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Reach Magazine is geared towards young people, with a primary focus on young entrepreneurs. One of our goals is to provide a stage where these talented individuals can fully showcase their achievements and aspirations. All industries possess individuals who are trying to succeed and make a difference; these are the people that Reach seeks. Their creative and unique innovations and groundbreaking work will serve our readers by both informative and inspirational means.
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REACH MAGAZINE SUMMER 2009
$4.08 CANADA
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Follow us.
We are Kontent Creative Group Inc., an innovative full-service branding company based in Gastown, Vancouver. We offer a full array of high-quality internal creative services through strong concept development and award-winning art direction. We work in all media, with particular focus on interactive and online spaces. We also provide computer programming and a customizable content management tool that drives business for our clients.
It is our ability to effectively combine the conceptual with the technical that sets us apart.
Suite 203 - 55 Water St. Vancouver, BC V6B 1A1 tel: 604.568.4244
www.kontentcreative.com www.5questions.ca twitter.com/kontentcreative
contentsCOVER STORYEntrepreneurship: Why Giving Up is Sometimes the AnswerFind out why giving up is a considerable
WORDS BY
DESIGNER FOCUSBlood Line: The 5th ElementMalcolm Norman gives us an inside look into
WORDS BY Amanda Eland
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
INTELLIGENT DESIGNJon Pezzente: The Modest MogulJon takes us into his world, showing us how he
WORDS BY Melissa Welsh
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
PRODUCED BY Dex Texier
Ron Sombilon: The Artistic Benefactor
WORDS BY Melissa Welsh
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
PRODUCED BY Dex Texier
Jenn Galo: Dancing with Dreams
WORDS BY Melissa Welsh
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Joy Uneagbu
PRODUCED BY Dex Texier
Leon Ng: Producer ExtraordinaireLeon gives his insight on creativity,
WORDS BY Melissa Welsh
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
PRODUCED BY Dex Texier
SOCIAL ISSUESPeru: Lessons from a Trade Mission to Lima
to investigate entrepreneurship, the economy
WORDS BY
Media Trends: An Ideal History or a Present Commodity?A captivating article that explores how media
WORDS BY Roxy Dumitrescu
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Melissa Welsh
THE RED CARPETFinding FridayRock band Finding Friday educates Dex about
WORDS BY Dex Texier
PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
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Editors Note
edition was released about a month ago online, the next one will be
the opportunity to share your thought-
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
INTELLIGENT DESIGN & SOCIAL ISSUES
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Dex Texier
MANAGING EDITOR
EDITORS Glyniss Hawe
Melissa Welsh
CORRESPONDENTS Roxanna Dumitrescu
Melissa Welsh
PHOTOGRAPHERS Mike Chatwin
THE BUZZ Melissa Welsh
FASHION & RED CARPET
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Mike Chatwin
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Eland
STYLIST
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Dex Texier
CORRESPONDENTS Amanda Eland
Dex Texier
CORRESPONDENT Melissa Welsh
MODELS Lexington Models
HAIR STYLIST Carolynne Collyer
MAKEUP ARTISTS
PRODUCTION
DESIGNER Jelyssa Madrid
WEB EDITOR
PUBLISHER
HOW TO CONTACT US
MORE INFORMATION LEARN MORE ABOUT US www.reachmag.ca
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
CREATIVE/ART DIRECTOR Jelyssa Madrid
SENIOR STYLE EDITOR Amanda Eland
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Mike Chatwin
DESIGN EDITOR
EDITORIAL INTERN Melissa Welsh
As an entrepreneur, your business is so closely tied to your life that it feels like a part of you. When it succeeds, you succeed, and when it fails, you fail. This is why so many entrepreneurs like Richard Branson are so inspiring to others in their passion and seemingly endless pursuit of success. Sometimes that passion can provide you with an irreplaceable joy, it can give you a life worth living. But sometimes it can blind you from pursuing the correct path.
In my experience, that passion led me to near bankruptcy and homelessness. Giving up my business was the only way for me to live the life I wanted. Habidoo.com is no longer what keeps me going, but
case, giving up was the best answer.
Habidoo.com started with a hope and a dream. A love for real estate and home improvement paired with knowledge in Internet marketing, sparked an idea that promised to be the next best thing since HGTV. My partner and I planned on running our business from the beaches of a small Caribbean island while sipping Margaritas and watching the money roll in.
necessary to build the life that we dreamed of. We had spent 14 months bootstrapping and spending as little as humanly possible in order to put all of our resources into the business. We gave up basic personal necessities such as conditioner and new socks for the promise of building a better future for ourselves. However, That future we had envisioned never arrived.
Despite working 12 hour days, seven days a week, our progress was
we were struggling, we trucked on trying harder each day to make our dream a reality, until the day we received a life changing phone call.
