Mark's

#WhatMattersNow ft. Tameem Shafiyullah “A decade ago, my husband and I embarked on an exciting new journey as immigrants to Canada. Over the past ten years, we’ve faced the challenge of bridging the cultural differences between India and Canada. Balancing traditional family values with Canada’s more individualistic culture required adaptability and open-mindedness, but together with my husband, we’ve blended the two to create a harmonious, full life. Recently, I was fortunate to take a much-needed girls' trip where I spent time rediscovering myself and rejuvenating my spirit. On this trip, I realized just how much of a whirlwind life can be and why it is so important to create time for yourself to slow down and reflect. With calendars so full of work and family commitments, finding time for yourself can be difficult. Which is why #WhatMattersNow is focusing on a well-rounded life, embracing both responsibilities and the commitments you make to yourself.”  

#WhatMattersNow ft. Weijia Gao “I’m someone who is deeply committed to giving my best effort in everything I do. When I’m at work, I prioritize staying focused by minimizing distractions and keeping my phone out of sight. Similarly, during my personal time, I try to keep thoughts of work at bay and fill my time doing the things I love. Solving puzzles is something that helps me unwind, and I always look forward to the accomplishment of placing the final piece. I am also an avid baker, with Swiss rolls and canelé being my specialties, although I did recently make a delicious strawberry cake from fresh strawberries I picked from a local patch. While I enjoy the process of baking, the best part is always sharing what I make with my favourite people. Last year, after being apart for four years, I finally had the opportunity to visit China to see my favourite people of all: my parents. As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized just how important their love and support are – a truth my teenage self would never be able to admit. #WhatMattersNow is fully investing into the things you do, but not forgetting to share them with the people you love. In addition to only people, my cat Van Gogh is one of my best friends and has been by my side for four years. Life is truly better when it’s not alone.” 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Hélina L. “Over the past year, I’ve experienced some of the most challenging yet rewarding moments of my life, from starting a new job to, most importantly, becoming a mother. I used to be fearless, someone who wasn’t afraid of anything, but after becoming a mom, I started overthinking every decision, action, and aspect of my life. I lost my identity, stopped doing the things I once loved, and struggled to recognize this new person I had become. Although, through these changes, I discovered a new source of strength and inspiration: my son. His constant smiles have become a powerful reminder of how everything is and will be ok. #WhatMattersNow is being a positive impact for yourself and others. My son's innocent joy reignited the familiar spark within me and has given me a renewed sense of purpose. I want to be remembered as someone who inspires, motivates, and makes a difference. We must embrace our struggles, learn from them, and remember them to make lasting impacts on those around us.”  

👋 Meet Dave Jarvis! Since joining Mark's in 2002 as a part-time Associate while attending university, Dave has embarked on an incredible career journey taking on new locations and gaining valuable experience among the Atlantic region. What excites Dave about coming to work every day is the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and learn something new. Whether interacting with the IT department, communications team, or store teams, he embraces the variety and knowledge gained from working across the CTC enterprise. 🟧Learn more about Dave’s journey with Mark's.

#WhatMattersNow ft. Amy Vandermeer “Time is flying! This year marks 22 years I’ve been working at Mark’s and 26 years I’ve been with my husband building a life together we love. #WhatMattersNow is embracing the balance between the two and celebrating exciting milestones along the way. Spending quality time with my family ranges anywhere from watching our two daughters play basketball and walking our two dogs after work, to quadding, hiking, golfing, and motorbiking on the weekends. Over the years, our core friend group has grown to 15 people, including all of the adult-aged children who still actively choose to hang out with their parents (lucky us!). Looking ahead to the fall, we’re eagerly awaiting our eldest daughter’s wedding in September, and hopefully a warm beach vacation over the holidays. Balancing a fulfilling career, a busy personal life with lots of family and friends, and squeezing in some dedicated me-time may seem like a lot sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!”

