Vancouver's Profiles of Excellence 2023

VANCOUVER’S EXCELLENCE profiles of

Business has a responsibility to give back to the community.

BEN COHEN, CO-FOUNDER OF BEN & JERRY’S

Within B.C.’s business landscape, both trusted names in business and emerging new professionals are navigating the tides of change with a common purpose in mind — impacting their communities for good.

As we adapt to constant shifts in our daily lifestyle and habits, so too do B.C.’s leading businesses in order to continue to meet the needs of their customers and clients. From increasing sustainability initiatives company-wide to improving accessibility to better serve both existing and new clientele, they leave no stone unturned.

These featured profi les of business excellence cover individuals and organizations in businesses across all industries — from an iconic one-stop-shop natural health centre celebrating their 45th year anniversary to a Vancouver-based lawyer overcoming challenges to rise through the ranks of their profession — who are all paving the way for the future of business.

For these business leaders, the will to impact and change their communities for the better is crucial to their defi nition of success. •

ELIZABETH ROSALYN THE EDITOR

Michelle Yu Personal Real Estate Corporation

Big plans in store for RE/MAX Real Estate Services and Team Michelle

Michelle Yu PREC has been one of Metro Vancouver’s real estate leaders for over 28 years. The brand Michelle Yu PREC has become synonymous in the successful purchase and sale of her client’s properties; she also has extensive expertise in land assembly for over a decade.

The award-winning RE/MAX realtor and her team has big plans to share for this year and for 2024.

“I am grateful to my teammates for our solid system and structure in place that reduces so much of my burden, “ says Yu, who gives credit to the talented people who she has shared their combined success and career paths with; some of whom for as long as 35 years in the same office. The combined knowledge and expertise in the office exemplifies their success as leaders in the industry.

Yu’s brokerage has the longest history of any RE/MAX in the City of Vancouver. It was fi rst established in 1986 and located in Oakridge Centre, the location of the upcoming Oakridge Park. During the construction of the mega project, which is morphing the original shopping centre into a state-of-the-art shopping, residential, entertainment, and workspace, Yu’s office has moved out temporarily to the Kerrisdale area. In 2024, she and her team will move back into a posh new office space owned by Yu herself.

“Oakridge Park is located in the most central location in Vancouver, it’s a great office for clients to locate us as RE/MAX agents. We have a very knowledgeable managing broker. Not many real estate fi rms have such a sound environment, with an experienced managing broker and support staff vailable full time. It’s not easy to fi nd, and we have the resources and support for agents to reach their next level of success.” Th at leaves 2023 to gear up for the big move back ‘home’, but Yu is clearly up to the challenge of preparing this whole

new workspace.

“ There is much to do for this AAA strata office, including the interior design and décor to create the best atmosphere for a productive work environment to call our second home.”

The new home will include the latest tech nology and amenities, such as the touchless automated door system, medical grade air fi ltration system, a community/aquatic cen tre, medical offices, parks, a running track, and valet parking. “We need to make sure our team is taken good care of,” said Yu.

With a good work/life balance front and centre for most of us after a long pandemic, the perks of the new RE/MAX space makes it extra appealing. “Being a realtor is a stressful job, so it’s nice to have green space with nearby parks, shopping, restau rants, community centre, SkyTrain and l ibrary all close by,” she says.

At the start of 2023, Yu is excited to launch the RE/MAX Mentorship Program. “If you want to learn from the best, that’s us,” she says. “Top realtors can share their knowledge and experience with new agents or agents who want to take their business to the next level. We inspire each other and keep each other accountable.”

Yu says she is busy seeking out new agents who have the passion for real estate, who are keen to be successful, and ready to give back to the community. “I am looking for full-time realtors who take their career very seriously. We are interested in experienced, mature, and new agents.”

Yu’s brokerage currently has several top producers with expertise in residential, commercial, land assembly and pre-sell projects.

“ They have the skills and experiences to share and will coach our new agents,” she says. “Our training, conferences and networking oppor tunities are extensive at RE/MAX. I have confidence that the quality of our realtors will make us the top office in Vancouver.”

•

Suite 110, 3540 W 41 Ave

Vancouver. B.C. Team: 604.329.8228 Office: 604.263.2823

michelleyu.com

Our training, conferences and networking opportunities are extensive at RE/MAX. I have confidence that the quality of our realtors will make us the top office in Vancouver.

MICHELLE YU, PREC BROKER OWNER

Yu

Odlum Brown Limited

Odlum Brown has a big birthday coming up.

In 2023, the independent, B.C.based investment fi rm will turn 100 – an impressive milestone for any business, but particularly for one that has maintained its independence in a rapidly changing industry.

“We are incredibly proud of our rich history and to celebrate this milestone as a fi rm,” says Odlum Brown President and CEO Debra Doucette. “It shows our clients that we are resilient; it shows our people that we are steadfast; and it shows our communities that our support is for the long term.”

Founded in Vancouver in 1923, Odlum Brown has since grown to six offices throughout the province. The full-service fi rm provides personalized investment advice and objective, value-based research, with a commitment to putting clients fi rst – always. To support clients’ tota l fi nan cial wellness, it also offers a full suite of financial, tax, estate and insurance planning through its wholly owned subsidiary, Odlum Brown Financial Services Limited.

