The SociaLIGHT Conference returns to Vancouver for the third year this October, presenting the only Canadian entrepreneurship conference focusing in the triple bottom line (planet, people, profit). If you have an entrepreneurial dream, idea, or passion for making a global impact, you’ll be inspired by two days of talks and networking at SociaLIGHT.
SociaLIGHT Conference Vancouver
Where: Pan Pacific Vancouver When: Saturday, October 22nd & Sunday, October 23rd, 2016 Tickets:On sale now! Use code MISS604 to get the early bird rate of $197 and save $100 before Monday, September 5, 2016.
The brand SociaLIGHT is a spin off of the traditional socialite, with a new spelling and acronym. “LIGHT” is an acronym for L.eader I.mpacting G.lobal H.umanity T.oday.
When you attend SociaLIGHT you can network with and learn from likeminded entrepreneurs, global thought leaders, and innovators and to take your personal and professional success to new heights.
“The presentations and the content is a combination of entrepreneurial, business-oriented topics mixed with a motivational and inspirational mindset which is often absent in other entrepreneurial conferences,” says Founding Partner, Theresa Laurico. “They’re heavily focused on either business or tech, however, SociaLIGHT aims to bridge the gap between entrepreneurship & business skills, and sustainable leadership to make a positive global impact.”
Previous speakers have included the likes of Seth Godin and Richard Branson, Tony Hsieh of Zappos, and more. “There have also been stories from as Noriki Tamura of Japa Dog and David Katz of Plastic Bank who are still making a big impact. “SociaLIGHT is not just about top world businesses and speakers. They pride themselves in identifying the next best things and allowing them to share their story to get more exposure and grow by connecting with top big brands.”
This year you can see: Bruce Poon Tip who is the Founder of G Adventures (the world’s #1 travel company, valued at $100m), NY Times bestselling author of Looptail with forward from the Dalai Lama, and Canada’s Entrepreneur of the Year and Fastest Growing Company by PROFIT.
SociaLIGHT puts words into action, having made a donation of $80,000 last year (in lieu of paying the keynote) to the Room to Read Foundation, which is supports children’s literacy and education around the world.

For more information, follow SociaLIGHT on Facebook and Twitter.
Easter Seals BC is inviting thrill-seekers from across the Lower Mainland to take part in their annual Drop Zone event, where you can rappel down a 20-storey downtown Vancouver office building! This adrenaline-inducing fundraiser takes place on September 13th in Downtown Vancouver, and raises funds and funds and awareness for the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities.
Easter Seals BC Drop Zone
Where: 999 West Hastings Street, Vancouver When: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 8:00am to 5:00pm Register:Register now until September 7th.
Participants who are brave enough to take part in the event are required to fundraise a minimum of $1,000 to participate. Last year, the event saw 65 rappellers take the plunge and over $188,000 was raised in support of Easter Seals BC. This year, Easter Seals BC hopes to have even more participants take part in this unique and exhilarating event for a great cause.
The Drop Zone raises much-needed funds to help fund the Easter Seals House Vancouver and sends children with disabilities to accessible Easter Seals camps in BC. The BC Lions Society is a non-profit that aims to enrich the lives of children in BC and the Yukon by providing programs and services, like specialized, accessible camps for children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
I participated back in 2010 and years later I still get to tell the story of “that time I rappelled down the side of an office building in Downtown Vancouver” — it was such a thrill!
Participants can win prizes if they are some of the top overall fundraisers and finishers, you get to wear costumes (your chance to dress up like a superhero) and you’re invited to join in climbing sessions in advance of event day. It’s such an invigorating experience, all for a fantastic cause. If you can’t participate, consider donating online to support Easter Seals BC.
Enter to Win
I have a 4-pack of Sea Vancouver tickets to give away to one lucky Miss604 reader who would like to enjoy a different adventure around Vancouver. Launching from the Westin Bayshore Hotel, Sea Vancouver’s open-air, purpose built, zodiac-style vessels are Vancouver’s fastest and safest way to view the city from the sea. Cruise the harbour, and rip across the inlet to see the city from a whole new perspective on this guided tour.
I’m hoping to get the word out about the Easter Seals BC Drop Zone on September 13th so here’s how you can enter to win this prize:
Leave a comment on this post naming a fear you have conquered, or would like to (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a #SeaVancouver tour for 4 from @Miss604 http://bit.ly/2bv4PBn in support of @DropZoneVAN
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 6:00pm on Sunday, September 4, 2016. Follow the Easter Seals BC Drop Zone on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
Kicking off a new small business series, I have interviewed Fraser Valley photographer and writer, Leanne Campbell about her Fraser Valley-based business.
One of Leanne’s cards for sale at House of James in Abbotsford
Leanne Campbell got online in the early days of the world wide web and quickly realized that it was the future of business. She built her first website in 1999 and soon found that blogging was a natural fit for her.
“I like the immediacy of it, and it’s a brilliant way to engage people! I’ve taken photos since I was quite young. I’d take pictures of my bare feet and people would comment on how weird it was. Funny how 20 years later you see foot photos all over social media.”
After being a self-employed Barber Stylist for many years, she retired and created an online stay-at-home business.
“Photography is my passion so when the idea of “girly brilliance” came to me, it was a perfect fit for my photography. And out of that, my greeting card collection came to be.” Leanne recalls the “old days” when getting a postcard or hand-written letter from a friend in the mail was such a treat.
