Vancouver's Profiles of Excellence 2016 by Vancouver Courier

Vancouverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s profiles of

excellence 2016

Vancouver’s profiles of

excellence 2016

welcome to our 2016 profiles of excellence

hat does business excellence mean? It can’t really be summed up in one word. It encompasses achievements and milestones, but it truly goes beyond that. The people and businesses profiled in these pages are as diverse in their backgrounds as they are in their experience and expertise, yet they all have one thing in common — a deeply rooted commitment to excellence in their communities. Vancouver is fortunate to have so many businesses striving for and attaining excellence. The leaders, all trailblazers, showcased in this year’s magazine are the best of the best, chosen by a team of professionals at Glacier Media. Each one has achieved success through hard work, initiative and creativity, and by being everyday heroes in the community. Whether it’s through volunteering, charity work, customer service or staff incentives, each business has achieved a level of excellence to be celebrated. In today’s world, excellence is more than a set of principles. It’s a set of beliefs, ways of thinking, a matter of discipline, and ways of focusing. It’s also a core value of Glacier Media, the publisher of Profiles of Excellence. Glacier, an integrated information awardwinning company with strong roots in newspapers, trade publications and magazines across the country, is focused on providing primary and essential information and services through print, electronic and online media. Glacier publications, websites and services deliver well over 20 million page views every month to readers in Canada and the U.S. Glacier also offers customized marketing solutions for businesses from medium to large in size. We thrive on excellence, and we thrive on finding countless examples of excellence in our business community to share with our valuable audience. I invite you to read Profiles of Excellence and see the great diversity of accomplishments and personalities we’ve chronicled. We hope they will provide inspiration to you as you pursue excellence through work and life.

Dee Dhaliwal Tara Lalanne special projects Janine Jurji publisher

director of sales

editorial

Jan-Christian Sorenson, Michelle Hopkins photography Kelly Funk design Marina Rockey

For more information about Profiles of Excellence or any of our other publications, contact Tara Lalanne at 604-738-1411 or tlalanne@vancourier.com

Join us in honouring and congratulating these leaders and learn from them. They make Vancouver such a great place in which to live, work and realize our dreams. Alvin Brouwer President, Lower Mainland Publishing & Community Digital Media

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Amherst Funeral & Cremation Services___________________________________________4

Jan-Christian Sorenson Over his 20-year career, he has written for the New Brunswick Telegraph Journal, Saint John Evening Times Globe, North Shore News, Burnaby Now, Vancouver Courier, Business in Vancouver and redsoxlife.com and is currently content manager at a Vancouver public relations consultancy.

Copeman Healthcare_ ________________________________________________________________6 Expert Recruiters______________________________________________________________________8 FL/P Digital___________________________________________________________________________ 10 Justason Market Intelligence_______________________________________________________ 12

2016

profiles written: Copeman healthcare, expert recruiters, justason market intelligence, odlum brown limited, rennie & associates realty

Mosaic______________________________________________________________________________ 14 Odlum Brown Limited_____________________________________________________________ 16 Rennie & Associates Realty_______________________________________________________ 18 Robin’s Pharmacy___________________________________________________________________ 20 Tapestry Foundation for Health Care____________________________________________ 22

Michelle Hopkins is a freelance writer based in Vancouver, B.C. She has extensive newspaper and magazine writing experience. Michelle writes for many notable publications including West Coast Condo, REW, BC Business, OnTrak and Calgary Luxury Living Magazine. profiles written: Amherst Funeral & Cremation Services, fl/p digital, mosaic, tapestry foundation for health care

Kelly Funk is a full time commercial and tourism photographer, as well as the Photo Editor and columnist of ‘Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine’. His work can be found at www.kellyfunkphotography.com.

