The True Value of Beyond Pink

This past weekend, I attended my first Beyond Pink. Although I'm a member of the greater Vancouver YWiB team, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect but nonetheless couldn’t help but feel excited. And I'm happy to say, I was not disappointed. I attained my arts degree (psych) in university and only recently have I started to feel like I’m making a way for myself in the business world. That being said, it definitely has not been easy!

It is easy to lose sight of your goals or feel like you’re not going anywhere when you’re embarking on your career post-university. You face adversity, sometimes for the first time, and a lot of the time money unfortunately comes before passion. We all have bills to pay.

Since graduating, it’s been a difficult year and a half, personally and professionally. Friends have come and gone, mistakes have been made, time wasted, unprofessionalism encountered, I've heard “no” more than I care to share and ever-looming doubts. It’s only recently that I've realized I will likely face these experiences throughout my entire life.

Beyond Pink made me realize a thing or two, aside from picking up useful skills in the educational and useful workshops.

Top of my list, I started to think less about "me" and more about "we". There are many people who are in, have been in, and will be in, the same situation as myself which means we're never alone in our struggles. I met and spoke with a countless number of wonderful ladies (and one guy) who were enthusiastic to share their stories as well as take the time to hear mine. It was truly empowering!

Secondly, reflecting on the past and considering the future difficulties we're sure to encounter, it’s not how you fall but how you get back up that is what defines you. The value in ACTUALLY taking the time to learn from your mistakes instead of loathing yourself for them, is where the true value lies.

Rounding out my key takeaways from Beyond Pink was that if I really want something, like really want it, there is nothing standing in my way except for myself.

There have been and will be times that I doubt my own capabilities, lack the confidence to pursue an opportunity, a dream, or will fully recognize that I have all the tools I need to see something through to completion. But honestly, what am I afraid of? The worst thing I can do is not to fail, the worst thing I can do is give up on trying to succeed. And that, my lady friends, is far worse than stumbling along the way. FOMO anyone?

The things I took away from Beyond Pink 2012 (and if you attended feel free to share your list below) may seem trivial or even to some “common sense”, but every now and again I need reminding. We all do.

So on that note I want to thank the ladies that made Beyond Pink 2012 happen for recharging me and giving me some additional tools for my toolkit that I can pull out along this windy path that is my career. ;)

Ps. If you'd like to connect beyond Beyond Pink, don’t be shy. I’m always available for a new friend and a good chat. =)

Carolina@ywib.ca @CarolinaHorna

YWiB supports Mo's!

  The ladies of YWiB are ready for Movember!  We are all ready to support the men of our community as they begin growing out their “Mo’s”.  We had some fun ourselves and grew out our own “Mo’s”! Check out the pictures.

Every year in the month of November thousands of men grow out there moustaches and become a walking, talking campaign for men’s health.   These men spread awareness about the often ignored subject matter of men’s health by growing out their “Mo’s” and discussing the issue while raising funds.  While we ladies stand by them supporting them through this journey.  Every year at the end of Movember these men who grew out their "Mo’s" and their supporting women celebrate at infamous gala parties.

This year, make sure to attend Moustaches for Movember, a fundraiser being held on November 29^th, with all proceeds going to prostate cancer research.  Be sure to like their facebook page and follow them on twitter (@mous4mov) to stay informed on the latest details on this amazing event!  Rumor has it Fiona Forbes from Urban Rush will be the MC.  It’s definitely going to be an event you just have to be at!

So ladies get out there this Movember and support a Mo bro!

Lucia, our Lady in Pink!

I will always remember what I did on 21st July 2012 because the experience was unforgettable. I had decided to devote my day to playing some street hockey in downtown Vancouver to support a great event organized by Five Hole for Food. FHFF was established by a friend of mine, Richard Loat, who came to understand very early on that all of us can contribute to making the world a better place if we are truly determined to do so. I truly believe in the power of an individual who is passionate about an issue and therefore I was super excited to pick up a hockey stick for the first time ever and bring canned food that was collected at the event to support the local Food Bank. We have created the PINK team with a few ladies from YWiB SFU & YWiB UBC to support the cause. I am currently spearheading the Philanthropy program at YWiB SFU and doing little acts of kindness is a big a part of being a philanthropist for me. It was amazing to see the great energy at FHFF when likeminded people joined forces working together with a common purpose which is ending hunger in our communities. It is events like this that help me realize that if we all do our a little share it will make a huge impact on someone else’s life. The 2012 event raised 100, 000 lbs of food for the Canadian Food Bank. I am proud to say that I have made changing the world my business. I will hopefully see you at the 2013 event or at the special event YWiB SFU & FHFF are preparing for this winter. -Lucia

[made in vancouver] recap

By: @CarolinaHorna

Sometimes the best and most relatable stories are the homegrown ones. This sentiment inspired Tuesday’s #MadeinVancouver event with Aki Kaltenbach from Hootsuite, Genevieve Ennis Hume from Hume Atelier and Marissa Iannacone and Andrew Zappavigna from Take Five Café. All our speakers have had diverse experiences before landing where they are today. It was no surprise they had words of wisdom and it is no mystery why we listened eagerly.

Before working for Hootsuite, Aki worked in London for 5 years at an advertising agency and later at her family’s restaurant when she returned to Vancouver. She confesses that she loves how everyone at Hootsuite is encouraged to be entrepreneurial beyond his or her day job description.