👋 Meet Jill Fletcher! Jill has been a part of the Mark's team since 2015, and has dedicated over 8 years of her career in various leadership positions in our stores across Saskatchewan and Alberta. Recently, Jill has further progressed her career with Mark’s and has taken on a new adventure by joining the corporate office team as a Store Operations Support Coordinator.  In her new role, Jill enjoys taking her in-store retail operations knowledge and expertise and applying it to her corporate role to further allow her to make life in Canada better for our customers. Throughout Jill’s diverse experiences with Mark’s she has found her voice and built a connection with our Core Values and Brand Purpose. She no longer feels that her personal values and advocacy have to exist separately from her work environment; instead, they are encouraged to be integrated as one with the work she does here at Mark’s. 🟧Learn more about Jill’s journey with Mark's 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Koushik C. “The world we live in is LOUD – our days are filled with complexities, busy schedules, demanding deadlines, and seemingly endless noise. Recognizing the need to counteract this chaos, it’s important to make the conscious decision each day to try and quiet it. When I moved from Winnipeg to Calgary last summer, I realized that to thrive in a new city, I needed to actively seek things to bring me peace. I’ve always found comfort in discovering new cultures, and being in nature is something that always seems to nourish my mind, body, and soul. In a place as beautiful as Alberta, it isn’t hard to stay committed to the personal goal I’ve set to get outdoors every week. Whether it’s biking, hiking, paddle boating, camping, or skiing, I always find something to do. #WhatMattersNow is having a mindset shift and understanding happiness is a choice which requires work. By embracing curiosity and a sense of adventure, I’ve learned to quiet some of the constant noise.”

#WhatMattersNow ft. Susan Loeppky “Family has always been and will always be the front and centre of my attention. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have both children and stepchildren in my life making every day better. Witnessing their growth brings me more joy than anything, especially as they continue to grow.  It’s been a busy time in our family lately as my daughter was married last year, my stepson graduated from university, and my first granddaughter Joanie Marie was born in April. It was truly special to witness my daughter step into her new role as a mother, and being promoted to grandma is something I’ve been looking forward to since I first received the news. Excitement fills me once again as my second granddaughter is due at the end of August! #WhatMattersNow is prioritizing quality time together as a family. I love to go for walks and try out new restaurants and breweries, but those trips are always better when I’m accompanied by loved ones. Above all else, my desire for my family always is health and happiness, although my hope is they never forget how important connections and family ties are to both of those things.”  

#WhatMattersNow ft. Maria Patria Viguilla “I was born and raised in the Philippines. After graduating with a degree in industrial engineering and working for eight years, I successfully paved the way to immigrate independently to Canada in 2000. Through faith and the availability of economic opportunities, I was able to make the important choice to move, and I’m proud of all I have achieved since doing so. When my parents were alive, my siblings and I used to visit them in the Philippines at least once a year, a privilege allowing me to reconnect with my roots, visit cherished places from my childhood, and reunite with extended family and friends. After a long wait of eight years, I finally chose to travel home last year. #WhatMattersNow is understanding our lives are shaped by a series of decisions and how we make the best of them. Life is short, and we never know what tomorrow holds, but we do have control over the choices we make today. For me, no amount of wealth or success will ever take priority over time spent with loved ones. Cherished moments and memories are what we hold closest to our hearts, and although I miss my parents dearly, the memories I have of them make it feel like they are always with me, influencing every decision I make.” 

#WhatMattersNow ft. Kavan Ng  “#WhatMattersNow is family and providing the best upbringing for my daughter I can. I was born in Saskatchewan, raised in Vancouver, graduated from university in Toronto, and soon after moved to Hong Kong. For 15 years, Hong Kong was the perfect place for me – I embraced the challenge of living where competition for space, skills, and career was high due to the dense population. As exciting as the city’s ‘sink or swim’ mentality was, after having my daughter I recognized my family needed a more balanced environment. Three years ago, we made the decision to pack up and return to Canada, this time, to Calgary. Here, we’ve discovered a city providing a much healthier balance between people, career, and nature. We've enjoyed exploring the mountains and experiencing multiculturalism throughout the city as we learn what it means to be Canadian again. I’ve cherished raising my daughter in a place where, as she continues to grow, she has the ability to listen to diverse viewpoints, speak up when necessary, and make a difference without needing to worry.”