest.ca

PHOTO: From left to right: Martin Gifford, commissioner & chair; Mayor Wayne Wright, commissioner;Lisa Spitale, commissioner; Don McLellan, commissioner; Fong Kwok, commissioner and Rod Carle, general manager, Electrical Utility

L-R: Rod Carle, Norm Connolly, Ryan Coleman

E19

Customers, community and caring: that’s what it’s all about at Save-On-Foods at Royal City Centre.

But, says manager Stuart Muir, that’s not exclusive to their location – it’s an ap-proach to business that permeates every level of the Overwaitea Food Group from the head office to the check-out counter.

“The culture of Save-On-Foods is really family-oriented, very much a team effort and everyone in the organization plays a part in that,” said Muir, noting that Presi-dent Darrell Jones sets the tone for the entire chain.

“The Darrell Jones you see on TV is the Darrell Jones you see in real life – down to earth, so approachable,” he said. “I’m very excited to be working for this company, they treat all of us like family.”

The Royal City location, previously owned by another grocery chain, has been operated under the Save-On-Foods ban-ner since early 2014.

“It’s a wonderful organization, from the top down,” said Muir. “Upper management is very approachable, I could phone them any time and they’ll listen to my ideas.”

That, he says, helps foster the team at the store level in their efforts every day.

“We strive for customer first service, always. No matter what we are doing, we think of how to put the customer first in every decision,” he said. “And the other component that is very important for us is our community – we’re heavily involved in supporting the community in a variety of ways.”

Muir notes that many of the 160 staff members are city residents themselves.

“We’ve got plenty of people here who live within walking distance,” he said. “So being part of the community is just a natural extension, and something that is important to all of us. We have a wonder-ful team here.”

The change to Save-On-Foods was something of a homecoming, adds Muir.

“The Overwaitea Food Group started in 1915 down on Columbia Street, so 2015 is going to be our 100th anniversary – this is Save-on-Foods’ hometown, and the com-pany is excited about having a growing presence here.”

One of the many ways that Save-On-Foods has continued to expand its loyal shopper base is by offering competitive prices plus a diverse range of products and, in particular, providing an array of specialty items, as well as a growing focus on local food products.

“We’ve got one of the largest selections of natural foods, gluten free products, really exciting new products that aren’t available everywhere else – and we’re get-ting to be really well known for that,” he said. “And in every Save-On-Foods, there’s a ‘buy local’ rack, which has all local prod-ucts that are chosen based on how close to this store it came from. Anything that’s made in this area, the Lower Mainland, say Richmond or Langley, we highlight those regional products.”

The store also has a new sushi counter, panini sandwich area, an on-site Star-bucks, and a florist, as well as a pharmacy, along with full service seafood and meat counters.

With a recent upgrade to the interior, the store is outfitted with the latest Save-On-Foods décor and signage.

“It looks great, and it’s a comfortable atmosphere for our customers,” he said.

All in all, Muir says he and his team couldn’t be happier about being part of the Save-On-Foods team in the Royal City.

“New Westminster is a wonderful com-munity to be in – it’s like a small town in the middle of a big city – and this com-pany is just fantastic,” he said. “It’s a great combination. We’re looking forward to the coming years.”

Save-On-Foods at Royal City Centre


Excellence

“We strive for customer first

service, always. No matter what we

are doing, we think of how to put the

customer first in every decision.”

Save-On-FoodsRoyal City Centre198-610 Sixth St.


www.saveonfoods.com

PHOTO: Stuart Muir, manager - Save-On-Foods

EPHOTO: Beth Geeves, branch office administrator & Nick Cheng, financial advisor 21

For Nick Cheng, the financial business is about much more than dollars and cents – it’s about trust, client service

and building long-term relationships to help people reach their goals.

Cheng, a financial advisor with Edward Jones, says that the client is always the top priority in everything he does.

“We take client service extremely seri-ously,” he said. “It’s our top priority. The approach we take is always personal, never cookie-cutter. The client’s interests come first and we create a specific solu-tion tailored to their goals and needs.”

Part of that, he says, is making sure that clients understand the process of invest-ment and advising.

