New Westminster businesses are vying for a chance to get a bit of an update – and a lunch with the mayor.
Level Up My Brand is giving local businesses a chance to win up to $12,000 in prizes and give their business an upgrade. The contest is open to established and new businesses, including home-based businesses.
So, what’s up for grabs?
Along with a lunch with Mayor Jonathan Cote, the winner will receive a new logo design, swag, print and/or digital advertising support, a vehicle wrap, signage, legal and financial advice, business coaching, social media activation, a downtown workspace, an office party catering package and more.
To enter, for-profit and non-profits in New West must fill out an online entry form and make a case for why they should win a $12,000 prize package of goods and services. A panel of judges will choose three finalists to attend a live event on April 5 that’s being co-hosted with The New West Collective, where they’ll each present a short “Dragon’s Den-lite” style pitch.
After final scoring, the lucky winner will be announced. The deadline to apply is March 13, so don’t delay. Details at www.levelupmybrand.ca.
Accountant honoured
A New Westminster resident has been recognized by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia for her remarkable commitment and dedication to the accounting profession and her community.
Thelma Siglos, CPA, CA, recently received the organization’s Distinguished Service Award. Siglos is a financial integrity consultant, specializing in forensic accounting investigations. She has held this role since 2014, after she retired from her career as a manager of financial integrity with the BC Public Service Agency.
A dedicated volunteer, Siglos contributed to the accounting profession’s mandate to protect the public interest. She was a member of her provincial legacy body’s Professional Conduct Enquiry Committee from 2005 to 2010 and of its Rulings Committee from 2008 to 2010, chairing the former in 2009-2010 and the latter in 2008-2009.
Siglos also helped to strengthen the profession within the Filipino Canadian community through her work with the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants of B.C. She acted as that association’s founding president and director in 2008, and continues to support the association as a mentor.
According to the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, Siglos has helped many new Canadians integrate into Canadian society by supporting their learning, career growth and network development. In addition to her work with AFCA-BC, she served as a director and treasurer of MOSAIC, one of Canada’s largest settlement organizations (1983-1987), and as president of the Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (1989-1991).
Siglos is currently a director and treasurer with the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver. She also lends her expertise to the legal community as a panel adjudicator for the Law Society of British Columbia.
“The philanthropic work of volunteers like Thelma brings a positive impact on communities and the lives of others,” said Lori Mathison, president and CEO of CPABC. “She is truly deserving of this award.”
Business sets up shop in New West
A leader in smart home services is setting up shop in New Westminster and aiming to take advantage of talent at Douglas College.
Vivint Smart Home, which serves more than 1.3 million customers, has opened a sales and recruitment office 625 Agnes. St, just across the street from Douglas College. The company anticipates hiring several thousand people in the next few years and is looking to tap into the strong talent in the Douglas Community.
The company’s services include home security such as locks, cameras and monitoring, as well as smart home controls for lights, locks, thermostats, security systems and more.
According to a media advisory, Vivint Smart Home aims to provide students with flexible and high-paying work opportunities, where they can develop their sales and leadership abilities. Both summer and year-round positons are available.
“Vivint employs 12,000 people across North America and has chosen Douglas to be a local hub for paid college interns and sales teams,” said a company spokesperson in an email to the Record. “In addition to providing local teams with a home base and workstations, the office will offer space for recruitment and collaboration, as the company aims to hire thousands of sales representatives and technicians in the next few years.”
For more information, visit www.vivint.com.
