PORTFOLIO.YVR: Helen Siwak Publishers Message

Starting a successful business venture requires multiple crucial factors, such as a strong concept, initial funding, and, most importantly, an exceptional entrepreneur. Those inspired transform their ideas into fully operational businesses by pursuing opportunities beyond their current resources.

Great entrepreneurs, either alone or in teams, discover these opportunities throughout their personal and professional lives.

The world of entrepreneurship is filled with individuals of different backgrounds, and in this issue, PORTFOLIO.YVR will introduce you to ten BC-based people at various points in their journeys.

Dawn Chubai is a familiar face, having worked in the broadcasting industry for the last 23 years! She has already positioned herself as an authority in this space, and her ‘Live Selling School’ is taking e-commerce by storm.

Josh Rimer is no stranger to the spotlight, either! As he transitions from Influencer to Content Creator for international brands, this social media star will be sure to go viral again and again.

Now calling YVR home, Julia Burakova has launched a successful photography business—Silver Moon Photography—in two years in a city saturated with shutterbugs. Her passion and personality hit the right notes for clients seeking a personal approach to creating genuine memories.

Kirsten Larsen recently wound down the Looks Great! Gallery, but that is only one of her curatorial endeavours. She has already worked with over 250 artists, and in 2024, that number is going to go up exponentially!

Heather Urquhart of Huna Skin has a unique perspective on beauty, given her background as a Botanist, Herbalist, and Natural Cosmetic Formulator. Operating differently from other mainstream brands, she outsources nothing and controls everything.

From humble beginnings in the family corner store, Kristy O’Leary has designed her business—Decade Impact—to be a change agency that helps courageous people tell true stories that move the world to action.

A shopping trip for beauty products with his mother encouraged Nathan Mahey to start a side hustle in beauty. Optical specialist by day and a beauty entrepreneur by night, Nathan’s Divineness is just getting started.

Desire Dupuis has a vision for animal-free, sustainable, and ethically created footwear. Already receiving recognition and awards, Voes & Co. is adding a new casual canvas sneaker to its collection soon!

Jimi Brockett is a real estate agent driven to help people find their perfect home and the founder of Riders for Ryders. Passionate about cycling and fundraising, this Oakwyn agent has a heart as big as the giant cheques presented to the BC Cancer Foundation.

Jill Sinclair is a renowned Training & Development Specialist, author, TEDx and International Keynote Speaker who has helped countless businesses and individuals achieve their goals. Always hustling, this sophisticated businesswoman is on her way to becoming ‘the most booked speaker in the world.’

Please enjoy our third issue and share it with those around you who have chosen entrepreneurship as their vehicle to success.

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Luxury Lifestyle Observer: Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, PORTFOLIOY.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.