When it comes to the food scene in Toronto, there’s one public relations company that always has their finger on the pulse.

BPR Inc. (formerly Butter Public Relations Inc.) has worked with some of the biggest restaurants, celebrities, and brands in the industry. From The Cheesecake Factory Canada and Lagostina to Jackson Family Wines and Eataly, BPR is the company working behind the scenes to ensure each client gets the exposure they deserve.

Leading BPR Inc. is Founder and Principal Shawn Rusich. A Windsor, Ontario native, Rusich attended College LaSalle in Montreal for fashion design and briefly attended McGill before landing a full-time marketing position with an international fashion brand.

His passion for marketing led him to Paris, France, where he worked in marketing and sales at Chloé. But with a drive start something on his own, Rusich moved to Toronto to build his own empire and BPR Inc. was born.

We had the opportunity to talk to Shawn Rusich about working with Martha Stewart and his advice to those looking to get into the industry. Take a peek below!

What was your first job and how did it help you grow into the person you are now? 

My very first job was at a mini-golf course. After working there for a few weeks, I left to work at McDonald’s. I think everyone should work in the fast food industry for a period of time; it really helped me understand organization, process and procedure.  

What does an average day look like for you? 

My days are consistently inconsistent. If I’m in the office, I’m typically working on all of the things that make a company operate. I run payroll, deal with taxes, vendor invoices, accounting, etc. On the flip side, I also work on the creative side collaborating with the team on product send-outs, events, ideation, strategic planning, and new business.  

You’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of great brands. What’s your advice to someone looking to attract the same caliber of clients? 

I’ve been fortunate enough to curate a list of incredible clients, but that wasn’t always the case. I think what’s most important is choosing to work with brands that you’re passionate about, because you’ll do better work if you really believe in the client. It may not always be a possibility depending on the growth of the company, but it certainly is the ideal.

What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received? 

Put 100% into everything, given the time you have to do it. 

What has been the most memorable moment of your career? 

There have been many incredible milestones since BPR Inc. was founded! Working with Martha Stewart to promote her 80th cookbook was huge, and landing our most recent client Eataly, was a real “OMG!” moment. It was exciting because it’s a brand that myself and the team have admired for years. I’m really looking forward to working with them to introduce Canadians to this unique concept.

What are some exciting things we can expect from BPR Inc.?

We’re always evolving and growing. We have new clients, international in addition to Canadian, who are doing incredible things! We strive to outdo ourselves with every event, product launch, and program we put together. Our team continues to grow, adding the best talent out there. From account management, creative, event planners and operations, we’re excited to be taking the next step. 

To keep up with Shawn Rusich and BPR Inc., follow them on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

If beauty is your calling and you just so happen to be on the job hunt, you’ll be happy to hear that Lush Cosmetics, known for ethically handmade and 100% vegetarian bath and beauty products, is hosting a massive job fair this month with 1000 positions up for grabs.

The role call is for seasonal, full-time production assistants that will help create the very products you see in stores. New employees are being offered a starting wage of $12.50/hour and returning employees are being offered $13.50/hour. If you’re able to work afternoon or evening shifts, you’ll get an extra $1-2 an hour. And of course, there are store perks – all staff get 50% off!

Lush Cosmetics is holding hiring fairs over four days this month: Wednesday, July 19th and July 26th (register by 9am), and Thursday, July 20th and July 27th (register by 2pm). If you’re unable to make those dates, don’t fret! Hiring will carry on through August, every Wednesday (register by 9am) and Thursday (register by 2pm) of the month.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, head to 35 Jutland Road in Etobicoke to take advantage of the opportunity!

Featured Image: Instagram/@LushCosmetics 

Get full details about the Lush Cosmetics job fair here.

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You wouldn’t wear 1980’s shoulder pads in your suit jacket to a job interview today, so don’t expect to get an interview with a resume style and a job search plan designed in 1985! Fashion styles change and so do job search styles, that’s why it might be time to treat yourself to the GTA’s best kept secret for free career coaching and job search advice. It’s a job search destination not to be missed!

The Centre for Education and Training (TCET) has 6 locations across the GTA, and offer a no-cost service to any job seekers (adults and youth) who are eligible to work and are unemployed, underemployed or working part-time. They can help you with all phases of job search including the following 4 things that every stylish job seeker should know:

1. Discover how to increase your shopping budget as a job seeker. Feeling trapped in the unemployment shopping blues? By becoming a member of TCET, you might be eligible for incentives to help purchase your next interview outfit at no cost to you and become one of the many individuals that have found full-time employment. Unemployment doesn’t have to equal a self-imposed ban on clothes shopping!

2. Proofread your image and style. Wondering why you get interviews yet never the job? One solution might be to learn how to separate, or combine, your social image from your professional presence.  Your image is everything, or most of it. Before you shake a hand, or say anything, it is your image that is talking. To make the impression you want, research the fashion style of the company you are targeting. For example, find out if they are business-casual or corporate-traditional. Outfits might not get you hired, yet recruiters state that employers look first at your shoes, your hair, your smile and then your outfit. Therefore, find an outfit that makes you look responsible and dress for the job you want.

3. Become familiar with the latest in resume trends. Ever ask yourself “why didn’t they call me for an interview I have all the qualifications they need?” The Employment Services staff at TCET can provide you with ideas on how to get around pesky resume scanners and have the right resume brand that will help get you moving forward in your job search.  So stop resisting a more modern approach because it’s time to let go of the brackets around your phone number area code. In other words, you’re from the 416 not (416).

4. Sign up for the TCET e-newsletter and our social media feeds. Want to keep current with career advice? Once you become a member of TCET, read their blog, monthly newsletter and stay connected about information on all parts of employability including recommendations on the hottest job trends, the most recent LinkedIn job search apps and what to do after a job interview.

Don’t let your job search get trapped in the 1980’s!  Start to earn the lifestyle that you want, by reaching out to a Career Specialist at TCET who will tell you what every stylish job seeker needs to know. For details about a convenient location check: www.tcet.com/jobs

A few months ago, we announced that Toronto would soon be home to a brand spankin’ new waterpark. Premier Parks, an operator of water parks across America, will breathe new life into the old Wild Water Kingdom, transforming it into Wet ‘n’ Wild.

The $25 million water park will feature some major attractions including a Krazy Kanuck raft ride, mega treehouse, and the longest and tallest drop slides in Canada.

With a launch date set for May 2017, the doors will open in just a few months. And of course, no water park is complete without staff.

Wet ‘n’ Wild is looking to hire 400 new employees to work at the world-class, family water park, with positions for lifeguards, supervisors, cashiers, ticket booth attendants, dancers, entertainers, mascots, receptionists, water park attendants, and more available.