Writing Portfolio

96-Year-Old Canadian woman Rejeanne Fairhead runs for world record at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend

In 2022, 95-year-old Rejeanne Fairhead participated in her first road race after being encouraged by her friend Marie. She completed the Ottawa 5K presented by ASICS Runkeeper at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend walking in Keds, and set a new national record for women’s 95+ 5K at 58:52 minutes. This year, at 96, Fairhead aims for the world record with a new pair of running shoes, a training plan, and a supportive community to back her up.

“It’s like a Love Letter”: Mai-Lan Tomkins on Photography, Her New Embroidery Business and Getting Involved in Ottawa’s Creative Community

“I like shooting places as people,” says Ottawa photographer Mai-Lan Tomkins. “When I take a picture of a place, I don't want to simply document it–I’m trying to capture my connection to the moment and its place in time.” It was around 2013/2014 when Mai-Lan started pursuing photography projects. She’d just finished university, where she explored painting, wood shop, sculpture, film and photography - a blend of creative interests. “I wanted to see better photos on Facebook,” Mai-Lan says.

Remembering Harrison: Vivian Luk raises funds for CHEO through the Desjardins Charity Challenge

“I love love love race weekend,” says Vivian Luk, who will be running to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in memory of her two-year-old nephew Harrison. “Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend brings so much energy to the city,” she adds. “The whole city, running community, and people in the neighborhoods come together. I love that people come out on the lawn with a glass of wine and cheer. It’s not just about participating in the race, it’s about cheering people on, and that’s what got me into running.”

Book Editor: Stop Looking for Zebras by Robert Smith

Stop Looking for Zebras is a no-nonsense, engaging and practical guide to keeping your job and sanity in this ever-changing world of creative communications. Over twenty years in the making, it is a deep dive into the creative process providing observations, exercises and anecdotes to help you better communicate in a shorter time frame. Robert Smith is a creative director, agency owner, author, creativity professor and a founding member of RGD (Association of Registered Graphic Designers). Over over 25 years in the industry, his clients have included Warner Brothers, DC Comics and Farm Boy.

An Introduction to Grants: How to Get Funding for your Small Business

While you’ve been looking to fund your new business in Canada, you may have come across mentions of grants or “free money” from the government but have no idea how to get it. There are countless funding opportunities; you just need to know where to look and which ones apply to you. This article will give you a current overview of small business grants in Canada, which could be a good fit for your business, and how you can create a competitive application to increase your odds of success.

Will My Business Make Money? 6 Ways to Set Yourself Up for Success

Starting a business is risky. That’s why many people prefer working for an employer. At the end of the day, if you want it to survive, let alone grow, your business needs to be profitable. While there’s never any guarantee of how something will go, there are steps you can take to figure out if your business will be able to make money and give you the confidence to keep moving forward through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship.