Karen Miller came to work at Victoria Custom Gates just as the pandemic was in the middle of the second wave last Fall. She’s excited to be celebrating her 1-year anniversary with the organization as their marketing contractor. Karen shares with us that the passion and dedication each and every member of the team brings to the table and delivers on every project the company is trusted with, inspires her to do her best work every minute of every day. She goes on to tell us that the company decided to specialize in custom designed and fabricated metal gates of all shape, sizes and purposes because it combined functional practicality, with design and an artistic flare that other metal fabrication projects don’t necessarily support in the same way. In the beginning, it took a bit of time for the company to build a reputation and get their name out there. But the talent and commitment the team puts into every single component of every design and project started speaking volumes about quality of the work produced, the consistency of staying in budget, and so importantly – coming in ahead of a deadline. Karen says “We were just catching our stride as an organization when COVID appeared and forced most of the workforce to be working remotely from home. Our metal fabricators and welders were included in this scenario if they had access to their own fab shop. It allowed us to be easily social distanced for those that still came in to the shop to work.” When asked about how they were able to keep attracting new business through the door, she shares “Online marketing. Plain and simple. We had to learn it. Sure, we had a website, but it was only a website. It really did nothing but sit there and look pretty.” She goes on to state “we found someone to make it a workhorse for us and bring in potential business that may have walked through a showroom door.” When asked how she sees the influence of the internet continue to be a driver in their business, Karen tells us that “it’s here to stay. We’ve come to understand the power an effective web presence can have on our bottom line.” An ideal customer for Victoria Custom Gates is someone who is seeking one of the best welding shops Victoria BC, for a company that can provide the best possible solution through design, functionality and fabrication skills. Imagination is the only limit. What our customers can dream up, our custom design and fabricating teams will bring to life. Why would someone choose us over one of our other talented competitors? I think that there is a heck of a lot of great talent available to choose from, however the level of care, attention, and respect that our team delivers to each and every one of our valued customers is unsurpassed. It’s that simple.

We’re a full-service custom metal fabrication shop located here in beautiful Victoria, BC. Our team of welders and fabricators are dedicated to delivering superior customer service experiences with every project we’re entrusted to work on. Our services include all forms of custom metal fabrication in our shop, as well as on-site welding services, such as installations and repairs. Our experience and combined specialities include custom metal gates, including driveway gates and man gates, metal fences, custom docks, and custom metal railings… to list just a few. We decided to start Victoria Fabricators in the fall of 2020, right during the 2 nd COVID wave. It was time to take charge of our own futures and do what we love doing best – creating cool, unique, and useful items out of metal. In the beginning there were just the 2 of us and a friend who helped with our online marketing. I won’t lie, things started off slow. And we had doubts about whether or not this had been the right decision after all. Then word started getting out and we got some overflow work from a couple other fabs shops in the area. And then our online marketing efforts started to make the phone ring more and more each month. Looking back just 1 year ago, if we had to start over, I think we’d do exactly the same things we did the first time. It gave us time to catch up and learn as we started this adventure. So, by the time we found ourselves fully into it, we kinda knew what we were doing. I think the toughest part about having, or even just starting a business in 2021, is the part about building relationships with customers and suppliers. With social distancing also comes a reduction in social interactions such as customer appreciation days, and such. We’ve got some great relationships growing, but it’s taking some extra effort and time. We are fully aware of the talented and skilled competition that is out in the marketplace. We think that having competent competition is a healthy thing for customers and raises the game between businesses trying to attract that potential customer to buy their product or service. I know there are a number of metal fabricators near me that I keep my eye on. We’ve learned how important that an effective online presence is to a local business. The phone needs to ring somehow. Marketing costs money. It’s an investment…or as a friend always says “it’s the bill that pays the bills”. I am amazed at how well we’re doing from our website. If I had to guess, I’d guess that COVID has had a positive effect on our business because of this. Our ideal customer is someone who wants to enhance their living or work space with something made out of metal. We love working with residential home construction, providing custom metal gates for driveways and gardens, aluminum fences for establishing boundaries and security, custom metal railings of all sizes and sorts, and custom metal docks for their pleasure craft. Victoria offers all this and more. If our customers can dream it, we can produce it. The only limitation is imagination.

As a single mom with 2 young children, Constance Fischer balances family, her own education and a budding career as an entrepreneur, working as a local agent with a company called Scentsy. It’s pretty obvious she’s a busy lady. For those who aren’t familiar with the name Scentsy, as I wasn’t, it was refreshing to talk to Constance about the company and her involvement with it. My first question to her was to describe the company and why she chose to represent the product line. As it turns out the company has been around for almost 20 years. Their line of products is quite extensive. The name is a giveaway. They’re all about scents and smelling good. It’s also about the power that scents have over our emotions and memories. Constance represents multiple lines of scented products for home, body, kids and even a line for pets! Rover will never smell better. I was told their best seller currently would be the warmers and waxes that infuse rooms of your home or office with either signature scents, which they have over 80 of. Or you can create your own individual scents by mixing 2 or 3 of the signature scents together. Constance and Scentsy seem to be a good fit for each other. She has the freedom to work her own schedule, and fulfilling a creative side by helping her customers refine their own scent palette. Her approach with each customer is to invite them to explore the various scents and products. The philosophy being that we can trigger feelings and emotions through scent. The health and wellness line of products are designed to sooth and nurture the body and soul. Their Scentsy Soak bath salts are perfect for the end of the day… or any time of the day you feel like a soak in the tub. Each product is formulated with pink Himalayan and Epsom salts, premium moisturizers and exclusive fragrances, making for a relaxing and deliciously smelling bath experience. The Kids product line is gentle and safe, and the bath salts designed specifically with kids in mind, is a big hit around Constance’s home. The line of Scentsy Buddies is pretty cool. Check them out. They make great gifts. What makes Scentsy stand out from the rest of the crowd is a combination of a few things. First off, the number of products available is huge. One would be hard pressed to find a selection this broad anywhere else. A little goes a long way, so you get so much more value for the money. And the scents fill the house for a very long time compared to other product lines. In normal times, Constance would be introducing new customers to the product through home parties, or word of mouth contact. How ever due to the pandemic, all business is being conducted online. You can get in touch with Constance through her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268843634870483/ and shop her website: www.constanwax.scentsy.ca

Debra Thomlinson is passionate about her store Avalon Books and Treasures. Located in the Market Square complex in downtown Victoria, she curates an eclectic array of inventory. Avalon Books and Treasures was established back in 1970, giving it the distinction of being Victoria’s Oldest Occult Boutique. Originally, when the doors opened, it was known as an apothecary and metaphysical bookstore. Over the years Avalon has grown into much more. This past October, they celebrated 50 years in business in Victoria. With the tourism industry non-existent, and a good portion of their pre-COVID business was derived from out-of-town visitors, there certainly was a challenge for the store to continue operating. Because of the pandemic, the store was closed for a short time. This allowed Debra and her business partner to refurbish and rebrand the shop. The store was re-launched in early June 2020. This incarnation of Avalon is very impressive. No longer just an apothecary and bookstore, Debra has adjudicated an incredible selection of local BC artisans and the goods they’re producing. This is a win-win situation she’s created, giving artisans the opportunity to be in the retail market. Because of this, the store is full of exceptional quality items hard to find in many other places. Still offering herbal apothecary and loads of books, one of the collections that stick out is their Tarot section. Debra spends a lot of time sourcing out rare tarot decks that are hard to find any where else, and collecting books on tarot. Today a visit to Avalon will certainly pique curiosity. Debra’s inventory is, in her words, “a fine-tuned Artisan collection.” Some of the items you will find include chocolate creations from their own local chocolatier; fine silver jewelry by their own local silversmith; delicious herbal teas; bars of luscious soaps; brand name vintage clothing designs including Gucci, Armani, Coach (more selection added every single day); as well as a stunning collection of crystals, beauty products, and gifts galore exclusive to Avalon.” When asked about how the pandemic has affected business, Debra surprised me by telling me that it is 4 times busier now than before they closed to refurbish. Another interesting fact she shared is that the demographic of her clientele has changed as well. Now she rarely sees anyone over 45 years old shopping at Avalon. Weekends get pretty busy, she said. With COVID restrictions only 4 customers are allowed at a time inside the store. If you do end up going down on the weekend and encounter a line-up, be confident knowing it will be worth it when it’s your turn to get inside. If you want something unique as a gift for someone special… or maybe even just for yourself, check out Avalon Books and Treasures. It’s certainly worthy of a visit. Other services they offer include psychic readings, tarot card readings and herbal consultations. You can find them at #62 -560 Johnson Street (lower level of Market Square). They can be reached by phone at 250 380 1721. Their website is https://avalonstreasures.com/ . Find them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Avalonbooks2/ . Follow them on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/avalonartscollective/ . Currently, you'll find them open Weds- Sunday from 12 to 5, but as of March 8, summer hours kick in and they’ll be open 7 days a week from 12 to 5.