Amherst Funeral & Cremation Services

ost of us don’t want to talk about death or dying. It’s a time in life that is wrought with emotion, stress and sadness. Additionally, when it’s time to lay your loved one to rest too often people are hit with expenses they didn’t realize they would have to pay for. In the midst of grief, Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services is there to help. As a wholly Canadian owned and operated independent company, it was founded on a belief that they could still offer quality funeral services to all at affordable prices — without forfeiting compassion, respect and dignity for both the families and their deceased loved ones. “We offer genuine care and respect without the high costs often associated with funerals,” says owner Scott McFarlane. “Every one of our employees lives by that mission. It’s simply the right thing to do.” Founded in 2008 by McFarlane, a licensed funeral director with more than 30 years in the industry, he sees his business as a vocation of caring for people at one of life’s most difficult moments in a cost-effective way. With a dedicated staff and an array of services, Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services has built a reputation for offering superior funeral arrangements. McFarlane was motivated to open Amherst because he felt there was a better and more respectful way to help families make funeral arrangements. Amherst is committed to providing compassionate and thoughtful service to all the families that come to them in their time of need. It has earned the company numerous awards for best funeral home

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and best in the city by a number of local publications. So how does one prepare for this eventuality? McFarlane says you can make it so much easier for grieving family and friends if you record your wishes ahead of the need. “When this is done it relieves the family of additional stress as to what type of service you want,” he adds. “A prearranged funeral allows for all the necessary information to be recorded that will be required at the time of death.” By pre-arranging your funeral, you let your family know exactly what type of service you wish for including the important details such as funeral or memorial, disposition (cremation or burial), casket, urn, scattering or burial of ashes as well as memorial items. In order to keep costs down, Amherst collaborates with the city-owned Mountain View Cemetery’s Celebration Hall for funeral and memorial services. “For the value, it’s a gorgeous facility and a perfect location, with the option for catered receptions following events and services,” he adds. When the time comes, discover the surprising difference compassionate and personalized services, with no hidden fees, no hassle and no pressure, can be. For more information, call Amherst Funeral and Cremation Services at 604-568-8112 or visit www.amherstcremation.com. Amherst serves the entire Lower Mainland and beyond. They are conveniently located at #1209-207 West Hastings, Vancouver. For all that they do, Amherst gets a nod of excellence.

Amherst’s founder, Scott McFarlane and co-owner Christian Natadiredja (centre), with their team of directors and counselors: Ersilio Iacuitto, Laura Todd, Juliana Ho and Billy Chiew.

We offer genuine care and respect without the high costs often associated with funerals. Christian Natadiredja, co-owner

1209 - 207 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7 604 831 3023 scott@amherstcremation.com www.amherstcremation.com

Vancouver’s

Copeman Healthcare

opeman Healthcare has written a powerful prescription for healthcare success. The innovative and award-winning company has developed a collaborative, team-based approach that places a strong emphasis on personalized, prevention-focused care and cutting-edge technology. Founded as a family-owned business, the Copeman team has grown to a full complement of 170 distinguished care providers including physicians, nurses, psychologists, physiotherapists, kinesiologists and Registered Dietitians. Teams work across four locations in B.C. and Alberta and service a roster of clients that has grown steadily since the doors first opened on November 21, 2005. Although the last decade has welcomed many exciting advances in the delivery of medicine, some things — like the company’s core values — have remained largely unchanged. At the core of the Copeman philosophy is a steadfast desire to improve quality of life and deliver outstanding care. Since no two patients are the same, care must be personalized to the specific needs of each client. Medical expertise is delivered by a team of professionals who collaborate with the client’s best interests in mind to arrive at an optimal care plan. “Simply put, prevention works,” says Les Jickling, Senior Director of Communications. “It’s the most powerful tool available to drive superior health outcomes and quality of life — and it’s never too late to start”.

