Crystal Henrickson | FreshGigs.ca

Author Archives: Crystal Henrickson

Creative Cultures: Merchant Advance Capital

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she meets with the energetic team behind Merchant Advance Capital.

With a beautiful open office overlooking scenic Stanley Park, Merchant Advance Capital is the definition of a homegrown success story.

Since launching out of Founder & CEO David Gens’s apartment in 2010, the fintech company has found its niche using innovative technology and big data to help small businesses in Canada access financing and grow their business.

Today, the company operates two offices in Vancouver and Toronto, and manages more than 50 employees, with roles ranging from portfolio managers to marketers to software engineers.

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Creative Cultures: A Thinking Ape Are Building Communities from the Inside Out

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the talented folks at A Thinking Ape.

 

Ask anyone who works at the near-decade-old game studio, and they’ll tell you that A Thinking Ape doesn’t build games. In fact, their much grander mission is to build vibrant communities, by strategically fostering strong connections with and between their users. This unrelenting focus on long-term engagement has led their team to produce several successful social and mobile games, including the top-grossing Kingdoms at War and the upcoming Kingdoms of Heckfire.

When I interviewed leadership at their Vancouver office about how this community-focused philosophy translates to their internal culture, it became clear that A Thinking Ape practices what they preach. Using the same philosophies that they use to build player communities, they’ve been nurturing a collaborative and supportive environment for their growing team.

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Creative Cultures: Charting Your Own Career Path with Clio

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the lovely folks at the legal software company, Clio.

Launched in 2008, Clio offers cloud-based practice management software for lawyers and legal professionals. Since then, they’ve gone from a promising startup to one of Canada’s fastest growing tech companies three years running — all while earning an enviable reputation for their people-first, growth-minded company culture.

With over 200 ‘Clions’ across Canada and Dublin, I arrived at their colourful Burnaby head office to meet a few, and discover why they find Clio such a great place to work.

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Social Nature: Where Profit Meets Purpose

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the healthy folks at Social Nature.

At Social Nature, building a high-performing, profitable business doesn’t have to come at the expense of creating positive impact.

Launched in 2014, Founder and CEO Annalea Krebs (who’s behind the now-acquired daily deals site, ethicalDeals) envisioned a company that would help millions make greener choices. Since then, Social Nature has built a loyal community of over 200,000 ‘everyday influencers’ who try natural, green products in exchange for honest, authentic reviews shared on social media.

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Creative Cultures: Striving for a Bigger Vision at Clearly

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee engagement. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the loving folks at Clearly.

As a lifelong wearer of prescription glasses (and huge fan of vision) I was beyond excited to meet the team behind the innovative online eyewear store, Clearly. With their launch in 2000, the company stepped onto the scene as one of the first online retailers to offer direct-to-consumer prescription contact lenses. Since then, the company has successfully expanded its product line to include a wide selection of designer glasses and sunglasses.

I spent the afternoon at their head office in Vancouver to get a behind-the-scenes look at their creative space and ambitious team culture.

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Creative Cultures: A Culture of Learning at Thinkific

Creative Cultures - ThinkificIn our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the lovely folks at Thinkific.

Affectionately nicknamed “the Bunker”, Thinkific’s office stands in stark contrast from other bright and glossy corporate offices in town. Located in a shared warehouse in Vancouver’s industrial Railtown, the online education platform has been quietly expanding their company since 2012.

The space—which they split with a few local companies like Thuggies and Bash and Fete—feels creative, energetic and fun, with eclectic features like a shipping container boardroom, a small podcast recording studio, and wood pallet walls that divide an otherwise open space. The openness of the office seems to complement the team well, as colleagues consult and collaborate with one another frequently.

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Creative Cultures: Building a Happy Tribe with Meetingmax

Creative Cultures: Meetingmax

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the loving folks at Meetingmax.

Outside of the corporate travel industry, Meetingmax might fly under the radar. But, with their award-winning culture, family atmosphere and world-class roster of clients—there’s every reason for career-builders to take a closer look.

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Creative Cultures: Saje Natural Wellness is a Breath of Fresh Air

Saje Natural Wellness TeamIn our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the loving folks at Saje Natural Wellness.

From the instant you walk in through the doors at Saje headquarters, you feel like you’ve been transported to a day spa rather than a corporate office.

Refreshing and bright aromas complement the inviting decor, with signature products lining the welcoming reception area. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Vancouver’s historic Chinatown, it’s easy to see why this tranquil oasis is one of the most sought-after workplaces in the city.

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Creative Cultures: O2E Brands

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In our Creative Cultures series, we spend a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From start-ups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today, writer Crystal Henrickson is at O2E.

O2E: it stands for Ordinary to Exceptional, and their first brand, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has paved the way for other home services brands like WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, and Shack Shine. You might be thinking this is the least sexy place to build a career, but there are plenty of reasons why Brian Scudamore’s home services empire, has become one of BC’s most desirable employers. Continue reading →

Creative Cultures: The sweetness of working for Purdys

creative-cultures-purdys

In our Creative Cultures series, correspondent Crystal Henrickson spends a day inside companies to learn how hiring, onboarding, and company culture play a role in employee happiness. From startups to design firms and all in-between, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it’s like to work in inventive and productive environments. Today she’s with the sweet people of Purdys.

British Columbians, think back to some of your favourite holiday memories… chances are Purdys plays a part. Purdys is an institution in BC. From its origins as a single chocolate shop on Robson Street in Vancouver in 1907. 110 years later, Purdys has retail stores across BC, Alberta, Ontario (and soon Saskatchewan!) and boasts numerous awards — including Best Employer, Best Managed and Canada’s Best Workplace Culture. Continue reading →