“I say it’s time for a Snail-mail Revival! In this digital world of texting-smexting, Facebook-crawling, Instagram-posting, let’s get back to really connecting with those we love! And everyone loves getting stuff in the mail, right?!”
Starting your own business is always a challenge, and a leap of faith, but Leanne says she was able to find her groove. “Find what works and stick with it. Being self-employed means I wear several hats, and I love it! And I’m an in-house kind of gal, which means I built my own website, and write my own content. You can save a lot of money when you can do it all yourself.”
Leanne’s card collections are also available in a few Canadian retail stores but online is where the bulk of her business lives.
“Having an online business has meant the world to me. It allows me the freedom to work at home, work independently, creating as the ideas come. I operate my business as I do my life: I keep it simple and honest, and drama-free.”
Some of the best parts of being her own boss? She has no commute and every day is different. “The joy of creating products people love. Create & ship is my business. You can’t beat that. A special shout-out to all the Canada Post carriers – you rock. My business is nothing with you!”
Her main offering is original photo greeting cards, and since Leanne’s a local through and through, I had to find out what what her favourite subjects were to capture.
“I’m an outdoors-kayaking kind of gal, so that question is easy to answer. Nature. And things naturally settled in the outdoors. Petals, old barns, a rickety fence with wild daisies bursting through, rusty metal… the list goes on. I see the photo in my mind first, then take the picture. To see nature come to life on a greeting card, and have it resonate with so many people, is pretty cool.”
In the Fraser Valley in particular, she says that Fort Langley is a special gem, as is Clayburn in Abbotsford, and Mission. “But I’d have to say my favourite place to take photos is my family farm in Aldergrove. After a nice visit with the folks, I like to meander and capture the lovely things around me. An old claw bathtub. An old wheelbarrow. Wild flowers. Fresh garden grub. And of course, there’s always a foot photo in there too.”
If you would like to check out Leanne’s beautiful work, she has offered up a 10% discount when you use code Miss604 when you shop Girly Brilliance by November 1, 2016. The promotion applies to your first purchase and she can ship orders across Canada.
If you run a small business in Metro Vancouver and/or the Fraser Valley and would like to be featured, please email Rebecca through Miss604.com/contact.
The Richmond World Festival is coming up September 3rd with reigning Juno Group of the Year Award winners and international YouTube sensations Walk Off The Earth headlining the free event.
Richmond World Festival
Where: Saturday, September 3, 2016 from 11:00am to 10:00pm When: Minoru Park, Richmond Admission: Free event, presented by Coast Capital Savings.
“The Richmond World Festival is a fun, free celebration of the rich diversity we enjoy in Richmond and all across Canada,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It’s a great opportunity to sample the sounds, tastes colours and other unique cultural characteristics that are all part of our community with entertainment and activities for all age groups and interests.”
Joining Walk Off The Earth on the evening YVR Main Stage will be popular local favorites Delhi 2 Dublin. Mixing bhangra, Celtic and other beats earned them the label “United Nations of rock ‘n’ roll.” Coupled with an incredibly energetic live show, their cross-cultural fusion has made Delhi 2 Dublin a popular festival favourite across Canada and around the world.
The festival features over 60 music and dance performances on nine stages, an international food truck festival with more than 40 food trucks and the Culinary Stage, the Global Village with interactive cultural activities and performances, the Your Kontinent Digital Carnival, Artisan Marketplace, Wide World of Sports and more.
Win a Meet & Greet Prize Pack
I have a very special opportunity for one lucky Miss604 reader. I have a meet & greet opportunity available with the headliners, Walk Off the Earth, PLUS $50 in food vouchers for the festival! Here’s how you can enter to win:
RT to enter to win a #RichmondWorldFestival prize pack w/ @WalkOffTheEarth meet & greet from @Miss604 @FunRichmond http://bit.ly/2bVyXB6
For updates follow @FunRichmond on Twitter and the tag #RichmondWorldFestival. I will draw one contest winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, September 1, 2016.
Miss604 is a proud media sponsor of the Richmond World Festival
The 7th annual Walk for the Kitties benefitting VOKRA (Vancouver Area Kitten Rescue Association) is coming up on September 18th. It’s a walk on the beach that supports and volunteer-driven non-profit that cares for more than 1,800 cats and kittens each year!
VOKRA Walk for the Kitties
Where: Beach Path, West of Jericho Sailing Club (1300 Discovery St, Vancouver) When: Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 11:00am Participation:Register online now for the 5km walk for $30 (plus fee). Dogs are welcome to tag along and you can grab a free ticket for them online as well.
Each Walk for the Kitties participant pledges to raise funds for VOKRA to help in their mission to end cat overpopulation and homelessness. VOKRA is a 100% volunteer driven organization that relies on donations and fundraising for their support. In 2015, they took in over 1,400 cats and they don’t even have a shelter! They rely on a foster network of over 350 homes in the Lower Mainland to care for these animals.
Donations, pledges, and support from the Walk for the Kitties will help VOKRA buy food, litter, and even spay/neuter treatments for local cats. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Some of the best parts of being her own boss? She has no commute and every day is different. “The joy of creating products people love. Create & ship is my business. You can’t beat that. A special shout-out to all the Canada Post carriers – you rock. My business is nothing with you!”
