Fraser Valley Focus

We've created a marketing program for small, indie businesses in the Fraser Valley. If you're a small business owner who's freaking out about how to do holiday marketing on top of everything else you have going on, we can help with that!

We've created a sweepstakes consisting of 12 days of contests, with a prize each day! If you want to get in on our group marketing program, have a listen.

(And if you are not a business owner and just want to sit this one out, we understand. We'll have another regular episode next Tuesday at 4pm!)

To jump directly to more information about this for merchants, please click to: FraserValleyFocus.ca/12days

Did you know that those poppies that we receive every year, the ones you put on your lapel to show that you’ve donated to the Canadian Legion’s annual campaign, supports programs for not only our veterans, but also programs for families of current active service people in our domestic and international operations? And, did you know that 100% of that money stays local and goes directly to support people in your community? That’s right, if you donate and receive a poppy in the Fraser Valley, that money stays local, right here to help former and active service members as well as their families with basic needs programs like housing, food and heat, medical and accessibility modifications for vets with disabilities, education, social support, and so much more.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

It’s important that we acknowledge that we are gathering on and that this podcast is being created on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples – Kwantlen, Tsawwassen, Katzie (pronounced Kay-tzie), and Semiahmoo.

If you are a first time parent, chances are you read everything you can about baby care and child development. First steps, first words, and first everything get an announcement on Facebook, and are rapidly reposted by proud grandparents, aunties, and uncles.

But, who do you turn to if you have questions about your child’s development? What happens if they don’t appear to be developing on schedule? While some delays are perfectly normal, and shouldn’t worry any parent, what if a little bit of coaching could make a big difference, if caught early enough?

Today’s guest is the Supervisor of the Infant Development Program at what used to be called the Langley Child Development Centre, which is now merged with the Langley Association for Community Living, to become Inclusion Langley. This new blended organization offers developmental support for residents of Langley from infancy through to adulthood, all at no charge to families. The Infant development program focuses on things like cognitive development, motor skills, emotional wellbeing, visual development, speech development, and confidence for children aged birth to three years.

Included in this episode: What is the new organization Inclusion Langley [inclusionlangley.com]; seamless services for families all FREE of charge; why you don’t need a doctor’s referral for these services; what to do if you notice a developmental delay in your child; infant mental health; the campaign ‘talk to me, play with me, carry me”; emotional development in infants and children; the little things you can do on a daily basis; avoiding “distracted parenting”; tips for working from home with children; childcare and working from home; let’s be “present, not perfect”; research on child development and parent’s distraction; mindful parenting; special services for indigenous families in the Fraser Valley; culturally-appropriate resources; Stó:lō or Halq’eméylem language education for young children; if you would like to be a volunteer or a sponsor, how to get in touch.

Additional Resources:

* Visit Inclusion Langley’s website, currently under revision as of November 2020: inclusionlangley.com

* Visit Inclusion Langley’s Child Development Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/InclusionLangleyChildDevelopmentServices, as well as https://www.facebook.com/InclusionLangley

* Reach out to them  by phone at: (604) 534-8611

* Reach out by email: [email protected]

The “emotional cup” or “emotional bucket” graphic:

(Tip: Listen until the very end of this episode to hear Kathleen’s crazy story about returning home to Canada from China at the start of the Pandemic in March 2020!)

One of the best things about the Fraser Valley is how multicultural we are! As a kid, I recall being grateful from a very early age that I had friends who not only had different languages from me, but also different customs, religions, and (best of all) wonderful food!

If you are new to Canada, English might seem a daunting language to learn, and it can be difficult for a teacher of English to understand your feelings about being in an unfamiliar country. But Kathleen O’Neill does understand that feeling, because she’s spent years working overseas immersing herself in local culture, so she knows firsthand the challenges that newcomers face. Today, we’re going to talk about how Kathleen enjoys teaching English, and some of the challenges for newcomers to the Fraser Valley.

Kathleen’s combined passion for travelling and languages made becoming a TEFL/TESOL certified ESL teacher an easy choice for her. Kathleen is fluent in both English and French.  Following Kathleen’s graduation from the Canadian College of Linguistics, she pursued her teaching career for nearly 4 years overseas in China, where she polished her skills speaking Mandarin. After teaching English to all levels from preschoolers to adults, and privately tutoring students for international university entrance exams, Kathleen is back living in Canada. She now teaches English for business at Fraser Valley Continuing Education, based in downtown Langley.

Perhaps this sounds familiar: you are a “trades” guy who wants to be your own boss, and provide a better future for your family. You are “all in” financially and emotionally. You are very good at your trade, but your business frustrates you. Your hours are long, and you hardly see your family. Profits are disappointing, and you worry about cash flow every day. It’s time to fill the business knowledge gap that is holding you back!

Getting married during the pandemic, but don't want to compromise on the gown of your dreams? Today we chat with Heidi Tobler, owner of the destination shop Everything But The Groom on the one-way section of the Fraser Highway in Downtown Langley!

Today, let’s talk about minimalism! If you don't want to stop at just cleaning out your closet, how much further can you take this?

In this conversation, we talk with Kathy and Jeanette about teaching as a marketing tool, the NUMBER ONE marketing action you should be doing - or is it the mistake you're making? - as an independent consultant, the "rules" about relationship marketing, and several common pitfalls that many of us still trip into when marketing our own businesses.

In this conversation, we talk with Kathy and Jeanette about teaching as a marketing tool, the NUMBER ONE marketing action you should be doing - or is it the mistake you're making? - as an independent consultant, the "rules" about relationship marketing, and several common pitfalls that many of us still trip into when marketing our own businesses.

Today we’re talking with Kristyl Clark, who is a Fraser Valley-based blogger and the owner of the blogazine ValleyMom.ca. She’s written a number of posts about the mental health of Moms during COVID. ValleyMom.ca also has excellent day-to-day resources for moms and families in the Fraser Valley.