During the Ottawa occupation by The Convoy in 2022, a website was created - convoytraitors.CA, which was used to document trucks/businesses/people involved with the occupation in Ottawa.
I shared this website on my personal Facebook page letting people know this resource existed/to add to it if they were able...etc. I have no connection to convoytraitors.CA and was not involved with the creation of this website in any way nor did I submit any information to the website. The mission statement I included in my post is copy/paste from the convoytraitors.ca website at the time, I did not write it or edit it in any way.
On Feb 6th or 7th, I was made aware of an alternate website - Convoytraitors.COM which claimed I was involved with the .CA site.
Here is a link to the website from the internet archives. - https://web.archive.org/web/20220207062857/https://convoytraitors.com/.
As far as I understand from what what the internet archives saved, the website was live for 2(?) days.
The website has since been removed and is no longer active with this content.
Here is a screenshot of the live website I took on February 7.
In it false claims were made and people were encouraged to "seek legal assistance and advice" as "there may be ample opportunities for lawsuits, class action lawsuits and possibly criminal charges".
The website advised visitors to "avoid people [like me] and their businesses"
After doing some digging to see who the domain registrant was for the .CA site, I hit a wall. I was not able to use the whois services to track down the domain registrant. The registrant hid their account information behind a proxy. Super common practice to protect their identity, a lot of people do this when they start websites. Luckily for me, I was able to track down the IP address associated with convoytraitors.COM. - 35.209.243.20.
After the convoytraitors.COM website was taken down on Feb 7, it was no longer associated with this IP address. The website was hosted on Godaddy at the time. I'm not sure what happened. I just know that at some point, the Convoytraitors.COM domain was associated with the IP address - 35.209.243.20.
So I did a bit more digging to see what other websites were associated with this IP address - 35.209.243.20. At the time, I found 29 domains linked (Feb 8).
Based on the other domains I found at the time, I had strong suspicions that the creator of the website was either a staff member of Macreo or was associated with Thai Mac.
Once I made that connection, I made social media posts claiming that Thai Mac had doxxed me. This is untrue, and I sincerely apologize for claiming he doxxed me.
I was not doxxed in this particular situation as no information about me was illegally obtained. All of my personal information released on that website was publicly accessible when Convoytraitors.COM was created.
*what I was feeling at the time*
I was thrown into a complete state of panic when I saw this website, as my home address was published. I reached out to Guelph Police to seek assistance. They were unable to help with this after ~4 weeks. I was told to pursue this through civil litigation or reach out to the RCMP cyber crimes unit. At the time, as the website was taken down, I did not feel the need to pursue this further.
----
Flash forward to today - September 20, 2020
A couple weeks ago, I was made aware that Thai Mac was running for Ward 1 city councillor, and this brought back the thought that he was associated with starting convoytraitors.COM
I still firmly believe, based on the evidence that I have found, that Macreo/Thai Mac was involved with this website in some capacity.
To further back up my claims, I have compiled screenshots of every website linked to the IP address - 35.209.243.20, as of today - September 20.
You can find the full list of domains associated with this IP address here - https://dnslytics.com/ip/35.209.243.20
1) Afredoviti.com
Website is not live
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
2) alphahomesinc.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo Inc.
3) autoclinicguelph.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
4) buckslodgenorth.com
At the bottom of the website - Site created by Macreo Inc.
5) caughtinguelph.com
This is pretty self explanatory and is public knowledge. Thai Mac manages and operates the Caught In Guelph Facebook group and website.
"Mac, who heads the Facebook page Caught In Guelph" - Guelph Today
6) choicecabinetcanada.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
7) cleanislife.com
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
8) connorsconstruction.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
9) cooltags.ca
Website is not live
10) empireexteriors.ca
No mention of Macreo
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
11) goolita.com
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
12) guelphcity.com
website is not live
13) guelphcr.com
Website is not live
14) guelphhometeam.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
15) guelphtoydrive.com
Website is not live.
16) jaclgear.com
Website is not live
17) lawnorderguelph.com
At the bottom of the website - Site created by Macreo.