The question as to the authenticity of a stone image that was once a part of the Royal B.C. Museum of indigenous collections, came about when it was seen on a local news channel. When it was seen on the network, a local artist came forward and claimed ownership, saying that he has proof of having carved the image. He said that the carving, which was found on a beach, was the very stone image that he created on the beach before disappearing. However, the artist wasn't available for comments. Ron Sam, chief of the Songhees First Nation, and museum CEO Jack Lohman have been working with the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations to try to determine the authenticity of the piece while updating its policies and procedures, as they relate to historic artifacts that surface or that have been excavated. Sam pointed out that someone, unknown to them, determined the statue was 110 percent a First Nations stone carving. The elders didn't have the opportunity to provide input due to the ongoing pandemic restrictions. Also, he admitted that they were not quick to contact the First Nations elders because they didn't know what they were dealing with. It is up to the museum to work with those involved to determine the conclusion, as to whether the artifact was created by who the museum said it was constructed by. Grant Keddie, who acts as the museum's archeological curator, didn't want to comment on the pillar. However, he did say that the artifact found on the beach may have fallen off of a cliff onto the beach may be the same one that was discovered in the 1800s. Acting Head of the museum's Indigenous collection and repatriation department said that the discovery was brought announced on Keddie's blog, which has since been removed from the museum's website. The news report intended that the museum was attempting to share good news stories with the Songhees and Esquimalt people. In September, chiefs of the First Nations saw the artifact and said that based on other locally found items, it could be related. It shares some of the same characteristics they have identified. Although the museum admits that they should have consulted with the chiefs before assuming where the artifact came from but based on what they said, they are fairly confident that it was from their traditions. However, they are committed to continuing to search and find out conclusively. Keddie has been working with the First Nations for a long time and is fairly confident that it has come from their territory. The shape of the artifact is proof of the type of stone that was created in their territory. Photos will be taken and eventually given to the elders before being installed at the museum. It is sure to be a very interesting piece considering the controversy surround it.