“It’s very important for people to know what’s happening and so we make that effort to help them understand everything and to educate them,” he said. “That’s where we take a very pro-active approach in terms of communicating with our clients,” he said. “We make sure they feel comfortable.”

Cheng, who completed a PhD from Cor-nell University, worked in venture capital consulting and early stage companies before joining Edward Jones as an advisor in 2002. He says that New Westminster has been a wonderful community to grow his business – and he works hard to give back as well.

He sits in a variety of community roles in New Westminster and the region, including: president of the Rotary Club of New Westminster; past president of the Canadian Club of New Westminster; a foundation director and a Financial Ser-vices Advisory Council member for Doug-las College; past president for the Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council; a director of the New Westminster Foundation and a member of the Village of Anmore Finance Committee.

His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed: he received the Business Person of the Year award in 2008 with the New Westminster

Chamber of Commerce, received the Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International in 2013, and is nominated for the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce 2014 Platinum Awards “Not For Profit of the Year under $1 million” (the winner will be announced within a week of press time).

He also served as a judge for the Miss New Westminster Pageant and Ambas-sador Program this year, and as a judge for the New Westminster Citizen of the Year in 2009.

Working with seniors is a particular focus for Cheng.

“I really enjoy working with seniors – I appreciate their wisdom and I enjoy being able to help them as they approach or enter retirement,” he said. “It’s wonder-ful to know that you are helping someone during those transitions into retirement and making sure they are able to reach their goals.”

Cheng’s approach to business and his commitment to his clients has paid off. Not only does he continue to draw new clients through word-of-mouth recom-mendations from clients and other pro-fessionals, he also sits on Edward Jones’ regional leadership team and has accepted a limited partnership offer from Edward Jones this year.

“Limited Partnership is a very rewarding accomplishment – it’s very important in Edward Jones, and it’s a recognition of the success we’ve had here in New Westmin-ster,” he said.

The partnership is a vital component of the culture of Edward Jones, which prides itself on fostering cooperation, volun-teerism, respect and encouragement in its community of advisors.

Edward Jones is a limited partnership in Canada and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edward D. Jones & Co. LP, a Missouri limited partnership. Edward D. Jones & Co. LP does business in the United States as Edward Jones and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Jones Financial Compa-nies, LLLP, a limited liability limited partnership. Member – Canadian Investor Protection Fund.

Nick Cheng, Financial Advisor


Excellence

“We take client service extremely seriously. It’s our top priority. The client’s interests

come first and we create a specific

solution tailored to their goals and needs.”

Nick ChengFinancial Advisor,

Edward Jones 159-555 Sixth St.


www.edwardjones.com

EPHOTO: Rick Sparks, CEO and chief technology consultant - RavenTech Consulting 23

A passion for entrepreneurship and a mind for technology has led Rick Sparks from his hometown

of Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia through a fascinating career that led him to Toronto, Vancouver and eventually Silicon Valley.

Now, armed with more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry – along with a penchant for hard work and an enthusiasm for life in general – Sparks is putting down roots in New Westmin-ster.

As the CEO and Chief Technology Con-sultant of RavenTech Consulting, Sparks is eager to put his experience working for clients as diverse as Apple, Cisco, Motor-ola and Telus – to name just a few – to the job of supporting small businesses here and throughout B.C.

“That’s my focus, and it’s near and dear to my heart,” he said. “My goal is to support small business the same way I’ve consulted for and supported corporate businesses at a high level.”

He comes by his appreciation for local, family owned businesses naturally: his father owned an auto-body repair and res-toration shop that was known throughout Nova Scotia. And as a young man, Sparks himself relied on small businesses to earn an income and continue towards his goals.

“My first job was as a cook at Pizza Hut. Later I did painting, fire restoration. I ran my own cleaning business – I’ve done a lot of the hands-on labour jobs and I did them well,” he said. “That was something my Dad taught me: whatever you do in life, do it to the best of your ability, don’t do anything halfway, take pride in your work, and do the best you can.”

It was that work ethic that helped him accrue the necessary training and educa-tion to pursue his love of technology as a career.