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
18) lewistooldie.com
At the bottom of the website - Site Creation by Macreo.
19) mtnrenovations.com
Website is not live
20) nclean.ca
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo Inc
21) niagarafallsinfo.ca
redirects user to https://www.facebook.com/groups/niagarafallscanada
Thai Mac holds two of three admin positions in this group
22) numeboutique.com
At the bottom of the website - Site by Macreo
23) ourenergycanada.com
Website has a redirect to www.macreo.com
24) purelymystical.com
website is not live
25) robertsboxedmeats.ca
no mention of Macreo
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
26) snrguelph.com
At the bottom of the website - Site design by Macreo
Screenshot of Review of Macreo from SNR -
Is a sponsor of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page/Website. *see end*
27) tastewithandy.com
At the bottom of the website - Macreo
28) Thaimac.com
This domain is self explanatory.
I received an email from Thai@thaimac.com on September 19 at 21:20 EST
Good day Brian Kwok They Them,
I keep being shown screenshots of your repeated harassment attacks on my name on various channels across social media.
I do not know you, nor have we ever met in person. The only thing I can recall is having banned you from our Caught in Guelph community for harassing other members and violating Facebook Community Standards. I’m also told that you are banned from many other local community groups for the same thing. And I have heard many instances of yourself and your Guelph Market business habitually harassing other people and businesses in our community over the years, even during the pandemic when many were struggling to survive. Some of these victims of your previous harassment campaigns have found a welcoming safe space in our online community, to now have you resurface again with attacks on their admin. This is quite unfortunate and disappointing. I believe the Guelph Police Service can collaborate on these claims as well.
Regarding this doxing claim, by legal definition, “Doxing is illegal if the information is obtained through illegal means such as hacking. One of the most common methods that a hacker will use is by obtaining the target’s email. Once obtained, the victim’s email provides the hackers with an avenue to uncover passwords and retrieve more personal information,” states Daniel Daniele a lawyer with Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP.
I respectfully request that you immediately remove all instances of these smears against me. I just want to live my life without this constant harassment from your vexatious harassment campaign. But if I must openly defend myself, then the full context will need to be made publicly available and I will proceed with legal civil options. So, I kindly ask that you stop and remove all instances of these smears immediately.
Thank you.
Again, I would like to offer my apologies for claiming that Thai had doxxed me. No doxxing occured to me as the personal information that was posted on Convoytraitors.COM was publicly available at the time the website was created.
29) thedukesofcycle.com
At the bottom of the website - Site Design by Macreo
30) uofg.ca
Website is not live
31) wwbuysell.com
Has a link on the website to redirect users to https://www.facebook.com/groups/wwbuysell
Thai Mac is an admin of this Facebook group.
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Out of the 31 URLSs linked to this IP address.
22/31 websites are live.
All 22 live websites had some connection to Thai Mac or his business, Macreo.
16/22 live websites were built by Macreo
2/6 remaining live websites redirect users to Facebook Groups managed by Thai Mac
1/4 remaining live websites is Thaimac.com
1/3 remaining websites is caughtinguelph.com
2/2 remaining websites are linked to businesses that are sponsors of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page. (note - I have not reached out to the last two businesses to confirm whether their websites were built by Macreo)
In total, 7 of the businesses linked to this IP address are featured as sponsors of the Caught in Guelph Facebook Page (and I'm assuming the website is part of it as well based on the screenshots below).
Here are a list of the businesses that are sponsors of Caught In Guelph that are also associated with this IP address (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159189249163743&set=gm.1190384251730458)
"Thai Mac
12 AprilShared with Public group
Support those who support our community! Please be sure to give their Pages a Like and check out their products and services.
For Sponsorship/Advertising inquiries, please message myself or visit www.caughtinguelph.com/sponsor
⚡️ Static Electrical Services
🏠 Stone Selex Inc.
❄️ Aido Climate Solutions Inc.