Mandeep Rana is the chief executive of Lucky to Go, who will be launching a food-delivery service in a few weeks. Adding a B.C. only surcharge is the last piece of the puzzle that was needed before embarking on the food-delivery service. He noticed that businesses were frustrated, and the public. However, he believed that there was a way that everyone could win, with lower prices. His company, Lucky to Go, which offers its ride-sharing services in Victoria, Kelowna, and Lower Mainland will begin charging an eight percent fee for its food delivery services. This fee will is paid by the restaurant. Rana developed his food-delivery interface considering using it with his ride-hailing interface since there were always plans of also offering a food service delivery service. Currently, the food service is signing up restaurants in the company’s three markets and is anticipating its first deliveries until next month. With its ride-hailing service currently has 20 drivers and 35 food delivery drivers, they currently anticipate 35 restaurants signing up to offer their food to people in their markets. New food delivery services are a welcome sight to many during the COVID pandemic still raging across most of the world. With fewer people going anywhere, the ride-hailing business has suffered, which is why the food-delivery service is such a welcome sight. Out with the old and in with the new! Since people are staying in and ordering food, it seemed like the perfect time to begin planning to launch the food delivery market. Rana has admitted that there has been somewhat of a learning curve. Some of the things that they thought would work, didn't work. They required some tweaking. However, it is worth the adjustments to offer drivers two ways of multiplying their income. The best thing about it for the employees is that they do not have to change companies and go through the process of filling out an application and applying for work. Lucky to Go is planning on marketing its services in the next couple of weeks, while still contacting restaurants to sign up for their services. With it appearing as though COVID will be around a lot longer than many people anticipated, chances are, that the food delivery service will continue to surface. It is a great way for restaurants to remain open, and still service the needs of their customers. You may even see some food delivery services come and some come. However, during the time that more food delivery services are emerging, people in their service areas are the ones that will benefit from the variety of options that are available to them. If they don't like one of the services, they will be able to easily choose another one. Right now, this is a great way for everyone, businesses, restaurants, residents of Victoria, to benefit. Chances are that if you haven’t already used a food-delivery service, that you will eventually. It’s inevitable since there are so many to choose from.

There’s a new player in the airline game in Canada, and it is Flair Airlines. This is at a time when WestJet and Air Canada are reducing routes. Flair is adding eight new domestic routes in the coming year, which will include the Victoria International Airport. It might seem strange to many people that anyone would move forward with launching a new airline, especially considering that fewer people are traveling these days. Most people will want to use an airline with brand recognition. So why would anyone take a chance in this challenging environment? No one can answer this question except the President and CEO of Flair, Stephen Jones. Beginning on May 1, services will include Ottawa, Ont., Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., Saint John, N.B., and Halifax, N.S. Followed by Thunder Bay, Ont., in June, and Charlottetown, P.E.I., and Victoria in July, and Abbotsford, in August. It will offer services to 18 Canadian destinations; however, routes will not be available between them all. Currently, the flights out of Victoria are limited to Calgary and Edmonton, Alta., and Kitchener-Waterloo, this is according to what is currently listed. Even though the flights are noticeably less-expensive than at non-discount airlines, Flair still charges more for checked luggage and carry-on. While a one-way ticket from Victoria B.C. to Calgary Alta starts at $49.09, if you include a checked bag, it will cost an extra $40.95 and with one checked bag and one carry-on bag, increases the price to $61.95. Flair's CEO and President, Stephen Jones supports the efforts to restrict non-essential travel, while Canada tries to reduce the number of COVID cases; however, he is expecting things to get back to normal by the spring and summer, with an increase in travel. Flair is also offering free flight changes and travel credits despite the restrictions being in place, as long as the flights are booked at least two days before travel. Flair just received good news, as the Charlottetown Airport has started its expansions, which is that Flair Airlines will begin servicing Toronto in June. The airport CEO, Doug Newsom is hoping that this is a recovery for the industry. The Charlottetown schedule, which is already listed on the Flair website, include flights to Toronto for weekdays starting June 4, with round trip tickets starting for as little as $98.27. It covers the schedule from May to October, with possible extensions beyond those dates. CEO and President of Flair see it as a year-round operation. Serves will, of course, depend on the performance. It will require the support of the residents of Charlottetown to support the airline's efforts. They are seeking to build relationships with the people of P.E.I. Flair will start with brand-new planes, and they are promising ‘excellent’ customer service from its flight attendants. Although he is remaining optimistic, he realizes that there could still be restrictions in place in June. However, if they don’t act now it won’t give travelers much time to book. It’s a roll of the dice that Flair seems prepared to make.