In 1986 he started working for a compa-ny in Nova Scotia that sold Apple comput-ers, which were then still in their infancy. He learned computer trouble-shooting

and repair, and systems maintenance, and began to support a variety of clients in developing data networking systems for businesses. Fast forward about 15 years and he was working as a consultant in Silicon Valley with multinational corpo-rations, boards of education and more. He was hired by Apple to develop cur-riculum to teach internal staff about the company’s digital software application; the program was so successful that Sparks was asked to teach the same curriculum to Apple alumni at Stanford University.

Sparks says the path was, at times, rocky – both personally and profession-ally. When the economy took downturns, so too did the industry that he relied on to support his family; later, health challeng-es cropped up. But at each turn, he kept his eye on his goals. In 2008, he returned to Canada, settling in the Vancouver area, and the wheels began turning to develop Raven Tech Consulting.

Now, together with a team of experts in a variety of tech specializations, Raven-Tech Consulting is fast making a name for itself in providing technology consulting, web design and hosting, automated secure cloud data backup, systems support, data networks and project management ser-vices. “One of the key pieces are budgets: I work within the budget that a client has. We sit down with the owner, go over their goals, and figure out which technologies can help them with their own business success,” he said.

Sparks is a member of the Eastern Woodland Métis Nation. His family back-ground includes West African, Jamaican and Mi’kmaq First Nation. He has also re-cently launched a social enterprise called Buffalo Rains Network, which is a tech-nology consulting business established to provide leading edge technology solutions for the preservation of language, culture and business assets for the Indigenous communities in Canada, Africa and the Caribbean Islands.

RavenTech Consulting


Excellence

“That was something my

Dad taught me: whatever you do in

life, do it to the best of your ability, don’t

do anything halfway, take pride in your work, and do the

best you can.”

RavenTech Consulting 737 Carnarvon St.


www.raventechconsulting.com

E25

Anvil Centre is redefining the New Westminster landscape in more ways than one - and drawing inter-

est from around the region at the same time.

From its unique design to its innova-tive approach to business and culture, the conference and civic centre has been kept hopping since it opened its doors in September and there’s no end in sight as bookings for the facility continue to pour in.

“The feedback has been phenomenal,” said Heidi Hughes, Anvil Centre’s direc-tor of sales and marketing. “We’re hearing from people that the facility is beautiful, the cultural component is wonderful, the catering is perfect.” With more than 100 events already on the books, and a steady stream of interest, the facility will host everything from business conferences to awards dinners, weddings to retirement parties over the coming months.

“We are a boutique style conference centre, and really Metro Vancouver’s newest cultural hub,” said Hughes. “We are a facility like no other in the region, in terms of what we offer under one roof.”

The facility has 18,000 square feet of dedicated event and conference space that can be used to suit the needs of any client – from hundreds of participants in a professional conference, to a wedding banquet or intimate holiday party – along with a 364-seat multi-use theatre, multi-purpose studios, the New Westminster New Media Gallery, the New Westminster Museum and Archives, Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Tourism New Westminster and a community art space.

“This is really a fulfillment of our vision of ‘Commerce, Culture and Community’ under one roof – those are our three pil-lars, and it’s a wonderful model,” she said. “The commerce is the piece that keeps the venue sustainable and we have a man-date that we are providing an economic

stimulus. The culture component is about providing a place where people come to-gether and create – theatre, performance, art, cultural programming, parks and recreation programs. And then commu-nity – that this is a facility for the whole community, to hold events or to come and explore, or to participate in culture. Those three have come together wonderfully.”

But a building and a vision are nothing without people – and those, says Hughes, the centre has in spades.

“One of the things we’re most proud of is the way the team works together – everyone here has come on board because they’re so passionate about what Anvil Centre means, and dedicated to the vision of what it is,” she said. “The combined experience and creativity in each of their fields of expertise is incredible.”

That team includes, among many others, Anvil Centre general manager Vali Mar-ling, City of New Westminster manager of cultural services Rob McCullough and arts coordinator Biliana Velkova.

Hughes predicts that as word continues to spread about the diversity of services and programming available in the facility, more and more organizations and busi-nesses will turn to Anvil Centre for their events.

