We love supporting local businesses in our own backyard (pun intended!) especially during the holidays. Get an early start on holiday shopping and put your money to good use during BC Buy Local Week, taking place from November 27 to … Continued
How to take a real vacation when you’re self-employed
I like to take a real vacation every year. I try to book one month off consecutively, usually in August. It’s the best month for hiking and camping locally, my husband is off work (he’s a teacher) and our clients … Continued
Designing a Big Enough Business
We’re big on personal and professional development, and we’re fans of the Uncomplicate Your Business podcast. After a recent episode about why a big enough business is the key to designing a business and life you love, we were challenged … Continued
Madelen Ortega Makes Work Flow Easily at Backyard Creative
I’m happy to announce that my long-time collaborator and friend, Madelen Ortega, is taking on the ongoing role of Operations Director for Backyard Creative. Working from Edmonton, Madelen is leading all operations and refining our systems, processes and virtual collaboration … Continued
The 5 Elements of Successful Client Collaborations
There’s nothing like completing a project and knowing we did our best work, and our client is happy and eager to give us a great referral. While we’re fortunate enough to have this scenario play out regularly in our business, one recent project … Continued
Meeting Elizabeth Gilbert at Conference
Over the years CPHR’s annual conference has had a wide variety of famous and inspiring speakers — but this years conference, Power Up, featured Elizabeth Gilbert. I have to say I am a fan of her work, and most recently, … Continued
A remote team of collaborative creatives
I feel very fortunate that when I moved to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island nearly 4 years ago now, it didn’t really impact my business too much. I used to feel compelled to save up for a fancy office one day, … Continued
We’ve joined 1% for the planet
We wanted to show that we really are committed to supporting organizations who are working towards making the world a better place. By committing to become a member, we donate 1% of revenues to non-profits that are doing good in the … Continued
Our work featured in Renourish’s new book
I’m proud to share that our work for Vancouver Island Expeditions was selected to be a case study in Design to Renourish by Eric Benson & Yvette Perullo of Renourish. Design to Renourish is a book for graphic designers that helps to integrate sustainability … Continued
Pecha Kucha Nanaimo
In the midst of ramping up heading back to work after taking a mat leave, I was asked by a fellow collaborator, Jackie Kelly, to present at Pecha Kucha Night Nanaimo early in 2016. If you’ve not yet heard of Pecha … Continued