Penelope Sloan Design Launch Party
I scoped out this event on Facebook and as fate would have it, I got a lovely email from a woman named Penelope Sloan inviting me to review the launch party of her business. When I visited her website (penelopesloan.com), immediately I could see that Penelope Sloan was going to join the club of Vancouver’s smart, savvy businesswomen turning a talent into a business. I immediately jumped on the chance to go and coincidentally this was my first time at Tunnel Lounge.
Tunnel is cool – long and narrow, with lighted tables and giant screens that displayed pages of Penelope’s website and the sponsors that donated food and gift bag swag.
Graphic Design icon
Interior styling icon
Penelope Sloan web bio
Table promo
Dressed in a cute and sexy strapless pink dress (from Riot on Commercial Drive), I met with Penelope and she was as gracious as they come. She took the time to talk to me about how she started her business even though she had just ordered a drink (that matched!). She even told me the story about how she bought the dress – you’ll have to get that one from her.
Penelope Sloan & I
Penelope has had a knack for graphic design and interior styling since high school. She discovered a program at Langara College that would allow her to try them both out and see where she excelled, but she found interest and talent in both. Her dual logo tells it all.
After graduating, she found herself doing design work in Barbados (of all places) and a professor helped to get the story out in the Langara Voice. I hope she doesn’t mind that I posted it – but I can’t resist sharing a great story!
The rest, as they say is history. I don’t know how old Penelope is, but I can tell that she’s young enough to have a long, successful career ahead of her. And she’s already got a great clientele under her belt, it looks like.
Penelope thanks guests
The awesome thing about having two complimentary skills is being able to service clients with both of them. And that’s exactly what she did with Nooch in Richmond, which supplied the food that night (Summer asparagus lemon goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto, Tomato basil bruschetta with Parmesan crisp, Mini Quiche Loranne, Mini Mediterranean Quiche). I could only try a few of the finger foods (had about 5 of the bruschettas!) but they were pretty good.
Leo and I chilling
I saw my client, Sabai Thai‘s logo onscreen, and completely forgot that I had told them Penelope was looking for gift bag sponsors. Co-owner Neata Auttapong and her sister Nisita were there and we discussed a bit of work on the spot. All good stuff though 
They donated $50 gift certificates in each of the bags.
Me with Neata & Nisita
Swag!
I spotted some friendly faces, but that’s no surprise for networking events in Vancouver. Nicole Corrado of Lifestyle Selling for Women was there with her business partner Ryann Rain, who are launching an awesome new site anytime now, hitchette.com. And there was Tiffany Prince, who just launched her own Communications company, and her friend Natalie Harris of Urban Stylz Apparel. Jamie Marriot of S2S Nation was there sporting his t’s as per usual and also supplied the cloth bags that the swag came in.
S2S Nation designs
The crowd was very much like the Reach Mag Mixer but with less people – which was the only downside to the event. But, it made for a more intimate and comfortable setting to meet other people. I knew a few more people who RSVP’d “Yes” on Facebook but didn’t show up. Props to her DJ, Alberto, who was spinning some old school R&B & Hip Hop hits from my time (is the 90′s considered old school now?)
Thanks to all of the sponsors that supported Penelope and the event – it’s always nice to be introduced and to support local businesses.
Swag sponsors:
Laurie Parish, Red Bug Bijoux ($10 jewellery)
S2S Nation (20% off tshirts)
The Flowerbox (Flower decor for the event)
Dolce Delights (Candy stash & 6 mini cupcakes with purchase of 1 dozen regular)
Sabai Thai Spa ($50 gift certificate off 90 minute treatment)
Penelope Sloan Design ($50 gift certificate towards services)
Let me know if there are others I didn’t mention.