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“We pride ourselves on being proactive. We work with each of our clients to help them understand their individual risks; we develop prevention plans tailored to their specific needs and reach out to them on a regular basis to provide ongoing support and encouragement. Our goal is to put our clients on the path to optimal health and keep them there. That’s a powerful concept — seeing your care provider before you are ill”. Copeman encourages its clients to focus on building resilience in physical, mental and brain health. While fundamentals such as sleep, exercise and nutrition can positively impact all three, targeted strategies to alleviate stress, anxiety and negative emotions can help with mental health and cognitive exercises can help stave off the onset of dementia. Jickling draws a parallel between disease prevention and regular vehicle maintenance. Sometimes it is better to have a service check rather than wait until the engine light comes on. “By taking care of yourself and maintaining your body, mind and brain in the same way that you might service your vehicle on a regular basis, it’s going to last you a lot longer and you’re going to get much more use out of it. Ironically, a lot of people take much better care of their vehicles than their own health”.

Simply put, prevention works. Les Jickling, Senior Director of Communications

Copeman also places a premium on providing timely, professional and courteous service to each client — citing studies that have shown that better service results in superior health outcomes and clients that are more aware of their risks and personally invested in their health. 1128 Hornby Street, #400, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2L4 Toll Free: 1 888 922 2732 tthompson@copemanhealthcare.com www.copemanhealthcare.com

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Nina Hirvi, Registered Dietitian and Director, Clinical Service Integration and Dr. Beth Donaldson, Family Physician & Medical Director.

Vancouver’s

Expert Recruiters

rom in-house subject matter specialists with an innate ability to zero in and help clients find the perfect temporary or permanent fit for their business to offering a suite of comprehensive assessment and training programs for job candidates, Expert Recruiters is a placement agency that lives up to its name in every sense of the word. Founded in 1999 by Managing Director Darcia Bower, the firm has since built a rock-solid reputation for providing truly innovative staffing solutions for a host of loyal clients and an ever-growing database of more than 70,000 candidates, thanks in part to its uniquely boutique, personal and holistic approach. “We really believe in doing things a little bit differently here,” explains Bower. “We believe in treating candidates as people and helping them shape their careers and find success rather than just filling a job order. We pride ourselves on offering a personalized, one-on-one approach for each candidate.” That approach is evidenced from the first time one walks through the doors of Expert Recruiters, located in a commercial brownstone on Helmcken Street. Rather than a run-of-the-mill sterile space, clients, candidates and employees alike are immediately put at ease thanks to a warm and welcoming (and pet-friendly) environment that includes a waterfall and chandelier and by design is more akin to a five-star hotel than an office. Another key difference that sets Expert Recruiters apart is its collaborative and dynamic team of subject matter specialists who boast expertise in a

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People are our business, fit is our expertise.

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wide variety of business sectors such as accounting and finance, technology, real estate and development, marketing and communications, healthcare and office administration, among others. “While we’re proud to have recruiting experts who specialize in a number of fields, even more so we’re people experts,” says Bower. “Once we understand a company’s corporate culture we can apply that to whatever type of role they’re hiring for, and operating as a team means that we share our knowledge and candidate profiles in order to find the perfect fit for that position.” Among the many complementary staffing programs Expert Recruiters has added to its own resume since its inception is the Uptempo! Ambassador Program, which grooms high-calibre, professional “ambassadors” for temporary employment, and Expert Recruiters Financial, which exclusively assists clients in financial and accounting industries recruit and retain top-notch talent. Beyond helping clients find the right fit for a specific role, Expert Recruiters also offers candidates free skills assessment, training and tutorial services to help them improve their interview and software skills, as well as a wardrobe of blazers to ensure each candidate is professionally attired before embarking on an interview. “I’m very proud of the calibre of people that have been through our doors,” says Bower. “The most rewarding part of my job is when we help someone find their dream position. It’s one of the most important decisions that they will make in their life and it’s so gratifying when you can find that perfect fit for them.”

