Local Business - MAYUMI IZUMI

September 27, 2025September 27, 2025

How to find your Decor Soulmate!

Part 2

This summer, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tina Hamlin Beer, the owner of Coast Consignment and decor soulmate matchmaker. Coast has been a long-time cherished business on the North Shore, serving its customers and matching them with their decor soulmates for 21 years. Tina’s father, Richard Beer started the business under the name, Coast Canada in 2004 and distributed antiques from his homeland in England. They rebranded the business as Coast Consignment in 2008.

What are your plans for Coast’s future?

Our plans for Coast’s future is to ensure the longevity of this company, to continue to keep it a family owned business with our long term team of employees. They are fantastic and know the business inside and out. We hope to expand our offerings, continue to renovate and hopefully stay in the same location that we are at now.

We love your energy. We love to have you in the store and we think our customer service is what sets us apart; we appreciate each and every one of our customers and our consignment clients. Without you, we wouldn’t be where we are today!

Manager, Carly Montgomery has been with Coast Consignment for 15 years, since she graduated from BCIT’s Interior Design Program in 2010

We want to grow and prosper and give back to the community. We’re trying to set up a North Shore Design District with a long term parking lot, goals of beautification of our community with more greenery, and street banners. There are lots of things that we, as a company, want to do: to continue to be a contributing member of the community, to offer an amazing collection of curated goods to help you make your home, office, and cabin as beautiful as can be, and a place that you want to spend time at.

There are days when being a small business owner comes with many challenges, especially in the last several years, not only did we go through a pandemic, but we’ve gone through economic turmoil after economic turmoil. This has made things very difficult to continue to stay in a business for a small business. And so we work really hard to ensure our longevity by being quick to pivot and make changes to ensure that we make the smart and right decisions to stay in business.

We need our clients and customers to continue their loyalty and their patronage and tell their friends and family about us.

It isn’t always easy, because we’re not only a retailer, but a service industry, serving our consignment clients and providing professional appraisals for our appraisal clients, and ensuring that we give the best customer service. But as long as we’re willing to make fast and quick changes and pivot on the spot, I think we can ensure our long term success. We need our clients and customers to continue their loyalty and their patronage and tell their friends and family about us.

Coast Consignment decor soulmates from prints, paintings to sculptures and pottery. — Coast Consignment carries many pieces of art from prints, paintings to sculptures and pottery.

Word of mouth is so powerful, and it’s been one of our best ways of marketing. We get our best clients from word of mouth and from my previous real estate career, knowing and working with many of North Shore’s and Vancouver’s most successful realtors has ensured that I have a good pipeline to homes that are being sold and downsized, especially fine homes and the fine items in those homes and estates.

I am so glad that that’s your future plans. Recently, I told one of my neighbors about Coast Consignment, and I urged her, even just go and have a look, it’s so awesome there!

Thank you. Our showroom is like a gallery. You are going into a store that has pieces that will fit any budget. Priced anywhere from $5 to $10,000 and it’s a pleasant place to go. Our staff are friendly. They make you feel welcome. The more people that come, even if only some of them are buying, the more energy it creates. And then other people start buying. To see people enjoying our showroom, that’s what makes me happy.

How to consign

What is the first step for someone thinking about consigning?

The first step for consigning is to figure out what items are not serving you anymore and let them go. Once you know which items you aren’t going to be keeping, whether it be that you want to change your interior design, or you’re downsizing, find out as much information that you have available. This especially applies if you are dealing with a family or friends’ estate,

Coast decor soulmate paintings and dining room vignette — Buddha authenticity and certification information available with purchase

If you have purchase receipts or information that someone’s left you about it, you can see or know what the brand name is, and potentially the age, check their physical condition. Once you have all of that information, take photos and email those photos to us or text them, and we can take a look at them and let you know which items are good for consignment. We will also let know which are in demand in the current market, and we will let you know what we can take. And then we prepare a valuation for you.

Is there anything that you would not accept into the showroom?

That is a great question, because I would say that 75% of the items out there are not saleable in the current market. There are many items that we consider to have negative value. Those are items that there is no demand for. The style and physical condition is poor and their quality is poor.

They may be too large. Or they may be too heavy, such as an upright piano. You can barely give them away, and most of them can’t be given away. Unfortunately, many of them end up in the landfill, which is a waste of ivory and excellent, excellent rare woods.