🍷 Alfredo Viti <-------
🎤 Brenin Edmunds
🌱 BIOS Nutrients
👨🍳 Mastro VINCI
🍗 Wingspot Guelph
🎬 BNR Media Group
🚛 Floatr Transport
🏡 Trendos Interiors
☕️ The Daily Grind 519 (updated Sept 24 - has not been an active sponsor since June/July 2022)
🍓 Edible Arrangements
📸 Macreo
🎨 Rae Wright Artistry
🚘 Valet Car Wash - North Guelph
🌿 Hemp Guru Inc.
👩🦰 Good Cheer Girls
🧹 Clean is Life Cleaning Services
🏘 Diamond Flooring
🌿 K Cleaner’s and Tailor Shop - 35 Harvard Road
🥞 The Happy Era (updated Sept 25 - confirmed they're no longer an active sponsor)
👨🔧 VINNIE'S MR. FIX-IT
👊 Urban Combatives Canada
🏘 Empire Roofing & Exteriors <-------
🚛 Guelph Junk Removal
🏒 Hometown Sports Guelph
🚛 Titan Movers
🍕 Dynamite pizza
😋 Kirtida Kitchen
🏘 The Mortgage Centre Guelph
🦅 Holy Crow Connections with Spirit
🛡 Guelph Little Theatre
👫 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph
🐶 Diva Dog Pet Grooming
🎉 Parties Plus
🌷 Floral Images
🧁 Decadently Yours
🎧 The Balance Media Co.
🏘 Choice Cabinet Canada <-------
😋 Olive Tree Mediterranean Grill Guelph
🌿 LAW N ORDER Lawn Maintenance <-------
😋 Kelseys North Guelph
🥋 Ferraro Karate and Martial Arts
😁 Bisson Dentistry
🚗 Speedvale Auto Detailing
📱 SNR Guelph Cellphone and Computer Repair <-------
🏡 Guelph Home Team Real Estate <-------
🥓 Robert's Fresh & Boxed Meats <-------"
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To summarize, based on the information I found through publicly accessible avenues, I can't help but continue to think Thai Mac or his business were involved with the creation of Convoytratiors.COM back in February. I cannot confirm this with 100% certainty without pursing further legal action or criminal charges as the domain registrant information for convoytraitors.COM was hidden behind a proxy.
Extra Reading -
https://www.guelphtoday.com/2022-municipal-election-news/candidate-withdraws-after-concerns-raised-about-online-comments-5795284
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/candidate-for-guelph-council-withdraws-after-screenshots-of-old-online-reviews-surface-1.6060702
]]>Guelph Market was nominated and placed in NINETEEN (19)!!!!! categories. And I'm still speechless.
• Platinum in the Art & Craft Supplies category
• Platinum in the Boutiques category
• Platinum in the Candles category
• Platinum in the Carpets and Rugs category
• Gold in the Event Planning category
• Platinum in the Flea Market category
• Platinum in the General Stores category
• Platinum in the Gift Shops category
• Platinum in the Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores category
• Gold in the Home Decor category
• Gold in the Jewellers and Jewellery Stores category
• Platinum in the Malls and Shopping Centres category
• Platinum in the Men's Clothing category
• Platinum in the Pottery category
• Platinum in the Second Hand Clothing & Consignment category
• Platinum in the Stamps and Collectibles category
• Platinum in the Toys category
• Platinum in the Used Furniture Stores category
• Gold in the Women's Clothing and Accessories category
Thank you so much for all of the love and support the past (almost) 2 years.
]]>]]>
As a business owner and someone who lives alone, I find meal prep and cooking to be more than I can handle most days and find myself turning to delivery options. That's when I found out about LiveFit Foods.
LiveFit Foods is a Canadian company, based in London, Ontario, that delivers fresh, wholesome meals to your front door.
Select your favourite chef inspired meals from expertly curated recipes, schedule a delivery day convenient for you, and enjoy your delicious meals within minutes.
There's plenty to choose from: breakfast meals, lunch & dinner meals. They even have meal packages curated for weight loss, muscle gain, vegans, a keto diet, and more!
✨Use code GuelphMarket20 to save $20 on your first box.✨
In an effort to help raise funds for Guelph Winter Pride happening in February, we are donating all proceeds from our January Fundraiser/Auction to Out On The Shelf.