I’m very proud of the calibre of people that have been through our doors. Darcia Bower, Managing Director

883 Helmcken Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 1B1 604 689 3600 jobs@expertrecruiters.com www.expertrecruiters.com

photo: dan toulgoet

Vancouver’s profiles of

FL/P Digital

ounded less than two years ago, FL/P Digital has already been nominated for the 2015 Platinum Awards — Creative Innovator of the Year by New Westminster Chamber of Commerce. FL/P Digital is an online marketing agency that specializes in user acquisition — simply put, they drive qualified traffic to clients’ websites and ensure those visitors turn into leads. The agency has built a reputation for going above and beyond client expectations by delivering premium quality web designs, ROI-centric reporting and high-level strategy consulting. “Our team works closely with our clients to build a strong user acquisition strategy, that is customer centric, yet true to their brand,” says Mark Joseph, FL/P Digital’s senior director of brand and marketing. One of FL/P Digital’s clients, Douglas College, wanted to gain exposure to their Applied Psychology program, but wanted to make sure their visits were qualified candidates that expressed a strong interest in their program. FL/P Digital’s Sr. Marketing Director, Mark Joseph, and Douglas College’s Digital Marketing Specialist, Sajeda Virji, collaborated and put together a sequential video series making use of YouTube advertising, Google Display and Remarketing. They used three video testimonials that showed an Applied Psychology alumni student sharing their experience at Douglas College. They ran a YouTube in-stream campaign that included geographic, demographic and behavioural targeting to push out the first of three videos. This was run on a cost-per-view model so that we only paid

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FL/P Digital Team

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for users that actually viewed the entire video, and not the ones who skipped. FL/P Digital then created a Remarketing list that captured only the users who had viewed the entire first video, and only these users were qualified to be served the second part of the video series. Subsequently, the third video was only served to users who watched the entire second video. The users who had watched all three parts of the video were then given the option to click over to the Applied Psychology landing page to fill out a form for more information, or were served a display ad to come and revisit the page to sign up at a later time. The result: The campaign delivered a highly niche audience who were genuinely interested in learning more about the program and therefore delivered a much higher conversion rate. Additionally, Douglas College and the Applied Psychology program gained brand exposure throughout the community to reach their target audience. Businesses today need to be found where their customers are searching, not just at the bottom of the funnel, but throughout the entire customer journey. Whether its blog creation and content marketing for the research stage, paid search and referral traffic for the competitive analysis stage or direct and organic for the bottom of the funnel, this is where FL/P Digital excels. “An online presence used to be the icing on the cake in marketing... now it is the cake,” adds Joseph. FL/P Digital’s growth and phenomenal success in such a short period of time is testament to its high level of service, expert analysts and web designers. “We have truly hired the crème de la crème in the online marketing space,” says Joseph.

An online presence used to be the icing on the cake in marketing... now it is the cake. Mark Joseph, senior director of brand and marketing

2188 Yukon Street Vancouver BC, V5Y 3P1 604 369 8912 hello@flipdigital.ca www.flipdigital.ca

Justason Market Intelligence

f, as the adage goes, information is power, then Barb Justason and the staff at Justason Market Intelligence Inc. wield a mighty sword indeed.

In fact, it could be argued that Justason, who founded the eponymous market, opinion and social research firm in 2004, knows more about what makes British Columbia — and especially the city of Vancouver — tick: from how we vote to where we shop to what we eat to how we feel about a wide spectrum of social, political and economic issues. “What sets our company apart especially is a real understanding of the local market,” says Justason, whose firm has compiled a city-wide series of polls that successfully predicted the eventual outcomes of the last two Vancouver municipal elections. “We’re not as much specialists in any specific research category as we are thoroughly insightful about the B.C. community, and we pride ourselves on that. We have a lot of knowledge about the character of B.C., and the advantage that comes with that is we can write a resume on almost any category or sector as far as marketing research is concerned.” Beyond compiling research garnered through city- and province-wide panels, online and telephone surveys, focus groups and intercept inquiries on the street, Justason — a recipient of the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association’s Certified Marketing Research Professional (CMRP) designation — and her staff also work closely with a number of blue-chip companies looking to gain insights on what is or isn’t working in their own

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Founder, Barb Justason.