What are some of your picks?

Tina with one of her decor soulmates - blue and white porcelain vase — Tina shows us some of her picks in Coast Consignment’s two-floor showroom

How has the industry changed over the last 10 – 20 years?

That’s another great question. The industry has changed a lot. So in the past, people were antiquing. In the 80s and the 90s, I used to see that in movies. One of my favorite movies was Baby Boom, it was all about the antiquers from New York City that would go up to Vermont and antique.

Here in Vancouver, we had a very big antique industry. In Victoria, Fort Street was the antique row, and people loved their antiques. You saw them in homes all over Metro Vancouver. The antique business weakened drastically about 20 years ago and has continually gotten weaker as trends have changed and globalization has allowed us to have a lot more choices of furniture, and fast furniture, very similar to fast fashion available to us. So, consignment has changed from antique pieces to consigning more contemporary items.

Our plans for Coast’s future is to ensure the longevity of this company, to continue to keep it as a family owned business, with our long term team of employees who are fantastic and know the business inside and out

I think the selection of previously loved items that you can buy has expanded exponentially. Not only that, you can buy them in different ways. Not only are there auction houses and consignment houses like ours, the thrift store and resale markets have exploded. There are large curated collections online with companies like Kingsley Bate, 1stDibs, Chairish. There’s also Facebook Marketplace, which seems to have taken over Craigslist and Kijiji.

Of course, there are risks with buying items online through other people, but also there are lots of great deals out there. What we found is that the sophistication of consignment companies for clothing and furniture has really increased with demand and for what people are looking for. Shopping at consignment companies for furniture and fashion, means you’re going to have a curated collection that’s been selected ahead of time for quality, excellent physical condition, uniqueness, interest, design, esthetic and more.

Tina’s pick from Coast Consignment’s showroom

If you missed it, please read Part 1 of How to find your Decor Soulmate!

To see more of Coast Consignment’s beautiful pieces, please visit their North Vancouver showroom at 171 Pemberton Avenue or view their listings.

September 20, 2025September 22, 2025

How to find your Decor Soulmate!

Metallic vases and necklace on wooden table

Part 1 The secret to our success is ensuring that your experience here is top notch, even if you are coming in just to browse and you don’t have the budget to buy anything right now, you are always welcome

The company celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, when did you become involved with the family business?

So, 2008 was a huge year of change for me. My father, who started the company, asked me if I could join the family company. At the time, I was working as a senior tax analyst for Bell Canada, and I was in my seventh year of my career doing that, specializing in telecommunications, tax on linear assets, fiber optic assets. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to join the family company, because compensation wise, it wasn’t going to pay me what I was making.

I had recently got engaged to my longtime boyfriend, and we decided to move to Squamish, where he was policing, and we bought a house up there, and so I knew I also wanted some flexibility, to be able to come back and forth to the city if there were issues with the Sea to Sky Highway or weather.

Decor soulmates showroom Coast Consignment — Coast Consignment 171 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver, BC

I also knew that my dad really needed me at the company, and that my corporate background and my interest in these things would be an asset to the company, so I decided to take the plunge and join the company. It was fortuitous because my fiancé and I did get married a few months later in the summer, and unfortunately, a few weeks after we got married, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

That was my job from then on, and the rest was history as they say… It hasn’t been easy. Mayumi, no, it’s been tough.

My father passed away five months later on Christmas Eve, but when he was diagnosed in July, essentially that was his last day ever coming into the showroom, and from that day on I started running the company and becoming the appraiser and so following that, I received my certification as a Certified Personal Property Appraiser, and I took over the back end of the business and doing all the appraisals, working with my mom and my brother and our team.

Wow, I just got a chill. They say things happen for a reason. Was it after your career as a realtor that you acquired your certification in appraisal?

The certification I have is through the CPPAG, its the Canadian Personal Property Appraisal Group. I also do a lot of continuing education through the American Society of Appraisers. And I’m working at getting my American certification as well. That takes years of building up specific courses and credits, and I’m working on that.

At the same time that I got my certification, I also finished my Diploma in Public Administration through UVic, because when I was working as a tax analyst, I was doing an enormous amount of lobbying on behalf of the telecommunications industry, and so I thought that I would get involved more in lobbying and and provincial and federal politics. Many of the things that I learned from that diploma have been excellent for management of a small business and human resources management.

