Small Planet Supply Vancouver team member Mahta Najafian Razavi has worked for Small Planet Supply for a little over two years as a residential sales engineer.  Mahta, originally from Iran, moved to Canada in December 2019 to pursue academic advancement and a career in the field of energy management.  Attending university in Iran, she studied textile engineering but became interested in energy consumption issues.  This interest led her to explore the Energy Management field further. Since no universities in Iran offering a major in Energy Management, she researched universities outside Iran and selected Canada, she chose Canada because of its exemplary educational system.

Mahta has master’s degree in Energy Management from BCIT and recently began representing Small Planet Supply Canada at Homebuilders Association Vancouver (HAVAN).  We asked her a few questions recently about what she has learned about the organization since joining.

What are your impressions of HAVAN since you joined? 

Since joining HAVAN, I've been impressed by the organization's commitment to fostering a strong community within the homebuilding industry. The meetings have been incredibly informative, and I've enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the field.

What, if anything, did you know about HAVAN before joining? 

Before joining HAVAN, I knew it was a respected association within the homebuilding industry, but I didn't fully grasp the extent of the networking and educational opportunities it provides.

Did you attend the new members orientation?  If yes, how did the orientation process help you understand HAVAN’s goals and culture? 

Although I was unable to attend the new members orientation due to a health issue, my colleague Ben attended on my behalf. According to his feedback, the orientation was a great experience. He found it to be a wonderful opportunity to learn about the structure of HAVAN and upcoming events. Ben also mentioned that he was able to meet the council and members in person to introduce our company, which was valuable for building connections within the organization.

Can you describe a project or activity that you attended or participated in that you found particularly meaningful since joining? 
One activity that stood out to me was the expert discussion on social selling and sales advice. It was incredibly informative and gave me practical strategies to improve my sales techniques.

For those who are not members of HAVAN, what has surprised you about HAVAN?  What have you enjoyed the most? 

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the warmth and inclusivity of the HAVAN community. Everyone is so willing to share their knowledge and experiences, which has made networking enjoyable and rewarding.  

How have you personally benefited from being a HAVAN member and in attending HAVAN events?  If yes, how? 

Personally, being a HAVAN member has helped me expand my professional network and learn valuable sales strategies. Attending HAVAN events has also boosted my confidence in networking situations.

Looking ahead, what are the future events and activities you are most looking forward to in the coming year? 

I'm looking forward to attending the Builders Expo on May 15th, as well as the HAVAN 50th Anniversary Party on June 13th. These events promise to be great opportunities for networking and learning more about the industry.

 Stay updated with the latest trends and innovations in the construction industry. Subscribe to Planet Supply’s newsletter to be notified about new blog posts and other useful information each month.