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organization, how big their slice of the market is or what’s truly driving their business on a day-to-day basis. As Justason puts it, she’s in the business of asking the right people the right questions and delivering “epiphanies”. “For a lot of clients, whether it’s in the public or private sectors, we’re an annual report card,” she says. “They use the information that we provide by breaking it down and handing it out to different parts of the organization and making an action plan out of that, and we can see the results the following year. It’s great to see our clients, especially when they’ve worked hard on an initiative, have that ‘a-ha! moment’, whether that happens in a focus group or hearing research findings or reading verbatim comments. It touches them directly and when they work with the results we provide it’s a true collaboration.” Another one of Justason’s collaborations is more personal — her role on the board of Central City Foundation, a local not-for-profit foundation that quietly supports inner-city projects such as housing, food security programs, health and social initiatives and prevention and treatment programs. “It’s so incredibly gratifying to be connected and associated with Central City Foundation. I’m getting a real education in the challenges and opportunities that exist in the inner city and the gift of being part of an organization that is making a difference,” she says. “We’re creating real and meaningful solutions. It’s among the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, both personally and professionally.”

It’s great to see our clients, especially when they’ve worked hard on an initiative, have that ‘a-ha! moment’. Barb Justason founder

503 - 1080 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6Z 2T1 604 689 5511 www.JMI.co Barb@JustasonMI.com

Vancouver’s profiles of

Mosaic

hen Steve Park immigrated in May 2014 to Canada from his native South Korea he left behind a well-paying job to start over in a brand new country. Although he studied English in university, he hadn’t really spoken the language in more than 15 years. At 48 years old, it was difficult for him to speak English. An acquaintance in Vancouver recommended he visit MOSAIC. In July, he connected with Hanna Lee from MOSAIC’s Workplace Connections Mentoring Program. She evaluated his skills, suggested he enroll in job seminars and Language Instruction for Newcomers in Canada (LINC) classes in order to help him with his job search. “Besides the seminars, Hanna found me a mentor, a retired CPA to prepare me for an interview,” says Park. Today, he is training as a senior customer service representative with BMO; with the goal of becoming a financial services manager. “I want to say thank you to MOSAIC,” adds Park. “I couldn’t have gotten a job without the dedicated services and support of MOSAIC and Hanna Lee.” MOSAIC is a non-profit organization with a long, rich history of social justice and advocacy. MOSAIC was founded in 1972 by a woman who was an immigrant herself. This grassroots organization has morphed into one that addresses critical issues - legal, education, medical and housing- that affect immigrants and refugees as they settle and integrate into Canadian society. “We are one of the largest immigrant serving organizations in Canada, with more than 40 different programs at 31 different sites,” says Dianna Lee, MOSAIC’s manager of marketing and

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communications. “Right now, we are assisting with the Syrian refugee crisis.” In fact, MOSAIC was one of the first charitable organizations to commit to helping 1,000 Syrian refugees to settle in the Lower Mainland. MOSAIC supports and empowers immigrant and refugee communities, helping to integrate newcomers into their neighbourhoods, and familiarize them with workplace culture. Its much-needed programs and services are constantly evolving and developing in response to the needs of the communities they serve. “We have staff here who speak more than 40 languages and clients who speak more than 70,” says Lee, adding MOSAIC can’t do it without the incredible assistance of more than 400 volunteers. “We also have volunteers from the corporate sector who offer internships and networking opportunities, or pair mentors in a particular industry with a professional newcomer.” In addition, MOSAIC hosts an annual job fair. This past April, the organization hosted its 4th Annual with more than 50 employers in attendance, making this the largest hiring event in the city. Lee went on to say that many of the employers have said they specifically value the diverse and international candidates that MOSAIC attracts. That’s not all. MOSAIC Family and Settlement Services offers a variety of programs focusing on healthy family relationships, parenting programs, counseling services, orientation workshops, and services for refugees and immigrant families in Burnaby and New Westminster as well as a variety of youth and seniors programs. MOSAIC has been recognized for its excellence as an organization which cares. It’s clear that everyone at MOSAIC truly does.

LINC student Shao (Fiona) Fang enjoys some playtime with her son, Emanuel Zhihao Truong after class. MOSAIC operates a Childcare Centre for students enrolled in its Vancouver Language Centre at 2730 Commercial Drive.

