From helping families protect their homes for years to come through the support of a sister-owned home renovation business, to joining the fight to eradicate systemic barriers to fair wages and benefits for women and diverse genders, women in the Tri-Cities are fierce champions of changing positive change in the communities they live, work and play in.
This International Women’s Day, we are recognizing the efforts of these women to ‘Accelerate Action’ throughout Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody by shining the spotlight on a diverse set of women who are making a difference through their entrepreneurship and leadership.
Little Gypsy’s Fine Jewelry
Established in a 1920s era heritage house in Port Moody's Old Town, Little Gypsy’s Fine Jewelry, Gifts and Gallery cultivates an inclusive safe space for all those who wander through their vintage doors, regardless of their gender, race or orientation.
Little Gypsy’s offers a diverse collection of lovingly handcrafted items, spanning from pendant necklaces and paintings, to pottery and glassware, sourced from over 50 local B.C. artists. As well, owner Lydia Podobnik offers custom design work and repairs, so whatever you find in store will be truly unique.
Additionally, the shop has a generous display of metaphysical products, including journals, tarot cards, oracle decks, essential oils, sage, incense, healing stones and crystals, to promote engagement in one’s spiritual side.
At Little Gypsy’s, which is celebrating its 10th year in business in 2025, shoppers are encouraged to explore their sense of individuality and self-love from the inside out.
Located on 49 Queens St., Little Gypsy's is open Weds. through Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by today to explore and add a little magic to your life. Be sure to follow Little Gypsy’s on Instagram and Facebook.
Westwood Honda
As a fixture of the Tri-Cities community since 1978, Westwood Honda implements a “what you see is what you get” approach to all facets of their dealership operations.
Whether you are purchasing a new car or servicing your current vehicle, the Port Moody dealership takes care of its customers with their personalized approach. When it comes to helping prospective buyers secure a preowned vehicle, their team leads the conversation with the best market value price first, thus eliminating the need to negotiate for a better deal.
Westwood Honda offers customers and staff of all identities and backgrounds a welcoming and respectful environment rooted in honest, straightforward and transparent communication. And, with their dedication to fostering a workforce that promotes equal opportunity and values diversity, they encourage women and people of all gender identification to apply to join their growing dealership team.
For more information on getting in the driver’s seat of your career journey, visit westwoodhonda.com or contact [email protected]. Follow Westwood Honda on Facebook and Instagram for the latest deals and promotions.
NewPort Dry Deck
For over 15 years, sisters Keri Belanger and Laura McKinney have been resurfacing sundecks together.
Their father, Belanger’s spouse and their circle of friends make up the hardworking team at NewPort Dry Deck, thus keeping their Coquitlam-based business in the family.
As for what inspired the formation of their business, the idea stemmed from Belanger and McKinney’s shared frustration over how the deck recoating on their properties only lasted a short time. They figured that other homeowners also desired a solution that is both waterproof and long-lasting. Through their research, the sisters were able to uncover a better alternative – polyurethane deck coatings.
As the sisters began their home renovation work, they discovered they could seal around wooden railing posts and bond to stucco siding without having to remove it. They even coat concrete! After resurfacing decks for their friends, word started to spread around the community, and NewPort Dry Deck was born.
Every year, NewPort Dry Deck replaces hundreds of worn-out vinyl and fibreglass decks with their unique waterproof coating: OmegaDeck – a water-based, troweled-on polyurethane coating. It’s seamless, easy to clean, and doesn’t trip, tear or stain.
The sisters take great pride in knowing numerous family homes will remain protected from the elements for well over a couple of decades with the help of their deck surfaces.
“I love doing the estimates, booking the jobs, then having my sister and our crews work their magic,” says Belanger. “Whether it’s the deck, stairs, railings or concrete entrances, the transformations are beautiful! We are passionate about what we do and it shows. Getting to work with my family is the bonus.”
Call 604-256-1158 for a free quote and follow NewPort Dry Deck on Facebook and Instagram for updates.
Good Dog
Good Dog is all about empowering women, enriching dogs and strengthening the local community.
Owners Vanessa Janusz and Heather Grandy began their company over 15 years ago with a passion for providing exceptional dog care in the Tri-Cities. Today, Good Dog stands as a woman-owned and managed business with two thriving locations in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. Their team, primarily composed of women, is dedicated to empowering each other and the community they serve.
The team at Good Dog goes beyond dog care. They have a commitment to building a supportive environment where women thrive in leadership roles, fostering a community that uplifts others, and ensuring every dog feels safe, loved and enriched. To those points, Good Dog is proud to have been voted the #1 Dog Daycare and Pet Grooming in Port Coquitlam and Port Moody—recognition that fuels their commitment to excellence.
With daycare, grooming, boarding and training, Good Dog offers personalized care that meets the unique needs of every pup. As part of the Tri-Cities community, they also give back by supporting local charities and providing resources and education to pet parents.
Visit Good Dog in Port Coquitlam or Port Moody and experience the Good Dog difference. Learn more at www.gooddog.ca
Network Hearing
Network Hearing is a dream come true for co-founders Sandra Baker and Grace Shyng. As longtime colleagues, they have worked together in various capacities since 1994, and have a combined 50 years of clinical experience in helping clients manage their hearing loss, tinnitus issues and more.
As local residents of Port Coquitlam, they have established the only private hearing health clinic in the Tri-Cities that is independently owned and operated by Registered Audiologists/Hearing Instrument Practitioners, providing services for children, adults and seniors.
In operation since Sept. 2022, Network Hearing was built with accessibility and inclusivity in mind, particularly for those with hearing, vision and mobility challenges. Baker and Shyng lead a team of client-centred clinicians who provide a full range of diagnostic and rehabilitation services, including:
- Hearing assessments
- Hearing aid services
- Earwax removal services
- Tinnitus management services
- Auditory processing assessments
- Hearing health services for seniors in independent living and residential care facilities
True to their shared passion for making hearing health accessible to all, Baker and Shyng are active participants in various professional, community and clinical education activities and committees, and are also Clinical Assistant Professors with the UBC School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, Faculty of Medicine.
As entrepreneurs, both women strongly believe that a consistent, reliable, client-centred approach is key to providing quality hearing health care over one’s lifetime.
For more information, visit www.networkhearing.ca. Contact Network Hearing today and mention this article to receive 10% off your first hearing assessment.
Member of Parliament Bonita Zarrillo
Accelerate Action is the theme for International Women’s Day in 2025, and Member of Parliament Bonita Zarrillo has done just that. Most recently, she has moved forward with legislation to correct the longstanding discriminatory pay inequity for flight attendants. This career path is predominately held by women and diverse genders, many of whom work up to one week a month unpaid. It’s time to end unpaid work, and Zarrillo is leading this in the House of Commons.
In addition, women are disproportionately represented in the care economy, working long hours in challenging conditions for inadequate pay. Many of these workers are immigrants and despite their essential roles, they face systemic barriers to fair wages and benefits. Recognizing this injustice, Zarrillo advocates for legislation that accelerates the removal of these barriers, ensuring pay equity and dignified working conditions for all care workers. She is also a founding member of the All-Party Caregiving caucus in Canada’s parliament.
With a background as a business analyst, Zarrillo blends her analytical skills with compassion to spearhead comprehensive efforts toward gender equality. As the Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra, she is one of 103 women MPs across Canada.
To learn more about Zarrillo and her platform, follow her on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates, or email her office at [email protected]