The auction will be live from January 1st to 7th on our website.
Out On The Shelf is an inclusive LGBTQ2IA+ library and resource centre. They strive to provide a safe space for all members of the queer and trans communities and their allies.
Located at 10Carden, they are located downtown and within walking distance to the bus terminal.
Due to Covid-19, their physical space is currently closed, and programming has been reduced.
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Guelph Market is pleased to announce the results of our Fundraiser/Auction for Guelph Wellington Women In Crisis
We are happy to announce that we raised $512 to go towards the such a fantastic organization.
We would like to thank our community members who participated in this Fundraiser/Auction, to help raise money for this special cause.
Another thanks goes to our amazing team of vendors and community members who donated products from their individual stores on Guelph Market. Without them, this would not be possible.
Finally, we are happy to especially thank Guelph Wellington Women In Crisis for taking part in this event with us.
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To date, Guelph Market has donated over $1000 towards local organizations!
]]>Are you based in Guelph and only sell locally?
It's time to look into switching to a more socially conscious platform to sell to the Guelph community!
Not only does the commission go back to a local small business owner, like yourself, every sale made through Guelph Market helps to fund our monthly fundraisers and gives other emerging businesses the opportunity to start for free.
Unlike Etsy, all vendors on Guelph Market will be featured on the menu, meaning even though you may be competing with other people, customers can still easily find you!
Guelph Market automatically takes care of promoting your products across Facebook and Twitter so that we can get the most amount of eyes on your work. This does not cost you any additional fees.
Maybe you saw our 23% + $0.30 commission rate and went... oh my god, how am I ever going to make money?!
Take a look below at the breakdowns of the fees on Guelph Market and Etsy. You'll find that our rates are extremely competitive and the services we offer better for small businesses like yourself!
- | Guelph Market (BIPOC/Marginalized) | Guelph Market (other) | Etsy (no marketing) | Etsy ( with marketing) |
Product Upload Price | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 | $0.26 |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment Processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | tax inclusive pricing - 13% | tax inclusive pricing - 13% | calculated at checkout - 13% | calculated at checkout - 13% |
Total fees taken from payout | 23% + $0.30 | 25% + 0.30 | 8% + $0.51 | 23% + $0.51 |
- | Guelph Market (BIPOC/Marginalized) | Guelph Market (other) | Etsy (no marketing) | Etsy ( with marketing) |
What Customers Pay | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Min. Total fees | $2.60 | $2.80 | $2.61 | $4.11 |
Min. Vendor Payout | $7.40 | $7.20 | $7.39 | $5.89 |
What Customers Pay | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $20.00 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Min. Total fees | $4.90 | $5.30 | $4.71 | $7.71 |
Min. Vendor Payout | $15.10 | $14.70 | $15.29 | $12.29 |
What Customers Pay | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $100.00 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Min. Total fees | $23.30 | $25.30 | $21.51 | $36.51 |
Min. Vendor Payout | $76.70 | $74.70 | $78.49 | $63.49 |
- | Guelph Market (BIPOC/Marginalized) | Guelph Market (other) | Etsy (no marketing) | Etsy ( with marketing) |
Product Cost (Vendor Payout amount) | $10 | $10 | $10 | $10 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Minimum mark up | 23% + $0.30 | 25% + $0.30 | 21% + $0.56 | 36% + 0.51 |
Min. customer would pay | $12.60 | $12.80 | $12.66 | $14.11 |
Product Cost (Vendor Payout amount) | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Minimum mark up | 23% + $0.30 | 25% + $0.30 | 21% + $0.56 | 36% + 0.51 |
Min. customer would pay | $24.90 | $25.30 | $24.76 | $27.71 |
Product Cost (Vendor Payout amount) | $100 | $100 | $100 | $100 |
Upload Fee | free forever - 0 | free forever - 0 | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* | $0.26 *every 4 months or when product sells out* |
Commission Fee | 8% | 10% | 5% | 5% |
Payment processing fee | 2% + $0.30 | 2% + $0.30 | 3-4% + $0.25 | 3-4% + $0.25 |
Advertising Fee | included for free - 0 | included for free - 0 | 0 | 15% |
Taxes | 13% | 13% | 13% | 13% |
Minimum mark up | 23% + $0.30 | 25% + $0.30 | 21% + $0.56 | 36% + 0.51 |
Min. customer would pay | $123.30 | $125.30 | $121.51 | $136.51 |
As you can see from the charts above, selling through Guelph Market not only puts MORE money into your pocket, but it also allows you more flexibility to price your products than you would on Etsy!