We had no money in the bank and none was on the way. We had to
to close the door on Habidoo.com.
My partner and I had nurtured Habidoo into this living and breathing website ready to take on the world and now we were forced to decide on its fate. It was the hardest decision I had ever faced in my life.
Although we were in debt up to our eyeballs, we rejected the idea of giving up because it seemed like the end of our dreams. But, the truth was that the resources we needed were out of our reach. It was time to look at the reality of our of situation and accept the hole we had dug ourselves into.
Before giving up, we looked into the options available for funding our
option. It would have taken us at least three months to re-write the business plan and secure a suitable investor, a process that would have
Furthermore, the amount of money needed to compete in the industry would have put us in an unfavorable equity position that we were not willing to take. Putting our feelings aside and ignoring the shame of failing,
At the beginning the job search was discouraging and made me wonder why I had left my business behind. With the economy on a downward
Then, as quickly as my business had disappeared, a new opportunity
was looking for someone to lead their sales and marketing team and take their business to the next level.
the phone, I knew I had found my next venture. BlackWave Creative impressed me with their young, energetic, and creative staff while producing amazing work worth bragging about. Their entrepreneurial attitude and unique company structure was extremely attractive for a
grasped the opportunity, knowing that it would be an adventure.
day I meet new clients with exciting projects that I can help create. Taking
grow into its true potential as an integral part of their transition.
Because of my secure position with BlackWave, my partner is able to is able to pursue a new marketing and promotions venture with some
Glam City Girls at a salon or spa near you!
we not lost our funding I would have never hooked up with BlackWave Creative and would likely be grilling away at Habidoo with little or no reward. Instead, both my partner and I are onto new adventures, learning new skills and working with amazing people. For us giving up was the best answer.
edgy and distinctive hoodies, T-shirts, and unisex zip-ups, that
this entrepreneur set her sights on opening a boutique-style
three years ago, her agency now lays claim to the most ethnically
entrepreneurs come aplenty with the program’s quarterly
The Network Hub establishes new companies as quickly and
Na’im Merchant
Melissa Joaquin
WORDS BY PHOTOGRAPH BY Mike Chatwin05 06
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home studio Malcolm remains down to earth and very
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STYLIST/CREATIVE DIRECTOR/WORDS BY PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
HAIR STYLIST Carolynne Collyer
MAKEUP ARTIST MODELS Lexington Models
10ON ROZA
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RMhow did you make those connections and how have you nurtured
MN
photo shoot sets when they are working or invite them over to my
RM MN
love more than hate and look into what is happening with the rivers,
RM MN
why the hell you do this and you will know you do it because it is
RMMN
www.bloodlinedesign.com
RM
MN
sold my car, and then apprenticed with a master goldsmith
RM Tell me a bit about the inspiration behind your
MN
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Specialists in high-end renovations and customer service. Quality Construction.
North West Integrity Ltd. is a Vancouver based firm that believes in a personal approach to your unique project, for the success of a long lasting client relationship. We adapt to the owner's needs and dreams to achieve a great end result. From your home to your office or showroom, we can help you create that special space. We utilize exclusive products with specialized custom trades to deliver a one of a kind renovation.
We offer design and architectural services to develop a well planned project, or we can work with you to build a scope of work within your budget, to match your plans and ideas. NWI is a one stop contracting firm that takes care of all of your construction needs, from planning and design, to hanging your favorite piece of artwork on your finished project!
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A MODEST MOGULinterview. His voice is slightly masked by an unexpected cold, but still remains spirited and passionate when talking about his experience working within the real estate industry.
Only 27 years old, Pezzente has already been working within the industry for the last six years in the North Vancouver area. Brother Mario Pezzente, 25, joined his brother a year and a half ago. It seems the duo, described as “Friendly and high-spirited” by many of their clients, is focussed on delivering service with a smile. Working in and amidst 6,000 other realtors listed under the Real estate board of Greater
innovative technologies and old traditional family values.
In many ways, real estate is a family business for the Pezzente men, with
Alfonso open a 100-unit town home complex by working as a project marketer for the new development in West Vancouver. Gaining valuable skills in home construction and sales, and seeing the success of over 50 new town homes being sold, Pezzente was inspired.
“That really helped me get a good idea on what was to come ahead,” Pezzente said.
Since then, the Pezzente brothers have been working with their team at Sutton Group - West Coast Realty to constantly offer the best service
who happen to be down-sizing. Their mentality resembles that of their Italian family, their values centering around respect, hard work and authenticity with relationships be it family, friends, or the clients they work with on a daily basis.
challenge entering the real estate industry, his young age of 21 years.