While proudly B.C.-based, Odlum Brown serves clients globally, and is no stranger to national recognition. The fi rm has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and one of Canada’s Most AdmiredTM Corporate Cultures, and was honoured with a Canada’s Volunteer Award in the Business Leader category by the Government of Canada. Th is recog nition reflects t he fi rm’s key relationships w ith three important groups: its clients, its people and its community.

“We invest for our clients to help them achieve their financial goals. That’s number one,” says Doucette. “But we also make substantial, purposeful investments in our people, and in the communities where we live and work. All of those relationships are core to our success.”

Another fundamental value is t he fi rm’s independence – something Odlum Brown is very intentional to preserve, and fiercely committed to protecting.

“Remaining an independent fi rm in a highly centralized financial world isn’t always the easiest path, but it’s who we are, and it’s incredibly important to us,”

says Doucette. “Our independence is what allows us to truly act in our clients’ best interests, and to give our people ownership of what we achieve together.”

While t he fi rm has much to be proud of, Odlum Brown isn’t solely looking back. “Our history is worth celebrating, but we really view it as the foundation for where we’re going next, and that is really exciting,” says Doucette.

In preparation for this milestone, t he fi rm gathered input from – who else? – its valued clients.

“Leading up to our 100th was the perfect time to hear from our clients in a really focused, intentional way,” says Doucette.

“ They are the heart of our business, and it’s critical to ensure we are meeting their needs as we look to the future.”

The survey results were outstanding, revealing that 96% of clients were satisfied with Odlum Brown, and 97% with their advisor, with whom they have the primary relationship. Nevertheless, there are always opportunities to evolve.

“We know that growth is in our future –that’s a given in order to continue provid ing our clients with the level of service they’re accustomed to, and to add more and more value going forward,” says Doucette. “At the same time, we are committed to preserving our culture, which is a really special part of who we are. Therein lies the challenge, but it’s also an incredible oppor tunity that I know is really motivating for a l l of us at the fi rm.”

But fi rst, it’s time to celebrate, and Odlum Brown intends to engage the clients, peo ple and communities who have made them who they are.

“We’re definitely going to have cake,” says Doucette. “But it’s also about acknowledg ing everyone who has helped us get here, and making a statement about who we are and will continue to be. So all I can say right now is, stay tuned!”

Suite 1100, 250 Howe St Vancouver, B.C. 604.669.1600 odlumbrown.com

information@odlumbrown.com

DEBRA DOUCETTE PRESIDENT AND CEO

2023 EDITION

SmileTown Orthodontics

Dr. Nicki De Francesco

Led by Dr. Nicki De Francesco, with locations in Burnaby and Surrey, SmileTown Orthodontics is a family-friendly practice that prides itself on professionalism. Utilizing its cuttingedge technology and comfortable, safe space, Dr. De Francesco and her team ensure that patients receive the utmost in orthodontic care.

For the past three years, sharing her time at both locations, Dr. De Francesco (also known as Dr. Nicki) has combined her position as an orthodontist with her role as a part-time professor at the University of British Columbia. Before that, she was a general dentist for many years in Ottawa before returning to university to become a certi fied specialist in orthodontics. Now, with 27 years in the business, she’s essen tially seen it all in her field of expertise but is still excited and inspired by the industry’s capacity for growth and the best methods for helping her patients.

Dr. De Francesco is passionate about the newest innovations, particularly robotics and arti ficial intelligence, but maintains that technology aside, the importance of a good bite will never change.

“It’s so important for comfort as we age, and a beautiful smile increases self-esteem and opens doors to new opportunities,” she says. For her, there is the work and the sat isfaction it provides her in her career. How ever, more importantly, the life-changing outcome for her patients when treatment is complete brings her the most ful fi llment and pride.

SmileTown has patients as young as seven years old. Still, the age range averages eight to 10 years old and extends to teens right up to adults, meaning children and their parents are often treated here simulta

neously, depending on their orthodontic needs and desired outcome.

“ There are no age barriers to orthodontics. As long as one has healthy gums and jaw bone levels, orthodontics can be performed at any age,” describes Dr. De Francesco, reassuring adults who may think of the possibility of getting braces as a ship that has sailed due to age. Rest assured, it is never too late to improve one’s dental health, not to mention the aesthetic results.

Metal braces are still an option, as they have been for decades. However, clear and coloured braces are continuing to gain pop ularity, as well as the Invisalign removable braces brand, which the SmileTown team are experts at, presenting several viable options. Patients who are parents, their kids, dentists and orthodontists agree on one thing: dental health is crucial for a complete health picture.

Studies even show that the health of our teeth and gums a ffects our overall health, not just our mouths.

SmileTown works closely with numerous general dentists and pediatric dental spe cialists in the Burnaby and Surrey com munities. Considered a trusted source of quality orthodontics treatment earned over the years by patients who put themselves in the hands of their team of experts, Smile Town takes great pride in what they do.

Dr. De Francesco also finds time to work with disadvantaged young people, and her spirit of inclusivity is a positive in fluence on many.