We have staff here who speak more than 40 languages and clients who speak more than 70. Dianna Lee, manager of marketing and communications

MOSAIC Main Office 1720 Grant Street Vancouver, BC V5L 2Y7 604 254 9626 mosaic@mosaicbc.com www.mosaicbc.com

Vancouver’s

Odlum Brown Limited

dlum Brown Limited is an independent, full-service investment firm that has stood the test of time by remaining true to the same core principles on which the company was founded: putting the individual needs of clients first and providing them with disciplined, customized advice to help them create, preserve and grow their wealth over the long term. Founded in Vancouver in 1923 by General Victor Wentworth Odlum and Colonel Albert Malcolm “Buster” Brown, Odlum Brown remains a private and wholly employee-owned company that today encompasses 250 employees with offices in Vancouver, Kelowna, Chilliwack, Victoria and Courtenay. The firm has also been an annual winner of the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation since 1999. For President and CEO Debra Hewson, there’s no secret to Odlum Brown’s success: it begins and ends with a steadfast, personal relationship forged with each client. “Building portfolios is our business, but building relationships is our strength. We put our clients first and always have,” says Hewson. “It sounds cliché, but I think the very fact that we’ve been in business and part of the financial landscape in B.C. for more than 90 years is a real testament to how we think about and approach our business.” “We want our advisors to build a relationship with their clients. There’s no cookie-cutter or one-size-fits-all approach here. The only way to meet the specific needs of each client is to build and nurture that relationship by understanding what’s important to them and what they are trying to achieve with their investment goals.”

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The company’s longevity extends to its workforce: 52 per cent of its employees have been with Odlum Brown for a decade or longer, and 22 per cent for 20 years or more. That includes Hewson, who has been with Odlum Brown since 1991, and Chairman Tony Hepburn, a fixture at the firm for 47 years and counting. “The longevity and loyalty of our employees is a true reflection of the camaraderie and unique culture we try to engender here,” says Hewson. “It’s not only very rewarding to come to work and do something that can play a small part in someone’s life journey, but to also be able to do that in a place where the people that I work with value and genuinely care about each other. It just speaks to the culture that was built long before I arrived here and the culture we all try to sustain.” Beyond the relationships they have built with generations of clients, Odlum Brown also firmly believes in building strong communities, sponsoring more than 100 charities and organizations throughout B.C. that support initiatives in such areas as healthcare, education, arts and culture, sports, environment and youth. That emphasis on corporate philanthropy has also spurred Odlum Brown’s employees to follow suit and personally invest in the communities in which they live and work, raising more than $400,000 each year for the past two years for a wide array of charities including United Way, CIBC’s Run for the Cure and Movember. Odlum Brown has weathered various economic challenges and stock market cycles for more than 90 years, carving out their own legacy as one of B.C.’s most dependable and trustworthy investment firms. True to this history, they inspire the same approach in their clientele, knowing that — much like the old fable — when it comes to investing, slow and steady wins the race.

Debra Hewson, President and CEO, Odlum Brown Limited.

Building portfolios is our business, but building relationships is our strength. We put our clients first and always have. Debra Hewson, President and CEO, Odlum Brown Limited

Suite 1100 - 250 Howe Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3S9 604 669 1600 information@odlumbrown.com odlumbrown.com Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund

Rennie & Associates Realty

ince its inception in 1988, Rennie & Associates Realty has steadily built its brand thanks to a winning combination of name recognition, reputation and proven track record. Founded by local real estate expert Bob Rennie, the firm now encompasses more than 100 dedicated agents in an expansive and historic head office located in the Wing Sang Building in Chinatown that also houses sister agency Rennie Marketing Systems and the Rennie Collection, a privately funded, free-ofcharge contemporary art museum. Today, Rennie’s management team — comprised of both individuals who have been with the firm for more than a decade as well as newer team members who bring fresh perspectives to the table — carry on Bob’s tradition for cultivating a team-first, family environment where local experts work in conjunction to help both residents and new arrivals find a place to call home in Vancouver’s ever-changing and often unpredictable real estate market. Much of the firm’s success — from $403 million in sales in 2004 to $1.5 billion last year — can be traced back to that supportive, collegial corporate culture that eschews egos and high-pressure sales tactics in favour of developing a personal, one-on-one relationship between each agent and prospective clients. “A lot of the big brokerages are dog-eatdog and sink-or-swim, whereas we try to engender a much more friendly environment where our agents work together, take pride in each others’ success and give each other as much support as possible, and I think that translates well to the way we interact

