Searching for More Small Business Community, Networking and Support? Then the Next ‘How She Made This’ Event is For You!
Attend the next ‘How She Made This’ talk series to hear from a panel of dynamic, female-identifying small business owners and their experience on how they’ve grown and stayed in business, followed by networking and refreshments. You can find tickets here.
A new, local, small business talk series is taking off in Metro Vancouver. ‘How She Made This’, founded by Shelan Markus, is a monthly talk series event that features three to four female-identifying entrepreneurs in a panel-style conversation, covering an array of topics and getting honest about the highs and lows of entrepreneurial life. If you’re looking for more connection, support and validation along your small business journey, attending the next ‘How She Made This’ talk on May 27 is definitely for you!
Read below for our interview with founder, Shelan to learn more about how the ‘How She Made This’ talk series started and what you can expect from attending an event.
What is your entrepreneurial background and what led you to start the ‘How She Made This’ talk series?
I am an artist and lawyer. Six years ago, I started City and She, an art photography print business. City and She started out of my passion for photography, design, and working with people to create spaces that feel like your personal haven. My photo prints are known for their calm, ethereal, and peaceful aesthetic. I also lead a human rights and justice education non-profit called Level Justice. In different ways, both City and She and Level Justice allow me to build my skills in running a business; I collaborate with others, build something with purpose, act on a vision, meet unmet needs, and create, create, create.
Years ago, I used to attend a talk series called Local Talks, started by Kelly Turner, of Deew. I loved these events because they gave me an opportunity to connect with other entrepreneurs who shared my creative passions. Inspired by this idea, and with the help of my friend Suraiya Nanji of Homecoming Candles who offered the first talk series location space at her studio, I started How She Made This to build a woman-identifying entrepreneurial community in Vancouver. Through my life, work, and the many markets I've attended, I've encountered talented women-identifying entrepreneurs and makers who, all at once, build thriving businesses, do what they love, stay engaged in their personal lives, care for their families, and more. How She Made This is a platform to celebrate these impressive women, connect with others who share the same passions, build community, and learn from each other.
Photo Credit: Shelan Markus
What can attendees expect when they come to a ‘How She Made This’ event?
Expect to be inspired, motivated, and gain valuable insights on building a business. The event starts with a panel discussion with 3-4 women-identifying entrepreneurs. We focus on a particular topic at each event. For example, the next event topic is growing and staying in business. We then have a 15-minute Q & A session with the attendees, and then everyone is free to mingle around. The event is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and discover how to turn your dreams into reality. I try to have one event per month (taking a break for a few months in the summer) so we can consistently build community; this is where the magic happens!
What has surprised you most about creating this event?
I am most amazed by the diversity of the attendees. We have attendees of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and different journeys in their businesses. I love hearing why people attend the event and what they are working on. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. So far, we've sold out every event! People have shared that they walk away feeling inspired and with a new sense of focus; they exchange business cards and connect with the panelists and each other. People meaningfully come together and share ideas on what they love and how they have persevered in their businesses.
Photo Credit: Shelan Markus
What are the biggest learnings in leading this series; any key lessons or takeaways that panelists have shared that have really stuck with you?
Oh, there are so many, it's hard to choose. One learning that has stuck out is the importance of giving yourself time; time to reflect, take breaks, be patient, and not expect that everything will happen all at once. One of the panelists, Hannah Zisman of Bathen, said that her business is like getting a slow MBA. I love that. Building a business is a time to test things out, see what works, pivot if you need to, and be open to learning along the way. I also love the takeaway that to start a business, pay attention to what you love and what people ask you for.
Do you have any pieces of advice for new makers and small business owners?
Come to How She Made This! No, joking (kind of), but the door is always open for you :)
My advice is to follow your joy. We tend to excel at doing what we love. And if you need a skill to level up doing what you love, then focus on that. Your next business may or may not be your dream business, but it's a step in the direction of realizing what you are capable of creating, and I believe we are all creative makers. We all have the ability to make something incredibly valuable to share. Your job is to find out what that is for you and then go for it. Finding what you love making, creating, and building is a life-long journey.
Who are some of your favourite female-identifying makers in the city right now and what do they make?
There are so many I know and many more I don't know; I'm always finding new and inspiring women-identifying makers! The How She Made This panelists are some of my favourites:
- Suraiya Nanji of @shophomecoming - Elevated essentials for homebodies
- Laïla Bédard-Potvin of @harlyjae - Sustainable/ethical clothing
- Syd Larcher of @potspotstudio and @sydsicle - Pottery
- Melissa Nkomo of @kunye.co - Skincare and mindfulness
- Elizabeth Fisher of @OneSpaceforAll - Coworking, wellness, and childcare space
- Nik Verma of @chappalschappals - Sustainable/ethical shoes and leather goods
- Hannah Zisman of @bathenshop - Sustainable/ethical after-bath wear
- Courtney Ewan Hancock of @cceconsulting - Bookkeeping, consulting and financial education
- Stephanie French of @thepieshoppe - Pie, pizza, and natural wine
- Lesley Evans Ogden a freelance science journalist, appeared in the New York Times, Natural History, BBC Future, BioScience, The Atlantic, Nature, Science, Knowable, Science News, Scientific American, National Geographic
- Marcia Rosales of @canvaspilates - Pilates Studio
- Jackee Kasandy of @kasandyinc - Handmade, fair trade products and gifts
Come find new community and connections at the next ‘How She Made This’ event. Details below:
How She Made This May 2024 Edition
Topic: How to grow and stay in business
When: May 27, 2024 6:30-8:00 PM
Where: 1187 Odlum Drive, Vancouver, BC V5L 3L7
Eventbrite link: https://bit.ly/may2024hsmt
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howshemadethis/?hl=en
Tickets for the How She Made This May 2024 Edition go on sale April 30, 2024.