“Orthodontic treatment is life-changing,” says Dr. De Francesco. “I love putting the smile puzzle pieces together to achieve that beautiful, symmetrical, and harmonious bite and smile we all want.” •

DR. NICKI DE FRANCESCO & ASSOCIATES CERTIFIED SPECIALISTS IN

The Wickertree

Dustin Knapp is a people-person. Anyone encountering him person ally or seeing his video clips on the website of The Wickertree – which boasts B.C.’s largest selection of high-quality indoor and outdoor patio furniture and accessories – will notice his passion for connecting.

It is fitting then that Knapp, as CEO of the company, gets to reach out to past, current, and future customers to not only share his vision for the family business, but also listen to what they may want to reveal about their dreams and expectations.

“Connecting is very important to us,” says Knapp. “We want to connect with every customer who walks through our door.”

With the overarching vision to help cus tomers create their dream outdoor or indoor l iving spaces, this connection should be “on a human level rather than focused on a sales pitch,” he emphasizes. “We want to engage people in a discussion about the products they are looking for and about what they are hoping to accomplish.”

Gaining background information about the plans of customers allows The Wickertree team to make recommendations based on their expertise and knowledge of different product lines, Knapp explains. “Exploring options together often means that every body’s happier in the end.”

For a job well done, customers will have a seamless experience – and come away feel ing a connection to The Wickertree.

The many online videos and customer testi monials suggest that this approach is work ing, and further evidence bolsters the claim of “customer satisfaction,” says Knapp. “In my previous role as general manager, it was my task to deal with complaints and returns. However, I had to spend very little time on that, because we have extremely few complaints, and we don’t have returns.”

While the team’s efforts to help customers fi nd the perfec t fit is part of this success, there is another key element: a strong partnership with “excellent suppliers,” says Knapp, adding that many of the connec tions with trusted suppliers have been established over time by The Wickertree, which has been in operation in Langley since 1976 – and owned by the Knapp family for about 16 years.

“Quality is very important to us,” he says. “Everything we sell, every product –whether it’s furniture or an accessory – is of high quality.”

The Wickertree’s motto – to choose quality over quantity – is also reflected in the num ber of suppliers, who are vetted not only on how well their products perform but also on whether sustainability and ethical sourcing are part of their value proposition.

Although this requires due diligence and investigations into the reputation of suppliers, the efforts are well worth it, Knapp says. “We have a lot of con fidence in our suppliers, and we know how good our products are. We simply don’t carry things that would fail our customers within a short period of their purchase.”

And should an issue arise, good warran ties paired with strong relationships with suppliers will help to see it resolved in a timely manner, he adds. “We have a lot of repeat customers, people who continue to come in and tell us they loved our product and service. We’ve worked hard to build a reputation for quality, and I don’t think we would have our following, reputation and trust if our approach wasn’t genuine.”

“For more than a decade, The Wickertree has been partnering with the VGH, UBC and BC Children’s Hospital Lotteries, furnishing the outdoor spaces of the homes that are part of the draw, says Knapp.”“We’re very proud of this connec tion, and that’s another area where you can see our work in a real-world setting.”

At a time when people spend more time at home due to the COVID-19 pandem ic’s impact on workplaces and travels, K napp has observed that “people are more comfortable investing in their homes, whether that’s renovations, upgrades or enhancements.”

He hopes The Wickertree can be part of such plans and urges Wickertree custom ers, “ Th ink of us when you’re sitting in your beautiful new spaces with friends and family. We’re grateful when you share your experience, because word-of-mouth is still the best medium for spreading our message.

“We want to continue to grow and reach more people because there’s something about our approach that is really positive and resonates widely.” •

We’ve worked hard to build a reputation for quality, and I don’t think we would have our following, reputation and trust if our approach wasn’t genuine.

DUSTIN

Finlandia Pharmacy & Natural Health Centre

Vertical growth in the wellness sector

You are what you eat – I don’t know who said it, but I will say it again,” laughs Gavin Mah, CEO of Finlandia Pharmacy and Natural Health Centre.

Mah is referring to the much-anticipat ed news that Vancouver’s iconic natural hea lth centre is indeed opening a Finlandia-branded food services component in t he near future.

Finlandia was founded in 1974 by pharmacist Harlan Lahti, whose values and high standards appear across the brand, from the retail store to the health team, with excellent customer service before all else.

Bridging the world of western and al ternative medicine, Finlandia offers the gold standard of professional consultations concerning supplements and herbal med icine, plus has a full-service medical/ compounding pharmacy that’s been in place for decades. To round out the entire Finlandia-branded experience, a new well ness clinic is planned to open in 2023.

“ We had our 48th anniversary recently, and to celebrate we partnered up with local farms and gave away organic cucumbers and garlic, saying it was a taste of some thing to come,” said Mah when we asked about what those food services meant for our community. “We are in the process of building a Finlandia kitchen, have created a logo with Harlan’s face, are testing rec ipes, fi nding chefs, and working with BC a nd A lberta farmers.”

In this next phase of Finlandia’s growth, the company chooses to incorporate food, because they believe “the foundation of health starts with food,” says Mah. “It is really a lifestyle shift. Even though we sell supplements, herbs, pharmaceuticals, and homeopathic medicines – most people would not need as much of that if they ate right and had an active lifestyle; even just walking.”