Tina Hamlin Beer at Coast with some of her picks and decor soulmates — Tina Hamilin Beer at Coast with with some of her picks and decor soulmates

Can you explain the appraisal process for someone who does not know where to start?

Insurance, charity, sold for current market – auction, consignment. Depends on the scope, right? The appraisal processes depend on why you’re appraising an asset. Are you appraising it for insurance purposes? Or are you appraising it to be distributed amongst friends and family? Is it for taxation purposes?

For charitable contributions? Are you appraising it to be sold in the current market? And then how do you plan on selling it? Through auction, through consignment, yourself, in a home that’s already being sold with the furniture? So the appraisal process depends on many different factors, and a professional appraiser will ask you several questions to determine what kind of appraisal and the scope of the appraisal.

What would your advice be to someone on a budget who would like to brighten up their home and find their decor soulmates?

I feel that now more than ever, there are so many opportunities to purchase items for your home on a budget without having to buy new items. Thrifting, of course, is a really big one. Knowing what areas of your home you’re looking to brighten up will help you be able to nail down the kind of items you might want to be shopping for, but easy and inexpensive ways to brighten up your home are with pieces of artwork, originals, prints, a small sculpture, a vase with whatever in season, flowers or greenery may be around you. You don’t have to buy that from a florist. Those are things that you can pick up. Fresh flowers are always a budget friendly way to brighten up your home, always.

Decor soulmates neon yellow vase & Indigenous plate and turquoise blue tall & short vases — Incorporating Tina’s advice with some brightly coloured pieces to brighten your home

Now more than ever, there are so many opportunities to purchase items for your home on a budget without having to buy new items

My best advice on that is to stick to one kind of flower. When tulips are in season, just buy a bunch of tulips in one color. Cut the stems. You don’t need a lot of stem to come out of the vase. Keep them short, but those kinds of things will brighten up your home quickly.

Throw pillows, as well as throw blankets, are another way to brighten up your home, and you can buy those new or used. Look for high quality down filled if you’re not allergic to down and you’re not vegan, makes for a more comfortable but there’s lots of good down alternatives. Look for cotton fabric, silk fabric, embroidered wool or a combination of those.

Pastel pieces from Coast Consignment. Large and small poufs, pink coffee table & floor mat, leather sofa. — More of Tina’s advice add throw pillows, poufs and side tables

Good advice. What are some essential pieces or must haves?

The first thing that I would look to get is to ensure that you have enough places to keep and store items that you want to see, so small side tables and a good cocktail coffee table are an excellent investment. I always say, if you can buy one that has either a shelf underneath or a drawer or a combination thereof, that will have a place for you to put playing cards or matches, lighters, you know, small pamphlets or things that you need to have around closely.

And then I think fabulous table lamps. I can’t express enough how important lighting is in your home. If you have pot lights or fluorescents in your ceilings, and you don’t have the budget to change those, using table lamps and floor lamps is a really budget friendly way to incorporate a sophisticated look.

I’m passionate about design, architecture, textiles, wall coverings, artwork

To set a beautiful ambiance, especially for entertaining or even just relaxing, a meeting, having several choices of lighting in your home in terms of brightness or dimness is an awesome thing to start with in your home. And to ensure that you have those special places where you may want to sit in a comfy chair and read a book or browse your phone with great lighting and a place to rest your tea or coffee or a cocktail.

Cozy blue and white gingham Bergere armchair

What is the best part of being in the consignment business?

The best part of being in the consignment business is the amazing things that I see. Almost every day, I see an item that I haven’t seen before. It’s amazing what people have collected over the years and what kinds of items end up from other parts of the world, and many of those pieces came in the 1800s and early 20th century. So those things must have quite a story of how they traveled here and what they’ve seen and what they’ve lived through.

I’m passionate about design, architecture, textiles, wall coverings, artwork and so for me, the best part of this business is being able to work with those kinds of items every single day.

What is the secret to Coast’s success?

The secret to our success is ensuring that your experience here is top notch, even if you are coming in just to browse and you don’t have the budget to buy anything right now, you are always welcome.

We hope that you can consider this a place that you can come to relax and get inspired and have ideas, even if you’re not buying. We love your energy. We love to have you in the store and we think our customer service is what sets us apart, because we do appreciate each and every one of our customers and our consignment clients. Without you, we wouldn’t be what we are today.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of How to find your Decor Soulmate with Tina Hamlin Beer coming soon!

