Kiwano Marketing » Vancouver

Join Us At EPIC, the Sustainable Living Expo

Sofia Ribeiro — Fri, 13 May 2011 18:15:58 +0000

It’s that time of the year again. EPIC, the Sustainable Living Expo, will take place this weekend in Vancouver starting today. This is a fantastic opportunity to browse through environmentally minded businesses and learn what more we can do to minimize our impact on the environment.

Details:

EPIC: The Sustainable Living Expo
Friday: 1pm – 8pm
Saturday: 11am – 7pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm
Vancouver Convention Centre
1055 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC

What I particularly like about EPIC is that it’s tailored to the everyday consumer, in oppose to smaller green living tradeshows that target only a small percentage of the local community. At EPIC you’ll find toys, apparel, yummy food and even pet accessories that are high quality, priced competitively and… both socially and environmentally responsible. And the good part? Lots of freebies that you can enjoy in the moment or take home to your loved ones.

Some of the brands you’ll find at EPIC include:

- LUSH, the famous cosmetics brand that makes fresh, organic products from fruits and vegetables;
- Shoo-Foo, a local company that makes towels, bed linens and baby clothing out of bamboo;
- Me to We Style, a Toronto-based clothing line that gives 50% of its profits to the non-profit Free The Children, supporting development projects in rural and impoverished areas across the world;
- Ten Thousand Villages, a popular retail chain & non profit that links fair trade products with the global market demand.

Other attractions include George Stroumboulopoulos, one of the most admired and respected journalists in Canada and the host of the popular TV show George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight (previously named The Hour), who will be speaking on Saturday, May 14, at 5pm.

You can buy tickets online or at the conference. For more information, visit EPIC’s website at www.vancouver.epicexpo.com/.

About EPIC:
EPIC is a solutions-based, family-oriented event designed to educate, entertain and immerse the public in all things “green”. EPIC is about doing what you can, when you can…all you need is a little education and inspiration, and EPIC has lots of both! Join us for this three-day celebration of earth-friendly living and surround yourself with truly inspirational people, innovative ideas, and environmentally-responsible products.

Have A Cool Green Idea? Make Some Bucks While Helping Your Community

Sofia Ribeiro — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 01:57:02 +0000

Are you into the environment? Looking to make a difference? The Vancouver Foundation just launched yesterday the Generation Green Awards, a program dedicated to reward youngsters for their green initiatives. They are giving 20 cash awards (up to $12,500) for environmental projects in Vancouver by young people aged 6 to 24.

The Generation Green Awards will be given to three age groups (6 – 12; 13 – 17; 18 – 24), and both individuals and groups can apply. Groups can be made of teams of two or more people, large groups, or an entire classroom. Each team submission must identify one team leader who should submit the application.

Additional requirements include:

• You must have a connection to Vancouver — you live, work, volunteer or go to school in Vancouver.
• Your project must take place in a Vancouver neighbourhood. Check out the list of Vancouver neighbourhoods.
• The project can take place on your Vancouver street or local neighbourhood, and/or at a school, community centre, Neighbourhood House, library or other community facility.

What Kind Of Ideas Qualify?
The focus of the Generation Green Awards is the environment… so your green idea should help improve Vancouver’s environment. In your application, you will have to describe your idea, where in Vancouver it will happen, and how your project will improve the neighbourhood’s environment.

Some suggestions:

• encourage more recycling
• urban farming
• neighbourhood greening
• promote more green vegetation
• reduce garbage/waste
• protect, conserve or improve water quality
• improve air quality
• reduce energy use/alternative power generation
• promote better ways of getting around
• preserve or restore natural areas, such as forests or beaches

These are just a few sample ideas – feel free to run wild!

The deadline for applications is March 4. For more information and to apply online, check www.vancouverfoundationawards.ca and follow the Vancouver Foundation on twitter: @VanFdnGreen.