The key here is to reinforce and amplify the thoughts and behaviours that give us a sense of connection and belonging.
Those who have access to technology can use smart phones and the internet to connect. But the internet itself is struggling to accommodate our need for connection. We have intermittent service, eye strain, headaches, higher costs for data and phone calls and a new kind of fatigue. All this makes it pretty important that we make effort to create some happy times over the next weeks.
Here are some things we can do:
Accept
Things ARE different and this alone can stress our nervous system.
However, a daily practice of looking for things to be grateful for literally stimulates uplifting feelings in the brain. Your morning cup of coffee or tea, the beauty of fresh snow, a bird at the feeder, your favourite show, a luxurious shower, the breath you are taking right now are things we can be grateful for and actually increases our sense of well being.
Think simple. Yes, you will miss a lot of things, but your brain doesn’t distinguish between huge and tiny when it comes to generating pleasure. We can have the same degree of well being from the random appreciation of a dew drop as with an elaborate holiday dinner.
Don’t Compare
The key here don’t label things “good or bad”. Our attitude affects our entire mood, and during holidays there can be a lot to compare and regret.
Protect yourself.
Be mindful of thoughts that present as happy memories and morph into a sense of loss. How you respond to thoughts determines whether your day is filled with gratitude or despair. If you have memories that routinely make you sad, be gentle and comforting to yourself as they drift into your mind and switch the topic. Remember: Do not believe everything you think!
Plan Activities and Start New Traditions.
Our traditions create rhythm and predictability and give us a sense of belonging. So this year make some new traditions.
Write a song or poem with others.
Develop a new recipe. Donate to a new charity. “Adopt” someone who is alone and bring them food, a small gift or card. Take a drive beyond your own neighbourhood to see the holiday decorations. Call friends you routinely send cards to and connect more deeply than usual.
Make lists of things to do that are up lifting.
Books, movies, music, art, your favourite tea, a craft, people to call, walking, playing with a pet. Have the list handy so when you are down you don’t have to start from scratch remembering them.
Get a rescue pet, a gold fish, some plants.
Caring for something gets the hormone oxytocin flowing and fosters a sense of connection.
Do something crafty.
Meet friends online to make cards (with grandkids?) from scratch. Or do this alone while listening to music. Being creative stimulates different parts of the brains and can be rejuvenating.
Call friends and family.
Plan this in advance. Plan the the call over email (if you use that). Put it in your calendar so you can look forward to it. Call everyone!! Share from your heart rather than the usual chit chat.
Plan a holiday menu with your family.
Each person can make one dish to share. Bring your dishes to each other or have one person do the rounds. You can even share dinner together over a video platform.
Google “The 5 love languages”.
Take the quiz. Have people you care about also do it (it takes about 10 minutes). Exchange results and learn personal ways to best express love to each other.
Make a memory box.
This creative project feeds the spirit. Find a small box. Assemble crafty things: crayons, sequins, bits of yarn and other tidbits. Decorate your box. And keep these supplies accessible.
Each time you are nostalgic note the memory on a slip of paper. Decorate the paper and sit in APPRECIATION, fondness and gratitude for that experience. Feeling it needs to be deliberate because unless we feel something physically it is not stored in memory and slips away.
Keep assembling memories in your box. You will be cultivating happiness as you deliberately infuse your box with happy memories and gratitude.
If thoughts turn into sadness or regret be mindful and gently bring yourself back into appreciation. It takes practice to do this- but learning to deliberately switch gears will serve you well.