There is proof that over half of the Canadian population trust blogs and social media to doctors and nutritionists. Even though it has been proven that there is a ton of misinformation on the Internet, it is no surprise to those who often refer to the web to find nutritional and food information. Researchers admit that people have to need to find information that offers them personalized information that suits their lifestyle, whether it's true or not. The web is exactly where people can go to find what they want, personalized information. People have preferences and expectations so strong that the information that they receive might or might not influence their lives. A study that was recently released by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab, estimates that at least 53 percent of Canadians do trust the web to get food advice. Even doctors and others trust other expert's advice that they also find on the Internet. It has a huge impact on the nutritional information that gets out to the public. However, the director of the lab that conducted the study can't believe that so many trusts what they read on the internet since most of it is unreliable. However, not everyone is as shocked about the studies. They admit that the emotional testimonies that many find put on the web, are enough for people to believe what they are reading. Unfortunately, medical professionals can’t provide advice on the internet tailored to someone’s life. Another professor involved in the study and also studies why so many trusts the web to the advice of doctors. She said that the process of doing the work to find the information that they want online is enough for people to trust what they read. There is already a certain outcome once the person starts the research process. There are other factors that people see consider concerning why they trust what they are reading. They pay attention to the appearance of the site. They determine if the right wording is being used to convey their point. If someone is missing the right indicators of good information, they could simply dismiss this information. However, they will keep looking for the information they want until they find what convinces them otherwise. Even if the information is misleading or incorrect, there is still something good that can come from it. There is a connection that people share with each other and shared experiences. Still, it is advisable to take what you read on the web with a grain of salt, as it can be harmful to your health if it is incorrect information. When there is advice that offers readers a quick fix, it usually can’t be trusted. Don’t just use online resources, because a lot of it is simply opinions. Rather, also consult with doctors and nutritionists to find out how much of it is true. You can take comfort in knowing for sure.

The current COVID-19 pandemic, while it is a bad situation, has caused many, even painters; to shift their focus. One such painter, Brandy Saturley is one of such painters who decided to look inward for inspiration. Her style is pop realism, however, her focus has shifted to places and memories of home, which include the Salish Sea. If you look inside her North Saanich studio, you'll see small animal skulls, shells, a wall with a seal's face painted on it, and easels where her latest work is sitting, reflective of the pandemic. The artist grew up in Sooke and is known for her Canadiana-inspired acrylic art. Her bold art collection includes landscapes, a hockey with Shania Twain on it, and a Tim Horton’s cup. Another painting is an image of a Mi’kmaq performer, and an RCMP officer at the Vimy Ridge 100th anniversary, while yet another is of a Canadian veteran above a bed of red poppies. Saturley has coined the hashtag #IconicCanuck, which she developed for her first public gallery exhibit, it is a name that she has had since she took on the Canadiana alter ego. Her interest in the Canadian identity is derived from growing up on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island is separated from the rest of the country by the ocean and different weather conditions from the rest of Victoria. Although still in Canada, at times, Saturley felt far removed from the hallmarks of Canadian culture. She eventually began to get curious and set out to travel the country, gathering inspiration from the people she met along the way and landscapes. She admits that she didn’t feel as though living on Vancouver Island gave her a true image of the whole Canadiana stereotypical view. She said that she feels as they are their biosphere. She felt that it would be interesting to travel across Canada to see how much of the stereotypical Canadian things that people could relate to. However, in 2020, the art world became a little smaller. The pandemic took hold and she began to distance herself from friends and family, like everyone else. During that time, she admits allowing herself to paint whatever she felt like painting. She said that she is influenced by what is around her, everything that she can see, hear and touch. One of her paintings during the pandemic include Time in a Bubble. It focuses on landscape, and its picturesque beauty, and sunset hues. She painted this at the beginning of the pandemic and says that it is a depiction of her perfect Vancouver Island life. In it, she's paddling off into the sunset, but now it's a bubble of a memory. She says that she is now preserving it, as it gives us something to meditate on for those times when she feels stressed or that she can’t connect with people. The artist believed that it was very important for her art to respond to society and culture during this trying and difficult pandemic.