STYLE BY SARAI | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW CHEN
Women of Vancouver (WofV) is a monthly editorial featuring the most stylish and professional women in Vancouver. Style by Sarai recently interviewed Hannah Bernard for this exclusive in-depth photo editorial.
What do you do for work?
I am creator, director, executive producer and host of a local production company and online distribution agency in Vancouver called Viral Media Group.
How did you get in this line of work?
After I attended UBC, I was seeking a position where I could use my creativity to innovate. I applied for an internship with Viral Network Inc. and started as an executive producer behind their video products and YouTube channel. After I was promoted to Head of Media Development, I realized that we could increase our client base if we expanded our production capabilities. And that was when I incorporated Viral Media Group; we now offer high quality video production and effective digital distribution, all under one roof.
What challenges have you faced with starting the new division in your company?
A lot, but that’s what has kept things interesting and every challenge has made us better. I think the greatest challenge for me personally has been to juggle all of my different roles. Sometimes it can be hard to go from executive producer to saleswoman in the time span of an hour, but as a start up, I think that’s normal.
For the company, brand awareness and setting ourselves apart from the great companies in Vancouver has been our greatest challenge – but we are well on our way to establishing ourselves as a frontrunner in the industry.
Where do you see yourself in five and 10 years?
Happy and influencing change, that is all I want for myself. I want to leave an impact on the world and I want to encourage others to do so as well.
What charitable organizations do you work with?
I have volunteered with several charitable organizations around the Lower Mainland and Vancouver, but I have always wanted to play a much bigger role than donating or just being a volunteer. There are more creative ways that companies can give back to the community than just writing a cheque. So I decided to start an initiative called “Start-ups for Good.”
Over the last several months I have been connecting charitable organizations with start-up service providers that are new and need help building their portfolio; websites, videos, marketing, designers, any service that organizations would need to get their story out. This way it’s a win/win; the organizations get the help they need and the companies build their portfolio, all the while sleeping better at night knowing they’re doing good for their community.
The idea is still fresh and we have a lot to do in developing it, but I am really passionate about the possibilities it could lead to.
How did you get involved with this cause/organization?
Charity runs in my family, my mom currently runs a foundation and has always worked with multiple organizations. She has always encouraged my sisters and I to get involved as well and we’ve always listened.
Outside of work, what do you do in your spare time?
Family, family, family. My family is very important and spending time with them energizes me. I also have incredible friendships and I love going out and enjoying Vancouver with them. Besides that you will most likely find me on some sort of outdoor adventure, at a sporting event, running the seawall, writing music, playing guitar or creating delicious raw/vegan recipes.
Are you vegan?
I’m not vegan but I eat vegan on a regular basis. Over the last two years I have become absolutely obsessed with care of health. Perhaps my obsession was due to the fact that my mom runs a preventative health care foundation or that my sister/roommate is a holistic nutritionist. Either way, I am extremely passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and taking care of your body through the way you eat.
The Parlour | 1011 Hamilton Street, Vancouver
What does a typical weekend look like for you?
If I stay in Vancouver and don’t go to the valley to see how much my nephew has changed in a week, you’d find me doing intramural sports, on a hike or outdoor activity, in a yoga class, jogging to do my errands or out on social outings. This is all, of course, when I’m not on set or at meetings. I also love to travel whenever I can.
When you go out, where do you like to start?
My girlfriends and I love dinner parties, and we all take turns hosting them. I love starting an evening out with great food, great people and great conversation, oh and wine of course.
What do you like about The Parlour?
I recently discovered The Parlour and I absolutely love it, the food is phenomenal and the ambiance, people and music make it a good time, every time!
Which Pizza do you recommend everyone to try when they’re at The Parlour?
Big Prawn!! Gluten free of course!
What’s your drink of choice?
When I’m feeling rebellious you’ll find a dark beer in my hand, but most of the time a Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to.
Nuba | Gastown, Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, Yaletown
What do you like about Nuba?
THE FOOD. I couldn’t have created better menu items to fit my diet. When I started to really care about what I was putting in my body, I started researching restaurants that were friendly with my lifestyle. I was getting tired of bringing friends that would get disappointed with the menu. That’s why Nuba was such a great find because friends could find something they liked while I was able to order something that I knew was good for me.
What do you recommend everyone to try when they’re at Nuba?
Najib’s Special!! Culinary genius.
How do you think people would describe your style?
I think people would have a hard time defining my style, to be honest. What makes my style unique is the many looks that I have. If someone looked in my closet I think the only description they’d come out with would be Parisian with a twist of boho chic, because some days I’ll wear something very Parisian and classy, and the next day I look straight out of the 70s with a boho-chic flair and then sometimes I’ll mix the items together!
One thing people would definitely say is that style is important to me, because whether I am wearing sweat pants to run across the street or going out for a meeting, I always add something to pull the outfit together.
What does style mean to you?
Style, for me, is an expression of my personality and I think that is why I do have such a wide range of items in my closet. When I’m at work, I like to dress the part. I live by look good, feel good; dressed in a powerful work dress with great heels and I can walk into any board meeting and feel in control. But catch me after work and you could find me in a pair of boyfriend jeans with a knit sweater, having a beer and watching the game. My personality comes out through my style and that’s why style is important to me.
THANKS HANNAH BERNARD, FOR BEING A STYLISH WOMAN IN VANCOUVER!
WOMEN OF VANCOUVER TEAM
| JASON SARAI producer / editor / stylist |
STYLE BY SARAI stylebysarai.com @StylebySarai |
| MATTHEW CHEN photographer |
MATTHEW CHEN PHOTOS mchenphotos.com @mattchenphoto |
| EMILY CHENG hair & makeup |
EMILY CHENG MAKEUP & HAIR emilycheng.ca @emily_mua |
Women of Vancouver is a monthly editorial featuring the most stylish and professional women in Vancouver. WofV is currently being released exclusively on Vancity Buzz.
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