Plan Down Time- Rest and Digest
Resting, and “being”, not doing, is important.
The vagus nerve connects our brain and other organs. It is part of the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for “rest and digest”. Keeping this nerve healthy reduces stressful feelings.
Singing, humming, breathing out more slowly than you breathe in
These help reduce stress by calming the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system. Make this a daily routine.
Sing in the shower or while doing house work or along with your music. For some people holiday songs and movies lead to sadness. If that’s you avoid them.
Stay connected.
When we are unhappy we tend to avoid others. We may think we are a burden or be concerned others will see us as “weak”. But isolating is the worst thing we can do. Think about it- the worst punishment is solitary confinement. Do you know loneliness is as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day?
Research shows too much self-reliance and independence is not good for our well being. And if you know someone living alone or prone to isolation- schedule times to reach out to them - have a story or joke ready to share and help them feel connected and included.
Find an exercise or movement class on TV or online and join in.
Make sure you have healthy snacks to eat.
Take a free online art course on Facebook or Youtube.
People don’t tend to like change- but if you approach this time with curiosity and a sense of adventure you may be surprised how many resources you can connect with.
Stay well.
Yana Hoffman is a psychotherapist and lives in the Guelph, ON area. She works with individuals and couples and writes for Psychology Today Magazine. She has over 37 years as a therapist. You can reach her at: onlinerelationshipcounselling@gmail.com
]]>In case you haven't had a chance to get to know me yet. My name is Brian Kwok (they/them) and I'm the owner of Guelph Market. I am part of the LGBTQ and BIPOC community.
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Whenever you buy through Guelph Market, you're not only supporting the dreams of that business owner, you're also supporting my dream. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Back in 2010, I decided I wanted to become someone who could provide opportunities for the most marginalized members of our communities to start self sufficient and thriving businesses. I did the whole "Get a degree and find a job thing" and realized I needed to learn more about different industries. With that goal in mind, I quit my job and started applying for entry level positions in a lot of different industries to learn more skills that I could pass along to others.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Flash forward to March of 2020, I was so pumped to actually start Guelph Market, I even had bookings with Silence Guelph to host physical events all planned. Then the shutdowns began.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I had to do a complete redesign of what Guelph Market would look like, creating an entirely new online business model so that I could still help small businesses, but also keep our community safe. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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With that in mind, GuelphMarket.com was officially launched in July 2020. This was honestly a blessing in disguise as an online platform allows me to do everything I wanted in one place.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I'm so proud to say that Guelph Market is not only a no upkeep/no monthly overhead platform. We now also publish a monthly guide promoting local and hold monthly fundraiser events for our community.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I would not have been able to get this point with Guelph Market without the continued support from you and other community members.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When you shop through Guelph Market you are not only supporting one dream, but two and I honestly cannot say this enough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you so much.
Brian Kwok (they/them), Owner
]]>The money you would usually be giving to a big box store for your holiday shopping practically disappears into thin air! Studies have shown, when you shop at the typical big box store only 43% of that money makes it back into the community. When you shop local, more of the money you spend will be kept in Guelph. Backing small businesses means building a stronger community! Shopping local also shows that you’re embracing and supporting what makes your community unique. Especially in this time of uncertainty, building a strong community is more important than ever!
Another benefit of shopping from local small business means that you’re helping to create local jobs. One major downfall of the pandemic is that it has forced so many of our community members out of their steady means of employment. By supporting small businesses in Guelph, you help create higher-paying jobs for your friends and neighbours. You’re showing your fellow community members that not only do you value them as a neighbor, but you value what they do for the community. To further help the community, buying local also helps protect the environment. Purchasing from local businesses helps to conserve energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging being used in shipping (especially when you opt for local delivery or pickup!). Also, spending locally instead of online ensures that your sales taxes are reinvested where they belong— in your community!
Local business owners know you, and you know them. Backing your friends and neighbors in their business ventures is just another step that the Guelph Community can make to creating a tight-knit city that supports it local businesses, creators, makers and artists. Furthermore, just like with what we’ve been busy with at Guelph Market, studies have shown that local businesses donate to community causes at more than twice the rate of chains!
