5 minutes 5 questions: Break-Up Box

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I’m not going to lie. Break-ups are the worst. And break-up survival is exponentially harder when you don’t have your BFFs around for support. Enter Carissa and her great idea, Break-Up Box. Now you can send your North American bestie some love to get her back on her feet!

This is 5 minutes 5 questions with the sweet and caring Carissa, founder of Break-Up Box.

1) How long have you lived in New York?

I just moved to New York this spring.

2) Describe the NY dating scene in 5 words.

mobile, fast, intimidating, exciting, exhausting.

3) How did you start Break-Up Box?

My best friend was going through a tough break-up last summer and unfortunately we were living in different cities at the time. I felt guilty that I couldn’t be there to take her out and do things that would keep her mind off of her ex. I did a bit of research into the stages women go through during a break-up and the products which helped them get through it. After using my best friend as first hand market research for a few months, I sent her my first Break-up Box. After getting a lot of positive feedback from close friends and family, I decided to enter in a university-wide start-up competition which Break-up Box placed first in last fall.

4) What is your best break up advice?

Stay away from his social media accounts. Invest your time in yourself and your relationships with your friends. They’ll be what will get you through it.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?
Smart, outgoing, passionate.

Don’t forget to follow Break-up Box on Twitter: @break_upbox Instagram: @Break_UpBox and ‘like’ them on Facebook: Break-Up Box.

ELENA:)

 

5 minutes 5 questions: Kara Yoo

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Overall I’m a big accessories fan. Statement necklaces and earrings are my favorite. Kara Yoo Jewelry is the quite the opposite – its more understated chic. Nevertheless, I’m a fan of her stacking rings, which have tiny ridges making the sparkle subtle yet effective.

So happy to share a few Kara Yoo rings with my favourite friends here in NYC.  Here is 5 minutes 5 questions with the sweet, talented Kara Yoo

1. How long have you lived in Vancouver?

I’ve lived in Vancouver since 2001. I was born in Edmonton, and grew up in Oakville, Ontario. Vancouver is home!

2. When did you start your jewellery line?

I started Kara Yoo in 2012 at the end of the 2-year program I took in jewellery making and design.

3. Are you gold or silver?

Definitely gold, although I do like mixing metals and wearing a combo of yellow gold, rose gold and silver.

4. What is your favourite piece of jewellery?

My favourite every day piece is the Single Neck Cuff in yellow gold. I wear it every day and it goes with virtually everything from a t-shirt to a formal dress.

5. What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?

Humorous, Caring, Genuine

Make sure you follow Kara on IG and Twitter: @karayoojewelry and ‘Like’ her on FB.

ELENA:)

 

 

5 minutes 5 questions: Vancouver Candle Co.

 

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I first met Nick and his partner Farouk, when I co hosted the Summer St. Soirée at the end of June with Modern Fort. I was immediately drawn to the design of the packaging and liked how the communities of Vancouver were incorporated into the candle scent names. Perfect for travel – the candles also come in tins too (thank goodness because my bag already weighs a ton!)

Here is 5 minutes 5 questions with talented candle maker, Nick from Vancouver Candle Co.:

1) How long have you lived in Vancouver?

I permanently settled in Vancouver in 2012 from San Diego, California. I went to UBC, and after I met Farouk, settled here.
2) How did you start Vancouver Candle Co.?

I started Vancouver Candle Co. to share my love of candles. I purchased an expensive candle from an interior design store that burned poorly. After researching why, I discovered a lot of candle companies use nasty, potentially harmful ingredients in the candles. I decided to make my own.
3) What is your favourite neighbourhood in Vancouver and why?

My favourite neighbourhood is Strathcona. We just bought a cute heritage home there and can’t wait to move (Sept 4 and counting down the days). We love the old-meets-new and friendly mix of people. The neighbourhood is so magical!
4) Describe your favourite scent in a sentence.

My favourite scent is Point Grey. I love the earthiness of it.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or current mate)?

Sense of humour, generosity, integrity.

Don’t forget to follow Vancouver Candle Co. on IG: @VancouverCandleCo. Twitter: VanCandleCo. and ‘Like’ them on FB!

ELENA:)

5 Minutes 5 Questions: Cupids Cronies

While modern technology has brought us a plethora of matchmaking/dating sites and applications, (where relationships can either flourish or falter depending on upon a picture or text conversation) – one thing remains… you eventually will have to meet the person to have a real relationship. (Oddly enough, I’ve had many conversations about cat fishing in the last few weeks).

Fear not the first meeting because April Davis, (founder of Cupid’s Cronies – a dating coaching/matchmaking service featured on Forbes and CBS) offers Wingmen/Wingwomen to help guide you through the whole dating process. The coaches concentrate on how to put your best foot forward and highlight your positive characteristics and qualities. The coaching has become so popular – new US locations are set to open up this year!

Here is 5 minutes/5 questions with professional matchmaker, April Davis:

1) How long have you lived in Minneapolis?

10 years.  Moved here from northern MN for job and to get my MBA.

2) How did you come up with the name for your company, Cupids Cronies?

I knew I wanted something unique and different that would stand out.  Similar to Virgin Airlines or Virgin mobile.  The name makes you think about it.  I also wanted it to be a brand and not April’s Matchmakers or something.  It’s not about me, but about what we do and who we are.

3) How did you meet your own husband?

We broke all the rules and met in a bar.  I was there with a girlfriend.  We were having a drink and discussing her plans to leave her husband.  She had been in a bad relationship and didn’t have much exposure to their financials and I had a finance background so i was trying to help her by telling her what to do in order to prepare to leave him.

There was another table with guys who were having dinner.  Two came over to talk to us (her mostly, because I was standoffish and not interested at all). They were kind of flirting and finally I said, “You guys can’t hit on her, she’s still married.” They responded, “Well, our friend over there is a divorce attorney.” So they went and got their friend and we started talking to him about her upcoming divorce.  He got a client and a wife out of the deal 😉

4) What advice would you give to new women entrepreneurs?

Surround yourself with different people and perspectives.

5) What are the top three characteristics on your Love List (characteristics or qualities you are looking for in a potential mate or your current mate)?

Humility, wisdom, and an honorable person.

Don’t forget to add Cupid’s Cronies on Twitter and Instagram: @cupidscronies!

ELENA:)

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