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Kevin Lai Ottawa

@klaiii

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Nearly 180 people. Three posts. One city.

I started this series because I was tired of being one of the only Asians in rooms that claimed to represent Ottawa, and tired of hearing, “We couldn’t find anyone.”

So I decided to show you.

I barely left my own network.

These are leaders, entrepreneurs, creators, healthcare professionals, artists, public servants, chefs, educators, community builders and people moving Ottawa forward every single day.

The bar was never lowered. Your network just wasn’t wide enough to see them.

Talent is everywhere. Access to opportunity is not.

And the response proved the point: 100,000+ people reached, a CBC Ottawa Morning interview, new introductions, new opportunities, and countless messages saying, “I had no idea they were in Ottawa.”

Exactly.

So stop asking, “Who do we already know?”

Start asking, “Who haven’t we met yet?”

This is Ottawa. And this still isn’t everyone. ❤️

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🫎🌅FOR RENT🏡🪧11-890 Cahill Dr W✨
🏡 FURNISHED RENTAL | HUNT CLUB / SOUTH KEYS
✨ Spacious & updated 3-bedroom condo townhome 🛏️ 3 bedrooms | 🛁 1.5 bathrooms 🛋️ Furnished with select furniture included 🍽️ Updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances & ample counter space 💻 Finished lower level with rec space + 2 versatile bonus rooms 🧺 In-unit laundry 💧 Water, snow removal & lawn care included in rent 🚆 Convenient access to South Keys Station, Airport Parkway & Ottawa Airport 📅 Available immediately!
Thank you @klaiii of @expcanada_ for choosing @YOWSignRental
#OttawaRentals #OttawaRental #OttawaRealEstate #OttawaRealtor #HuntClub #SouthKeys #OttawaHomes #RentalProperty #ForRentOttawa #FurnishedRental #CondoTownhome #OttawaLiving #SouthKeysOttawa #HomeForRent

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🫎🌅FOR SALE🏡🪧2505 Nutgrove Ave✨
✨ Bright corner-unit townhome 🛏️ 2 bedrooms + 🛁 2.5 bathrooms 🍽️ Modern kitchen with stone counters & breakfast bar 🌿 Private balcony for morning coffee or evening relaxation 💻 Main-level office + powder room 🛁 Spacious primary bedroom with private ensuite 📍 Close to parks, schools, transit, Minto Recreation Complex, shops & restaurants 🚗 Easy access to Highway 416
Thank you @klaiii of @expcanada_ for choosing @YOWSignRental
#Barrhaven #OttawaRealEstate #OttawaHomes #BarrhavenRealEstate #OttawaRealtor #OntarioRealEstate #Townhome #Townhouse #HomeForSale #RealEstateListing #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #OttawaLiving #RealEstateOttawa #HomeOwnership

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🫎🌅FOR SALE🏡🪧A-10 Fieldgate Dr✨
✨ Bright end-unit condo townhome with extra privacy & natural light
🛏️ 3 bedrooms + 🛁 2 bathrooms
🌞 Spacious layout with larger room sizes than many newer builds
💡 Open living & dining area with stylish pot lights
🍽️ Functional kitchen with stainless steel fridge & stove
🛌 Primary bedroom with pot lights + 2 additional bedrooms upstairs
🎮 Finished lower level perfect for a family room, gym, office, hobby space, or playroom
🌳 Private backyard setting in a mature, family-friendly community
📍 Close to parks, schools, shopping, transit & recreation
Thank you @klaiii of @expcanada_ for choosing @yowsignrental
#Barrhaven #BarrhavenRealEstate #OttawaRealEstate #OttawaHomes #OttawaTownhome #CondoLiving #HomeForSale #JustListed #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #InvestmentProperty #Downsizing #OttawaRealtor #YOWRealEstate #HouseHunting #DreamHome #RealEstateLife #OttawaLiving #EndUnitTownhome #OntarioRealEstate #MoveInReady

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🫎🌅FOR RENT🏡🪧99 Kyanite Lane ✨
Thank you @klaiii of @expcanada_ for choosing @yowsignrental #barrhaven #forrent #ottawarealestate #ottawahomes #ottawarealtor #ottawahomesforsale #ottawaliving #realestateottawa #ottawa

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🇨🇦 expcon Vancouver
🎉 Thanks for the new friends
🧠 Thanks for the new knowledge
🫃🏻 Ate 8 meals per day
🥖 See you in Paris
🧂 See you in Salt Lake City
🌎 Global Connections
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Garrick Yan Group
exp Realty | Luxury
DRE 01916102
510 999 8008

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Younger me would have never imagined this moment.

