Welcome to Wendy's Pure Canadian Design Blog

Hello and welcome,

My name is Wendy. I am a single mom of 4 (ages 8, 20, 23, and 26). I am a cat lover and owner of three rescued cats (ages 1, 5 and 11).

Do you have a dream job? I found my niche in Web design. I create websites to sell your products and services. Also, I love creating enhanced photos from pictures I take. The ragdoll cat in the background is one of my favourites that I enhanced.

In July 2016, I completed the Enterprise Web and Mobile Development program at triOS College and an internship with Stiller ADT as a Web Developer. (Sept 2014 - July 2016)

Currently I work from home as a freelance web and graphic designer for my business "Pure Canadian Design". I specialize in creating customized, WordPress e-Commerce websites for small and home-based businesses.

Follow me on my journey in Web and Graphic Design.


~Wendy Parker

Thursday, June 30, 2016

The Best Is Yet To Come!

Today is my final day at triOS College in Kitchener. I can't believe it was two years ago (June 2014) I was contemplating on going to college. I enrolled at triOS in July 2014 and began my Enterprise Web and Mobile Development program on Sept 15th 2014.

Going back to school for web design was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I pondered what I really wanted to learn to do for years. When I moved to Kitchener 7 years ago, I realized this city is big in the tech industry. I knew I wanted to do something with computers. I loved computer programming in high school. I took an Adult Learning course in HTML and CSS 10+ years ago that really peaked my interest in web design so I decided that's the road I wanted to take.

We haven't heard of many women in the tech field until now. Today there are lots more women who are really interested in web design, development and more. I have recently been involved in mentoring young girls who are also interested in learning about coding through the HackerGrrlz program. I think it's great that these girls get an opportunity to experience coding to create animations, games and websites in as early as grade 4! HackerGrrlz is a program run by Year of Code Waterloo Region that supports girls learning to code. They rely on sponsors and funding to be able to run this program. HackerGrrlz is hoping to continue their program in September 2016 providing they have enough funding come in. I definitely want to volunteer to mentor with this program again in September. 

In March 2016, I started a meet-up for people with 0 - 3 years experience that are desiring to learn web design/development. This monthly meet-up called KW Code Newbs is open to men and women. I like to encourage people to come out and find out what coding is all about. We provide basic web design learning, online learning resources, opportunities for work and to further your knowledge in school and discussions about tech related subjects. It's a relaxed atmosphere and your free to ask questions. Networking and working on projects together is also encouraged at the meet-ups. I have many ideas to expand the KW Code Newbs horizons that will be implemented in the future. 

I'll admit web development isn't an easy field to find work in for a "newbie" but there are many opportunities out there. You just need to keep looking and applying. I'm on the hunt for a job as a Junior Web Developer. I don't mind working as a free lance web designer. I'm still working towards my dream of having my own business. Check it out... www.purecanadiandesign.com

I have come a long way in the last few years. I am working in many areas of my life and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Some of my goals are to find work and have a decent income so I get back on track. I want to buy a car and move out of the "not-so-nice" area I'm living in. I want to inspire other single moms to reach for the sky. I have been tempted to return to the "system". I have been tempted to take a part time cashier job because I have the experience in that industry. But I keep reminding myself why I took the steps I did over the last few years. It is really a trying time right now but I am hoping and praying the right work opportunities will open so I can move forward and not backward. I have to keep believing that all the work I have done is not in vain. I do believe the best is yet to come!  

~ Wendy



Photo by Candace Armenti 2016

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Get Online for a Brighter Shine!

Pure Canadian Design's new slogan "Get Online for a Brighter Shine" is catchy but what exactly does it mean? (I could take the time to write a catchy, little jingle to go with it but that can wait for another day.) Let's start by rephrasing the slogan into a question... 


How can YOUR business shine brighter by getting online?


Your business is as small or as big as you make it. You want to keep growing your business and expand your horizons. What are some of the ways to get the word out about your new products or services?

  • Word of mouth
  • Advertise with flyers or postcards
  • Advertise in a newspaper or on the radio

This will reach numerous people in the cities you advertise or maybe a bit beyond. But remember your business shines only to the ones that it can reach. You want your business to shine brighter so more people will hear about it and see how great it really is. Creating a presence online for your business is an innovative way to reach a multitude of people that would possibly never had the opportunity to hear about your business. 



How do I create a presence online for my business?


Most people think about an online presence as just having a website. Every business owner should make the important investment in having a website for their business. 

Social media like Facebook and Twitter play a big role in communication and networking for businesses nowadays too. When you link your website to your social media profile and vice versa you create more flow to your business. It is great to have a website but it is also important to have an appropriate profile and/or page created to represent your business in social media.

Once you get online there are many more ways to help your business to continue to grow and shine even brighter! 

Pure Canadian Design will create your website and help to develop the online presence you desire so your business will shine brighter. Contact me today for your FREE consultation!

~ Wendy

Contact: wendy@purecanadiandesign.com

www.purecanadiandesign.com




Friday, June 3, 2016

Getting ready for LAUNCH...