“We’re in the heart of New Westminster, but we’re also in the heart of the Metro Vancouver region – we’re transit accessi-ble, you don’t have to go downtown. We’re an ideal alternative for those regional events where people may be coming from all over,” she said. “And you get so much more than you might elsewhere. You can come here with one intention – perhaps a business event – and experience our beau-tiful galleries, and explore art and culture while you’re here. We’re really hearing back from people that they are enjoying all these facets when they come in, and they’re amazed by everything going on here.”

Anvil Centre


Excellence

“This is really a fulfillment of our

vision of ‘Commerce, Culture and Community’

under one roof – those are our three

pillars, and it’s a wonderful model.”

Anvil Centre777 Columbia Street


www.anvilcentre.com

PHOTO: From left to right: Biliana Velkova, arts coordinator; Robert J. McCullough, manager of cultural services, City of New Westminster; Heidi Hughes, sales & marketing, Anvil Centre; Vali Marling, general manager, Anvil Centre

E27

For more than 25 years, the Royal City Youth Ballet has been fostering young dancers to pursue their passion on

the stage and beyond. Now, with the leadership torch passed

on to a new generation with renowned dancer Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg taking on the role of artistic director, the orga-nization’s reputation for excellence will only continue to grow.

It’s a particularly poignant moment for both Fishwick-Kellogg and the organiza-tion: she choreographed much of the original Nutcracker performance that the organization has become so well known for, and danced the uniquely challenging roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Snow Queen for many years.

Now living in Orange County, Califor-nia, Fishwick-Kellogg is a dancer with Disney and teaches at the Classical Dance Centre and Dance Dynamics; she’s cur-rently coaching three young dancers for the prestigious Youth America Grand Prix Competition in New York City.

She has worked alongside the organiza-tion’s long-time artistic director, Dolores Kirkwood, in preparing for the Nutcracker performance for the last 25 years.

“That was a wonderful training experi-ence that has helped me to take on my new position,” she said. “Dolores was an amazing artistic director and has always been a role model for me.” She’s joined this year by fellow dancer and long-time personal friend Trisha Sinosich-Arciaga, who is the newly appointed executive director for the Royal City Youth Ballet.

The non-profit society is aimed at giving young dancers the opportunity to perform classical ballet on stage, bridging the gap between a dance school and a profes-sional company. Though they’ve become well known for their annual performance of The Nutcracker, the group – which is unique in its scope and mission in Canada – performs 20-plus shows each year throughout B.C. and Alberta, including Cinderella, Coppelia and others.

“We are a training company where the dancers receive a tremendous amount of stage experience, along with the training and weekly rehearsals,” said Fishwick-Kellogg. “It serves as a stepping stone for some dancers, and gives the dancers the opportunity to get a feel for how a professional ballet company works. I love teaching and choreographing, and having the opportunity work with the beautiful dancers in the company.”

Sinosich-Arciaga says that the commit-ment and dedication of everyone involved – from the founders to the board of direc-tors and teachers – has given the organi-zation a well-deserved reputation.

Both women bring an incredible diver-sity of training and experience to their roles. Fishwick-Kellogg began dancing at the age of three with the local Kirkwood Academy of Performing Arts, and later performed with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company, the Royal Winnipeg Bal-let, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Sinosich-Arciaga also trained under the direction of former youth ballet artistic director Dolores Kirkwood, trained and performed at the Alberta Ballet School and the Banff Cen-tre, and received her teaching certificate from the Royal Academy of Dance.

They are joined on the artistic commit-tee by Keitha Campeau, Matthew Waldie and Davi Rodrigues.

“The students who come to Royal City Youth Ballet learn to be responsible for what they dance and how they dance it. They’re responsible to the artistic staff as well as the rest of the cast,” notes Sinosich-Arciaga. “We all count on each other to make the show a success, and we hope this helps develop our dancers into good people as well as good dancers.”

That’s a key goal for the organization: that in working together, the dancers de-velop their discipline, work ethic, respon-sibility, maturity, co-operation in working as a team, and enjoyment and apprecia-tion for the arts.

Royal City Youth Ballet


Excellence

“The dancers receive a

tremendous amount of stage

experience. It gives the dancers the

opportunity to get a feel for how a

professional ballet company works.”