For as long as I can remember, my goal was simple: buy my parents a home. We lived in a tiny, old 650 square foot apartment in centertown since the 1990s. It wasn’t much, but it was home. It is where I grew up, shaped by years of love, sacrifice, and resilience. My parents immigrated to Canada from Vietnam with almost nothing. No safety net. No connections. Just the hope of a better life. My mom worked tirelessly, often juggling two jobs as a housekeeper and dishwasher. I remember sitting in the car at night waiting for her shift to end, wondering when I would be old enough to work so I could help, so maybe we could live somewhere bigger, safer, a place we could truly call our own.

Life was not easy, but they gave me everything that truly mattered: strength, humility, generosity, and a sense of purpose.

Because of them, I made one quiet promise to myself: one day I would buy them the home they never had.

Through my twenties, that promise guided every decision. I worked multiple jobs, saved every dollar, made sacrifices, and pushed through every challenge because there was always a bigger purpose pulling me forward.

And this year, I finally did it. Handing them the keys to a place they can truly call their own is a moment I will carry for the rest of my life. Children of immigrants understand this deeply—how much our parents gave up, how much they endured, and how much of our success is built on sacrifices they never asked recognition for.

This isn’t about celebrating myself. It is about honoring them. Everything I have achieved is rooted in their strength, their love, and their belief in me.

I didn’t do this alone. To my partner @goodguygregsf , thank you for your endless love, guidance, and support. To my friends and chosen family, thank you for lifting me up, grounding me, and cheering for me in ways I will never forget. Thank you to @klaiii realty for helping us find the perfect home. Your guidance and quick work made this transition seamless.

Feeling grateful. The quiet goals for family often matter the most. Here’s to giving back and building the future they dreamed of. 🤍#grateful

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Attended the annual @treesofhopeottawa at @fairmontlaurier 🎄🎄🎄
Also checked out @1912ottawa with @amyede_ @vinh.ja @cyndi.wan @klaiii @riel.vllnv

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From just a mattress to a cozy oasis ✨🛏️ We turned this large blank space into a bedroom retreat with a perfect mix of comfort and style. Who knew a little creativity could make such a big difference? 😌💫

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Some @polaroid photos from the early Cinco de@May get together. Thank you @tharie_613 for hosting.
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#polaroid #polaroidi2 #ottawa #cincodemayo #filmisnotdead #believeinfilm #itypefilm #colorfilm #instantfilm #filmphotography #gettogetherparty #shootfilm #polaroidphotography

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The only @polaroid photo at @tuesdayclub613 with friends on Tuesday night at @naturalhistorysociety. Happy 3 year anniversary, Tuesday Club.
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#polaroid #polaroidi2 #ottawa #ottawachinatown #tuesdayclub613 #supportlocal #ottcity #believeinfilm #filmisnotdead #instantfilm #instantphotography #film #doitforthegrain #600film #myottawa #igersottawa #shootfilm #ottawabloggers

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🇬🇷🥞 Ottawa’s Daily Brunch Spot… with a little Greek inspired twist!

🔎 We’ve been on the search for some good daily brunch spots because it seems Ottawa doesn’t like to wait for the weekend to brunch!

The Village Cafe is our latest Ottawa restaurant that came recommended by our followers and friends, so we made the trip to Stittesville to check them out!

A little shoutout to our friend Kevin @klaiii for introducing us to this place - open 7 days a week!

📍The Village Cafe @villagecafestittsville
5734 Hazeldean Rd, Stittsville

🥚 Most places do brunch on weekends. The Village Cafe said, “Why limit happiness?” You want eggs? We got ‘em. You want souvlaki? We’ve got that too. You want both on the same plate? Now we’re talking!

The Village Cafe isn’t just serving brunch—they’re a family-run restaurant doing daily brunch with a hint of Greek flavour 🇬🇷🔥. Whether it’s eggs and pancakes at 2pm or souvlaki, gyro, feta, and tzatziki on your plate before noon, this is your spot any day of the week. They even got bruschetta-style eggs because breakfast deserves a little Mediterranean flair too.

🧇 And of course you can’t call it brunch without some of the sweet stuff. Buttermilk pancakes, French toast, waffles— every day. Topped with fruit, real maple syrup and maybe a mimosa or a whiskey & maple infused “Village Coffee” 🍯🥞

☀️So if you wake up on a Thursday, and you want it to feel a bit more like a Saturday check out the Village Cafe - a family-run restaurant that makes you feel like family.

#myottawa #myottawaeats #ottawarestaurants #stittsville #yoweats

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