Upcoming Events in Vancouver

Sofia Ribeiro — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:25:02 +0000

With the fall coming in, Vancouver is sizzling with networking events. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or a seasoned professional, make sure to check out these upcoming events – and to finally get to know the team at Kiwano.

Vancouver Entrepreneur Meetup
Saturday, October 2
from 6:30pm onwards
Guilt & Company
1 Alexander St
Vancouver, BC

Gaining Ground Summit
October 4 – 7
from 7:00am onwards
SFU Woodwards
149 West Hastings St
Vancouver, BC

After Hours for a Change@INGDIRECT Soiree + Dr. John Robinson
Tuesday, October 5
from 5:00pm onwards
Club 560
560 Seymour St
Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Business Network Tradeshow
Tuesday, October 5
from 5:30pm onwards
Ceilis Irish Pub
670 Smithe St
Vancouver, BC

Vancouver Enterprise Forum: The Hootsuite Success Story
Friday, October 15
from 6:00pm onwards
The Republic
958 Granville St
Vancouver, BC

Hope to see you there!

Join The Mob On May 16th!

Sofia Ribeiro — Tue, 11 May 2010 16:59:10 +0000

Vancouver! Want to help a small business become more sustainable, while having lots of fun and – who knows? – even win a couple of prizes? Carrotmob is coming to town and the first eco-movement-turned-party will be on May 16th at Salt Spring Coffee. You can dress up, bring your guitar, and get ready to have lots of fun while helping out Salt Spring Coffee become more energy efficient.

But how does that really work?

Well, it’s an innovative concept. Carrotmobs are designed as a reverse boycott, encouraging consumers to patronize stores attempting to reduce their ecological footprint. Carrotmob is a network of consumers who buy products in order to reward businesses who are making the most socially responsible decisions. This is a chance for everyone who has ever wanted to do something for the environment (but wasn’t sure how) to help out!

All you have to do – the ONLY thing you have to do – is to come down to Salt Spring Coffee on Sunday May 16th and purchase something. Probably a coffee would be a good idea, but you can also get a muffin or an iced drink. Every single dollar + 10% Salt Spring Coffee makes that Sunday (that’s right, 110%) will be put towards improving the energy efficiency of that shop.

Details:
Salt Spring Coffee – Carrotmob
May 16, 2010
11:00am – 2:00pm
4295 Main Street @ 27th Ave
Vancouver, BC

The music and all the fun will take place between 11am and 2pm, but all purchases made on Sunday count to the pledge (so you have no excuses).

Registration is not required, but by RSVP-ing at Carrotmob’s Facebook event page might get you a prize.

And what kind of prizes are we talking about? Well, we’re going to have free coffee from Salt Spring Coffee, tickets for EPIC! (I want those!), a Green Zebra guide with lots of coupons for cool, eco products and services around the city, gift certificates from Vancouver’s Farmer Markets, and sustainable products from Dream Designs and from Lavish & Lime.

Carrotmob’s friends at Small Feet Inc. are on board as Sustainability Partners in case you have any questions on how Salt Spring Coffee can reach their goal of optimizing their energy efficiency.

So, bottom-line is: let’s have fun while helping a local business become sustainable!

Invite your friends, family members, co-workers, that stranger looking at you from across the street, the clerk at the post office – you name it! The more people know about Salt Spring Coffee’s Carrotmob, the more money they will be able to make to improve their store’s footprint. Or, if that’s too much hassle, just send a friendly email to your contacts with the link to Carrotmob’s event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113968855300163&ref=mf.

Online purchases using the code “carrotmob” count too! Just use it on Salt Springs Coffee’s online store.

Join the mob at Salt Spring Coffee on Main Street this Sunday for lots of fun, music and sustainability.

Join Us And Show Your True Colour At Green Drinks!

Sofia Ribeiro — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:22:29 +0000

Every month, people who work in the environmental field meet up at informal sessions known as Green Drinks. With events taking place in over 50 countries, Green Drinks lively mixes people from NGOs, business, academia and government.

