Platform 302

This page is designed to demonstrate the beauty and uniqueness of the working environment at Platform 302.

[platform302]

“You can't win in the marketplace unless you win first in the workplace. If you don't have a winning culture inside, it's hard to compete in the very tough world outside”.

[platform302]

Goodbye? Nah...See ya soon!

We are very sad to leave this incredible place but we are also very happy that we had such a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a Platform 302 community. We are hoping that our paths will cross again in the future.

It was a big pleasure to work with you!

Good luck in the future, Platform 302!

[platform302]

Platform 302 is all about happiness and friendship! 

[platform302]

Suzanne Zandbergen

Suzanne Zandbergen is one of Platform 302’s entrepreneurs, who works on Social Media and is a head of The Generator, which is her own social media marketing company.

Platform 302 became extremely homelike for Suzanne and it is easy to understand why: she does what she likes, surrounded by her colleagues and friends who are willing to help her at any time.

A job is not a job for Suzanne anymore, she enjoys every and each part of it. However, it was not that enjoyable at the beginning. Even though, she started with three partners and felt very comfortable with them, she was struggling:  “Starting a business is risky, and that’s what I thought for a long time, but then I started to realize that I just need to do it, just go and do it.”

At first Suzanne had a couple of clients, but worked at her own. At some point she decided to get her own office and start to develop The Generator and there was a great opportunity for developing with one of her clients - Platform 302. 

What was your first job?

My first job was at a newspaper. It was advertising: dealing with clients and gathering information about their preferences concerning the ads in the newspaper.

What motivated you to start own business?

Well, I was doing social media for other companies and then I came to Platform and I was doing social media as part of my job. Just being in the environment of all these different enterpreneurs and people starting their own businesses just made it seem like very obvious that's what I should do – start my own business.

What is the main source of your motivation right now?

I think it is just a really unlimited potential for business, because at least in Hamilton and other smaller cities, people just start to realize, «I need to be on Social Media, but I don't know how to do it and I need someone to help me».  In my opinion, all businesses need to be on Social Media not just a certain industry. And basically, my responsibility is to be there to help them.

How do you find your clients?

So far most of them have been referral. For example, we do a really good job for one, like there is a restaurant in Downtown and before they even open we had tons and tons of followers for their web page and there were line ups from the day it opened and all we did was Social Media, that's it. Other restaurants see that and they want to have that too, so this is how we've been getting new clients. Also, I've made a comercial on YouTube and some of the clients find out about The Generator from there. As well, we do a little bit of marketing about ourselves on Social Media.

What are your goals for future?

I try to do short-term goals. Of course I have an overall goal, but to get to this goal I need to make smaller jumps. So my biggest goal is to make The Generator the #1 Social Media company in Hamilton. So that if I say «Social Media», people would just immediately think of The Generator, as a company which does that in Hamilton.

                                                                                                         Anna Oudatov

[platform302]

Meet Liam McLaughlin

Liam is the youngest full-time worker in a Platform 302 community. Just one year ago Liam was a regular high school student who was planning on going to MacMaster University to study life sciences, but near the end of the school year, Liam realized he no longer wants to follow that path.

“I just decided I don’t want to do science because a lot of it is boring to me. I grew up thinking that I have to get a good paying job and that the only way to do so is to go into sciences, but the thing is I wasn't very passionate about it. So, then I took an extra year in high school to figure out what I really want to do and I ended up in a coop program here, at Platform 302 with Mark. What Mark does is he buys properties around the city and he puts businesses in them. That comes with a lot of work. So, Mark assigned me to do random tasks for him, such as picking the right property to buy, picking the right businesses to go inside the property, so there is a lot of planning involved in that.” 

Although, Liam really enjoys working full-time at Platform 302, he wants to start taking business courses at MacMaster university to gain more theoretical knowledge and continue working at Platform 302 on a part-time basis. 

“I feel like my mind is more business focused, than science focused, but I am still interested in using science in business like developing solar technology businesses”. 

Liam is so happy to work at Platform 302 because just the atmosphere of it makes him want to work harder and motivates him to do his best. 

“First time I came here, it was for the interview with Mark. I remember being so surprised by the building itself, the architecture of the building, how old it was, the decorations and the wood floor. For most of my interview, I was probably complimenting how awesome the building was. Then, they showed me the basement with ping-pong tables, the gym, the showers and the sauna. I was blown away. If I was an entrepreneur, there would be no other choice but to come here. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming here. Everyone inspires you”

If you are like Liam, young and very passionate about business, check out the Platform 302 website platform302.com to get to know more about other entrepreneurs and their businesses. 

“Remember, everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.” (Unknown)

                                                                                                   Arina Aminova 

[platform302]

We are who we are!

By this point you might be interested who are these talented individuals, which spend their time researching about the Platform 302 and even creating a separate page on web for people to gather information about the uniqueness of it.

Here we come, two international students, studying at Columbia International College, Arina and Anna. It is interesting how our lives are similar and how  how they almost blended together.