Royal City Youth Ballet 511 Columbia Street


www.royalcityyouthballet.org

PHOTO: Front left to right: Trisha Sinosich-Arciaga & Camilla Fishwick-Kellogg; dancers: Ian Byron Szkolak & Chloe Choroszewski

EPHOTO: From left to right: Peggy and Judy in the showroom at Champagne Taste Home Consignment 29

For sisters Peggy Bellerive and Judy Wyker, there’s one thing above all others that made their unique busi-

ness bloom with success from the very beginning: people. And that includes not just their most loyal customers – many of whom come back to Champagne Taste year after year – but the entire community of New Westminster.

“Our business is absolutely built on relationships,” said Bellerive. “It’s about the people. …Customer service is our strength, it’s our motto, it’s our every-thing. That’s number 1.” Wyker agrees. “It’s a different sort of experience shop-ping here than at a big chain store. Our customers like that.” The city, too, has welcomed them with open arms, they say, since the doors first opened at the store at the corner of Royal Avenue and 11th Street in 2002.

“The reason we came to New Westmin-ster was that it had such a sense of com-munity – being here has been our biggest asset, no doubt. We’ve been embraced by the community and we love them right back,” said Bellerive. “This is a good town for small business: if you treat your cus-tomers well, they treat you well back. It’s very rewarding.”

Champagne Taste began as a high-end consignment store offering quality furni-ture and accessories; over time, the focus has shifted, with new items now mixed in amongst the consignment pieces. It’s an eclectic, stylish mix of home furnish-ings and décor, with new things coming through the door all the time. “When we first started, we were primarily consign-ment – furniture and vintage items and collectibles. We’re at least 50 per cent new now. The customers love it, because

what we look for is the strongest possible value for them.” Wyker says that “fresh-ness” keeps customers coming back over and over – and telling their friends to do so as well. “The consignment aspect really keeps the store interesting – there are always new things to look at.” For that savvy shopper, there are amazing, quality items with good value.

The sisters decided to go into business together after a series of life changes for both of them: one decided it was time for a career change, the other was downsized from a long-time job. “I was in the U.S. at the time and had to part with a lot of things and took advantage of a consign-ment store in the U.S. – it was so great, and I thought ‘there isn’t really anything like this in B.C.’”

Both of them decided that the time was ripe to become their own bosses – and that they could turn the consignment store vision into something unique by taking it up a notch. They decided on a location in New Westminster and, with their special touch, the store was soon drawing customers from around the Metro Vancouver area. “We’re 20 minutes from anywhere really. Our customers make the trip here from all over the Lower Main-land,” said Bellerive. “Sometimes people come looking for that one specific item; other times it’s to browse, get ideas, and find something new.”

With vaulted ceilings, skylight, and 5,000 square feet of shopping space – not to mention that continued focus on customer service – it’s no surprise that customers are willing to make the trip to find just the right piece for their homes.

Champagne Taste Home Consignment


Excellence

“Customer service is our strength,

it’s our motto, it’s our everything”

Champagne Taste Home Consignment 1101 Royal Avenue


www.champagnetaste.ca

31

EThe truffle is known as a luxurious delicacy and a gourmet treat – so it’s a perfect fit as the namesake for one

of the region’s most well-known catering businesses.

Truffles Fine Foods has been in opera-tion for a decade now, and in that time has grown year after year thanks to a stel-lar reputation and a growing demand from loyal and new clients.

President Nin Rai explains that Truffles got its start as a film catering company, and though that aspect of the business continues, they’ve expanded over the years into a wide range of food and bever-age services.

“It’s right across the spectrum – event catering, weddings, café locations,” said Rai. “We can do anywhere from 20 to 5,000.”

Rai notes that the early years cutting their business teeth in the fast paced and demanding world of the entertainment industry catering has given them a unique edge. The experience of meeting the needs of a unique clientele while main-taining high-quality catering has provided them with a sterling reputation, making growth and expansion an organic process.

“We’ve focused on high quality food and great customer service, and that has never changed,” said Rai. “We know how to be flexible, to meet the needs of each client. And so we’re constantly growing and changing, quite rapidly actually. Our ca-tering clientele is expanding all the time and our business is so mobile that we’re able to be where our clients need us.”