This March, Green Drinks Vancouver celebrates its 5th Anniversary, and we’ve partnered with Christina Olsen, the fabulous person behind Green Drinks Vancouver, to make this anniversary a blast.

Join us to celebrate five years of REAL green drinkin’ in Vancouver (and the first of 50+ now across Canada). To make this event fun and memorable, we’re organizing a Dress In Green contest. Oh, and while we’re at it, let’s have prizes. Yes, PRIZES!

Green Drinks 5th Anniversary + St Patrick’s Day
Wednesday, March 17, from 5:45pm onward
Steamworks pub
375 Water St.
Vancouver, BC

Dress In Green contest categories:
1) Greenest outfit – colour
2) Greenest outfit – sustainability
3) Best green personality (wow, this could mean anything… eheh)

We’ll have other fun for prizes too, but you’ll have to show up to find out the details. Huge thanks to the fabulous companies who donated prizes:

- Icebreaker Clothing
- Ethical Bean Coffee
- Green Zebra
- Stanley Park Ecology Society
- Brisas Carpet Cleaning

Join the eco crowd on St. Patrick’s Day this Wednesday for a green networking night to make new contacts, get up to speed on the latest developments in the green industry and (last but definitely not least) have fun.

Join us at ESN’s Go Green Event this Wednesday

Sofia Ribeiro — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:49:46 +0000

We’ve been proud members of ESN since December, and we couldn’t be more enthusiastic about this organization. The next ESN event is the Go Green networking mix, a green gathering for small, local businesses.

With over 150 business owners attending and a hand-full of exhibitors – including our client, World Water Living Systems – the Go Green event is expected to be a success.

When and where:
Wednesday, March 3, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Light House Sustainable Building Centre
2060 Pine St. (at W 5th Ave)
Vancouver, BC

About ESN:
Entrepreneurial Success (ES) is a Vancouver-based organization offering one-on-one business coaching services to start-up companies in Vancouver and across Canada. In the fall of 2003, ES was renamed to Entrepreneurial Success Network (ESN), expanding its operations to now offering an array of services to include monthly networking events and annual trade fairs.

Ninja Tip: How to Land a Mentor

kiwano — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:50:15 +0000

I’ve been asked this a lot by other entrepreneurs recently: where do you find your mentors?

To answer this question properly, you first need to know why you’re on the lookout. What kind of advice or expertise are you hoping to get out of mentoring? Conversely, what knowledge, skills or enthusiasm can you offer in return? Mentoring isn’t about finding the one key individual who will solve all of your problems by dolling out connections and sagely wisdom on a timely basis.

Here’s the truth: mentors typically are very, very busy people. They usually have their own corporate jobs, consulting practices, and/or may be advising others on the side. If you’re looking for hands-on help with the day-to-day operations of your business, or just someone to keep you accountable, then try starting out with a partner with complementary skillsets or a business coach.

Having a mentor is just like any other kind of relationship building– both sides need to benefit from the mentorship in some way. This may be as simple as sharing similar interests, or seeing a future opportunity to do business. Often times, personalities and mindsets need to mesh.

Above all, mentors need you to understand that while they’re invested in your business and can be counted on to see you through the rough patches, they also want you to do your research before asking the questions. Most of the time, the solution can be found within you and your business partners.

Have more to say? Drop me a line or comment below.

Olympics Special: The Networking Ninja Blogs for Metro News Squad!

kiwano — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:54:19 +0000

The Networking Ninja will be contributing to the Metro Blenz News Squad during the 2010 Winter Olympics. This innovative way of centralizing the efforts of local bloggers here in Vancouver is spearheaded by independent chain Blenz Coffee and Metro Vancouver News. Updates on twitter will be under #MBNS, so please follow @CeciliaLu and @Kiwano for all the latest happenings. Highlights from our posts will also be displayed on the Metro Vancouver Newspaper’s online website and in their daily print edition.

