Content Writer

“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 Editing: 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.

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.