That means that very soon, a visit to Finlandia can include counter service with

grab-and-go hot and cold meals, a space to buy fresh produce, and an outside eating area with tables.

“We want to take our holistic approach to an all-inclusive level,” says Mah. “We already make supplements, and now we can make food products starting with our farms. We have a distribution outlet, our own retail space and online pharmacy, so now we will be totally vertically integrated – from dirt to the end consumer.”

In addition to that, further expansion is in the works. Finlandia’s loyal customers al ready shop there for professional information and products, “but must go elsewhere i f t hey want to visit a clinic,” says Mah.

With the new plan of adding actual pri vate wellness clinic rooms to the existing retail space, “Finlandia practitioners can offer a full diagnosis, not just while they are talking in the store aisle. Th is way we can build each individual a program that we know will work, with testing equipment, and treatment options like acupuncture and massage therapy, plus herbalists, ND’s, and even MD’s – all under one roof.”

Since an essential aspect of optimal health is knowing when it is safe to mix western medicine with a holistic or naturopathic approach, this new clinic will allow the entire Finlandia team access to each other to ensure their advice regarding treatment will be safe and effective for their patients.

Factoring in all modalities is crucial so there are no unsafe interactions, and for the client/patient having one team of experts overseeing their health plan, and at one location, paves the way for their wellness with ease.

For nearly 50 years, Finlandia has un derstood the key to optimal health and shared that wisdom with us in a variety of offerings. With the new additions of a culi nary component and a wellness clinic, they continue to grow and check the boxes we’ve come to expect from this trusted brand. •

We want to take our holistic approach to an all-inclusive level. We already make supplements, and now we can make food products starting with our farms.

GAVIN MAH CEO

The Garage Door Depot

A trusted B.C.-brand that raises the bar by putting safety and quality above all else

Our customers’ security is paramount,” says Dean Carman, President, CEO & General Manager of Garage Door Depot. “At a high level, overhead doors, be they the garage door on your home, the entry gate to your underground parking or the loading door at your business, all are for access and security.”

The company’s name might suggest pri marily a retail consumer focus; however, Ga rage Door Depot’s business is 70% commercial.

“We are really in the business of ensur ing our customers’ security through the manufacturing, installation, servicing, and maintenance of overhead door products,” says Carman.

Most of us take the security gates at any underground parking space for granted. We don’t think twice about the 1,000 or so times a day those electric gates roll up and down at our condos, townhomes, or offices – until they stop working.

“We understand that entry and exit for all buildings is crucial,” says Carman. “Imag ine if a gate system were to fail at 6 in the morning when people are trying to get out and go to work. It can be pretty severe. We put an enormous amount of emphasis on our response time, so when our customers, usually property managers who represent the owner of the building say ‘jump’ we say, ‘how high and what time would you like us there’? Our trucks are on the road 24/7/365 and always on call for after-hours emergencies.”

B.C.-based Garage Door Depot began in 2016. However, its roots are from an earlier overhead door business partnership he had in the same industry.

“It was there where I was immersed in this business, mentored and trained by my then business partner,” explains Carman. “After he retired and left the business in 2015, I decided to start fresh with a renewed and more service focused business model.”

Since then, the Vancouver team has grown to 19 people, in addition to 9 other inde pendently owned and operated licensed lo cations that bear ‘ The Garage Door Depot’ na me and standards across Canada.

What’s Garage Door Depot’s secret to success?

“In our business the quality of the instal lation and the product all look the same to t he untrained eye” Carman says. “People go ‘oh yeah, that’s a gate or that’s a garage door.’ But, if we did not build to a certain spec, a high level of quality a nd fi nish, those products won’t last, they’d fail prematurely and add signi ficant costs to t he owners and tenants of the building.”

“I’ve seen fi rst hand through the eyes of people that were trapped over the years, that they are vulnerable,” he says, referring to the stress of being locked in or out of a parking area, having no access to one’s home or workplace, and the serious safety and security issues that can result.

At the Vancouver office, a poster that says ‘Customer, Company, Self’ illustrates what the company holds dear.

“If we do the right thing for the custom er, that will benefit the business. If we ma ke good decisions for the business that will benefit the individual. But if we put ourselves ahead of the customer, that has a negative trickle down that isn’t good,” says Carman.

The company’s name has grown to be syn onymous with trust and professionalism, and t he emphasis on service and mainte nance is where the most time, energy and effor t lies.

“With liability concerns, in every space, and no signi ficant industry standards established in Canada (concerning these gates and doors) that puts a lot of pressure on us.

We emphasize preventable maintenance so that people in the buildings are protected and safe, and that is what is most important.” •

CARMAN CEO AND GENERAL MANAGER

19055 Airport Way, Suite 120 Pitt Meadows, B.C. 604.526.1086 garagedoordepot.ca info@garagedoordepot.ca

DEAN

Our customers safety and security is our upmost importance. Our trucks are on the road 24/7/365 and always on call for after-hours emergencies.