Here’s Cecilia’s specific ‘mission statement’: “As a Networking Ninja, I will sneak around focusing on sustainability initiatives and the effects of the Olympics on small businesses.” Care to help a Ninja out? Get in touch on twitter or leave a comment below!

About The Metro Blenz News Squad:
The Metro Blenz News Squad (MBNS) is a made up of a group of people from all walks of life and backgrounds that want to share their experiences using various forms of digital media. Some will blog, other will take photos and still other will shoot some video and post it all to one site. Any time the content is used on any platform, the authors will be acknowledged (in the papers and online, or in store in the case of Blenz Coffee).

Metro Newspaper Vancouver:
Metro will then take the various forms of digital content and post it to their website. Also, selective content may find its way into their daily print edition.

Blenz Coffee:
Blenz will be the home to the News Squad during the project. And, like Metro, Blenz will keep their customers current by posting updated in real time on their in-store Digital Network. Check out the Blenz Network at http://bit.ly/aJJVgZ

Social Media Co-Operation:
Many of the companies and individuals involved will also be connecting with their readers and followers providing updates about other members of the team. This cross-promotion program will provide additional reach for all participating members of the Squad.

Get Busted Ivy Busting!

Sofia Ribeiro — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:15:22 +0000

Volunteer at Stanley Park this Saturday, side by side with Kiwano!

Being a proud Vancouverite includes doing your bit for the environment. And what better way to give back than spending a Saturday morning in Stanley Park, right in the heart of the city?

The Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) is looking for enthusiastic volunteers for their Ivy Busters program. The requirement: good mood! Spread the word, bring your friends, family and EVERYONE else who would enjoy a beautifully rewarding morning outside in Stanley Park.

Here are the following events for February:

When?
Feb. 13 (Saturday): 10am-1pm
Feb. 28 (Sunday): 12:30-3:30pm

Where?
Stanley Park, by the bus loop
Map and directions here

Why English ivy?
When an invasive plant such as English ivy (Hedera helix) is introduced to a new ecosystem, it spreads rapidly, smothers native vegetation and compromises natural shelter and food sources for wildlife. It has been estimated that up to 30% of the forested area in Stanley Park has already been invaded with English ivy. Studies show that ivy is currently growing at a rate of one metre per year, and without further intervention it will one day take over all of the vegetation in Stanley Park!

It looks like it will be raining this Saturday, so don’t forget to dress for the weather (bring sturdy footwear!). If it’s pouring, then please call SPES at 604-718-6522 an hour or two before the event to check if it is still happening. Refreshments and coupons for SPES’ Discovery Walks will be available for all participants.

For more information, contact Greg Ferguson, Habitat Restoration Stewardship Programs Coordinator at SPES. And check out Stanley Park on Facebook and on twitter!

Recommended reading:

- Get Involved in Your Community

- Marketing Diversity: Leveraging The Power of Local Communities

- The Buy Local Movement Demystified

Kiwano Gets Featured In CRAVE Vancouver

Sofia Ribeiro — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:59:49 +0000

CRAVE, the Urban Girl’s Manifesto, is always on the hunt for women in business that you need to know in our city. That’s why we couldn’t hide our excitement when Arpen Thandi, one of the top collaborators at CRAVE, invited us to do a feature on Kiwano Marketing.

CRAVE is one of the most innovative and trendy concepts in North America. The Vancouver chapter innovatively connects urban gals to the sassiest, gutsiest, most inspiring people they need to know in the city. Their modern marketplace of soirees, gatherings and online networking serves as your ambassador to everything there is to CRAVE in our city.

“We are extremely excited to inform our CRAVE readers about a full-service marketing agency that comes with a spin. Kiwano Marketing focuses on sustainable marketing. Their goal is to make eco-friendly products go mainstream and each marketing campaign that they develop incorporates the environment, embedding and addressing eco concerns in every step of the process. Learn about Kiwano Marketing with their superwomen: Sofia Ribeiro & Cecilia Lu.”

Read the entire interview on CRAVE vancouver’s blog.