If you would like to learn more about Coast Consignment, please visit their website, their listings and Instagram.

If you enjoyed this business feature, please leave a comment or to read more business features read Puca’s Pack: Animal Academy.

November 13, 2023November 13, 2023

Puca’s Pack: Animal Academy

I met Xicalli, owner of Puca’s Pack, animal academy and rescue society, in August when I was dog sitting my fur nephew, Osric. He was the adorable boxer you read about in my last blog. I brought him to the dog park at Harbourside Seawall in North Vancouver and Xicalli asked me if I had an extra poop bag because the park’s dispenser had run out. We struck up a conversation and followed each other on Instagram.

And it was that day that I offered to feature Puca’s Pack because I love supporting local small businesses, especially ones that are non-profit and help others. I also wanted to help Xicalli spread the word that there are animals that need your help, your love and a home.

M: When did you open Puca’s Pack?

X: I opened Puca’s Pack almost four years ago when I took in my first rescue dogs in December of 2019 and became an official not-for-profit rescue in January of 2020.

M: What was your inspiration?

X: I rescued the first two dogs, Stella and Lodden from a property in Prince George. Unfortunately, their owner was going to have them euthanized because they were too much to handle. Both dogs struggled with aggression. I struggled to train them for a year before finding my savior/mentor.

And in the first year of having them, I reached out to countless trainers, but no one was willing to help me. I had dogs with bite histories and were too large (120+ lbs) for most trainers to work with. I eventually found Dean Audet, the owner of The Great Canadian Dog Academy in Kamloops.

Puca’s Pack Behaviour Modification Specialist

I immediately booked myself for a three month intensive training program. I lived in Kamloops getting daily hands-on experience with Dog Psychology Training, Service Dog Training, Hunting Training, Scent Work and Rehabilitation. After I completed the program, I received a Behaviour Modification Specialist certificate and immediately picked up my first seven rescue dogs from Our Last Hope Animal Rescue, and I’ve never looked back.

“I’ve been an avid animal lover, my entire life.”

M: Where did the name of your business come from? Was Puca the name of one of your dogs?

X: When I started my rescue, I wanted to have a fun name, unfortunately, all the clever punny names I came up with were taken. Puca (pronounced poo-ka) is my middle name and it means Shapeshifter which felt quite fitting for a pack of misfits needing rehabilitation.

M: How long have you been working with dogs?

X: I’ve been an avid animal lover, my entire life. Professionally, I’ve only been working with dogs since September of 2019.

Dog Academy PUca's Pack — Osric and one of Puca’s Pack’s dogs playing at Harbourside Seawall

M: What do you like most about your business?

X: It’s challenging, it’s rewarding, it’s everything in between. Every day I learn something new about myself. The moment I found animal rescue, was the moment I found myself. Being able to rehabilitate an animal and find a loving home, or find the path of least resistance within its own home, is one of the most heartwarming experiences in the world.

And my passion has always been to help others, whether they have 2 feet or 4 feet. Working with animals has taught me more about myself than any other life experiences I’ve had. It’s my life’s mission to help animals and people find peace on this earth.

M: What is the most challenging part of your dog academy?

X: Training their owners.

New Dog Parent Do’s and Don’ts from Puca’s Pack

M: What advice would you give to new dog parents? (Some top do’s and don’ts)

X: Structure, structure, structure. Owning a dog is a privilege, especially if you have one that has challenges, as it will teach you about yourself. The biggest problem I see in owners is not giving their dogs rules and boundaries. They need to stay in a balanced state of mind. Be confident in your training abilities, set rules, boundaries, nurture the calm, and be patient.

Foster Parent Program

M: You have a foster parent program for your rescues. What is involved? How can someone become a foster parent to a pup?

X: It’s very simple, if you see one of our dogs that you are interested in fostering, or would like to foster in the future, all you need to do is reach out. You can contact us via text, email, or by filling out a foster application on our website. We will then schedule a call, or meet in person, to determine which dog is most suited for you.

When we find an appropriate foster dog for you, we will then go through basic dog psychology and training techniques for when the dog first enters your home. We will go over do’s and don’ts, and we will be there every step of the way.