Time is going so fast... I am almost done my Enterprise Web and Mobile Development program at triOS College. My internship will be complete as of July 1st 2016. Some good things come to an end but it's just the beginning for many other great opportunities.

I am looking forward to growing my KW Code Newbs Meet-up and expanding our horizons in that field. I am looking forward to mentoring more Gr.4 - 8 girls through the HackerGrrlz program. I love sharing what I have learned. I love sharing ideas to motivate others towards web development.

I have a desire to learn more...more coding skills, more business skills, more innovative ways to help brighten the future for businesses including my own that I am almost ready to launch.

I've been working on my business and my portfolio for over a year now. And even though the website is online there are still things to do to officially launch "Pure Canadian Design". I am looking forward
to building this business with the right people.

10 years ago, it was only a dream job to be a freelance Web Designer but I am so much closer to the reality of it today than I've ever been. It will take a lot of hard work to really get it going and maybe even a few transformations along the way. But I believe it will be worth it all.

Meanwhile I will be looking for a web design job to further my knowledge and gain more experience in my field. I am looking forward to finding a great job. I will soon be launching myself back into the workforce where I will once again put all of my enthusiasm for web design into a company that will reap the benefits of my hard work and creativity.

I have a desire to help other single moms/dads to find their passions and work they will love. I want to help them overcome their fears and road blocks. I want to motivate them to do what they love to make the money needed to support their family and get off welfare for good. I need to be an example first so for now I will continue my journey step-by-step.

I am nervous and excited all in one for my future. I have come along way in the last year and a half. I believe the best is yet to come.

~ Wendy

Friday, February 5, 2016

"2016" New Year...New Opportunities!!!

How time flies when you're having fun... I can hardly believe it's already February! New Years came and gone... and soon it will be Valentine's Day. Two of my boys have birthdays this month as well. Celebration are always great to look forward to. They take our mind off the daily grind.

College has been such an enjoyable time of learning. It was MUCH better than my high school experience. But all good things come to an end. I have a little over a month left then I will be going on my internship. I'm looking forward to learning how to be more business minded in my internship. Working to satisfy customers with real life projects will be an opportunity to show my skills and gain hands-on experience. I'm getting excited about finding a great job doing something I love.

I'm still hard at work getting prepared for my freelance business. I've been working on the Pure Canadian Design website. I am hoping to launch it within the next week. Revamping my projects and gallery areas has been a challenge but will be worth it to show some of my development work as well as my graphic design.

Another project I am working on is a Meet-up Group for Code Newbies starting at the end of March. Things seem to be coming together for this as well. There are so many opportunities for tech related work. I want to encourage people to reach for the sky and accomplish their dreams no matter what level of coding they are at.

I would love to organize events to help inspire more women and kids to learn to code too. This will be another project in my near future.

For now, I will go one day at a time...enjoy my time at school and with my family. As long as I'm making steady progress on my projects I know I'm moving in the right direction. I'll be ready when the right opportunities come my way.

~ Wendy

Monday, December 14, 2015

2015 is coming to a close... many new opportunities to look forward to in the New Year !!!

In 2015, I got my beginners to drive and I created some cool websites, apps and graphic designs. It has been a pretty good year so far for me.

I have been working hard this year on all sorts of projects in various computer languages. PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails and C++ were quite the challenge. It was great creating mobile apps for Android and iOS. I am still struggling with some of the development languages but thoroughly enjoying the designing elements. HTML5 and CSS3 are becoming second nature. I like using Bootstrap to create gorgeous responsive web pages.

I am currently working on an app in C#...I think I'd like to make a simple game this time. I like the challenge of coding then diving into Photoshop to customize my apps with my own designs.

As much as I'm trying to become a "Java Master" it doesn't come to me as easily as Web Design. I won't give up on it just yet. I'm hoping I will wake up one day and it will all make sense. You know that moment when the light bulb inside your head turns on. I look forward to that day as I keep learning more and more about Web and Mobile development.

I am looking forward to some exciting things going on in the new year as well. I am going on a 4 month internship in March. I will be finished my Enterprise Web and Mobile Development program in July. I will be launching my official website for my freelance business in the Spring. I am looking forward to finding a career in something I absolutely love doing...web design/development. And to top it all off I have a grand baby on the way...due in June/July 2016.

It's going to be an exciting year with the possibility many more exciting opportunities. I wish the best for your New Year as well. Happy Holidays.

~ Wendy

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Skills - Android Studio for Mobile Apps

Last few weeks I have been working on an Android App. Progress has been slow. It's harder than I thought it would be. Tempting as it is to buckle and use an easier app maker I still keep plugging away. It will click in (any day now) just as all the other programs do. :P

Update on PHP... I finally finished my PHP project. I got the general register, login and email scripts to work. But what is the use of having a login without membership rules? Another thing I need to figure out.

~ Wendy

Monday, June 1, 2015

Skills - learning PHP

PHP has been a harder language for me to pick up. Learning to make the scripts to create login and register pages has been quite the challenge. I am hoping to be able to learn how to create a vote poll on a webpage and a shopping cart in PHP. I'll most likely have a better feel for PHP by next week. 

Good things take time to grow. :)

~ Wendy