Believing the four most important words are “how can I help”, Genevieve from Hume Atelier shared how not knowing what she was doing was the best thing while growing her jewelry crafting business. It forced her to learn fast and she soon discovered that what made her stand out were the stories that got built into her jewelry. She recognizes that this would not have been possible had they gone for larger volume.

Marissa has been at Take Five Café from the very beginning, starting off as a barista and later growing into a Marketing Manager role. Having been at Take Five for so long, you know her advice, “it doesn’t matter what you do but who you do it with”, are words she follows.

Take Five Café’s retail opps manager, Andrew, was a treasure trove of stories and advice. He understands that in order to grow your business you must hire into areas where your weaknesses lie, it will elevate you and your company. He told our ladies that even after graduating, your education never stops because you never cease being a teacher or a student. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with people you believe are better than you because you’ll naturally strive to succeed.

A BIG thank you to all the attendees for coming out and giving us your time and attention on Tuesday evening. And to the four speakers, we appreciated your stories and for generously volunteering your time. We are sure you inspired many to create their own path to success right here in this city we love, Vancouver.

To see the most quoteable moments from the evening check out #MadeInVancouver on Twitter. Also, visit our lovely friends at Networking in Vancouver who reviewed the event too.

Until the next event - all our #ywiblove! Cheers!!

Beyond Pink's Speakers: Sneak a peek!

  Faye Wightman, President and CEO, Vancouver Foundation

Faye is one of Canada’s philanthropic leaders as the President and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation. She brings to the Foundation a strong conviction that philanthropy can and should play a powerful role in shaping society. Since her arrival in 2005, she has led Canada’s largest community foundation through a number of important changes designed to increase its impact in BC communities.

Prior to joining Vancouver Foundation, Faye was President of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation for 14 years and then spent two years as Vice President of External Relations at the University of Victoria. She has served as an Executive Director for Sunny Hill Foundation for Children, as well as Campaign Director for the United Way of the Lower Mainland.

She is on several boards, most notably: Imagine Canada, Emily Carr University and BC Housing. Her influence has been recognized by Vancouver Magazine, where she has made their Power 50 list twice. As well, in 2004 she was one of five women honoured with the “Influential Women in Business Award,” an annual award presented by Business in Vancouver magazine.

Katie Ainsworth, Creative Director, Ainsworth Communications

Katie has created many award-winning and memorable campaigns across every medium imaginable in her twenty years in advertising. Starting her career in Toronto, she also worked in San Francisco during the dot-com boom then fled to Vancouver during the dot-com bust.

Her resume includes stints at Cossette, Y&R, BBDO, TBWA and Rethink––where she was both a Creative Director and a Partner. In 2010, Katie became a freelance writer and now enjoys the luxury of only working with companies and people she truly believes in. (Yes, she used a preposition at the end of a sentence and is totally okay with that decision.)

Katie has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in European History and Germanic Studies from the University of Victoria. It has not been terribly useful, to be perfectly honest. She also mentors young writers through the not-for-profit group AdGirls.

Sandy Thompson, Global Planning Director, Y&R

Sandy Thompson is the Global Planning Director at Y&R and has been working in the advertising world for over 20 years, she is regarded as one of the industry’s most innovative and productive strategists, always working with her clients to find the truth behind what people do, not what they say.

How does she do it? She accepts every opportunity to give her clients a new and fresh perspective. She takes the time to dig in to how people feel about brands, listens to what they are saying and digs into consumer’s lives by taking the time to feel what is important to them.

Sandy believes that opportunities surround us – you just have to put yourself out there to not only find them, but to do something with them.

Check out the rest of the speakers AND mentors on Beyond Pink's website

register now!

BEYOND PINKdisrupt to construct: redefining the possible

we've just announced the amazing line-up of speakers & mentors! some highlights you might love:

Janet Austin | CEO, YWCA Judy Rogers | Former City Manager of Vancouver Sandy Thompson | Global Planning Director, Y&R Rachel Lewis | COO, Vancouver Whitecaps Faye Wightman | President & CEO, Vancouver Foundation Aki Kaltenbach | Direcotr of Partner Solutions, Hootsuite Malene Grotrian | Founder, Malene Grotrain Designs Lois Naherny | Executive Vice President, Teekay Corporation Vanessa Noga | Senior Commercial Account Manager, RBC Madeleine Shaw & Suzanne Siemens | co-founders, Lunapads a workshop by Lululemon on Goals & Vision setting

and many, many more... see full roster here.

click here to snag your spot!

@beyondpink2012 fb: Beyond Pink ywib.ca/beyondpink2012

thank you to our generous sponsors of Beyond Pink

YWiB Internship Program: Diana's Story

  Without the YWiB Internship program, I would definitely not be where I am today. Getting paired with Popchips led to numerous learning experiences and unique opportunities. I was fortunate enough to have an event planning based internship, which took learning beyond the classroom and helped me contribute to expanding the brand. One of my greatest memories was working with the field marketing manager to create a charity event for the BC Society of Transition Houses and Ryan Kesler. I have also been given the opportunity to travel within BC, attend industry events, and meet some influential faces along the way. As the fit was perfect, I am now a Brand Ambassador and maintain my intern position. Not only have I gained a mentor through meeting my ambitious boss, but I have also created long lasting relationships and experienced events that I would have never gotten the chance to experience elsewhere.

I hope this write-up helps and inspires people to get involved!