M: How can someone adopt a pet? How long does it take? How much does it cost?

X: Cost of adoption vary based upon age. Our costs can all be found on our website at the bottom of our adoptable‘s page. We pay for their collars, leashes, food, vaccinations, spays/neuters, and any other medical care that comes with the dog. Some dogs have extreme transportation costs before getting into our care, and our adoption fee helps us stay in business by covering a portion of those costs.

Adopting a Dog is Simple

If you see a dog on our page that you feel is an appropriate match for you, you can text, call, email us or fill out an application on our website. Adopting a dog is actually quite simple. We will schedule a phone call to go over your application, and figure out whether you and the dog will be a good match.

After we’ve approved your application, we will proceed with a meet and greet, some training, and you can take your new family member home. Puca’s Pack will be there to support you through the transition period of bringing a dog into your home. If you don’t see your dream pup, don’t fret! You can always fill out an application even if there is no current dog right for you. We can leave your application open and contact you when the right dog comes along.

Fundraisers and Donations Only Sources of Funding

M: Puca’s Pack is a non-profit organization. Are you able to get any government grants or funding? Is there anything the community can do to help?

X: Currently, fundraisers and donations are our only sources of funding. I started this rescue four years ago, and we paid the majority of our costs out of pocket. We have looked into government grants but have struggled to get any funding as they cater to charities, not not-for-profit.

Puca’s Pack provides countless services including pet sitting, boarding, dog walking, and training, all the revenue from these services go directly to our rescue. None of our staff or volunteers are paid. We provide all services out of the goodness of our hearts to help this rescue stay afloat.

If you would like to find out more information please follow them on their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or their website. And if you would like to adopt a dog, foster one, or make a donation you can reach out to them call/text Xicalli (pronounced Sh-kay-lee) at (778) 918-5991.

June 22, 2023June 22, 2023

Queen’s Academy of The Arts – Small Business Feature

Queen’s Academy of the Arts is a local small business that offers musical theatre programs for children between the ages of 4 to 12 online and in person in Burnaby and Coquitlam. There are after school classes, summer camps and music lessons (voice, guitar and piano) all available on a sliding scale.

I first met Queen at a Capilano Students’ Union (CSU) event at Capilano University. She is a Musical Theatre Diploma graduate, currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the university and the founder and instructor of Queen’s Academy of The Arts.

M: When did you open your business?

Q: I began offering free musical theatre classes in 2013 and registered as a business; Queen’s Academy of The Arts in 2020.

M: Did you always want to own your own business?

Q: I started teaching classes to kids as a passion project and I discovered that teaching and running a business could be a future career. It combines what I love; teaching and working with kids, and the performing arts.

Queen's Academy Fall 2019 Musical Theatre Class — Queen’s Academy Fall 2019 Musical Theatre Class

Queen’s Academy was born

M: What was your inspiration for your business?

Q: Since I was little, I’ve loved to perform. My mom put me in classes, but I knew they were too expensive for us, so I withdrew. Only, that didn’t stop me, instead it gave me the inspiration and drive to run my own business.

M: When did you start teaching children?

Q: At age 12, I began offering free musical theatre classes to feed my passion for the arts. And eight years later launched my business. I believe all kids deserve the opportunity to enrich their lives through the arts. But I know some families face difficulties or financial barriers. This is why I have made my program more affordable than competitors and I have also created an inclusive sponsorship program to make classes more accessible.

Queen's Academy Spring 2019 Musical Theatre Show — Queen’s Academy Spring 2019 Musical Theatre Show

Accessible Musical Theatre Programs

M: Did you grow up in Vancouver?

Q: I have lived in the Lower Mainland and Burnaby since I was a kid! It is my passion to bring families together through Queen’s Academy and make performing arts accessible to create connection and community.

M: Would you advise others to pursue a degree before opening their own business?

Q: I began running my business teaching my children’s programs while pursuing a Musical Theatre Diploma and Bachelors of Arts Degree at Capilano University. Pursuing an education in the field that my company specializes in has helped me obtain the skills to feel confident in the field. I would advise you to do what will lead you to the most success.

M: What would your advice to future owners with dreams of owning their own business be?

Q: As long as you are passionate and determined anything is possible!

If you would like to know more about Queen’s Academy of the Arts and their musical theatre programs, voice and music lessons, please visit their website and follow their Instagram.