This year we urge you to shop local! Buying locally strengthens communities. Local purchases keep the wealth in our neighborhoods and increase the prosperity for the people around us instead of going to a far-away corporation. Happy Holidays from all of us at Guelph Market to all of our friends, family members and coworkers across our beautiful city of Guelph!
- written by Jill Doyle, Guelph Market's Publicist and owner of Craftwitch Stitch
Guelph Market Teaming Up With GWWIC For Partnership and Fundraiser
Guelph, ON – Guelph Market, Guelph’s only fully online platform for vendors, artisans and creators in Guelph is thrilled to announce a new partnership and fundraiser with Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis.
This holiday season, Guelph Market is turning towards a new partnership with the GWWIC, aimed to help raise funds for women in our community who may need a little bit of extra help this December. Guelph Market is hosting a virtual auction, running live from December 1st to 7th on their online platform. “We’re thrilled to boast over 20 prizes donated to the auction by our vendors, local businesses and community members. Prizes will start in a range of different starting bids so there’s something for everyone” says owner Brian Kwok. “It feels great to be able to lean on our vendors for donations to our various initiatives to contribute back to our community”.
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis is a feminist community-based organization providing various services to women and their children in the Guelph-Wellington area. Their programs are both inclusive and equitable to ensure all members of the community can access their services regardless of race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and/or abilities.
This partnership with the GWWIC is not Guelph Market’s first partnership with a community organization. Kwok worked closely with representatives from 1492 Landback Lane to help aid with a monetary donation to their organization. “We’ve learned from the experiences running an auction through Facebook with the work we did assisting 1492 Landback Lane. We’ve made some changes in how our auctions will function moving forward and think that the auctions will run a lot smoother and more conveniently for everyone” said Kwok. “We made the ultimate decision to move the auction off of Facebook and onto our website, to ensure it is accessible to all members of our community”.
How does this fundraiser differ from the last one on Facebook? Kwok explains that it will be much easier to place a bid on an item, and easier to keep track of bids coming in. “You just need to have a valid email to bid” explained Kwok, “If yours is the winning bid, then you will receive an invoice to your email address for payment and prize collection, which we will do via e-transfer. That way, we will be able to donate more assistance to the organization, bypassing extra service fees and charges on other payment modes.”
This season make Guelph Market your market and help us give back to our community. Access our latest fundraiser through www.guelphmarket.com.
For more information please contact:
Brian “B” Kwok, Creator & Owner, guelphmarket@gmail.com
www.guelphmarket.com | instagram @guelphmarket | facebook @guelphmarket
]]>You can find all of the items here - https://guelphmarket.com/collections/december-fundraiser-auction-guelph-wellington-women-in-crisis
Thank you so much to all of our sponsors and donors this month (in no specific order):
Welcome to the Guelph Market family!
]]>We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC).
In an effort to help raise funds for women in our community who may need a little bit of extra help this December, we are donating all proceeds from our December Fundraiser/Auction to GWWIC.
The auction will be live from December 1st to 7th on our website.
After learning from our experiences running an auction through Facebook for our 1492 Landback Lane fundraiser, we've made some changes to how the auction will work moving forward.
We made the ultimate decision to move the auction from Facebook onto our website to ensure it is accessible to all members of our community. You just need to have a valid email to bid. Payment for prize collection will be done through e-transfer, that way more money goes back to the organization, and not into service fees and charges.
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis is a feminist community-based organization providing services to women and their children on woman abuse and sexual violence. Their programs are both inclusive and equitable to ensure all members of the community can access their services regardless of race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and/or abilities.
We are so pleased to welcome Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis to the Guelph Market family!
]]>Guelph Market is pleased to announce the results of our Fundraiser/Auction for 1492 Landback Lane.
We are thrilled that we raised $600 to go towards the Caledonia community for Indigenous community members to allocate funds throughout their community.
We would like to thank our community members who participated in this Fundraiser/Auction, to help raise money for this special cause.