Ronald Kumar Law Corporation

For Ronald Kumar, principal and lawyer of Ronald Kumar Law Corporation, his life’s trajectory was carved out early on by determination, and perhaps, too, by genetics. His uncle was a lawyer, who he interned with as a teenager. “I learned a lot from him while I was in high school and law was just something that ignited my passion,” he says.

His love for litigation was further fuelled af ter earning his bachelor’s degree in criminol ogy from Simon Fraser University in 2009 and completing his Juris Doctor law degree in the summer of 2011.

Born in Vancouver, he grew up in a mid dle-class family, his immigrant parents laboured at modest jobs. “ They worked hard in cleaning and construction, and held twoto-three jobs at one time,” recalls Kumar. “Seeing their efforts, I wanted to emulate their work ethic and instilled myself with some of those same characteristics.”

Little did he know how much his work ethic would—so soon—be tested.

Kumar articled in 2011/2012, with boutique law firm, at that time called Vertlieb Dosan jh, passed the bar in 2013 at 25 (one of the youngest lawyers to be called to the British Columbia bar), and founded his Vancouver practice in 2014. His path, it would seem, was a smooth succession of wins—until it wasn’t.

“I was diagnosed with cancer (Hodgkin’s lymphoma) in 2012, but continued to article and work while getting chemotherapy treat ments,” Kumar says, matter-of-factly. “Most people go on disability or stop working, I didn’t. I continued on because I wanted to get called to the bar.”

Perseverance landed him in full remission in 2017. Healthy, and today 35, Kumar’s successful practice is a reflection of his pur suit of excellence, both for his firm and his clients. His gutsy fortitude, or grind, in his words, is the same today, only now, he chan nels it to achieve favourable results for his clients through both settlement and court. He has appeared before the British Colum bia Provincial Court, Immigration Appeal Division, British Columbia Supreme Court, and British Columbia Court of Appeal. The firm provides legal services in personal

injury law, family law, immigration law, estate litigation, and civil litigation. “We are always striving to get the best results for our clients. We have recovered millions in settlement dollars for injured victims from various insurance companies in personal injury cases,” admits Kumar.

Married and father to a one-year-old son, he says family law holds a special place in his heart.

“In this generation we are seeing an increase in divorce cases, where more families are getting torn apart during divorce proceed ings, and the kids are left su ffering at the end ”. Kumar and his team offer specialized family law / divorce services that take away from the acrimonious battle of having to go to court. “Our fi rm specializes in collaborative divorce cases and family law agreements, namely separation agreements, cohabitation agreements, and prenuptial agreements.”

Kumar considers himself relatable to his clients, particularly those who are faced with adversities and struggles, because he’s been there. His community outreach is a reflection of his empathy and compassion for others and he draws on his background to pay it forward with his philanthropic endeavours.

“ The most meaningful and most impactful contribution I make is a yearly scholar ship to two students at my old senior high sc hool, John Oliver Secondary, to students that are generally in need or have some fi nancial hardship, and are interested in either criminal justice or the lega l field.”

Testimonials from clients reveal time and again their satisfaction with their settle ment, Kumar’s professionalism and honesty, and the firm’s propensity to treat each client with the utmost care and attention.

His personal and genuine disposition shines through with every case he undertakes, which tallies near one thousand clients. He’s often retained multiple times by clients, which speaks volumes to his work ethic. Full circle. A strong contender for Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, Kumar’s aspirations from the be ginning are the same today: “I just want to help people and provide the best a ffordable legal services possible.” •

We are always striving to get the best results for our clients. We have recovered millions in settlement dollars in personal injury cases. We are now also specializing in family law and immigration cases.

RONALD

Dr. Jason Marr, ND

Every year, the stigma associated with Naturopathic Medicine continues to wane considerably, as the public’s shift in attitude towards acceptance is largely due to embracing evidence-informed research and data-driven methods.

That’s good news for Dr. Jason Marr, a Naturopathic Doctor, Performance and Productivity Coach, who graduated in 2007 from Toronto’s Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.

In 2013, he founded his Vancouver-based clinic and brand, EvokeLife.co. In his 15 years of practice, he’s worked with thou sands of high-performing urban professionals — including executives, actors, musicians, and entrepreneurs — to help them achieve their dreams through the optimization of health and wellness.

His goal is simple: To inspire you to learn how to be the best version of yourself, and live an awesome life. In doing so, he’ll arm you with evidence-informed, functional and integrated approaches to improve your health and wellness, and give you the tools that will enable you to thrive.

“I practice medicine objectively with a very data-driven approach, and yet at the same time apply elements of empowerment, coaching, and sustainability, within the context of people’s lives,” he says. “When I create an individualized treatment plan, it’s not only safe and effective, it’s pragmatic, realistic and sustainable too.”

Dr. Marr comes by his a ffinity for science and data honestly. “I’m from a very evi dence-based background. My dad was an engineer and my mom was a teacher, and I’ve come to realize my practice is deeply rooted in that upbringing.”

In fact, he says, “I like to tell people that I’m the kind of doctor they’re probably looking for, and don’t know it: Someone who will help you understand what’s going on with your body and how it’s designed to work at its best, provide you with the most cost-effective opportunities, and coach you through making the best next steps in improving your health and personal

performance .”

He works with urban professionals who struggle to overcome fatigue, (corporate) burnout, and anxiety, and often new parents, trying to balance their career ambitions and goals with their personal and family life, who need to rise and thrive through challenges, be adaptable and main tain composure.

“ We have the ability to create precision, individualized treatment recommendations to maximize energy, productivity and to im prove resilience to stress,” reveals Dr. Marr. Dr. Marr creates precision medicine pro grams that are tailored to you, by applying a comprehensive baseline of your health through blood testing and leveraging the power of functional genetics. “We’re already at a point where answers are in our DNA, and we can access them,” says Dr. Marr, “you just need to know how to interpret them.”

When it comes to proactive health opti mization, Dr. Marr is a huge proponent of proactivity over prevention. “My platform is really about a mindset change to a more proactive way of approaching health. Instead of trying to avoid bad things from happening, think about what you want to achieve and what you need to do to put yourself in that position.”

It all culminates to lifespan versus healthspan. It’s one thing to live to be 100 (lifespan) and quite another to live in a way you are happy, a quality life (healthspan). When thinking of longevity, it’s how you maintain healthspan and maximize it, and less about how many years you’ll live.

RESILIENCELabs, thei r fl agship pro gram, unlocks the instruction manual for how to get the most out of your genetics, your brain and your body, a fi rst step to maximizing your health.

“If you’re the type of person who likes data and makes decisions based on the best available data, wants to live an awesome life, and change the world for the better,” says Dr. Marr, “you’re the kind of person we love working with.” •

NWI Contracting

North West Integrity Limited stands behind their simple, but effective message, ‘No problems. Only solutions.’

The White Rock-based general contracting fi rm is helmed by Enrique Ponce De Leon, and with 15 employees celebrating 15 years in the business, the President couldn’t be prouder of his team and their success.

“Our forte is working for high profi le clients with the need for custom residence care, from construction to maintenance,” says Ponce De Leon. With his client’s privac y fi rst and foremost, he’s unable to share any of his customer’s likely recogniz able names, but one peek at his company website’s ‘private residences’ image bank would have most of us whispering ‘dream home’ in a heartbeat.

NWI are considered trusted specialists in building homes, high-quality renovations, and ongoing maintenance. One-stop-shop may be an overused descriptor, but in this case, it’s the truth. With NWI’s direct access to a variety of quali fied, experienced tradespeople – creative solutions are a given.

Ponce De Leon’s father is an architect in South America, and Enrique learned the ropes in construction working for his dad’s company “starting when I was 12 years old, learning painting, framing, electrical, and plumbing.

He shifted gears and took hospitality man agement in 2003, then worked at Disney World for a year “as a lumberjack, a Cana dian ambassador wearing a plaid shirt,” he laughs. Graduating from Disney University in 2004, he was faced with a big decision, “work in tourism, or construction.”

NWI was born, and t he fi rm considers itself a “boutique general contractor,” says Ponce De Leon. “We’re passionate about what we do and we have really good people. I push my entire team to continue their education. If they stay with me, they need to keep an ear to the rail. We have master electricians, carpenters, and plumbers on payroll. We are not doing run of the mill renos.”

Always growing to meet customer needs, NWI presently has a project manager tak ing a course in restoration. “ The reason we did this is because people trust us with their properties. We don’t allow anyone we don’t trust to enter their homes.”

With lumber and gas prices soaring during the pandemic, solutions for the company were needed, and quickly. A full millwork shop was created that goes right to any work site, and diesel vehicles became part of the fleet.

NWI has built penthouses for a number of residential clients based in Vancouver’s Coal Harbour, but they also do institutional, in dustrial and commercial builds for Workers Compensation Board and YVR.

A recent restoration in Whistler involved “25-foot Venetian vaulted ceilings and we had to work around incredibly expensive finishes, plus demolish part of the home to bring it up to standard,” says Ponce De Leon. “ That fi rst test subject was as scary as it was exciting. But it worked out really well. Now we have millworkers just pump ing through all our projects, which is better for the client, it’s cheaper, faster and helps move the project forward.”

Maintaining NWI’s roster of subcontrac tors and trades is crucial to the company’s success. “I bring my own team with me everywhere we go, it’s more expensive but arguably better, which is why people choose to use us. We have been working with our set of trades, for 15 years, the same people. We treat our team well, pay well and care for them, and that allows me to have loyal trades and employees that will answer the call any time of the day or night.”

When asked what plans he has for the future of NWI, Ponce De Leon laughs and says “world domination! The idea is for our clients to use us as a trusted resource not just once but forever. People don’t want to let us go.” When asked how they go that extra mile, he explains. “One of our clients just arrived back from Hong Kong after be ing away for some time. I dropped off ilk, eggs, butter and bread the night before so she had breakfast in the morning. We made sure all her cars’ batteries are working, and that the place is clean.”

“My team is clean cut, well spoken, very comfortable with what they know and how they do it, and that makes our clients really like us. They know their homes are being taken care of.”

