Adventures of Lifemoves' Founder | Alfred Ball's Blog

During registration we received a deck of playing cards marked Anti-Doping. They are still in the wrapping, I don't think that will ever change. We started with an ice-breaker game to meet each other, we ended up with our our own cheering team. It started by each person challenging the individual sitting next to them to a Paper, Rock, Scissors game, with the winner continuing on and the loser cheering on the winner in the next round. It didn't take long before I found myself as part of the final two. Which, thankfully was a best of three. The eventual winner, a Doctor from Calgary won the first round, I won the second round and she won last one. The championship was a small gold plastic cup with "Golden Cup" scrawled in permanent marker on the side (I will challenge her to a re-match when I see her again).

After several months of anticipating, October 29th, it was time now time to attend the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards held at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Each year they have a theme, this year was a masquerade.

Not knowing where I could get a mask, my girlfriend who is studying Prosthetics and Orthotics, who also enjoys creating things and who is very good at doing so, volunteered to make my mask for me. This mask was made to fit and a masterpiece I cherish.

All day Thursday I nervously waited for the evening's festivities to begin and the reception of my mask. I kept focused on each client during their session with breathing and mindfulness mantras. The pre-event started at 6:00 PM, but due to unforeseen circumstances I was unable to get there until 6:45 PM, not long before dinner started.

Drink in hand I made my way to my table of ten, "Table 27." I made a very good connection with Dave, a father of one of the nominees. Throughout the gala we joked and predicted who would be the winner of each award. This was only to help me calm down. The awards were presented in alphabetical order with Best in Business and Business Person presented last. As a "Young Entrepreneur" finalist, I was one of the last to find out if I had won.

Each award was presented by the different sponsors who had the opportunity to speak about what it meant to them. The finalists were announced again by wonderfully done short-films produced by Capilano University Film Students.

This was a great project for the students and gave each finalist an opportunity to show case their business. Thank you John Morrison and Charlie Caanan for a well edited version of our one day of filming.

I sat on the edge of my seat, with my thank you speech in hand (we were asked to write one, just in case). Unfortunately, I was not the winner, however I would like congratulate Laurie of Carol's Costume's who said "Thank you, it is great to be young," after which the crowd erupted in laughter. It was clear that everyone was enjoying the evening, which ended by celebrating the top three short-films with generous montary awards and applaud.

Even though I did not win, I am grateful. It is an honour to be recognized among such outstanding business owners on the North Shore. Among many other things I am grateful for all the support I received starting Lifemoves I am grateful for our clients, I am grateful for having Sahba as an employee and I am grateful for being able to pursue my dreams.

I have be involved in the North Shore Chamber of Commerce for less than a year, but have been welcomed with open arms. Being a Young Entrepreneur I appreciate the family feeling and I look forward to getting to know everyone at future events. Thanks to the NVCC and Fairmont Vancouver Hotel Staff for hosting a lively event.