Another thanks goes to our amazing team of vendors and community members who donated products from their individual stores on Guelph Market, as well as members of our vendor team who volunteered their time in helping to ensure this event ran smoothly.
Finally, we are happy to especially thank 1492 Landback Lane for taking part in this event with us. 1492 Landback Lane fights for Indigenous rights and we’re thrilled to be able to aid in their efforts to reclaim their land.
Guelph Market stands with Haudenosaunee Land Keepers of Six Nations.
Here's what our first client had to say about their experience!
You can find all of the items here - https://www.facebook.com/events/274995607086237
Thank you so much to all of our sponsors and donors this month (in no specific order):
We are thrilled to announce a new initiative we have started. In an effort to give back and help the most marginalized members of our community, we are excited to let everyone know that we will be hosting monthly fundraisers moving forward!
In light of the recent injunctions and increased legal fees, we have decided to donate all proceeds to the 1492 Landback Lane community in Caledonia Ontario.
We will be holding the fundraiser through Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/events/274995607086237
The auction will be live Nov 1st to the 7th. Bidding will close at 11:59pm EST on November 7th.
1492 Landback Lane fights for Indigenous rights and we’re thrilled to be able to aid in their efforts to reclaim their land.
Guelph Market stands with Haudenosaunee Land Keepers of Six Nations.
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Thanks to our generous Vendors - Bathnote, Get The Bag, Junglhouse and Stitchgeek for donating amazing prizes to make sure everyone stays safe and comfortable this fall.
Enter our contest on the Instagram post directly:
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Two. Different. Giveaways! Two chances to win!
Open to Canadian Residents only.
Ends August 29, 2020
Shop their products here: BotanicalJewels.ca
Open to Canadian and US Residents only.
Ends August 18, 2020
Shop their products here: Craftwitchstitch.com
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With July coming to an end and August about to begin. We are looking for new vendors to join Guelph Market.
This is an online marketplace.
There is something magical about growing your own fresh produce. Living in a society that creates easy access to fruits and vegetables in supper markets can cause a bit of a misunderstanding of how and where our food comes from. Unfortunately, it's not always sunshine and rainbows... but I think diving into that should be left for another day.
A question I found myself asking at a young age was, where does my food come from and how are the shelves always so stocked when walking into a NoFrills or FreshCo with my family. The truth is is that not a lot of people have the same relationship with food in the 21st century compared to eras before us. We don't often see where our food is grown or in what way. In some cases, machines do more work than people!
With this said, during the summer months there are some real benefits to deciding to grow some of your needed produce for the season.
The most obvious benefit is the cost. Anyone who has grown cherry tomatoes knows that once you start harvesting fruit in July you will be eating more tomatoes than you'll know what to do with! Surplus produce can also be stored in various ways to be enjoyed later that year. Canning, drying, or freezing can all allow you to enjoy homegrown food in the midst of a cold winter! (Soups are a favourite for preserve veggies)
Another benefit of growing food is very simple. Education. Whether you and you just settled into a new home or you are raising a family, growing food invites educational opportunities in all aspects. Not only will you learn plant care, but you will also be able to experience the time in which it takes to grow the food we buy on a whim.
Nutrition is also a positive to growing your own food! Eating fresh produce harvested right in front of you, believe it or not, can be much more nutrient-packed than from grocery stores! You can also make your diet more diverse when growing new interesting crops!
Lastly, is growing your own food gets you back to nature. Encouraging you to slow down a little bit and enjoy what's happening in the moment.
Someone of you may be thinking, 'i would love to grow my own food but I live in a highrise or don't have a back year'. Container gardening is the method for you! Lots of fruits and veggies can be grown in pots instead of the ground and a method called vertical gardening can be very space-effective!
I hope this inspires some of you to start looking into some at-home food growing options. Links bellow for advice and a place to start! I know its July but there are still things that can be grown yet this season! Happy Planting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUk7Ek4hxxk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUblqn-ETog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY3jf0chngU
Originally published by Botanical Jewels : https://www.facebook.com/botanicaljewels.plants/posts/2717360131828956
Check out some of their amazing products below
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