“I love working with my clients, as we share a passion for real estate and design. We always look forward to working with new clients who share the same passions.” •

We’re passionate about what we do and we have really good people. I push my entire team to continue their education. We have master

ENRIQUE

Kearney Funeral Services

The Kearney name has been synonymous with a deep-seated legacy of care, rooted in the tradition of providing professional services to help lighten the burden of saying goodbye to your loved one. Family is at the heart of everything they do: four generations of family meeting the needs of your family with compassion, dignity and respect— built on the pillar of trust for 114 years— instilled by founder and patriarch, Thomas J. Kearney.

“ The level of professionalism and personal care we provide is very hard to replicate,” believes Ryan Crean, great grandson and CEO of Kearney Funeral Services. “We’re highly experienced and well trained, and take the time to understand the actual needs of the family, which is incredibly important to us. From t he fi rst call, to the arrangements and the follow-up after the service, our ability to guide people is paramount.”

Kearney’s empathetic and knowledgeable staff povide customized services and personalized assistance to create a mean ingful experience that honours the life and memory of your loved one, with services from simple to elaborate.

Whether you choose a traditional funeral, conventional or green burial, cremation, memorial service, celebration of life, or you require funeral rites and religious rituals for your culture, you will be supported through every step. Additionally, you may choose from a range of items that allow for personal memorialization in preserving the memory of your loved one.

Depending on the circumstances, be it proximity, short notice, or other obstacle, it’s not always feasible to gather together in person; however, the act of coming to gether and sharing in the same experience, at t he same time, can be very comfort ing, which is possible through Kearney’s st reaming service.

“It’s heartwarming to be able to include people who would otherwise not be able

to attend the service,” says Crean. “ The technology is constantly progressing, in fact, one of the services we utilize allows families to post in real time to the board while the service is ongoing.”

Crean advises those planning a cremation and memorial service not to wait. “Often when people put it off, it makes grieving more di fficult and becomes easier to delay. It’s such an integral part to begin the healthy healing process, not just for the families, but for the communities, too, who are also su ffering the loss.”

“You can’t put grief off,” he insists. “Grief is the emotional response to loss, and mourn ing is how you externalize it; it’s something you experience regardless if you’re delaying it or not.”

Kearney’s funeral directors have the expertise to assist you in making di fficult decisions, whether based on personal pref erence, environmental considerations or re ligious reasons, and will guide you through t he struggles of grieving and facilitate the healing process that follows.

Pre-planning your funeral service and buri al ensures your family and friends know precisely your wishes, helping to mitigate a lot of emotional choices for your family.

“ There are many benefits to pre-planning, such as t he financial component; you’ll pay a lot less today than in the future, so it’s advantageous to lock in the price now,” advises Crean.

“Pre-planning can also alleviate a lot of family con fl ict when you’ve made your views known following your death. We’ll help you consider the details to plan a meaningful memorial true to you and the life you’ve created. However, you do need to allow your family some input; funerals are also for the living once you have died.”

A Kearney funeral director, at any one of their four locations throughout Metro Van couver, is prepared to support you during your greatest time of need—when you’ve experienced the loss of a loved one. •

RYAN

Salt Spring Coffee

Behind Salt Spring Coffee’s commitment to environmentally sound and socially responsible practices

Droughts and floods, rising sea levels and melting glaciers – the impacts of climate change are felt in every corner of the globe.

Mickey McLeod, co-founder and CEO at Salt Spring Coffee, believes urgent action is required.

“We live in di fficult times,” he says. “Busi ness success is often measured by share holder profit. Yet while that’s important, money cannot be the only driver since this often comes with extra costs.”

A commitment to sustainability at Salt Spring Coffee started with the promotion of organic, regenerative and Fairtrade principles at a time when they were not yet “mainstream,” says McLeod. “We’re in our 26th year of operation, and a dedication to environmentally sound and fair practices has always been part of our DNA.”

McLeod sees supporting organic regen erative agriculture as “an important piece for mitigating climate change, preserving soil health, enhancing food security and supporting small-scale farmers.”

When “producers move away from using herbicides and pesticides, they arrive at practices that are healthier, not only for the people doing the work but also for the environment,” he notes. “And organic and fair trade premiums help to empower coffee co-operatives as they can allocate funds for cultural, educational, agricultural or social purposes of their choice.”

Beyond bringing benefits for all involved, Salt Spring Coffee’s strong relationships with coffee producers, traders and brokers have enabled a steadfast commitment to quality. “Producers rely on us; and we rely on producers. We continue to work with them even through challenges, and they know we’re not just chasing the lowest price,” McLeod explains. “We treat all our supply chains and employees with respect and care. We’ve been a B Corp since 2010, one of t he fi rst to achieve this designation in Canada.”

Close attention to the environmental foot print also extends to roasting, packaging a nd d istribution. “Roasting coffee takes a lot of energy, so we do our best to minimize the impact, for example, by operating the

roaster for 10-hour cycles that are more fuel-efficient,” he says. “We don’t use much water and we choose efficient means of transportation.”

Salt Spring Coffee’s zero-waste policy – and partnerships with product innovation and recycling companies – have enabled the company to “set new standards – and divert an average of about 84.48 per cent of waste from the land fi ll,” says McLeod.