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with our clients,” says Kris Rennie, principal of the Rennie Group. “We pride ourselves on providing superior customer service at every step on their journey. Whether it’s in the boardrooms we work in or the living rooms that we sit down in, we’re there to work alongside our clients and ultimately help them achieve what’s in their best interests.” Some of the myriad residential sales projects that Rennie & Associates Realty has on its current docket include the third tower at The Amazing Brentwood and the City at Lougheed, both in Burnaby; Phase Two of the luxury redevelopment of the historic Shannon Estate in Kerrisdale; and the Seymour Village townhouse project on the North Shore. Beyond building the Rennie Group’s business, the entire team also believes in giving back to the community at large and corporate philanthropy remains a cornerstone of the business, with the company supporting arts and culture endeavours as well as mental health outreach programs in the Downtown Eastside and Chinatown, where the head office is located. “Whether it’s on an external basis dealing with the public or internally within our own organization, community is a word that defines much of what we do on a day-to-day basis,” says Kris. “We try to foster that type of environment and I think that translates into what our agents do outside of the organization, wanting to make a positive impact on the clients they work with and the community at large. It’s not just about the deal or the dollar — it’s about building relationships and making a positive impact in everything that we do.”

R&A’s Director of Sales Janet Miller, Associate Managing Broker Gerald Soong, Managing Broker Vincent Tang and Marketing Manager May Globus (right to left).

We try to engender a much more friendly environment where our agents work together, take pride in each other’s success and give each other as much support as possible, and I think that translates well to the way we interact with our clients. Kris Rennie, principal

51 East Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6A 1S9 604 682 2088 info@rennie.com www.rennie.com

Vancouver’s

Robin’s Pharmacy

on’t expect elevator music or white lab coats at Robin’s Pharmacy. Found on the north end of Commercial Drive at Venables, owner and pharmacy manager Robin Manweiler takes a different approach — treating people like people, getting to know them and working together for better health.

“It’s not about being an authoritative figure,” Robin said. “It’s about being an equal with the people we serve. We dress casually in order to better relate to our customers.” Robin opened his pharmacy almost seven years ago and has worked as a pharmacist for 19 years. “In order to improve the health of patients, trust is the key,” Robin said. “And when people feel you care, trust is the natural byproduct.” “That’s how you go above and beyond,” noted Robin. “You have to want to make a difference for people. We work with patients who have simple healthcare needs as well as those who have highly complex health issues. We cater to both groups equally.” As a full service pharmacy, Robin’s provides a complete range of prescription needs, over the counter medications and day-to-day items like toilet paper, toothpaste and skin moisturizers. And the unique design of the pharmacy provides a mom-and-pop shop comfort, making people feel immediately at ease. “I think people appreciate that we carry a little bit of everything,” he said. “And if people feel at home when they come in, then taking care of their health becomes much easier.”

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The team at Robin’s Pharmacy.

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“We are now providing flu vaccinations for people who want them,” Robin said. “It’s just another way we can help our customers stay healthy and they don’t have to travel for it. They get the advice, medicine and support they need right here in their local community.” Robin believes in making his customers’ days better when they visit. “We strive to be a positive part of the community — we use humour to connect with people,” he commented. “We take a personal approach to healthcare. It can be stressful and challenging to live in Vancouver with the high cost of living, the rainy weather, and the state of the economy. We take it upon ourselves to make people smile or laugh to lighten the load.” It may be a different style of health care, but on Commercial Drive, it’s definitely appreciated. Robin knows there is more to health than just prescriptions. “There are significant benefits that come from interacting and connecting with people,” Robin said. “You have to be passionate about it and believe in helping others, and you need to be willing to put in the extra effort to make it happen.” Robin also helps others through his long-standing relationship with the Kettle Society. “The Kettle is an amazing organization that works selflessly to support people with mental health issues in Vancouver and I help in a small way by servicing their clients’ prescription needs,” Robin said. “The Kettle is truly a rock for mental health patients in our city, and I am humbled to be associated with them.” Written by: Ronda Payne

