Our Live/Work series continues with Tavia Cosper, founder of sensecomm, passionate about working with independent businesses to get their message out there. She also lives (and works) in an amazing loftspace in the Koret Lofts with her husband, which was recently featured in BC Home Magazine.

 

What do you do?

I created my own Marketing/Communications Company just over a year ago. I focus on helping local, independent businesses share their stories with the community.

 

What do you love most about your job?

First and foremost, I love people. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many great people over the past year: business owners, journalists, PR and Marketing specialists, etc. I treat networking as a way to build friendships as well as business connections. I also love knowing that I had a hand in my clients’ success. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing you’ve helped someone else reach his or her goal.

 

Why Gastown?

My husband and I moved here about 2½ years ago and we are so happy we made the move. The community is eclectic and warm… there’s a familiar face everywhere you go. More and more independent businesses are popping up, resulting in a constant influx of local and foreign tourists (even Vancouverites often feel like tourists in Gastown). Gastown is a thriving community that has incredible growth potential and I want to be a part of that.

What are 3 key tips to getting a business' message out there?

1.    Development of vision – It’s essential to know what you want to achieve - set clear and attainable goals.

2.    Clarity of message – Establish a message that compliments your vision. The message you want to share needs to be easily understood by your customer.

3.    Focus on appropriate delivery – The method of delivery and recipient of your message is crucial. You need to find the best and most efficient way to talk to your ideal customer.

 

Sense Communication works hard with community charities, particularly in Gastown. What inspires you to do this?

When we moved here, we wanted to give something back to the Gastown/Downtown Eastside community. This can be done in so many ways – helping businesses succeed, helping the local community, contributing to the available social services – I’m trying to contribute a little bit to all of these areas.

I helped develop a local society called The Aprons for Gloves Boxing Association, which recently sponsored a charity boxing event called “Restaurant Rumble”. We are working towards building a boxing gym in the Downtown Eastside where underprivileged youth have a safe place to train with dedicated coaches. Our mission is to help these kids develop skills that will cultivate their confidence and self-worth.

 

As a lover of food, do you have a favorite dish around Gastown?

I have a couple – spaghetti and meatballs at Pourhouse, anchovy potato salad at Sea Monster Sushi, anything with bread at Nelson the Seagull, fried pickles at Pekinpah, BUT there are so many and if given the choice, I stay in Gastown to eat.

 

What is one of your favorite places to shop? 

I love Fleuvog (who doesn’t), but my go-to spots are Lynn Steven and Oak & Fort.

 

Last purchase you made in Gastown:

It was a gift for my husband – a great short sleeve button-down from Motherland.

I also have my eyes on a pair of Fleuvogs (next purchase?).

 

Last meal you had in Gastown:

We had a one-of-a-kind Chef’s Table dinner at Pourhouse. It was served family-style at a beautiful table in the bustling kitchen. We started with oysters on the half shell, moved onto a beautiful charcuterie plate and a succulent lamb shoulder with braised veggies and finished with an incredible pecan tart with cream cheese ice cream.

 

If someone was in Gastown for a day, where would you tell them to go?

My perfect day in GTown:

• Breakfast/Brunch -- the Irish Breakfast at Salty Tongue.
• Work-out
• Post work-out snack at The Juice Truck
• Lunch at Nelson the Seagull
• Walk and shopping along Water to work off lunch
• Post lunch/shopping beer in the atrium at Black Frog or on the patio of Chill Winston
• Dinner at Cork and Fin (oysters and bubbles)
• Dessert and cocktails at Pourhouse

Phew … that’s a long day.

 

What's coming up for you this fall?

My goal is to pick up a few more clients in September (there are a couple I’m courting and hope to nail down) and continue my work with Aprons for Gloves. 
 

Check out sensecomm here.

Follow Tavia on Twitter.

See what's new with sensecomm on Facebook.

photos: Kate Brown