Tell Us Your Story. What motivated you to start your business? Why are you passionate about what you do?

My name is Alena Odegova, and I’m the proud owner of Blue Pacific Immigration, an immigration consultancy business. I’m passionate about helping others realize their dreams of starting a new life or furthering their career in a foreign country, and I truly feel fulfilled. Before working with immigration law, I was going through my Immigration process to Canada. It was extremely tough, and I went through around eight different lawyers and consultants trying to get help in the process, but none of them was a perfect fit for my situation. This inspired me to create a more efficient way to help others and be the person I wish I had when trying to become a Canadian citizen. Our commitment to excellence is what sets us apart. We pride ourselves in providing timely services that are flexible and tailored to client’s unique needs. Our services have helped many people achieve their goals in immigration path.

Describe and demonstrate, including metrics, your community support. How do you support and uplift your community, and how do they show that support in return? Minimum 25 words, maximum 2500 characters.

Kindness, complete transparency, and genuinely wanting to help people. I posted a YouTube video following the invasion of Ukraine that details how people can immigrate to Canada. I could have charged for this information, but I went with my heart and posted it for free because I wanted to help as many people as possible. Up to date there are 193,000 views, more than a 100,000 people applied for CUAET visa for free, just following my online guide. Moreover, I have a chat group in Telegram with more than 10,000 of people. Through this group, I provide free support and participants are able to help each other. At Blue Pacific Immigration, we've been representing more than 30 families from Ukraine and have submitted their applications. We've done so Pro Bono and I'm proud to say that we've had a number of successful outcomes. More than 5000 people with the help of Blue Pacific Immigration already successfully arrived to British Columbia. Community supports Blue Pacific Immigration in return, we have more than 20 volunteers who help us in our pro bono work, providing assistance to those who need it most. It is our way of making sure that everyone has access to the best possible immigration advice. And we hear from so many happy clients who have been helped by Blue Pacific Immigration. This is one of the most rewarding aspects of our work and we take great pride in knowing that we have had a positive impact on people’s lives.

Why do you deserve to win the Business Impact award?

Firstly, thank you for this opportunity to be nominated, I’m happy provide an account of why I’m a worthy candidate to receive the Business Impact Award. My credentials in the business world are strong, but I believe the true measure of my impact lies in the direct benefits I have had on the lives of people around me. I take pride in the positive change I have created for the betterment of society, both inside and out. I have strived to create meaningful connections with all those around me, and have put forth effort towards creating an environment where individuals from different walks of life are given equal opportunities to excel. Through this dedication and commitment, I have been able to empower those who would normally not have access to the necessary resources to break traditional barriers and realise their potential. I have also been an active advocate of numerous initiatives and campaigns aimed at addressing social and economic problems, particularly those affecting people in more vulnerable positions. My involvement in these initiatives has enabled people to lead better lives, where their welfare and security is ensured. The business impact award I am applying for today goes beyond the monetary value, it recognises the commitment and dedication of individuals that are willing to go above and beyond in order to create meaningful change. I believe that I personify this spirit, as evidenced by my track record of working for solutions in times of both crisis and need. I am confident that the positive impact I have had on individuals and the community will speak for itself, and aid in my receiving of this prestigious award. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Tell Us About Your Culture. How are you creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome? Provide examples of leadership you show in interactions with clients, vendors, contractors, staff and others.

I'm committed to creating a sustainable and healthy workplace where everyone feels welcome. I understand that employee health and wellbeing are more important than ever and I take my commitment to our staff seriously. As part of this commitment, I ensure everyone has access to flexible working hours and the support they need to thrive. I also work to empower my employees to make decisions that are in line with my company values and support them in achieving their personal goals. I believe that happy, fulfilled employees benefit both the company and our customers. Our team is dedicated to creating an open, inclusive environment that embraces diversity and celebrates success. Everyone deserves to be appreciated and respected. We strive to make sure every individual feels they can make their own impact at Blue Pacific Immigration. I want all of our staff to understand that their voice is important and valued. We are here to support our team and help each other succeed. Moreover I strive to create a solution-oriented approach to problem solving, which helps build trust with clients and establish strong communication channels between the client, myself and my company. Throughout the process, I place the emphasis on efficiency, reliability and professionalism. This means using my skills to tackle any issues that may arise and to develop solutions that will benefit the client and my team. To give an example of my leadership during a client interaction, I recently encountered a difficult situation where I had to advise a client on an immigration program change. While I was able to provide the facts about the program change, I also ensured that I provided a solution that was cost-effective and timely. My approach was to be proactive, by finding ways to maximize the efficient delivery of service. In addition, I provided the client with guidance, offering insight into how the change could affect their overall experience and ensure that the changes made were beneficial for them in the long run. Through this approach, I was able to establish a strong working relationship with the client. This example demonstrates my desire to go beyond simply providing basic customer service and instead seek out solutions that best meet the needs of both the client and myself. Additionally, it highlights my role as a leader during client interactions and how important it is to create strong relationships built on trust and understanding.

Why do you think you should win the Premier’s People’s Choice Award?

I am proud that Blue Pacific Immigration is being considered for the Premier’s People Choice Award. This award recognizes businesses that have provided excellent service, has made a substantial contribution to society and has earned the trust of its customers. We feel that we exemplify these criteria and would be honored and proud to be recognized as the People's Choice winner. We have brought together exceptional professionals with a diverse range of strengths and ideas. Together, our team has made a huge impact on the collective dream of many individuals, giving them a better opportunity for a new and prosperous life in Canada. My team and I have built a strong reputation among our clients due to the hard work and dedication that we put into helping our clients implement their dreams. Our commitment to client satisfaction has been exemplary and we have made sure that no one is ever left behind. I believe that I should win the Premiers Peoples Choice Award because of the significant trust our clients have placed in us and the amount of people we have inspired - not only within the immigration industry but in society at large. Blue Pacific Immigration is committed to providing reliable solutions and advice to our clients so that they can live the lives and pursue the dreams they have been dreaming of for years. We stand firmly behind every single person that comes to us for assistance and offer them our complete, undivided attention. We want to thank all of our clients for trusting us with their dreams and for entrusting us with their lives. We’re thrilled to be considered for this award and I hope that you will join us in voting for Blue Pacific Immigration as the People’s Choice Award winner. Thank you!