Think Local First

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island recently announced a new team member - Steven Seltzer is their new Director of Communications and Philanthropy!

Bringing extensive experience working with community organizations across Greater Victoria, Steven Seltzer has successfully led initiatives to raise both awareness and critical funding to support individuals and families in need. His strong connections within the community - such as serving as Vice President of Think Local First! - and proven leadership in the non-profit sector will play a key role in advancing Society of Saint Vincent de Paul of Vancouver Island's mission.

“I’m honoured to join an organization with such a long history of serving those most in need,” said Seltzer. “I look forward to working with the dedicated team and community partners to further the Society’s mission and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

Congratulations to Steven and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul on this exciting new development!

🔗 Learn more about the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island on our Member Directory: https://bit.ly/3XWLjRy

Please join us in welcoming our newest members to Think Local First.

We’re proud to be growing alongside locally owned businesses that are choosing connection, collaboration, and keeping dollars circulating right here in our community. Each new member brings something unique to the table, and together, we continue to strengthen the local business ecosystem across Greater Victoria.

Welcome to the community — we’re better together.


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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our mixer at last night. It was one of those evenings that quietly reminds you why Victoria’s business community feels the way it does — connected, generous, and grounded in real relationships.

A special thank-you to Lifetime Networks for opening their doors and hosting us. Their team creates belonging in this city every single day, and it showed in how welcoming the space felt from the moment we arrived.

Events like this aren’t just networking opportunities — they’re a chance to slow down, meet the people behind the businesses, and remember that local economies are built on trust long before transactions. Seeing members swap ideas, share stories, and offer help so naturally is exactly what makes this community strong.

We’re grateful you showed up, supported one another, and helped make the evening what it was.
Looking forward to the next time we gather

Thank you to the Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island for generously hosting our Think Local First strategic planning session in your boardroom.

Big-picture conversations, strong alignment, and a lot of momentum heading into the year ahead.

Stay tuned — there’s a lot of exciting work coming up for Think Local First and our local business community.

We’re pleased to share that Think Local First has purchased a table for the Victoria Chamber luncheon with Chief Constable Fiona Wilson.

This is a great opportunity to join fellow local business leaders for conversation, insight, and connection.

📅 February 10, 2026
📍 Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour

Space is limited.
To reserve your seat at the TLF table, please email TLF President Beverly Carter at [email protected]

We’re excited to welcome a new group of businesses and organizations to the Think Local First community. Each of these members brings unique perspectives, creativity, and leadership to our local economy — and we’re proud to have them growing alongside us.

From innovators and facilitators to local favourites and community-focused organizations, our newest members reflect the diversity and strength of what it means to think local first. We encourage you to get to know them, support their work, and connect at upcoming events.

We’re better together — welcome to the community.

Looking for a gift that’s guaranteed to delight?

Ooh La La Cupcakes gift cards are the perfect pick for students, team members, brides-to-be, parents celebrating an anniversary, or anyone with a birthday coming up.

Available as physical gift cards in-store or digital gift cards online — easy, thoughtful, and always appreciated.

Shop gift cards here: https://www.oohlalacupcakes.ca/s/gift-cards

Thinking about Christmas gifts for this season?
Give the gift of live theatre with tickets to our Year-End Musical! Until January, use the discount code CCPAGIFT for 10% off tickets to this scrappy and snappy musical sensation, Disney’s ‘Newsies’.

Disney’s ‘Newsies’
April 17-25
McPherson Playhouse
Tickets at rmts.bc.ca

https://www.rmts.bc.ca/production-detail-pages/2026-mcpherson-playhouse/newsies-the-musical/

We’re proud to see 35 Think Local First member businesses nominated in this year’s Times Colonist Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Times Colonist is also a Think Local First member, making this a great opportunity to support local businesses, support local media, and show the strength of our community.

Voting is open until December 10.
Vote here:
https://timescolonist.secondstreetapp.com/Readers-Choice-2025-2/

Join us on Lower Yates next Thursday for a festive Sip & Shop evening! 🎄

Adventure Clothing , Berstein & Gold, Colage, Luxe, and Outlooks are welcoming the community for an evening of nibbles, bubbles, in-store specials, and thoughtful holiday shopping.

Support local this season and discover something special from our local businesses.

December 4th, 4–7 PM.
See you on Lower Yates.