If people feel at home when they come in, then taking care of their health becomes much easier. Robin Manweiler, robin’s pharmacy owner

908 Commercial Drive Vancouver, BC V5L 3W7 604-876-3784 robin@medicinecentre.com www.medicinecentre.com

Tapestry Foundation for Health Care

ntil this past summer, 90-year-old Alfred Best lived on his own in his Coal Harbour condominium. After a heart attack and a series of strokes landed him in hospital, the widower realized it was time to move into a seniors’ residence. “I looked at a few residential care homes but when I visited Brock Fahrni, I was impressed by the gorgeous garden,” says the navy veteran. “Then I fell in love with the staff here... they are just wonderful, they offer the best care a person could want.” A social man, Best also likes the art program and outings. “I’ve never painted in my life and I’m finding that I really enjoy it,” he says. “Also, every Monday, we veterans hop on our new bus and go to a different legion for lunch. It’s really a nice afternoon out.” Many of the programs Best enjoys at St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni are thanks to donors supporting Tapestry Foundation for Health Care. Founded in 2007, the foundation is focused on enhancing the lives of our province’s elders through its fundraising efforts. Tapestry Foundation was born out of a series of mergers with well-respected organizations such as St. Vincent’s, Holy Family, Mount Saint Joseph Hospitals and St. Michael’s Centre Foundations. “Within Providence Health Care, we are the charitable arm for seven of its sites (Holy Family Hospital, Mount Saint Joseph Hospital, St. Michael’s Centre, St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, St. Vincent’s: Honoria Conway-Heather, St. Vincent’s: Langara, and Youville Residence),” says Tapestry Foundation CEO Ann Adams. “We raise funds for medical equipment that isn’t covered by the government,

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as well as programs and services that enhance residents’ quality of life.” Besides lunch outings that Best takes part in, the bus recently funded by donations also allows for Providence residents to enjoy weekly excursion to local restaurants, shopping malls, tourist spots, and scenic drives through parks, tree-lined streets or neighbourhoods they might remember from their younger years. Donations also enable Tapestry Foundation to foster a greater understanding of seniors’ health needs through geriatric research and education. Often it’s also the little things that count and add meaning to life in residential care. Tapestry Foundation funded attractive dishes to make mealtime more pleasant for its residents, and through its staff lottery, Providence hospitals host a variety of different activities aimed to engage residents. Recently, residents at Youville Residence enjoyed a visit by Pepper, a hefty French draft horse nicknamed the Gentle Giant. Pepper provided much-needed stimulation for its residents, many of whom live with acute dementia. They spent a few happy hours petting Pepper’s nose, holding his head and giving him kisses. Larger donor funded projects, like a $350,000 garden upgrade at Brock Fahrni, also bring meaning to residents’ lives. “Like Alfred Best, many of the residents and their families love to get outside and walk around the beautiful garden space,” adds Adams. “Our mission and goal is supporting the best care possible for seniors who helped build the communities where we live today,” says Adams, “And we’re grateful to all donors who share our vision.” The impact Tapestry Foundation for Health Care has on the lives of seniors is truly invaluable.

Resident Alfred Best and Tapestry Foundation CEO Ann Adams share a laugh on the garden path at St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni.

Our mission and goal is supporting the best care possible for seniors who helped build the communities where we live today. Ann C. Adams , Tapestry Foundation CEO

4865 Heather Street Vancouver, BC V5Z 0B3 604 806 9480 info@tapestryfoundation.ca www.tapestryfoundation.ca

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