ally r potel, flyberry events, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, le gouter podcast, yvr

Ally R. Potel: From Observation to Impact, Leading Thoughtful Experience Design Through Flyberry Group Inc.

Ally R. Potel is a Vancouver-based event producer, creative director, and entrepreneur known for her strategic rigour, aesthetic sensibility, and ability to build meaningful experiences at scale. Originally from France, Ally began her career in Paris at the intersection of hospitality, fashion, and beauty, working with brands such as Stella McCartney, Balenciaga, and L’Oréal. This early exposure to luxury, design, and brand storytelling shaped the precision and visual culture that now define her work. She completed a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and a Master’s degree in Communications in Paris before spending time in New York and ultimately relocating to Vancouver.

In 2023, Ally founded Flyberry Group Inc. and quickly established herself as a trusted producer for high-profile corporate and civic events in British Columbia. Deeply engaged in civic leadership, Ally serves as Secretary of the Rotary Club of Vancouver and is President-Elect of ILEA (International Live Event Association) Vancouver for 2026 to 2027. She also mentors newcomers through IEC-BC, supporting immigrant professionals entering Canada’s creative and events industries.

ally r potel, flyberry events, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, le gouter podcast, yvr

THE BUSINESS.

Flyberry Group Inc. is a Vancouver-based creative production company that designs, produces, and reimagines live experiences with intention, precision, and emotion. Founded in 2023 by Ally R. Potel, Flyberry began as a one-woman operation and has since evolved into a multi-division studio operating at the intersection of events, storytelling, and community. The company works with media organizations, corporations, municipalities, ministries, and non-profits that care about impact, reputation, and public trust.

Flyberry is a trusted production partner for Business in Vancouver’s major awards and galas, including Forty Under 40 and the Influential Women in Business Awards. The team has also produced large-scale community and charity events such as the KidSafe Golf Tournament and Rotary’s Ride for Hearing, bringing professional production standards, strong sponsor strategy, and clear creative vision to purpose-driven work. These events regularly convene civic and institutional leaders, including mayors, ministers, and the Lieutenant Governor, alongside business and community stakeholders.

With the launch of Flyberry Studio and the Le Goûter podcast series, Ally is expanding into creative content and original formats. Le Goûter is an intimate, in-person, recorded podcast experience inspired by French salon culture, centring deeply human conversations about identity, ambition, and reinvention. This expansion reflects Ally’s broader creative vision and her interest in exploring how stories, environments, and dialogue shape personal and collective experience.

ally r potel, flyberry events, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, le gouter podcast, yvr

IN HER WORDS.

“My entrepreneurial journey has been less of a straight line and more of a gradual sharpening of clarity. In the early Flyberry years, I was in survival mode, saying yes to almost everything, learning fast, and proving I could deliver. The key opportunities that shaped me were large, high-stakes projects like the Business in Vancouver galas and Rotary’s Ride for Hearing, where I had to step beyond being a good planner and become a true producer and strategic leader. I overcame setbacks by becoming more disciplined, tightening contracts, being clearer about scope, and slowly building systems instead of relying purely on hustle.

FOCUSED EVOLUTION

I have not been a serial entrepreneur in the traditional sense of launching many unrelated companies. Instead, Flyberry has evolved into multiple divisions rather than separate ventures. What began as one event production company has gradually expanded into Flyberry Studio and creative formats like Le Goûter. Each project came from the same core instinct to create meaningful, beautifully designed experiences, but in different mediums. I did not sell or close anything. I refined and focused. Over time, I moved away from scattered one-off projects and leaned into what truly reflects my vision: high-impact corporate events, community work with purpose, and creative content that explores identity and ambition.

SACRIFICES MADE

I have made real sacrifices, particularly financially and personally. For years, I prioritized reinvesting in Flyberry over personal comfort, travel, or stability. I also sacrificed time, working long hours, carrying heavy responsibility alone, and sometimes putting relationships or rest second. Becoming a parent added another layer, requiring me to redefine balance, slow down in some areas, and be more strategic about where I spend my energy.

STRUCTURE OVER HUSTLE

There was not one single investment that made me believe Flyberry would succeed. Instead, the turning point came when major institutions and long-term clients consistently trusted me with their most important events. Realizing these organizations relied on my leadership, not just my execution, was when I truly felt this is real, and I can build something lasting.

Once I gained confidence in my vision, I stopped trying to do everything myself and started thinking in terms of structure. I formalized Flyberry’s divisions, documented parts of the Flyberry Method, clarified my brand positioning, and invested in the right collaborators for specific projects. I also strengthened my presence in organizations and online, which expanded my network and credibility. Scaling for me has not meant rapid growth. It has meant becoming more intentional, professionalizing my processes, and building a reputation that attracts the right opportunities. My growth has been shaped more by communities than by one single mentor.

ally r potel, flyberry events, portfolioyvr, helen siwak, vancouver, le gouter podcast, yvr

VALUES AND LEGACY

The publisher of Business in Vancouver believed in me early on and became my first client when I decided to create my own company. At the same time, the leaders at the Rotary Club of Vancouver have played an important role in my development, constantly challenging me to think bigger, lead better, and grow as a leader every day.

At its core, Flyberry creates experiences that move people intellectually, emotionally, and visually. Our model sits at the intersection of high-level production, creative storytelling, and community impact. We work with media organizations, corporations, municipalities, ministries, and nonprofit partners that care about reputation, impact, and public trust. Our projects regularly bring together civic and institutional leaders, including mayors, ministers, and the Lieutenant Governor, alongside business and community stakeholders. What matters to me is not just producing beautiful events, but designing experiences that feel intentional, human, and truly meaningful.

As Flyberry grew, my leadership shifted from being a hands-on operator to becoming a strategist and creative director. Early on, I equated leadership with doing everything myself. Now, I see it as setting vision, making clear decisions, and empowering others to execute well.

I have had to realign with my core values several times, especially when I felt stretched too thin, reminding myself that Flyberry must be bold, ethical, and purposeful, not just busy. I would tell aspiring entrepreneurs to build slowly, protect their cash flow, and be very clear about their values before chasing growth. I wish I had known earlier that saying no is as powerful as saying yes, and that clarity beats speed.

By the end of 2025 and 2026, I see Flyberry as a stronger, more structured company with clearer divisions, a growing creative studio, and a recognized voice through Le Goûter. I want to deepen our impact in British Columbia through meaningful public and community work while elevating our creative reputation. My legacy is not just big events. It is creating a culture of excellence, mentorship, and creativity in the event industry, while proving that thoughtful, values-driven leadership can build something powerful.”

Connect with Ally R. Potel & Flyberry Group Inc:

Website: https://flyberryevents.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyberryevents/

Author Profile

Helen Siwak, Collaborator: This story is created in collaboration between Helen Siwak and the featured subject. As the founder and publisher of Portfolio.YVR Business & Entrepreneurs Magazine, Helen works closely with entrepreneurs to share their paths of innovation, resilience, and growth. Each story in this series is co-developed through interviews and first-person insights, blending authentic voices with Helen’s editorial expertise to highlight the remarkable individuals shaping British Columbia’s business landscape.