grassroots_logoWe have this idea.

There are all these amazing businesses in Vancouver, and they’re run by smart, interesting people who we’d like to see more of — or meet for the first time. Boutique retailers selling handcrafted local stuff, and smarty-pants consultants, and designers making the world more beautiful, and cool restaurateurs and wicked crafters and high-tech visionaries and so on.

People with vision, people with values, people who are passionate about what they do and how they do it, and the impact they’re making on their community and the world at large. We love those people.

We’ve been looking for a long time for a venue where we might be able to spend time with these amazing people and talk shop, support each other, share resources, and cultivate opportunities. We haven’t found it yet. So we’re doing the entrepreneurial thing: We’re doing it ourselves.

We’re calling it the Vancouver Grassroots Business Association. There’s a sister organization in Seattle that’s run by some friends of ours. We like their model, so we’re starting a Vancouver chapter. Here’s the deal:

  • We meet once a month, on the third Monday of the month.
  • We have a speaker who talks for about an hour. (Maybe a little more if there are lots of questions.)
  • The rest of the time is devoted to giving us all time to talk to each other.
  • It’s free. No charge. (We’re covering the cost of renting space ourselves, and we’re getting some help from a sponsor.)

Pretty simple. We like simple. (And frankly, who has time for anything more complicated?)

Got Questions?

When’s the next meeting?

Head to our Events page for details on what’s coming next.

Where do I show up?

Find us at the Flack Block: 163 West Hastings Street (at Cambie), in the Hollyhock Room on the 3rd floor. That’s close to the Waterfront and Stadium Skytrain stations, and in the same block as the new Woodward’s development. Here’s a map.

Who’s invited?

Entrepreneurs — and aspiring entrepreneurs — of all stripes. We don’t want to throw too many labels at you. We like indie & local, but we don’t want to box you in if you’ve got a killer world domination plan. Come on down and find out for yourself if we’re a fit.

One thing we can promise is that although we appreciate tailoring as much as the next fashion hound, you probably won’t be swimming in a sea of suits.

Who are you people?

Oh, right. Sorry about that. We’re Lauren Bacon & Emira Mears, co-founders of Raised Eyebrow Web Studio, Inc. and co-authors of The Boss of You: Everything a Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run and Maintain Her Own Business. We’re passionate about what we do and we also love celebrating definitions of success that include the stuff money can’t buy.

Wait, does that mean this is a chick thing?

Nope – everyone’s invited! As long as you relate to the idea of grassroots business, we’d love you to join us.

How can I get in touch with you?