That has included catering at sites as unique as the Vancouver Art Gallery, Sci-ence World, Heritage Hall and the West Side Grand, to name just a few, along with private homes and businesses throughout the region.

They also operate two permanent loca-

tions: Truffles Café at VanDusen Gardens and Truffles Café at the North Shore Film Studio, and host events at fine food mar-kets to showcase their products.

Most recently, they’ve come on board with the newly opened Anvil Centre con-ference and civic centre in New Westmin-ster as the exclusive caterer to the site.

“That’s been wonderful so far, it’s a fabulous facility and we’re seeing a real variety of events coming through there,” he said. “Business events, weddings, cock-tail parties – it’s a wide diversity and we’re very happy to be the exclusive caterer.”

Truffles has a series of catering options offering everything from cocktail foods, breakfast items or multi-course dinners, but the choices aren’t limited to those menus.

“We really work with the client to fit their budget and to put together the event and food and beverage that they want,” said Rai. “We want every customer to say they had a great time and that the food was phenomenal and the evening was flawless. That’s success.”

As a chef for more than 20 years, Rai says it was a natural “next step” in his ca-reer to develop his own business and that he’s been lucky to have a fabulous team to work with.

“We have a very close-knit atmosphere in our team here – our motto in terms of the work place has been that we want to give the same experience to our employ-ees that we give to our customers,” he said. “That’s important to us.”

That team, he says, has helped him grow Truffles Fine Foods into a company with a great reputation.

“Customers know that we have the expertise and the knowledge to pull off a fantastic event for them – and when they tell their friends and recommend us because of that, it’s very rewarding.”

Truffles Fine Foods


Excellence

“We’ve focused on high quality food and great

customer service, and that has never changed. We know how to be flexible, to meet the needs

of each client.”

Truffles Fine FoodsNew Westminster, BC

604-505-4961

www.trufflesfinefoods.com

PHOTO: Nin Rai, president - Truffles Fine Foods

E33PHOTO: Ken Thompson, director of New Westminster campus - Sprott Shaw College

Ken Thompson considers himself very lucky: he gets to see people reaching for their dreams every single day.

As the campus director for the New Westminster campus of Sprott Shaw Col-lege, Thompson says the dedication and talent of his team – and the impact that they have on students who attend classes there – is incredibly rewarding to see in action, and a continuation of the strong reputation the school has had in its 100-plus years in operation.

“You can’t be around for 111 years and not learn a few things,” he said. “But of course the heart of any organization is its people. My colleagues here are dedicated to the success of our students and to car-rying out our mission: ‘To teach, to guide, to learn.’”

Thompson oversees every aspect of campus operation, including manage-ment of staff, administration, scheduling for students, financial management and more – but all with the goal of supporting student success in a variety of ways.

“We see our function as not just giving classroom instruction but also prepar-ing our students for all aspects of their career,” he said. “And we are committed to lifelong learning, not just in terms of professional development activities, but also in learning from our students.”

Sprott Shaw College has 13 full campus-es across B.C., plus four satellite campus-es, and a trades program offered out of the head office in Port Coquitlam. In all, some 100 programs in business, health and social development, trades, tourism and hospitality help students upgrade skills for current or new careers.”

“We really don’t have an average stu-dent – the variety of ages, cultures and life experiences we meet is one of the most rewarding parts of our work,” he said. “All of our programs attract people for different reasons, but if I had to point to the most popular, I suppose I’d have

to say Practical Nursing (PN) and Early Childhood Education (ECE). PN is an in-demand field, and our program is among the best. ECE is a challenging program but at the same time is a lot of fun.”

The school recently re-introduced day and evening classes for ECE Post-Basic – caring for infants and toddlers or children with special needs – and Thompson says they’re excited to see those grow in the coming months.

Across the board, he says, staff and administrators are focused on one key factor: success for students.

“We are committed to that. We are continually developing and updating our curriculum and introducing new programs suited to the modern work world,” he said. “It’s the people who work here that make it great – I think students are sometimes surprised by the personal touch we bring for such an established school. We want students to gain the skills, knowledge and wisdom to pursue and build a rewarding career, but we also hope they will keep warm memories of their time here that they take with them wherever they go.”