Even though our stories are quite similar, we have tons of differences between us, that only help us to fulfill each other.

1. Anna Oudatov/Udatova

I’m a quite ordinary person, but my life has its own mystery, what makes me unique, as the every and each other person on the planet Earth. I’m originally from the far-east of Russia, Vladivostok. To be honest, I barely feel as a pure Russian since my childhood has been spent in Israel. After 6 years of wonderful life in Israel, my family and me have moved back to Russia. Ever since I’ve got the wanderlust, that still remains in my soul. 8 years of studying at 3 different schools gave me a lot of experience, but I’ve always seen myself at a different place with different people, following my heart. I’ve had many hobbies and have attended dozens of extracurricular activities out of school, but none of them have fitted my preferences and goals that I have had for my future. Finally, at grade 7 I found literature as something I enjoy to study and can literally study endless. Writing became a part of my daily routine. Short stories, letters to my relatives and even poems became a part of my personality. All of them became a part of me, my thoughts and feelings. Since then, I try to find a way to make a dream of being a writer/journalist to come true. Moving to Canada at the age of 14 was a big step forward for me and so for my dream/goal, that now was closer for me to reach. 2 years of being at CIC changed me completely. I realized what I want from my life, realized what I want to do the rest of my life. My dream had almost came true, the only thing left was a lack of room for my ambitions and talent. After I found out that there is an opportunity to get familiar with the profession I’m interested in and to actually work a part time for a company, which associates with that profession (journalism/social media/communications), I did not take any time to think about rather taking this opportunity or not. So far researching the Platform 302 is my daily routine. Every day I get more and more experience and knowledge,which help me not only at the job, but at the school and simply life. It becomes clear for me what is a job and what responsibilities I have being a part of a team. I’m very grateful that I’ve got a chance to see the working process from the other/inner side and get familiar with the job I’m interested in.

2. Arina Aminova

Hey there! I’m Arina. I am from the coldest, yet the most incredible part of Russia - Siberia. You might be wondering if it ever gets warm there? Yes, it gets pretty warm (+30C in summer), but the temperature does drop very low in a winter time (-38C). I come from a very small town, called Raduzhnyy. It is a very peaceful and friendly town, where everyone knows each other.

When I was 14 years old, my parents and I decided I should study abroad. We have been talking about this for a very long time before we decided to take such a big risky step. My mom’s friends were twisting at their temple, saying that she’s gone crazy: “She is only 14!”, they said, but avoiding other people’s opinions, my parents and I agreed that it is only going to be beneficial for me. 

And so I ended up here, in Hamilton, a small town in a big country of Canada that reminds me so much of my own hometown. My first years here were horrible! I did not speak English whatsoever and really wanted to go home, but as the time went by I learned it almost fully and now, I even make a lot of mistakes in Russian when I speak to my friends form back home. 

I have a lot of interests. I love snowboarding. It drives me crazy when Im going down the hill. I love media and communication. Making short memorable clips or music videos is something I can do for hours! It might me a little bit tiring but very enjoyable to me. I like to draw. I’ve got a few really good drawings that my mom keeps at home. I guess they remind her of me. I love socializing with different people. My circle of friends includes people from all over the world! It helps me understand different cultures, personalities better. 

Back in 2011 when I was still at home, I was working as a journalist and a news anchor at a local TV station. I really enjoyed attending different events, writing reports, working with sound and video effects and reading the news in front of the camera. 

There is just so much that I want to do in life, so many things that I am interested in and there’s so little space here to write all of it.

[platform302]

[platform302]

“The Open House”

When it comes to starting your own business, it is necesary to have connections with the right people, but unfortunately, not all of us have friends, who are familiar with the business world and can offer some help for a start up.

Well, at this point you have to do your own research for anything that may help you to deal with this issue. One of the greatest plans would be to visit various companies that associate with business, or find out about events, which are organized for the beginners in the business field.

Platform 302 is the right place for young entrepreneurs desiring to achieve their goals. Every once in a while people of the business industry or people who are just starting their business gather together for the Open House event and get familiar with the work process, as well as, invest in the variety of companies and get advices from the more experienced entrepreneurs.

Not only this event is quite helpful and beneficial, it is also very unique. It flows in a cozy and relaxed atmosphere. There’s no pressure, no formality, no seriousness. Just cool drinks, tasty food, loud music and a lot of people who have one big thing in common: starting, growing or maintaining their business.

[platform302]

[platform302]

Mi Casa Es Tu Casa

Have you ever felt that your workplace does not match your personality? Have you ever wished that coming to your job would be as nice and welcoming as coming home?  Well, Platform 302 is just about that! A small house, which you can easily find in Google Maps, but can barely see behind other houses and a plenty of trees, is a place, where many entrepreneurs find their happiness.  Platform 302 is a place that would never exist without motivation, support and spirit, brought by every and each person, who are extremely passionate about what they do.