The Fire That Changed Our Lives Forever: A Personal Story About Loss, Community, and Rebuilding

On a recent afternoon in East Vancouver, my life changed in a way I never expected — and certainly never wanted to document on YouTube or anywhere else. But this experience has reshaped our family, our businesses, and our understanding of community. Sharing it feels important, both as a way of processing and as a way of helping others who may face sudden loss. This has changed out lives forever, and we will grow stronger because of it.

How It Happened: The Day Our Lives Changed Forever

I was in Vancouver driving along East Hastings Street on my way back from work when I saw smoke rising into the sky. Within seconds, I realized the flames were coming from a building I recognized. It was my husband Brandon’s photography studio — the place he’s worked from for years, the space that holds his creative energy, and the home of more than 15 years of equipment, tools, and irreplaceable items.

I immediately called him in a panic, shaking. It felt surreal watching everything he built burn in front of my eyes. Before firefighters could stop the flames, the fire had spread to our storage unit where we kept many of our personal items. Nearly everything inside was lost — memories, keepsakes, and belongings we can never replace.

The Impact on Our Family and Businesses

The days that followed were heartbreaking and exhausting. Our lives were changed forever.

Brandon lost:

• His entire studio

• Over a decade’s worth of photography equipment

• The tools that supported his full-time income

• Personal items stored nearby

• A creative space he poured his heart into

As a family, we suddenly found ourselves balancing financial stress, emotional shock, and the practical realities of rebuilding while continuing to work, parent, and stay grounded.

For those who don’t know us personally, Brandon and I both work in creative industries here in Vancouver. I run Faye Smith Agency, Faye Smith Beauty, Faye Smith Academy, and Primp & Proper Salon. Brandon specializes in portrait, actor, and business headshots. Our businesses support our family and each other — which is why this loss was so deeply intertwined with every part of our lives.

Why I Decided to Share This Story Publicly

I never expected to make a YouTube video about something so personal. But the outpouring of support — from clients, fellow artists, local Vancouver businesses, past students, and friends — has shown me how powerful community can be during tragedy.

Sharing this story on YouTube felt important because:

• Small business loss is rarely talked about honestly.

• Creative professionals often don’t have safety nets.

• We wanted to document this moment for our daughter and our future selves.

• Being transparent can help someone else going through a similar crisis.

• Community support truly does make a real difference.

This isn’t a video for sympathy — it’s a way to be real about what life looks like behind the scenes, even when it’s messy, emotional, and uncertain.

👉 Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/Vaj6hsRngaI?si=QPH5CMrNfxpsVTvq

How Our Vancouver Community Has Lifted Us Up

One of the most beautiful parts of this experience has been the support we’ve received from the creative community in Vancouver — makeup artists, photographers, stylists, clients, students, local businesses, and people who simply saw our story and reached out.

We’ve received:

• Messages of encouragement

• Offers of equipment loans

• Advice from others who experienced fires

• Emotional support

• An overwhelming amount of kindness

This has reminded us that Vancouver’s creative industry is a family, and small businesses are deeply interconnected. When one of us suffers, we all feel it.

If You Feel Called to Support

Many people have asked how they can help. Truly, even watching and sharing the video makes an impact.

If you’d like to support more directly, we have set up a GoFundMe:

👉 GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-h…

Please know there is absolutely no obligation. Your kindness and words mean more than you know.

Moving Forward: Rebuilding With Hope and Gratitude

We are now working through the home insurance process, cleanup, and planning for what comes next. It’s a long road, but we are moving forward one step at a time.

This experience has reminded us to:

• Hold tighter to each other

• Appreciate the strength of our community

• Stay hopeful, even when things feel impossible

• Believe that something new can come from loss

Thank you — truly — for every message, every share, every comment, and every moment of compassion. It has carried us through some of the hardest days of our lives.

If you’d like to stay connected or follow our journey, here are the places we share updates:

Faye Smith Beauty

Instagram: @fayesmithbeauty
YouTube: Faye Smith Beauty

Faye Smith Agency

Website: https://fayesmith.ca
Instagram: @fayesmithagency
TikTok: @primpnproperfsa

Faye Smith Academy

Courses: https://fayesmith.ca/hair-and-makeup-academy
Instagram: @fayesmithacademy

Primp & Proper Salon

Website: https://primpnproper.com
Instagram: @primpandpropervancouver
TikTok: @primpnproperfsa