Sprott Shaw College first began in 1903 (then named the Vancouver Business In-stitute) as the brain child of Robert James Sprott and William Henry Shaw. Over the years, programming has changed to suit the needs of the work force – for example, after the Second World War, the school designed program to help retrain military personnel for radio broadcasting and avia-tion. Famous students over the years have included broadcasters Jack Cullen and Ernie Rose, as well as artist Emily Carr.

Though the school has changed own-ership over the last century, it remains committed to its goals of adult educa-tion. Today, some 4,500 students per year study at campuses in New Westminster, Victoria, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Kamloops, 100 Mile House and other com-munities.

Sprott Shaw College


Excellence

“We want students to gain the skills,

knowledge and wisdom to pursue and

build a rewarding career, but we also

hope they will keep warm memories of

their time here.”

Sprott Shaw CollegeNew Westminster Campus

420-88 Sixth Street New Westminster, BC

604-520-3900

www.sprottshaw.com

35

A lifelong love of all things creative and beautiful has led Michelle Bernier into a career that continues to

bloom – and allows her to share her pas-sion and talent with hundreds of clients.

The owner of Design with Confidence says that every day is a new challenge and an opportunity to help her growing list of design clients.

“I love the creative part of it, but I also love making people happy,” she said. “I take what’s in their heads and I make it happen, and when I can see that they are pleased with that, it’s the greatest reward.”

Having created a unique niche in the design marketplace, her shop on Twelfth Street provides a one-stop shop for home-owners seeking updating and renovations, but also a place for fellow designers to scout out new products and ideas.

“It’s really across the board, and cus-tomers are coming in from all over,” she said. “We have a really broad range of projects, plus we also cater to designers in the area. Ultimately, it’s always the cus-tomer first and foremost: we want to do it the right way the first time, hear what they want, and make it work for them and their lifestyle.”

The design centre has computerized drawing capabilities that help turn project ideas into a realistic plan – be it a re-design and renovation of an entire home, or an update on the décor of a bedroom or bathroom. Bernier also works with a vari-ety of tradespeople so that all the aspects of a job are being organized through one main point.

“We’ve done everything from re-facing a simple fireplace to doing a whole house. Sometimes it’s helping a client with something like picking a tile and paint colour for the kitchen – they might start out with an idea of what they think would

look good together, but then it doesn’t. So working together with us, they’re saving the time and money of starting out on a project that later they want to change.”

Bernier has been in the design field for 11 years, after deciding to take the leap into her dream job from an earlier career as an accountant. As a business owner, that accounting background has helped her in countless ways.

“For me, it’s helpful in making sure my business is running smoothly, but for the client it means that when I say that a job will come in on time and on budget, it’s not just an expression – it’s a key com-ponent of my business and a goal I strive for on every project,” she said. “Renova-tions and changes can be costly, and when someone has decided it’s time to do some work, they want to know what the cost will be and they want to know it’s not go-ing to go over unexpectedly.”

Bernier says she works in almost any design capacity someone could need: renovations, staging for sale, window cov-erings, upholstery, custom cabinetry and closets, wallpaper and more.

“It’s really right across the spectrum,” she said.

That versatility, combined with her customer service approach, has garnered her a loyal clientele in the design field and new clients each month thanks to recom-mendations from past customers.

“I’d love to see it continue to grow, to be able to do more, and perhaps franchise across the country,” she said. “I’ve had people from Toronto come in and say, ‘This is what we need, there’s nothing like this anywhere.’ I think I surprised myself a little bit, with having found this unique spot in the market that needed filling – and I’m so happy with how it has worked out.”

Design with Confidence


Excellence

“Ultimately, it’s always the

customer first and foremost: we want

to do it the right way the first time, hear

what they want, and make it work

for them and their lifestyle.”

Design with Confidence 950 12th St.


www.designwithconfidence.ca

PHOTO: Ella Newton-Nason & Michelle Bernier


Excellence

2014 Edition

new westminster profiles of excellence 2014 edition

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