“I was young getting into, and it was kind of threatening for clients to work with a young guy,” Pezzente said.
comments on working with the recent instability within the real estate industry. The crisis peaked in April/May of 2008, and consequently
resulted in a steady decline in business up until just two months ago.
seeing a down market, so I had to adjust and work with what market was out there,” Pezzente said.
are not exempt from obstacles but are feeling more comfortable within the real estate industry and have had good reviews from clients.
“The Pezzente brothers were amazing,” said Ashley Mofrad, one of the
made themselves available for whatever I needed them for. I had a great
Yaletown district of Vancouver.
Using a variety of methods, the Pezzente brothers strive to optimize
marketing platform.
“On average, about 80 per cent of people looking for homes use the
from the rest.”
“I believe in staying on top of what technology has to offer, our clients
But even with customer acclaim, the job itself can take a toll on any given agent within the real estate industry. And with the market looking
out like the little creatures of spring will only spur on more competition between real estate agencies. Pezzente tells me of how even a week off
phone call, then that next guy is going to come in there.”
For now Pezzente is only concerned with his clients and is excited to welcome new business: “With interest rates the lowest they have been
market,” Pezzente said.
we love to see people happy,” Pezzente said.
WORDS BY Melissa Welsh PHOTOGRAPH BY Mike Chatwin 14
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in the very architecturally unique venue, the
decided to collaborate with the Canvas
aiming to be the leader in contemporary
achieve this daunting and ambitious intention
the new emerging technologies being seen
“Art is all about growing and trying new
things, working with other artists, and
an art piece that connects with someone,
boasts an intricate detailed creation process,
his pieces incorporate traditional painting,
modern hand painting such as programs like
a small detail that he hopes will enable
viewers to relate continually to his artwork
industry under such production houses as
and Radical Entertainment - companies who
produce many known television shows and
stated that being surrounded by talented
coworkers, he was able to take what he
and decided to branch out into the tumultuous
independent art world to create what is
“They are art pieces dedicated to the people
and accomplishments each passion chaser
went through in order to become what
worked with NFL’s most outstanding
player and ambassador to the Adoptive
Chaser Foundation within the next two or
and collaborating with other local artists,
showing the world that we have as much
talent, as much passionate people as
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DANCINGWITH
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HAIR DESIGNSBRAIDS
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FINGERWAVES S he sits cross-legged on the curb outside
dancing career has been tumultuous, surviving the
committed to me, and seeing them progress, seeing
you could really reach someone, that’s what made me
And with that drive, Galo has managed to travel all
to Norway last January to teach at a reputable and
backgrounds, something that might be an obstacle
“We have some people that come to us that are very
money, and how do you turn those people away and
said about her and Urbano’s decision to sponsor many
has also showed its continual benevolence by working
dance used to resemble other dance genres such
as popping, locking or hip-hop, but has now become
And while Galo loves her studio and her students,
it’s apparent that this woman hasn’t hit her quota
backwards, stating that having a dance studio usually
GALO
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condo and hops into his car, sunglasses
Ng arrives at work located within the
ambitious innovative businessman
Queen’s University, Ng switched over
connections, which in turn, Ng says,
the Real Estate Channel, airing online
and engineers to turn their design
image rendering, the Real Estate
Channel serves as an advertising
A tricky business given that Ng and his
company are essentially conducting
sales pitches to established sales
people - a process that Ng says
as a testament to his team’s hard
Asked whether the recession
that it has coincidentally created
Real Estate industry right now, realty
creative ways to sell their products, and
“Especially in a down market, there
He added that young
entrepreneurs currently
entering various
industries should
recession, but should
capitalize on some of its
unlikely enterprises.
things were not always so assured
Ng had was echoed loudly by his
by my parents to succeed and this
individual, who has taken a niche and
young individual who continues
to show that drive and ambition
sitting at our same little table inside
the window Ng sitting at a stoplight in
2019
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WORDS BY Roxana Dumitrescu PHOTOGRAPH BY Melissa Welsh
24
its answer has always varied according to history
And although women have traveled miles to socially
market is doing everything it can to promote products
creating a society that values appearance and image
culture have had a hand in controlling what the current
within the same sentence would be disconcerting or
advertising was a growing phenomenon and corsets
were a hot consumer item, allowing larger women
a large impact on what the media portrayed as the
with large breasts and a rounded bottom were a
popular culture, this new-age look was aided and
shown in numerous music videos and movies in the
appearance, as convoluted as that may sound, was
Not only did the average model’s weight decrease to
misleading as these articles are, it is not uncommon to
beauty still be a commodity, or would it be a natural,
WORDS BY Dex Texier PHOTOGRAPHS BY Mike Chatwin
Asked with how the band came up with their own niche, Andrew stated,
“Dex, its simple, its about searching and creating a happy balance between
Austin added that, “The response has been very good, it shows that there is
Andrew went on to say, “The Calgary tour was well received and we received a
RE
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ind
ing
Frid
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