Howzit, everyone! I hope 2025 has kicked off on a better note for you than it did for us. The flu has been doing its rounds in our house again—kids brought it home first, and before we knew it, Belinda and I were down with sore throats, headaches, and the dreaded runny noses. Nothing too hectic, but trying to keep all the balls in the air while feeling like that? Not fun!

And let me tell you, 2025 hasn’t exactly started slow. Between the South African Institute, the HowzitCanada website, Global Village Publishing, my business, and The South African Shop, it’s been chaos. Throw in this flu, and it’s felt like I’ve been running through mud. But hey, we’re on the mend now, and I’m optimistic that we’ve shaken off both the flu and the funk. Here’s to getting stuck into the year and making it a good one!

In This Newsletter

• Upcoming Events

• Buying My First Business Update

• A Quick Update on the HowzitCanada Website

• Thought of the Week: Be Someone’s Cheer Squad

Upcoming Events

So January is a bit quiet on the events front, but we do have a couple of things lined up to kick off the year.

First up is our regular Pub Night at Sailor Hagar’s in North Vancouver on Monday, January 20th. From now on, Pub Night will be a standing event every third Monday of the month, so mark it in your calendars! It’s a great chance to catch up with everyone, share a laugh, and enjoy a lekker kuier.

Looking ahead, we’ve also got the 99S Sevens Breakfast and 15th Anniversary Social happening on Thursday, February 22nd, at Dublin Calling downtown. That one’s shaping up to be a biggie, so don’t miss out!

Beyond that, the events calendar will be filling up fast. We’ve got some exciting things in the pipeline—the West Vancouver Cultural Festival, the Boerewors Roll Day event, the Saskatchewan South African Festival, and even something special being planned for the Kootenays. So, keep an eye on this space because 2025 is going to be buzzing with action. Let’s make it a year to remember!

Buying My First Business Update

As I mentioned in last week’s newsletter, 2025 is the year I’m diving into the world of buying a business. Here’s what I’ve been up to so far:

I’ve been doing a ton of research and even put together a handy spreadsheet to rate businesses. The idea is to allocate points to different elements and see which ones score high enough to make them worthwhile. It’s a work in progress, but it’s already helping me think more clearly about what to look for.

So far, I’ve reached out to about 30 businesses listed on various buying and selling sites. I’m probably not going to buy any of them, but I wanted to get a feel for what’s out there. Unsurprisingly, there are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants on the market, but I’m still figuring out whether that’s the right direction for me.

I also asked Warren and Sandy to connect me with their business-buying network. They’ve been super helpful and have put me in touch with their banker and the guy who helped them find their business. Hopefully, I’ll have meetings with both of them in the next week to get some insights and advice.

To make things even more exciting, I’ve started a YouTube channel called Buying My First Small Business in Canada. If you’re curious or want to follow along, I’d love for you to subscribe to the channel!

Lastly, I’ve created a private mastermind group on WhatsApp for anyone interested in buying a business. It’s a space for like-minded people to share ideas, ask questions, and brainstorm strategies for navigating the world of business ownership. If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, reply to this email, and I’ll send you an invite.

That’s it for now! Stay tuned for more updates, and here’s to an exciting journey ahead.

A Quick Update on the HowzitCanada Website

The HowzitCanada website is well on its way!

I initially thought I’d build the site myself, but with everything else going on, I quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. I tried Fiverr, reaching out to a few folks in India—budget’s tight, after all—but it didn’t work out. They just couldn’t quite capture the South African vibe.

Luckily, just before Christmas, I found some guys back in South Africa through a Facebook page dedicated to South African creatives. Wow, what a difference! They’ve been fantastic—great to work with, affordable, and most importantly, they get it. The site is coming together beautifully, and I’m so excited about it.

Here’s a link to a little video I made showing off the look and feel of the site. I’d really appreciate it if you could take a peek and let me know what you think!

The HowzitCanada website will be the go-to directory for South Africans in Canada. It’ll have:

• Shops selling all the South African goodies.

• South African-owned businesses to support across Canada.

• A calendar of events showcasing South African celebrations and gatherings.

• Social media groups and resources to help you find your people and feel at home.

The plan is to have it live by January 30th, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you!

Thought of the Week: Be Someone’s Cheer Squad

One of the hardest parts of moving to a new country is leaving behind the little things that make life feel full. Back in South Africa, when your kids had a school play, a concert, or a sports match, you’d gather the whole family—grandparents, uncles, aunts, and even that one friend who always made things fun—and they’d show up to cheer them on. It wasn’t just about the event; it was about showing up for each other.

But here? It’s different. Suddenly, when your kids have their big moment, it’s just you and your partner supporting in the audience. I really felt it at my son’s graduation. There were these big, loud groups of family cheering as the kids walked across the stage. When Connor’s name was called, it was up to us—Belinda, Angelique, and me—to try and make the same amount of noise. And while it was special in its own way, you can’t help but notice what’s missing.

So here’s an idea: let’s show up for each other. If you hear about another South African family whose child has something coming up—a school play, a recital, a sports game—make the effort to go and be there for them. Trust me, it’s so worth it. The kids love it, the parents appreciate it, and it’s just plain fun to be part of.

We’ve tried to make a habit of this, and it’s one of those little things that just feels good. It’s an easy way to rebuild those networks we left behind and remind each other that we’re not alone here.

So here’s the challenge: find out what’s happening in your community, show up, cheer loudly, and make a kid’s day. Let’s build the kind of support we all miss, one event at a time. You’ll be surprised how much joy it brings—not just to them, but to you too.

Closing Thoughts

That’s it for this week! Let’s keep supporting each other, building connections, and making 2025 a year to remember. Whether it’s at Pub Night, a school event, or through a WhatsApp group, every little bit of effort helps us grow stronger together.

Until next time, stay warm and stay connected!

Cheers,

Callie