Since coffee packaging needs to ensure a product’s integrity and quality, conven tional paper products are often impractical. However, a new product, which resembles “heavy cardstock, delivers on all parameters without plastic and foil lamination,” he says. “For Salt Spring Coffee, we launched this packaging with Costco Canada, which represents about nine tonnes worth of our product in fully paper-recyclable material per year.”

Product innovation also inspired Salt Spring Coffee to use coffee pods. “For a long time, we didn’t want to get into sin gle-use coffee pods because we didn’t want to add more plastic to the waste stream,” explains McLeod. “But now, we’ve brought an innovative – and BPI certi fied com postable – product for coffee pods online.”

Steps towards a circular economy are important for Salt Spring Coffee, “because waste is a big challenge,” he says. “More and more countries plan to ban plastics in the coming years, so we’re making these changes sooner rather than later.”

Beyond improving operational environ mental performance, Salt Spring Coffee is committed to bolstering local food pro duction, for example, through supporting community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs and other agricultural groups and initiatives, says McLeod. “We all have to do our part to make our food systems more resilient.”

These decades-long commitments have earned Salt Spring Coffee a loyal following. “Our partners and customers know that there are some things we can’t or won’t compromise on, because they won’t do anybody any good in the long term,” says McLeod. “But we also realize a lot more work is needed to turn the dial in the right direction – that’s why we’re leading by example.” •

Bottom

go beyond profit – to include people and the planet

MICKEY

Water Street Café and 2nd Floor Gastown

landmark

Roaring

There’s a fine line between paying homage to tradition and historical signi ficance, and respecting modern-day in fluences to stay relevant and fresh. Such is the case for longtime friends and industry veterans, Eli Brennan, director, and Chef Alan Tse, culinary director, co-owners of Water St. Café and 2nd Floor Gastown, once known as the Edward Hotel, an iconic 1906 heritage building.

Since his teenage years, Brennan’s been a fi xture in the hospitality industry, fi rst as a dishwasher and prep cook at a local restaurant in the Cowichan Valley, then busser, bartender, server, and general manager with the Sequoia Company of Restaurants, and for a time, an indepen dent restaurant consultant.

Brennan was eager to strike out on his own in 2017, and simultaneously, Water St. Café’s original owners were looking to retire. Today, he works alongside business partner Chef Tse, and operating partner and general manager Sandy Grant.

“We’ve been upgrading ever since and brought it into the modern dining scene,” reveals Brennan. “In 2019 we renovated upstairs and took it back to that 1920’s speakeasy look, and opened 2nd Floor Gastown, a live music venue with nine di fferent live shows seven days a week.”

“In May 2022, we renovated down stairs—a complete overhaul—from the kitchen and bar to the dining room. We wanted to make it look fresh and unique, while honouring the history of Gastown, the building, and the restaurant’s legacy.”

They offer two experiences, both elevated casual dining. The main room downstairs, enveloped with floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooks the cobblestone streets and glow of Gastown’s gas lamps, while upstairs, you’ll dine among local artists seven nights a week, plus Saturday and Sunday brunch. Music crosses blues, indie, folk, and jazz genres, among others. “We’ll have upbeat rockabilly one night, a jazz trio the next,” says Brennen. “It’s a variety of upbeat high-calibre music.”

The menus reflect à la minute scratchcooking brunch, lunch, and dinner, with West Coast and Italian in fluences. Highly skilled in all types of cuisine,

since

speakeasy

Chef Tse sources fresh local ingredients and brings quality culinary expression to the plate with imagination and fl awless technique.

For signatures, look to their fresh pastas and house-made gnocchi, bison carpaccio with tru ffle aioli and crispy capers, and the crab cakes, suggests Brennan, who notes they’ve been on the menu since 1988, a classic among some solid staples that will forever remain.

The beverage program leans local and strongly represents B.C., with hand-craft ed cocktails, spirits, and wine. “I think we have one of the best B.C.-forward wine lists in the country, with the most unique selection,” admits Brennan. “When we support local businesses and communities we all grow stronger.”

From date night to special occasions, Brennan gets excited about creating a memory for somebody. “We’re proud to offer especially unique experiences for all celebratory moments in life.”

Their secret to success is underpinned by approachability and unpretentious ness, which Brennan reveals almost matter-of-factly. “No matter who comes through our doors, we’re going to treat them with true hospitality, respect, approachable pricing, elevated dining and quality service. And creating those memory moments, so people come back time and again.”

“Our team has the utmost gratitude to everybody who came out and supported local independent businesses, especially restaurants, through the pandemic. It’s an honour that people choose us to spend their earnings within our four walls.”

Brennan and Chef Tse have extended their hospitality to their second venture, Qualicum Beach Café with operating partner and Chef de Cuisine Todd Bright, which opened January 2021 in the Qualicum Beach Inn, enhancing the culinary scene on the Island. “We brought what we’re doing here at Water St. Cafe, enhanced our menu to reflect local purveyors while honoring our Italian tradition. Bringing Vancouver Hospitality and culinary expression while wrapping it in Vancouver Island heart and charm.” •

We have one of the best B.C.-forward wine lists in the country, with the most unique selection. When we support local businesses and communities we all grow stronger.

ELI